Bradshaw Books
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great book!Review Date: 2008-05-23
ExcellentReview Date: 2008-05-21
Great ServiceReview Date: 2008-01-25
FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNYReview Date: 2007-09-25
KEEP IT SIMPLEReview Date: 2007-01-03
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Loved it!Review Date: 2008-03-02
Not very good, not very bad, just rather blaséReview Date: 2008-02-01
I thought "The Wolf Hunt" might be different because it's in third person (and has werewolf's which are always fun to read about) but this book was just extremely....level. It had a very consistent level of writing and enjoyment which never varied. The exciting parts weren't that exciting; the boring parts weren't that boring. It was just ok throughout.
I'm not saying I hated this book. I read it in about a day so obviously enjoyed it to some extent but it could have been so much better. It could have been great! I mean, a kidnapped noble woman who wants to be a nun who falls in love with a man who is a werewolf who marries another and is betrayed and the former nun has to save him-it's a great plot. It could have been amazing! But instead it was just kind of blasé.
I have to say after reading this and "The Beckon at Alexandria" I can't say I'm too keen to read more of Bradshaw's books. I know there is a devoted following but for me this just didn't have the needed variation in writing style to make it interesting enough.
Three stars. Not great but not that bad.
A good hero and an even better heroineReview Date: 2004-03-02
A fascinating book with an interesting twist on the werewolf themeReview Date: 2006-02-19
Warning - there are plot spoilers below!
The plot is that of a young girl, Marie, who is kidnapped and ends up by finding her loyalties torn - those who kidnapped her are her father's enemies, but they treat her so well that she is unsure of the right path. She initially escapes from her kidnappers and is very nearly raped and worse by some wood people she comes across - she is rescued by a strange man, Tiernan. We hear of Marie's introduction to the court of Duke Hoel and Marie discovers Tiernan is engaged to Elin. As a reader I decided Tiernan would probably come to his senses before the wedding and realise Marie is the woman for him, but this didn't happen. In fact he loves Elin very much, and Marie has to watch them marry and try to subdue her feelings.
At this point the focus of the story changes and we start to follow more of the story of Tiernan. He is a very interesting character - and he has a secret. This was fairly easy to guess as the story progresses, and it was more interesting to see how the characters around him dealt with this. His new wife Elin is repulsed when she discovers her husband sometimes turns into a wolf and she schemes to have him disposed of - not by death, but by ensuring he remains trapped in his wolf form.
It is here that Marie returns. The section where Tiernan is a wolf is brilliantly written - his part human but mostly animal intellect and senses is very evocative. We begin to understand what it's like for him - the freedom of his wolf form, but the knowledge that there is more out there for him as a man. It's brilliantly written, especially the section where Duke Hoel is hunting him, with Elin's new husband Alain the chief protagonist - he wants his rival the wolf to be disposed of for good.
Marie's gentleness and understanding as she gradually realises that the wolf that Duke Hoel has as his tame pet is actually Tiernan is great to read. Tiernan is rescued from his wolf form and returns to his village after an absence of a year, eventually ending up with Marie.
I understand that this book is a reworking of a poem, but I didn't know that until after finishing it. I felt the book worked excellently - it wasn't too predictable, the characters were flawed and interesting, and the description of life in Mediaeval times worked really well. This is an excellent read with a gentle love story and a gripping plot.
A Unique Perspective on a WerewolfReview Date: 2003-12-24
I was absolutely enthralled by this book. Even if it were simply a historical novel of medevial France, it would be worth reading for its vivid descriptions of everyday life. But it has the fascinating twist of a hero "addicted" to his werewolf life. Tiarnan loves the woods and lands he lives on, and eagerly awaits the times when he can shed his humanity and experience his woods with the heightened senses of the wolf. His hearing and sense of smell are sharper, his strength and agility are increased, and these sensations draw him repeatedly to absent himself from his suspicious wife. Tiarnan is a conscientious landholder, a loyal subject of his Duke, and a dutiful husband, but his heart belongs to the times he spends as a wolf.
Eventually Eline, and her disappointed former suitor, discover Tiarnan's secret and self-righteously betray him. Tiarnan is no longer free to move between his human and wolf existances. He is trapped in his wolf's body, and only then begins to realize what he has lost with his humanity. His thought patterns are in disarray, and he struggles to reclaim any hold on language. He is nearly at the mercy of instinctive behavior rather than conscious choice. He ends up again serving his liege lord, but as a faithful "tame" wolf, and seems destined to remain so unless the grieving Marie, who had quietly loved him, continues to notice just how unusual this strange wolf is...
Gillian Bradshaw has taken a werewolf character, and has given him a fascinating twist. I loved experiencing Tiarnan's fascination with his wolf's life, and his grinding despair over his lost humanity. I also enjoyed the tragically weak "villains" as well as the flawed heroine. This is the best novel I have read by this talented author!
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More old age BS from EricReview Date: 2001-03-12
NOW the old age gurus have finally discovered something worth listening to--they don't really know anything and never did using logical, rational observations. They say intuition is the only way to truth or real knowledge.
The leaders have changed and the followers still follow the old proven to be wrong advice.
Relax Eric, relax your poor overworked mind and let the real knowledge make itself known to you.
History is falling away like a bad dream--Goodbye great thinkers--hello great Lovers.
Utopia Means "Nowhere"Review Date: 2002-02-08
The prose, often stilted, blowsy, pretentious or oblivious to its own ridiculousness, is workmanlike. To those that seek out the book, the pronouncements will be comforting. The implementation of its ideas--imagine!--will not be.
Articulating Paths to ImprovementReview Date: 2001-03-13
The volume's main weaknesses are two: the viewpoints of the essays' authors aren't varied enough, and the "desirable" outcomes are too easily assumed in many cases. I graded this brilliant book concept down two stars for these weaknesses in execution.
Almost anyone would find benefits from reading this book. Even if you disagree with its premises, you will end up learning about the thinking of a lot of America's top authors.
I was honored to receive this book as a gift from one of my sons, reflecting his knowledge of my desire for assisting social progress through personal effort.
The book contains almost 40 essays, grouped into the following sections:
The Soul of a Nation (What it means to be an American)
Pillars (The basics that we need to flourish from health to meaningful work)
The Rewoven Fabric (Community and identity)
To Whom We Belong (Our relationships and ways of relating from family to divorce to aging)
In God We Trust (Spirituality)
The New Civitas (The new American governmental system)
Each author was asked to think about America 50 years from now in creating a more positive environment. Two essays in the group stood out to me in capturing the essence of the issues throughout the book. The first was by Peter Senge (of Fifth Discipline fame). He points out that there are three ways to think about the future. First, extrapolate current trends. That doesn't work, because "aspects of our present ways of living . . . are not sustainable." Second, we can create a vision of the opposite of something we don't like now. He calls this "reactive imagination." This is "only a disguised version of the present." He correctly points out that many of the essays are of this nature. Third, we can "become agents of creating a future that is seeking to emerge, by becoming more aware of the present." "How did we get where we are?" is a question that begins this investigation. From those roots, we can help establish the foundation for moving into a better direction.
If you read this book, start with Senge's essay. The book will make a lot more sense if you do. It will give you a star to guide by. This essay inexplicably begins on page 167, rather than at the beginning.
The second key essay is at the end by Margaret J. Wheatley (starting on page 401). She did a little experiment. She recruited a group of teenagers to think through these questions about what they want for 50 years from now. Basically, they want a fairer, more cooperative, and more sustaining world. They see a "networked, boundaryless world" unconstrained by the geographical and psychological limits of America. Read this essay second. It gets past a lot of the personal agendas in most of the essays into touching closer to what is universal in our visions. Young people always seem to get these points best.
Few of the essays made it into Senge's third category. As I read the better ones (such as those by Dean Ornish, Lance Secretan, and Peter Gabel), I came away with a vision of our suffering from poor decisions because people are not yet good at thinking through the consequences of their daily decisions. We optimize what is visible and closest to us, even when the distance effects (in time and space) are vastly counterproductive to the modest benefits we receive from what we choose to do today. (An example is eating poor quality food to save money individually, and having society incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in health care costs to "repair" us from our own misguided "money-saving" efforts.)
In a sense, I came away with the notion that if we all learned from Senge and Wheatley, it wouldn't take long to arrive at a better society for all. After you master those lessons, be sure to read Sam Daley-Harris's fine essay on "Activism."
Make the future into what it can best be, consistent with the visions of both those who agree with you . . . and those who do not! Read Thomas Moore's views on "Religion" for useful thoughts about this perspective.
Imagine a better world in Peter Senge's third way!
Vastly More Practical (and Political) Than Title SuggestsReview Date: 2001-03-18
I almost did not buy this book, and I say that because an awful lot of really smart folks might be inclined to turn away on the basis of the title and the possibility that this is a fairy tale wishful-thinking la la land kind of book. It is not. It is practical (and political), it is enriching, and it is over-all a very high quality endeavor that has been well executed.
Four "great truths" are articulated many times over across the various readings, and they merit listing here:
1) Campaign finance reform is the absolute non-negotiable first step that must precede every other reform. Until the people can reassert their great common sense for the common good, and restore the true democratic tradition, nothing else will happen.
2) Neighborhoods are the bedrock of both democracy and sustainable development, and we have spent fifty years building in the wrong direction. New legal and economic incentives must be found to redirect both urban and suburban real estate management back in the direction of self-contained neighborhoods.
3) Local production of everything, from electricity to food to major goods like automobiles) appears to be a pre-requisite for deconflicting high quality of life needs from limited resource availability. The book includes several very intelligent discussions of how this might come about.
4) Networking makes everything else possible, and by this the book means electronic networking. I was especially fascinated by some of the examples of near-real-time sharing that electronic networking makes possible--everything from a neighborhood car to scheduled hand-me-downs of winter coats from one family to another. We have not progressed one mile down the road of what the Internet makes possible at a personal and neighborhood level, and I would recommend this book for that perspective alone.
The creative editorial role must be applauded. From the identification and recruitment of the contributors, to the selection of the photographs that each tell their own story, to the quality of the paper used to create the book, all testify to the competence and knowledge of the editor.
Lastly, it merits comment that the book serves as a very fine calling card from something called The Global Renaissance Alliance, a spiritually-oriented group that nurtures Citizens Circles and uses a web site to provide pointers to resources and other like-minded folk.
The Most Inspiring Collection of Thinkers Ever!Review Date: 2002-08-05
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Terrific character driven drama in ancient RomeReview Date: 2006-03-22
It centers on a Greek/Hellenistic moneylender from Alexandria in Rome in the mid-augustan period. There are actually a couple of very touching love stories interweaving in the main narrative. In a sense the whole novel is really about love: A mans love for his daughter, a boy's love for his mother, a patricians love for Rome, a Greek's love for Alexandria, a man unrequited love for his slave and a slaves unrequited love for his master and, obviously, a very touching romantic man-women love story.
Gillian Bradshaw makes the characters and setting come to live with lots of touching details and everyday stories. For instance when the main characters, the Greek banker, Hermogenes, has borrowed a slave boy from his Roman host to have him shown around the city. The boy is being showered with gifts from his master who is in love with him, unfortunately he doesn't really like bedding men and he feels guilty over the fact that he doesn't appreciate his master's kindness. Obviously his parents and siblings wants him to rejoice over his good fortune since the fact that his owner has taken a shine to him is good news for everybody concerned - the owner being a kindhearted man who treats his household slaves kindly. A wonderful way of bringing across the alien viewpoint - A slave feeling guilty about not appreciating being taken to his masters bed. Anyway, as Hermogenes is showed around the city by his guide he buys honey cakes not just for the boy bit also for a little girl called Erotion, and her mother Tertia - the slave women taking care of his rooms. The boy instantly gets worried that he intends to bed her and Hermogenes has to assure him it's just that she is kind, attentive and doing a good job:
The boy went deep red and bit his lib. "I'm sorry, sir," he mumbled staring at the road. "I didn't ...I know it's not....I mean, if you did, you wouldn't even have to give her cakes.... it's just that she is my mother"
I found the whole situation really touching. Lots of little touches like that capturing the different way people think about things and mixing the casual cruelty of their society with the gentleness of individuals.
A great, fast-paced story in Roman societyReview Date: 2006-03-03
Hermogenes is an Alexandrian trader who travels to Rome to try to reclaim a debt from an important Roman civic person. We read lots of really interesting vignettes about how the Romans saw other nations - Barbarians - and how their notion of honour appeared to be generally only honour to other Romans. Hermogenes is accompanied by two slaves from Alexandria and before long the two slaves are having to act as bodyguards to him. It appears that he has poked a rather nasty wasps nest in trying to reclaim his debt. One of his slaves is killed in a fight with some of Hermogenes' new enemies and his life is saved by Cantabra, the female gladiator of a barbarian (celtic) tribe. She becomes his new bodyguard and the tender and rather surprising love story between them is wonderfully written. Hermogenes gets deeper and deeper into Roman politics and Roman money until eventually he wins back his debt, at the cost of many beatings and much trouble.
What I liked about this story was that there was a sub-theme about the position of gay men and boys in Roman society, as well as Greek. Some of the issues were explored - that of slaves not having the option of saying `no' to their masters (although Cantabra actually does this) and the way in which gay people were seen in Greek and Roman society. This is all done in a way that doesn't feel like you're being preached to or lectured at. No mean feat!
This is a good yarn set in any era but the Roman details just add to the enjoyment. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
Beyond goodReview Date: 2007-08-14
"Render Unto Caesar" is just the latest in a stunning parade of historical novels by this classical scholar.
It simply doeasn't get any better than Bradshaw.
and thanks for the afterwordReview Date: 2005-01-28
A lovely tale of money lending in ancient timesReview Date: 2006-12-10
This tale of a Greek moneylender (Hermogenes) who travels from Alexandria to Rome to collect an inherited debt owed to his deceased father shows its writers undoubted knowledge of her subject matter. You can find as much fascination with the descriptions of Rome circa 16BC and the life of its populace as you can wishing its principle character success in his mission to recover what is rightfully owed to him.
Hermogenes task is made all the more problematic by the fact that the man his father once did business with is now one of the Consuls of Rome. Only outranked by Emperor Augustus. The advantages of power, the need to find people you can trust to help and the subtle art of survival when you are a small fish in a big pond all result in plots developing within plots - which helps the story stay fresh and interesting.
Of particular interest was the characters who come into Hermogenes struggle. The most fascinating for me was Cantabra the Hispanic Celt and former gladiatrix. Attractive but hardly feminine her relationship with Hermogenes is a fascinating weaves of contrasting characters. The kindly and trusting Greek with educated and polite tongue vs the street wise and straight talking Celt provide many fine moments in this book.
Another highlight of all Gillians books are the "authors notes" at the end. In these notes she provides answers to questions one might raise about the events within her story. Fact and fiction it may be but her notes support the fact she writes an accurate account of the times - no research short cuts for this classically educated authoress.
An excellent and enjoyable read and as a bonus you learn something about the place and its people.
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A Must ReadReview Date: 2007-06-12
Decent story but not enough excitementReview Date: 2007-06-04
Good but be forewarned...Review Date: 2007-04-28
Great book for history buffsReview Date: 2005-06-09
Another great book by Gillian BradshawReview Date: 2006-03-04
The story follows Caesarion's travels with his rescuer, Ani, and his gradual learning to accept Ani's friendship and to learn to trust him. Caesarion is travelling incognito and intends to go to Alexandria to try to find his mother, Cleopatra, and his half brothers and sisters. Ani has troubles with a competitor and Caesarion helps to extricate him from these, thus earning his way and repaying the debt for his life. There is a very gentle love story with Ani's daughter Melanthe, and the story builds to the climax when Caesarion is recognised in Alexandria and is brought before Octavian, the new Emperor and his second cousin.
This is an interesting portrayal of a King who is a God and finds himself working by writing letters for a minor Egyptian linen merchant. Initially we don't like Caesarion - he is untrusting, haughty and unfriendly - but as the story progresses he becomes more human. The descriptions of his problems with epilepsy are well-written and add much to the story.
As with Gillian Bradshaw's other books, this is a light read although some of the subject matter is serious, and the descriptions of the places and history are fascinating. I very much recommend it.
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Interesting stuff; execrable writing.Review Date: 2008-03-25
Mr. Ragland deserves credit for finding the individuals with whom he talked and for making the information public. But he went too far when he stated, as a fact, that UK threw the Xavier game, even going so far as to infer the identity of the guilty players, without naming them explicitly. A careful reading, however, shows that he has no proof whatsoever that the fix was in. This is unconscionable.
Thin ThirtyReview Date: 2008-01-02
The Thin ThirtyReview Date: 2007-10-28
If you don't know the people and the history of that era then this book might not be for you.
Disturbing but trueReview Date: 2007-12-03
As to the artifact itself (the book). This is one of the worst production jobs I've ever seen. Was there no editor or proof-reader available? Grammatical mistakes and typos abound. And the binding did not survive a first reading. Even opening the book flat on my lap loosened the pages, so poorly were they glued in.
But, the information in this book is a vital link to a time gone forever, and should be part of any historical survey of college football in the south. Not for everyone, but a must read for anyone wondering how football came to be a religion in the south.
Not What Bear And Vince IntendedReview Date: 2007-11-22
It goes something like this:
Part One - Be tough on the kids, break em down physically and mentally.
Part Two - Build them back up as a team, encourage them, reward them.
Ever wondered what would happen if Part One was overdone, and Part Two was ignored?
Well, that's exactly what occurred at Kentucky University in 1962, and that is what The Thin Thirty is about.
The book gets its name from the fact that in the winter of 1961 KU had 88 men out for football, but after the brutality of the "conditioning program," spring practice, and finally fall practice, when the first game rolled around in 1962 only 30 players were left on the team.
The "thin" part of the title refers to the fact that among the 30 survivors most had gone from hefty guys down to scrawny, thin, weakened young men.
And the abuse did not stop there. Scholarship players who quit because of the insanity and physical abuse (wait till you read about the coach that slugged a player, knocked a tooth out and then demanded he continue with no interruption) were badgered into signing a waiver giving up their scholarships - a clear violation of the scholarship contract.
This is about a coaching staff and supportive administration that ran amok. And more importantly it is about dozens of young men who were forced to choose to endure the label of quitter for finally throwing in the towel on the KU version of the Bataan Death March.
Richly researched and told in a vivid style of writing, this is a book about what was nothing less than a concentration camp masquerading as a football program. And the stories of how the survivors eventually built solid lives for themselves in spite of the experience will bring tears to your eyes.
Bryant and Lombardi were masters. But they remembered Part Two of their formula. The "Bryant wannabees" at KU in 1962 forgot Part Two and became sadists in classic Lord Of The Flies fashion.
There is a message there for all of us.
PS This book deserved to be printed and distributed by a large publisher. Instead it seems to have been printed by a vanity press - so be prepared for some typos and errors in grammar - but don't let that put you off - this is a great book and we hope to hear more from this author.
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Excellent BookReview Date: 2008-07-20
Shopping for TimeReview Date: 2008-03-25
Regardless of the season in which you find yourself (single, newly married, mommyhood, empty nest, widowhood), these ladies realize that each one holds its own special challenges, and is full of demands on our time and energy. And, they understand that life is busy. But, they are able to offer wisdom and guidance through the overwhelming busyness because they view these demands (the real and the self-imposed) through the lens of Scripture. They start out by saying, "We can accomplish everything that God has ordained for us to do in this life....And we can do it in a peaceful, joyful manner and get sufficient rest besides." (pg. 13)
When I first got this book, I showed it to a friend. She looked a little skeptical as she read the title..."How to do it all? I don't know about that." Probably anticipating this reaction, the authors say, "These tips are not our attempt at Christian-coated time management principles. Rather they are biblical, life-tested practices we trust will encourage and assist you to bring glory to the Savior through every season of your life." (pg. 26) Using biblical principles as their foundation, alongside the wisdom of their individual experiences, they offer 5 tips to help women apply the words of Ephesians 5:15-16, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Rise Early: The subtitle of this chapter is "Joining the 5 a.m. Club." My first thought when I read that was, "Seriously?!" But, as I read, I became convinced. They offer this disclaimer, "the point of this chapter is not that really godly women get up at 5 a.m. Nowhere in the Bible will you find such a principle. Therefore, nowhere in this book do you we make that claim." (pg. 28). They also allow for the fact that "early" will look different for everyone. So, if 5 a.m. is not biblical, then why this chapter? "Hands down, the most important reason to rise early is to make meeting with God a priority. Secondarily, however, this practice has great potential to serve your family." (pg. 34) Rising early, whatever that may mean, allows us to give proper time and attention to our most important priorities - our relationship with God, and our relationship and service to our families.
Sit Still: This is the most important chapter in this book, and one of the best I read on the topic of personal devotions, or quiet times. Understanding that "we're doers, not sitters, by nature. We awake each morning, our minds whirling with all we want to accomplish that day. We bound off to complete these urgent tasks. But we must sit before we do. In order to effectively shop for time, we must first sit - sit at Jesus' feet." (pg. 40) We are encouraged to meet with the Lord, regularly, and consistently, in order to obtain guidance, wisdom, and peace from His Word for all that we must accomplish. Yes, life is busy. But, before anyone begins to think that their particular circumstance merits excuse in this area, the authors offer this admonition, "Please don't assume that because you're a mom with young children, it's fine for you to meet with God sporadically. All of us...need to choose the best portion along with Mary...." (pg. 45)
Sit and Plan: This chapter addresses the necessity of being careful how we walk (Eph. 5:15), by taking time out, and getting away, to prayerfully evaluate, and assess our priorities. "If we simply allow each new season to come along without charting a course, we could easily be sidetracked by urgent yet unimportant activities. We could wear ourselves out repeating the same mistakes and dealing with the same problems over and over. And we could potentially miss the truly significant opportunities each season has to offer." (pg. 52) They offer ideas for a personal retreat in order to plan for better effectiveness in areas that may be lacking, or needing improvement. While getting away may seem like the last thing an already-too-long to-do list will allow, "The pressures of life are, in fact, the very reason we need to sit and plan. (pg. 63)
Consider People: God's Word clearly shows us that, when it comes to relationships, our most important are those with our Lord, and our families. Because these ladies have dealt with these (important) relationships in other books (and on their blog!), this chapter deals specifically with friendships - both the kind that must be cultivated and maintained, as well as those that may need to be reevaluated, and possibly removed from our lives. They offer help in evaluating our current list of friends in light of Scripture.
- Do we have friends who will sharpen and mentor us? We should.
- Do we regularly reach out to those in need of friendship, or salvation? Or, would we rather stick with the familiar, even if that means making unwise choices in where, and with whom, we spend our time?
"We must prayerfully evaluate our relational priorities in the light of God's priorities." (pg. 69)
Plan to Depend: "By consulting this tip, we can make out good intentions a reality, avoid a solution-dispensing lifestyle, and avail ourselves of God's grace each and every day." (pg. 80) In this chapter, the authors suggest (or, rather, "highly recommend") developing a daily planning system. You will see as they share their personal planning styles, they are not suggesting a one-size-fits-all system. But, you may find one that you can closely relate to, and use to inspire your own system. "While a daily planning system and smart planning will enable us to make the best use of the time in the ordinary course of daily living, we know life doesn't always conform to our plans...So what do we do when life messes with our plans?" (pg. 85) Whether interruptions, busyness, trials, or just the ordinary routine of everyday life, we need to depend on God each and every moment - realizing that we are completely unable to handle even the most routine tasks apart from God's help and strength.
While some of their tips might seem a bit overwhelming (especially when you seriously consider "Joining the 5 AM Club"!!), they really are far from it. Each one offers biblical principles, personal experience, encouragement, and a welcome sense of humor, as these godly women help their readers understand the need for implementing biblical principles into the busyness of our everyday lives. They close with this reminder from Matthew Henry,
"It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day." (pg. 94)
Shopping for timeReview Date: 2008-04-05
Finding the best deals...in timeReview Date: 2008-02-17
Sound far-fetched? Absolutely it does - it did to me! I've read stacks of books, just trying to learn what my schedule should look like, what my to-do list should look like...and on and on. Shopping For Time has been one of the simplest, most concise, and clearest helps in this process. "We wouldn't dream of going to the grocery store without a shopping list, or buying a car without haggling over the sticker price, or purchasing new shoes without checking the price tag, but we throw away our time as if we had an endless supply" (17).
In a sweet, conversational style, the Mahaney girls paint with appropriately broad strokes a picture of a life that is joyfully submitted to God's to-do list. This short (under 100 pages) book clearly, helpfully, and gently offers five tips on how to "shop for time," and it recognizes some things that many other time management or "Godly woman" books barely touch on or miss altogether:
The authors explain that we need to rise early (remember, flexibility!), sit at Jesus' feet, plan, consider the spheres in which God has placed us, and humbly recognize our dependence on God to be productive. The main thing this book has going for it is flexibility. What's required to act wisely will look different across the spectrum of women who're reading the book. What works for one won't work for all in exactly the same way. There are different seasons in each life, and application of these principles will look different during each one. Managing time wisely for the glory of God isn't something that can be done haphazardly. Your effort will depend on how complicated your life is, but there will be effort. Motivated rightly, though, our lives can be fruitful and joyful expressions of our love for the Savior and delight in serving Him.
"In the end, our highest goal each day is not flawless execution of our plans or increased productivity. It's our relationship with God, walking in dependence upon Him throughout the day. ...This book will help you become a wise shopper of time in every season of your life, so when you pass from time into eternity, you can know the intense and indescribable joy of our Savior's pleasure and commendation" (90, 94).
Shopping For TimeReview Date: 2008-04-05
So, when I saw this book pop up on my Amazon suggested products page I was excited, especially because Caroyln wrote it with her three grown daughters who all contribute to the GirlTalk blog. I didn't want to even waste time waiting for it to come in the mail so that same week I visited the local Christian bookstore and bought it and after reading this review, I hope that is what you will do too!
Shopping for Time helped me think through my days and how I spend my time and I easily saw how I need to readjust a few priorities, step-it-up in some areas and completely overhaul others. I know that I don't always manage the time God has given me with the intensity and purpose that I ought to, so as I read this book I began to see that even though I thought, "I'm doing my best" managing my time, I really wasn't.
What I enjoyed most about this book were the five practical tips to help me evaluate and accomplish the things that God has called me to do as a Christian woman. Too often we are harried, frazzled and overwhelmed as we run around trying to get done all that we think we need to do each day. This book is not a "system" or 5-step plan to life success. It is simply the disciplines the Mahaney women have exercised over the years that have greatly maximized their usefulness for the Lord. Here is a glimpse at the 5 Time-Saving-Tips:
Tip #1-Rise early, they propose that you join the "5 AM Club" to reap benefits both for your spiritual life and the good of your family.
Tip #2-Sitting at Jesus' Feet, making reading and studying God's Word, prayer and meditation top priority.
Tip #3-Taking a Personal Retreat, a time to study God's Word, read pertinent books to where you are in life, devise solutions to some of our problem areas and make goals and plans that are thought out and Biblical for the upcoming months.
Tip #4-Consider People by evaluating relationships carefully. Do your friends sharpen you? Do you have a mentor and are you a mentor to someone? Are you reaching out to others by being a friend? Are you evangelizing those who need salvation?
Tip #5-Plan to Depend: being productive in daily life. One thing in this chapter that has really helped me is what they call the "15:4 rule." Fifteen minutes of planning in the morning, saves four hours of your day. When I read this chapter I started doing this the next morning and have found each day to be so productive because I wasn't wasting time trying to nail down what I needed to do next.
I hope reading these five ideas that you have some ideas about how you may need to change your schedule tomorrow! This book is simple, easy-to read and short, only 94 pages! What made this book so helpful is that it's not about teaching us how to perfectly execute our daily plans, but to make sure our heart is wholly God's, focused on Him and His priorities, relying on Him to accomplish each task and being intentional about living every day for His glory!
A Practical English GrammarReview Date: 2005-04-05
Quite acceptableReview Date: 2005-09-01
If you have not discovered your favourite grammar book ...Review Date: 2003-05-09
Great book! I bought it almost 10 years ago and still use itReview Date: 2003-06-21
It has very clear examples and explanations.
You may read it back to back, you may also jump directly to the topic of interest, because each section is self contained.
It is not burdened by contrived stories about improbable characters running through other intermediate books. This is a book of rules; it goes directly to the point and gives one or two lines long, self-contained examples.
If you are a very advanced lerner you may need to supplement this book, but haven't found another book that does a job as good as this one at a more advanced level. So now, I mainly refer to this book, and in the rare occasions I don't find my answer there I usually have to scavenge dozens of books to find the answer I am looking for
right book for the middle level english study Review Date: 2005-08-30
Used price: $0.47
Haunting mirror on Corporate greed and human societyReview Date: 2006-07-30
Gillian Bradshaw brings these characters, especially the main character, to life in a way that I haven't seen in a long time - I was fascinated and unable to put this book down until I reached the ending. At first it read like a mystery/thriller, but as the book progresses, it very gradually (and, in my opinion, in a realistic manner) enters the realm of science fiction. The more technical elements are explained in a manner that I found easy to understand and added to the story.
This was a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to anyone who can get their hands on it. I hope that it will be re-released at some point, if enough people discover it.
AuthorZone.Com Book ReviewReview Date: 2003-07-24
The book is addictive and will leave you in suspense. You will feel hurt when you are done reading it because you will wish it does not end.
powerful amateur sleuth science fictionReview Date: 2003-09-02
In spite of the amnesia, Paul instinctively distrusts anyone associated with Stellar Research, especially his superior Sir Philip Lloyd, but is not sure why. While he heals, his savior decides to make inquiries into his identity though she leans towards he is Paul. However, his terrorized look whenever Stellar Research is mentioned makes her determined to learn why.
THE WRONG REFLECTION shows the depth of talent that highly popular historical author Gillian Bradshaw has as she deftly provides a powerful amateur sleuth science fiction. The story line focuses on Sandra's investigation that takes her where no woman has gone before. She and the hero are a delightful duo whose star-crossed romance seems to fit the adage that it must have been the wrong time and the wrong place, but feels right. Science fiction, mystery, thriller, and romance readers will appreciate this taut tale that will send everyone (including this reviewer) seeking DANGEROUS NOTES, from what I have heard as good as or better than this great novel.
Harriet Klausner
A Departure for Gillian BradshawReview Date: 2002-03-24
A bit of the plot reminds me of a novel I read about 7 years ago called THE DONORS. I believe it was by Gerald Et Al Harris ...The element of plot to which I believe Gillian Bradshaw may have referred in this novel was absolutely brilliant. I have never seen it used since.
All in all, I am finding this a very good book. I'm eager to find out how it turns out. I think Gillian Bradshaw is more at home and more skilled with historical and historically based novels, but this is definitely a fine book!
The face in the mirror is not mine...Review Date: 2004-01-31
The Wrong Reflection, by Gillian Bradshaw, is a science fiction thriller that begins dealing with this issue. Bradshaw is primarily known for writing historical fiction using her classical background. Whatever possessed her to try her hand at science fiction, I have no clue. However, she succeeds brilliantly using the talents that her previous genre no doubt taught her (I have not read any of her other books). She creates vivid characters and ties them into a tight thriller that makes you keep turning the page as you wonder what's happening. Unfortunately, the ending can't keep up the steam, and she uses a grammatical conceit that becomes increasingly aggravating.
The first half of The Wrong Reflection is a brilliant mystery, with Paul knowing even less than the reader. This makes the book even more enjoyable as you try to unravel what's going on before Paul can. The tension mounts as Sir Philip keeps trying to get Paul to check into a medical facility run by Stellar, and Paul knows that something is going on. But every time he starts to remember, he doubles over in pain and has a severe bout of nausea. I found myself wanting to read "just one more chapter" when I should have been going to bed. It was engrossing, and I really felt sorry for Paul and his predicament. Sandra was an intriguing character as well, feeling obligated to find out how the man she rescued is doing, and then sensing a kindred spirit, a man who wears his logical mind as a badge, and a man who is scared of everything around him. She becomes his anchor to the world, and also his lifeline. His memory is strange as he can remember many scientific things, but he can't remember how to put on pants (I found that part a little illogical, though it's slightly explained once the secret is revealed).
As the mystery is revealed, it becomes a standard "misunderstood alien is used and abused by an evil corporation for fun and profit" story with a scientific twist, lessening the impact. The villains are rather stereotypical, with Lloyd being the worst of the bunch. He believes his heart's in the right place but can't see why what he's doing is wrong. Other characters are less so, being far more interesting. There's a Michael Moore-like documentary director (though more honest) named Rod, and his lover and cameraman, Dave. Thankfully, nothing is made of the fact that they are gay, becoming just part of their characters rather than an agenda. Malcolm, the black home-nurse who is initially brought in to take care of Paul, suffers from this a little bit more. He is a well-rounded character, but his race becomes an issue when he asks Sandra if the fact that he's black is why she won't be with him (despite the fact that she's obviously already in love with Paul). This bit is just thrown in there and batted aside by Sandra, making the reader wonder why it was even there in the first place.
Bradshaw's writing is excellent, drawing the reader in with her words and making even the slower second-half of the book seem much better than it really is. Her prose is really well done and she writes with great economy. There's only one problem, and it may be a personal issue with me. I found the constant movement from one viewpoint to the other very annoying. Bradshaw moves from Paul's viewpoint to Sandra's and then back again, all within the same section of the book. Thankfully, these are the only two viewpoint characters she uses, or it would get even more confusing. I found it very discombobulating when I was reading Paul's thoughts and then all of a sudden I'm reading Sandra's. I know expert writers can break the rules, and that this can even be effective, but I don't think it was this time. It was distracting, and it really detracted from the book. Considering how great the rest of her writing was, I found it even more disappointing.
I can't say much about the science aspect of the novel, as I don't know a lot about magnetic fields and singularities. It sounded good enough to suspend my disbelief, which is all I ask for in a science fiction novel. It doesn't get very technical, so if hard science turns you off, you don't need to worry about it. Bradshaw explains it well enough so that you can understand it
The Wrong Reflection will keep you reading, despite the fact that it limps to the finish line after a wonderful start.
David Roy
Used price: $23.02
WonderfulReview Date: 2008-08-25
Good infoReview Date: 2007-12-30
boats to dream aboutReview Date: 2007-01-28
InspirationalReview Date: 2002-02-01
Well written, with wonderfully informative illustrations.
Pay close attention to the title because that is exactly what this book is for.
Precisely directed at those who are restoring an old canoe or putting a sail on an old canoe, and desire with that sailing apparatus, to maintain the patina and character of the "oldness."
If you are, as I am, seeking simply to put a sail on a modern canoe, I suppose there is still a good deal to learn from this book. I am getting inspiration from the diagrams and may one day, when I get more free time, build something like what is in this book.
It would be silly to build something according to the plans in this book and put it on a modern canoe. It would sail, no doubt. But the great sin would be the mixture of old and new.
There is enough technical information and close up drawings that I can work from and adapt to using aluminum and modern, manufactured items to create something to get on the water faster than building it all myself from scratch. That is mainly what the thrust of this book is all about, building and sailing it yourself, whilst keeping it's antique patina.
Great book. The author knows his subject.
Also an attractive coffee table book, even if
you never do anything with the knowledge therein.
Simple and elegantReview Date: 2005-06-04
CANOE RIG is the book which any book lover will recognize as a "keeper." This book meets all the criteria for a classic: it has the size, the heft, and the shape - you want to share a comfortable chair with this book; it has the pedigree - the publisher, WoodenBoat, and the editor, Peter Spectre, have a reputation for perfection; and it was produced by an author whose devotion to the subject shows through on every page.
When I first opened CANOE RIG I turned each page as though the next illustration was going to pop-up from the page like some of those kids books. The pictures make you feel as though you are the first to discover the simple art of a canoe with a sail. You are drawn through this book - just like the way kids used to (perhaps still do) page through magazines and slap each picture and say "mine" -- you "want" every canoe you see, and you want to know more and more about those canoes. I found myself not just wanting to own the canoe, to sail the canoe, but I also wanted the canoe on a tee shirt, too!
As to the technical coverage of the book, Bradshaw has completely covered the world of canoe sailing. From the basics of wind to the complexities of spars, leeboards, sails, mast support, and rigging, and he included an appendix with measured drawings for sails and leeboards.
I contacted Bradshaw to ask him a question: had he ever read any of Edward Tufte's books on the visual display of information. I was disappointed to learn that he hadn't, for CANOE RIG is an excellent example of the