Bernard Books

Written for young readers ages 11 and older, Celtic Mythology showcases classic legends that arose from the Celts, one of the great founding cultures of European civilizations whose origins can be traced back to the second millennium B.C. and whose original homeland was near the Rhine, Rhone, and Danube Rivers. As the Celts engaged in a massive migration across Europe, Ireland, Scotland, and Britain, they took their traditional stories with them. Expertly and informative compiled and edited by Catherine Bernard, Celtic Mythology is the perfect introduction for young contemporary readers to the body of folklore and mythos that characterized the Celtic people. Also very highly recommended are the other fine titles in the outstanding Enslow "Mythology" series for young readers: American Indian Mythology (0766014118); Chinese Mythology (0766014126); Egyptian Mythology (076-601407X); Gods And Goddesses In Greek Mythology )0766014088); Inuit Mythology (0766015599); Mayan And Aztec Mythology (0766014096); and Roman Mythology (0766015580).

Don't be fooled by the title. Seymour Bernard Sarason discusses charter schools as an important educational reform movement without the positive or negative rhetoric that often surrounds the topic. This is my favorite reference book about charter schools. I frequently suggest it as required reading for charter school developers and school district authorizers, and for parents exploring charter schooling for their children. Sarason spells out his predictable problems for the prehistory and first three years of a charter school as a new setting. One of his premises is that stakeholders are better prepared to work through challenges associated with starting a charter by being aware of the internal and societal forces at work in a new setting. Sarason urges charter developers to contemporaneously document their strategies, successes, and failures for the benefit of all students and teachers in charter schools as well as traditional public schools.

As one who wishes to know more about the "nuts and bolts" of jazz, I always insist on reveling in the research conducted by these, the finest jazz authorities on the planet. Unlike the contributions of Ken Burns and others of his genre, this is the real stuff written by the real guys. Very Highly Recomended!!

Dr. Bernard-Opitz's ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources is in evidence in this wonderful manual. Her STEP program (Structured Therapy and Experience-based Programs) is an integration of naturalistic behavioral techniques, precision- teaching and experience-based visual approaches, all simmered in a broth of common sense, practicality and, above all, insistence on the need to select and modify techniques to meet the needs of the individual child. This stress on individualized programming is especially important, given the increasing heterogeneity of the population of children with autistic spectrum disorders. Dr. Bernard- Opitz' program is presented with helpful, illustrative everyday vignettes and step-by-step instructions. These are accompanied by delightful stick drawings which, in their simplicity and directness, reflect the author's successful effort to provide information in a clear and accessible way. The book begins with a readable yet scholarly description of autism spectrum disorders and the various therapies available. But it continues as a friendly companion for parents and clinicians, to help in their efforts to manage behavioral challenges and foster a child's social development, cognitive functioning, play and communication

This book is a lifesaver, complete with flowcharts of possible problems, descriptions of illnesses, what to do for your child and when to call the doctor. Most helpful of all are the many pictures of what rashes, etc. actually look like. I heartily recommend this for anyone with children.

The question of how the Jewish people are to ensure their own survival is one which troubles most concerned Jews. On the one hand there is the Divine assurance and promise that the Jewish people will always continue to be. This should be in itself enough, in one sense. On the other hand there is the Shoah, the murderous destruction of more than one- third of the Jewish people in an effort to wholly destroy them.
When the authors undertook this work in 1999 the wave of increased anti- Semitism ( often disguised as Anti- Zionism) which has been building especially in the Islamic world in the past five years did not really have the strength it has today. Thus they could look outside traditional thoughts of Jews as a people of affliction. I also do not believe that focusing on that particular point of suffering is the wisest basis for survival but the fact is that the Jews are singled out, that the nation of Israel is the only one in the world which many other nations aim to destroy. In other words while I understand the strategies spoken of in this book, especially the learning from Orthodox experience, I think the first priority in regarding Jewish survival must be in looking at the threats today facing the heart of the Jewish people, the state of Israel.
Nonetheless I would heartily recommend this work , a work done by two devoted caring Jews with deep understanding of Jewish society in modern times.

This is the only book that I have ever read that I would give 6 stars to if I could; the amount of depth that this book has really is quite fantastic. And, what is more, this volume is the first of three volumes, so if one desires to read the entire set, one will have not only a historical understanding of Christianity, but a real insight into the Christian worldview - a real insight into the heart of Christianity.

The way that this volume is divided up is worth noting: the first part deals with more historical and sociological data - movements and the like - while the second section deals with the spiritual insights and understandings of different people at different times. Both sections complement each other quite well. Furthermore, within each section focus is made upon both the Eastern and Western traditions so that one gets a more rounded picture of Christianity.

It is nice, too, to notice the illustrations in the book. Although they are not in color, they are attractive and worth a second and third look. Such illustrations certainly help to portray various Christian understandings just as well as the essays do. After all, " a picture is worth a thousand words."

The essay on Gnosticism is especially worth noting, as it seeks to answer the question of whether Gnosticism is a legitimate expression of the Christian faith. The answer - which is negative - is given in a genuinely thoughtful way, where both similarities and differences are noted. Gnostic scholars of Gnosticism (such as Elaine Pagels) oftentimes do not really appreciate the real differences that existed between Gnosticism and proto-Orthodox Christianity. This essay does a fine job of surveying those differences.

The other essays in this collection are all first rate; the essay entitled "The Spiritual Message of the Great Fathers" is a well written survey of some of the 4th and 5th century Church Fathers. The essay comparing Eastern and Western views on the Trinity is also illuminating, especially since it shows that what has long been fought over between the East and the West (since Photios, in particular - see below) may not be so important.

The only thing that I would have done differently would have been to add an actual essay about the Photian schism - a schism in the ninth century that was led by an Eastern bishop named Photios. The accusations leveled against the Roman Church by Photios are still repeated today; Photios is a saint in the Eastern church but considered a heretic in the Western church. More information on this development and its ramifications for Eastern Orthodox spirituality would have been welcome.

In the end, I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who has any desire to learn about the Christian faith in both the East and West during Christianity's first millenia. For both the scholar and the layperson, it is a valuable reference guide, sketching out some of the more prominent contours of Christian spirituality.

Bernard Ramm's treatment of the supposed "war" between science and scripture is refreshing yet deep. A professor at Biola University, and then at American Baptist Seminary of the West, he was a prolific writer. His book on hermeneutics remains a useful textbook on the subject.

In the present volume he explores the purported incompatability between scientific reason and biblical accuracy, and shows that the illusion is because of improper interpretation of scientific evidence and/or the Biblical texts. Although some of the scientific data he cites are somewhat dated (e.g. supposed age of the earth), his reasoning still stands. The strength of the book is in its ability to sweep away the controversy and clear the way for intellectual honesty on both sides.

As the list of books referencing this work demonstrates, "The Christian View of Science and Scripture" is a seminal work. Reaction to this book was evidently the impetus for the writings of Henry Morris, who shortly thereafter published his first major works on so-called "scientific creationism". Thus, it may have been the opening volley in the current "war", but as Ramm points out, the debate goes back to Augustine's time. While Morris' work is meant to exclude and divide, Ramm's book paves the way for those trained in the sciences to approach the Bible without having to "check their brain at the door". It also allows the Christian to approach science without a sense of guilt or heretical treason, free to explore its wonders, and yet, understand its limits. But most importantly, it opens a dialogue between serious believers and serious scientists that can lead to salvation on one hand, and greater appreciation for the works of the creator on the other.

It is obvious that Bernard Ramm had a great love of the Bible and science. His most cogent point is that we, as Christians, must be cautious when we speak of scientific subjects, and we must be sure that we really understand the scientific method and the field of which we speak. Otherwise we will be dismissed as ignorant, and even more tragically, we may exclude honest seekers from coming to the Bible for reconciliation with the Creator. Also, as scientists, we must not impose a scientific framework on the Biblical texts. It will almost always result in misinterpretation and obscure the intended message.

That however does not imply that the Bible cannot stand up under scientific scrutiny. While it was not the intent of the Biblical authors to write a scientific treatise, Ramm points out many instances where statements in the Bible have proven far ahead of their time for scientific and historical accuracy. And when viewed from a phenomenological perspective, even the creation account violates no basic tenants of science, a remarkable accomplishment for such an ancient text.

This book remains a classic on the subject. I recommend it to all who honestly seek to reconcile science and scripture, not merely compromise one or the other or both.

This book is a definitely very important scientific resources to understand roots of current problems of Balkans and Middle-east. Today, mounting micro-identities are being perceived as a new danger for world peace. Some aspects of pessimist theories like Clash of Civilizations unfortunately have been approved all around the world as in Bosnia, Kosova, and Iraq. Most of the trouble areas have interesting common point. They all have an Ottoman background. Beyond doubt, neither Middle East, nor Balkans could solve their domestic problems after collapse of the Ottomans. These areas have very complex ethnic and religious structure and even a little problem could easily trigger a chain reaction. Thus, It is so important to clarify the historical background of this area to solve the current problems. If so, how did Ottomans could manage to rule these high-risk areas for almost 500 years in a very peaceful manner? This book is explaining us the administration system of minorities in Ottoman Empire. This system is also worth to learn as a tested example for today's all multi-cultural sociaties. This book is containing all aspects of this subject and enlightening them objectively. So it is obviously worth to read.

Jesus Christ is truly healer of the wounded psyche of man and gifts of healing through enlightenment are available to all those who truly seek wholeness and holiness and do so perserveringly. Far from denying this, the insights of comtemporary psychotherapy help us to unveil and make explicit the dynamic psychological healing meanings, values, and techniques which are at least implicitly present in revelation from the beginning.... Neither a book on faith healing nor on Pentecostalism, nor a "how to do it" book on psychology, Christotherapy is an attempt to work out in practical, pastoral fashion certain key elements and techniques for authentic Christian psychotherapy.
--- from book's dustjacket