Christian Books

this is the best and most easily understood bio of St Augustine, I love it.

This is an excellent scholarly biography of Augustine of Hippo. Peter Brown gives a thorough and balanced treatment of all of the important aspects of Augustine's life, thought, and historical context. I personally used this book as my set textbook for an independent study course I took on St. Augustine when I was attending university.

Brown does a very good job of summarizing important philosophical and theological concepts that are central to understanding Augustine's significance to the history of Christianity.

However, despite my very positive appraisal of this book, I feel that this might not be the best choice for people making their first entry into Augustine.

Augustine's is a severe and forbidding character. His intellectually rigorous reasoning on(and harsh views of) salvation and grace made him an inspiration to Calvin and the Puritans. But gloomy though his view of human nature might be, Augustine was intense and passionate, a theologian and philosopher with a poet's sensitivity to natural beauty and the use of language. This books puts the reader in Augustine's mind and life: there is the young man dedicated to an idealistic pursuit of truth,surrounded by admiring friends and family; later, his imposition of that truth on the all-too-human structure of the early Christian church will be fraught with challenge. Augustine knew Rome and Roman Africa in their glory days; he died as Africa fell to Vandal invaders who would impose a century of brutal rule. Peter Brown brings the tumultuous period in which Augustine lived fully and comprehensively alive; he makes us one with a brilliant, uncompromising, surprisingly compassionate human being.

This a revised edition of a very good biography of St Augustine of Hippo. Although I am in the mist of reading this bio I find the writing inviting and histology very well done.

Peter Brown's AUGUSTINE of HIPPO is epic study of the adventure...the spiritual-intellectual ODYSSEY...that is Life of Aurelius Augustine,Saint and uber-Father of the Christian Church in the West. Brown's peerless biography details(36chapters;437pp)a life of towering intellectual genius from birth in AD 354 in Thagaste,Province of Northern Africa SPQR ;until his death as Bishop of Hippo in AD 430.His education is sweepingly arrayed ~beginning in Carthage as orator and magister;his thorough indoctrination in Manichaeism; his meeting with St.Ambrose and immersion in philosophy of Platonist...the birth & death of his brilliant son,Adeodatus,"gift of God"..;the everlasting presence/influence of his mother,Monica; the epiphany cited in THE CONFESSIONS,"to take and read(Biblical exhortations of St. Paul)"followed by his Conversion/Baptism and quick-fire Ordination as Roman Catholic priest;and almost-instant elevation to Bishop. This prelude is followed by Augustine's unsurpassed career as The West's first & premier existential-psychologist:THOU HAS MADE US FOR THYSELF LORD; AND OUR HEARTS ARE FOREVER RESTLESS UNTIL THEY REST IN THEE; and ironic humorist~LORD MAKE ME PURE...BUT NOT TODAY. As well as arch-foe of anti-Catholic heresy~Donatism; Pelagianism;and the Occult(with which he was expertly familiar having been 10 year Initiate therein).

Augustine's CITY of GOD is not only the first consummate philosophy of History (surpassing Herodotus "then";and Hegel/Spengler & even Marx "now" in effect on history. CITY of GOD shaped the LOGOS,world-view of Western Man for 1000 years/entire MIDDLE AGES(ca~AD 476-AD 1517).Austine wrote catechisms ENCHIRIDION);treatises on Free Will;predestination;and is formulator of the Christian concept of ORIGINAL SIN.Augustinian theology l comprises(ironically)most fundamental notions of Protestant Reformers. Catholic Church champion St.Thomas Aquinas is -as-indebted to him as to Aristotle in framing THE SUMMA THEOLOGICA.


Peter Brown's new St.AUGUSTINE of HIPPO is not so much revision but carefully written...in modus of Augustine..reflection on what he had once written.There is brief preface.There is extensively documented epilogue comprised as New Evidence;& New Directions(pp441-520).There is expanded bibliography & index.The 1967 edition is 463pp;the new is 538pp.
Any student of Augustine knows that with him "more is More. Whether 75pp mas is MORE, the reader will of course determine.Brown's book is the classic,unlikely to be surpassed,study of a genius in the service of God,SERVUS DEI. Any serious student of theology,philosophy;or history of Ideas must confront St.Augustine of Hippo.This profound, mythology-like masterwork is not the opus to start with.But when you're ready "to TAKE & READ",it is matchless story-telling that is worthy of the unique,perhaps most remarkable,QUEST for God & Truth that a great and gifted man ever committed his life toward. (777 stars)

Written from a male point of view, I wasn't sure if I'd like it. However, I was so enthralled; I couldn't put it down. I laughed, gasped, cried and rejoiced with Joel in all of his struggles and triumphs.

Joel lays it out in his own words, the good, the bad and the ugly. His marriage is shattered and his life is in ruins until he learns the power of forgiveness. When tragedy strikes, he uncovers a greater truth that brings both pain and joy. A realistic, gripping novel unlike anything you've read before. An excellent book for your summer reading list.

Not only does Annette Smith nail the male protagonists voice, she grips the reader by the collar and doesn't let go until the last page.

Joel Carpenter is in love with his wife Kari, but like so many people, gets a little lost along the way and finds himself divorced and a single dad.

While this story has a few over the top tragedies, Smith pulls them off flawlessly. I tried to imagine being Kari and Joel and I'm not sure how well I'd endure.

The story is southern and well told. Smith even writes in such a way there's no doubt Joel is telling the story. Joel says, "me and him" instead of "he and I." So very real!

It takes a lot for me to finish a book these days. Time permitting, I would've read this in one sitting. Teared up at the end, closed the book and just sat, thinking, letting it soak in.

Bravo, Annette. I highly recommend A Bigger Life.

I don't know if I'm getting soft or what, but it was all I could do not to bawl like a baby. Wow, last time I read a book by a woman I hated it, but I gave it another chance and am so glad I did. I read it in the same day I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure what else to say besides it's fantastic, just don't read it around anyone who you're not comfortable with, because even though you may not shed tears you'll get choked up for sure!

'A Bigger Life' was delightful. It left me thinking about it weeks, months after reading it. I am now recommending it to all my friends and family to read! It will touch you on many different levels. You will laugh, cry, and want to learn more about Joel. He becomes your friend. It is my favorite book!

This book made me cry but not for the obvious reasons i.e. a sad storyline. The beauty which brought tears to my eyes was the love that was apparent within the characters....between husband and wife, friends, church members, as well as acquaintances. I especially appreciated the imperfect nature of each of the characters. Somehow that made them so much more real and therefore likable to me. Ms. Smith obviously has a gift for storytelling, for she created a memorable tale, told from a young father's point of view. There is so much to be taken from his journey towards redemption and it's a story that is sure to stay with you for a long time.

This is a warm, entertaining, and surprisingly spiritual book.

The author recounts the many wonderful and spiritually educational stories his Catholic Grandmother told him as a young boy growing up during WWII. Her stories are all designed to help her young grandson live the Catholic faith more fully, to better understand the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to be a better Christian.

The stories will serve that purpose for all of us. I found the stories uniquely instructive and full of spiritual wisdom - yet entertaining, at times funny, at times sad, but always interesting.

This book had me by turns laughing out loud and crying - but always being urged closer to Christ.

Unlike other reviewers, I don't think you need to be Italian or of Italian descent to love this book - I am neither and I found it truly a wonderful read. My 10 year old daughter loved it as well, so it will appeal to a broad range of readers, adult and young adult alike.

If you are looking for an easy, entertaining read that will encourage the practical day to day living of your faith, this is the book for you!

The concept was good. Definitely for those who grew up in the Catholic/ Italian mind set. Nonna was always so clever. I enjoyed the book.
I'm not sure that a non Catholic could identify with the meaning of the stories or appreciate them completely.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!! I ADORED THE LESSONS THAT WERE TAUGHT THROUGHOUT, SOME OF WHICH I COULD IDENTIFY WITH THRU MY OWN FAMILY. THE LIGHT SENSE OF HUMOR WAS VERY REFRESHING. IT TOUCHED MY HEART TO BE ABLE TO FEEL THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE AUTHOR AND HIS NONNA AND HOW SPECIAL SHE WAS TO HIM, EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A SPECIAL PERSON IN THEIR LIVES LIKE HER. I WILL BE GETTING THE NEXT ONE ALSO.

This book is full of delightfully heartwarming stories that take us back to a warmer, simpler time of love, humor and faith. It's a feel-good book!

This book is a pleasure to read. I've been reading the stories to my 9-year old son, who could read the book to myself, but prefers to sit with me and hear me read it to him, like as if he was Vinzee and I was Nonna. Right before I bought this book I traveled to Portugal with my family. It was Christmas and we were touring an ancient Cathedral when we noticed a very modest Naviity scene next to the Cathedral wall. A stray dog was laying in the hay right next to the Baby Jesus. We all laughed and commented that we didn't know that Baby Jesus had a pet dog. Well, I come home and start reading "Coffee With Nonna" just to discover that wise Nonna knew about the dog and the other four animals at the birth of Jesus, and what the significance is of the loyal dog. I shared this with my family who all agreed that the Portuguese stray dog truly had the last laugh.

Francis Chan chases God's heart and desires His life in Francis.I just loved this book.It brought me to a point in my life that I had to ask "Do I really love God or am I just existing here on planet earth"? I looked at my own eternal resting place and I NEVER want to be anywhere else that God isn't there.Like Hell for instance.....

Not very often do I LOVE a book enough to actually take the time to write a review, but this book was so amazing I just had to. I don't want to praise Francis Chan one bit because I KNOW that he would NOT want to receive the praises. I praise the God Almighty for the work He is doing through Francis. This book is amazing and challenging and not intended for those who like to be comfortable.

Let's get radical and love like CRAZY!!!

I use the words LOVE/HATE because that is what this book was for me. I loved what Francis had to say WHILE AT THE SAME TIME hating it because it was dead on to many things I had been convicted about.

We need more books like this that are not set out to specifically BLAME THE CHURCH for the message it portrays and bring to light that WE are the church and the change comes from bringing the Kingdom through the way we live our lives in reflection of Jesus Christ.

My two cents, at least!

Don't read this book if you find yourself satisfied with comfortably floating along through life - believing that your faith and relationship with God is in a semi-decent place. God, Francis Chan argues, will have none of it and, ultimately, deserves far more.

The whole idea of loving God sure doesn't seem like an original topic, but there's something about this book that is remarkably fresh and challenging. Chan doesn't mince words, if Christians truly love God then that love will dominate and influence all that we do. As if to address the inevitable questions forming in the mind of the reader, Chan devotes a whole chapter to ordinary people who are (or who have) powerfully lived out a life of "Crazy Love."

This is an important book for Christians today. So often our mindset is focused on the bare minimum - what can we do to just get by with the least amount of effort? If you read this book (and you should!) be ready to ditch that mindset.

Very inspirational. Makes you realize that we are not giving all that we can to God,who loves us more than anything we can comprehend.

I loved this book- a refreshing and biblical way to approach parenting. I really appreciate the way Tim Kimmel points out all the ways God handles us with infinite grace as our heavenly Father and ways to reflect that to our children as well. Highly recommended.

I found this book very helpful to me in raising children to love the God who cares for them unconditionally. This book proposes an approach to parenting that is loving in the same way God loves us--with grace. I highly recommend it.

This book is excellent. It is the how-to book on raising your kids as Christians. It is the detail book with his companion book, How to raise kids for true greatness being the big picture. I recommend them both.

Most parents, whether Christian or not, want "good" children. Unfortunately, it's easy (and common) to think that "good" fits an appearance, and we can chase values that have little to do with a transformed heart and living faith.

It is easy to follow worldly goals for our children, as activities, friends, and appearance may be most easily measured. However, when we do this, we set a trap for ourselves and our children. We damage their hearts, restrict our relationship and influence with them, and may push them away from the true source of grace.

What should be the greatest gift - and difference - for a child raised in a Christian household?

GRACE. (Grace received, and grace given.)

Tim Kimmel delivers an exceptional view of parenting. He audaciously challenges parents to look into their own hearts, as well as their children. Meanwhile, he never loses sight of the call for believers to live in righteousness.

It is a balance that would trip up many, but this book avoids pushing a personal agenda by diving into - and wisely understanding - scripture.

If your hopes and prayers for your child include a living, growing, vibrant faith, then you must parent with grace. This is not always easy, and doesn't always result in perfect "looking" children. As the book explains, grace is not an absence of boundaries, and requires both discipline and direction.

Only a heart that is transformed can truly give and receive grace, and only grace can transform a heart. This book effectively argues that a grace-filled home will nourish a whole child, and grace-filled parents will introduce a gracious heavenly Father to their children's hearts. For those who want to see love, knowlege and faith grow in their homes, I highly recommend this book.

In preparation for the arrival of my first child in 1998, I read many Evangelical parenting books. These books sought to encourage new moms like me with moving discussions of the importance of our role. These books also provided practical discipline strategies. But, as a first-time mom, I needed more than ennobling rhetoric and discipline techniques. I sought a comprehensive, Biblically-based framework for parenting that would help me to structure and evaluate my day-to-day interactions with my child. I couldn't find anything that met my needs in any of the many books that I read. Dr. Kimmel's book provides the framework I've been searching for and is an outstanding addition to the Evangelical parenting literature.

I especially appreciated the author's use of Scripture to develop his framework, particularly his analyses of Jesus' interactions with children. Matthew 18:5-6 and 10, for example, provide motivation for Dr. Kimmel's point that children feel significant when they know they have their parents' attention. Mark 9:36-37 underlies Kimmel's argument that children feel secure when they receive affection.

My only regret is that I wasn't aware of this book when it first came out! My only criticism of the book is that it doesn't contain enough practical application material.

As a Christian home schooling mom, I always felt that there was something more that I could be doing for my children. I just couldn't put my finger on what that was. Of course, this was because I was still blinded by the world's educational system, and by their standards I was doing above and beyond. I taught them reading, math, spelling, history, science, and more but I never felt peace about the whole process. That is until I read The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson. It was only then that everything began to make sense. Not only did this book open my eyes but it opened my spirit to receive a wealth of wisdom based on God's Word.

This book contains over 500 pages of solid biblical principles to apply to your vision for your child's education. Robin spent more than twenty years researching and seeking God to find our biblical history and she put it into this book. It will teach you so that you can teach them. It will give you revelation and insight to what truly matters and what doesn't. You will be relieved of all the traditions and learned behaviors you have been accustomed to and you will begin to see just how easy it is to breathe life into your children. You will see them come alive with a desire to learn more. That in itself is priceless.

In the first section, Lessons from Exodus, Robin shares her personal struggles with home schooling. I found it to be very similar to my own battles. She addresses issues like: Why am I so frustrated? Why don't the kids enjoy learning? Am I doing the right thing? Is this enough? I felt right at home reading about these burdens most of us face on a daily basis. In fact, once I started reading I could hardly put it down. I was learning how to let God lead me on this journey. I was retraining my mind to think His way. It was so freeing.

In section two Robin will take you back to your roots and reveal the inner thoughts of God and the purpose of man. She exposes where the fruit turned sour and weeds began to grow. This history lesson made me wish I had been one of her children seated at the kitchen table and soaking up knowledge from her diligent studies. I now understand my history. I know more about who Jesus is and that is helpful if I am to aspire to be just like him. If you want the truth go to the source. Robin will take you there.

In section three of this book she discusses the Heart of Wisdom methods. They are a collection of time proven techniques that actually work. They embrace and teach to every part of the child's being. Some of those that are discussed include the Charlotte Mason method, the Delight Directed Approach, Writing to Learn, Critical Thinking and Logic, and Unit Studies. There is also an in depth chapter on learning styles and the Four Step HOW Process: Excite, Examine, Expand, and Excel.

Sections four and five give you instructions and ideas to implement and create a perfect God centered learning process for your children. You will read the detailed HOW plan overview and the meaty guide for bible study. She will teach you to develop your own unit studies, create notebooks, and how to schedule by faith. After all it is all in God's timing, right? There is also an exhaustive list of resources that will leave you with need for nothing else but the presence of God.

The best part about the whole approach is that I can incorporate the materials I currently have and use, make my own, or purchase Robin's Unit Studies from the Heart of Wisdom website. In addition to that I need a bible, a pencil, and paper. How awesome is that?

This book is bible based, intelligently written, captivating to read, and abundant in life changing truth. This book is a definite must-have for any home library. I recommend it even if you don't home school. Every Christian should learn about their heritage. Every Christian should have a Heart of Wisdom.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
--Psalm 90:12

Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach is like going to a grand buffet. There is a little bit of everything, and it's all delicious! The book includes, but is not limited to, a synopsis of Robin Sampson's own personal experience of why she began homeschooling, a history of education including a comparison between Hebraic methods of teaching/learning against the Greek approach, four different methods of learning and teaching approaches, and an extensive collection of resources to check out. The book is very well organized making it easy to use this book as a ready, frequently used resource.

Very informative and helpful. It gives you lots of options and ideas in homeschooling the Biblical way.
Neat historical information included. A few thing I wasn't impressed with but very minor. Still a good book.

Robin Sampson hits really strong on Bible first-and-all-day-in-every-subject.

Sampson also is a big promoter of the 4mat method which in a nutshell is: get them excited about the subject, study it, and show what you learned. You show what you learned best by lapbooking (scrapfolder) or notebooking or some other project- maybe a diorama or something.

Well, I am a strong believer in lots of Bible, but I did not teach it all school day. So, in that area, I was really challenged. I have committed to do this now.

If you have not read her book... I cannot recommend it highly enough. No other homeschool book has been more valuable. Worth every penny.

I read this book a year ago and it was great! But it was a new approach for me and it was very helpful. I've been actually using the different approaches she mentions in her book and have adapted them to our family's needs. I decided to reread the book, and boy am I glad I did! I understood more about where she was coming. If you are new to the Charlot Mason, this is a great beginning! Plus, you will LOVE Robin's 4Mat System!!! I have no doubt, this Homeschooling book is a MUST READ! and a MUST READ AGAIN:)

I thought this was a great adventure book that reminded me of Indiana Jones. I really enjoyed the plot twists and the engaging characters. I love that I didn't know the ending until I had actually read it! I wish I had read the first book in this series but it did not affect my understanding of House of Wolves. I fully intend on reading this whole series by Matt Bronleewe.

Matt Bronleewe's second novel, House of Wolves, combines mystery, danger and intrigue in a fast-paced story with action on every page. Like other novels of this genre, the plot pulls from history and Bronleewe cleverly incorporates assorted facts, myths and legends into an entertaining story.

The cast of characters carries over from his first novel, Illuminated. August Adam is a rare-book dealer and one such book, The Gospels of Henry the Lion, is at the center of the action in House of Wolves. August is in possession of the rare book but he is not the only one who wants it. And others pursuing it stop at nothing in their attempt to get it.

August's father, son, and ex-wife get involved early in the story and even without having read the first novel of the series, it was easy to pick up on the relationships between these people. They are not without problems but their interpersonal issues do not detract from the story line. They find ways to work together and survive.

The evil characters are drawn from a secret society, the Black Vehm, a vigilante society formed in the thirteenth century to protect themselves from marauders in the lawless territory between the Rhine and the Weser rivers in Westphalia, Germany. It became a merciless and violent society and was eventually outlawed. It supposedly came to an end when the Nazis fell in the Third Reich. Bronleewe brings them to life in modern day activity where their goal is to obtain ancient relics and rare artifacts and he reveals they are planning to take over the world by implementing a grand scheme.

Lukas, a member of this secret society, gives an interesting account of how he became a member. "Lukas had always wanted to belong to a secret society. For some reason, they didn't exactly advertise their whereabouts. But an online friend of his had had an idea: Have you tried joining the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society?" What follows is a fascinating description of Lukas's journey from joining a mock-combat society that entertained during sports intermissions to being tapped for a deadly society who directed all of its efforts to implementing their world take-over plan.

Bronleewe makes excellent use of contrast and the location swings from a record-breaking heat wave in New York City to the frigid underground of the Antarctic. Much like National Treasure, clues, maps and mishaps keep the reader swiftly moving from page to page. Readers who are looking for escapist entertainment will find it in this adventure.

The story takes place in just a few days and therefore the problem and puzzle solving happen a little too quickly for me. In the scene where they are figuring out the meaning of the map, August notes, "There are three flags with poles--which we are setting aside for right now--and thirteen flags without." "That's half the alphabet," Charlie said." The nine-year-old proceeds to unravel the secret of the map. The reader is advised to suspend his or her logic and simply accept this scenario on face value.

Overall, I appreciated that the violence was relatively tidy and the text was free from profanity. Younger readers who love adventure stories will be as intrigued by this story as adults who enjoy suspense fiction.


Paula Buermele is a reviewer for BookPleasures and the author of "The Dream Catcher Tour."

Be prepared to enter August Adams' world of non-stop action, heartfelt adventure filled with intrigue, suspense, humor and love. And, not necessarily in that order. Beware -- once you pick this book up and start reading, you will lose all track of time and forget anything you had scheduled that day. I have to admit that I was a little less than excited about reading this book when I looked at the cover. 'House of Wolves' - I really didn't want to read about wolves or blood! I'm very happy to report that there is lots of action, fighting, gun fights, bloodshed and bad guys acting really bad...but nothing is extremely graphic. I loved it!!

August Adams is one likeable guy who reminds me of an Indiana Jones-type character. Adams is a man totally into his work, who loves books and really enjoys the challenge of chasing down rare antiques. That's his specialty, rare antique books. He gets into the most unpredictable situations while researching the locations of these rare books, and then guarding them once they are found. I loved August's quick wit and sense of humor (like Indiana Jones). And just like in the National Treasure movies, relics have to be found in order to chase down the treasure. In August's case, the books are the treasure.

In 'House of Wolves', August Adams isn't looking for an adventure. But the action and adventure grab him as he is watching his son, Charlie, as his ex-wife goes out with her new fiancé to pick out rings. He couldn't believe she was doing that! He felt it was a little bit soon, but he couldn't think about that right now; he had Charlie to think about.

August Adam's father sends him the greatest birthday present (or so he thought it was at the time), in the mail. He thinks it's from his father, but there's no card with it. Who else would send him such a rare find? While August is admiring the great condition of the book, he starts to feel sick to his stomach when he realizes exactly what book this is. He knows his father, Cleveland, shouldn't have it and he can't imagine what his father did to get this book. Why did his Cleveland send it to him? This can't be good. August doesn't have to wait long to get answers to his questions. A "secret society" soon discovers that Mr. August Adams is in possession of the book they want, and they will stop at nothing to get it. August will have to thank his dad for sending such unbelievable trouble his way - after he stops some guy from killing him and Charlie!... and so the adventure begins in "House of Wolves.

Just when you think August is in the clear, something else happens. But, it may not necessarily happen to him. I was intrigued by the many interesting characters in this book, and so much was happening, but it all tied together. This book is definately a page-turner! I loved never knowing what to expect with each chapter I read. This book was so refreshing because it is not a formula style book.

There is a special bonus at the end of this book in the author notes. Here the author tells the reader which parts of the story are real and which parts he added to make the story work. Not only did Matt reveal which events are factual, but he also tells which relics are real. Wow! Since I'm not a history buff, I wasn't aware that some of the events depicted in the 'House of Wolves' were real. It was quite amazing. I have to say I love learning about history this way!

You will definitely want to check out 'Illuminated' (the first book in this series) where you will learn how August Adams became the book hunter. I know you'll enjoy all the adventures he got himself into before 'House of Wolves'. The third book called 'The Deadly Hours', is to be on bookshelves August 2009, mark your calendar - I know I have.

Nora St.Laurent -Book Club Servant Leader
www.psalm516.blogspot.com

WOW - Matt did it again! This book picked up where Illuminated left off. Both books are written extremely well. They keep your attention, and you do not want to put them down. House of Wolves takes you on another adventure with August Adams and his family.

If you want a good read do NOT pass up House of Wolves!!! It is definitely worth it...

I ground through the first pages of Illuminated and gave up. By accident I picked up Matt's next book and started reading. Good grief! I'll give him credit for creating exciting story lines and fascinating scenarios, but the minute by minute action sequences and dialog is still ridiculous and unbelievable. For instance, August knows he's being pursued by "Death's errand boy", but the next time we check inwith August, he's having a flashback to a very hot day at a Yankees game, then we segue into Charlies ability to remember details, then we're running from a killer, and August hoists Charlie up on his shoulders, the better to see into the crowd. Isn't he worried about the killer, maybe having a gun?

A little later April is trapped in a sinking car, fires a gun into a bullet-proof window, to no avail. Even though the glass doesn't break, she still pounds on it with her fists. Then ponders how people can know that drowning is a peaceful death.

Unbelievable, ridiculous and unreadable.

This is a great book!! The stories are a wonderful collection for anyone who was a child OR adult during this time frame. If not read it anyway, it's very enjoyable to read. I took this book on a flight to Denver and had many people as me where I got it.

This book brings back memories of Christmas past. It is informative and entertaining. I gave this as a gift to four different people and got a copy for myself.

This book was an incredible walk down Memory Lane! I couldn't put it down. For all those reminiscing and hungry for "how it used to be" I highly recommend this book!

I bought this book for my mom (81 years old), and it brought back amazing memories for her from her teenage years through the first 20 years of her marriage. The package of ornaments shown on page 11 is the identical one my parents had bought (which we still have - most of them, anyway!). She (and I) enjoyed it so much, I also got copies for my aunt and a family friend of the same age as my mom. They both loved the book, and talked of all the memories it brought back for them, as well. It's a fun book that wil bring back memories for anyone who lived through those years.

I bought this book last year and again this year sat down to enjoy the wonderful photos. It brought back wonderful memories of a time before consumer advocacy when we used lead and fiber glass all over our homes, and especially during the holidays when we pulled out the painted ornaments (and ashtrays and candy dishes and ceramic figurines of Santa and the Baby Jesus) and angel hair for the tree. I can still feel the itching as I write this :-)

I highly recommend this book for anyone who remembers Christmas anywhere between 1940 and 1965. It brought back some lovely memories (aside from the itching).

This is an excellent book. It will give you a more balanced perspective of what means to be a man of Faith, and how society expects this man to actually be.

In my top list of books. Made me cry when I read it. That's powerful writing.

It's puzzling that Loyola Press choose to print Joseph Bottum's preface to The Keys to the Kingdom. After reading his preface, I almost returned the book to Amazon. Thankfully, I didn't because I loved reading this story.

I disagree with Mr. Bottum on three points:

1- The Keys to the Kingdom was not written by a "hack." Cronin was clearly inspired by an ideal, not money. The fact that Loyola Press reprinted it seventy years later as a "classic" contradicts Mr. Bottum's opinion.

2- The thoughts of the main character may not be "deep," but any philosophy Francis voices is less important than how he lives his life.

3- I did not see the "unique Christian faith" that Bottum claims "shines through" the story. Then again, despite the many examples of less admirable clerics, both Protestant and Catholic, I did not think that Christianity was denigrated.

Many things happen in Father Francis Chisolm's life, he encounters many different kinds of people, and he faces many challenges. However, the most engaging aspect of the book, for me, was the mystery of his character. Was he simply born a good person? What was the source of his goodness? Was his humility a virtue and did it help or hinder him? (I also wonder about the ways various people responded to him, but to say more would spoil the story for you.)

Each of the characters could easily have belonged to any religion. I didn't feel that I was reading Catholic novel. Cronin rarely points out specific ideas that propel the less admirable characters ("do this or be damned" or "have you been saved") and never explains what guides Father Francis, the Fiskes, Mr. Chia, or Lieutenant Shon. I don't know if that makes this a good book or a poor one, but it made me think and wonder.

Joseph Bottum is right in asserting that "When Cronin sets down what he clearly imagines are the profound spiritual revelations of his novel they turn out to be little more than pious uplift, along the lines of "Why can't we all just get along?" and "Aren't all the religions really saying the same thing?" Although described disdainfully, those do seem to be Cronin's ideals. However this is not a naive story and Francis is not a weak person. He is strong and admirable and I admire at his ability to walk through the life he had without losing his love or faith.

While I would like to criticize the fact that Cronin does not apologize for the impulse to send missions to China (or to convert an atheist Scotsman), I can't. This book isn't an attempt to promote a particular doctrine; it's not even about China or missionaries. It's about a good man who should be, and sometimes is, an example others emulate.

It is a sweet story.

This book was a bit of a surprise. While it is not the best "Catholic" novel I have read, its many good parts provide much to recommend it. I have been familiar with the story line from the Gregory Peck movie which has been a late-show staple. The book is more intricate and nuanced, like novels used to be. Cronin's characters are well-drawn, seem consistent and grow in your imagination like real people. He has a notion of ecumenism that concervative Catholics might find simple-minded and perhaps offensive, but probably reflects his childhood experience, with which many American Catholics could easily identify, that sometimes God lets himself be found extra ecclesiam.
In sum, a good book. I am glad I read it. I had trouble putting it down at night.

I purchased this book on the cheap not knowing a thing about A.J. Cronin. Reading the back, seeing the "Christian" theme, I decided to give it a try (it was on the clearence table!).

Grabbed from the first few pages, one can't help but feel for poor Francis as he struggles through his emotional and tumultous childhood, discovering his faith and ultimately landing in China to rekindle the flame of a forgotten mission. Through the story he meets various characters: the local militia, outcast roughians, the tender and vulnerable Chinese people, Catholic hiarchy and a few friends...

Francis remains true to Scripture (with one notable exception) and his vocation by being pious, and living in only very minor indulgences. He lives for the God, the mission and for the Chinese people, often to his own detriment, leading the way by his example.

A great read...a treasure that I "just" picked up...

It wasn't until about 1/3 of the way through this book that the light bulb went on. I knew in an instant what the Holy Spirit had been gently knudging me about all along for so many years. This book confirmed many truths in my life. I am reading it again for a second time, NOW to put into practice the matrixs and find closure for several issues I have struggled all my life with. I am forever grateful that our Lord Jesus has inspired Tom Paterson with these teachings, giving the rest of us clear,concise guidelines to refocus our energies and establish a LifePlan the way the Lord intended. Thank You.

I found Tom's approach to analyzing one's life extremely helpful. He breaks down the process into small, digestable steps and at the end you end up with a wonderful, rich set of information about yourself. He makes you see your life in a way that breaks it down and disects it and then you extract the juice, the core of you, your experiences, abilities, strengths, passions, dreams that make you who you are. It is a genious approach. I highly recommend reading Now, Discover Your Strengths, as a complementary way to identify one's strengths, especially if one is unsure about their strengths or talents. I completed the final step, my action plan, with a LifePlan coach on a 2-day Life Planning session. It is the best 2 days I've spent and it has transformed my life: I understand the reason for my reaction to certain past and current situations based on key discoveries of patterns in my life; I see areas in my life (domains as he calls them) where I am overloaded and areas I have ignored and need to address to balance my life. As we go about our every day, busy lives we are so consumed with the day to day, that we lose track of the big picture of God's plan for our lives. This book forces you to be still and hear God's voice and his guidance for your life. As a result, doing the exercises and the life plan session made me closer to God. And that in the end is the key to a successful life review.

I was first introduced to Tom's book 3 years ago. Since then, I have come to know Tom personally and consider it one of the great blessings of my life to know this man of God. As a certified LifePlanner (TM), I am a witness to a the life altering power contained in this book. I give away 5 or more copies a month. Read it, Live it, Give it away.

I met Tom Paterson in 1995 at a crossroad time in my life. I spent two days with him as he facilitated my LifePlan. Those two days changed my life. The LifePlanning process transformed my future and set me squarely in the center of the life I am meant to live. My life is authentic, fulfilling and flows from my passions and talents. Tom helped me get clear on these issues. Since that time I have sat at his feet and learned how to facilitate LifePlans. The process is genius - the technology is brilliant - the outcome is amazing. The content of this book reveals the core of the LifePlanning process. Read it...do the work...and you will be living the life you are meant to live. Tom Paterson is the real deal.

I read this book a year ago and now it is one of the books that I most recommend to others. Tom Paterson has an insight into God and mankind that help a person as they go through life changes.

His analytical approach makes one look at his life through a "big picture" lens and see what God sees. He breaks our life into 5 areas and challenges us to examine each area to see how God is at work.

Just as the wise prophet once said, "An unexamined life is not worth living" so Tom Paterson gives us the keys to examining our life and see where God is at work. This book can be used by anyone at any stage of life, but particularly one who is going through Halftime in his or her life and is questioning "what is next."

This book is well worth your time. You can do the exercises right from the book. In addition, there are a number of people, including myself, who have been trained by Tom Paterson to take a person through this process. Let me know if you want help in this life journey.