Cameron Books

Kristen Greene has been living a half life for the past year, she has been since her twin Jeanine died falling to her death off a cliff, a year ago. She feels like she's lost a part of herself and feels that no one can understand, She visits Jeanine offen in the grave yard and that's where he sees her, pulled towards Kristen by the strengh of her life force. A force strong enough to rip through to the lands of the dead and not let go of her sister.

He is Death and while his job is to collect the souls of the dead and bring them to the afterlife, he can't help but want to be close to Kristen, to know what it's like to be human and to be loved. So by sheer force of will, he makes a body and life force for himself and becomes the boy known as Josh March. As long as he is alive, nothing can die and the dead can not move on to the afterlife, and he doesn't have forever. Eventually Josh must go back, even if he never hears Kristen say the words "I love you", the world must have it's King of the Dead back and the cosmic order restored.

The first of the Mystery Date series and it's my favorite, I've had it for years, the cover is slowly getting tattered and torn. I think I'll keep and read this book until it falls apart on me. Out of the three in the series I think this one is the best written.

I read this book as a teenager from my school library. I never forgot the story, though I did forget the author and title so I had a hard time trying to track down a copy years later. Finally I succeeded and I don't regret it; having reread the book several times since. Even as an adult I still find the story very touching and heartwarming.

Kristen Greene is a sophomore in high school. The previous year her identical twin sister Jeanine died and she still hasn't learned to cope with or accept the loss. One morning, while tending her sister's grave, Death watches her and is captivated by her beautiful life force that is powerful enough to summon the ghost of her sister from the grave (though Kristen doesn't see her). Intrigued he follows Kristen to school where her attempt to ask her crush, Sean Ryan, out fails because her arch nemesis Cathryn Trainer asks him instead. Kristen vows never to love again.
Meanwhile Death has been alone for his long existence and wants nothing more than to be loved and cherished. Half in love with Kristen already, he creates a body for himself, that of Josh March, and tries to win Kristen's love. But time is running out because he can't maintain his human form forever. For while he remains human nothing and no one can die. Eventually, after a few mishaps and near misses, he succeeds in winning Kristen's love, and returns to the realm of Death waiting for Kristen to join him there when she dies. Meanwhile Kristen lives on, unaware of the boy she knew as Josh March who is Death (her memory was erased). And she goes on to love Sean Ryan, her crush while Death awaits her.


This is a timeless story of impossible love that I still find an enjoyable read and very touching now that I'm an adult. I highly recommend this book.

This book was okay, but not one of my favorites. While I did enjoy some of the suspense (the cliff scene being my favorite) I found it similar to the movie Meet Joe Black and kind of... um... trite? Josh's character was very unbelievable. Of course, the story wasn't meant to be believable, and I realize it ran down the romance-novel vein, but I expected it to be a bit more like her other book, Beauty Sleep, which I thoroughly enjoyed, or like Meg Cabot's Mediator series. I was sadly disappointed. But if you're into the whole all-romance-and-talk-not-a-lot-of-action thing, you'd like it.

Also Suggest: Midnight Secrets series, Mediator series, Companions of the Night

Cameron Dolkey, a well known author for young adults, spins a wonderful web of loss, romance, and the every day life of a teenage girl Kristen in "Love Me, Love Me Not" of the Mystery Date series. The target for this books appears to be from grades 7-10 though dont let that stop you. Any one with a heart for romance and a bit of paranormal would enjoy this book.

A young girl, Kristen, has lost her twin sister. As she mourns over the grave it sets into motion events that lead to a bittersweet end. Death falls for the living twin as she mourns and for once in his existance yearns for life. He takes the form of a young man, Josh. Its a tale of a love and loss on many accounts. The end is bittersweet however well worth the read.

This is the best book I have ever read. When I finished it I was kind of sad, because I wanted to know what happened but I didn't want the book to be done. I think it was a great storie. And at times I get carried away when I read and this one I really got in to. When I read I feel like the character sometimes and a lot of the time wish I could be the character. Any way this is a great book. And I reccommend it to everyone.

This is absolutely one of the best books I've EVER had the pleasure of reading, regardless whether or not the subject matter is about a werewolf. But, since it is, I must also say, that this is also one of the best werewolf books I have ever read as well. Even if you are not an uber fan of the supernatural, you will find something to relate to in this book.

The heroine of the novel was the alpha female of her wolf pack until bitten by a human and turned. She has no social skills, at first is incapable of speech, and so is forced to learn how to walk, talk, and act like a human. Her struggle to fit into our society is incredibly identifying- not only has she been turned into a human, she's been turned into one who (gasp!) must go through high school. However, never through the book did I feel I was too mature, or the depth of the novel trivial.

I found the book to be very emotional, with many different internal conflicts within the main character, especially her lost love, the alpha of her pack. The only two negative things I will say is I felt there was a lot of repetitive fighting, and the outside artwork/print leaves something to be desired. (i'm sorry- it's cheesey looking) Don't judge the book by it's cover- you will miss out on an awesome book.

What happens when a human werewolf bites a wolf?

River Wolfe is trapped in a human body and forced to endure the indignities of high school, just like any other teenaged girl. However, just three years ago, River was the alpha female of her wolf pack until a mysterious male transformed her with one bite into a two legged human. River wants nothing more than to return to her pack and all of her thoughts, dreams, and sketches are of wolves and of her beloved wolf pack.

One day in her physical education class, River spots him- the hated male who bit her and forced this human existence on her. His name is Daryl Marsden and Daryl is determined to draw River out of her shell. Daryl offers River bits and pieces of information about what has happened to her and gives her hope that maybe she can return to her life as a wolf. River will have to make some tough choices regarding her future in this stunning new novel by Skyla Dawn Cameron.

No one would ever guess that RIVER is a debut novel unless you told them! Skyla Dawn Cameron has perfectly captured the angst of the teenage years in a format that will appeal to adults as well as teens. River's struggle to understand basic human interactions, such as the need for excessive words or attending a dance, is both poignant and insightful. One will clearly see just how awful humanity can be at times while reading RIVER.

RIVER is not a completely dark story, however. Secondary characters such as River's foster brother, Charlie, and her newly acquired friend, Jen, also bring glimpses into what is right about humanity. Both Charlie and Jen are underdogs who look up to River as she struggles to assert herself when challenged by other humans.

Skyla Dawn Cameron has clearly demonstrated a remarkable gift at capturing the true essence of humanity, both the good and the bad. RIVER is not your typical werewolf story by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, the wolf theme serves almost more as a symbol. Fans looking for a unique twist on the werewolf theme need look no further than RIVER as Skyla Dawn Cameron is definitely an author to keep an eye on!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I highly recommend this book. Skyla Dawn Cameron has thought of a unique twist to the werewolf novel and developed it into a refreshing read which I think will appeal to a range of ages. A first novel this book puts to shame many offerings by established authors.

The lead teenage character River is a werewolf; a wolf that has been bitten by a human that is! The premise alone made me curious to read more and I wasn't disappointed. River is a strong female lead; brusque and yet endearing she has a way of looking at things that will make you re-evaluate your surrounds. Secondary characters are equally well drawn and individual. As well as watching how River develops you get to see how her presence effects and changes the people around her.

Rather than being added as a gimmick the wolf angle is well written. You get a sense of the wolves and feel the author has spent time researching them.

I look forward to further books by this interesting new author.

River is a female Alpha wolf with a pack, a mate, a life. For reasons unknown to her, she is ripped from her reality and turned into a human. She does not know how to speak in a human language, how to dress, or what the hell happened to her. Because of her youth (in human form she looks about twelve), the authorities put her into foster care. When we meet River, she is now fifteen, and in High school. With only a few years of human experience, her abilities with language and literacy are still limited.

Quite honestly, the thought of trying to cope with High School, Special Ed classes or the age of fifteen is horrifying enough without the added complication of being a wolf in human skin. River has learned enough to mimic borderline human behavior, but the rules of teenagers is beyond that of most humans. Worse, River is an adult as a wolf, with a mate (wolves mate for life), the teenage angst, cruelty and sexual games are additionally horrific to her.

My empathy level shot through the roof when reading this book. Viewing humanity from River's point of view, our species comes across as shallow, stupid, vindictive, incomprehensible. River has the option of adapting to our ways, or being true to her wolf instincts. She can no longer be a wolf, nor can she be a human, because she isn't one. No easy choices, no magic wand to give her back her real life, this is a book about coping with unacceptable truths.

I would love to read a review of this story by a literate teenager, since it is their age group that is specifically under a microscope, but I would not classify River as a YA novel, it's too profound to be ignored by the rest of us.

HIGHLY recommended.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (10/06)

River can never be called an ordinary teenager. River draws, she has two subjects that are the focus of her art, a man and a wolf. She doesn't know the man's name but she knows well who he is, he's the human that bit her. The wolf, her mate, they say wolves mate for life, they are right. Three years ago a human bit River, the next morning she knew she was different. Now she must learn to survive in the human world.

When River sees Daryl she senses that he is the cause of her problems. He is the hated human whose bite brought about her imprisonment in a human body. Daryl knows who River is. He's toying with her but what kind of game is he playing. To come to understand what has happened to her, River must play Daryl's game but she knows that she will win. River knows she must return to her pack but how? Could there be a purpose for her plight.

River's adventures in learning to cope with living as a human are both humorous and sad. I found myself laughing and yet touched by her predicaments. While a lot of this book is dark, there are some delightful characters; Charlie, River's foster brother is endearing. Cindy and Frank are loving and kind. They are trying so hard to understand River, thinking she is a typical teenager going through the angst of high school. This book is well written and has a unique and interesting plot. Most werewolf books focus on the human becoming a wolf. This author took a totally different approach in "River." The cover is beautifully done and adds to the mystique of the plot. The print is a nice size and easy to read. I recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy and science fiction.

This book has been a valuable tool in both revising for 70-400 SCOM exam and maintaining my SCOM infrastructure. All levels of complexities are covered from single server deployments to huge scalable solutions.

It contains information on all areas of SCOM and general network administration, as well as helpful weblinks every few pages to internet resources on the subject. In most examples this book will walk you through the GUI for completing a task, and will cap it off nicely with a powershell cmdlet for those of you who like to streamline the power of two great products.

The only negative I've found with SCOM Unleashed is a couple grammatical errors, but I could not take a star off for this! A 5-Star book for a 5-star application. Suitable for those of you just starting with SCOM or already serious knee deep in alerts from every area of your network.

Thanks for another great book.

I have been working on a project at work for months now involving System Center Operations Manager 2007 (SCOM) and I purchased this book in hopes that it would fill in some gaps from Microsoft's documentation. It has done so marvelously. This book has solved a lot of minor issues. It is clearly written, has good examples to follow and has a lot of information. I recommend anyone working with the software to pick up a copy (everyone on my project has)

Really Really Really it was great book
You can learn everything
Book includes real world experiences,tips and trics
Absolutely positive

Thanks So Much Authors

This book is REALLY big. And for the beginner to intermediate Operations Manager administrator, that is a good thing. Clearly this is the book by which all other Operations Manager 2007 books should be measured. I'd say this one compares quite favorably to the other option on the market

Unleashed is infrastructure focused, and delivers great process-related info for not only design, planning and implementation, but more common administrative scenarios than one can count - moving databases, changing accounts, tuning your environment - it's all in there. And while I wouldn't expect many to read this book cover to cover, I think you could reference it regularly in your daily life as an Opsgmr admin for a long time and never look at the same page twice.

From a planning perspective, I think the team did a good job overall providing providing some insight into the decision process when mapping out your Opsmgr infrastructure plan. The ACS chapter in particular had excellent guidance for getting ACS running, and then tweaking the ACS reports to your liking.

As a testament to the size of Operations Manager as a product, the authors make copius references to community sources for scripts and information (kudos to the team for recognizing the community effort). But you'll also find quite a bit of that community data on the very handy CD accompanying the book.

And already in the book, I can see many SP1 changes that didn't make this 1st version due to lead time in editing cycles at the publisher, which is totally necessary. To that end, a 2nd edition is probably in the works, which will likely include many new tricks from recent months and some yet to be discovered.

I think there is something for everybody in Operations Manager Unleashed, and I encourage all Operations Manager administrators to keep one on the shelf for a rainy day.

Haven't yet ordered your copy? Amazon has great pricing and fast shipping on Operations Manager 2007 Unleashed!System Center Operations Manager 2007 Unleashed

This is the most comprehensive OpsMgr book on the market. This book contains more real world information than the Microsoft white papers and runs circles around the Mastering Operations Manager offering.

Operations Manager Unleashed offers excellent guidance for planning your deployment including database sizing tips. In addition topics such as deployment and operations are thoroughly covered. Insight on management pack tuning, step by step guides on alerting and some of the best advice on the ACS feature are included. You will have more than enough information at your fingertips to get the most out of your OpsMgr investment. Think of this book like the Pocket Consultant series that Microsoft has for Exchange, Windows etc: it's not meant to be read cover to cover, but will provide you with advice at the right time.

In short if you have already invested thousands of dollars in System Center Operations Manager, spend the extra $40 and get the best available guide for this product. (Strange that Microsoft Press doesn't have a admin companion for OpsMgr)

Everything Conant writes is so relatable as you follow his journey through all the seasons in his year. Conant truly has a gift for words and storytelling and this is definitely one of the best books I've ever read!! :-)

Just like his first book, Cameron draws you into his story with tales of love and life that are familiar to all. In his first book, he tells how he got married and divorced all before he turned 27. Now, a year later, he has turned over a new leaf, scored a fantastic job, fallen in love, and is leaving the predictable Midwest for the promise of a dream in Nashville. I laughed out loud as he described small town living, but his love affair with the girl of his dreams and an interesting roundtable of friends keeps you turning the pages!

I am nearing the end of "The Year I Got Everything I wanted" as I type this review. I have to admit that I stumbled across Conant's earlier book, "With or Without You" by accident but it was a wonderful read.

I went through an un-wanted divorce a year and a half ago and can relate to much of what Cameron writes about. The sometimes overwhelming feelings of rejection, loss, confusion, heartache, loneliness, sadness, depression, etc. are not new to me. I often wonder if I will fully get past these things. My divorce experience was interesting because the one place I expected my failing marriage to get better only allowed it to become worse-----a small town Southern Baptist Church. The church became an outlet for gossip, deception and non-biblical teaching. It also allowed my ex-wife to find companionship with other women who were going through marital problems and divorces. Instead of encouraging my wife to stay in the marriage these women only gave advice which eventually allowed her to walk away from the marriage. Misery loves company apparently rears its ugly head once again in the local church.

I'm thankful for my church friends that cared enough about me and God to tell me to never give up on the marriage. My experience has allowed me to see the blatant contradictions found in church life today in the area of marriage and divorce as well as many, many other social, political, spiritual, and theological beliefs and practices. This has inspired me to write my own book dealing with the overall theme of contradicitons the church does not want to deal with.

I'm grateful for men like Cameron Conant. In a world of fiction we need more realistic writers who are not afraid to expose themselves and write about life as it is. What makes Conant's books worthwhile is the fact that you can identify with him. We all experience life with pain and loss. As I type this I have returned home from my residence in Tennessee to my birthplace in Pensacola, FL to visit my dad who just underwent emergency surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. Again life has thrown me a curve ball and I'm trying to figure out how I want to swing at this one!

I encourage you to read both "With or Without You" and "The Year I Got Everything I Wanted". These books are for anyone who has struggled through a broken marriage, divorce, and the pursuit of happiness that makes most of us continually seek true love and acceptance. I often ask myself, "Why do I bother trying to find anyone to love me?" After asking the question I realize-----we do believe in fairy tales. It is that fairy tale belief that there is someone out there for all of us that allows us to pick up look past the pain and try it all over again.

For now it is just me and God. Perhaps we will fair better when we realize that on most days that is quite enough. But, I am gently reminded of the phrase, "God looked down and saw that it was not good for man to be alone" I say amen to that!

If there's one happy side-effect of being someone who has spent time in the darkest places of the spirit, it's that you can detect beauty in the smallest of things, and in the unlikeliest of places. Cameron Conant has the uncanny ability to do that - he can capture a moment in time, savor it, and hold it up to the light for us in a way that shows us beauty where we might not have known it would be. I think that's my favorite aspect of Conant's writing style. It makes me wonder how much more there is to my own life that I am not seeing, and it reminds me to be mindful of the simple, seemingly mundane things in daily life that are in fact not mundane at all.

In this book, Conant bares his soul to the reader and shares thoughts and experiences that many of us would hesitate to tell our friends, let alone the world at large. It is this openness that gives us a glimpse of some very deep but universal struggles that we all share, but often fail to confront directly - the grasping at something outside ourselves to find satisfaction, and ultimately the failure to find it anywhere but in the Source within ourselves. And although this book is classified as Christian literature, I believe that it would be an enjoyable and easy read for anyone who is the least bit spiritually-minded, regardless of religion. It speaks truths that reach beyond those boundaries.

Cameron Conant writes with great skill, depth and reflection. The Year I Got Everything I Wanted follows a year full of promises (new city/job/girlfriend) on the other side of his painful divorce. Conant's honesty and transparency stand out amidst endless stacks of "how-to" and "step-by-step" books, while the narrative challenges our perspectives on God, success, love and the church. All who struggle with pain, expectations, disappointment and faith will enjoy, finding themselves in Conant's story--and the greater narrative of life.

This was the best book! I've read it three times and the ending six! Carrie is the type of person who I would want to be, yet she struggles to find herself and to live up to her family name. Yet, through her path to self discovery, she realizes she hasn't lost the love she thought that she had.

THis was my second favorite book in the Hearts and Dreams series. I loved the character Carrie ! She was strong once she knew her own strenth and she could do anything! I hope that Ms. Cameron will write a new book for this wonderful series!I love reading historical romanaces and hope she will start a new series after she has completed the "Hearts and Dreams" !

This book was one of the most interesting books that I've ever read. I absolutely love it. I have read it 3 times. If you liked the other books in this series, you'll love this book! Buy and read it today! I can't wait until the next book in the series comes out!

This book is really great! I've read all 4 of the books, and this is my favorite. It's about this shy girl,Carrie, who's always scared, sort of like chuckie on the rugrats. She meets this guy, and really likes him. His name is John Stapleton. All of Carrie's family is brave, her mom snuck on a boat, and followed the gold rush, just for the man she loved. This guy, John Stapleton, cares about other people,like the poor. But Carrie's friend, Jessica, who is VERY pretty, also likes John. This is the story of how carrie finds out who she is, and the story tells her life, and what happened to Carrie...
A great book, you have to read it!

Timid sixteen-year-old Carrie Kelly feels as though she lives in the shadows of her brave, independent, and courageous ancestors. She knows she'll never be as brave as her mother Stephanie, who found her true love after travelling to California during the Gold Rush. Carrie does fall in love, with handsome John Stapleton. But when Carrie's outgoing friend Jessica falls for John as well, Carrie knows she doesn't have a chance with him. But when the devestating fire of 1871 rages across Chicago, Carrie is separated from her parents. If she is going to survive and find her family again, she must reach within herself to find untapped depths of courage and strength that she never knew she had. Althought I wish that the Hearts and Dreams series could have continued beyond this book, I have no complaits about the book itself. It showed that you never know your own strength until you are tested, as evident in Carrie. I highly reccomend this to teens who like historical romances.

This is a unique, engaging children's book that crafts a tale of discovery that is sure to capture the imagination of kids everywhere. Buy this book for a child close to you!

REVIEW FROM ForeWord Magazine, May/June 2003:

Children love hearing true stories. They are often more surprising than fiction. In this embellished true story, a homeless chicken and a black cat meet, become friends, and find the chicken a coop.
Columbus the cat brings Henrietta the chicken home to his family-a mother and her daughter, Katy. Although Katy's mom allows the chicken to stay, they have no coop, forcing the distraught chicken to roost in the trees. "If I survive the night," Henrietta wails to the cat, "where will I lay my egg in the morning?" Columbus tells her not to worry: "In the morning, I'll show you my secret passageway, which will lead you into a new world."
Columbus shows the chicken how to use the cat door and invites her onto Katy's bed, where she lays her egg. Katy hides the eggs at first, fearing her mother's reaction, but the story twists again, concluding with Henrietta getting her very own quilted coop.
The author is an educator and animal enthusiast; this is her first children's book. The story follows the true experiences of her neighbors in Northern California who had a pet chicken that actually used the cat door and laid her eggs on the little girl's bed. Told in a casual way, the story is more believable and entertaining because it is based in reality.
The illustrator lives and works in the Scottish Highlands but captures the lush colors and landscapes of the rainy California area. Using details such as printing "Mendocino Children's Choir" on the back of Katy's pink jacket, he brings the story to life. His patchwork paintings offer a memorable picture of a family learning to include a chicken.
Animal lovers will enjoy the friendship between the cat and the hen. All readers will appreciate the creative problem-solving skills of the animals and the warm welcome Katy and her mom gave them. Sometimes true stories really are the most amazing.
Anna Stewart

Based on a true story of a girl's pet hen who would sneak into the family home through the cat door and lay an egg on the child's colored quilt, The Chicken Without A Coop by Kathleen Cameron is a charming picture book about the plucky Henrietta the Hen who, when left behind by her human family, befriends Columbus the Cat and his young owner Katy. Simple and inviting color illustrations by John Wilson add a special touch to this heartwarming story of acceptance.

I am a teacher so I am always looking for new books to add to my collection. This is my new favorite and my students too! I look for engaging stories that spur discussion, "Chicken Without a Coop" definetly foots the bill. Just the title got my students going. I think it is a classroom must for any teacher who likes books that can easily support critical thinking skills,it's great for prediction skills too.

We had fun with this book, my daughters are 6 and 11.
Firstly, I felt the bookcover created a cozy, old-fashioned
flavor and is good for reading aloud. We enjoy the story of Henrietta the chicken as well as the illustrations and have
had good conversations of how it might be if a chicken started using our own cat door and moved in with our family!

John H. Newman wrote four magisterial works (not including his large body of sermons) of which this Essay is one of the most important and influential. It is perhaps the most accessible of J.H.N.'s works, and the most significant.

The problem that Newman wants to resolve is how can Christian doctrine develop, if, as is commonly believed, Jesus embodied all revelation, once and for all. Another way of attacking the same problem is to determine how certain doctrines not stated in an overt manner in the Bible (e.g., purgatory) can be shown to be a licit and legitimate development based on scriptural integrity. Newman doesn't hold the view that the Bible itself is the only form of revelation, but he does hold the view that subsequent development of doctrine cannot repudiate biblical statements. Broadly and coherently developed, Newman shows that development of Christian doctrine under certain restrictions is both necessary and fundamental to the Christian dispensation.

Where Newman is less convincing is with more recent papal doctrines like the immaculate conception and the assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary. While these latter two doctrines have different aetiologies, one clearly developed in a manner consistent with scripture while the other is plainly contradictory. The Assumption (or else, Dormition, Glorification, etc.) of Mary has very ancient traditions and is the manifestation of the doctrine of our own glorification on the Last Great Day. Conversely, the immaculate conception was determined by Thomas Aquinas, the angelic doctor and preeminent theologian of the church, to be inconsistent with the sacred deposit once and forever revealed and directly contradicted by scripture.

What do these two doctrines have to do with Newman's book? Newman wants to insist the doctrine continues to "evolve" or "develop," but that this growth, be be licit and legitimate, must be consistent with the initial sacred deposit once received, and that this development must grow organically out of that which the Church has inherited and must not be a novation or innovation. The doctrine of Papal primacy has likewise remained consistent with some form of belief from the Church's earliest beliefs, but the notion of papal "supremacy" is of recent origin and not consistent with scripture or church history. Both papal supremacy and the immaculate conception are at odds with the Church's earliest positions, was repudiated in the Middle Ages, and is contrary to Scripture's insistence.

So Newman's task is a difficult one. He wants to defend the Roman tradition, but the Roman tradition, especially as it embarked on the nineteenth century, created a few novations that and innovations it heretofore had repudiated. Newman, I think, succeeds in walking this fine line of showing how the sacred deposit fully and for all time singularly received does develop over time by the synthesis of episcopal collegiality, consensus fidelium, sacred scripture, and venerable tradition. Newman's hermeneutic allows for the Spirit to breathe multiple understandings of the same ostensible dogma in such a way as to be said to "grow," but it remains consistent with the original deposit through the four-fold synthesis through which the Holy Spirit operates.

Where a chasm occurs is with doctrinal novations, such as the immaculate conception and papal supremacy. The dogma of the immaculate conception is not only INCONSISTENT and INCOHERENT, it is also CONTRARY, to the received tradtions; likewise, the magisterial belief in the primacy of the Petrine See having been remade into the supremacy of Papal infallibility. In all candor, it is Newman who remains consistent, while the Church that has breached its historical deposit.

Newman, except for these two important exceptions, shows how development of doctrine is not only consistent, but necessary, over time. To keep the Church static in one solitary interpretation or understanding is to deny the Church's variety of charisms. Perhaps more importantly, to deny an evolving and developing plethora of understandings is to stifle the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity, which is the Person guiding and governing the Church since Pentecost, from expressing its kerygmatic and paraclitic mission.

These exceptions set aside, this wonderful book can be profitably read by all Christians of all stripes to great personal and collegial benefit and enlightenment.

. . .of an outstanding work.

This is it. This is the book which, upon its completion, convinced John Henry Newman that he needed to make his submission to the Catholic Church.

This painstakingly researched book describes the historical process by which doctrine develops in the Church. It has, in the years since its publication, become the primary text for anyone wishing to study this subject, regardless of their denominational background.

Unfortunately, the typical response to this book, by Christians of other denominations, is NOT to actually engage the specific points raised by Newman, but rather to attack Newman's person and character. This was true while Newman was alive, and remains true to this day. (The notable exception is Adolph von Harnak, who, while sharply disagreeing with Newman, actually did engage the concept of doctrinal development itself).

An interesting historical note: The Catholic Church was, at first, not particularly sympathetic to this work, as it was not written in Latin, nor in the fashion of Catholic theological works of the day.

This edition, with a forward by Ian Ker, is, for me, the preferred volume. Ker is noted world-wide as being a top Newman scholar - and his scholarship shows in this work.

The sainted Cardinal Newman's "Essay" is a masterpiece, one of the few books of it's kind. This work, which was undertaken by him while he was in the process of deciding to convert to Roman Catholicism, is based upon a simple premise - that the nature of the human intellect is to grasp the full implications of an idea or set of related ideas slowly, over time, by a process of development. Because of this, any set of formal doctrines held to by a body of believers will necessarily grow and *apparently* change over time, in just the same way that a human being gorws and changes over the span of a lifetime. However, just as the human being is physiologically and metaphysically identical with himself over the course of his life, so too will be the body of doctrine and the standards of practice given to the faithful, provided it is guarded from corruption by a teaching authority insured from error.

N.B. - this is *not* the same thing as saying that revelation must be ongoing. The faith itself may be delivered once and for all, in it's entirety. What needs time to develop, and what can never be truly completed, is the systematic exposition of what that faith means, and why it is so rather than otherwise. For example, that there is a God is an article of the Creed that can be communicated once and adhered to forever. But why there should be a God, and only one rather than five or six, and why that God should have such attributes as He is said to possess - these matters are the doctrines that are historical and developmental, and each of them will in turn raise more questions that will need to be answered. Revelation is finished, but theology, the explanation of revelation, is a continuously growing enterprise.

Newman's book does not stop at these abstract considerations, which, after all, could apply to any religion built on a alleged revelation. It proceeds to examine the specific points of controversy between Protestants and Catholics as to whether or not the Catholic faith or the Protestant faith is the authentic inheritor of the Apostlic community. Needless to say, it comes down on the side of Rome. The only real flaw in these detailed portions of the book is the lack of specific footnotes for the points Newman cites in the Fathers of the Church. The editions he used, or course, would be long out of print, but it would still be useful to know what portion of St. Basil's or St. Augustine's texts he was quoting from.

If you are interested in the history of Christian dogma, orare looking for a highly erudite Catholic apologetic, this is a fine book to own.

That might sound like an exaggeration but I am serious. There is no book in print that I am aware of that discusses this most crucial of areas in the Christian revelation with the degree of nuance and thoroughness then this work of John Henry Newman's does. One of the founders (and the soul) behind the Oxford Movement in England in the 1830's and early 1840's, Dr. Newman's research into Church history troubled him because he did not realize how far the Church of England had drifted in essence and principles from those of the early Church. Newman examines the different distinctions between the beliefs held by Catholics, the Eastern Churches, and Protestants and seeks to show through the records of history - both what they reveal and what they conceal - how to distinguish between "developments" of Revelation and "corruptions." The major doctrines of the different Christian churches are looked at with an eye towards explaining how often what appears to be an "addition" to the Christian faith is but a development or a greater understanding in an explicit manner of what was held in earlier times implicitly. These are properly termed "developments." Likewise, many beliefs that are taken as "givens" by Christians are shown to be anything but "givens" in terms of their relationship to the ancient Church or their profound absence from it in any form explicitly or implicitly (the latter are properly styled as "corruptions of Revelation", "inventions", or "traditions of men"). Undoubtedly the conclusions drawn will not make everyone happy of course. But then who said that the purpose of Truth was to conform itself to the individual whims of man? Rather, man must conform his views to that which is true. I firmly believe that this is the one book that every Christian honestly in search of the Truth should read and read again meditating upon its contents. A wonderful work by one of the most brilliant minds of the 19th century (or indeed any century) by a man who was as deeply spiritual as he was brilliant.

Before I begin my review, allow me one caveat: the casual reader, to be sure, who stumbles upon this work after seeing it quoted in popular apologetics books (i.e. Keating's Catholicism and Fundamentalism), risks being in over his/her head completely. Such was the case with me about 3 and a half years ago when I was starting out my study of doctrine and history. For 3 years this book sat on my shelf, all attemts that I made to read it having failed because I lacked the proper foundation. It was only after I spent considerable time studying history and especially the ancient heresies that I was able to grasp what Newman was saying. The following example, taken from a passage found on pages 314-315, should demonstrate my point:

"It is very observable that, ingenious as is their theory and sometimes perplexing to a disputant, the Monophysites never could shake themselves free of the Eutychians; and though they could draw intelligible lines on paper between the two doctrines, yet in fact by a hidden fatality their partisans were ever running into or forming alliance with the anathematized extreme. Thus Peter the Fuller the Theopaschite (Eutychian), is at one time in alliance with Peter the Stammerer, who advocated the Henoticon (which was Monophysite). The Acephali, though separating from the latter Peter for that advocacy, and accused by Leontius of being Gaianites (Eutychians), are considered by Facundus as Monophysites. Timothy the Cat, who is said to have agreed with Dioscorus and Peter the Stammerer, who signed the Henoticon, that is, with two Monophysite Patriarchs, is said nevertheless, according to Anastasius, to have maintained the extreme tenet, that "the Divinity is the sole nature of Christ." Severus, according to Anastasius, symbolized with the Phantasiasts (Eutychians), yet he is more truly, according to Leontius, the chief doctor and leader of the Monophysites. And at one time there was an union, though temporary, between the Theodosians (Monophysites) and the Gaianites."

That being said...

The premise of this book is to examine the developments of doctrine that have occured both within and without the Catholic Church since the earliest times. In the earlier part of the book, Newman spends considerable time discussing the methods used by the Anglican Divines to discern developments from corruptions, and shows how their methodology is flawed, and how in many cases they rejected things which had more early concensus than things they accepted.

Other points he makes throughout the book is the treatment of the Catholic church by the various heretical sects and dissident groups. He shows how despite their disagreements with each other, they were usually united in opposition to the Catholic Church, using the same blasphemous phrases to describe her as the Reformers did and many Protestants continue to this day, while the latter group would generally accept the body accused of these things as orthodox in earlier times.

After his rather long introduction, so to speak, Newman lays out his seven principles which will serve to distinguish developments from corruptions: 1. Preservation of Type, 2. Continuity of Principles, 3. Assimilative Power, 4. Logical Sequence, 5. Anticipation of its Future, 6. Conservative Action on its Past, and 7. Chronic Vigour. Newman then goes on to examine each of these in detail (though the first 4 are examined in far greater detail than the latter 3), showing how doctrinal developments in the Catholic Church throughout history, as well of those proposed by groups deemed heretical, have fared when these 7 principles are applied to them.

The details of his agruments are covered well in other reviews, and indeed a thorough examination of them cannot be done justice here in my 1,000 word limit. Suffice to say that this book will be guaranteed to give the informed reader, be he symathetic or skeptical, something to ponder seriously, as this is indeed the most comprehensive work written on the subject of the development of doctrine.

This book should be very interesting for those who find mental disorders to be intriguing and mysterious. The author offers us some insight on the life of someone who must overcome tremendous internal conflict, and not only learn from his experiences, but embrace the realities of his life. It can be described as a puzzling, yet, thoughtful human story of a lost soul searching to find knowledge, clarity, and trust.

Powerful! A very gripping story that is both enchanting and mysterious. It invites the reader to be a part of the story, feeling the love that Canon Carter has for his wife Mahsa and his feelings of spirituality, leaves the reader fulfulled. I look forward to reading his future novels.

The author, Cameron Chambers, deals with a very extraordinary set of factors. Canon Carter, the main character, is part mystic, part loving husband, and part faithful member of a very tragic family. He sorts through the difficulties in his life and emerges triumphant in the end. His is a story of spiritual and familial duty, a life of good serving others, and the story of a brave man and how he became who he is. The author's style is very engrossing. I felt compelled to read this book from the first paragraph.

A magician in a garden of words, the author depicts a troubled life in a difficult set of circumstances. It is easy to get wrapped up in this novel. The storyline pulls you in right from the beginning. I immediately felt like the events were happening to me. I highly recommend this book; it is a thought provoking novel and very unusual.

I started to read this book one evening and had a hard time putting it down. The author really has an interesting take on life and successfully draws you into the storyline. If you'd like to have a thought-provoking book in your collection, I'd recommend this one.

This is fantastic book. The threats to the Great Bear Rainforest are increasing in 2007 and support is vitally needed. To see what is happening, go to the Raincoast Conservation Society web page and see what major threats to the Great Bear are coming in 2007.

For years, I had always heard snippets here and there about the Great Bear Rainforest of Northwestern British Columbia, supposedly even more beautiful, wild, untamed, and much larger than other gorgeous temperate rainforest locales like Olympic National Park in Washington. But I didn't really know much about it. Where exactly was it? What does it look like? Is any of it protected in province or federal park land? And many more questions.

Then, years later, I stumbled upon this book. WOW. That about sums it up. This is an amazing book about a place of transcendent, almost ethereal beauty. This book is an enchanting mix of imminently readable and interesting text and absolutely stunning photographs. It almost makes you feel like you are there, immersed in this incredible rain drenched emerald cathedral of trees.

The Great Bear Rainforest is located on the British Columbia coast. It starts a few miles north of Lund and extends all the way north in Canada to the BC's northernmost limit, around Port Rupert, and extends only a few miles inland. It is home to the largest remaining contiguous temperate rain forest anywhere in the world. You probably already know this, but a temperate rain forest is much different than a tropical rain forest because of climate. Temperate rain forests are cool and moist, whereas tropical ones are hot and moist. Anyway, enough of the obvious.

What I really like about this book is that it isn't a condescending piece of fluff, and it gave me *exactly* what I wanted from it. Even though it's no easily readable, it is no fluff piece that waxes prettily poetic but doesn't really tell you anything. It takes you on an incredibly detailed tour of nearly every major rain forest valley in the Great Bear Rainforest. And it doesn't just name-drop valleys that have no meaning to you, it provides you with maps that show exactly where it is that they are talking about. I think this is the greatest feature of the book, I've read too many books about geographical places that tell you the names of certain interesting areas, but you don't quite know where they are. Not so with this book.

Not only that, the book covers a wide range of topics concerning The Great Bear Rainforest. Ecology, economic pressures, animal and plant life, geography, even a lot of interesting history and contemporary issues concerning the First Nation (who we in the U.S. refer to as Native American) tribes who traditionally lived (and still live) in and around the Great Bear Rainforest. I found the parts about the Haida tribe to be particularly edifying. All of these facts and themes are woven into the narrative of the authors' journey through the Great Bear Rainforest (which spans many years) incredibly seamlessly - you might think it's difficult to talk about the flora and fauna of the area while giving a history lesson on the Tlinglit people, but like I said, this point interweaves all points flawlessly. It also does social justice by presenting an unflinching look at the environmental horrors that await the Great Bear Rainforest through resource extraction and recreation at the hands of an apathetic public if current trends remain unchecked.

And then there are the photos. Gorgeous. Vast stands of huge, majestic trees, so much green it's almost blinding; a spirit bear chowing down on salmon in an unbelievable action shot; stunning shots of a coastline where fjord and mountain come together; and of course, the grand British Columbia ocean itself.

This book is a real gem. It's crime more people haven't had a chance to go through it. Read it. Take your time, don't just skim through it and goggle over the pictures. Trust me, the time will be worth it, you'll be glad you did. A must-have for anyone who considers themselves an environmentalist, a nature lover, and especially for people who have stood in awe in a temperate rain forest and said "I need to know more."

A powerful book on this special place. But, now she's discovered

This book is written as a journal of a sailing voyage. Although the authors had previously visited the remarkable areas they photograph and describe six times before, the seventh visit is chronicled in these pages. Thus there is a great depth of knowledge and experience inherent to this work which transforms a simple if elegant journal into a powerful, somewhat doleful, environmental monograph.

This is a beautifully done book with many fascinating photographs of rainforest topography and the diverse life forms which abide therein. The accompanying text is well-written and consistently informative and interesting. But the overarching theme here is that pristine environments which are critical to the survival of untold species of flora and fauna are in jeopardy. Grave jeopardy. Moreover, the McAllisters take great pains to point out that the small islands of preserved and protected ecosystem created in compromise between commercial interests and environmentalists are insufficent to protect wildlife (bears, for example) that depend upon an interlinked vastness of unspoiled terrain in which to flourish.

So this book is as much an alarm and a plea for action as it is a wondrous presentation of its picturesque subject matter. As such, it is urgent reading for those of us concerned about the ravages unleashed when a society values short-term economic advantage (as when untouched river valleys are clear-cut by logging companies) over the work nature takes eons to complete.

This is a wonderful book for both nature and bear lovers alike. It is packed with beautiful color photos. Many interesting facts about the wildlife & plants of the area are detailed in the captions.

The landscape photos feature vibrant wildflowers, ancient forests, & mountains. There are also many remarkable pictures of several bear types. I loved the close-up shot of a bear eating a fish & another of a sprit bear on a log.

Stunning photos of some other animals include a puffin close-up, a bald eagle mother with baby, & an elephant seal gathering. If you can tear yourself away from the pictures, the text is equally impressive.

The authors tell of their experiences while exploring the rainforest. They also discusses the environmental concerns of the area. Journal entries from the trip are scatted throughout the book.

Miriam Cameron shares her journey to inner peace through various paradigms--both religious and secular. And as she comes closer to her center, she prepares for a trip to seek the perspectives of the Tibetan people. Fortunately, Ms.Cameron takes the reader with her and her spouse, Mike, on breath taking (literally) mountain bus rides to the center of Tibet. The reader listens in as they speak to Tibetan monks and nuns who fear the demise of their culture. However,the Tibetan people whose lives are committed to positiveness and compassion transcend the Chinese desecration and provide direct guidance for all who encounter these beautiful people. Reflective of their peace, along with Miriam, I was touched in a very personal and profound way.

A philosophy of life is a work in progress. ~Miriam E. Cameron

Miriam E. Cameron's work in "Karma and Happiness" is not only a direct result of her journey to Tibet, it is a summary of how to conduct our lives all while knowing we are going to die. This book will interest readers who have an interest in the relationship between the health of individuals and their ethical values. Can spiritual growth lead to emotional and physical healing?

Throughout her life, Miriam has found that no single wisdom tradition meets everyone's needs and that there is a universal desire to be happy. Good choices lead to a happier, healthier life and what goes around, comes around (karma). In this book, Miriam explores Tibet and also takes a journey into the internal world of our own happiness and suffering.

Contents:

The Relationship between Ethics, Spirituality, and Healing
Something Missing - Miriam's journey through Christianity, Judaism and Yoga
Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Karma and Ethics, The Sixth Wisdom Tradition
Ethical Problems - What is the right thing to do?
History of Tibet
Mindfulness - Hindu Roots and a Tibetan Refugee Camp
Suffering - Dreams, Pain, Anger, Disappointment, Anxiety, Fear
The Nature of Reality - Interdependence and mutual need
Impermanence - Equanimity and nonattachment
Personal Healing - Mind-Body Interconnectedness and Tibetan Bioethics
Buddha Nature - Nature of the mind and freedom
More Ethical Problems - Questions about Tibet
Compassion - How to Practice Universal Compassion
Healing the World - Diversity and Unity of Values

After reading Miriam's description of enlightenment (She recorded from the teachings of Dorje Rinpoche), I finally understand the concept in full. If you have any interest in Tibet or in Tibetan Buddhism this is an essential book. I have rarely found Buddhism explained quite so succinctly and illustrated quite so creatively. This is a journey into ethics, spirituality and healing with an added dose of humor. Miriam's writing is vivid and her creativity paints vivid recollections of a spiritual journey that becomes a test of physical endurance. Throughout the book I could visualize the journey like a movie.

Miriam's journey to Tibet took her to the limits of her own physical endurance all while taking her to the heights of her own spiritual journey. I loved the conversations she has recorded in detail, the insight gained from her personal experiences in Tibet and how she weaves her philosophy of life into a once-in-a-lifetime journey. She writes with authority and seeks to present a balanced view of Tibet's history. Not only does she explain the current conditions, she writes from the heart and is a seeker of truth.

I liked the concept of being like a beautiful lotus rising out of the mud. If you are looking for a collection of ideas to promote inner peace and settle outer conflicts, you will love this book. After reading this book once, I realized I wanted to read it again because it is a highly interesting story and there are so many concepts I'd love to apply to my own life.

Miriam E. Cameron, PhD, RN, is a faculty member at the University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing and is also the best-selling author of "Hello, I'm God, and I'm Here to Help You."

~The Rebecca Review

I love the way Ms. Cameron crafted Karma & Happiness--writing as if I am there with her, having a conversation. I'm fascinated with how her husband Mike joins in and adds insight with his different perspectives.
Ms. Cameron, who is a bio-ethicist, questions everything and tries to balance it on an ethical scale, which might vary according to the issues around a given problem. I love it! As she is learning, so am I. She describes Tibet so clearly that I almost feel as if I am traveling with her. Five Stars!

Namaste! Beautifully written....I can't describe how wonderful it was to journey to Tibet and a variety of other geographical spots around the world. The Tibetan perspective provided insight, angst, and pleasure....and.... to revisit the Kathmandu temples (Bodnath, Pashupatinath, and Swayambu) evoked vivid memories that included sights, sounds, and smells! Nepal is unique and wondrous, and now I have a much better picture of Tibet. Thank you for such a deeply moving book!"

A gift to all who seek to find meaning in life, to live ethically, to transform life's challenges into opportunities, and to find happiness. Written by Howard K. Bell, M.Div., Executive Director of Pathways, a Health Crisis Resource Center