Brown Books

This is a great "bathroom book"...it can be read in 2 minute installments. The title tells you all you need to know; It is nothing more than 101 interesting questions and 101 fast (but credible and entertaining) answers. I have given this book to several people and I have always received two thank you's...the first when they get the book and the second after they have started to read it.

Raymond Brown is recognized as one of the foremost biblical scholars of the later 20th century, and this slim volume is the product of his own studying and teaching of Holy Scripture. A priest of the Roman Catholic Church, the late Fr Brown approached the bible as both divinely inspired and humanly influenced, but not in the manner of the Jesus Seminar folks, with whom he has very little in common. I would describe him as someone who was not afraid to ask tough questions and someone who never made up easy answers. He was true to the text and the history behind the text, and the reader will come away from this book with a renewed trust in the meanings of the bible and an appreciation for the human agency that helped give it its shape.

The 101 questions cover the whole gamut of expected topics, such as translation accuracy, divine vs human inspiration, genuine vs apocryphal books, Church guidance in reading it, literal vs allegorical and symbolic or more, biblical criticism and fundamentalism, are the Gospels true or myth, miracles, the life of Jesus, Mary, early church administration, the sacraments, worship, formation of the canon of Scripture, the papacy and church authority, etc.

Who is this book meant for? I would say anyone with an interest, and it isn't meant for specialists. It's meant for folks like us who want to know, but don't have time to go to school to do all the research ourselves, learn Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin etc. Read this book if you are looking to debunk the bible as pure myth, and read it if you think everything in the OT is true in that it is supposed to be understood as historical fact at every turn of the page. Read this book if you are not scared to enter into the history of the text and be confidant that you'll still come out a committed Christian. It is a book for everyone.

Enjoy!

I would also recommend Oskar Skarsaune's
Incarnation Myth or Fact (Concordia Scholarship Today)

There are many ways to approach biblical studies, but few more satisfying and thought-provoking than Raymond Brown's way. In this volume, Brown tackles many of the thorniest questions posed by his listeners and (mostly) responds in ways that are accessible to the intelligent layperson. That he does this without sacrificing the complexities of his field is quite amazing.

Brown has compiled a list of real questions from those who have attended his lectures. His responses carefully lay out the view for rather controversial topics - such as the place of symbolic language in the Christian Infancy narratives. He makes his ideas seem plausible without sacrificing their religious significance. After reading Brown, one may think the unthinkable: that the Star of Bethlehem is less of a historical celestial phenomenon than a literary and theological one. On the other hand, Brown is rock solid in his belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. This event, experienced by a myriad of Christ's followers, is unlike the infancy stories, for which where seems to be no consistent source.

To biblical literalists, Brown is anathema. Yet it is they, and not Brown, who saddle biblical students with impossible burdens. To literalists, Jesus cleansed the Temple twice - once at the beginning of his ministry (as per John) and once at the end (as per he Synoptics). It is Father Brown who neatly solves this mystery by restoring to the gospel writers their intent - which was to proclaim the Lord, not to offer a blog-style listing of consecutive events.

101 Questions is sometimes a bit too technical for the novice biblical student. His answers are precise and nuanced, maddeningly so for those looking for sound bites and easy answers. Then again, Brown argues from the basis of his Roman Catholic tradition -- not that here is anything necessarily wrong with that. But always, Brown acts as a New Testament scholar, taking the scriptures as seriously as anyone. He believes Christ founded a Church, but not in the sense of anticipating its precise liturgies and sacramental structure. But if one wants to understand where the scholarly consensus lies on the virginal conception, on Jesus's brothers and sisters, on the proper way to undertand miracle stories, on the formation of the biblical canon, on how to deal with fundametalists and a score (actually five score and 1) issues of vital importance to Christians, this volume is a terrific place to start.

I was referred to Father Brown from an article I read and since that point I have never been disappointed. He is a very concise journalist and scholar on the Bible. This book is perfect for anyone who needs some detailed answers on subjects contained in the Bible that you had questions about. I highly recommend this for reference also.

A painless way to obtain an out of print book. If I need to do again I would not hesitate to use Amazon's service. Thank all of the people envolved in my obtaining my order.

In this brief text, Fr. Brown masterfully distills his biblical exegesis into a form which is digestible by those who do not have a predisposition for exegesis. In this collection of essays based on his larger work "The Birth of the Messiah," Fr. Brown discusses specific motifs from each of the infancy narratives, looking for their significance not only intra-textually but also inter-testamentally. While much of the exegesis remains brief, it is enlightening for each narrative and serves as a "spring board" to further studies as needed and desired. Nonetheless, for its brevity, the content is dense enough to truly give one something upon which to reflect during Advent and Christmas.

Father Brown has written some great books. While this is a good book, I would advise a touch of caution here. If you or your church believe in a strict literal interpretation of the Bible, this book may not be good for you. That said, this book is an interesting study. Father Brown points out that both Matthew and Luke have passages in their Gospels that tell of Jesus' birth. However, neither Matthew or Luke were present at the birth of Christ. There is a theory that Mother Mary (who was obviously present at the birth of Christ) talked to Matthew and Luke about the birth of Christ. (Father Brown does not seem to believe this.) But even if we accept this theory as true, it does NOT disprove the important facts that Father Brown points out. The first thing he points out is that while Matthew and Luke present a different picture of Christ's birth, they both wrote with a hindsight of Jesus' great works, his crucifixion, and his ressurection. (Anytime we are writing something with hindsight, we can color the previous events to our liking. Moreso if the way we color it helps lead up to the ending.) Basically, Matthew wanted to emphasize Jesus' greatness. So, he includes the star that lead the 3 wise men to Jesus. Matthew also wrote for the Jewish populations. (He was trying to emphasize that Jesus was the new Moses.) In the Old Testament, there is the slaughter of children at the time of Moses' birth. So, Matthew has the wicked Herod order the deaths of all the new born children in hopes that Jesus will be killed. Like Matthew, Luke was also trying to emphasize the greatness of Christ even at his birth. So Luke adds the beautiful story of the wise Simeon who pronounces Jesus' greatness: "Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people" (Luke 2:29-31). Also with hindsight, Luke has Simeon make a reference to the crucifixion: "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also..." (Luke 2:35). Father Brown's point is emphasized further when he points out a major point. Obviously, Matthew and Luke included passages on Jesus' birth. But while they made their changes, they still had to stay to some extent within the earlier written Gospel According to Mark. (Mark of course does not include a birth chapter.) Well obviously, Mark presented Jesus' conflict with the Jewish authorities. Well, the Jewish authorities were fascinated by the 12 year old Christ in Luke: "...all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers" (Luke 2:47). So, if the religious authorities were so fascinated by Christ as a 12 year old child, then why as an adult was he rejected to the point where the religious authorities wanted him crucified? Don't get me wrong. This IS a great book as well as an important study. But it is my opinion that the content of it could be disturbing to some.

This booklet contains an excellent summary of some of the important conclusions reached in Father Brown's comprehensive and scholarly work, "The Birth of the Messiah." Father Brown's concern in the booklet is the theological message of the evangelists--he views this as the most important aspect of the message, and something that can get lost amid modern searches to either prove or disprove each item of the stories as historical events.

As usual, the late great Father Brown did an excellent job. He explores the Old Testament roots of Mathew's and Luke's Birth Stories and analyzes broad and beautiful topics such as "the Meaning of the Magi" (the Good News is for all who will believe, including Gentiles) and the "Importance of the Shepherds" (they symbolize an Israel that comes to recognize and glorify its Lord Jesus, the Davidic Messiah foretold in the Jewish Scriptures).

Father Brown said he hopes the regognition that there is an adult Christ in the message of Christmas--i.e., that the theological meaning of God's gift of Jesus is included in these beautiful opening verses--will lead believers to proclaim that revelation to others, and that they will respond in faith. It was a wonderful thing to have this brilliant and intellectually honest scholar also put his faith on display.

One of Raymond Brown's most enduring and significant works is THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH. It is without a doubt the most helpful work for preparing Advent and Christmas homilies as well as Bible studies based on the Advent and Christmas seasons. Though it's filled with great information, it's not quick reading by any stretch of the imagination. A quick reference guide would be more than appreciated by most readers and AN ADULT CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS and a volume that precedes it, A COMING CHRIST IN ADVENT, both published by Liturgical Press, serve this purpose.

AN ADULT CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS looks at the second chapters of Matthew and Luke's Gospels which deal with the birth of Jesus. Brown acknowledges the historical difficulties associated with these stories: Why did people not notice and record the star or Herod's massacre of the infants but doesn't allow these factors to take away from the overall message of Jesus' birth. He pays attention to the theology of the stories, namely that the Infancy Narratives for both Matthew and Luke summarize what we will discover in the Gospels themselves, specifically that upon learning of Jesus Christ some will respond and others will not. Brown further states that these stories challenge readers today in the same manner, so they're not cute stories as much as important lessons for mature believers, hence the titles.

The three essays in this book, the first of which focuses on Matthew's narrative, the second which looks at Luke's birth narrative and the Presentation in the Temple, and what Brown calls the "Third Christmas Story" or the finding of Christ in the Temple, were originally published as articles in the journal WORSHIP. They're informative and great for group discussion or homily ideas. Because it's a slender volume, it's perfect for an Advent Bible Study series or spiritual reading for people who combine scripture study and prayer. At such a busy time of the year, people want substance but often don't have time for lengthier works. This volume is perfect for that purpose. It's also great for preparing a homily, since it has major themes specifically for Advent. It also has footnotes with references for THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH and other works by Brown which makes it a great beginning for further research.

I read this book in this time of Christmas, 2001-2002. The content was incredibly interesting and changed my mind about the narratives of Jesus infancy. The two initial chapters of Matthew and Luke now say different things than I understood just a month ago. Recommendable only for people with a very well cemented faith. Short and very interesting and clear reading. That is the reason why I am a father Brown's fan.

A great book to read as a intro before going to The Presence Process. After just being at a weekend workshop with Michael, there is no doubt of his intent, wisdom and heart. Being in the 7th session of the process, I am blown away at how I am feeling, what occurrences continue to deepen and expand my awareness. Most incredibly I am coming to a place of self love and acceptance that I have only heard others speak of and believe you me, I have studied and read much, seen countless spiritual/new age teacher/gurus and practiced many modalities of self healing....but this (and this is a very big BUT)....this is the "how to of all how to's" and I am ever so grateful for all the work Michael has done to bring it together in the way that he did. I am truly beginning to feel the liberation of all my past negative conditioning. Yeah!! So give it a go, use this wonderful tool to self facilitating your way back home...to YOU!!

I am like many of you that will be attracted to books such as these, a searcher for that unknown answer to that unknown question. I was moved 2 months ago to pick up Michael Brown's "Presence Process", and I did so without even reading a single word of the book. I took it home and fell in love with it, seeing myself on each page, knowing that my life would be forever changed from that moment forward. Of course, it would stand to reason that I would search out any and all material by Mr. Brown to ensure that I left no stone unturned regarding the deep and insightful teachings he was imparting, and subsequently I came upon "Alchemy of the Heart".

"Alchemy of the Heart" is a wonderful books as a stand alone, however, it does not offer much to someone who has read his previous material. I believe this book should be read FIRST, as it would assist the reader in his/her transition into the experience that Mr. Brown is so poignantly atttempting to engage us in. This book gives the reader insight into the terminology and verbal twists Mr. Brown enjoys utilizing to illustrate his points. I could go on forever, however, I am not the author, and you really need to read what this man has to say on your own. If you are struggling with which of his books to buy, I would say purchase this one first, then IMMEDIATELY purchase the "Presence Process", and get to work on it. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. You are being afforded the opportunity to meet/remeber your authentic self, and for most of us it will be the first time you have ever done it. I hope this review helps:) Mike

Michael Brown offers a way of approaching the suffering that we experience from our emotions. After reading much of Thich Nhat Hanh's work, this "Western" approach is quite compatible with the principles of Buddhist psychology. I find the method to be a very practical and helpful tool for helping myself.

Like "The Presence Process" this is an incredible book. Actually with M.Brown's work my search for existential sense is over.
Just listen to his (totally free!) audios at http://www.thepresenceportal.com/

Be prepared for subtle and not so subtle changes in your perceptions if you decide to read this book. You won't have to think about it; just reading this book seems to be enough to stir your mind's veil aside and glimpse reality. Once you get a glimpse, everything is changed.

Alice Ramsey of Hackensack, New Jersey was twenty-two years old in June of Nineteen Nine, when she started out on her trip driving trip across America with her two sisters-in-law and her friend Hermine as passengers. Narrow roads, dirt roads and roads that were barely there at all challenged them, as did mud, rivers and mountains. And when the car broke Alice was the one who had to get it working again. One has to remember that though this trip was a bit less than a century ago, this was an amazing feet. Women didn't have the vote, were considered much to gentle for such a task and many didn't think Alice would come through, but come through she did, making the trip in fifty-nine days.

This is a super book with out of sight illustrations by Mr. Brown. My young son loves the pictures and when he's old enough to really understand the story, he's going to love Alice Ramsey as we read along about her grand adventure. Three thumbs up at my house. One from young Devon, One from Mommy Sara and one from me.

Jack Priest, Dad in Training

A wonderful introduction to the conditions of the roads for the early travelers by car in America. Because of their determination, our roads were improved and the automobile industry flurished. A great way to make children and adults aware of the history of the early automobiles and how people like Alice Ramsey believed in them. The geography lessons lend themselves to great mapping activities.

Luminous watercolors and a straightforward writing style serve to enchant the reader without over-romanticizing a true story. I look forward to more by this author.

No doubt young readers will be struck by the idea that on June 9, 1909 a twenty-two-year-old woman named Alice Ramsey made a name for herself by becoming the first woman to drive across America in an automobile. After all, the thought that this achievement would be a big deal should strike this as being somewhat odd. But one of the things that "Alice Ramsey's Grand Adventure" does is remind its readers what life was like at the turn of the last century, especially if you happened to be a woman (after all, women could not yet vote in the United States).

Told and illustrated with watercolor paintings by Don Brown, "Alice Ramsey's Grand Adventure" makes it clear why this fifty-nine day trip, which began on June 9, 1909, was something akin to something done by pioneers the century before. After all, Alice did this trip traveling with her friend and her sisters-in-law, and the only one who knew anything about automobiles was Alice. The car was a Maxwell touring car, which had a top speed of 42 miles per hour and where you had to light the headlamps with a match. To make things even more interesting there were no road signs, many roads were for horses rather than automobiles, and the only guidebook that existed for motorists only covered the eastern part of the country.

What is fascinating here are the details, the problems both big and small, that Alice Ramsey faced while driving across the country in her Maxwell. After all, this trip took place less than a century ago, which makes "Alice Ramsey's Grand Adventure" a great example of those tales about the Olden Days when you can really tell how different things were way back then. If young readers were to think about what they could do today that would be in the same spirit, if not the same scale, as what Alice Ramsey did, it would be interesting to see what they might come up with to rival this road trip.

"On June 9, 1909, Alice Ramsey drove out of New York City and into a grand adventure. Alice Ramsey wanted to be the first woman to drive across America. Alice's friend, Hermine, and her sisters-in-law, Nettie and Margaret, traveled with her..." So begins Don Brown's marvelous story of a little known young woman and her dream. Mr Brown's engaging and informative text, told in an easy to read conversational style, is filled with enlightening details about how the trip progressed over its 59 day period. Pigs clogged the road in Illinois, and railroad tracks slowed them down in Chicago and "...the car bounced over mile after mile of rail until the women were dizzy." Dirt roads became muddy and impassable when it rained, and as they traveled further west, there were no roads at all. "Alice followed telephone lines, hoping the wires would lead her to the next town. It wasn't always successful-sometimes it left them even more lost." And there were many mishaps and breakdowns along the way. But as she crested the Sierra Mountains, Alice knew she was now in California and close to her goal. "Alice guided the Maxwell onto a ferry that carried them to San Fransisco. When she rolled off the ferry behind the wheel of her Maxwell, Alice Ramsey became the first woman to have driven across America! It was August 7, 1909, Fifty-nine days had passed since Alice left New York City." Charming watercolor illustrations add just the right touch, and highlight the important events of the story. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Alice Ramsey's Grand Adventure is an inspiring tale, told by a gifted storyteller, that is sure to whet the appetite of adventurous readers and send them out looking for more.

Steve Brown's first book is a fabulous introduction with a keen insight into prayer, written in a down-to-earth language. He affirms where you've been, complete with the good parts and the bad parts. He offers you the opportunity to go deeper, but insists it all depends on God calling you there. I borrowed the copy from church, and had to underline. So I bought another copy for the church, and put the purloined, underlined copy on the Keeper Shelf. A simply great read.

A wonderful book. Insightful, direct, well written and easy to understand. It answered so many questions for me. This is a book that I will have close at hand for many years, if not for the rest of my life. Thank you Mr. Brown.

I find this book easy to read and hard to put down. I've had it for half a day and have already read half of it. It feels like Mr. Brown is sitting in the room talking to me. I have read some other books regarding prayer and how to pray, but this one is the best I've read so far. I'm new to faith and Christianity and this makes me feel more deserving and willing to carry on the every important conversations with God. I highly recommend reading this book to new Christians.

Words can hardly describe! If you are wanting a closer walk, a deeper relationship, but don't know how to go about it, this book is for you! Bravo, Steve Brown! You took the "scary" and the "guilt" out of approaching God, yet the approach is as reverent and worshipful as ever. In light of the WTC bombing, I am ever so mindful of what Steve Brown reminds us in the context of this book; i.e., the victory is already ours! I will keep this book for life. ...

Steve Brown really delves deep into the doctrine for prayer! This is an excellent handbook for people who really want to know not only how to approach God, but what it takes to have satisfying and fulfilling interaction with Him.

Rather than trying to tell people what to pray or even what not to, Mr. Brown gets to the root of the problem... getting started. Mr. Brown's theory is "Unbelievers don't pray because they are afraid that God might be there. Believers don't pray because they are afraid he might not be." He asserts that God is interested in developing a relationship with us not just hearing from us when we want or need something. He explains that before we can have this relationship we need to trust God unconditionally. To leap forward or fall back in total faith that God will be there to catch us and sustain us, even in times when He doesn't seem to answer or even refuses our requests. It is his contention that in contrast many of us try to manipulate or bargain with God often by trying to find out what prayer or combination of prayers will get God to give us the things we desire or help us gain control over our lives and the lives of those we interact with in life.

Steve Brown goes even deeper, exposing how our innate need to control or take over control when we feel God is not there for us short-circuits God's plans for us. He relates quite a bit of relevant scripture including how Jesus tried to teach much of this in His parables and testimony while on earth. He examines the Lord's Prayer which was given to us by Christ as an example of how to pray, not what to pray. In doing so Mr. Brown identifies the key concepts behind the prayer millions have adopted as their prayer, when in actuality they are more often than not just lackadaisically repeating words.

Mr. Brown encourages us to open our hearts and minds in prayer and share our doubts, our fears, our pain, our sin, and our shame because, as it is written, nothing is hidden from God anyway. He just wants to hear it acknowledged by us. Through this confession as well as by relinquishing control and listening for God to speak to us, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and bring about what is good for us and to develop spiritual attitudes and outward manifestations of our salvation and growth as believers.

Can Arthur keep his new pup from being sent away?

In a story that many young readers will identify with, Arthur has a new puppy who misbehaves, as puppies often do! Arthur sets about training him, and brings about a wonderful transformation that amazes everyone, with a fun twist at the conclusion.

If your children are fans of the wonderful TV series, this book is sure to appeal to them.

I liked this book because it has lots of laughs. The story is about a new puppy who really needs trained, but in the end he's well trained.If you like stories like these then read Arthur's New Puppy.It's a tail wagging story.

I liked this book because I really like dogs. And when I get my owen house I am going to get a dog. I loved reading this book. You should buy this book becuse you can lern how to take car of a puppy.

[...]. It is a good book for kids because it helps kids read. It is funny. Arthur gets a new puppy because his mother said he could. Arthur had to give five dollars for the puppy. Arthur was happy to have a puppy. He had been watching a puppy that gave birth to a litter of new puppies and Author got to keep one. I think everyone would enjoy this story, especially if you like puppies!
The end

While children love reading fantastic stories of dragons oraliens or dinosaurs, that doesn't mean they don't also enjoy readingbooks featuring kids just like them.

Or, in the case of the popular Arthur books, aardvarks just like them. Arthur's New Puppy is the eighteenth book in the best-selling series. It follows the misadventures of the lovable aardvark as he attempts to housebreak his bouncy puppy Pal.

Children seem to identify with Arthur as he struggles with everyday problems with the help of his loving parents (and no help from his pesky little sister, D.W.) and friends.

If you have an Arthur fan in the house, or if you have a new puppy in the house, you'll want to check out this book.

A memoir of an innocent in the bawdy world of burlesque, Lillian Brown gives us a clear picture of another time and world. Thank God for her nurturing grandmother and other members of her extended Italian family. They provided the rock solid foundation that held her aloft despite encountering some loose bricks. Along the way she met some fantastic people and several demons - haven't we all!

What a great coming of age movie this book would make! Let's see.............. the lead actress could be Kate Hudson or Reese Witherspoon.
Can't wait to see it!

My husband and I both read this terrific book. Knowing Lillian as a friend makes this an even better read. She is an excellent writer and tells this story well. I would love to read more stories from her fascinating life. I highly recommend her book as a warm, funny yet poignant true story.


Mary Anne Zimmerman, Silver Springs, Florida

Banned In Botson -makes you feel like you are there living in the times and the things Lily Ann Rose did and the old photograps only add to the story to make the book more enjoyable. It is a story with a fast start and a happy ending !

I purchased this book Dec. 1st. Started reading that night about 6:00 pm. I couldn't put it down and read it completely in just two nights. My comments: WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK DUE MS BROWN?

Crying while smiling, I have laid the book down in an effort to delay turning the last page. Whenever that happens (and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to hold off more than a few minutes), the end of _Birdbaths and Paper Cranes_ will come too soon. I'll spend the meantime finding a newspaper to subscribe to that carries Sharon Randall's column. Having found her, I can't imagine doing without her.

This is an outstanding collection of newspaper columns. Homespun and heartfelt, these stories touched me on many levels. Sharon Randall is a gifted writer and a fine storyteller. She has a magical sense of putting it all together, bringing each topic full circle. No matter the subject-something as light as her daughter's tea parties, as funny as her blind brother's adventure in driving, and as sad and poignant as her husband's battle with cancer, she left me with a feeling of warmth-and more often than not, a smile.

I read the beautiful piece, "The Paper Cranes," to my young daughters and their friends and they listened very intently. It led to a question and answer session about the Atomic Bomb and the end of World War II, and then a fascination with origami and the symbolism of 1,000 paper cranes. It was a lot to take away from one small story.

This is a book I'll keep on my shelf and I know I'll refer to it from time to time when I'm looking for a friend with whom I wish to share a thought or feeling. Meanwhile, as a former newspaper columnist (in the San Francisco Bay area) I'll recommend it to everyone as classic material of the genre. Looking forward to the next book.

Submitted by the author of "I'm Living Your Dream Life," Mc Kenna Publishing Group

I could not put this book down until I had devoured every word! My only regret is that this is her one and only book! How I hope to see another soon! "Birdbaths and Paper Cranes" is not only humorous, poignant, thought-provoking and, at times, heartbreakingly sad, but it is a quick easy read, with lessons from her life that will enrich yours!

This book is a guarantee to make you reminisce and cry and laugh along with Sharon Randall as she writes of her life. It is beautifully written, short and direct ~~ always having her short stories end with a rememberable last line that leaves you thinking more.

I found this languishing on my bookshelf after borrowing it from my mom last year. I needed something "lighter" to read after my spree of historical fiction. I thought this one was rather a slim volume and I can surprise my mom by returning it this weekend. But it was a surprise to me! For such a small volume, this woman writes with a punch ~~ a punch to the soul. She shouts, cajoles and whispers to your memories and soul with grace and humor. Just like a mom and wife, daughter and sister and granddaughter. I only wish I had a bigger box of kleenexes nearby. I also couldn't put the book down after reading the foreword by her son.

Now that I know why my local newspaper carry her column, I will be reading her work again and again. She speaks to the mother and wife inside of me. She makes me sit and remember who I was long before I have gotten to this part of my journey. She talks as if you're sitting next to her with a cup of tea and you both are just gabbing away ~~ only her stories serve to remind you that life is short and it is even more precious than we all realize. This is a book that should be shared, not hoarded in dusty libraries or in the back of the bookcase. This is a book that everyone should give to their loved ones ~~ male or female. It speaks to all of us.

I just love writers like Sharon Randall ~~ they really speak and it is up to us to really listen ~~ with our ears and our hearts.

1-28-04

Each individual passes through his single experience of being human, encountering his existential moments one by one, and studying with fascination, appreciation, and wonder those with whom he is meant to involve himself as mate, parent, friend, or any of those other myriad encounters that are often altered by events(birth, marriage, suicide, divorce, career, and death), and by myriad emotions (jealousy, resentment, love, sorrow, hurt, commitment, and grief). So it is with Sharon Randall who has described all those existential moments, those events, and the emotions accompanying the days of her life in BIRDBATHS AND PAPER CRANES. This book is a boon to any parent who is not paying enough attention, not creating a record of each child's life, any spouse who is taking a marriage for granted, any individual who assumes that life will proceed unaltered and unchanged, not through stupidity, but just because that is the "way we are." This book is a wake up call for each of us to pay attention, live it well and fully, and above all, create a record for our genealogy, more precious than gold. Sharon Randall shows us how. She demonstrates through a series of her columns "Bay Window" collated from "The Monterrey Herald" that her life is a special experience, lived sensuously and lovingly, and, somehow, gives the reader pause to ponder the special moments of his life and ask himself: AM I REALLY PAYING ATTENTION?

This is a thoughtful, well researched, extremely well written and vivid survey of the various natures of suffering--religious, philosophical cultural and psychological. Trachtenberg traveled and interviewed both perpetrators and victims, but the most alluring part of the book is his capacity for empathetic yet clear-eyed description. Bravo! Highly reccommended.

This book is both powerful and compelling and the beauty of its writing pulls you into these true stories of calamities. I couldn't wait to read more each evening after work, till I finished it all. Now I want to re-read it and re-visit the places and people Peter Trachtenberg has introduced to us. He's a fine writer (see 7 Tattoos) who is becoming a great writer.

I just attended a reading by Peter Trachtenberg, of the last chapter of this book, and it was breathtaking-- so compelling and smart and sensitive. The writing is superb and so interesting.

i could not put this book down. it proved novel and enlightening in so many ways. it is an exciting exploration of human suffering and god's place in the world. Trachtenberg is a tremendous writer and thinker and i can't wait for additional writings.

I have never read anything like this before on any subject. The author is highly intellectual, almost overly so, yet also profoundly emotional in his response to human experience. He can write about ancient philosophy and make it as immediate as pop culture without losing any depth or seriousness--he truly makes art and culture timeless and universally applicable whether he is writing about the case of child-murderer Andrea Yates or the Rwandan genocide, or two young women suffering from a rare and deadly disease. Many of the stories in this book are appalling; many are profiles in courage.

Great collection of sermons by an unusually gifted writer. Liked it so well trhat I have purchased from Amazon six additional copies for gifts.

This is, without a doubt, the best sermons by the best preacher I have ever heard. Having had the pleasure of attending classes given by Barbara, and having heard her preach several times, this book has become a classic in my gift giving arsenal. Read it, and you will never think of grits the same way again, you'll have a new outlook on 'family values', and new understanding of 'we don't dance' and a new readinng for Christmas Eve (have handkerchief handy...if the tears don't come, there's something the matter with the reader.

It used to be, not so very long ago, that ordinary people read sermons the way they now read novels-in their spare time, for both edification and enjoyment. If this idea seems strange to you, then chances are you have not read anything written by Barbara Brown Taylor.

Taylor is an Episcopal Priest and the rector of Grace-Calvary Church in Clarksville, Georgia. Taylor University has also named her one of the ten top preachers in the English language. That having been said, you will also want to know that she is in great demand as a speaker.

Dr. Taylor is a preacher of uncommon skill, but we must not stop there. Her fresh images and stimulating ideas are so engaging that this book really can work as a personal devotional tool. It would serve equally well as a neighborhood or small group study, or something to read with one dear friend or family member and then talk about in detail over a pot of tea or by a crackling fire. For, just as you "think between the lines" during the course of a sermon, so too, in Taylor's book, you have the perfect chance to allow your own Christian experience to engage with the truths Taylor presents.

If the names of each chapter, such as, "The Trickle Up Effect," "How Not to Hinder God" and "Why the Boss Said No" begin to peak your interest, they should! Taylor has a style that is accessible; she speaks to the modern mind and heart.

Consider this passage, from the book's title sermon: "Jesus is God's manna in the wilderness, the one who reminds us day by day that we life because God provides not what we want, necessarily, but exactly what we need: some bread, some love, some breath, some wine, a relationship with this ordinary looking man, who comes from heaven to bring life to the world." (Page 11).

I suggest reading one chapter a week, reading that chapter several times in the week, and living with the insights presented there, as a spiritual discipline. Taylor's bread of angels will prove to be an excellent guide in your devotional life.

If you find this review helpful you might want to read some of my other reviews, including those on subjects ranging from biography to architecture, as well as religion and fiction.

After my first eight books of reviews I figured MIXED BLESSINGS was her best book of sermons! Then coming to the recent one of LEAVING CHURCH, I thought there may be more... like The Bread of Angels. Here is a short version of her early book of sermons.

Over 25 sermons of the Lectionary Texts of OT and NT! Sections of three sub-titles are "Deep In Christ's Bones, "Chickens and Foxes, "Apocalyptic Figs." Question often comes to mind, "How come Sister Taylor chose her topics of Christ's Bones and soon afterward the Apocalyptic Figs?

"I'm Sorry I Don't Dance, The Hidden I Am, Silence of Angels & Shock Therapy!" are longer titles of my choices...I prefer to rate one more highly! Although "Shock Therapy" is a good choice, since I had my similiar experience from CPE as Taylor, yet "The Silence of Angels" is concluded with her thought from Rabbi Kushner's "GOD Was in this PLACE & I, i did know know..." She dramatically describes the Rabbi being in the Holy PLACE of the Jerusalem Temple, being unable to Pronounce the Name of JAHWEH! It is the most dramatic, articulate, awesome sermon in this collection! With gratitude to Barbara Brown Taylor...Fondly, Chaplain Fred W Hood

You won't believe this, but this collection of sermons is a real page turner. I started it with a plan to read one essay a day for my devotional. Instead, I quit reading the fine fiction book I was halfway through and devoured Bread of Angels, reading long past my bedtime every night. The sermons are funny and touching, challenging yet encouraging. I'm now looking at old Bible stories in a new way, finding deeper meaning and real help for life. I'm going to buy copies to give to family and friends. Pick up a copy of Bread of Angels. It will feed your soul in ways you never expected.