Bishop Books

The book Episcopi Vagantes and the Anglican Church represents an interesting instance of biased reporting, acknowledged as such, that is nonetheless held up as objective and impartial history. Unfortunately, the history of historical scholarship is replete with such examples. Conveniently forgotten in the mists of time are the motivations and intentions behind such works, and it becomes the task for us in succeeding generations to revisit these works to see if the scholarship remains of value.

The jury is still out on judgement for Brandreth's work. First published in 1947, reprinted in 1961, Episcopi Vagantes is both a history and a polemic. The various denominations of Christendom have a history of `not playing nice together', and ironically, the closer in history, style, and general aspect of denominations, the harsher they are toward one another. One gets the sense here of the cliched explanation of why there is always more than one Baptist, Methodist, or other such church in town. One also recalls Swift, and the illustration of warfare over whether it was proper to crack the hard-boiled egg on the top or the bottom.

There are real issues at the heart of Brandreth's work. The term in the title of the book, Episcopi Vagantes, could be translated as vagrant bishops - these are people who have acquired or assumed titles without really having, in many cases, institutions or credentials to back them up. In the Old and Independent Catholic movements throughout the world, but particularly in North America, there is a nearly-inexhaustible diversity of bishops, archbishops, and metropolitans. One of the perennial criticisms of the Old and Independent Catholic movements is that these people often represent no one other themselves and perhaps a handful of followers. In a good number of cases, counting in human terms, this is correct.

This book has supporters - Henry Brandreth was granted access to archives at Lambeth Palace (an official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury), and one such archbishop praises Brandreth's efforts for `bringing light to bear on this obscure but not unimportant corner of ecclesiastical life.'

One of the problems that Old and Independent Catholics must admit, being honest historians, is that many people who have sought and been granted ministerial orders in the past have been unworthy of these; many have sought orders for personal gain, for personal glory, and sometimes for the ability to deceive or make mischief for their local Anglican, Roman Catholic, or Orthodox communities. Brandreth addresses the issue in his preface to the second edition, after having received commentary and feedback, often in the form of scathing criticism and attack, for the first edition.

Perhaps the most critical line in the entire book is found in this preface. `I believe all the episcopi vagantes to be ecclesiastically in error.' This small phrase sets the framework for the bias in this book. Brandreth admits in the preface that there are honest and true persons, of right intention and action, among this group. However, his admission of this is couched between statements that make it clear he doesn't want to give any individuals or groups the slightest credibility or legitimacy.

Why would a scholar and cleric of the Anglican church care so much about these? It is relatively rare in the course of Anglican history for the Anglican church to make pronouncements on the validity and legitimacy of other Christian bodies, save for purposes of official intercommunion. Perhaps the answer lies in the dealings of the Old Catholics themselves, who often proclaimed their validity as somehow more proper or valid than the Anglicans with whom they wanted to relate. One individual, highlighted in the book, Archbishop Mathew, may have misled the continental Old Catholics into believing that there was a great number of people desperately concerned with validity along historical episcopacy lines (although Mathew may have been more sinned-against than sinning, at least in his original intentions vis-a-vis situation in England); Old Catholics on the continent claim a stronger connection (not without its own controversy) with the See of Rome than the Anglicans maintain in many respects. Mathew's consecration and continuing ecclesiastical odyssey afterward (he ordained and consecrated many people, under different organisational structures and rubrics, during his decades-long tenure as a bishop) created a host of local problems for Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

In an era where communications were slow and verifications hard to do, it may have been difficult for local clergy to verify who had proper credentials. Ultimately, most Old and Independent Catholics did not find a welcome home with most Anglicans or Roman Catholics; sometimes there was open hostility, but more often an active ignoring of the situation.

The lists included in Brandreth's book trace lines of succession from Mathew, Vilatte, Ferrete, Herford, Aftimios, Duarte Costa, and various other lesser lines of succession. These lines have stretched all across the world, onto every continent. Various strands are in communion with each other, and others don't recognise anyone but themselves. Some Old Catholic bodies, such as the Philippine Independent Catholic Church, which arose out of missionary work by many who come from these lines of succession, boasts millions of members. Old Catholics in some places such as Puerto Rico have a good working relationship with local Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

In all, the book Episcopi Vagantes and the Anglican Church is a fascinating read. It must be taken as if one were reading one side of the arguments in a court case; the subtle way Brandreth attacks some of the Old Catholics is worthy of a study in and of itself. Yet, Brandreth does highlight many problems that continue to plague not only Anglican-Old Catholic relationships outside of Europe, but some of the problems that Old and Independent Catholics must recognise and attend to if their churches are to become effective and proper places of the worship of God.

Brandreth's short book on the various Independent Catholic and Orthodox groups active in England, the US, and other places in the early twentieth century is biased, often uncharitable, and openly racist in several places. Fr. Brandreth did very little to discern what spiritual good may have come to the church catholic as a result of independent bishops.

That said, this book is absolutely invaluable for the independent sacramental movement. A great of what we know about our early history is found in this book and others written by Anglicans to discredit these bishops. The book contains detailed lines of succession for Mathew and Vilatte, along with tons of other historical information about the early years of the movement. A few of Brandreth's arguments even point to recognized problems in the independent sacramental world, though they are rarely put in charitable ways. Finally, this edition, published by Apocryphile, is beautifully done. Once hard to find, this indispensable volume is readily available. But take it with a grain of salt!

This scurrilous work by a vicious gossipmonger and Anglican priest (I pity the parishes under his pastoral care) contains vicious attacks on our early forebears in the independent sacramental movement (which is not to say that many were not at least a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic), and the attacks reveal a lot about the author's character. Many of his theological opinions for doubting the validity of independent orders could be used equally well to invalidate his own Anglican orders.

That being said, one may wonder why I chose to give this 5 stars -- and the reason is that this is one of the extremely few works documenting the movement in the first half of the twentieth century, and even reading between the lines of viciousness, one can learn a lot about the movement. The tables of apostolic succession are indispensable. I find that the footnotes contain a lot of very valuable information. Many of the bishops he listed would have been completely forgotten without him. Even much of the history he recounts is useful if distorted.

So order this book for your library, which won't be complete without it, and get yourself a box of salt to go with it.

I found this book amazingly helpful during my research for an M.A. in Church History. Brandreth, a Church of England priest, is one of the few people ever to provide an outsider's view of the colorful and sometimes shady world of the "episcopi vagantes" (Latin for "wandering bishops.")

Historically, these were Middle Eastern bishops with no fixed see or jurisdiction--often because they were driven out by Muslim invaders. In modern times, the term describes bishops of doubtful orders--often of doubtful doctrine and conduct as well!

Brandreth spends most of his time considering the legitimacy of many different "vagantes" and the churches which claim descent from them. Though writing on a dry subject, the author livens up his material with anecdotes of "vagantes" he has known. His own opinion is that the "vagantes" don't have valid orders, and that many of them are just status-seekers, who have barely two or three parishioners to their name. For some, though, he has kind words; he considers them sincere and godly men, who are nonetheless deluded about their episcopal status.

Brandreth's book has become increasingly relevant as more and more people have left the mainstream to join the "Continuing Church"--traditionalists who oppose theological and political liberalism. Many of the "Continuing" Bishops trace their orders from the "vagantes."

Why read this book? If you love church history--especially of the quirky variety--then you'll enjoy "Episcopi Vagantes and the Anglican Church." Even non-Anglicans can take pleasure in Brandreth's dry but anecdotal style.

Fr. Sullivan's approach is not one of dogmatic polemic. Instead, he is candid about where the case for apostolic succession in the Roman Catholic church is weak. At the same time, he is clear at where the case is quite strong. His homework and scholarly detail is meticulous and challenging. Yet, despite the depth of study, Fr. Sullivan's text is immensely approachable and entertaining. This is the source for thinking through this important topic and no library of ecclesiology (Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox) is complete without this concise but thorough study of apostolic succession.

Sullivan is a fine writer, unlike most theologians. That's one good point. The other is that Sulllivan tackles the notion that early christianity was a jumble of ideas, not a single strand. It's not possible to believe, as some thologians have argued, that early christianity was riven by gnostic and other ideas. Not after reading Sullivan's close examination of early church growth and beliefs. Sullivan's chapters on Paul's letters alone should refute shuch ideas, his close detailing of the pastoral care Paul gave to each church. This book needs to be widely read.

Because I am a Lutheran clergyman, it is predictable that I disagree with Father Sullivan about what it means for the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church" to be both catholic and apostolic. Therefore, I disagree with Father Sullivan regarding his conclusions about the nature of the episcopacy and the validity of the Eucharist outside of Roman Catholic communities.

Nevertheless, Father Sullivan's research is scrupulously honest, even when honesty demands that he disagree with popular Catholic beliefs. He presents his opponents' arguments gently and with great kindness. His arguments and conclusions are reasonable. Perhaps most importantly, his discussion is intellectually and spiritually stimulating.

Whether you agree or disagree with the Roman Catholic position on these issues, read Father Sullivan's work. You will struggle with its rich content. You will grow because of that struggle.

I picked up this book expecting not to like it, and actually started to heavily enjoy it from the start. Sullivan looks very closely and critically at the writings of the New Testament, and the church fathers of the late-first through the mid-third century , attempting to discover the development of the Church as an organization. Sometimes I could not believe the words I was reading are written by a Roman Catholic. Sullivan is not affraid to say the rhetoric of many Roman Catholic scholars that one often hears is wrong... though he ultimately agrees with the final conclusions of the Roman Catholic Church.

One will find Sullivan's scholarhip and conclusions to be extremely tight, and difficult to argue with. Though, he essentially says some of his conclusions can only be accepted by faith... that is: the post New Testament development of the Church in the second and third centuries to have been divinely guided by the Spirit.

He tries to prove this saying, "We have just as good reason for believing that the Spirit guided the church in recognizing its bishops as successors of the apostles and authoritative teachers of the faith as we have for believing that the Spirit guided it in discerning the books that comprise the New Testament." (p. 230) A powerful argument, but ultimately, only one that can be accepted by faith. Many scholars would say the books that make up New Testament canon were well accepted by consensus of the faithful at large well before the bishops decided it in formal councils.

Ultimately though, I personally believe the fundamental flaw which the author makes is the assumption that the apostolic office faded out of existance after the intial apostles and their apostolic co-workers died. Many Pentecostals/Charismatics (such as myself) would strongly disagree with Sullivan, and would say that the New Testament points to a continuation of the apostolic office (Ephesians 4:11-13) well beyond that of the first century (Many would say it continues to exist today). If apostles would continue to exist, then, one cannot properly say that bishops replaced the apostles and their co-workers. I would be highly interested to see what Sullivan would think of this point of contention... one that he is probably aware of.

Overall, this book will probably become a classic in the study of Ecclesiology... and rightfully so.

My dad has worked closely with Mike Waldholtz in revealing the dynamics of genetic research as it moves from a descriptive science into an actual tool in medicine. Like many other journalists his age, Jerry is retired, and spends many hours plying his grandchildren with gold coins.

Several years back, I received the initial edition of Genome as a gift. And what a gift it was! I've read it cover to cover many times, and it has sparked in this lay reader a sincere interest in genetic research. It conveyed the excitement of discovery in an understandable and readable way.

Then I started looking for additional books that survey the status of genetics research in the same way Genome did. I always wished that another, updated version of Genome would come along. Lo and behold, one did!

And now for the disappointing news. The "updated version" doesn't deliver. One short epilogue chapter is added to cover all of the happenings in the field in the past 10 years! Even the pictures are poor in quality, implying to me a rush to press on the part of the publisher. What happened with the experiemental treatments for DMD? What's new on the race to uncover the secrets of cancer? How goes the battle for our ethics to catch up with the science? No answers to be found here that date from any time after early 1990.

All this said, the material is still exciting to read, and I would recommend it to someone testing the waters in genetic research. But for those who's interest was sparked by the original Genome, this update isn't worth the money.

Excellent survey of 2 decades of progress in genetics, 1970-1990. The updated part of the book is a 15 page Epilogue, hardly doing justice to the past explosive decade. Authors put great conflict and human interest into their stories, e.g., the couple, each carrying the recessive gene for cystic fibrosis, had each given it to both of two daughters before they realized they were playing genetic casino. They "realized their gamble only after they've already lost the bet." The questions of whether to offer a new gene test for a serious malady when no treatment was available were especially troubling to the researchers.

Authors present a scary picture for the future role of medicine and physicians. Doctors will have to order genetic profiles to avoid malpractice. In pharmacogenetics, drug companies will take one's blood to develop personalized medicine to avoid side effects. The profile will allow them to peek into your health, your personality, your IQ potential and physical skills. With that genetic profile they can, with their pals the insurance companies, become tyrannical Big Brothers.

Authors try to raise red flags about future genetic discrimination. They don't seem to realize how much of current discrimination is already based on genetics. Society has been coping with discrimination for centuries. They mention the probable arising of a biological underclass (perhaps like the caste of untouchables in India?) and see that a genetic profile could become a scarlet letter following one throughout one's life. Employers would get the data and make a group unemployable. But aren't there already laws protecting the handicapped? In the near future most everyone will be seen with defective genes and partially handicapped.

Perhaps, however, Author's concern about a hereditary meritocracy is just genetic hocus-pocus. One's current illusions of choice and one's ignorance of the current genetic basis to behavior are likely to continue. The realization that one typo in the replication of a gene can cause a defect or disease is not likely to change one's current illusions of self control. The vast number of 3 billion interrelated nucleotides will more than likely always keep both science and lay people amazed at the complexity of human life.

A difficult but very important book! As a non-scientist, I had to go slowly and carefully through the chapters, remembering the key technical words. But it is more than worth the trouble. This is our future and we must think about not only the medical promise involved, but the cultural implications it brings. By all means read it!

This is a book and smart software to learn and work. Very good for engineering students and labs.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131999184/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

The book was in brand new condition and arrived within the time frame as promised.

To get started learning about LabView, I ordered a copy of the Student Edition of Labview 8 in October. It arrived, I installed it, everything was happy for a bit. Then I upgraded to Leopard. The installer complained, claiming the media was bad (I was very careful with the media, and even copying the media works fine & without error).

I called in to NI to see if they had any ideas.

They explained that LabView version 8.5 came out in August (remember I purchased this from Amazon in October; I'd unfortunately made the assumption that Amazon would be carrying the latest edition), and 8.2, the version that came with the book I bought, is not supported on Leopard. And apparently NI's policy, at least on student editions, is to require customers to purchase the new revision rather than offering upgrades.

I'm assuiming Amazon is still only selling the 8.2 edition (there's nothing I can find to indicate this book/software are 8.5).

Good book and software. I am currently a physics student taking a class that uses this software. I am fairly impressed with both the book and the software. If you plan on buying the full version don't bother with the student version. If however you are like me going to school and don't plan on buying the full version anytime soon then the student version is well worth the money.
Book is pretty easy to understand. It is almost a little too basic and slow moving but it is fairly thorough which is good.
It is nice to have the student version software so I can follow along with the examples in the book and try the exercises without having to head up to school to the lab.

While this a perfectly enjoyable guide to Lake Superior region, I find it lacking in some respects so as not to quite merit the "ultimate."

First, the descriptions lack the amount of detailed information that I would expect. At times it reads more like tourist promotion than a serious guidebook.

The biggest problem though was the decision to list the attractions alphabetically rather than in geographical sequence. Since it is likely someone traveling will want to read about the places as he/she comes to them, it is really inconvenient to jump around the book. If I want to read about say, the Upper Peninsula, I have to jump around the book. Each entry does have a "what's next" - but that is really not adequate.

This also means there is no continuity or flow between listings. If you want to look up a specific place - well, that is why books have an index.

The book has very good maps, but because of the order of listings, a particular map will not be near all the towns that are on it.

I have never seen this arrangement before, and I am not sure why the editors chose to do it. In my opinion, it significantly reduces the utility of this book.

This book is wonderfully done and is a great source when visiting the Lake Superior region. I would highly recommend it.

This is a great reference book for the US and Canadian venture around Superior.
However, I was billed three dollars more than the printed price on the book cover!

Lake Superior: The Ultimate Guide To The Region by Hugh Bishop is a definitive 320-page guide and travel map especially for Lake Superior tourists and travelers. Cities, small towns and regions are listed in alphabetical order, each with black-and-white photographs and road maps, information on where to stay, where to taste the local flavor, and other attractions. The text offers short descriptions of each town and suggestions concerning where to go and what to do to experience local treasures to the fullest. A broad-reaching guide packed with information, and a guarantee that the Lake Superior traveler will never run out of things to do.

Maggie Bishop doesn't horse around with the plot in Murder at Blue Falls. Suspicion, greed and murder are galvanized with plenty of red herrings and adventures on horseback. This book takes you to Bishop Country, where the hooves meet the crooks. I enjoyed it very much and want the next one. As an ECU alum myself, I'm proud of her achievements.

I read this book after reading "Appalachian Paradise" and "Emeralds in the Snow." "Murder at blue Falls" is the best of the three; it is clear that Ms. Bishop is growing rapidly as a writer. One reason I liked this book better than the previous two, is that it is heavy on the mystery and easy on the romance; romance is not my favorite genre.

I enjoyed reading about the trail rides and found myself wishing I could tag along. The horse and farrier information is well researched and instructive. Descriptions of flora and fauna are accurate providing a vivid backdrop for the story.

The characters and their actions are believable. I enjoyed the character Jemma's CSI efforts; she is delightfully refreshing and rather untraditional.

The story moves along quickly with some clues but the soultion is not obvious nor is it contrived.

Jemma Chase works as a trail leader on her parents' ranch, the Blue Falls, where she is also an accomplished photographer, carpenter and fixer-upper. Jemma has returned home in an effort to find some stability in her life, but things become tumultuous when someone begins poisoning dogs in Watauga County. Jemma is called in for an interview with Detective Tucker and bristles at his subtly accusing manner. A forensics fan, Jemma sets out to try to solve the riddle herself and keep Detective Tucker at bay. But when she stumbles upon the dead body of a neighbor, Jemma finds herself involved in a much more serious investigation and at odds with Tucker once again.

An established must-read romance author, Maggie Bishop has crossed into the mystery genre with finesse. Her latest novel is packed with suspense around a tightly-woven plot which begins with the poisoning of dogs and escalates to the murder of a local man. Throughout, she deliciously teases the reader with the bristly attraction between the investigating detective and the woman who found the man's body and who just might be a suspect. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Boone, North Carolina, with engaging characters, red herrings at every turn, and a galvanizing story line, this is a must-have, must-read. Highly recommended.

This the third book I've read by Maggie Bishop. While I've enjoyed them all, I can see in this work the blossoming and maturing of this splendid writer. The story is a page turner which pulls the reader around an unexpected bend, seamlessly intergrating new events by building on the foundation she has laid before. She arouses reasonable suspicion of a number of suspects before allowing the true killer to reveal himself in the last pages of the book. I always am struck with the accuracy of Bishop's depiction of the territory in which her characters operate. I ride horses in the Appalachians myself, though on the Tennessee side, and as I read this book I feel myself back in the saddle negotiating the dangerous terrains of the mountains. The characters are interesting, even the poriferal characters. The heroine is strong and capable, yet quite feminine, and the hero is strong enough to appreciate her strengths and sensitive enough to accept her flaws. It is interesting how she has woven the lives of real people, and real writers, into her fictional tale. It is always an education reading books by Maggie Bishop. She gives little details about life in Appalachia that one would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. My only regret in reading Murder at Blue Falls is that it ended too soon. Perhaps there's a sequel in this one?

It is the essential guide to modern Catholic funeral rites with big enough type to read in any situation. It is what it says it is.

it fills the need as expected; it is less thick compared to previous editions; the prayer for rituals over cremains gives proper context.

I am very happy with the book and the purchase price is what made me order it from Amazon.

I ordered the book in the first place because I needed it, but I didn't want to pay full price for it. So I was happy to get it at the right price through Amazon. I am very happy now that I have the book. The book is in perfect condition. I was surprised when I got the book and it was the updated version with everything I needed. Thank you.

Quill and Meg Quilliam have sold the Inn at Hemlock Falls to Marge Schmidt in exchange for her diner, which they now run as the gourmet restaurant, The Palate. Marge has renamed the Inn and now calls it the Doo Drop Inn. She also has allowed some Texas businessmen to graze their cattle there and is trying to convince some of the local citizens to participate in a deal to sell the beef. The Quilliam sisters are horrified at what is going on and decide that they want to buy back the Inn and return it to what it was. While they are working on this, dead bodies begin to show up at an alarming rate. Quill and Meg are uncertain whether it is one of the townspeople, the cattlemen, or visiting Russians who is the perpetrator. After the usual false leads, they discover the hard way what has happened. This is a "cozy" which is definitely up to Claudia Bishop's usual standards.

If you enjoy the Inn at Hemlock Falls series, you'll enjoy this latest entry. I must agree that I am dismayed that the sisters sold the inn, but it looks like that won't be a problem anymore. These are a comfortable, enjoyable read and should be a must for all who enjoy this kind of story.

Sisters Sarah and Meg Quilliam miss the Inn at Hemlock Falls that they were forced to sell before they went bankrupt. They now run a profit-making restaurant in town. Sarah wants to buy back the Inn, but the current owner is making a profit and demands a sum beyond the means of the Quilliam siblings.

At the same time, several Texas cattle ranchers and their cattle are staying at the Inn. The Texans want to work a deal with the local residents. The townsfolk would raise the special breed of Longhorn cattle that is much leaner and healthier, but lacks the quality taste of the Angus breed, which is normally sold. Meg, a gourmet chef, is working on a sauce to improve the steak's taste. However, one of the cattle ranchers dies from an apparent heart attack that turns out to be murder. This places the Quilliam sisters back in the comfortable role of amateur sleuths, especially when more murders follow.

A STEAK IN MURDER, the seventh Hemlock Fall mystery, retains the mouth watering taste attained by the six previous novels. The siblings remain entertaining amateur sleuths supported by a host of local eccentric characters that provide depth and warmth to the story line. The other protagonists keep the story moving forward at a fast pace. Sub-genre readers will relish the main dish of a story line as Claudia Bishop's cozy continues to be fun to read.

Harriet Klausner

Sarah Quilliam knows she made one when she sold the Inn. If you've ever moved away from a house you cared about and had a chance to see it later, only to find that it's been changed in ways you hate, you'll understand how Quill feels. Marge Schmidt hasn't just changed the name to the Dew Drop Inn. Quill is similarly taken aback by what's happened to the bar and the rose garden -- and there's reason to fear for the koi.

Each of the people who die in this book made a bad decision, but theirs proved fatal.

I haven't read all the earlier books, so I don't know if Carol Ann Spinoza is a new character. She's so nasty that first I worried about how her children were going to turn out -- then actively hoped her husband would be made a widower.

Yes, there are Chamber of Commerce meetings and yes, Quill is going to do some more of her doodles that I wish we could get to see. (As usual, the persons captured in the doodles should be glad we can't.)

Is romance in the air for Marge? Will Quill's Myles disapprove of her meddling? Can the cowboys & the potential investors mix? Can Quill buy the inn back?

This is a worthy entry in a good cozy series. I would like to note, though, for the non-Nero Wolfe fans, that the mention of the great detective in chapter six has one of those errors that spell-check can't catch. The word is "hospitality", not "hostility."

Terrific!! This is one of the best books I have read. I was looking forward to each new page.

I really enjoy reading about the Amish. It was nice to have 3 books combined in one hard copy book.

What a great read, this author is very good and once you start reading the series of books you simply can't wait for the follow on books.

I have no qualms whatsoever in recommending this authors publications they are both exciting and informative.

I hate to say this, because I enjoyed the first book quite a bit, but I was turned off by the obvious born-again-Christian agenda in the second book. I accept that Christian references are appropriate in the telling of the Amish characters' stories. And I can understand if a character is drawn to a particular faith in a way that is important enough to the story to explore how they feel about their belief. But the way Christianity is presented in the second book comes dangerously close to evangelizing, in my opinion, and I'm sorely tempted to quit reading right there. The fact that the only major non-Christian character is a largely unsympathetic character, an alcoholic who is increasingly rude to his wife, is just too much for me. It is clear that this author has an agenda that is more important to her than satisfying a diverse readership.

I think Christian readers, particularly born-again-Christian or fundamentalist Christian readers, will find these books highly validating and enjoyable. I think readers of other faiths might be turned off by some parts. I did not realize this series was considered "Christian fiction" until I came here to post my review. I think it's too bad that the author did not appeal to a broader audience. I hardly ever read fiction but made exception for these books because I am interested in the Amish, and unfortunately I'm regretting the time spent on them. I'm glad I borrowed them and did not buy them.

Otherwise, the characters are fairly compelling and the interwoven stories are quite interesting, at least to someone who has an existing interest in Amish life. If I already agreed with the evangelical Christian sentiment I imagine I might have given these books four or five stars.

A good idea, following the exploits of a journalist investigating the Third Doctor and his secret intergovernmental UNIT chums, this starts extremely well; the coverage of the first four or so Pertwee stories is extremely well-realised.

Unfortunately, it goes very badly downhill through putting everything (including a catering kitchen of sinks, and a misjudged attempt to do The X-Files) into the mix. The villain behind it all simply doesn't fit in with what we know of him from the series, and resurrecting an unpopular companion of the Doctor's only works intermittently. It quickly becomes tedious - for fans of conspiracy theories and overdosing on continuity only.

Great! A Doctor Who Book by someone who doesn't live in England. Who Killed is a intriging and shocking (the Dodo incidenced) and the use of all the best Jon Pertwee Monsters, Just great. New Zealand should contribute to the DW gerne more often.

WHat does the world of Doctor Who look like to the outsideobserver? Bishop and Stevens take a look at the events during the UNIT years of Doctor Who from the viewpoint of an English reporter, unaware of the events that drive the Doctor's actions. Intertwining this with a tale featuring the Master, Ogrons, Autons, etc., the authors create a thought provoking story. This book does explore some of the darker underside of the Whovian earth, and shows that from the outside looking in, a different picture can be painted. A must read for the serious WHO fan.

Whether you are a fan of Doctor Who, the longest running science fiction series in television history, or someone who is fascinated with conspiracy theories, Doctor Who: Who Killed Kennedy--The Shocking Secret Linking a Time Lord and a President is a novel you definitely need to read. Published in 1996 by Virgin Publishing, Who Killed Kennedy fits the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy into a well-crafted science fiction story.

While the book is part of the Doctor Who franchise, the Doctor himself is more of a supporting character. The actual main character in this story is New Zealand journalist James Stevens, who narrates the story and is listed as a "co-author" with David Bishop. The book opens with the introduction in an alternate future in 1964 in which Kennedy survived the Dallas shooting with a wound to the neck, and it was his wife Jacqueline who actually died in the attack. While the president grieves over the loss of his wife, tensions among the world powers rise to an all-time high. JFK leads the United States into a catastrophic nuclear confrontation with the Soviet Union and Red China.

From there, Stevens offers an autobiographical account of his early years in New Zealand, as the son of an unmarried teenager who put him up for adoption. His journalism career begins as a cadet reporter at a Saturday evening paper in Auckland. His first day on the job is also his eighteenth birthday, which is November 22, 1963, the day President Kennedy is killed in Dallas.

Fast forward to 1969, when Stevens relocates to the UK, where he begins working for a London tabloid and marries the daughter of Lord Howarth. It is during this time that Stevens' journey really begins, with a phone call from a hospital orderly with a hot tip about a mysterious patient found in the woods near the site of a recent meteorite shower.

It is during a visit to the hospital that Stevens first crosses paths with Brigadier Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart, commander of the British branch of UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce). As Stevens begins to investigate a series of bizarre events, all involving UNIT, he suspects the organization serves a sinister purpose and begins to write a series of articles intend to expose the group and its operations.

In addition to the Doctor and the Brigadier, numerous other characters from the Whoniverse turn up in this story. Most of them are supporting characters from the Third Doctor era, particularly during the Doctor's tenure as the Brigadier's unpaid scientific advisor. There are references to events involving several of the Doctor's other incarnations both past and future.

As Stevens continues his pursuit of the truth, he attracts the attention of another top secret government agency known as C-19, which seeks to shut down his investigation. The young journalist is pursued by C-19 operatives who try to hinder him attempt to intimidate him, threaten his life and the life of the woman he loves, and smear his reputation as journalist. They eventually place enough pressure on the publishers of the London newspaper he works for and cost him his job. At the center of this intricate web, Stevens finds not UNIT, but rather a terrorist named Victor Magister, also known as the "Master." Magister, an old enemy of the Doctor's, is able to move freely between his prison cell and a facility known as the "Glasshouse." Here, the Master tortures UNIT soldiers, conditioning them for his plan to alter human history. This plot involves going back in time to 1963 and thwarting the assassination of President Kennedy. After consulting with the Doctor, Stevens follows Magister and his operative back in time to Dallas to ensure that history stays on its proper course.

David Bishop has taken a key event in human history and wrapped a very interesting science fiction story around it. With the story bringing the Kennedy assassination into the Doctor Who universe, the author devotes great attention to detail in maintaining the continuity of not just the television episodes, but also of many DW novels set in the twentieth century. Who Killed Kennedy is a very well-written novel, and an exciting read for Doctor Who fans as well as newcomers to the Whoniverse.