Benedict Books

I run a large manufacturing organization and must say that the techniques and processes we learned about in this book changed much of the way we did business. Highly recommended to anyone in the manufacturing industry!

This book is the most accurate and complete work on advanced, non-traditional manufacturing processes ever written. It provides a logical framework of comparison between processes and explains everything with a clarity not often seen in technical books. I would recommend this book not only for the casual reader but for schools/universities to include in their coursework.

Skillfully combining images that are personal and universal, practical and mystical, sometimes whimsical, Rachel Srubas offers a unique perspective on the Rule of Benedict. By training she is writer, poet and pastor, a mix that accords well with Benedictine tradition and spirituality. In a lively and perceptive introduction, she describes how her practice of Scriptio Divina (sacred writing) is an adaptation of the ancient monastic practice of Lectio Divina (sacred reading). Accustomed to using this writing practice for meditation on Scripture texts, when she encountered the Rule Benedict wrote 1500 years ago, she used the same method. The 73 Benedictine prayer-poems in this slim book are the fruit of these reflections, her "Oblation" (offering) to others who wish to savor the wisdom in that ancient text. This is a book to which thoughtful readers will want to return again and again.

Benedictine spirituality is experiencing a resurgence in the world at this time. One manifestation of this resurgence is a growing number of articulate women are writing and are being heard. Some of the best writers are not vowed monastics. Beverly Lanzetta, Kathleen Norris, Norvene Vest, Esther deWaal, and Angeles Arrien come to mind as true monastics of the heart. Now in our midst is a startlingly fresh poet/monastic: Benedictine Oblate Rachel Srubas. Srubas, who is a married Presbyterian clergywoman, uses the practice of lectio divina to present to us reflections on the Rule of Benedict which are raw, real, and riveting. When you pick up this book, read Srubas' meditations aloud and slowly---to yourself and/or to another person. Her responses to the Rule are sure to reach you in a sensitive, visceral place. Turbulent as times are today, Srubas' words carry me the way a mountain stream burbles, sparkles, and plays over hard, slippery stone. Srubas' reflections feel bathed in God's sunlight. They dance and bring me home to the Source of Life.

"Brothers, I wish that God would give me and entire forest of these Junipers." Brother Juniper is one of the eleven monks, Little Brothers, living frugally in the Little Portion of Assissi with St. Francis. Given the nickname "God's Joculator" by St. Clare, Brother Juniper's only weakness was giving everything away to anyone in need. This weakness, compounded by Brother Juniper's kindness and devotion, lead him to adventures, including giving away the silver altar bells to a poor old woman to giving away his own robe to a poor man. The monks of the Little Portion learn to leave few things lying around, lest Brother Juniper give them away. So great is his kindness and devotion that the Devil conspired to have Brother Juniper executed. Again, Brother Juniper's reputation manages to save him from that sentence. The religious nature of this book should not deter anyone from enjoying the adventures of Brother Juniper, who exemplifies the precious qualities of heart-felt compassion and innocent simplicity. I thought it was a lovely book when I first read it at age 10. Reading it again as an adult, I can see how different and better the world could be with a "forest of these Junipers".

"Brothers, I wish that God would give me and entire forest of these Junipers." Brother Juniper is one of the eleven monks, Little Brothers, living frugally in the Little Portion of Assissi with St. Francis. Given the nickname "God's Joculator" by St. Clare, Brother Juniper's only weakness was giving everything away to anyone in need. This weakness, compounded by Brother Juniper's kindness and devotion, lead him to adventures, including giving away the silver altar bells to a poor old woman to giving away his own robe to a poor man. The monks of the Little Portion learn to leave few things lying around, lest Brother Juniper give them away. So great is his kindness and devotion that the Devil conspired to have Brother Juniper executed. Again, Brother Juniper's reputation manages to save him from that sentence. The religious nature of this book should not deter anyone from enjoying the adventures of Brother Juniper, who exemplifies the precious qualities of heart-felt compassion and innocent simplicity. I thought it was a lovely book when I first read it at age 10. Reading it again as an adult, I can see how different and better the world could be with a "forest of these Junipers".

Helen Benedict is a wonderful writer. Her novel, Bad Angel, vividly and powerfully portrays the lives of her inner city characters. Sailor's Wife richly conveys life in a Greek Isle and elsewhere. In the Opposite of Love she once again proves her power and insight as a novelist. It is a stunning work.

A book for all ages, this story of 17-year-old Madge is a
> heart-breaker and a heart-warmer all at the same time. Madge
> lives in a little town in Pennylvania. Her mother is an English
ex-con (some may remember her, the unforgettable, loveable and
> exasperating Brandy from Benedict's first novel, "A World Like
> This"). And her father is - who knows? - some passer-by from
Jamaica whom she never saw and her mother barely remembers.
> Torn by love and hate towards her mother; bruised by the casual
> cruelties and calculated slights that Benedict brilliantly shows
> to be part of the life of a teen-age girl; wounded by racial
> slurs, Madge finds her own way - not an easy way, but a
> triumphant expression of growing into a strong and loving
> woman who can put others before her self. And in finding her own
> way Madge helps us to understand the terrible sadness behind
> those millions of children who are being left behind - and to ask
> ourselves what we can do to help.
>

It's got the bare essential data you need for the hike.
Mileage, water sources, post offices, grocery stores, etc.
Don't leave your domicile without it.

I can't think of anything this guide has left out. It provides not only thorough trail descriptions and maps for each segment that are detailed and clear, but also a history of the trail, both natural and historic, advice on planning your trip, and a complete list of agencies to contact for trail permits. I appreciate the details regarding flora and fauna, as well as advice from everything to supply stations to how to deal with bears. I don't believe that I have ever seen a more thorough and complete trail guide.

The correct title and subtitle for this book are as follows:

Praying to Our Lord Jesus Christ: Prayers and Meditations Through the Centuries

Our Lord is our most precious treasure, and this little book is a small treasure of the most special prayers and teachings of the church fathers from the 1st century forward. Cyprian, Athansius, Francis, Gregory, Ambrose, Basil, Theresa Avilla; down to Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Catholic, Eastern Orthodox prayer -- its all here (John Chrysostom -- my own favorite). Fr. Groeschel gives a wonderful introduction with pastoral guidance on the need for constant prayer and conversation with Jesus. This little volume provides a wealth of devotions across millenia - as a guide for our own spritual development from the people who were the foundations of our church. A wonderful resource for all Christians.

This is the most humane story I have read regarding the violence, fear, and unwavering love of placeand community that so largely defines Northern Island in the last third of this century. Ten years ago I chose this book off the shelf, without knowing anything about it or the author. I read the book on a Saturday and was so amazed by it I re-read it again the next day. A week later I read it again and have read it perhaps 10 times over the years. The story of a grandfather faced to make a terrible decision is a simple plot but a complex question. And the dual love of family and Place enrich this story of how compassion overrides criminality. I would also recommend anything else written by Benedict Kiely, for his ability to Put The Reader In Northern Ireland.

Benedict Kiely's novel, Proxopera, is a story of a man faced with an impossible decision: drive a bomb into his beloved town for the IRA or his family will be killed. Other stories have been written along this line, yes, but not like this. His novel describes this horrible situation in a hauntingly poetic way. It also paints the ugly picture of the modern Provisionals. This book is essential to anyone who explores Republicanism or the situation in modern Ireland. It is also a example of exceptional writing.

Jim Murphy has done it again -- crafted a work of non-fiction so compelling that it will keep kids hooked like an action-packed novel. The fact that Benedict Arnold's life reads like a novel helps. Murphy asks important questions about the man whose name has become synonymous with the word "traitor" and explores those questions with an open mind and an eye for historical detail. THE REAL BENEDICT ARNOLD takes a look at the man behind the label, his early days of the war, his motivations, and the reasons for the decision that ultimately made him infamous.

This is a fascinating book -- one that I'm recommending to teachers as a companion to my own middle grade historical novel SPITFIRE, which tells the story of two young people who were with Benedict Arnold's fleet on Lake Champlain in the fall of 1776. Just as Murphy's AN AMERICAN PLAGUE is a perfect complement to Laurie Halse Anderson's FEVER, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource for teachers looking to add some non-fiction to classroom libraries and discussions.

I don't think I've had such strong feelings about a biography since I read Kitty Kelly's The Bush Dynasty, but for exactly opposite reasons. Murphy's meticulously produced biography of Arnold gives us a vivid picture of a much- maligned, complex hero. This book also reveals much about the tenor of the times: an unruly, chaotic congress, disintegrating militia, and few true patriots. Struggling through many battles (in the field and in congress), Arnold turned Loyalist because he questioned whether the government he had been fighting for was worthy, not only of his personal sacrifices, but of those of his fellow Americans. Murphy includes copious notes, sources, and related asides, as well as a T of C and index. Though the Amazon listing puts this at the 9-12 age level, I believe this to be a typo, as the book would be better suited/understood by students in grades 9-12. It's a great read at any age, though, and belongs in all libraries.

I bought this audioook for our girls (aged 7 and 9) to listen to on long journeys. We enjoy listening to it also and it certainly does make the journeys more bareable. Our [...]particularly loves this audiobook, in her words "it's awesome, even though it's a bit sad at the end when he dies."
I feel it's better than simply watching a DVD all the time. At least they are using their imaginations to visualize the images and they are often inspired to sit and draw what they have imagined. I heartily recommend this audiobook.

I am an adult and I loved it.
Much better than listening to talk radio while driving.

I especially with my ancient eyes appreciate the large print, as well as the traditional dating of the chapters and selections for regular reading, once through three times a year.

This is also the well known and traditional translation into English as done by an Oblate of Saint John's sixty years ago but still clear and fresh as a miraculous mountain spring of Living Water. The translation was drawn from Dom Cuthbert's third edition of the LAtin text, published in 1935 (and originally written by Our Holy Father Saint Benedict a millenium and a half before then!).

Any community or individual devoted to the Rule will find this the most useful and welcome edition, not only for the hardcover and large print with generous margins, and the ribbon to hold your place, not only for the clear and correct translation, but also for the gentle feel in your hands of the brushed light blue denim like material which covers the cover.

The introduction written by Father David Cotter in the year 2000 comprehensively captures the historic as well as the theological high ground, making comprehensible this text to the novice as well as intriguing the veteran monastic. This excellent introduction and theological commentary in itself merits the small cost of this essential book.

Some thirty years ago I lived for several years in monasteries which closely follow this Rule. I am now an Oblate of Saint Benedict attached to a monastic house of the Subiaco Congregation. I am profoundly grateful to receive this edition of our beloved Rule of Saint Benedict for regular reflection.

There is much here for everyone to read, especially Saint Benedict's description of a twelve step program towards humility, an essential element for any monk, and so lacking in our present day. Several commentaries exist which anyone might find fascinating adn helpful, including Sister Joan Chittister's The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages (Crossroad Spiritual Legacy Series), and Attorney John McQuiston's excellently entitled Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living. Several others exist of all levels of scholarship, but what we need most and daily do is read the Rule. Thanks to Father Cotter's objective and thorough introduction no further commentary is necessary but what God speaks within the silence of our own individual hearts and our communities and in our Church, now under the able and gentle shepherding of one who chose the name of Benedict, whose revolutionary Sacramento de La Caridad: Sacramentum Caritatis and Deus Caritas Est: Dios Es Amor (Documentos) we do well now to read.

This is the "traditional" translation of the Rule, used by monasteries for years, and partitioned by day of the year for three complete readings a year. This new printing is a larger format with larger print, is a hardback, with a sewn binding -- very durable, very graceful, and still very simple.