Cross Books

Moltmann provides an exemplary discussion and analysis of the event of the crucifixion. This book serves as an important building block in a theological education and in a strong Christian foundation. The writing is eloquent, readable, resourceful and pointedly provocative at times.

The main theme is that Jesus Christ Crucified is the central self-revelation of the Trinity to man. It is the starting point for any person's relationship with God. It reveals the suffering love of God--the Trinity. It is not only the suffering, forsakenness and abandonment of God but is also the glory of God revealed.

The message of the book is not a popular one in Christian culture or in any culture for that matter. It negates any theology of glory or any hope in humanism and rather shows the suffering and death of God as humanity's only hope for salvation and life.

Moltmann trolls a vast array of sources to convey perspectives of the topics of the book. Some he disagrees with and others support his themes. The arguments he makes are cogent and lucid and often reference Scriptures and scholars.

Moltman writes in the introduction, "Today the church and theology must turn to the crucified Christ in order to show the world the freedom he offers." This is as true today as when written. Only through the cross, as Moltmann explains, can the Christian church demonstrate or worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth. In this book, Moltmann shines a light on the path of orthodox Christian faith. The principles of the book are not abstract but solid measures that inform a life lived after the image of Christ. The Crucified God is a great help to loving the Lord and one's neighbor.

There are two concluding chapters on psychological liberation and political liberation that I did not find helpful; however, they seem to appear more as addendums than continuations of the main themes of the book. The book would be complete without them.

I also think Moltmann could have elaborated and clarified more on the Holy Spirit's presence in the suffering of Christ. He addresses the role of the Spirit but not in as much depth as I would have appreciated.

THE CRUCIFIED GOD brings the question of "Who is God in the cross of Christ who is abandonned by God?" to the center of Christian theology in the 21st century. It is a complex exposition of historical interpretations of the Crucifixion and posits an active God who came into the world in man's historical time through the incarnation and continues to dwell with man and his sufferings in our present historical time. For Moltmann man's time is God's time and vice versa. Moltmann sees hope for the concern of mankind turning toward suffering man through a modern understanding of the Crucifixion and Resurrection taken as a reality of our contemporary lives. The communal shared remembrance of the Crucifixion gives way to communal shared hope of the Resurrection in the acknowledgement of personal responsability in the sufferings of mankind. Moltmann is sensitive to the need to recapture the Judaic background of Christianity in modern Christian theology and offers an interesting perspective on this subject.

Moltmann wrote the Crucified God (1974, English translation) in reaction to certain (specifically N. American) misunderstandings of his earlier work, Theology of Hope (1965). Moltmann's chief concern in The Crucified God was to rescue the hope of the resurrection from any confusion with the officially optimistic culture of modern capitalist society. He does this by reminding his audience that it is only the one who is "unsuccessful" and who suffers with the victims of so-called "success" and "power" that is raised by God at the end. Moltmann's treatment of the cross, therefore, is a plea for Christians to enter into the suffering that God has already entered into, and not remain passive or complacent as outside, "objective" (i.e., apathetic) observers of the human condition. If God does not remain above the plane of history dispassionately observing the suffering of the Son on the cross, but is radically "in Christ," involved in and affected by that suffering (God loses an only child!), then we too (as followers of God) must enter into the suffering of our victims (Holocaust, Third World poverty, etc.). In this respect, the cross becomes the critique ALL utopian dreams (socialist, capitalist, facist alike). Resurrection hope is hope for the hopeless, for the crucified ones of this world.

Moltmann has not only boldly reformulated Luther's "Theology of the Cross," but has, in the process, also made an enduring contribution to Political and Liberation Theology.

This book is more than just good academic theology, it's also life changing. Moltmann's account of a God who suffers with His creation, even to the point of experiencing death itself, was the single most important thing that restored the excitement to my Christian faith and solidified my decision to dedicate myself to the study of theology. It's dense reading at times, but it's also poetic and magical; truly one of the deepest devotional works I've ever read.

Theology begins with and is evaluated on the basis of the cross. All thought about God, philosophy, psychology, politics must begin with the cross or be misdirected. It is in the event of the gruesome cross, unpampered and unhidden by flowers that we see the god-forsaken God suffering and dying. In this event the Triune God is defined: not as all powerful pharaoh or caesar apathetic and unable to feel pain (and thus love) but one who emptied Himself and took on our abandonment - a God who is love. In so doing the cross secondly tells us about our solution. The cure for humanity is not in becoming divine but seeing ourselves as who we are: abandoned, godforsaken, thus one with Him who cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" As a result to rise with Him to new life and reach the fullness of our humanity. A fullness expressed in liberation from the legalism of the law which penetrates all the dimensions of our life including the pyschological and political. Specifically to bring God's future now beginning in Jesus (the Kingdom expressed as freedom) into our present reality by granting liberty to the oppressed.

This is story of a simple and devoted Carmelite nun. It is a wonderful story that not only gives biographical information it also incorporates a lot of Edith Stein's (Saint Teresa Benedicta a Cruce (Latin)personal philosophy and her feelings on femininism in society. It also shares her exceptional faith and devotion to God, even in the face of death. The book tells of her life, her entry into the Carmelite cloister and then her death in the Nazi camp, Auschwitz, Poland. It is a truly inspiraional and beautifully written book of one woman's courage and devotion.

I really like how this author has woven a story out of the several strands - of Edith's own writings - of others who have written about her - of the history of the Jews in Germany - and of the life and times of Adolf Hitler as it affected Edith's life and that of millions of Jews and Christians. The author has braided together some wonderful connections that set Edith's life in the context of her times and of our times. I found special joy in these connections because I have read almost all of the sources - primary and secondary - separately - and it is good to see them woven together with spiritual meanings. This book now holds a place of prominece on my Edith Stein shelf of books.

Maria Scaperlanda's book on Edith Stein provides those unfamilar with this fascinating, modern Saint with a great introduction to her life and thought. The reader will be able to follow Edith Stein on her passionate life journey, sustained by her desire to find truth, first pursued in philosophy and finally completed in her embrace of Catholicism and life as a contemplative, Carmelite religious. Although there are various books about Edith Stein on the market, Maria Scaperlanda's work is the best work to provide the reader with an introduction to Edith Stein and guide the reader on to further works on the Saint with an excellent bibliography. Edith Stein's life and work should be studied by all those who seek meaning and truth (not only Catholics), especially in our current post-modern, relativistic culture that so vehemently denies absolute truth. This book is also an excellent choice as spiritual reading for Christians desiring to study the life of a contemporary Saint.

This is an easy to read beginners biography on Edith Stein: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. It tells her life story and how she freely offered herself for the conversion of others. She grew up Jewish and became Catholic after searching for the truth, and then finally coming across the truth, when she read St. Teresa of Avila's Autobiography. You will truly come to know Edith Stein and feel close to her after reading this book.

This book is a wonderful introduction to the life of Catholic and Jewish martyr, philosopher, professor, nun, feminist, and saint who died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz. Scaperlanda does a great job of introducing the reader to her philosophy, personality, background, and amazing faith. If you enjoy this book, I reccomend "Knowledge and Faith" and "Life in a Jewish Family", both by Edith Stein.

This wonderful book about healing and discovery should not be missed. It's incredibly well crafted. The story is fascinating, painful and uplifting.

Mary Mason, a critically acclaimed author and professor of English Literature bravely examines her own life to give an honest and revealing look at how our culture treats disabilities in particular women with disabilities.

I was completely engaged by this compelling story of this little girl growing up in the thirties with polio who overcame this incredible obstacle in addition to other tragedies to achieve success.

This book is an inspiration not only for women with disabilities but for all women. It examines the struggles we all face with tough odds to beat.

I highly reccommend it. It will touch you deeply.

This memoir is an inspiring insight into the personal life of a successful professor of English literature at a woman's college in Boston.

We gradually discover that her cheerful outward appearance at times masks a deep and profound private pain. The revelations in this book make it a spellbinding read.

Mason's account of her extraordinarily rich and productive life--traveler, educator, writer as well as wife and mother--makes us question our conventional response to what constitutes a "disability." Despite her inability to walk without crutches, Mason covered more ground than many able-bodied contemporaries. The book is a revelation and inspiration.

The author tells a compelling story of life growing up female and disabled. We read a straightforward account of a child growing up in an era when women were supposed to marry and have children first and if necessary work to help support the family. As a disabled woman, there were no expectations that one could attract a man, physically give birth, raise children, or work in any meaningful way. Mary Mason did all of those things but nowhere in this book does she claim to be a superwoman. She moves through her life making choices, and as a scholar, reviewing them over time and finding her way to a truer sense of self. Her feminist beliefs are unimpeachable. Her move toward an understanding of her place in the turbulent world of the disability movement is honest: feminism came first and more easily in both a personal and political way. The movement toward a place in the world as a disabled person required more thought and analysis because there were fewer contemporaries with whom she could share her stories as a young woman. This book is a welcome addition to the genre of memoirs, but it in no way is a familiar story. It is news, and important news about the experience of living at the intersection of the feminist and disability movements at a time when both political bodies are in flux. You will not be bored by rhetoric though you will be challenged by Mason's manner of analyzing her family life, her work life, and her intellectual life, while staying true to her desire to tell her own personal story.

Life Prints: A Memoir Of Healing And Discovery is the story of Mary Grimley, who at the age of 6 years became America's first "poster child", dining with President Roosevelt at the Warm Springs rehabilitation center and posing in her wheelchair for publicity shots. Mary went on to became a remarkable scholar in the 1950s and 60s, refusing to focus on her disability and making herself a part of the revolution of ideas. Mason has spent her life struggling against the common cultural prejudice against disabled people, including the sexism of mentors, friends, family, and even herself. It was only after many years of physical therapy and social isolation, that she could emerge from the social and psychological handicaps imposed upon her because of her physical disability to embrace feminism, discover her life's work, and come to terms with herself. Life Prints is a candid, revealing, informative, and exceptionally well written autobiography that is highly recommended for women's studies and disability issues reading lists.

The author sets out to offer a comprehensive guide to the highlights of skiing and snowboarding the Mid Atlantic. He succeeds thoroughly, presenting the right info in a highly readable, yet matter of fact style. Packed with tons of useful data and pointers, the book is hard to put down, yet easy enough to throw into a backpack or dufflebag before hitting the slopes. A must have for the Eastern winter sportsman.

This book is the best I've found. I ski at every opportunity and this book is chock full of good insight into every ski slope in the mid-atlantic area. I leave it in the car for whenever the ski bug bites and have given it to friends and family too. It's a great stocking stuffer.

The Mid-Atlantic Winter Sports and Ski guide is one of the most thorough and informative guidebooks for East Coast Skiers I've seen. John does a fantastic job highlighting each resort and offering suggests of what's good and what's not.

Who says there's no skiing in the Mid-Atlantic??? Read this book!!!!

Living in Florida, we don't have much in the way of guidance for snowboarding. After discovering this book, I found great advice and tips for snowboarding without having to travel to the Rockies. I recommend this book to all snowboarders on the East coast from Maine to Miami!

I recently planned a ski trip and was so thankful to have the Mid-Atlantic Winter Sports Guide at my fingertips to give the information I needed. It is a wonderful, informative guide, an excellent resource to have on hand.

This is one of the most realistic war books I have ever read. Riker's writing made it clear that the SEALs were indeed the elite fighting force in Vietnam and he also showed you how the SEALs in one big family, which helped to make this book seem real.

I too have read and own all all of the books in this series and fully agree with the previous reviewers-this is good reading for anyone interestted in the SEALS and are looking for more books about the SEALS. These books make an excellent additon to the more commonly known series of the SEALS written by Richard Marcinko (the Rogue Warrior). I look forward to each book in the series Riker publishes.

Talk about realstic!!! This was probably true.. but still, I reccomnd it to anyone who studies/ likes the Vietnam War. I personally love this book becasue the medal on the front is my favorite and, is also one of the hardest to get. 4 people get the medal in the whole book.... SEALS ( SEa, Air and Land)!!!

I have read all of the books in this series and this book along with the others is fantastic. Not only does the reader get a gritty look at what it was like to be a SEAL in the Vietnam era but also what kind of men did the job. You actually get a look at SEAL lives outside of the jungle giving you a chance to know the men. Action and Navy life all in one. A great read for those wanting to know how it was to be a SEAL then and a great read for SEALS of the future. Awesome book and a awesome series!!!

Though this is book 4 of the series, it is the first one I have read. It was lent to me by a friend, and I am HOOKED. H. Jay Riker does a terrific job of telling it like it really was. I felt as though I was in the jungles of Vietnam right alongside these guys, and halfway through the book, that's just where I wanted to be. The characters are well developed, and the setting is described to perfection, so well in fact, that I almost smelled "nuoc mam"! Many thanks go out to this most terrific author for taking me on a journey I won't ever regret. I can't wait to read the other 3!

I truly enjoy and appreciate this particular translation of the Bible. However, I would hope that anyone seriously considering which Bible they should choose would speak with a trusted and knowledgeable friend or clergy member, rather than depending on Amazon.com reviews. If that is not possible, I strongly recommend this version or the New Living Translation. Both are very readable and diligently translated.

The size of this particular publication is perfect. I like smaller Bibles because they fit well in my purse so that I can take them anywhere. This one fits the bill well. The paper quality is higher than most "compact editions" I've come across lately, as well.

Just a quick fyi - this version is an Anglicized translation of the NRSV - that is, British English. This might annoy some people.

This is a great version of the Bible and it is very compact and easy-to-read. I took a copy of this Bible on a recent trip and found that it was the perfect size for traveling. Smaller versions would tend to be much more difficult to read.

Though it's not stated on the cover of this Bible, it is the Anglicized Edition. I don't mind, but I didn't realize it until my order was delivered and I had actually opened to the title page. (This refers to the paperback edition.)

The New Revised Standard version offers an accurate, while easy to read & understand translation. The Apocryphal books are in the center of the book and offer interesting stories from the lives of characters in biblical times. One thing I especially like is the size of this bible. It is small enough to fit comfortably in your hands. The print is small, but not difficult to read. The weight of the pages is good, not flimsy tissue paper. The black imitation leather cover is attractive and durable. This bible is a good value.

A story about two novice sailors building a boat and sailing across the Atlantic Ocean is interesting. When you consider that these sailors undertook this journey with the physical limitations they had, the story becomes amazing. Even though I know nothing about sailing, the author wrote with such humor and intelligence that I was kept enthralled through the entire book.

Once I started reading, I didn't put it down until I had finished it. This is a truly wonderful book that left me feeling inspired and ready to do whatever it takes to reach my goals.

Thank you Liz and Pete for sharing your wonderful story!

From www.creativewordco.com

We all can get bogged down in our shortcomings and faults and then begin to mentally--and physically shut down. When this happens, I like to read about people like Pete and Liz Fordred--then I begin to remember that "impossible" and "possible" are states of mind. I met them last weekend (10/18/03) at the "Abilities Expo" while researching options for an exciting project for paraplegics called Eaglewings. ed.

Don't say, "You can't" to Liz Fordred, or her husband Pete. Paralyzed in her teens, Liz met Pete Fordred through her work at the same Rhodesian hospital where she had been nursed back to life. Pete was in a rollover at age 19, and some thought his career as an electrician would be over. Not Pete, and not Liz. Shortly after they were married, they hit upon an idea: Why not build a sailboat? Why not learn to sail? And why not sail the boat across the Atlantic?"

Many people thought they were daft and told them so. (There were no wheelchair ramps, let alone awareness of paraplegics' true capabilities in the late 70s in landlocked Rhodesia, which later became Zimbabwe.) With their families' amazing support, they built a boat from a concrete form in a huge hole in Mum's flower bed. The amazing couple worked day jobs and built every square inch of their boat at night and on weekends, using borrowed tools and improvized parts.

The part that amazed me in the detailed and often humorous narrative is the sheer willpower it takes to haul, grind, position, and weld heavy parts with only a wheelchair or arms for mobility. Moreover, the fiercest obstacles they overcame were not debt, bureaucracy, illness, lack of experience, or tropical storms. It was doubt and derision. Yet they overcame all these--especially the last, with wit and a will to show that disability is only the state of mind of those who think the disabled cannot do what others can. Read Liz's book--it will strengthen your resolve to cross the Ocean only you know you must cross.

(For more inspiration, learn about one paraplegic man's amazing invention, "Eaglewings," which allows paralyzed people the ability to traverse long distances with a handcycle that attaches to one's wheelchair. With no need to transfer to a separate vehicle, bruises leading to pressure sores are eliminated.

I am a bit biased as I have known Pete and Liz since 1988. I lived next to them in a sailboat at the same dock from 1988 through 1991. I watched them work hard and raise their daughter, Jane. They were always humble and hard working and fun to be around!!!
Reading the book (Liz FINALLY wrote it!!!) showed me parts of their personalities I never got to see as their neighbors!!! I visited them after reading the book and also re-visited the boat, "Usikusiku" who would love to have a new owner(s) take her out once again!!!
Truly a finely written autobiography from a great couple and Jane who is 16 years old by now!!! (I think!!!)
They are still as hard working and humble as they were in 1988, you would never know their story unless you read the book!!! As you would see from the book, they had (and still have!!!) a great sense of humor, some of which is known only to them!!!
ENJOY!!!! then...... pass it on!!!!!

Dear Reader, I first met Liz and Pete Fordred just after they had completed their epic journey across the North and South Atlantic Oceans to America as told in her book: An Ocean to Cross. You couldn't meet two finer, capable people with a great story to tell! Liz personally taught me celestial navigation as well as (Pete) rebuilding the engine on my sailboat ( a center cockpit ketch) in Fort Lauderdale! I've personally been on their boat, the Usikusiku [Say:'U-see-ku;see-ku'(dawn's light) They are adventures, marine architects, builders, sailors, and now Liz adds 'writer' to her many talents. If you are looking for adventure and inspiration wrapped up in a real life story, then get comfortable in you armchair and listen as a master mariner tell how (extra)ordinary people become quiet heroes....two if by sea... ...with grace and a touch of class... Sincerely, Phil Foley, Altus, America

Seller was accurate in their description and very quick in completing the order. I'd highly recommend this seller and I will look at this seller for future purchases.

It was very interesting to read technical explanations for tennis realities... Since the book is filled with obtuse scientific concepts such as Vertical Angular Acceptance, Coefficient of Restitution, etc., most readers may find the material difficult. I've summarized some of the finer points from the book at my blog site:

http://www.sokol-blog.com/

This is an excellent book that dismisses many myths regarding tennis equipment. The three coauthors include two physicists and one tennis pro. They are all avid tennis players. They also have incredibly investigative minds. The book consists of about 40 different articles covering many different technical subjects regarding stroke mechanics, ball bounce, racquets, and strings. All these articles represent serious investigation and research from a physicist standpoint. These articles stand on their own independently. As a result, you do not need to read them in sequential order. You also don't need to read them all to extract the information you care about. For my part, I skipped some of the articles on the physics of ball bounce, but was very interested on all the articles regarding strings and racquets properties. Depending on your own personal interest, you may read or focus on different sets of articles. Given the rather dry subject, the writing style of the authors make the information easy to digest.

Contrary to what players believe, racquets have very similar power. Strings, regardless of tension and type have also very similar power. But, different strings can feel very different based on their respective stiffness. Gut and high quality nylon strings feel soft because they are relatively flexible. Kevlar does not feel so good, because they are the stiffest strings.

According to the authors, the pros don't use any of the high-tech latest models, including oversize, and widebody frames. They use older models customized with lead tape to add swingweight. Oversize racquets are not maneuverable enough at their playing speed.

The authors state throughout the book that racquets that are stiff strung at low tension feel better. A stiff racquet vibrates less. Its vibrations have a faster frequency. The ball sits longer on low tension strings than the fast vibration of a stiff racquet. As a result, both string and frame vibrations are dampened by the longer impact time of the ball. Thus, the least amount of vibration occurs in stiff racquets strung at low tension.

The book has a whole lot more of interesting information about tennis than I share in the above paragraphs. If you love the game, and are somewhat of a quantitative type, you will love this book.

This is an excellent review of every conceivable aspect of tennis and the colliding forces on the ball. It covers frames, spin, deceleration... about the only thing I can think of that was not covered was differences in altitude and high altitude vs. regular tennis balls. Mathematical formulas are provided throughout describing the physical phenomenon that is being explored. I loved the section of the rate of deceleration of the ball, which helped me to understand why my serves seemed to be quite fast, but only registered 95-100 mph at the net. This was good stuff!

My review did not earn 5 stars because the book is a little bit dated in terms of current racquet choices, and because it appears that a little bit of material is redundant from chapter to chapter, and I wonder if this could be either justified or eliminated in a subsequent edition.

If you have ever wondered if a coach/friend was giving you factual information about your game, read this book!

Simply put... this beautiful book is the best book on the technology of tennis and should be read by every MANUFACTURER of tennis gear, as well as those serious about increasing every aspect of their game! This is well written, beautifully designed and packed with information that any tennis player will enjoy and benefit from!

My daughter found this book at the library, and we HAD to buy one to keep! Where else but Amazon could we get such a treasure, hardcover, for under $2????

The thing I like best about this book is the way the designs are organized. There are multiple items under each category (like animals or professions or vehicles or household items, etc.) It is simple to find ideas to personalize a project for anyone. We were able to easily use the designs and even modify them a bit to match the person we were sewing for (like changing the color of the uniform and adding a beard to depict my mailman husband...)

Jo Verso was one of my favorite designers. When she wrote a book for beginners, you could rest assured that you would be able to understand and follow her directions even if you'd never picked up a needle and aida or linen. I was devastated to hear that she'd been killed in an auto accident a few years ago. What a true loss to the stitching world!

This book is a wonderful reference. It will help anyone wanting to learn how to design and stitch cross-stitch. It goes from basic reference and teaching to relatively advanced design ideas. Jo Verso writes in a friendly, accessible style, as if you had a good friend sitting at your elbow, helping you along. The illustrations are clear and will help you see the mistakes in your stitching, to correct them and become better. The design ideas will encourage you even further than you thought you could go! I have designed several personalized samplers and designs for family and friends based on this book. Along with Erica Wilson's books, this is indispensible for any needleworker; unfortunately, many of Miss Wilson's books are out of print, but this one's not!

Every cross-stitcher should have this! It's a collection of small bits that can be combined, along with ideas on design.

Any hobbies your friends or family members have, you can find examples of here. I have made several wedding samplers by combining interests of the bride and groom. Any kind of pet at all - including snakes, goldfish, guinea pigs, and parakeets. Gilbert and Sullivan characters, and other drama motifs. People in general - examples of males and females, boys and girls, elderly people, people in wheelchairs, people with every kind of professional equipment you can think of. Classical music motifs, musical instruments. Different kinds of windows, doors, walls, and roofs so you can do a house that looks like yours, or the person's you are making the sampler for. Every kind of flower and vegetable commonly grown in home gardens. All the woodland creatures, trees, etc. for surrounding scenery. Flags for many nationalities. An astronaut.

Are you getting an idea of the variety in this book? I haven't mentioned a tenth of it!!

Some of the examples of samplers include ones she made for Prince Charles' and Diana's wedding; one for an elaborate garden with the appropriate quote from "Candide," several house-based samplers, and sample birthday and anniversary cards.

Grandfather clocks, peach-faced lovebirds, bee hives, violins, and oak leaves are among my favorites, that I have used in more than one piece.

Warning: once you buy this book, you will have so many ideas, you won't get anything else done for a while. If you get started right this very minute, you might even finish them all before the NEXT century!!

Jo Verso has patterns for a variety of modern-life figures in a distinctive and quirky style. The people look like cheerful little Lego people, and they can be put together in any combination.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Gillian Cross tells a great story through the eyes of Charlie, a student with a love for photography. One day he takes a startling picture and many things begin to unravel. He meets Peter Lutrell, a boy whom all of the children are afraid of. Charlie learns of the struggles Peter faces and learns to understand the differences of others. If you love to read, you will love this book as much as I did.

I thought this book was awesome. It depicts a whole new way of escaping from this world.....becoming an otter! Definately read this book!

What an awesome book. Cross keeps you completely hooked until the last page. The descriptions of the charcters are so vivid and unique. Also, the suprise ending was just wonderful!! An excellent book for anyone. (I finished it in two days).

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Gillian Cross tells a great story through the eyes of Charlie, a student with a love for photography. One day he takes a startling picture and many things begin to unravel. He meets Peter Lutrell, a boy whom all of the children are afraid of. Charlie learns of the struggles Peter faces and learns to understand the differences of others. If you love to read, you will love this book as much as I did.

The photogenic front cover of "Pictures in the Dark" was what caught my eye and made me buy the book. The story is just as good, about a young English boy named Charlie Willcox who befriends two misfit siblings at his school: Jennifer and Peter Luttrell. Of the two, Peter is the most bullied, not only at school (Charlie's cousin, Zoe, is among the bullies), but at home as well. The main reason why the kids harass him so much is because they believe he has supernatural powers, that he can harm other people just by giving them the "Evil Eye." This barrage of abuse inflicted on Peter from all sides made the book a bit depressing and dark, and I will have to say, the ending didn't exactly satisfy me in regard to Peter.

It's difficult to label this book, because it's not exactly horror, suspense, or fantasy, even though the tagline on the front cover ("Something terrifying is coming into focus....") leads the reader to believe otherwise. It does almost have a vampire quality to it at times, i.e., when Peter bites Charlie, then Charlie seems to change; but I guess that was more of the animal behavior coming out in Peter than any supernatural means.

"Pictures in the Dark" might be a little too complex for younger readers, particularly the ending, so I'd probably recommend this book to more advanced teen readers. Some of the British vocabulary may be a bit troublesome, too, such as conker (horse chestnut) and torch (flashlight), just to name a few. But, overall, I thought "Pictures in the Dark" was well written, brisk, and vivid--though slightly strange. This book is certainly worth reading if you're into photography, since the protagonist (Charlie) is very much into this hobby and uses it skillfully throughout the book to relate to Peter and the otter both boys share a unique bond with.