Benedict Books

item arrived as promised, before last shipping date and exactly in condition promised

This is a the great second sight reading book of a 2 book series. I highly recomend as you learn musicality whilst learning to sight read. You learn the different playing positions.

I teach classical guitar and have found this book to be one of those "rare jewels" I sometimes am fortunate to come upon. This has to be one of the best books for understanding how to read classical guitar music notation, learning how to play up the neck in higher positions, phrasing, familiar and less frequently used tempo terms such as "Placidamente" (peacefully), and "Giocoso" (playfully). It also contains some excellent rhythm exercises and much, much more. It does not begin at the beginner's level but starts off on the very first page with intervals of a tenth, chord reading, and rhythmic reading in two voices. Every page is absolutely loaded with useful information and exercises that will make you slow down and really think about what you are doing and why. I cannot say enough good things about this book and it holds a very cherished place among my many other music books. I use it frequently to the point that many of the pages are now a bit worn-looking, but if you want to really become not just a good guitarist, but a great one, this book will definitely help you advance to those higher levels of musicality most guitarists never go.

Very very good condition, no complaints.
Acctually, I tell all my friends what great deals I get from Amozon! I may just be one of your top advocates.

Commenting on the communion of saints in heaven and how their various differences of temperament and intellect must ultimately complement one another in some as yet utterly unimaginable variegated whole, St. Therese of Lisieux once said: "Delightful and surprising will be the friendships found there - I am sure of it ... [A] simple little child may be the intimate friend of a patriarch." Dwight Longenecker in his new book, St. Benedict and St. Therese: The Little Rule and the Little Way, sees in this almost casual remark the kernel of a much larger reflection: how the nineteenth-century French Carmelite saint - not much more than a little child herself at the time of her death - might indeed easily be imagined hand-in-hand with the Father of western monasticism, the sixth-century St. Benedict of Nursia; for, despite the apparent incongruence of this unexpected pairing, their "Way" and "Rule" are in essence one. The "little way" of St. Therese of the Child Jesus is really nothing less than an utterly radical faith and dependence on Jesus Christ. "Sanctity," she says in her final days, "does not consist in performing such and such acts; it means being ready at heart to become small and humble in the arms of God, acknowledging our weakness and trusting in his fatherly goodness to the point of audacity." (p. 215) Such conviction, expressed while nearly at the point of death, finds its spiritual complement in St. Benedict's "little Rule for beginners": "Let us then never withdraw from discipleship to him, but persevering in his teachings in the monastery till death, let us share the suffering of Christ through patience, and so deserve also to share in his kingdom." (p. 38)

Longenecker has provided us with the good fruit of his experiment of exploring and interrelating the timeless wisdom of these two immensely influential saints. A Benedictine Oblate himself, he has already shown himself to be an enlightening guide through Benedict's monastic Rule, as applied to family life, in his Listen My Son: St. Benedict for Fathers. Some of his insights are carried over into this new book, but enriched and expanded as they interact with the Carmelite saint's doctrine. (Here, I note in passing, Longenecker summons to mind others of the school of Benedict who have proven themselves able commentators on the writings of great Carmelites: e.g., one thinks of Blessed Columba Marmion's indebtedness to St. Teresa of Avila, and Dom John Chapman's masterful grasp of the concepts of St. John of the Cross.)

Longenecker movingly tells of his own "encounter" with St. Therese while visiting Lisieux; and how later he found that, beneath the conventionally sugary language of her writings, so typical of her place and time and youth, the deceptively sweet "Little Flower" was in actuality a "steel magnolia". Perhaps most worthy of note, as Longenecker stresses, it is really her ordinariness that provided the rich soil for her remarkable holiness, and thus her holiness can be a model for us all. In this she reminds us of the holiness-in-ordinariness implicit to Benedict's Rule. Longenecker writes: "The Benedictine way is a `little way' because, like Therese of Lisieux's little way, it relies on surrender, not superiority; grace, not greatness." (p. 41) Noting how much of the Rule is given to liturgical, disciplinary, and household concerns, he says:

By focusing on the mundane matters of everyday life Benedict points to a deeper truth: that these
details are the stuff of reality, and that by paying attention to the details of ordinary life we will
find our way to heaven. Someone has said the devil is in the details; Benedict thinks the divine is
in the details. (p. 45)

Likewise, St. Therese insists that it is the day to day details in which real, practical sanctity is cultivated. She recognizes this fact as the hidden basis of even the holiest of all earthly homes: "What does me a lot of good when I think of the Holy Family is to imagine a life that was very ordinary ... their life was the same as ours." (p. 214)

Longenecker has also interwoven into the fabric of his own reflections valuable "Thoughts and Prayers" which launch every chapter, as well as the insights of such writers as Chesterton, Balthasar, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and others throughout the text. His own thoughts on humility and spiritual childhood are particularly well worth our prayerful pondering, and, though these might conceivably have been presented by a lesser devotional writer in cloying or sentimental fashion, Longenecker keeps before us the nitty-gritty realities and often painful sacrifices such crucial elements of genuine discipleship demand. We are, throughout this valuable little book, never far from the truth that "the Gospel command to become as little children is a call to return to a state of innocence through the excruciating path of experience." (p. 62)

For those searching for solid Catholic spiritual fare, or for an introduction to either of these saints (or, of course, to both), this book is unreservedly recommended.

St Benedict & St Therese can be read for several reasons and will appeal to a variety of readers. First, it offers an insightful analysis and comparison of the spirituality of Benedict "The Little Rule" and Therese "The Little Way." On another level, it is offers a practical application of their principles for our own spiritual direction. And to add pleasure to delight, it presents both of these in a VERY well-written, sometimes Chestertonian style. Longenecker often surprises you by reaching past the usual spiritual platitudes for the deeper truths. His manner is sometimes humorous, but never trite. His style is often breezy, but never without weight. Here are two examples:

ON MIRACLES: "The main problem for sophisticated people is not that miracles are incredible, but that they are an error in taste. . . . Benedict and Therese call us to follow a little way, and it may be that for humility to begin growing, our grown-up taste must be the first to go. Miracles, relics, sentimentality, pilgrimages, and wonderful answers to prayer lie at the heart of ordinary religion, and since Benedict and Therese are apostles of the ordinary it is fitting that their religion sits happily among the sentimental, the miraculous, and the tasteless." (p.47-48)

ON OBEDIENCE: "Obedience promises freedom, but there is a huge risk because obedience also threatens the most odious form of slavery. Religious people have an unfortunate taste for Pharisaism, and the call to obedience attracts two kinds of Pharisees - those who love to dominate and those who love to be dominated." (p.86)

Anyone who bemoans the meager fare of 90% of what is currently published to inspire and educate the aspiring Christian, should buy this book to ensure that the more worthy 10% will not disappear forever. If you or a friend has a liking for St. Therese or St. Benedict, you don't have to worry that you are buying a repeat of a half dozen other books you've already read. This book contains a fresh and useful approach. I hope to see many titles from this author in the future.

Many folks get the short end of things, born into a bad home, or with a health problem. Latter we can develop addictions or perhaps other serious psychological problems.

A simple answer, the traditional one, is that God knows what is best for us and our situation is what is best for our salvation. So, be happy in you handicap or addiction and go home?

Groeschel is far more healthy and holistic that that. Folks with big problems when they are young can quickly develop a host of related problems and even resentment toward God. Groeschel is faithful to, and integrates his two disciplines very well. Both his understanding of the wounded heart/mind and the understanding of the wounded soul. He uses experience of both together to help heal the reader when an emphasis on either alone would be ineffective. It is unique and powerful healing program that neither shirks the spiritual or psychological aspects but uses robust understanding of both to bring healing and wholeness to those who may feel overwhelmed.

Adult children of abuse, twelve steppers, those with health problems or even those who just do feel like they fit in will find in this book easy to follow step-by-step path to wholeness. Like all of Groeschel's books they transcend his Catholic Tradition, they are valuable tools for all looking for healing no matter what their background.

I would recommend this book not only for readers looking to help them selves but also those who minister to or work with clients with serious problems. Its complete approach is the best thing out there to help the "wounded."

Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, a Franciscan friar and author of "The Courage to be Chaste", attempts to give some spiritual answers to a few psychological issues. His basic thesis is that human psychological situations often considered stumbling blocks, can be changed into stepping-stones on the road to holiness. Our change of attitudes combined with Divine grace could be the means of change. He illustrates it with examples from real life situations through his personal experience of working as a psychologist and a spiritual director. It is a valuable book for anyone struggling with interior personal obstacles to growth in holiness.

I am no fan of self-help books, but when I saw it was written by Fr. Benedict Groeschel I hastened to buy it. This book is a treasure! I enjoyed it and got more out of it than even his most famous book Arise From Darkness. Each chapter is written in a conversational way, addressing a set of issues that I think everyone faces at one time or another. The chapter covering the Love of God treats not only that we love God but also knowing and accepting on a deep level that God loves us. That may sound like a simple fact that everyone of faith knows, but this chapter made me truly realize the depth of His love. All this ties directly into forgiveness and charity. My own experience was remarkable: I started each chapter thinking, "This doesn't apply to me at all." Then something in it would hit me squarely between the eyes. There are great insights in each chapter, as well as sound, step-by-step advice on how to overcome common problems.

Aside from the rich content, Fr. Groeschel's writing style is very captivating. His New York sense of humor made me homesick, and I found myself smiling at many of his quips (and seeing myself in the picture all too often)! Here is one example I particularly loved:

"Pride sneaks down into the bottom of our soul. It makes us believe that we are something more than a creature. Pride makes us demand the things that are God's. It says, 'I will not serve,' or, 'I will serve, but only under these circumstances,' or, 'I am willing to do everything you want, God, but could I make a suggestion? I'll carry the cross, but preferably something with wheels on one end, and a nice little shoulder pad.'"

And so, I heartily recommend this book for anyone and everyone. It's disarmingly straightforward and very much on target. I would suggest reading this book first, if you haven't ever read anything by Fr. Groeschel. Or, if you've read a great deal of his work but missed this earlier book, be sure not to pass it up--again I say it is a treaure!

I have been loving this book since I was 4 and now I'm 10 and I still love it! I love the vivid illustrations! There is always more to discover in every picture.

I read the book for a 7-year-old Taiwanese kid (living in my neighborhood) and she found it intriguing. The fine and lively illustrations delicately organizes the whole story, which makes her retell the story thoroughly without missing any details by the atmospheric drawings of wildlife. In particular, kids may add their imagination to the original story. For example, if asked what Tangle will do if he doesn't decide to go home, kids may have many answers such as being taken away by the noisy skein of geese. Or the open questions like is it better for Tangle to go home or not? Anyway, a good book for parents to read for their kids. Enlightening!

I read the book for a 7-year-old Taiwanese kid (living in my neighborhood) and she found it intriguing. The fine and lively illustrations delicately organizes the whole story, which makes her retell the story thoroughly without missing any details by the atmospheric drawings of wildlife. In particular, kids may add their imagination to the original story. For example, if asked what Tangle will do if he doesn't decide to go home, kids may have many answers such as being taken away by the noisy skein of geese. Or the open questions like is it better for Tangle to go home or not? Anyway, a good book for parents to read for their kids. Enlightening!

You know the old phrase "Don't judge a book by the cover?" Well, I'm ashamed to say that although I don't have a problem with the cover, I was a little disappointed at the size of the book. It is very little 4x6x.25 inches.

I'm only half way through the book and I have to say - it's small but it's loaded. I've only read a couple other books by Fr. Benedict Groeschel but I know him more from seeing him on TV. His books are just like him, clear and down to earth - even if he does love St. Augustine and Einstein so much - and quotes from them often.

My initial misgiving of the size of the book is all gone, and I am happy to say I am getting a great deal from the book. I'm not quite sure how to frame this book for other readers, like what kind of audience should read this book as opposed to other books. So far (since I'm only half way through the book) it seems to have something to say to everyone, Christian, non-Christian, atheist.

The book has a bonus that I am very excited to get to, Appendix D. It is an excerpt of an interview between Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger and journalist Peter Seewald. If you are just a little bit curious about now Pope Benedict you might want to kill two birds with one stone and get this book.

I hope you find this review helpful.

good book for the person who wants to explore the Catholic faith or for an active Catholic to understand more our faith

This book has a lot of great information and it's an interesting read.

Great books for this age group are difficult to come by, and Leda Schubert has created two of them with Winnie Plays Ball and Winnie All Day Long. A huge, lovable dog, Winnie proves to be a totally appealing character for young children, and her activities engage their imaginations. These books have the same classic charm as Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge stories, and they are enormously popular with very young children.

This series of four booklets show the main character, a giant dog named Winnie, as she goes through her day, interacting with her family. If you own a dog, particularly a big dog, you will feel as though you are seeing your dog in the story. The basic language that is presented in repition, make these booklets a delightful way for the new reader to get started and experience immediate success. I intend to give the books to a fiend of mine who teaches 1st grade.

This is a wonderful book for brand new and aspiring readers. It is a very inexpensive set of 4 short picture books with wonderful episodes about life with a dog, Winnie. For dog owners, these pictures of everyday situations are laugh-out-loud humor. For everyone, the stories are intriguing and charming. The illustrations have enough going on in them to make the reader want to go back to them over and over. Winnie's expressions are incredibly expressive and irresistible.

This collection of poems piques the reader's senses and maintains interest throughout. The narrative with compelling characterizations keeps the reader moving along and even identifying with the mysterious Chinese aunt and her family in the United States. It is one of those rare books of poetry which you want to read to the very end without putting it down, and yet to enjoy stopping and mulling over individual poems. The encounters between Buddhist, Christian, and Confucian elements lend universal significance. This is the best poetry on today's literary scene.

This book is the winner of the May Swenson Poetry Award for 2000. While not a narrative poem, the story of the author's aunt that married a "Chinaman" and left her family only to return when she was dying, is as close as one can get. The poems tell of the author's need for connections and a sense of family and humanity that are inspiring and eternal. The bridge over all that divides us is, after all, built on hope and caring and sharing. A Marvelous collection.

Really enjoyed this book! It makes history come alive. I felt like I was there listening in at a turning point in American history.

I had the privilege of reading Daniel Marder's book many years ago when it first came off the press. All of the usual cliches surrounding Benedict Arnold and his act of treason were fresh in my mind as I opened the front cover. But as I read the letters and diary entries in the words of both conspiritors, and allowed myself to feel the fears and passions of the time, I found myself questioning our current representation of those events in our history books. Were Benedict Arnold and John Andre dastardly, unscrupulous men? Or were they devoted patriotic soldiers from opposing sides who simply could no longer bear the price of war? The author examines the events that let up to that infamous act through the hearts and minds of Arndre and Arnold.

A great introduction to the writings of St. Augustine. What is also wonderful about the book is he traces different aspects of St. Augustine's personality such as "Augustine as a mystic" and gives excerpts supporting his conclusions.

Fr. Groeschel seems to empathize with the average individual who makes an attempt to read St. Augustine. The language can be difficult as the author exemplifies, and deciphering various translations can make an already lofty subject seem even more complex.

This book is extremely humble in composition; Groeschel knows that his primary audience isn't the theologian, and his writings on Augustine are extremely accessible.

If you've read Augustine and want a more full, deep understanding of his writings, give this book a read.

A lengthy but always compelling biography of the man whose name has become synonymous with traitorous behavior. Born in Connecticut, Arnold from an early age displayed a fiery spirit: at 15 he ran away from home to fight in the French and Indian War, though he eventually returned home to become the proprietor of a bookshop. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War he formed a local militia unit and fought with Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga. Later he helped plan and carry out the famous invasion of Canada via the Kennebec River and created the first United States navy on Lake Champlain. Wounded at Quebec and again at Saratoga, Arnold was appointed commander at Philadelphia. Here is where his behavior turned toward the British (Loyalist) cause. Accused of questionable business practices, he was court-marshaled and reprimanded by Washington. Angered by his perceived mistreatment, and prodded by his Loyalist wife Peggy Shippen, Arnold made overtures to the British of his willingness to switch sides. After much plotting, much of it involving what he would receive monetarily from the Crown for his activities, Arnold agreed to hand over an important post to the British. This post ended up being West Point, the scheme of which was foiled when accomplice John Andre was captured and hanged as a spy. Arnold left the country after the war and died in London in 1801.

Randall relates a great deal of information about Arnold and the times in which he lived. He is a good enough writer, however, to keep the narrative interesting and provocative. Randall is fair and balanced in his treatment of Arnold's traitorous activities, seeming to place most of the blame on Arnold's wounded pride. Like many ambitious men, Arnold fostered many enemies, some who seemed to go out of their way to injure him, though his own self-centeredness also led him astray. He later claimed it was when the French agreed to lend support to the patriot cause that he felt pushed over the edge to betray his country (he hated the French and her government). Ironically, though he obviously became anathema to Americans, the British never really liked him either. The only weakness in the book, for one this long, is its perfunctory index. Other than that, it's an excellent biography.

This is perhaps the best single volume biography available on Benedict Arnold - America's greatest commander during the Revolutionary War and the Nation's greatest traitor!

Willard Sterne Randall has written a tremendously well researched, compelling and balanced book that details Benedict Arnold's accomplishments and failures during America's fight for Independence. Arnold was almost single-handedly responsible for the American invasion of Canada, which, due to his prowess as a Strategist, Commander and Soldier, came very close to succeeding. When he wasn't winning battles on land, America's preeminent battlefield general was winning them on the water, building a navy and then delaying the British advance into New York for a year, thus assuring the survival of the Continental Army and the Nation.

Arnold was present at almost every major battle of the war, often snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Both the British and their Loyalist allies soon grew to hate him.

But his immense pride and hunger for wealth and recognition led to his downfall. Certainly the Continental Congress played a role, refusing to pay him four years of back pay due to him or reimburse him for the immense fortune he spent, out of his own pocket, training, equipping, and feeding his army and navy. Randall estimates that in all, Congress denied Arnold the equivalent of $275,000 due to him.

Furthermore, their repeated slights of the General and attacks on his character took their took. Arnold had only to marry a young and beautiful 19 year old Loyalist for his treason to be assured.

And so the man who almost single-handedly won the Revolutionary War (ensuring first the French, and then the Spanish and Dutch entered the fighting as allies of America), almost single-handedly lost it as he negotiated to turn over West Point and its forts to the British for 10,000 pounds. Only bad luck (on his part) prevented Arnold from succeeding. Once rescued by his benefactors, he fought as a British Brigadier against the Americans as effectively as he had fought for them.

This is a tremendous interesting story and an equally interesting book. True, Randall has a tendency to repeat himself, but readers will find "Benedict Arnold Patriot and Traitor" a good read!