Collins Books

This book is wonderful for anyone considering detoxing. It is VERY practical, telling you how to maximize your cleansing results without depriving yourself. For example, when discussing these that should be reduced/cut out before starting a detox, smoking is mentioned. It lets you know that for the best results, smoking should cease, but if you are unable to handle this, it gives alternatives that gradually reduce the smoking and load on your body. There are a variety of plans: 30 day make over, 9 day intensive, weekend energizer, mono-diet, etc. Color pictures are included also. Also, focuses on detoxing your life. Ways to calm and replenish the spirit (like mediatation) and detoxing your home environment. The diet was easy to follow and has been a life style change to me. The book was infomative and helpful, and I am better for it

This is a very easy to read book on demistifying detox. I like the pictures and colors. I recommend this to someone who is new to detoxing or someone who wants user friendly instructions. It is a simple book for those on the go who don't always have time for themselves.

Grew up reading this series. Now I have a permanent copy of my own. Good price and great product for comics junkies.

Checker Books is filling a necessary role in the publishing field: bringing classic comic strips back into the public eye. Not only that, but they do it at a reasonable price and easily manageable format. Their STEVE CANYON volumes were well received, but the highlight for me has been DICK TRACY - THE COLLINS CASEFILES. Volume 2 continues the reprints of the Dick Tracy strips beginning in 1978 by Max Alan Collins (writer) and Rick Fletcher (illustrator), with oversight by creator Chester Gould. Long before Collins became known for Road to Perdition, he cranked out some excellent Tracy scripts that brought the plainclothes detective into a more modern setting, but with the same grit and thrills from the classic strip. Fletcher's fine-line art is exceptional, giving us a very stylized view of Tracy's world while retaining the characters' distinctive physical traits (it has a bit of an Alex Nino look, if that helps). This volume contains great stories featuring "the Computer Killer", the return of Mumbles (or is it?), Bony and Claudette, and Quiver. A back-up feature contains "case files" of various characters from the strip.

Regarding the format, these books are trade-sized collections, which I love since they fit so well with my other trades on the bookshelf (I've never cared for oversized oblong collections, as they are more difficult to store, plus they can't be handled very easily while reading). I will make one complaint about this volume, albeit a minor one: my copy has a couple of pages where the ink did not apply as heavily, resulting in several slightly faded strips.

I am hoping for more volumes in this series. Checker, don't let me down.

I use this book frequently, because I always find what I want and it's good. The authors state their facts accurately and clearly. Top notch.

This book has been a lifesaver for me many times when I needed authoritative information in a hurry. If you are a teacher of astronomy--at any level from undergrad on up--you will never regret having this on your shelf! Many times, after searching in vain through half-a-dozen textbooks for some item of information, I have turned to Facts-on-File Astronomy and found the answer directly, without further ado. I believe this is a "must" for every serious teacher, student, or researcher in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

This book is a great place to start if you are new to Bonhoeffer's work. It is equally useful for those who have read a lot of Bonhoeffer since it includes selections from key but less well known or less accessible works like his talk at the Fano "Life and Work" conference on the importance of addressing international issues, or his 1939 letter to the Finkenwald brethren. Moreover, de Gruchy's selection of pages or even paragraphs of more difficult texts are a model for such anthologies. The very useful 40-page introduction and editor's notes before each selection say just enough to be helpful while they reveal de Gruchy's mastery of his subject. They also reflect the fact that like Bonhoeffer, de Gruchy was active for years in political struggle within a repressive regime -- in his case, South Africa. Aside from brief biographies by Bethge or Robertson that quote widely from Bonhoeffer, I don't know of a better overview to one of the most useful thinkers of the last century for our own, precarious, ...

This volume on the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is part of a series by Fortress Press entitled 'the Making of Modern Theology: Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Texts'. Each of the volumes in the series focuses upon one particular theologian of note. These volumes are of use to students, seminarians, ministers and other readers interested in the development of theological ideas in the modern and postmodern world. Each volume is a reader of key texts from the theologian highlighted - the text entries are annotated a bit by the editors, and the editor of each volume provides an introduction setting the general stage for context and understanding.

Editor John de Gruchy describes Bonhoeffer in simple terms -- as a witness to Jesus Christ. Bonhoeffer is no arm-chair theologian, but rather someone who put his theology into action, and became a modern-day martyr for his beliefs in what the gospel of Jesus Christ requires. Bonhoeffer was executed in 1945 for his part in the attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler, believing that what was finally required of Christian witness in Germany at the time was direct action against the evil that he embodied and perpetuated.

Bonhoeffer was never a bone fide academic systematic theologian, but his writings, including those pieces he wrote in prison, have become classics of Christian literature. 'Letters and Papers from Prison' and 'The Cost of Discipleship' are known the world over, but are only part of a larger body of essays, lectures, sermons and books. Bonhoeffer's early upbringing, the son of a psychiatrist/professor, part of a Lutheran/Reformed family that was generally non-religious in outlook, was not one that would predict a theological career for young Dietrich -- in fact, his earliest interest in things theological may have had more to do with his desire to be different from his brothers and the rest of his family than any direct faith in the church. Bonhoeffer was a good student, but remained unswayed by any particular influence -- he was influenced by Kierkegaard, but not to the extent that Barth was; he used I-Thou language, but not taken directly from Martin Buber.

Bonhoeffer was a parish minister, but continued to write during his pastorate. His work, 'Act and Being' was an exploration of the theology of action, including God's action in the world, and the theology of ontology, of being. After this work, Bonhoeffer spent time in America, at Union seminary in New York City, and developed there the beginnings of a theology of scripture and the Word. Back in Germany prior to the advent of the Nazi era (a period of relative political freedom in Germany), he worked on Christological issues. Bonhoeffer became the first Evangelical theologian to attack the Nazi's repressive policies. Was Bonhoeffer thinking that the freedom of expression that had come to be taken for granted in Germany would still exist under the Nazi regime?

In what is arguably Bonhoeffer's most important work, 'The Cost of Discipleship', he argues against ideas such as cheap grace and doctrines of justification by faith that permit passive acceptance of evil policies and conditions in the world. Using the Sermon on the Mount as one example, he argues that the actions of discipleship are part of the grace bestowed, not in a works-righteousness manner, but nonetheless a requirement against what today we might term 'warm fuzzy feeling' theology.

de Gruchy looks at several key areas of Bonhoeffer's work in the selected texts. The first section draws extensively from his doctoral dissertation, 'Sanctorum Communio', and his book 'Act and Being'. The other sections draw liberally on his other works as they relate to the topics at hand: Christology, the Confessing Church, Life of Free Responsibility, and finally, some of his last works from prison. de Gruchy speculates a bit on what a 'mature' Bonhoeffer who had lived might have looked like. He also includes a brief annotated listing of some key works that have been significantly influenced by Bonhoeffer's work.

Each volume in this series also has a selected bibliography section -- this one for Bonhoeffer is divided into works by Bonhoeffer (primary sources in English), works about Bonhoeffer (secondary sources in English), and includes a text of larger bibliographic references. The book also has several indexes -- a place and subject index, and a names index. This is a very good book for scholarship. The translations of the works from the original German is new, preserving some of the language uses (masculine pronouns for God) while modifying others (gender neutral translations for terms such as Mensch, Menschen).

DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED, by Travis Collins, is exceptionally well-written and thought-provoking. Written by a highly talented minister, to Christians, on how to find and follow God's will for our lives, it is one of the rare Christian books that transcends its purpose and targeted readership; the deep insights in it are valuable for all people, in all walks of life, regardless of religious convictions or lack thereof. The insights are presented in fascinating ways: sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always succinct, and unfailingly in a manner that reaches the reader. In reading this book, one feels that he/she is carrying on a mental conversation with its author: a witty, give-and-take, refreshingly honest conversation. DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED exhibits an unusual undersanding of the human mind and human condition, and is also fun to read--there's the mental conversation aspect, and also a deftness, a word-play, a lightness, and a joy that makes one finish reading it with a sense of "Hey, is this all?" On page 38 the author says, "Hearing and confirming the voice of God is not without its mystery." To read this book is to explore that mystery and the mystery of human life with a warm, generous, Christ-oriented, open-minded friend walking beside one.

Travis Collins has written a practical guide to determining God's purpose for one's life. This book follows in the tradition of Blackaby and King (Experiencing God). The application goes beyond the individual level inplied by the subtitle, to the corporate level for the family, as well as the church community. Collins has well supported his thesis both scripturally and from practical experience. I particularly like the rich metaphors he provides throughout the book ("These will preach"). I also appreciate that Collins does not gloss over the difficulties/challenges that are inevitable in such a search, but rather presents a balance between realism and encouragement. Of particular interest was the acknowledgment of the need for the community in the discernment process ("Observation by others"). This is much needed and most helpful in our individualistic society.

I found this to be a really interesting book about an important, and I think, little known subject. I had heard a bit about world heritage sites but I wasn't really sure what they were. The book is very well-organized and easy to read. For each of the 100 sites presented, there is a small map to show us where it is located, as well as several photographs that both give a sense of the value of the location, as well as the threats it is facing. Because of all of the photos, it is a wonderful coffee table book that is not only interesting to look at but also has some substance. I received it as a gift and am planning to buy copies for friends. People who care about preserving places of cultural/historic importance or who simply love natural beauty are bound to appreciate the chance to learn more.

This collection of pictures of 101 World Heritage sites opened my eyes to many sites, both known to me and new to me. It's inspiring and awe-producing, a splendid graduation gift for someone about to enter the world we want to save.

Other books may have more well known authors but this book is one of the best available on the topic. I say this as a physician assistant (PA) of 18 years experience and with 7 years of personal and professional experience dealing with menopausal and peri-menopausal issues.

I recommend this book daily to my patients. I also highly recommend this book to any health professional who wants to learn about natural approaches to menopause as well as the use of bio-identical hormones.

The author, Dr. Joe Collins, a naturopath, is a credit to the healing profession. He knows his topic inside and out and writes in a clear, reader-friendly manner. Not a lot of filler in this book.

Collins takes the reader through a comprehensive approach to peri-menopause and menopause, starting with nutrition and diet, and moving onto herbs, homeopathic remedies, glandulars, and finally bio-identical hormones. He has a great questionaire that helps a women figure out her areas of hormonal deficiencies and strengths.

This book will provide the reader an excellent education regarding the pros and cons of synthetic vs. bio-identical hormones. Dr. Collins helps the reader to understand all the variations of menopausal symptoms and treatments. Althought this book is aimed at the layperson, I promise physicians who read this book that they will learn much they didn't know.

This book is excellently researched, referenced and indexed, with bonus appendices lavishing even more details about each hormone.

Thank you Dr. Collins for this top notch contribution to the well being of all women going through menopause.

Anne Walch, MHS, PA-C[...]

I cannot praise this book highly enough for covering all the possible ways this transition can go awry and how women can be treated on an individual basis according to their needs as opposed to the "one size fits all" regimen offered by many doctors. I am not a physician's assistant and I refer you to the fine review provided by one below. I am just a woman who has been "mis" treated in the past and suffered from the terrible side effects of such. I am thrilled to find a book that can enlighten and empower women to seek the proper treatment for their particular menopausal imbalance. YOU GO, JOE!

This book has been re-printed.

New ISBN is 1903464706

This short autobiographical account of an Irish doctor's World War II experiences is so riveting that I stayed up way too late to finish it. Dr. MacCarthy served in Europe and was then shipped out to the Asian theatre where he endured the unthinkable. The most striking things I took away from this book is how strong human beings can be in the face of terrible events and how good can triumph within each of us. As the preface said, if you went to a movie and saw all the things portrayed which Dr. McCarthy lived through, you'd think it too far-fetched to be true.

I bought this book because I am a doll collector and I have two beautiful granddaughters (5.5 yrs and 4 yrs)that I play dolls with regularly. This is the perfect book for quiet times. It is short enough to hold the interest of the older child, who doesn't sit still long, and the art work is so beautiful, which has held the attention of the younger child. The younger child is a true, blue doll lover and this story seems to have really touched her heart. It is always the first book she chooses to have read to her. As an adult, I am riveted by the art work and a simple story that says so much about how to treat others. To put it simply - I LOVE THIS BOOK!!

This is the story of a special lady who knew a secret truth ? you learn how to treat others when you are young. If you are shown love and respect as a child, you will know how to be loving and caring as you grow older. That simple truth is why she spent her life making dolls to give to children. She always told each child to treat their dolls kindly and with great love, because dolls are just like people. Nothing made the Doll Lady happier than to watch a child gently holding one of her dolls or singing a lullaby while rocking it to sleep.

Every doll the Doll Lady made was different, and she made them different for a reason ? because people are different, and all people (just like her dolls) are beautiful in their own way. Each of her dolls had its own personality and disposition and was remarkable in its own right. No two were the same. Some had chubby cheeks, some had freckles, some were yawning, and some were quite delicate. The unmistakable message the Doll Lady was imparting was this: "Take very special care of your dolls, for dolls are just like people. They need to be well loved, held tenderly, and always respected for their uniqueness."

Judy Kuusisto?s illustrations in this book remind me of confections. Their colors are as soft as the dolls they portray, and they visually describe the Doll Lady making her dolls and giving them to children. She has also included a hard page in the back of the book that holds a paper doll and its clothes! What child could resist that? After reading this book my grandchildren had already fallen in love with the story and pictures, but when they saw the paper doll they were transfixed with surprise and their satisfaction was complete.

***** What better message could be sent to a child than one of inherent, deep-seated love and understanding for all people everywhere? Illumination Arts is the publishing company to watch for acclaimed children?s books. I highly recommend The Doll Lady as extraordinary reading. *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson

Dr. Gruber presents a simplication of analogies, comprehension passage reading clues, and host of other strategies that make test preparation not so daunting. I hope he will write a revised edition so I can help my son to prepare for the ISEE test that he plans to take in two years.

After using other books by Dr. Gruber, I had purchased this one for my nephew who is in 7th grade. He reported back to me that after using the book, his test scores were in the 90 to 100 range after being a "D" student before. I then got another copy of the book and reading through the book, I realized that this book's great material is so well thought out, developed, and presented, no wonder it wouldn't make one a super test taker or thinker.