Bryan Books

If you want to know more about William Jennings Bryan, this is the book for you.

Very well done!

I must say -truthfully- that that is the best political biography I've ever read (and there have been many).

I accidentally happened into discovering William Jennings Bryan. He is a figure who is given only a brief mention in any grade or high school history book, and that is a shame. While reading a biography of William McKinley (Bryan's rival for the presidency during the election of 1896) I found myself wondering, "Who is this man Bryan?" I wanted to know more. How did a man rise to the head of his party and lead three unsuccessful bids for the presidency? He had to have been a considerable figure. Only Grover Cleveland (who won the popular vote in three elections) and later Franklin D. Roosevelt held such a command over their party. Bryan had to have been just as dynamic.

Thankfully, the author, Mr. Kazin, provides his readers with a deep, very well-researched and enjoyable account of Bryan. Turns out that Bryan WAS a considerable figure. Though he might seem very distant and certainly out-of-place when seen in the context of current events and attitudes, William Jennings Bryan was a perfect fit for the times...someone who could -without apology- campaign for the highest office as a common man of deep faith, extolling the romance "of Jefferson and Jesus." One is left to question what it would have been like had Bryan attained the Presidency of the United States.

The events covered in the pages of this book occurred during the late 1800s/early 1900s...right around the time when many students in their history classes begin to daydream with heavy eyes. (The tariff debate of the 1890s for example, can't possibly hold as much interest as say the question of secession leading up to the Civil War during the 1860s). It would take a pretty determined writer, then, to engage his audience into discovering William Jennings Bryan. Michael Kazin proves to be such a writer.

I can't be sure whether it was Mr. Kazin's strong writing, which given the subject matter could have been very plodding and boring in lesser hands, or the subject himself (Bryan deserves to be remembered for the role he played in our nation's history, even if he did fail to acheive the Presidency)...but I enjoyed the hell out of this book. And that is saying something.

There isn't much of substance that I can add to the many excellent reviews already posted here. But perhaps I can provide some comments in minimalist fashion that can get this important book into the hands of "a wider audience." I think there is much we 21st century Americans can learn from William Jennings Bryan. I will divide my comments into two sections: the first dealing with the literary value of the book and the second noting things we can learn from Bryan's life.

The Book -
1. The organization and pacing is excellent. Nine of the twelve chapters are divided into discreet time periods that correspond to the various political episodes of his life, which was largely defined by his participation in the political life of America. The other three chapters - his early years, his career on the Chautauqua public speaking circuit, and the response of his political admirers - work very well, never losing the focus of the book, politics and evangelical Christianity.

2. This is a good read. The level of diction and writing style is just right for a popular audience. Best of all, Kazin does not "get in the way" of his subject, Bryan. Some academics seem to want to display ALL their knowledge, whether it fits into the narrative or not (are you listening, Joseph Ellis?), but Kazin resists the temptation. I am quite certain that Kazin knows a lot more about Bryan and his times, but, thank God, he is keeping it to himself. I read a lot of history and biography and this effort would have to be in my top 10% in terms of its literary value.

William Jennings Bryan -
1. He is a very important figure for the history of the Democratic Party, but I am not sure why, even after reading this biography. Certainly, he was an important figure in the Democratic Party during an era when they transformed themselves from the conservative laissez-faire era of Grover Cleveland into the liberal activist times of FDR. If you can overlook his racism and support of prohibition (more on that below), almost all of his positions would be cheered by 21st century liberals. Was Bryan responsible for helping the party make this remarkable transition, or was he simply in the "right place at the right time", fortuitously carried along by other leaders or social forces beyond his control? In either case, he is far more important in the making of modern America than historians have heretofore recognized.

2. He is important for evangelicals who want to be engaged in politics(Self-disclosure: I am an evangelical who is vitally interested in American politics). I think he lived an exemplary life, one that other evangelicals could emulate, but what does that look like for me? It seems to me that 19th century evangelicals generally favored an activist government, working for reforms like abolition, temperance, education, care of the mentally ill, etc, yet that seemed to die after Bryan left the scene. The social gospel seemed to suck them into a new paradigm of seeking "salvation" only in this world and ignoring the next. They turned formerly evangelical denominations - Presbyterian, Methodist, American Baptist, Evangelical Lutheran, etc. into sects that seemed to downplay Christ's gospel for the social gospel. Personally, I am disappointed in their religious direction, yet I am also disappointed in the path taken by those who stayed "true" to evangelical principals. They largely abandoned politics until the abortion controversy of the 1970s and since then, have all too often been used by economic conservatives for purely electoral purposes. I think there is a "third way", in which one defends the gospel in spiritual matters, yet also sets an independent course in political matters, all the while using scriptures as the guide to best "love your neighbor."

3. He is important for today's Democrats. He was obviously deeply committed to many issues that 21st century Dems feel are important, yet he came at these concerns from a Christians perspective. Can Dems allow this type of person to have an important place at their "table"? I'm not talking about phony rhetoric. That will not work because it will be obvious that it is not sincere. I am talking about being serious about making people of faith feel welcome in the Democrat Party. For example, could a Pro-Life Democrat ever be allowed by party bosses to run for President? Not in the past, but perhaps in the future. Secularists and secularism has controlled the party for many, many years. I feel it hurts the party very much in "fly-over" land.

4. A word about his racism and silence about the KKK. Indefensible in our day, but in his? Wilson was certainly racist, and did much to deepen Jim Crow. Why is he given a pass? (For that matter, why is Sen. Robert Byrd of West Va., former KKK organizer, given a pass on his embarrassing past?)Most people were very racist in Bryan's times, including most of the Democratic Party. So why is he singled out for censure? I think a lot has to do with his evangelical identity, and his role in the Scopes trial. Some secularists loathe evangelicals and, I think, have trouble thinking in a balanced way about someone like Bryan. Take a look at the ridiculous review of this book by Publishers Weekly on this site. How does someone read this book and produce that review?

Why read a book about a politician who lost the US presidential election three times in a row, and was a white racist to boot?

More than just retelling an American history story, Kazin's masterpiece of US political history does an excellent job of bringing back to life a political scene that has long since passed and mostly forgotten. I burned through this book in one sitting.
There has not been a WJB biography of this magnitude for quite some time.

Kazin himself in the introduction admits mixed feelings about his protagonist, and there are certainly warts to Bryan's character seen through our 21st century lens. He does an excellent job pointing these issues out, despite the title of the book that makes Bryan sound like a saint. He wasn't - he profited impressively from his public speaking, and like many of his party, was a racist.

What makes Bryan's life worth studying is one sees the start of the 20th century Democratic party in terms of their economic issues. Additionally, one also sees echoes of Bryan's religious bent to politics in modern politics today (think: what recent presidents have invoked the name of God repeatedly, and managed to win overwhelming majorities in rural areas? hmm). No wonder many politicians like him, at least pieces of him...

William Jennings Bryan is somewhat of an enigmatic figure in American history. Many of his contempories saw him as a dangerous radical while today he is often seen as a fundamentalist reactionary. How in the world can one man be thought of in such vastly differing ways? In this book Michael Kazin has attempted to answer this question and at the same time he has gone a long way toward clearing the reputation of this great man.

To be sure, Bryan had his flaws and Kazin does not try to gloss over them at all. As a product of his time Bryan was not a friend of African-Americans but how many politicians of his time were? Bryan was also had a terrible problem ever admitting that he was wrong as did his fellow progressive Woodrow Wilson and both men ran into trouble because of it. Still though, when one looks at his entire career Bryan looms as a very large presence in the history of the reform movements of early twentieth century America.

Of course the biggest thing that Bryan is remembered and reviled for is the famous Monkey Trail in Dayton Tennessee. It is all too easy to look at this episode and see a reactionary rather than a progressive thinker but even on the issue of Darwinism this book shows that in some ways Bryan was very much ahead of his time. Bryan critics often fail to mention that many of the early proponents of Darwinism used Darwin's theory to justify eugenics, which is the idea of taking the weakest people out of society so that only the strongest genes will be passed on. Bryan foresaw the serious implications of this idea and it was one of the key reasons that he fought Darwinism so fervently. It was almost as if Bryan could already see Hitler and Stalin with their death camps and this aspect of Bryan's stance on this issue should never be forgotten.

Mr. Kazin has with this book given us the most balanced biography of William Jennings Bryan that I have ever come across. His close association with race bating bigots like Ben Tillman and Tom Watson is not the least bit whitewashed but then again neither are his accomplishments. This book shows us the Bryan who had his warts but who also fought long and bitter fights to gain equal rights for women, to see that free enterprise run amuck would not trample the rights of the average wage earner, and who is as responsible as anybody for the adoption current Federal Reserve System. People all over America owe Bryan a debt of gratitude every time they get their Social Security check and every time that they go to the bank feeling secure because their money is insured. Yes, this author points out Bryan's flaws but he also takes pains to remind the reader of all the positive good that Bryan did and he does so in a very pleasing way. There is not in fact a single boring page in this book. The author's arguments are clear and well defended, his writing style and research are superb and most importantly he has taken up this project with an open mind and because of this he has turned out what I consider the authoritative biography of William Jennings Bryan.

Persuasive Online Copywriting isn't a very big book (176 pages) and it's not a very new book (first printed in 2002) but the fact that it remains one of the standards of online copywriting speaks to its enduring value. That and the fact that copies on Amazon begin at $79. (Is that a misprint? $79? The cover price on my paperback from the second printing was only $18. Who knew it was an investment opportunity?)

Upside
* It's as relevant now as when it was first written.
* It has value for online copywriters, web and product managers.
* It's short, concise, and readable.
* It provides a starting point for AB and multivariate testing of your content. If that sounds completely foreign to you, read Landing Page Optimization by Tim Ash.

Downside
* There's no index. Really, every technical book should have a competent index.
* Unless you can remember Iron Butterfly's 17 minute drum solo from In-A-Gada-Da-Vida, you're probably not going to grok as much as the authors might like.

The book is an excellent example of its own advice. It's short but long enough, engaging, and moves the reader effortlessly from one page to the next - exactly like a website. Its message can be encapsulated in a single word: relevance.

"Speak to the dog, in the language of the dog, about what matters to the heart of a dog." Amazon missed identifying that quotation as a statistically improbably phrase but it's one of the most memorable from the book. It's a graphic metaphor for relevance.

The success of online marketing is driven by relevance. Relevance depends upon delivering the right content to the right customer at the right time. It depends upon recognizing your customers goals, fears, foibles, and conceits. You can't begin to write relevant content until you know your audience. This book won't tell you how to acquire customer intelligence but it will tell you what to do with the intelligence once acquired.

The Brothers Eisenberg know their stuff. They've been around just short of forever, at least since the 60's if their fondness for the word "grok" is an indication. I daresay many of the current generation have never read Robert Heinlein's Stanger in a Strange Land. I may be wrong. Heinlein's book has 538 reviews on Amazon; King James' translation of the Bible has only 255. Back in the day, however, it was highly relevant.

This book scores a triple play! Its three authors unite to create a book that will help anyone turn their writing and Web site into a winner. It is packed full of valuable information that is presented in an easy to read fashion. The authors have a unique writing style that is witty and humorous and keeps you entertained even when explaining about something as boring as online conversions. This book would be great for students in a Web site writing class or for someone who wants to make a Web site that is more user and reader friendly. I personally did know anything about Web writing before reading the book, but it has really inspired me to learn more and improve my skills. I have definitely been persuaded!

I found this book by browsing on Amazon, and it has been an incredible find. I am currently developing a website from scratch. I have bought all kinds of books to help me with this and this one is probably THE most useful. It contains many, many key ideas regarding what most matters in the content of a website. This is a book I keep reading and re-reading - A big thanks to the authors!

Persuasive Copywriting is a great companion to Call to Action, also by Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg. Portions of the information in this book were repeated in Action, but that does not make Persuasive any less valuable to web site owners and online marketers alike.

Much like my reading of Call, I have exhausted a highlighter underscoring important sections of information throughout the book. With sections covering writing considerations, techniques and writing for the web medium, Persuasive provides substantial tips and recommendations to make your copy stand out above the rest, and more importantly, be an effective sales tool.

As a bonus, there is an entire 50 page "afterword" all about understanding online conversion, which will help you better understand the conversion process, while providing useful tips on how to improve your site's conversion rates.

Anyone responsible for the content of their website should read this book and keep it close by. As the author's state, writing for your website is not a one-time process, but is all about tweaking and testing different formulas. Persuasive makes a great reference manual for the process of getting the most out of your web page content and squeezing out higher conversion rates from your visitors.

Before reading this book I considered myself a decent copyrighter, not excellent by any means, but decent. After reading this book (and their other book: Call to Action) I realized that I have no idea what I'm doing. Now I refer to each book on a weekly basis to be sure that I'm getting it right as I build websites for my clients. Reading these books has opened my eyes; referencing them keeps them open. Using just a few examples in these books I have been able to increase my registrations on several websites in just a few weeks.

I love Bryan Kest, and I think this is his best tape. Be ready to test all of your yoga abilities because he definitely challenges your mind and body. I have used this tape a few times, and each time he has brought me back to what yoga is all about. Humility!! Thanks, Bryan

First off, I liked this Brian Kest workout better than his others (I also have his PowerYoga multi-CD set, which I just might sell) simply because I (1) already have a pretty decent set of yoga DVDs, and (2) because as purely a verbal class, I can take it with me when I travel on business, or need some 'me' time and can therefore use it literally in my backyard or spare room away from the family.

I downloaded (almost the entire) program into my Ipod, take my sticky mat and water bottle, and rejuvenate for almost 2 hours. You will need this time, since the exercises flow well. The only step I did not download is the super-intense 10-minute Sitting Forward Bend.

One thing that I did learn from this program is that it is important to not force your body into any pose; it will slowly, in its own time, 'flow' into the pose. Very important for those of us who stop and start exercising, and get upset when we have trouble touching our toes.

As for his voice...yep, can be annoying, especially all the sighing and growning - however, it may be on purpose since it is a verbal course, and it could be a way to keep you from dosing off.

I have several Bryan Kest DVDs and audio recordings (MP3s from his website and Long, Slow, Deep from Amazon). You absolutely cannot find a better, more complete workout than what he gives you. If you are into chanting, OM'ing and hitting a gong, forget it. If you want to stretch, get strong, sweat and generally feel awesome then buy his stuff. Personally, I find his language refreshing. He makes it funny. I greatly prefer his description of the poses (yes, even "crotch asana") to these long Sanskrit names that are hard to remember. He makes yoga totally accessible by describing the poses in detail, in English, so I don't have to make learning Sanskrit part of my practice. It's too bad he isn't greedy, I would love to see this form of yoga franchised out, it's amazing.

I just finished the most amazing yoga practice ever...which is saying a lot, because I have been practicing for about 5 years now and have loved every minute. I am definitely a fan of Bryan, but he even outdid himself on this one. Yes, he talks a lot. But I like what he says, and I like to be reminded of certain "life truths" now and then, because it is so easy for me to get wrapped up and frustrated with the challenges life presents. His reminders ground me, calm me, and really complement the practice (without be too spiritual). I also don't think he was "bootcampy" as another reviewer mentioned, because he always says you can come out if you need to; rather, he is trying to encourage us to face challenges head-on rather than running away because we are scared or not use to it. After all, you cannot run away from all the challenges of life, right? This is a good time as ever to practice remaining calm.

I have been overly stressed for the past...6 months or more, especially over the last few weeks. Today I went over the edge, and needed a major calm-down, de-stress session. I tried this CD for the first time, and although I am certainly not the most "advanced" yogi, I definitely benefited. HIGHLY recommended for anyone!

I do have 2 critiques: First of all, this is definitely not 90 minutes. It is almost 2 hours, which was fine for me, but it is nice to know in advance. Also, while I don't mind Bryan's talking or groaning at all, I didn't like how the microphone was being turned on and off constantly. I kept thinking the CD was broken or stopped suddenly! I am sure I will grow accustomed to it, though, and it is hardly a major issue. :-)

I have attended Bryan's yoga classes for years, but traveling on business every week has made it more difficult to attend. With these CD's it's nice to hear a familiar voice taking me through the steps to a true "spiritual" experience. The workbook is easy to follow if you are new to yoga. Even the dog in the pictures is relaxed. Guaranteed to touch you both physically and mentally. Love it.

one caveat: you must, really must read the preface to make sense of the use of this reference, but once you understand its structure, it's invaluable.

A Dictionary of Modern American Usage is a security blanket for writers. Words and word usages change subtly through the years, so we need authoritative information like this to help us to stay updated and well-informed.

Here's something that should make language lovers sit up and take notice: a thorough, gently entertaining but always informative book about the American language, written by a lawyer, in plain English.

For those who love the language, those who revere H.W. Fowler, John Bremner or Theodore Bernstein, but don't need the posturing or pomposity that sometimes accompanies columns or books on language, or those who simply enjoy wandering through the pages of a book that examines and comments upon commas, virgules, variants, Bryan A. Garner's Dictionary of Modern American Usage is the book to read.

Garner takes on all manner of problems, from the proper way to use the word each, to Hobson's Choice, to ordinance vs. ordnance and hundreds of other misuses and misunderstandings about American usage.

Most entries are quite short, as in the notation that "meld together" is a redundancy, while others, such as the entry on mendacity/mendicity/mendicancy, detail the distinctions that should be made in using these similar-sounding words. Most entries are accompanied by good, contemporary examples, but are sometimes explained through citations of older works.

The book is quite long,707 pages of entries in the hardcover edition, but worth the time of anyone who wants to brush up language skills, rediscover old rules, dispose of some other old rules, or broaden understanding of the differences between American and British usage.

Garner frequently cites newspapers and magazines when pointing out correct usage or mistakes, which makes the material fresh and relevant:

Comprise and compose: If the whole comprises the parts, the reverse can't be true, e.g., "Of the 50 stocks that comprise the index, 40 had gains...", From Florida Today, June 15, 1997.

In other words, comprise is not synonymous with "make up", no matter how many times people use it incorrectly.

extradite, indict, the former meaning to surrender or deliver a fugitive to another jurisdiction, the latter from the Latin to "write down" but some write as if the words are related, e.g., Ventura has a court hearing Thursday in San Juan, where she is expected to waive her right to fight extradiction (read extradition)..." From the Boston Herald, Oct.4, 1994.

and

Prosecutors argued that..he had jumped bail after a 1984 federal mail-fraud conviction and disappeared for nine years until being found and extradicted (read extradited)..." From The New York Times, Oct.7, 1994.

deceptive, deceptious. The latter is a needless variant. Or, if we have a perfectly good word, we don't need the invented alternative, which just causes readers to pause wonder about its meaning.

He also provides some useful definitions I've not encountered before, for example: dysphemism, the substitution of a disagreeable word or phrase for a neutral or even positive one. It is the opposite of euphemism. Some examples:
bean counter for accountant
jock for athlete
jarhead for Marine
bleeding heart for liberal
sawbones for surgeon
mouthpiece for lawyer
nerd for intellectual
stiff for cadaver
fascist for conservative

This book serves as a ready reference and a guide to those who love English. It's worth its hefty price.

Stick with his legal writing books, especially The Winning Brief and A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage. Here Garner bites off more than he can chew. (His legal writing seminars are well worth the cost.)

For three generations, a single book dominated the market as the authoritative reference in matters of grammar, style, and usage in the English language: "A Dictionary of Modern English Usage" by H.W. Fowler, first published in 1926, ably revised by Sir Ernest Gowers in 1965, and now in its third edition (published 1996). But by the century's last quarter, the modern English language -- particularly its American dialect -- had begun outgrowing Fowler, and several newer guides began competing with it. The third (1996) edition of Fowler was a disappointment, and left the field without a clear leading authority.

That gap was filled in 1998, when Bryan A. Garner wrote "A Dictionary of Modern American Usage" (published by the Oxford University Press, which also published Fowler). Finally, someone had written a book that matched Fowler -- not only in its erudition, but also in its accessible style, and even its wry sense of humor. And Garner's book had the advantages of being written both in modern times for a modern audience, and in the United States by an American author about American English. The book is a gem, and as authoritative a reference as you will find in this field in the last several decades (and probably the next several too).

"DMAU" went into a second edition in 2003, under the title "Garner's Modern American Usage," renamed after its author in view of the acclaim that the first edition earned. A new edition was appearing after only five years because, as Garner explains in the second edition, "changing usage isn't really the primary basis for a new edition of a usage guide: it's really a question of having had five more years for research." The second edition builds upon the first: the first edition was a dictionary of words in usage, rather than words about usage, and therefore assumed that the reader possessed a certain working knowledge of basic grammatical terms and concepts. For example, the first edition didn't define such basic terms as "sentence," "phrase," "clause," "word," or "part of speech." The second edition appends a glossary that defines many such basic concepts, in addition to many new or expanded entries in the dictionary itself.

Simply put, this is a handy writing guide for lawyers. Just casually flipping through this book for a few minutes will make you a better writer. For example, I especially like the lists, which give you substitutes for legalese or summarize styles that Judges like. Briefly reading through this book taught me more than I learned in an entire semester of Legal Research & Writing. I highly recommend it.

This reference book is a great tool for prompting the editing of your own work. Often I will write something and after I have edited it then I will take a look at a few random sections of this book and make sure that my writing is in line with what this master wordsmith suggests. A bit of an erratic method of editing, but it serves a purpose of making me seriously think about if something applies or not to my work. However random, I am often surprised by the things that I turn up via this method.

In striving to be a better writer, complacency and comfort are your enemies. Garner has helped me break out of my self-made box. I gave it four out of five stars because there are times I am left wanting more from a few of the sections in this book. If there was a 4.5 star rating, then this book would have my vote.

The book is excellent. It teaches you everything about legal writing: design, grammar, persuasive writing, organized ideas and punctuation. Don't forget the exercises. They will help you to recognize your weaknesses in writing.

The book was everything i wanted. Very helpful, intricate, detailed, and just what i needed for my legal writing class. I highly recommend this book for those students pursung legal studies, and paralegal work.

Garner's book helps to answer the many lawyer questions you get asked when trying to write legal documents or multiple-user documents in Plain Talk. Garner's approach reinforces Plain Talk and shows ways around the mountains of "What if?" and "How can we say it without risk?" issues. Because of its publication date, it lacks the most recent changes in punctuation as found in The Gregg Reference Manual. Also, some courts want things written according to their own "Red/Green" book standards. Even with these detractors, the book provides excellent advice, examples, and exercises.

This is a very straightforward and logically clear exposition of the author's and/or therapist's experience of providing past life therapy. I read it a little while ago, but just heard the Art Bell interview from 2002 in the Coast to Coast "classics" section.

I particularly like his matter of fact treatment of areas some might get misty eyed and abstruse about. His work adds well to my reading and experience with Brian Weiss, Sylvia Brown, Edith Fiore, Edith Wambauch, Rabbi Gershom, Bruce Goldberg, Dick Sutphen, Roger J. Woolger, Ian Stevenson, and Denise Linn as well as all the others!

My husband had experienced past-life regression therapy years ago via hypnosis, then Bryan's book was recommended to us by a friend. We found it informative, interesting and a fast read. I then made the decision to be regressed by Bryan to work on some phobias affecting me in this lifetime, and was amazed how long (many lives) I'd been carting these experiences around! Once faced and released, they are GONE and my life is freer because of Bryan and his non-hypnotic method. I recommend the book (which is not a "self-help" book) to anyone who wonders about the possibility of past lives, or has curiosity about healing and moving forward. It helps to answer a lot of questions, and provides insight into this fascinating topic!

I was lucky enough to meet Bryan in person, twice in fact. His book had an effect on everyone who reads it. Now that he's passed into spirit, I want people to know what an exceptional author and person he really was. He genuinely cared about people, and his writing shows it. Because of his book, he cured my husband of a life-long problem with night-terrors through past life regression. Something modern medicine couldn't begin to do. We will miss him, but his writing lives on. He was (is), a wonder soul, who clearly deserves recognition.

A fascinating, humorous and educational book, it was very difficult to put this one down. Bryan Jameison shares his life work and case histories as a past-life regressionist with us as if we were good friends talking over coffee. In reading the case histories, we can feel just how much more this life is, than what our ordinary minds experience. Anyone who has asked the question `why' about life events, or ways in which they react to life events should read this book. Bryan Jameison shares his insights about life in a real and gentle manner that is obviously gained from a life rich with personal experience. A chapter near the end of the book gives us information on how our decisions have lasting effects in our lives and how making more conscious decisions can bring us our truest desires. Adventures In Reincarnation stands alone as a fascinating read for anyone interested in past lives. More importantly though, I found this book to be an encouragment to live my current life with authenticity and clarity so as not to carry alot of `stuff' into my next life...an advantage that earlier `generations' did not have without the brilliant research and exposure of past-life experiences as shared by Bryan in this ground breaking book.

I just finished reading THE SEARCH FOR PAST LIVES. Would it be a good idea, as part of the high school experience just after graduation, when a student takes his SAT's and before he/she reaches 20-years of age; that they receive at least one regression session to unload any baggage from past lives and better understand why they made certain choices during adolescence?

Had I had read this book and been regressed once or twice before I was 20-years old in 1962, I could have made better choices in college and later business and career moves. While I have had a successful marriage of 30-years and reared three stable well balanced children, I still wonder what life would have been like if I had of unloaded a bit of emotional baggage and better understood why to this day I am still unable to accomplish certain things, i.e., understand the works of the English poet Milton, and learn advanced mathematics beyond geometry. Yet since a very young age, I have had a fascination and intuitive understanding of steam locomotives and the construction and maintenance of railroads.

These are not major life changing issues, but they do give me reason to pause and think.

Your book is a good read and I have recommended it to all my immediate family, friends, and acquaintances - those that will listen for a minute and keep an open mind. Yes, I have been shut down in mid-sentence when trying to talk about this book work. This is generally someone who wants to changes the subject to golf or women or anything away from the topic of past life exploration. I always find this moment very interesting as have others sitting at the table...

This book is "one stop shopping" for all things biblical preaching. I enjoyed this book and will be referring to it often. It offers a clear, tried-and-true methodology for crafting expositions of the sacred text of scripture. Expositional preaching presents the Word, explains what it says, and exhorts based on what it means.

This book is really two books in one - one, homiletical; and the other, theological. One should not expect this book to be a full treatment of either. However, extensive footnotes allow the reader to explore other texts for more explanation.

From a homiletical point of view (with some exegetical recommendations), the books removes much of the mystery out of the process of developing a sermon. Chapell develops the layout of a typical sermon:

The Introduction > [leads to] The Fallen Condition Focus > Sermon Proposition > Main Points > Applicable Subpoints (with associated illustrations & applications) > [all building to the] Conclusion

In Chapell's own words, "The body of the sermon indicates how the scriptural balm should be applied to our lives and what regimens God requires for our spiritual health. Main points formulated to reflect and support the principles of the proposition provide the information that acts as biblical leverage for the preacher's exhortations. Explanation and illustration unfold and demonstrate meanings that supply the reasoning and reality that make the sermon's applications authoritative, accessible, and possible. The conclusion drives the matter home, marshaling the forces of heart and mind for a final exhortation that calls listeners to respond to their fallen condition with the biblical guidance that the sermon has disclosed."

From a theological point of view, it reminds us of the authority of scripture and Christ as its focus. A redemptive sermon, Chapell argues, is a grace-oriented message that "...will lead people to understand that Christ's work rather than their own supplies the only basis for God's acceptance and that Christ's strength rather than their own provides the only hope of Christian obedience."

The appendices in this book are also noteworthy:
- philosophy of dress and style
- divisions and proportions of sermons; including a "sermon preparation pyramid"
- example wedding, funeral, and evangelistic messages
- recommended study resources
- how to read scripture publically in front of the congregation
- sample sermon evaluation forms
- and a sample sermon with flags pointing out the concepts taught throughout the book.

Whether you are a preacher or teacher of God's word, you will find this book to be a helpful addition to your library.

Christ Centered Preaching has had an enormous impact on my day to day life as a pastor, specifically with regard to the preparation and delivery of sermons. As a guy who has been trained in and through the local church, this shrink-wrapped seminary class on homiletics is much appreciated and highly esteemed.

I like what RC Sproul said in his endorsement of this book:

"This is an outstanding tool for students of homiletics. It is the best I have seen on this subject. The book crystallizes the essence of expository preaching and presents clear, transferable principles for preaching effectively. The book itself is structured in a lucid, readable format."

Author Bryan Chapell is the president of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. His style of writing is very much geared toward the seminary student but that does not negate the tremendously practical aspect of his instruction. This is definitely a book that will be revisited by pastors who aim to find by encouragement and instruction in the practice of expository preaching.

Chapell hits everything from prayer, to building an outline, to establishing a principle statement, to making application and appropriate illustrations. He also deals with such things as dress and hand jestures in a thoughtfully biblical manner.

I want to highlight just a few of the immediately helpful items that Chapell focuses on.

The 3am Test: Chapell asks the hypothetical question as to whether or not you would be able to concisely and clearly answer someone who wakes you up at 3 am on Sunday morning, questioning what you are going to preach on. Until you can do so, clearly and concisely, you are probably not that clear on your main point.

The Fallen Condition Focus (FCF): Before you are ready to preach, says Chapell, you must identify and understand: (1) What does the text say? (2) What spiritual concern(s) did the text address (in its context)? (3) What spiritual concerns do listeners share in common with those to (or about) whom the text was written? Chapell writes, "By identifying listeners' mutual condition with the biblical writer, subject and/or audience, we determine why the text was written, not just for biblical times but also for our time."

Principle Statements: Chapell emphasizes that statements of principle in the sermon must include both the truth of the passage as well as the call to action. To avoid one or the other is to not give a statement of principle.

I have heard some folks voice concern over his chapters on redemptive preaching. Personally I did not witness any fouls. I thought Chapell qualified his terms and did enough leg work in the book to make his goal clear of preaching the text within a context so as to not warrant raised eyebrows, even from premillennialists.

The book is flat out loaded. I have been shamelessly pushing it on other pastors and teachers throughout this year. If you want to encourage your pastor or Sunday school teacher, get him this book.

It is hard back so it costs a little more. Think seminary text book.

I bought this for a class and upon reading wanted to throw it across the room as the author does not believe women should be in the pulpit. I trudged through it, and it really did have some good points about preparation. It may not be for everyone, but when one is learning, one can glean from lots of places.

Bryan Chapell has provided an outstanding model for seminarians, and lay-people alike. This work is robust and qualifies for its faithfulness to the truth, and the preaching thereof.

Reformed and sound, it has emphasized the correct Godspell-motive: to preach Christ and Him crucified.

An wholesome portrayal and balanced representation, spiced with important and trustworthy 'preachers' as biblical examples to emulate.

'By stating what a text means, placing that truth where it originates in the text, and proving how the text establishes the truth, you fulfill the fundamental obligations of an expositor.' pg 126

*For an equally inspiring book on preaching, get:
Tongues Aflame by Roger Wagner

I love this book! It is by far the best book I have ever read on preaching, Chapell explains expository preaching in a light that few authors can. He puts all of the focus on Christ and how the audience needs to hear about Jesus. If you are looking for a book to revive your preaching look no further.

Rather than a continuous narrative, this volume is a collection of short pieces with distinctly different artistic treatments. The frame story is that there's an inn just outside space and time, where travelers just might find themselves marooned for awhile when a reality story hits. There not being much else to do, they take turns telling stories, Canterbury-style. Some, like "Cluracan's Tale" and "The Golden Boy," are quite good. Others, like "Hob's Leviathan," are just kind of pointless. For me, this is one of the less satisfying entries in an excellent series.

A reality storm causes a group of travellers, all afflicted by actual storms in their own realities to be transported elsewhere, nearby to the Inn at World's End. They all take shelter there, heal injuries, and pass the time on the piss and doing some telling of stories. One of the travellers is Cluracan of Faery, having been on a diplomatic mission, and two are humans from different time periods.

The Saga of Morpheus continues in this Graphic Novel. Gaiman is the best. A co-worker's 18 y.o. son is reading the series and he is blown away.

From a previous review, the following quote exists:
fans of Gaiman will note that "A Tale of Two Cities" borrows heavily from the essay he wrote for the SIMCITY 2000 game

As a point of accuracy, it's the other way around, The Tale of Two Cities came before the SimCity 2000 Game.

This is still my favorite collection of Sandman Stories. The Sea Witch Story is one I occasionally dream about.

Are Sandman fans such because they love the characters (Dream, Delirium, etc.) or because they love the writings of Neil Gaiman?

I'd imagine that there are both types, and that most of us are somewhere on a continuum in-between.

I mention this, because those of you who are closer to the "love Gaiman" pole, like myself, will doubtless love this collection of short stories, set in the Sandman universe. On the otherhand, those who are closer to the characters pole might well be disappointed, as they are almost non-existent, here.

Worlds' End concerns a group of travellers, taking shelter from a very strange storm at a pan-dimensional inn, who while away the hours telling stories, a la The Canterbury Tales, The Decameron, Hyperion, etc. While we *could* say that this is a tired cliche, or device, or any number of things that would be unfairly unflattering of Mr. Gaiman, I think, rather, that he's using this structure to make a point. In fact, *within* one of these stories, there is a character who gets into a group that starts telling stories to pass the time. The tale, itself, is a narration of a story being told. And, lest we forget, the whole comic is a story being told from Gaiman to us. Stories, within stories, within stories, within stories, within stories...

I think that, here, Gaiman wants to reflect in part on the role that stories play in our lives. Sandman, here, isn't Dream, but is the Master of Stories (which is pointed out in this volume).

And so, if you're comfortable with the fact that cutie Death will only put in a cameo or two, the question becomes: are these stories any good?

My answer--yes, they're good.

Another strong book in an amazing series. Five stars.

This book was easy to read and follow along. It didn't overwhelm me and actually kept me interested enough to want to keep reading it. It made the writings in the Bible so clear and gave meaning to them by identifying what was going on at the time they were written and by giving maps, etc to show where things took place. The interactive CD was a major benefit to the book. Take the time to open it and use it to get the most from your reading. (The CD is great for when you are going somewhere and can't carry the book with you.) The entire book is written on the CD along with a lot of interactive links to connect to at a finger's click to add to your understanding as you read. I won't sell this book back!!!

The book came on time with great condition (new) and Im very pleased with it..thank you.

This summer I read several Old Testament books for possible use in the Seminary course I would teach for the fall and spring semesters. I found that "Encountering the Old Testament" Christian Survey 2nd Edition, more than met the reqirements for our Freshman and Sophomore Classes. The reading material is most informative and held my interest during my research. As an instructor, the layout, text, chapter outlines and source materials listed proved most accurate and helpful when preparing my syllabus and additional course assignments. This book will be an excellent reference book and a book for any biblical library. I would recommend this book as a source of study for students in Bible College, Seminary and persons interested in Biblical Studies.

Study questions of this OT survey are helpful, but the content is on the shallow side. Be aware that the interpretive slant is very conservative.

Good overview of each book of the OT -- BUT there were a LOT of mistakes (verse references and illustration references) in the book, which I believe decreases its integrity as it certainly takes away my respect of its credibility. For example, on pg 214, the citation for 2 Sm 6:6-8 should actually be 2 Sm 5:6-8. Another example, on pg. 242, "Jotham of Israel" should actually be "Jotham of Judah". These are only a few of the mistakes I've seen, and it makes me wonder what other mistakes there are. Seems like it needs a good editor's eye.

Other issues I had with this book: the key terms are never defined in the book. You have to look it up in the accompanying CD to find the definitions. Also, I found that often times, the point/message that the authors are trying to convey in their paragraphs and sections are never clearly stated (they beat around the bush and go in circles). Lastly, the attempts at application/contextualization seem to have been added to the ends of sections almost as an afterthought, and they stood out like a sore thumb as not belonging to the train of thought.

I am disappointed with the quality of this book. The pictures and color are very appealing in comparison to other Old Testament survey books, however, the other issues with the book make it a less than desirable textbook.

This richly illustrated story tells about the beliefs of the great leader via some of his most famous lines. It has a fantastic layout and was wonderfully emotional.

Bryan Collier has created another masterpiece. The words here are beautiful. This was a good book that I bought for my child and my classroom. One thing I would fix is how they say "the whites hated the blacks". For my multiracial son and 1 white student they felt as if they were bad and that all whites are racist. There were white people helping the black people during the civil rights movement and also being killed. I believe it is important for all children to know, regardless of their race or color, that some whites are/were racist and some whites are/were very proactive in the Civil Rights Movement.

The awesome simplicity of Doreen Rappaport's text is perfectly complemented by the artistry of Bryan Collier's water colors and clever collage in this stunning book. Their talents combine to make one weep.

"Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."

Dr. King grew from boyhood immersed in love, and on August 28, 1963, his words carried the length of the Mall in Washington D.C., and to all the citizens and the world. The words resonated with integrity and passion and Old Testament cadences. I, too, stayed with little children at home but was filled with gratitude and an inescapable sense of History . . . proud to have family represent us in that throng marching for justice and peace.

"When the history books are written
someone will say there lived black people
who had the courage to stand up for their rights."

The illustrations are a treat - - a gift to linger over - - from the remarkable stained glass, simple to intricately defined - - to the torn fabric of our nation - - to the symbolic candles in the 'final frame.'

Reviewer mcHAIKU hopes we never forget Martin Luther King's MIGHTY WORDS, and our responsibility to a great man and his message.

I am Alex, a third grader in California. I like this book because it is fantastic. I learned to fight with words. It is a nice way to entertain yourself. You should buy it because I know you will like it a lot.

I was first introduce to this book in an undergraduate elementary education course. I purchased it instantly. I have used it with Kindergarten, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade. All the children love it! The illustrations are very unique and colorful. The story is on a level they can understand. It is not bogged down with too many details and is not to lengthy. I highly recommend this book, not only to educators and parents, but to the public in general. Everyone should read this book about the wonderful man who has influenced our society in such a profound and positive way.