Cross Books

Runner and author (and Episcopal seminarian) Roger Joslin offers a creative, non-dogmatic approach to integrating one's spiritual life with running, blending the physical with the metaphysical in a convincing way. His commentary is interspersed with diary journal entries that lays bare some of his own personal demons.

"Running the Spiritual Path" is a thoughtful book that offers a different take on "multi-tasking." Joslin's aim here though is not to be "productive" or to save time, but to use physical activity as a phase of mindfulness that can put us in touch with God and help us connect with our Creator.

I literally had this book on my "To Be Read" shelf for years before finally getting around to reading it. It is an unpretentious gem.

A book that exhibits a humble approach and delivers unintentional profundities.

The personal view into Roger Joslin's life added new life to my running. In this world of ego goals this book has the power to inject a positive new dimension to running and training. I thoroughly enjoyed savoring this book.

Extremely interesting. Completely different than any other running book. For those who are interested into the spiritual side of running a must have.

As a mountain biker interested in the spiritual connections associated with my favorite activity, I was intrigued from the outset upon learning that there was a new book out that explored the meditative and spiritual aspects of running. "Running The Spiritual Path" by Roger D. Joslin is highly recommended to anyone who has ever happened along on his or her own path and felt any kind of spiritual pull and might wish to develop it further. This book can help you to go beyond traditional ways of communication with your creator. By using your breath and other methods explored by the author you may very well develop and heighten your own spiritual senses, a most rewarding goal. Personally, I believe that this breakthrough book is tangible evidence of the ongoing process of a kind of spiritual evolution finally being recognized in the world today. Pick up this book and run with it! You'll end up much farther along than the trailhead from where you usually start your own run.

Austin-based Roger Joslin has written an excellent book for runners who want to bring a new and deeply spiritual dimension not only to their running but to their lives as a whole. My copy is dog-eared, highlighted and annotated to a fare-thee-well. It's a great book.

Although Joslin is an Episcopalian, he brings a number of different spiritual disciplines to the task of "connecting" with (as he calls it) "the Transcendent," the "One" - i.e., God by any other name. Drawing on various practices and techniques of Buddhist meditation, Eastern Orthodox and Islamic chant and prayer, (Western) Christian contemplative practice, Joslin weaves together a practical approach to meditation "on the run" that any spiritually-minded person (even if you're not spiritual in a formal, religious way) can adapt to his or her running program. He breaks runs (especially "out and back" runs) into "stages" that help you prepare for a meditative run, get you into a calm and aware meditative state during the run, and help you extend and enhance the physical and spiritual blessings of a meditative run during cool down when the "running" portion is finished. He draws chiefly on his own experiences, observations and learning, and includes a number of extended passages from his journal that I thought were both interesting and motivating, especially his accounts of runs in New Mexico and rural Texas. Meditative running doesn't shut you off from your surroundings; as Joslin explains (and he's right, in my experience), you connect more to the place and the moment and to a deeper appreciation of your body as you propel yourself through space and time.

If you're looking for a book that will add a new dimension to your running, and that may, perhaps help you realize a deeper and closer relationship with God (assuming you believe in a Supreme Being), "Running the Spiritual Path" will inspire and challenge you.

On the other hand, if you're looking for yet another training manual that will help you run more competitively (faster, farther, longer), don't waste your money. If you're an atheist, an agnostic, a non-deist, or Christopher Hitchens, don't waste your money. If reflections on spirituality, and particularly, Christian spirituality make you uncomfortable, don't waste your money. Likewise, if you're a Christian fundamentalist, you will probably be put off by Joslin's inclusion of prayer and meditation practices from non-Christian paths and any characterization of God as other than the Trinity.

Finally, you might want to read the following books, either as an entrée to Joslin's book or in conjunction with it because they will help you appreciate the "spiritual building blocks" Joslin brings to the subject: Thich Nhat Han's "The Miracle of Mindfulness"; Jon Kabat-Zinn's "Wherever you Go, There You Are"; (Father) Thomas Merton's "New Seeds of Contemplation"; "The Essential Rumi," edited and translated by Coleman Barks; and the Russian classic, "The Way of a Pilgrim" (any recent translation will do). Oh, and don't forget the Bible.

Many people start to run because they want to get in a better shape. This book teaches your mind to get in a better shape too. You learn to focus in a new way and you are able to concentrate much better. Your mind learns not to wander so much and stay within the race. I have used the exercises in the book for my preparation of the Boston Marathon which I finished, despite running with an injury, with a new personal best by more than two minutes. I recalled the learned exercises during my preparation in the race and was even able to float up heartbreak hill without considerably more effort. I wonder how I would have raced hadn't I been hindered by a nagging hamstring injury.

New to running, and inspired by a commitment to my first triathlon (Danskin), I borrowed this book from the library. Needless to say, I quickly had to own my own copy. The inspiring words danced in my head and filled my soul with belief of dreams not yet realized. A recommendation to anyone who so much as "cares" about their health and the quality of their life. A part-time instructor of "spinning" classes I found these words of wisdom crossing over into my classes, filling me wtih motivation, which in turn motivates my students. This book raises the ceiling on your limits and reconfirms your potential is ...endless.

I started reading this book 2wks before the Chicago Marathon. The relaxation techniques and the different exercises for distraction during the race really worked. I have read dozens of books on training the body. This was the first I have read on training the mind. I plan to use these techniques with the children I coach. It really explains in basic and interesting format how important mental preparation is for competition. I highly recomend this book for anyone competing on any level.

I just completed my first marathon and don't think I would have finished had I not purchased and read this book. During training, we had "long runs". The night before each long run (in excess of 17 miles) I would read the sections of this book that addressed issues I was likely to face during the following days long run. That helped me tremendously. The book gave me a sense of calm.

There are virtually thousands of books on the market concerning running. Most of those books however don't spend nearly enough time on the most critical aspect which is mental preparedness and toughness. However, this book gives what most trainig books and groups do not..a way to deal with the mental aspects of running.

This book is wonderful because it gives the reader techniques on how to deal with stress, anxiety, pain, disappointments, setbacks injuries, fatigue etc., all from the MENTAL side. I like how the authors make the connection between mind and body. They focus on the mind first and how the mind can often control the body.

I found MANY useful mental exercises from "breathwatching", visualization, dealing with fatigue and disappointments, learning from mistakes etc., Most importantly, the book focuses on the process of running and self discovery and NOT the result. This book helps novice runners like myself enjoy the process, find our own tools that work for us and realize that it is often mind over matter. This book is a must have for those just starting out "marathoning" or for anyone who just wants to enjoy the mental benefits of running and the pleaseure it gives.

There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of books on the market about how to train smarter, better, harder, or what have you. Some of them are quite good, and some of them quite bad. However, these books often neglect one of the key aspects of running and that is its mental component. And that's where Running Within: A Guide to Mastering the Body-Mind-Spirit Connection to the Ultimate Training and Racing comes in.

This book is designed for all runners from the novice runner to the elite athlete, and I think everyone who reads it will benefit tremendously. The book is designed to enable the reader to take his or her running to the next level, not only by giving concrete tips to mentally help one race faster, but also by helping one enjoy his or her running more, by exploring running's spiritual side and understanding the reasons we do run. As the authors state in the introduction, "Running Within uniquely presents the reciprocal relationship among the physiological, mental, and spiritual aspects of running performance, and how you can use specific mental exercises and attitudinal shifts in your daily training and racing to great advantage".

Spiritual Running Although many of us run for physical reasons (i.e. to say fit, to lose wait, to get faster, to win races), those of us who truly enjoy running recognize what it does for us mentally. Not only the ability to clear our minds at the end of a tough day, but the ability to explore and learn about ourselves, as we transform preconceived notions about ourselves.

One intent of the book is to connect runners with the spiritual side of running. It wants to help them explore fully the reasons they run. The book explains that often the concrete goals we have in running (i.e. I want to run a certain time in a certain race, be All-State, finish a marathon) are not what give us joy from running. Rather, it's the steps we take along the way to reach these goals that make running so enjoyable. By better understanding our motivations for running, we can not only get more enjoyment out of running, but can learn how to run faster.

Running faster. And the book definitely can helps us run faster. Those who like to say that running is 99% physical are missing the point. Sure we can not run beyond our bodies' limits, or use mental tricks to make up for not training. But often the limits we set upon ourselves are self-imposed limits. One of the greatest things about running is the self discovery and self-confidence that comes from getting our body to do what once seemed impossible.

Running Within has excellent advice on goal setting and the type of goals we should set. It helps us set goals that push beyond our self-imposed barriers, but at the same time makes sure these goals do not end up discouraging us because they are too unreasonable.

But as all runners know, goal setting is not enough because the toughest part of running is the battle of mind versus body during a race or tough workout. No matter what kind of shape we are in physically, there comes a point in a race when our bodies start to feel that they've had enough. As the race or workout progresses, the urges to back off a bit, slow down, or quit altogether grow. If one is able to recognize these urges and overcome them one can come closer to reaching his or her physical potential.

To overcome these urges to quit, Running Within helps its readers come up with the self-confidence necessary to achieve their goals and not give in to the urges to quit. It provides a mental framework on how to approach races and workouts and has many practical strategies for dealing with fatigue, racing, race strategies, and the like.

But all of these things combined would still leave a lot of our potential untapped. For one of the keys to racing fast is a bit paradoxical, and that is to learn to relax. It seems impossible to do, to relax while the body is using all of its resources to struggle. But Running Within teaches us ways to relax while straining, and shows us the tremendous physiological benefits that come from relaxing.

Summary I recommend this book whole heartedly. Most sports psychology books are full of many tips and tricks to help us perform better, but there is often little foundation to tie the things together. Ultimately, these books fail because they are not much more than a list of things to try. This book is different for while it does list many tips that are useful, it only does so after providing a larger framework to tie them together. The overall theme is the "body-mind-spirit" connection of running. With this framework, the book helps us explore the reasons why we run and what we get from our running. Once we have a better understanding of these things or are at least are aware of them, the books builds upon them and very effectively makes us get more from our running (and become better racers if that's our goal).

On a personal note, I credit this book with as being instrumental to my improvement as a runner (my 10k time went from 29:49 to 28:27 in one year). I am intrigued by the mental side of running and knew there was a lot more I could learn. However, at the same time, I've always been very skeptical of a lot of the "pop-psychology" and sports psychology books on the market. This book pleasantly surprised me and should be on the book shelves of all runners.

I found this an extremely exciting "take" on the Gospel - a forgotten side to the Cross which is alive and well in the pages of Scripture when the dilemma of sacrifice is understood psychologically/ sociologically/ anthropologically! This is a message the world needs - one that may give much credibility and respect to the Cross and the Bible in the eyes of peace-makers everywhere! - one that opens up the message of the Cross in a way that will touch lives and inspire people to live to God! My own identification with scapegoats and scapegoaters has deepened, and I feel my (lay-) preaching of the Cross has been made so much more relevant and practical. Though I didn't like/agree with the author on everything (e.g. his treatment of forgiveness, his conception of justice devoid of any RESTORATIVE notions, and a much-needed retreatment of the priestly role of Jesus is lacking), there is certainly much to recommend, especially his development of Girard's theory on "sacred violence" from Genesis, through Job, to the New Testament. Shame and Pride: Affect, Sex, and the Birth of the Self

With this book Heim offers a thorough presentation of the "Girardian" perspective as it applies to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As a friend of mine said who recommended this book to me, once you see it, you won't be able to "unsee" it. The sacrificial motif is all around us. Literature and the arts (and religion and politics et al) are simply infused with sacrificial elements. For anyone who has ever worried about the apparent cruelty of the Old Testament narrative, or felt that the Passion story makes the Judeo/Christian God look like nothing more than a petty diety demanding bloody justice, this is the book for you. Heim does not attempt to create a new systematic theology. Rather, drawing heavily on the writings of Rene Girard, he merely presents the Crucifixion as the ultimate result of the human scapegoating tendency and how Jesus, by his resurrection, broke the cycle of violence and sacrifice and gave mankind a model of forgiveness available to perpetrators and victims alike. Heim also shows how this is NOT a newly discovered "thing" pulled out of thin air. He gives much evidence that the early Christian community understood the Passion's relation to ancient sacrificial practices and how even today primitive societies respond to this in a way that is hard for "modern" people to comprehend. Truly a great book!

I'd caution readers to be wary of reviews that point out that the author's exegis differs from that of the bulk of previous scholars and theologians. The Holy Spirit guides and inspires, not the crowd. If you seek to find solace in the group, then this book may not be for you. If you want to explore more fully Christ's redeeming work and what it means for creation, then you may want to pick up this one. This book offers a fresh and if you are honest and open, thought-provoking framework for grasping the meaning of the cross. Moreover, it provides a mirror for examining the distortions imposed on traditional soteriology by own fallen human nature. If it makes you uncomfortable, that may be an indication that you are on the right track. You should be uncomfortable when staring Truth face to face.

I have been critical of our standard atonement theories. But, this book, following the work of Rene Girard, Gil Bailie and others, is outstanding. It gives so much substance to a number of scriptural passages that have been poorly interpreted or overlooked.

I am a professor of theology with an interest in the doctrine of the atonement. I recommend this book very highly. It draws on Rene Girard's anthropological theory of violence, interprets key passages from the Bible, surveys the history of atonement thought, touches on historical examples of violence such as slavery, and presents a constructive theological and ethical perspective on atonement. I wish I could make this book required reading for all seminarians.

Purchased for my mom who loves flowers and cross stitching. Just a beautiful book and she loved it!!

Wonderful book! Beautiful pictures and descriptions of herb,flower,and fruit gardens along with large easy to follow charts. The instructions are very good and this book is worth every penny. I hope she continues to publish more like it.

I simply fell in love with this book. The designs in this elegant book are stylish,very beautiful and grand. The life-like designs are categorized into 6 chapters:Bulb flowers,spring flowers,roses,herbal gardens,wild flowers and orchard harvest. Each includes projects(21 in all) that are described in full detail:easy enough for a beginner to follow,sophisticated enough to appeal to an advanced cross-stitcher. My fingers are itching to start on all the projects at once. The layout of this book is SUPERB to say the least,I highly recommend it to those who love floral cross-stitching.

There are so many beautiful color photos in this book, of cross stitch designs and gardens full of flowers. Each project has a sharp color photo (many have close-up detail photos), a chart in color, a list of materials and instructions. The floral variety and colors are stunning with subtle shading. Most of the designs are suited for more advanced stitchers. Projects in this book were stitched on linen.

Stitching and finishing is described, and a list of suppliers is included (US, UK and Australia). Thea Gouverneur's floral designs are stunning and very lifelike.

This book is nothing short of stunning. It elevates cross stitch to a true art form, showing what a needle, a simple stitch and colored threads can do in the hands of an artist.

Americans are familiar with the story of the conquest of the West and the slow disappearance of the Native American way of life, but we know far less about what happened north of our border. Carolyn Garriott's first novel is a sensitive treatment of the story of the Huron tribe as the first incursions of the French into their wilderness began. Before the Europeans arrived, the Indians in the area around Lakes Huron and Ontario existed in a peaceful balance of power, with occasional flare ups and disputes over territory, furs or other goods. As the French slowly pushed west, they made alliances with various tribes to expand the fur trade, and inevitably the peace was disturbed. The introduction of weapons, alcohol, and most importantly, diseases the Indians had no immunity to, devastated their way of life. Unlike the British and the Dutch, the French were aided in their efforts by the Church, most notably the Jesuits.

The Jesuits were an elite order of priests, founded a hundred or so years before. They were highly educated, politically savvy, often the sons of noblemen. In joining with the French in the push west, they perhaps unknowingly contributed to the destruction of the lives they sought to save. In their travels, they made maps and recorded their observations for reports that were invaluable to the French.

Although fiction, Garriott's novel meticulously portrays the land of the Huron, the wildlife, the isolation and the beauty. She has obviously carefully studied the culture of the Huron and the life they lived in the long houses, their rituals, systems of law and family structures. Garriott tells the story of Fr. Daniel who takes the place of a Jesuit in one of the missions, which turns out to be a small village with a rude hut for a church. Having read the accounts of the priests who came before, he is surprised to find a sophisticated people who place high value on community, family and fairness, and who understand the political forces surrounding them. Daniel realizes there's much to respect in their way of life, and dares to consider whether forcing them to give up their culture totally and adopt the Catholic faith is the wisest course. He also dares to think that educating the Huron is one way to help them survive in the new world, a view at odds with the Jesuits' practice.

Garriott focuses on Fr. Daniel, Haiki, the mother of Yongahe`, and Shadow the wolf. I had my doubts about an animal as a character, but it works! Garriott's descriptions of the lives of the wolves and their encounters with humans make the story incredibly more vivid. How alien is this metal THING the wolves find--a trap. They've learned the natives won't harm them if they steer clear, but these loud "hairless ones" may be different. Haiki is a warm and sympathetic character--through her, Daniel and the reader come to understand the intricate society that at first seemed so primitive. I thought Daniel a bit unrealistic, however--his character before the tale begins was of a young man interested in the Church for personal security and recognition--we don't get a sense that this is a guy apt to rebel against the status quo, which is basically what happens.

I enjoyed "Shadow" a lot. I would have loved a little more historical background, and a map! But this is an excellent read, and well worth your while.

In her first novel Shadow of the Cross, Carolyn Garriott well-understood the principle that it`s not only the story that is of great consequence, but rather the manner in which you recount it. How often have we read a novel that contained some very fascinating information, yet the way it was presented was bland and unexciting and after reading the first fifty pages we chucked it aside? However, in the Shadow of the Cross Garriott shines with not only her amazing story-telling talents but also her perspective or take on the relations between Native People and the French missionaries who were sent to New France believing that they would convert and civilize these "heathens."

I deliberately use the term "amazing" for Garriott is enjoying a fifth career that has included school teaching and farming. Now, at the age of 70, Garriott has become an outstanding novelist. The publisher's publicity material states that "Though she claims to be an ordinary woman, the facts of Carolyn Garriott's life suggest otherwise. Though she has never sought fame, she has nevertheless become very well-known in the Southern Alberta region because she often departed from the commonly accepted way of doing things."

Garriott offers us a novel that effectively integrates fiction and historical fact with a sensitive interpretation - one that is perhaps quite dissimilar from the history books we may have been exposed to while in elementary or high school. Native people are portrayed as not the "savages" or "les sauvages," as the French termed them in New France, but rather as particularly intelligent individuals who had an insightful and deep understanding of mother-nature as well as the animals that shared the natural world with them.

The first three chapters sets us up for a thought-provoking and compelling story with a great deal of tension thrown in that intertwines the lives of a newly ordained Benedictine missionary, Father Daniel Deschien, Haiki, a Huron mother, and Shadow, an orphaned wolf. The interactions provide the story's central focus as we witness a clash of cultures between the Natives and the prejudices and insensitivity of the French clergy who sincerely believed that the Huron or the Wendat, as they preferred to be called, were immoral and barbaric. Moreover, as Father Daniel comes to realize and as he confesses to his bishop, slight attention was paid to the Natives' political and civic life wherein a system enabled them to survive in extremely complex surroundings.

Haiki's version of her culture and customs is portrayed with so much fervor that we can easily empathize with Father Daniel Deschien's confusion who can't quite comprehend why the Natives are reluctant to embrace his European ideals, morals, and his Christian religion. Nor can he grasp the extent of the Natives' relationship with animals such as the wolf that acts as their protector with a gift that can warn them of eminent danger. When Haiki tells Father Daniel that she has heard the wolf's warning of death that will visit the valley, his reply is that it is foolish to believe in a wild beast. It also comes as a surprise to Father Daniel, when in answer to his question, why the Huron cannot become allies with the French, Saksari, who is the son of Haiki, tells him that "The French were not good friends."

With a clean and elegant style, Garriott writes in a likeable voice-even at times poetic, as she integrates her content in a clever and fascinating way with many a dramatic moment thrown in particularly the powerful scenes involving T'hattan who is painted as a cruel and threatening antagonist whom Haiki dislikes and whose hand she refuses in marriage. It should be mentioned that T'hattan was captured as a young child in a battle between the Huron and Seneca and was given to Haiki's aunt to replace a son who had recently died. Unfortunately, he proves to be quite a scheming character who has even threatened to kill a wolf even though T'hattan had been adopted into the Wolf Clan knowing full well that the wolfs were their protectors. Moreover, as Haiki disgustedly points out, it was a white wolf-the most sacred of the wolves. And as she states, "What did he want to do-destroy the People?"

This book is quite a little gem examining history from a fresh perspective that will undoubtedly awaken readers' minds to certain historical misconceptions that for centuries have plagued us. And thanks to authors as Carolyn Garriott that we are now able to have a better understanding of the contributions of the Native people particularly as to their knowledge of the environment, ecological problems and animal behavior. I do hope we will be reading more emanating from the pen of Carolyn Garriott.

What a delightful surprise this little book turned out to be!

Ms. Garriott packs some mighty powerful punches in this gem of a story! Chocked full of stunning imagery that is set within the raw beauty and fierce brutality of nature, we return to a supposedly "savage" time.
Instead, we find a gentle people that greatly respect mother earth and all her gifts very passionately, including the wild animals and the elements.
We also find a "bad seed", an evil person who makes us cringe and we sense that great tragedy will ensue because of his vileness.
In this novel, nature brims with a cunning intelligence that commands both respect and attention... for to survive... is to be ever aware of one's surroundings and life forces.

As `old meets new' a gradual joining in understanding of different cultural beliefs gently evolves and adds a richly poignant layer of appreciation to the novel's main characters.

There is no "fairy tale" ending though and you may find yourself hoping, as did I, for a kinder, gentler outcome.

However, Ms. Garriott gives us what she is compelled to give us as a very talented author and careful observer of history, the truth of those harsh times.

And, we come away with a much deeper and more resonant echo of a "shadow" that will follow us for quite some time!

Shadow of the Cross is an extraordinary novel, providing the reader with three unique windows into a period of history that has been presented in far too simplistic terms over the course of history. Well-researched and beautifully written, Carolyn Garriott's debut novel transports you back into the world of the Huron (Wendat) people back when the New World truly was new and French missionaries and traders first established contact with the Native American peoples. The accounts of Jesuit priests who came to convert the heathen natives to Christianity describe a barbaric, violent culture direly in need of salvation, and history teachers have tended to reinforce this blatantly biased viewpoint in the course of many an overview of early American history. Garriott gives these people a long-overdue voice of their own.

Father Daniel Deschien comes to New France somewhat reluctantly. As a newly ordained Benedictine monk, his ambition was to be placed in a well-established parish where he could attain status and power. No one disputed his intelligence and passion, but his somewhat liberal theological views resulted in his placement as a replacement priest in Huronia, where he would stay until a Jesuit priest was found to take his place. Based on Jesuit accounts of New France, he arrived in the New World expecting to shepherd a flock of uncivilized souls living primitive lives. While he struggles initially to bond with the Wendat (or the People) and to understand the rich facets of their culture, he soon begins to realize that Jesuit accounts of these people have been biased and woefully incomplete. His greatest help in acclimatizing to his new life comes in the form of Haiki, a young widowed mother in the village who takes on the duty of caring and providing for the man the Wendat call Longrobe Tah-ni-hel.

Haiki is a wonderful, completely engaging character - and the fulcrum upon which this story rests. She is the sister of Saksari, the tribe's leader, so the reader is able to get an intimate look at the various workings of the tribe through her interactions with family and friends. She is a great helpmeet in helping Father Daniel understand the culture and the division of labor of the Huron people - as well as the deep spirituality that stands at the very heart of their daily lives. Daniel grows to appreciate the native religion that the Jesuit priests ignored completely. One of the primary aspects of that religion is the belief in spirit guides. For the Wendat, wolves represent their most personal connection to nature. The spirit song of the wolf can reveal the mood of nature herself, pointing to bad times ahead such as death, while the very appearance of wolves around the village is taken to mean that the coming harvest will be a good one.

Weaving in and out of the lives of Father Daniel and Haiki is a young wolf named Shadow. She and her siblings emerge from their den just as Daniel arrives in the land, and Shadow comes to have a special affinity for the Gentle One (Haiki), despite the fact that she learns how cruel and evil other Hairless Ones can be - particularly one man in the tribe who also becomes a threat to Haiki. Shadow's is the most emotional story in the novel, as far as I'm concerned, as she goes through some terrible experiences both physically and emotionally (all directly caused by humans). Later in the novel, a dog that Father Daniel calls Aider becomes another central character in the story, one that allows Garriott to close with a movingly symbolic conclusion.

Gosh, I just can't even begin to put my thoughts on this novel into words. It's just so beautiful and meaningful. The way Garriott ties the stories of Daniel, Haiki, and Shadow together is beyond wonderful. Events do not play out as you might expect, and the power of Garriott's storytelling really makes Shadow of the Cross a story that touches your mind, heart, and soul. The fact that she manages to capture the world and character of the Huron people so intimately, restoring to these peaceful men and women a sanctity that history has too long denied them, makes this more than a worthwhile read - but even that great accomplishment pales in comparison to the spiritual enlightenment that seems to shine forth from every page. Don't look at the title and think this is just a story about converting a group of Indians to Christianity, as that is not what Garriott is writing about at all. If anything, Father Daniel's own faith is tested by the undeniable spirituality of those he came to convert.

Shadow of the Cross is just a uniquely fantastic book with great historical significance. You'll learn more about the Huron people from this novel than you ever will from the pages of history. You may even find your own outlook on life affected by the power of this emotionally gripping story.

The words of Lieutenant John Dunbar of "Dances With Wolves" fame are strongly echoed in this tale of European intrusion into North America. Daniel Deschiens, a Benedictine monk, is sent under Jesuit tutelage to New France. The "heathen" native peoples are in need of instruction into the tenets of Christianity. They are "savage", "ignorant" and cannot be trusted. They have but limited capacity to learn. Worse, they have no "religion" and must be taught the ways of "The One True God" from the beginning. In this tightly woven tale, the author captures the monk's feelings well. Garriot does even better in following the life of another, rather special, character which inhabits the forest near the native people.

Daniel's arrival seems to reinforce the prejudicial view imparted by his mentors. He's simply dropped ashore along a river and given vague instructions to his destination. Caching his belongings and gifts to the native people begins a process of doubt. When he meets the villagers, his host tells him that the tree containing his sacks is sacred and would be untouched by anyone living in the area. This is something wholly alien to Daniel's experience. And while most of the village welcomes him, one of the warriors seems highly resentful of his presence. Part of the reason for that is the lack of respect shown by his predecessor for village ways. That lack was responded to by the villagers who built the missionary a chapel and residence. The building is the smallest in the village, clearly done to humble the previous occupant.

Daniel's entry in village life is hesitant and fraught with misunderstandings. He tries to help Haiki, a woman with a small son. Told in no uncertain terms that he must not be seen doing "women's work", he struggles to make converts. The villagers accept his presence, but his god seems to offer them little or nothing. The best he can do is a hasty baptism to villagers dying from "the red sickness" - measles - a virus for which they have no immunity. It's hardly a true "conversion" and The People accept it only as another death ritual. They have their own pantheon of spirits. In this village's case, it is the wolf that provides guidance.

The wolves live in the surrounding forest, kept separate from the village by the river. A small pack roams the area for food, but they avoid contact with "The Hairless Ones". Garriot does a fine job of placing herself in the mind of the wolf, Shadow, a spectacularly coloured young female. Shadow and Haiki have a special relationship, which the wolf is barely conscious of. An injury brings Haiki to Shadow's aid, and the wolf learns that not all The Hairless Ones are enemies. Haiki's relationship with the wolf, coupled with her gentle demeanour and Daniel's growing knowledge of the way The People cope with the challenges of life in 17th Century Quebec provoke questions in Daniel's mind. He must confront what he believes with what his eyes reveal. It's a challenge not readily resolved. Garriot deals well with these developments. One might wish she had written this as a work for adults instead of young readers. Yet, perhaps it's young readers who will comprehend it best. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

This is a wonderfully written guide book! The descriptions are clear and informative. Great tips for families! Can't wait to use it again next season! I hope this author continues to write more!

This book is a must for people who like to explore the xc trails around Bozeman and Livingston. I've found many new fun trails to check out thanks to this guide and it's descriptions. Thanks for providing us with this much needed resource.

Great Trails with Excellent maps that gets you out skiing in some incredible places. Thanks for this great resource guide.

An easy to use trail guide to cross country skiing and snowshoeing near Big Sky, Bozeman and Paradise Valley. Good maps, accurate details, nice size.

I LOVE this book! Thanks for filling a void that wintertime backcountry enthusiasts have had when trying to explore new regions of Southwest Montana. Everyone deserves to get out and play on skis - and this book is the perfect resource to throw in your pack with your water bottle and lunch to get ready for an adventure on a new trail. Thanks for providing such a user-friendly resource for all of us snow-lovers! I love the maps, too.

Stormjammers is a beautifully written and deeply personal look at one man's transformation from a young flyer to a hardened combat veteran and ultimately to a warrior irrevocably changed by his experiences. It's also the highest tribute to the men and women he served with.

From the start of this book, all the way through to the end, I was full of feelings and emotions. Stanek's words were so intense, so powerful, at times I had to put the book down for a few moments to let the feelings and imagery he generated settle in my mind. Every page resonated with the essential truth that words like duty, honor, courage, service, and commitment are not just ideals for men like Stanek and for the men and women he served with, but are in fact words lived by.

This book accomplishes the nearly impossible by seamlessly imparting factual information, and giving a truly unique perspective on the first Gulf War. The books also gives great insight into the mind of a frightened but resilient young man trying to make sense of it all, and the reader is pulled through a chapter, only to find at the end of it he's learned something about modern warfare, gotten a step closer to understanding how such events affect those who fight in them, and unmistakeably gotten a very raw and real look into the life of this remarkable young man. It is the strength of the writing keeps you reading, but also the deeper, all encompassing look at air combat and electronic warfare.

There is a depth and beauty in the way Stanek shares with the reader the bonds of friendship and professional camaraderie which are forged under these extreme circumstances. These rare bonds forged between men and woman under such difficult conditions speak to the individuals strength and character and are so unique to the military and especially the combat experience -- making this a great tribute to all who served.

In it's own way, there is beauty in the way he reveals to the reader his visceral combat experiences: from alerts, to air raids, to fighter encounters, to anti-aircraft artillery strikes, to surface to air missile attacks, to terrorist attacks. There is self doubt, questioning, and honest assessment.

Stanek's writing is clean and the book flows smoothly and entertainingly from peacetime and his training experiences with the heart of the book being his experiences in Iraq and the combat missions flown into Baghdad. Stanek is a rare author who allows the reader to visualize both vibrant imagery and vivid emotions through his words. It is both gripping and enthralling and utterly honest. The gut-wrenching emotional pain he experienced shook me to the core and remained with me for days after reading.

I strongly believe this is a book for everyone, both men and women alike. Anyone interested in the military, our country, and modern warfare will find this book a brilliant addition to the growing selection of "war memoirs." Anyone looking for an intelligent, thoughtful, insightful, and deeply introspective read will also enjoy this book. Ultimately, this is the story of a man as he is irrevocably transformed by his experiences and utterly bares his heart and soul in the telling. His words have stayed with me long after closing the pages.

Stormjammers is an outstanding read. I found the authors uncomplicated style a great fit for a very complex subject. It is hard to over emphasize the importance of EW on today's battlefield, yet there are very few books dedicated to this subject. This is one of the best to be had.

The author's storytelling ability is better-than-average most of the time, and downright page-turning when the story really gets going. I have loaned this book out so often I have two copies! That says a lot.

Author Robert Stanek, a former military flyer, writes a tell-it-like-it-is memoir in his book: "Stormjammers: The Extraordinary Story of Electronic Warfare in the Gulf War." It is a compelling and hard-to-put-down insider's look at the training and making of a military flyer that takes us right into the heart of the combat and the action in the Gulf War. Stanek goes from the green hills of a airbase in Germany to the hard and courageous life of a combat flyer in Iraq.

His story gives us one of the best insider looks at what is happening in the world of electronic warfare. It is written from the point of view of one of those few brave young men who are risking their lives daily to ensure the freedom of others. Not only is this book highly readable, it is destined to become a classic of how we fought this new kind of war. It is also not shy about the truth. He pulls no punches and holds nothing back in his analysis of what happened.

This book shows the best and the worst of people. It is honest prose that evokes the essence of older more classic combat literature -- when courage and compassion were still extremely important to our fellow countrymen. Once you read this book you will be affected in some way. Your emotions and your thinking about the first Gulf War and how it was handled will change. You will also have a much higher regard and respect for those men and women who are serving our country in this war now.

Stanek is a smart, courageous storyteller. His book is a very candid look at his military experiences and should be required reading material for all new military flyers. It is highly recommended.

Stanek's memoir "Stormjammers" is a first-hand account of training and engagements in Iraq. It is refreshingly clean of anti-war or pro-war bias. I found the entire volume well-written and fast reading. Stanek leaves the larger debates about the war to others, and concentrates on depicting the confusion, frustration, readiness, service and heroism. Such descriptions have been missing in the mass media coverage of the war.

Every person in war sees it differently. But there is a core of truth that is common to all war fighters, but not necessarily seen by all who fight. I learned it in Vietnam, my grandfather told me of it in World War II, my father told me of it in Korea, and this book tells it for the Iraq war. His story of the challenges that a military flyer faces in the midst of the chaos of combat and the ties that bind the crew together are fascinating. This is a great book and should be read by those who want to understand what our armed forces are up against in today's world. This will also resonate with those who have served or had similar experiences of war. I give it 5 stars, and this earns all of them.

I listened to this book in audio first, and I liked it so much I bought the printed book too. Stormjammers is a bitingly honest assessment of Stanek's experiences during first Gulf War. The prose is clear, candid, and vivid and provides a gut-wrenching, hands-sweating, feel for life as a military flyer and what it's like to engage in aerial combat. Stanek will take you through his first thoughts on the buildup in Iraq. You will ride along as the war unfolds, sharing his pain as he takes you into places few others have ever written about so well: modern aerial warfare. You will feel the rush of emotion when you ask yourself if you could make the decisions he made and you'll tear up when you finish the book and realize that young men like Stanek will never have a peaceful rest as long as their is terror and evil in the world.

What made the book particularly refreshing was its ability to give a true depiction of the glory, horror, and tragedy that the Iraq war, like all wars, has entailed. On the one hand, the Iraqi war provided someone like Stanek with a chance to test his own character under grim conditions and emerge tougher and more confident as a result. But the heart-wrenching human struggles he describes make the account so personal and so real. And his frank retelling of everything from the initial build up to the after effects of the war only deepen how it affects you. It would be easy for an individual unfamiliar with the military to forget how crucial air power was in the war and easy to remember only the ground battles but the Iraqi war was fought and won from the air long before there were any groundbattles. In summary, this book provides a view into modern warfare unlike any I have not encountered before. No one could read it and fail to come away with a clearer understanding of war and its impact on those who fight.

This book is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.

TEMPERED STEEL is a portrait of a time, an inside look at a culture of speed and machines, but most of all it's the life of a man who endured what few ever have. That Jim Kasler survived his time of trial through fire is a testament to his courage and toughness. His biographers, Byler and Luckett, have with meticulous research recreated the life of an authentic American hero.

This is not your usual run of the mill biography. This is the story of a warrior.
There are many types in the military, diplomats, politicians, sycophants, citizen soldiers, patriots, war lovers, otherwise unemmployable, etc. They are all needed, and, with good leadership, most perform well under stress. But, surprising as it may seem, the warriors are marked by their rarity, Jim Kasler is a WARRIOR.
Having been a POW with Jim and being an aviator (Navy) I can verify that this account is reliable, factual and even handed. It doesn't try to tell any one else's story but Jim's own. It is not a revisionist history. It pulls no punches. It tells it like it is (was). It makes you proud to be an American.
Thank God Jim Kasler was on our side.

I was lucky enough to have seen Kasler speak along with his two biographers.

Kasler was also at the same place my late father was during WWII. The book relates how, at Las Cruces on July 16, 1945, Kasler was at the mess hall and saw the atomic blast at the Trinity Site. Since my father was an NCO pilot, he was at the same mess hall at 5:30am as Kasler. I told Kasler how my father was smoking a cigarette outside with a friend when the dark sky lit up. They both thought a B29 had exploded. Whereas that was it for my father, Kasler was a tail-gunner and his job was to fly behing the Enola Gay and take photos of the bomb damage.

During the Korean War Kasler was a jet pilot and would become an ace. What is not in the book as the fact that he may have shot down Mao's son. His two biographers believe that is the case, but did not have enough evidence at the time of book publishing.

Kasler time in Vietnam would be his worst time. He was shot down and taken prisoner. He believes that the one thing that saved him was the fact that a magazine article had just come out with him dewcribed as a "one man air force." He believes that made him a high value target to the North Vietnamese. One thing that all POWs remember is the time a man known as Fidel. When he started to talk about him, Kasler just looked out the window and his voice trailed off. He slowly remarked how that was the worst time in his life. He also explained that he felt he had a high pain tolerance, which meant he could take more than regular people. He stated, though, that with torture you will say whatever they want you to.

Kasler left the military not long after release. He had been badly injured when he bailed out and, with the poor treatment in Vietnam, he is almost crippled in one leg. He was able to fly again, though, but once he got out he never flew again. He had toyed with getting an "experimental," but after his wife found out about the high death rate of these pilots he thought otherwise.

Kasler now spends his time sitting on a bank board as well as running and designing golf courses. This book is well worth the price and quite an interesting read.

An excellent book outlining the life and military career of James Kasler. His patriotism to his country was vividly displayed in the chapters dealing with his prisoner of war years during the Viet Nam war. He endured more pain and torture than most men could bear. Every American should read this book.

Perry Luckett and Charles Byler have opened a new generation's eye's to a period of time that many would rather like to forget. After all the political embarressment and face-saving, it's time to honor the actions of the honorable. The legacy that the pilots left through their deeds is one worth telling. Men such as Col. James Kasler have paid their dues in full by standing to be counted for what they firmly beleive in even when that meant torment and punishment.
Luckett and Byler have compiled a great account of a very honorable man!

After the initial shock caused by the 09/11/2002 terrorist attacks on the United States, the need to better understand the mechanisms of terrorism, and above all the existing tools to fight it, has become more pressing and has been felt throughout the globe. As rarely a day goes by without some media reference to a possible or an actual terrorist attack, awareness of the available international instruments to fight terrorism is the key to understanding current affairs and the world of today. In the book Terrorism and the International Legal Order, Peter J. van Krieken shares with the reader his in-depth knowledge over international legal institutions.

In spite the complexity of the subject, the reader will be guided through some of the major legal instruments - UN and non-UN, international and regional - available in the fight against terrorism with relative ease. The detailed table of contents also offers the reader the possibility of glancing through the whole spectrum quickly and choosing, for example, to learn more precisely about the role of the UN or of some of its bodies (Security Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC, Trusteeship Council, ICJ) in the fight against international terrorism. Before the end of the book, the reader will come to grasp that these present instruments only need to have their effectiveness increased and that, with enhanced cooperation, they can serve as efficient tools in the fight against international terrorism.

Terrorism and the International Legal Order is recommended reading for anyone who wishes to understand more clearly and in a very concrete manner the challenges of today's world in the face of terrorism. It is equally recommended to all of those who remain shocked and unconditionally condemn terrorist acts of any kind. It is also recommended to those who realize that civil liberties cannot exist without safety and that at times concessions on the former must be made. Finally, to those rightly concerned about the balance between civil liberties and security, this book is a serious way of understanding the dangers posed by terrorism and possibly a new way to look at the balancing of both.

Terrorism and the International Legal Order is an excellent compilation of international law regarding terrorism. The book reviews important UN resolutions passed before and after September 11th, it presents definitions of terrorism throughout recent history in order to determine exactly what terrorism is, and it supplies information on the treatment of the topic by several UN bodies. Further, Van Kieken explores the connection between international terrorism and migration (laws), and refers to several cases while putting them in an international law context. The book also includes most relevant texts of UN conventions, resolutions, etc.
Overall, this book provides a clear and concise insight into the legal aspects regarding (international) terrorism. It is especially recommended to those who have a previous understanding of international law/institutions/relations, without which this volume might prove somewhat challenging to read. Also, it is very useful for students of international law/relations, or anyone attempting to grasp these issues surrounding terrorism.

Terrorism and the International Legal Order is an excellent compilation of international law regarding terrorism. The book reviews important UN resolutions passed before and after September 11th, it presents definitions of terrorism throughout recent history in order to determine exactly what terrorism is, and it supplies information on the treatment of the topic by several UN bodies. Further, Van Kieken explores the connection between international terrorism and migration (laws), and refers to several cases while putting them in an international law context. The book also includes most relevant texts of UN conventions, resolutions, etc.
Overall, this book provides a clear and concise insight into the legal aspects regarding (international) terrorism. It is especially recommended to those who have a previous understanding of international law/institutions/relations, without which this volume might prove somewhat challenging to read. Also, it is very useful for students of international law/relations, or anyone attempting to grasp these issues surrounding terrorism.

I find this book to be an excellent addition for those who already have some sort of background or knowledge of international relations and international law etc. It looks into certain aspects of terrorism - examning certain cases. By looking to each organ of the United Nations and its role within combatting terrorism, I find it to be of great use to my studies. The author not only offers facts and documentation - he deeply examines the issues at hand with reference to those facts and documents. By doing so he clarifies somewhat difficult to read UN documents and non-UN documents - explaining them in clear english. Not only did I add to my knowledge of international relations, I learned a lot of new things as well.

Since the tragic events of September 11th, there have been many books written about terrorism and the law but few are as balanced as van Krieken's Terrorism and the International Legal Order. Rather than focusing on the perpetrators or their acts, this book places terrorism in context with the various instruments of law. It is a must read for any student of international relations and/or international law. It is an excellent resource and guide to the relevant United Nations (UN) and non-UN conventions and legal instruments dealing with terrorism

The "red line" of the book is that terrorism is "unjustifiable" regardless of the perpetrators motives, actions or intentions. This, van Krieken points out, was not always the case. The General Assembly, especially in the 1960's during the years of decolonisation and self-determination, dared to sympathize with terrorists. In the General Assembly's Resolution 44/29 it sought to determine "the underlying misery, frustration and despair which cause some people to sacrifice human lives, including their own in an attempt to effect radical changes" (pg. 113). Such thinking, van Krieken argues, has never been legally nor morally correct and is no longer the accepted stance of the United Nations.

The book investigates each of the six arms of the Untied Nations (the General Assembly, Security Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, Economic and Social Council and the now defunct Trusteeship Council) and outlines their contribution to the fight against terrorism. Each of the arms has passed significant resolutions and reports and investigated incidences of terrorism which have contributed to the international legal order. Van Krieken, however, is quick to point out that the law is only a tool and not a goal in itself. While the law may view terrorism as illegal, politics may frustrate these laws. For example, the decision to provide the gunmen who seized the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem safe haven in Europe is in direct contrast to the intentions of Security Council Resolution 1373 which states that terrorists should never be allowed safe haven and that the principle of aut dedere aut judicare (prosecute or extradite) should be reinforced.

Remarkably, with all of the legal documents and conventions contained within this book, it is very readable especially for non-lawyers. At the same time, it is also a valuable resource for practitioners and academics. van Krieken is careful to always place terrorism in today's context; the discussion on crossborder issues and terrorism is particularly interesting and one that is usually forgotten. It therefore represents one of those rare marriages of "legalize" and common sense.

Despite over a hundred different definitions and the emotion associated with terrorism, van Krieken is able to tease out the new international legal order and make it tangible. His writing is clear and precise. The footnotes, rather than being a distraction, contribute to the reader's understanding of the thinking behind many of the resolutions and should not be missed. The one weakness of this book, however, is the lack of annotated index; this should be included in any new revisions of the book.

Terrorism is, sadly, not a new concept and one that we read about nearly every day in the newspaper. If you wish to place terrorism within the greater legal context, then this book is a must read.

Living in Chicago at the time of Haley's accident, and being so close to Notre Dame, I vividly remember the press coverage of the accident. It was great to finally get to read how it all turned out.

This book worked on many levels. First, it's a great story - a true page-turner. I was visiting several family members while I was reading it, and many of us were fighting for "reading time". I had to leave the book behind and I plan to buy more to pass around and for gifts.

As a retired ER nurse, I was enthralled with the medical drama of the story, and as a mom, I couldn't help but be amazed at how this accident affected the entire family. Even though you kind of know the end of the story from the beginning, if you know what I mean, the suspense is in how each part of the story unfolds and in how each person is profoundly impacted.

As a former South Bend resident, I well remember the horrible bus crash and the sadness at the loss of the two swimmers. Haley Scott DeMaria's book takes the story into the aftermath of that crash and her physical and emotional struggle to recover. She is incredibly honest about her feelings, especially toward her mother. Although her resentment at being so dependent upon her mother is natural, most people would hesitate to admit it.

Haley's determination to overcome her physical disabilities is inspiring. Throughout what must have been incredible pain, hard work and disappointments, she continued to keep her eye on the goal: to once again swim competitively for Notre Dame.

"What Though the Odds" is an aptly named book about a young woman facing life-altering circumstances and triumphing.

Into a world in which things seem to be falling apart comes Haley Scott DeMaria's What Though the Odds, a recounting of the author's personal and inspirational courage in response to a sudden and tragic accident. The depth of it all goes beyond her agonizing, physical recovery from a broken back, to her emotional evolution from a typically self-centered teen-ager into a mature and loving human being. The challenges met and the outcomes effected could only have been overcome through the intense support of her family, friends, and university and her faith in God. It is a beautifully told story. You may weep a bit, but mostly for joy: Better than a triple espresso and much more durable

Wonderful - your story is an ispiration for anyone who picks up this book! Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us!

Congratulations Haley! This book will provide inspiration and thoughtful discussion for all. I can't wait to have my grandchildren read this book. A real life hero emerges. Even though I shared this time with Haley and her family there are details in the book I didn't know. Enjoy!