Clarke Books

My nine year old daughter loves fairy books about Tinkerbell and her friends. She absolutely devours them as soon as I get them. What a boost for her imagination!

We own all of this series! Started reading them when my daughter was 4 (she just turned 5 now), and they are age appropriate. Not too scary and always a happy ending. One book only takes us about 4-5 nights worth of reading together. The longer ones are good too "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" and "Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand", but they are a little bit scarrier than the short books (more appropriate for ages 5-7 I would think).

Fira is outnumbered by her triplets and has to apologize to her townsfolk a lot. (Single mom + 3 bickering kids = go away now please.) But the day is saved when her kids disobey her instructions to stay home and follow her deep into a dangerous mine! Yay!

Actually, the story was pretty good. A fun read.

The CD version is read by the talented Debra Wiseman.

The book arrived and was practically brand new. My daughter loves it. It came in the mail very fast.

My 8 y.o. has fallen in love with these books. You typically can't fail with Disney products and these are no exception. The stories are interesting and unlike some series books for this age range, these books stand alone and are not "formula" books where only the names and places are changed, but the same event takes place. Each fairy has a talent and her talent solves the problem in her book. The illustrations are vivid and imaginative. Apparently there's a movie about Pixie Hollow that will be coming out soon and there are also toys starting to come out with the fairies.

I wish I'd read this book 30 years ago when it came out. It's still as relevant today as it was then--and in many ways just as revolutionary. I'm not black, but it applies to anyone who does not run with the crowd and has a strong desire to look at things honestly in spite of the personal discomfort involved. Things need to change in the US--we need to see ourselves as in this thing together(life, the "American experiment"),and this book drives that home.

If you are looking for some consiousness raising, inspiring, and honest words - then this is the book that will bring that to you.I highly recommend it.

Audre Lorde is a black woman, a feminist, a lesbian, mother of two children, daughter of Grenadian immigrants, and a cancer survivor-yet none of those descriptives paints the complete picture of who she is, or how her words will undoubtedly transform all of those who read them. "Sister Outsider" is a collection of writings-including reprinted magazine articles and speeches- that spans 15 years and includes the famous riposte to Mary Daly after Lorde read "Gyn/Ecology: The Metaethics of Radical Feminism" and the oft-quoted article "Poetry Is Not a Luxury". Those who ponder the difference between eroticism and pornography will find the distinction elucidated in the piece "Uses of the Erotic". In the selection "Grenada Revisited: An Interim Report" the author meticulously details the U.S governments' affinity for imperialism, propaganda, and hypocrisy as exemplified by the invasion of the tiny island nation of Grenada. Readers will find the obvious parallels between the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and Grenada in 1983 unsettling, especially in light of the fact that this book was published in 1984. This collection is imbued with Lorde's personal experiences yet you will feel as if she is speaking directly from a place within yourself that has longed to find words of expression that until reading this book remained unspoken. When Audre Lorde writes of racism, sexism, and imperialism she is truly writing for everyone. This book is an excellent choice for someone seeking an introduction to Lorde.

No poems this time around, folks: prose that gets under your skin and into your head. The late, great Audre Lorde, known primarily for her poetry over the years, wrote what is one of the most compelling books on sociology, sexuality, racism and the nature of human character and existence in the last 20 years. Her charges are damning, but dashed with more than a spoonful of hope when appropriate, and it is impossible to walk away from this book unchanged.

No New Age-isms, no agendas...just common-sense reactions to everyday experiences told in a way that not only everyone can understand, but in a way everyone SHOULD understand.

"I have come to work on you like a drug or a chisel" wrote the late Audre Lorde. Her passing created a hollow space in my soul that is now full again, thanks to Audre Lorde. Despite the fact that 'Sister Outsider' is assigned in virtually every women's studies and gender studies 101, do not think it is dry, ultimately a mere 'academic' book. Audre Lorde lived in and for a radical poetics and a radical pedagogy. If you have not discovered her work yet, please get a hold of a copy. It might save your life the way it saved mine, and I am white, male and straight, with a fierce hatred of white supremacy, patriarchy, and homophobia. But never mind my repeating a mantra you have heard, simply read this book as soon as possible.

The Success of Robert Fitzgibbons is a real delight-an authentic tale in which the ingenuity and subtle humor bring this character to life. The text and clever drawings make readers want to know this boy, Robert Fitzgibbons and his creator, Eric Blank. Through Robert's life lessons, he learns that dreams can be realized at his own pace! Used as a read-aloud or to teach voice and style, this book is a must have for any classroom library.
Jessica Hackett Kilcollum, M.Ed.
Reading Specialist
Upper Moreland School District
Hatboro, PA

Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 10) for Reader Views (10/07)

"The Success of Robert Fitzgibbons" is the fictional tale of a very good kid who follows the wishes of his parents and people around him and later comes to regret not following his own dreams. Robert was good at sports, won spelling bees, got all A's in school, and always obeyed his parents. One thing Robert really loved was playing his guitar, but he quit when someone told him it would not take him far. He went to college and studied hard because his parents wanted him to. All the while he was wishing he could be playing the guitar in his buddy Ernie's band. As he grew older he began to wish that he had followed his dreams instead of doing what other people said he should do.

This picture book is very pleasing to read because of the rhythm and the rhyme. It is silly and the full-page illustrations are lively, too. I liked how he expressed Robert's feelings of being trapped when he wrote, "I want to jump in a lake or climb up a tree, not spend all day doing geometry." I think most kids can relate to this feeling!

While the purpose of this book is to get the reader to follow his or her dreams, some readers might think that following a dream means doing exactly what you want, whenever you want, ignoring good advice. I think that Robert Fitzgibbons could have followed his dream to play his guitar in a band and gone to college, too. The author does well to encourage the reader to not "march to the beat of someone else's drummer, because not doing what you want makes life a real bummer." I'm not sure if "The Success of Robert Fitzgibbons" is more likely to get kids to follow their dreams or to tell their moms that they aren't going to do any more schoolwork.

Too many of us have had our dreams dashed by the authority figures in our lives. We have been told our dreams are stupid or silly, so we stop pursuing them. Eric helps us to see that we can follow our dreams at any age. This is a great book for building children's self-esteem, which is so needed in today's world. I wish there had been books like this when my children were small.

I have two children (ages 3 and 4) and find there are surprisingly few books that they enjoy listening, I enjoy reading and that have good lessons.

This story let's children (and reminds parents) to let children follow their own dreams versus the expectations of others.

I look forward to future books about Robert Fitzgibbons.

Other favorite books for reference are Ms. Twiggley's Tree House, How the Jester Lost his Jingle, The Gardener, Andrew Henry's Meadow.

My three children recieved signed copies of this book from their favorite aunt, my sister. After reading one of the copies while waiting in the doctor's office I was pleasantly reminded that we need to follow our hearts. The need to remind adults to instill this process in our children is certainly accomplished in this captivating book.

My wife enjoyed the book very much, very enlightening and educational, well done and presented. Worth the cost and more!

This book is a box collectors dream come true. Excellent detailed photos combined with informational prose.I am glad I purchased it.

Good information on the periods, materials and types of antique boxes most frequently collected. Photography excellent and item pricing accurate. I love this book and it's helped me enormously.

One does not have to be an expert to love this book. It is a treasure trove of information on all kinds of English boxes from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Packed with photographs and intelligent text, it is simply the best, most informative, most comprehensive book on the subject. It's easy to tell the writers are not only experts with vast experience but lovers of these boxes too.
I'm particularly interested in writing boxes, and I could wish for more chapters on these, but that is purely out of a sense of greed. The whole book is fascinating, whether one is browsing or studying. Thanks.

Look I stipulate that this is most likely the best book currently on tea caddies and box's and such, but these reviews are so gushing. This book is not prefect, the font is poor and it is overpriced at 90.00 U.S. I think it is well worth 50.00 U.S., but for 90.00 I expect more pages and better quality. I was expecting the Holy Grail when I ordered this book, the reviews where hailing this as the burning bush; what I got was a good book, a very good book on tea caddies and box's, but not the end all be all. If you love tea caddies and such you will immediately enjoy this book, but the sticker shock may take a bit longer to get over.

I really enjoyed all of the tunes in this book. It helped that I could read music to begin. The process of reading music is explained briefly and not until after you've already played a few songs, but the CD would definitely help anyone who was learning to read the notes on the staff for the first time. I don't think this would be a stumbling block or a reason not to get it- just something to be aware of. One thing I really liked was that there are short histories and backgrounds on the style of music.

This book is fantastic for beginning whistle players. The basics of music are explained well and are easily understood. Also comes with a CD so that you can play along AND helps you play by ear.

I am just teaching myself how to read music and play the Tin Whistle. This is my second book purchased. I am finding this very user friendly. Even a novice like myself can learn , by listening and reading, then playing along. If I could, I would give this package 10 stars.

This is a good book for beginners to start with. comes with a CD rom. I'll be able to follow through. Hope I'll be able to master it soon.

If you want to learn how to play the tinwhistle, then this is the book. Starts you out with the very basics and works you up to the more advanced. Bill Ochs is by far one of the best whistle players out there. Make sure you buy the book with the cd; hearing how the tunes are played will help you to learn a lot better then the book alone. This is the best instruction book I have every seen. Clear, concise and never overwelming. You will not only love to play the whistle, but love learning to play.

I swear Clarke Snell wrote this book for me - or at least for people like me!! - non construction folks, but handy with a hammer. You won't be able to build your house with only this book, but he presents a very user-friendly introduction to all the requisite concepts, then offers a wonderful reference section for more great info. A very realistic approach, and a very approachable writing style. Other green writers I've found to have a more textbook cadence, but Clarke Snell sounds as if he'd jump right in and help you. Thanks!!

This is a great book to introduce the topic of building strawbale, cob etc. homes. The wonderful point about it is that it details the pros and cons of each building style and lets you compare each method carefully so that you are able to next select a more detailed book about a particular style.
It has beautiful colour photos and lots of information. Highly recommended.

Isn't it nice to dream of being able to build your own home...especially an environmentally "friendly" one!? I am learning so much about houses in general from this book, let alone alternative building. It is well written and has beautiful photography. My husband & I may never get to build our own home (or we may!) but we can sure enjoy the dream in more vivid detail because of this book. I think it should be required reading for politicians, city planners & the like!

Superlative well-balanced, insightful, entertaining, stimulative text, superlative graphics/layout with an abundant and marvelous and beautiful and very effective array of color photographs, superlative resource section, superlative physical book quality including stay-open binding.
If you're thinking of building a house or if you're interested in alternative housing possibilities (solar, etc.) or if you're interested in the topic of housing in general or if you'd like an ideal coffee table book, you will probably find this book a delightful fulfillment.
(Thank you, Amazon, including reviewers, for helping me to discover this book.)

Very comprehensive book which expertly and clearly details the differences between natural/sustainable methods and ideas versus conventional methods. The book makes an incredible cases for natural building and the philosophy of sustainability. After reading this book its hard to understand why you wouldn't want to build a house this way. On a personal note, this book has been inspirational to me as an undergrad student trying to get into an architecture school and train to be a sustainable architect. Also I'm coming from a traditional carpentry background and know that the things Clarke Snell is writing about are right on the money.

My nine year old daughter loves fairy books about Tinkerbell and her friends. She absolutely devours them as soon as I get them. What a boost for her imagination!

We own all of this series! Started reading them when my daughter was 4 (she just turned 5 now), and they are age appropriate. Not too scary and always a happy ending. One book only takes us about 4-5 nights worth of reading together. The longer ones are good too "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" and "Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand", but they are a little bit scarrier than the short books (more appropriate for ages 5-7 I would think).

The story a masterpiece for Bees the main conflict was, about a fairy name Bees who loves to paint in her studio. One day Bees figured that she would make a portrait for tinker bell since she fixed her best Palette knife she ever had. That day tinker bell showed everyone her new portrait. Then all of the other fairies wanted one just like tinker bell's, they asked tinker bell what was the occasion of Bees making her a panting tinker bell said oh not a thing it was a surprise to me because I just fixed her best palette knife she ever had and she said she wanted to give me something in return. Of me doing that for her so she made me a portrait of myself to hang up in my room since I needed some spices in my room.'' I had asked her for one before and she never had the time to make me one. The next day Bees got a knock on her door it was Dulice the fairy most known for his poppy puff rolls. Dulice asked Bees did she want any of his famous poppy puff rolls. Bees said "of course thank you a lot" then Bees said "what can". Before she got to finish her sentence Dulice said oh yeah can paint a picture of me and my rolls. Bees was pleased to make Dulice a picture it would be the first time that Bess painted a picture with a fairy holding something in their hands. Then she got another knock on her door with roses, then another, another, and another everybody wanted her to paint a picture of them. It was over 100 fairies who Bees had to paint a portrait of. She was so tried every time she went some were and some one help her out Bees always say what can I so they always say a picture would be good before she got to finish talking. After Bees finished 15 portraits some of the fairies were complaining about how their wing are not the right size, their face does not look right, and they need a do over. Bees got angry and had a really good idea in her head but could not get it out because of the thing's she have been doing for the past few days. That afternoon, Bees left a note on her studio door that said "sorry I can not paint all of the fairies pictures at one time have to get back with you another day because today I need time by myself". Bees had went far away into the forest were no one could find her while she was painting a portrait of the sky and the trees then a storm had came it was, lighting and, thundering but bees still was painting she was happy that she got her own time to her self. While bees was painting a storm fairy was passing by she saw Bees painting and went back to tell the other fairies were she had seen Bees all of them were mad at Bees because she had gone off to do her own thing instead of paint their pictures. That night Bees decides to stay to tinker bell house so no one would come knocking on her door while she was resting just to ask for a painting. Then another fairy seen Bees with a big portrait in her hand then all of the fairies thought it was of them. Until Bees came to show them that it was a portrait of nature all of the fairies got mad at her and Said well where is our portrait's Bess told them that she did not want to make a portraits of fairies anymore, because she got tried of doing the same thing over, and over and wanted to get the new idea out of her head but couldn't because of all the drama. Then all of the fairies walked off and then the meanest fairy of them all Vida told Bees that she loved her painting and did not care what the other fairies said about it. Since Vida told Bees that her painting was beautiful Bess figured that she will let Vida have her portrait. Bees was happy that some on had liked her painting and felt good to give it away to someone who cared about it. But she did not want the other fairies to pick on her and say she was the meanest fairy because she did not paint their painting .Bess did not know what to do until her friend Quill told her that she did the right thing because usually all of the fairies did not give out thing's like that. In maybe the only reason they did that was because they wanted you to paint a painting of them bees was not mad at what Quill said. Finally the problem was resolved when Bees and Quill walked into the Tearoom and everyone was looking at Rosetta dress saying how pretty her dress was and where did she get it from.Rosetta loved that she had all eyes on her. She stood there with her pink flower In her head, blue top, pink dress, and her pink shoes on. Everyone wanted a dress just like that they all asked who made the dress Rosetta said, "why I did of course" all of the fairies said would you make me one please. Rosetta told all of them yes. Rosetta was happier then ever to see that everyone wanted her to make a dress for them. Then lots of people told Bess that they did not want a painting of themselves anymore. Bees did not reply to them and was just happy the pressure was off of her.

Good reading books for 9 year olds +. My 10 year old granddaughter loves this series of books. I have purchased her 5 different stories and she has re-read them several times. Loves them.

In my opinion the best Disney Fairies books have the conflict growing out of the fairy "talents". In this book Bess' gift for painting is both a blessing and a curse.

I was especially pleased to see the connection Bess (the heroine) and Vidia (the "outcast") made. I would love to see more of this in later books. I would not like to see Vidia turned into a target for unthinking hatred.

Bess the artist and Vidia the speed addict both understand that the "group" (the "crowd", the "herd", the "community") can sometimes act REALLY SILLY and that the expression of personal feelings can sometimes only be understood by individuals.

This deceptively simple story actually teaches a very valuable lesson.

I'm a CNE since Version 3.X. I have took a lot of test reading only the White book and practice. The results: I had to take test twice even three times before passing it. For the NW5 Update, I took the course and read the white book twice, but I also bought this book. The results: Passed the first time!! It's incredible how this books wraps all you need to know in order to pass the test. It is easy to read and give you clues of what to pay special attention. If you are studing for the update test, this is the only book you will have to read (you will need hands-on, as well).

The book is very easy to read and the author has even put in material to make it fun to read. If you want your professional reading to be as dry as a bone, that feature may jolt you. The book is a good general reference for NW 5 and not just for test-takers. However, the prospective test-taker should look at Appendix B. It provides the Novell test objectives and give the reference to the pages in the book where each objective is covered. If you've gone over the official text so many times that you're about blind, this explains the same things (plus more) in a very clear manner.

I originally got my CNE back in 1994 - the 3.11 days. That was the last time Novell came out with a CCR (Continuing Certification Requirement) - the update to 4.11. That was the only test I flunked the first time and squeaked by the second time. Now I'm working in an NT environment and haven't even touched a Novell server in over a year. Needless to say, the latest CCR had me worried. I wanted to keep my CNE, but didn't want to spend thousands of dollars learning a NOS I'd probably never use. I decided to get Clarke Notes only and sink or swim. I'm happy to say I passed the test on the first try after two days reading and studying this book. Thanks, David! Now if we could only talk him in to developing a Windows 2000 curriculum.

Undeniably the best study guide around. I scored a 780 out of a possible 800 with this book, and a great quizzer, and with 12-16 hours of study time. You can't beat the quality of the of the material for the price. As a Master CNE I have taken tons of tests and using Clarke Notes is always the way to go.

This book is by a big margin the best certification study book I have come across. It is to the point, clearly written and more importantly, set out sequentialy to reflect the official Novell Education training materials. I passed my exam with this book plus some eight months experience of NetWare5.

My hat off to David James Clarke for this book, I have no hesitation giving it five stars.

This book was a gift to me from my wife. We drink a lot of wine, and neither of us know much at all about the stuff. Even so, at first glance I didn't think I was going to like the book. It seemed too simple, too basic, too cutesy. Clarke is fond of sweeping generalizations, and his writing style is like an enthusiastic public school boy describing his favorite pudding ("loads of flavor!"). But I must say, I think it's a great book. I use it all the time as a reference. He covers all the basic questions I've had about the production of wines, the different varieties, etc. Sometimes, I'm amazed by what I find in here. After visiting France, we decided we like the dry roses they drink there in the south (great in summer), and started buying them here. We found pretty much everything we tried to be good, until we had a bottle of Rose D'Anjou, which we hated. Looked it up in Clarke and he had singled it out as "one to avoid." Anyway, I'm sure there are other excellent books out there on wine, but I felt moved to write this review for the simple reason that Oz Clarke has been a reliable source of information for me for over four years now. Plus, the style is unintimidating. The guy just likes drinking wine, and he wants you to feel that way too.

This book is especially useful for those who are first getting interested in the subject, and want to learn some very fundamental, but important facts to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of wine, and of wine with food. It's a good book from which to build your knowledge if you simply want to make better wine choices, or if you want to start a collection. It's easy to read with plenty of visuals that are well laid out. Wines are segmented by grape varietal, taste comparisons, and by country to enhance your learning.

As a collector of wine, I also have many books on the subject,which range from basic to complex. I often find myself still referring to Oz Clarke's Introducing Wine, when I need a quick and solid reminder.

This is a brief, breezy three-part primer for the aspiring wine aficionado; liberally splashed with color photos of wine, wine country, food to eat with wine and Clarke with a glass in his hand.

First he discusses wine flavors, what to buy and from where, according to pocketbook. Then he gives tips on enjoying wine: pairing with food, storing, buying, and deciphering the label. The last and longest section discusses wine by country: regions, characteristics and ten to try. An entertaining, non-threatening, useful guide for the beginner.

My wife and I enjoy a bottle of wine every month or so, but had no system in selecting our wine beyond the categories of price, red/white, and appearance of label. Nothing wrong with blind chance, but we wanted to know more about what we were drinking and how to select it.

Enter Oz Clarke's "Introducing Wine". This is a perfect introductory book for us. He breaks wine into comprehensive but accessible categories - from "flavors" to regions to food matches to bargains. Also teaches you the basics of storing, serving, tasting and selecting.

We are ecstatic to have this book. We also purchased "The Wine Bible" and "Oxford's Wine Companion" but have no plans to crack those open until we get the basics down from this one.

This is the best introductory wine boook that I know.

A distillation of philosophical wisdom. An elegantly written concise little book that is truly excellent. For those philosophically inclined. Manna for the soul for those also religiously inclined. Not difficult, but may benefit by a little familiarity with some basic Thomist philosophy such as in Etienne Gilson's Philosophy of God.

This lecture by Norris Clarke is an extraordinarily clear and creative completion of St Thomas' work on the human person. It's a masterful little gem.

Clarke brings St Thomas's work right up to date by incorporating the insights of personalist philosophers into St Thomas's metaphysics. Thus, Clarke demonstrates that the human person is not just a substance but a relational substance. The relational aspect of being is not accidental to being but is a primordial constituent thereof. "To be fully is to be substance- in- relation" (page 14).

Listen to what Norris says about the Trinity (page 11 and 15):

"For what the doctrine of the Trinity means is that the very inner nature of the Supreme Being itself - is an ecstatic process (beyond time and change) of self communicating love: the Father, un originated possessor of the infinite fullness of the divine nature, communicates ecstatically his entire divine nature to the Second Person, the Son or the Word, in an act of loving self knowledge, so that the only distinction between them is the distinction of two complementary but opposed relations, Giver and Receiver. Then both together, in a single act of mutual love, pour forth the same divine essence again in all its fullness to their love image, the Holy Spirit, the third Person."

"Within the divine being, the relations and procession between the three Persons are not accidental but constitutive of the very nature of the divine substance. Substantiality and relationality are here equally primordial and necessary dimensions of being itself at its highest intensity".

Thus, as we are made in the image of God, our very being is relational. But, we are also substance, namely substance in relation. If we were merely constituted by our relationality, we would have nothing to communicate.

Norris brings out another important insight, namely that the Word shows us that receptivity is itself a positive aspect of perfection of being (page 20). This has important implications for the understanding of the masculine and feminine dimensions of human personality (page 21).

Norris goes on to examine St Thomas's work on the characteristics of persons, namely i) Personal Being as Self-possessing; ii) Personal Being as Self- communicative and relational and iii) Personal Being as self-transcending. Norris is very insightful - what is it about giving that we receive, why to find ourselves, do we need to lose ourselves, why do we need communion to be self affirmed? We are rooted in ourselves but we are also ecstatically transcendent communal beings.

And Norris notes that in out life journey, our self knowledge never reaches completion, wryly observing that even post 70 years of age, there are surprises (page 46). And again, Norris notes the relational aspects of being; "Everywhere our growth and development, positive and negative, are mediated by relations, - though, not we insist, simply reducible to them. (page 67). "In a word, the final goal and perfection of the whole universe is, literally, the communion between persons..." (page 80). "To be: is to be in communion" (page 82). "It is of great importance, then, for a healthy personal development to find some appropriate way of expressing to somebody all the significant levels of being and personality within us, concluding the deepest and most intimate. Paradoxically, it seems that what we don't share, we tend to lose hold of, what we don't give away we can't hold on to (page 92). "Why it must be that way that self-possession must keep pace with self expression is one of the deep mysteries of being (page 93). "Thus the Christian revelation of the Trinity is not abstruse doctrine for theologians alone but has a unique illuminate power as to the meaning of being... (page 112)."

Many thanks Fr Clarke for your brilliant insights!

I was a graduate student in philosophy at Marquette University when Fr. Clarke came to Marquette to deliver the annual "Aquinas Lecture." The book here is the written text of the lecture presented on a sunny but cool Sunday in March of 1993. I attended many lectures as a graduate student and remember only a few, this being one. Fr. Clarke spoke rather softly and you could hear a pin drop in the hall in which the talk was delivered. He was short, and smiled alot. The day after this lecture he came and spoke to the required course on St. Thomas Aquinas which I was in. I remember that talk very well also. He came in and said "I could talk about three topics today, I'll tell you the three topics and then as a class you decide what you want me to talk on." He then gave a unscripted hour and a half long talk on how Aquinas viewed human beings as the highest of material entities, and the lowest of spiritual creatures. I still remember that talk as well. This book is an excellent contemporary discussion of the Thomistic notion of what a human is, presented by one of the best living Thomists. I highly recommend it to Thomists and non-Thomists alike; it is a powerful presentation.

This book by one of the deepest philosophers alive deserves to be regarded as a successor to Martin Buber's "I and Thou". The author was kind enough to be my spiritual advisor and to validate an experience I had during my final semester at Fordham University many years ago.

Father Clarke was my teacher for in several courses at Fordham in the 1950's; I obtained a minor in Philosophy. He also was a spiritual advisor to me in a time of personal difficulty over matters of faith and belief. Finally, he was the most intelligent, modest and gentle man I can remember. If I had listened to him in 1958/9, I would have saved myself much grief, lapsing from the Church for 35 years ..and, who knows what else? Yet, even as we wrestled with my faith/belief, he reduced it all to a simple issue...as he was always able to get to the core of philosophical issues in his classes...and, he left me with hope and the offer to come to him whenever...even though I rejected his advice. He was a great teacher.
I never knew he was the giant in American philosophy that he was; sadly, after graduation from Fordham, I was commissioned in USAF, never returned to NYC, and my grad school career took other paths. Upon idly putting his name in Google, I saw all he had written and obtained 3 of his books, to include the above. It was wonderous to read him; I almost could hear and see him. As ever, he gave insights, makes you wrestle with concepts and shows how St. Thomas is relevant today. His writings, sadly too few are in print,must be experienced...and, I mean must be experienced/read. This one should lead to 2 of his books...they will also be well-worth your time.