Bennett Books

Have you ever read a book that was so good that you felt guilty reading it? Neither have I, but McCullough's John Adams came mighty close. If you like history, especially American history, you just can't live much longer without devouring this biography that reads like a novel. Not only does McCullough give the story of John Adams, and his wonderful wife Abigail, but also along the way he provides glorious insights into the people and events during perhaps the most important point in American history.

Admittedly, this is a big book (650 pages) but this is the first book of comparable size that I have ever read which I wish were longer. As a matter of fact, I put off reading the last fifteen pages for three days because I just didn't want it to be over.

I was looking for a monologue for my "tween"-age daughter when my Goddaughter recommended this play and loaned me her copy of the script. Pressed for time, I was planning just to skim the pages to get an idea of the storyline and find a suitable bit for my daughter. But, Bennett's play drew me in from the opening monologue and I could not put the script down until I had finished it, tears streaming down my face. Bennett writes in an excellent teen voice and her dialogue and stage directions are so well written, that even just reading the script, you are pulled into her world. Though she includes some bits that might considered PG, she wisely includes alternative dialogue which makes the play acceptable for all ages. And the absolute best part is that, though this play deals with the intensely serious aspects of chronic illness in young teens, the pathos is balanced by comedy which is sensitive to the subject. You can't help coming away from this play a changed person.

This set of short quips is hilarious. Some are puns and others are new twists on old jokes. For example, there is one about the traveling salesman whose car breaks down in the country, forcing him to spend the night at a farmer's house. When informed that he would have to sleep with the farmer's son, he exclaimed, " Oh, my God! I'm in the wrong joke!" Great stuff!

Knowledge Power examines in a thorough and compelling way basic questions of who owns information and who has access. No one today, even children, can escape the significance of these questions. Children surfing the web, teenagers purchasing "fake" designer goods from street vendors, and adults submitting income tax forms face complex issues related to proprietary information, intellectual property, and privacy.

As a psychologist, I especially liked Marlin-Bennett's discussion of the flow of personal information. Her evaluation of the often porous boundary between public and private information is enlightening; the definition of confidential is shifting. The limitations on one's right to privacy are carefully and thoughtfully examined. The rules are changing and each person has a role to play in shaping the fine balance of ownership of and access to knowledge; therein lies the power.

The audience for this book is wide. The text is enlivened by examples from sports, music, science, business, etc. I strongly recommend this book to those who feel the tension between the rights of government and business versus those of the individual. You will become informed about rights and responsibilities in the Information Age and prepared to enter the debate.

To begin -- this book is only for Bible believers. If you believe the Bible to be fable, there is nothing here for you. Additionally, this topic ("kosher eating") is one that is normally associated with the eating regimen of observant Jews. Well, Bennett's book, while certainly applicable to and of use to said Jews, is targeted at Christians whatever their ethnicity may be. This is true of all of the topic books in Bennett's excellent Walk in the Light series.

Now, there are countless books on the topic of what Bible believers should or should not eat. This book is unique. It is singularly readable, yet very carefully researched to mine out what the Bible says on the topic. The author explores history and pagan influences in Christianity. His familiarity with and frequent inclusion of Hebrew words, terminology, and traditions/customs adds greatly to this work.

The title gives away Bennett's conclusion (that biblical dietary laws apply to all believers). Bennett is quite logical and persuasive in his argument. I encourage you to investigate this.

I would add that the use of the term kosher is in itself often misused or misunderstood. In its purist form, "kosher" is rather synonymous with Jewish "kashrut" law . . . which includes a very complex system of rules including those for proper slaughter, and keeping meat and dairy separate, including systems of separate dishes and utensils. The biblical commandment that Bennett champions however, is simply the abstention from eating UNCLEAN foods as clearly described in the Bible (for example pork, or shellfish). Complex kashrut law ventures into the extra-biblical territory that critics (perhaps Jesus being one of them) would label "commandments of men". Bennett is not interested in that.

I have read two of the other books in this series (Names, and The Sabbath) and I can sincerely say that I've never read anything quite like this. Very readable, very convincing, very important. A must read for every genuine Christian.

Based on a true story, The Late Loon is the picturebook story of a young loon that hatched two months late. Normally, loons learn how to catch fish and how to fly during the summer, so they can flock to the temperate seacoast for the winter. But the late loon, younger and weaker than its brethren, has less time to rise to the challenge. A human family watches the loon from afar, and a friendly beagle named Jasper intercedes at key moments in the loon's life, such as barking a warning when a bald eagle is about to attack. Ultimately, though, it is the loon's own responsibility to grow up, tough it through bad weather, and learn how to fly. Written and illustrated by "Foreward" magazine's environmental category award winner Dean Bennett, The Late Loon combines a touching story with beautiful, realistic artwork and is highly recommended.

Chapters 1-6 comprehensively trace and communicate the golden principles of insurance, although one would have expected more contribution by the author on a problem area i.e Insurable Interest. An area beclouded thus far. Chapters 3 and 16 thoroughly present duties attaching on the assured, failling which triggers misrepresentation per commissionem and that of a per ommisionem nature. The draconian nature of warranties is effectively unbuttoned, thus the author does give a glance to an incontemtible standards and failure by the insured to 'stick to what he\she warranted'.Bennett passionately, although at pain, the resulting repudiation of the policy by the insurer in case of breach of warranty. An insurer's absolute trump card!

Chapter 4 does no wonders to contribute to the insurance intermediary question, but from the insured's angle it creates a heaven, since it tackles the scope and content of his\her mandate or instructions given to the insurance broker.

On chapters 7;8;9;10;11;12 and 13, Bennett demonstrates a depth of scholarship in his commentary on the insurable risks. Note that the most commonly used clauses in marine insurance are those of the ICC (see Appendix ii of the work under review.The work adequately journey through maritime risks and insurance in respect thereof thus ensuring security for the interested parties. Chapters 14 and 15 essentially corroborates the unanimous opinion (academic, usage, and otherwise) regarding the moment when the consignment is covered, and termination thereof. Chapter 17 comprehensively coveres what is generally known as 'cession' and authors indepth learning and observance of case law, serves as proof that this book achieved its goal i.e to contribute immensely towards a student who ventures the field, at the same time seeking to revolutinize the marine insurance law as it stands.

Lastly chapters 18;19; and 20 are taken together since they all address the question of indemnity. Althogh ch.20 differs slightly since it addresses an insurer right to 'come into the shoes' of the assured, insurance is not an investment thus if some third parties are liable towards the insured, he\she must subrogate such rights arising therefrom to the insurer.

Having this review in mind (see also the Preface of Bennett's work) the work is of a high standard. The journey undertaken by the author strengthens international trade in a sense that as the scope of marine insurance is subjected to 'litmus test', those interested in a subject but above all those engaging in sale contracts are assured of their respective obligations. The work remains a reliable witness that certainty or even uniformity can be achieved.

Schorlarly engineered; develishly presented; and downwright a international, if not eternal, mouthpiece !

Mr. Bennett and I have lived somewhat similar lives, both of us having graduated from ACC law schools in the nineteen seventies and both of us having practiced law and served as judges. Although I never met Mr. Bennett, from reading his book I'm sure that he and I would become fast friends.

The book very perceptively and accurately portrays the decline of the legal profession from its earlier glorified status (John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and John Marsahll were all lawyers!) into its current morally stunted, dollar chasing, win at all costs corrupted status.

His diagnosis is sound. His proposed cure is very interesting.

I would strongly recommend this book to any lawyer--active or retired, prospective lawyer and most of all to anyone who has had the misfortune of being a child, spouse or lover of a lawyer.

Mr. Bennett's book should be required reading for pre-law students to give them a chance to rethink their career goals before it is too late to change.
GOOD WILL WIN IN THE END

A Letter is a Gift Forever, as is Florence Littauer's book by the same name. A beautiful book that is as lovely to read as it is to hold, it blends the blessing of past niceties with future joy. Florence Littauer demonstrates how a written word of love, encouragment, thanks or even forgiveness from the heart outlasts the actual heart. Drawing on a collection of letters that spans the generations, these written words inspire us all to write to those whom we love and care for, it's never too late. The joy received from the blessing sent in a letter will last forever.

This book would be very useful for growing teens :P Has loads of stuff for self development