Cross Books

From a personal background experience, Betsy Leondar-Wright very effectively candidly and honestly communicates "the politics of class and what gets in the way of cross-class alliances." She provides convincing evidence from very interesting and inspiring individual experiences from people from various classes to support what she says about inequality and the struggle for social justice in America. Harold L. Carter, Retired History Teacher, Dayton, Ohio

I found this book very helpful in understanding how movements for social change could be strengthened if participants could more naturally acknowledge and bridge class differences. The writing is clear and engaging, and the photos, cartoons and sidebars make it "user friendly." I highly recommend it to anyone involved in work for social change, regardless of economic persuasion.

Class Matters is such a great crystallization of things I've heard about class in little bits and pieces; Leander-Wright's models brings all the parts together. The format is really wonderful. I found myself picking it up, reading a story, putting it down to think for a while, and then flipping to another section for new inspiration. I so appreciated that the stories highlighted showed both the challenges and the successes of working across class lines.

This is the best book I've read on class--after looking at dozens of them. It's full of stories, photos, cartoons, and full of tips of obvious use to activists who want to work well with people of different class backgrounds and to educators who care about one of the most important and least comfortable issues in our society. I've already brought it to a social change gathering with other literature and it was the most sought-after book.

"Crooked Cross Factor" is a well-written fascinating
novel about the efforts to raise a sunken German World
War II submarine that has been lying in cold waters
off the coast of Iceland for more than 25 years. Not
only has this U-boat been there for all that time, but
it contains an undisturbed load of gold bullion. Into
this scene comes a U.S Embassy security chief, thrust
there by a spiraling sequence of events that have been
spearheaded by a mutinous crew of a Russian submarine.
Looking for lots of action, intrigue, even a gorgeous
female Minister of Icelandic Roads? You've got it with
this very entertaining and thrilling plot line.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was very suspenseful and so interesting to read all about Iceland. I was totally enthralled with the country and would like to visit it one day. But until then, I can picture it in my mind. Derek Hart did a fabulous job with descriptions.

Great book! It was a fun and easy read. Derek has a wonderful gift of story telling that takes me out of reality and makes me feel part of the adventure. It is very easy to get wrapped up and totally into the story. I also enjoy when I can read about strong female characters who can be more than just a pretty face. Two thumbs up and keep up the good work.

I finished Crooked Cross Factor within days after my arrival in Ireland. The more Guiness I drank the more I enjoyed the novel. It was easy and "FUN" to read, shades of John Grisham. I am most anxious to move on to another Derek Hart novel!

From the first sentence, introducing Cardinal Justin Kennedy, to the very last sentence, tying the entire plot together with seven little words, one is kept awake, stimulated, and living through the magic of this author's skills. Author's like Dr. Shaffer should be sent to Oslo, and given the highest honors.

And to think by chance I received a free copy of his book.

Henry Anthony Ebarb, Doctoral Student, Prescott, Arizona

The Cross by Gene Shaffer is a well crafted novel of the escalating contempt held for an American Cardinal as his interpretation of a two-thousand-year-old inscription as the missing final verses from the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Mark. As the Cardinal's election and coronation as Pope approaches, his discovery results in a political turmoil. Against the backdrop of the Catholic church, The Cross leads its readers through a story of murder, divisions of loyalty, terrorism, suicide and scandal. An "instant classic" and sure to be timeless tale, The Cross is very highly recommended reading.

The Cross by Gene Shaffer is a well crafted novel of the escalating contempt held for an American Cardinal as his interpretation of a two-thousand-year-old inscription as the missing final verses from the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Mark. As the Cardinal's election and coronation as Pope approaches, his discovery results in a political turmoil. Against the backdrop of the Catholic church, The Cross leads its readers through a story of murder, divisions of loyalty, terrorism, suicide and scandal. An "instant classic" and sure to be timeless tale, The Cross is very highly recommended reading.

The Cross by Gene Shaffer is a well crafted novel of the escalating contempt held for an American Cardinal as his interpretation of a two-thousand-year-old inscription as the missing final verses from the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Mark. As the Cardinal's election and coronation as Pope approaches, his discovery results in a political turmoil. Against the backdrop of the Catholic church, The Cross leads its readers through a story of murder, divisions of loyalty, terrorism, suicide and scandal. An "instant classic" and sure to be timeless tale, The Cross is very highly recommended reading.

This is a beautiful account of the most precious gift we have ever received. If your heart is no longer broken, or never has been, by the gift of Jesus, this book is for you. My heart was pierced by the crusifiction all over again and I wept for the greatness of Jesus' gift to me. I would recommend this book to everyone... christian or not. It will make you see things in a whole new light.

Max Lucado presents a lovely gift-sized book of The Cross. The book is filled with inspiring and beautifully photographed crosses that grace the pages. my favorite is the two branches naturally conjuctioned by nature in the form of the Cross. It reminds me that in God's wonderful creation tells us-He gave His Son, Jesus' Life for us. It's echoes everlasting in all living things. It celebrates the ancient sign of salvation and hope. Each picture is supported with an inspirational thought that comes from Lucado's books realting to Jesus' crucifixion, including 'And the Angels Were Silent,' 'God Came Near,' 'Six Hours on Friday,' and 'No Wonder They Call Him the Savior.' This would make a beautiful Easter (Resurrection Day) gift for anyone who has a love for crosses or wanting inspiring words to comfort the soul and a remembrance of Jesus' Love gift for us.

Mr Lucado writings and the illustrations bring into view the extravagant price that Jesus paid for my sins. Mr Lucado's writings ,as usual,are able to draw you into the circumstances he is describing as though you had colored photographs expressing emotionals and thought provoking scenarios. . Never before have I been given this sharp and clear view of the cross that our Lord and Savior willing died upon. The pictures, illustrations and paintings are not just window dressing - they literally engage you.

This is an object that will, as Mr Lucado wrote, "bring you face to feet" with the One who proclaimed to be able to save us from our sins.

The greatest lesson I learned from this book is that God did not hestitate when Adam and Eve sinned, he was rushing to save us just as a Father would dive into a lake to save a drowning child. The Cross was not the mark of a failed Christ, rather the symbol of freedom for all that choose to follow him.

I am currently reading this book as part of my Lenten spiritual reading. Although I'm only on lesson three, I feel confident in recommending this book to anyone, regardless if you have someone you need to forgive or not. With this book, it is easy to see how to apply the lessons to your own life, and to think about where you might be more merciful towards others, or to "offer up" your suffering to Christ on the cross.

I've read other books on the beatitudes, but through Sheen's comparison to how Jesus lived the beatitudes on the cross, I really came to understand them much more deeply. This is a quick read and will help anyone grow spiritually and understand how to apply the Beatitudes to his or her life.

This helps me to become a better Christian. The dedication is even timeless: "To Mary, who through the Cross, leads us to the Beatitudes."

Archbishop Sheen's short series of meditations on the Seven Last Words and the Seven Beatitudes is a good read for anyone who wishes to meditate further on Our Lord's Passion. Though he claims there is no connection between the two subjects other than his artificial construction, I believe that he saw a real connection that exists between the two. Some of his written information is contextual (such as the "mailed fist of Communism"), but when one spends time in contemplation, one will realize that his information is not as dated as it seems. A good read any time of the year, but recommended especially for Holy Week.

This is one fantastic book -- an easy read -- great for a study -- adults or intergenerational. The graphics are simple yet stunning. The drama at the end makes for a great sermon at the close of the study. Members of the class can take the parts and learn them by heart or do it as a readers' theater. With bread at the center of the drama -- it is especially meaningful on a Communion Sunday or Maundy Thursday. The drama is a bit long -- but can be creatively edited without losing any of the impact to fit nicely within the context of worship.

This is a great book - especially if you have been interpreting Jesus' parables with western mindsets! Bailey is an expert in the area of studying the cultural context of Jesus' hearers.

Yes, the book is out of print, but more recently I have secured a copy from ACORN PRESS which has been given the right to reprint the title in Australia. It sells for under US$10!

The address is Acorn Press Ltd. P O Box 282, Brunswick East, VIC. 3057 Australia.

Tel: 613 9383 1266

It's a GREAT book! Give Acorn press a call!

I was introduced to this book in Graduate school. It was and remains one of the most powerful books I have ever read. I was saddened to see it out of print. The author takes the parable of the prodigal son and brings it to life in such a way that it is impossible to not come away feeling closer to your faith and God's love for humankind. There is a fantastic play in the latter half of the book that is great for teenagers.

I have used this book for years in helping people understand the middle eastern context of the parable. Dr. Bailey's experience and insights bring the text alive in ways our western interpretation sorely misses. I would recommend this for anyone who is serious about understanding this parable. Unfortunately, it will whet your appetite for more middle eastern understandings of the other parables of Jesus. Hopefully, Dr. Bailey will write even more; and hopefully, this will come back into print!

im best friend with his niece, annie palmer, and she gave me the book as a gift and i didnt even stop to thank her till i finished the whole book, it was an amazing story and proved that sequels can be just as good as the original, if you are a sports lover, or just a lover of good literature than you should read this book, rick norman has an amazing way of painting a picture in your mind, i have read it several times and recommend it often

I thout this book was very funny. I did not like the ending. I thought it was a little fake

THERE ARE VERY FEW FOOTBALL NOVELS WORTH READING. THERE ARE EVEN FEWER THAT YOU WOULD LET YOUR KIDS READ. THIS NOVEL IS BOTH. IT SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING.

BEFORE I BOUGHT CROSS BODY BLOCK I WAS CONVINCED I WOULD NEVER LIKE THE SEQUEL TO FIELDER'S CHOICE AS MUCH AS THE ORIGINAL. AFTER ALL, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A DECENT FOOTBALL NOVEL....UNTIL NOW. I LAUGHED UNTIL I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT I WAS LAUGHING BECAUSE I WAS AND AM UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE ESCALATING VOLENCE IN OUR SOCIETY.

The Cross by Day, the Mezuzzah by Night reminded me a little bit of the Diary of Anne Frank but was set during the Spanish Inquisition. The book is told from the point of view of a girl, Isabel, at the age of her Bat Mitzvah-twelve turning thirteen. She has been raised as a Catholic in a very prominent and observant family, but upon her thirteenth birthday, she is told of her Jewish ancestry and given the golden mezuzzah which belonged to her great-grandmother. She also finds out that the rituals her family performs on Friday nights in the basement after the servants are all asleep are really the way her family has kept alive their Jewish identity. The remainder of the book tells of her struggle with who she really is and the pride she feels for her father and the rest of her family along with the revulsion she feels for having this dangerous secret life. In the end the family must leave the home they love in order to escape the horrible torture that awaits the secret Jew. This book truly is not to be missed!

As a descendant of Conversos, and researcher of their history, I am REALLY glad to see a young adult book of this kind. However, I was very unhappy to see mistakes. They are minor, and I hope that a second edition will be better edited. For example, the mother, at one point, says, "Uno momento." This is horrible Spanish and only non-speakers would say this. The correct way is, "UN momento." Still, I'm glad that the subject is being written by and for non-scholars. Isabel/Ruth's experiences are true to the time she lived in, and this period in history is widely ignored by many. Secret Jews (Anusim) and their descendants deserve more attention!

This is touching story of a family courageously dealing with cultural and religious genocide. There is, perhaps, no better way to fight intolerance than to journey with a victin, fictional or otherwise, through the nightmare of persecution. This story needs to be told. As a Catholic, I welcome the opportunity to come to terms with a dark time in our past when Christ's message of love was unrecognizable in Christianity. We don't have to look far to see parallels in the ethnic cleansing taking place today, to realize vigilance is necessary if history is not to repeat itself. I would very much recommend this book and hope it will be read by Christian and Islamic, as well as Jewish, young people.

This is an excellent book for both adults and mature junior high and high school age. The information was obviously researched well as I am of this heritage and have read much on the subject. Isabel is a believable young woman who has to grow up way too soon in the face of the Spanish Inquisition. I found the story to be both exciting and educational. Many of the situations Isabel finds herself in are well documented as fact. Parents should read this book first before giving it to their children because the information may be difficult to digest. Treat it as you would a Shoah (Holocaust) book.

I purchased this book to read during our family devotion times leading up to Easter, and it did not disappoint. All of us became more aware of the deep suffering of our Savior as He moved through the days leading up to His crucifixion.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to fix their attention on what Christ suffered so that those who would repent and trust Him could be counted as righteous. It is appropriate as a read-aloud for families with children as young as middle grade school. Younger children can benefit just from listening to the discussions and from hearing Mom and Dad reflect on the Passion of Christ.

Sometimes I read a book that has come with such numerous and lofty recommendations that really it can only be disappointing. Having heard so much about how the book will change my life and cause my faith to grow in leaps and bounds, I have often found the reality to be disappointing. Conversely, sometimes a book comes unhyped and unheralded and takes my heart and mind by storm. Such is the case with The Cross He Bore by Frederick Leahy.

Truthfully, I do not remember where I first heard of this book. I was surprised one day to see it turn up in the mail and I soon realized that at one point I had added it to my Amazon wishlist. I knew nothing about it other than what the cover told me: "Meditations on the sufferings of the Redeemer." Edward Donnelly writes in the foreward that this book has three virtues: it provides solid instruction; gives full play to a disciplined and sanctified imagination; and it recalls the neglected art of meditation. He says further that "in rereading these chapters, I found myself more than once compelled by emotion to stop - and then to worship. I cannot help feeling that this is exactly how they were written and that the author's chief desire is that each of us who reads should be brought to gaze in fresh understanding and gratitude upon 'the Son of God,' who loved me and give himself for me." As with Donnelly, I was often compelled to stop and worship, to stop and meditate, or to stop and dry my eyes, thanking Christ for His immeasurable sacrifice.

The book is comprised of thirteen chapters, each of which is a short meditation or reflection on a different aspect of Christ's sacrifice, from the close of the Last Supper to the blotting of the sun from the sky while He hung on the cross. It truly strikes to the very heart of the Gospel.

But I hesitate to say more. Perhaps part of the beauty and significance of this book, was that it came unannounced. There was no lofty position for it to attain to. And perhaps it is best that way. And so I will leave it with merely my wholehearted recommendation and the knowledge that I will return to it often. This short book is an invaluable treasure and I am certain that the reflections it contains will stay with me and come to heart and mind whenever I meditate upon the cross of Christ.

Leahy's book provides several short, easy-to-read but profoundly searching meditations on the Passion of Christ. These are readings to chew on, not rush through. I have found it a useful preparative to partaking of the Lord's Supper.

With only 83 pages and 13 chapters this book is pregnant with thought-provoking and soul-humbling truth that caused me often to just cry out as a beggar to God in awe, in love, in gratefulness, and in humble pleading for faith and grace.

Basically what Leahy does in this book is walk the reader through Christ's last hours on earth, His Passion. Dealing in 13 chapters with different aspects and scenes from those hours, the divinity of Christ and His humanness are both kept sharply in focus. The sin of mankind both for which Christ was dying and the sins of those who directly took part in His murder are not deminished, but neither is the fact that "It was the will of the Lord to crush him" that it was the Lord who "has put him to grief" (Isaiah 53:10).

I recommend that you read this book in a quiet place with little destraction with your Bible by your side. Read it one chapter at a time and then sit and re-read, and pray. Let the Spirit take you back to the foot of the cross where you gaze up at your only hope, the King of the universe hanging in misery, damnation, and ultimately victory. Look at the cross he bore and realize that with such a high price to secure our salvation, anything that we hope to add or to repay will only be an insult to His gift, diminishing its value and His glory. Let the Spirit take you to the foot of the cross where you realize who we are, we are all beggars.

I grew up reading the Secret Sister series and the Hidden Diary series by Sandra Byrd. Both, in a way, contributed to my childhood. My friend and I would pass them back and forth--our friendship, also, I think grew through these books because we could identify with the girls and their friendship. If you're wanting some warm advice, encouragement, or just some downright girl-fun, you'll love this book!

Adolescence is like a roller coaster: there are ups, there are downs, there are times when you stomach fall to the ground, yet there are times when you are totally exhilarated. Lucy Larson takes the ups-and-downs of a young girl's "complicated" life, and relates it flawlessly to its reader. The issues dealth with are realistic and easy to imagine and relate to, even as an adult reader who is past this stage of development. Lucy Larson is a typical, young girl dealing with typical trials. It is interesting to watch as Lucy struggles with decisions about what her summer may include when her parents give her the option to decide what she wishes to do with it. This book clearly depicts how important friendships and relatedness truly are--especially to those in this age bracket--and the emotions that emerge when these needs are not met. Cross My Heart takes a peek at the relationship between daughter and parents, as well as realistically portraying how a teen may deal with situations when Dad and Mom are not seeing eye-to-eye. There is a lot to learn from young Lucy while reading this novel. Christianity plays a minor, almost secondary role throughout the book--until the last few chapters. I feel it would be more worthwhile and meaningful to stretch these ideas throughout the entire book. The last chapter was overwhelming with religious overtones so much that it's easy to lose site of Lucy's current dilemma and overall plot that carried the reader through the book to its happy ending.

Iliked this book because it teaches you all about your...Real Friends and People you can Trust.
This book kept me so interested in reading I didnot want to put it down.
I like how Lucy and Serena are always there for each other and they have a great relationship.

I love this book I couldn't put it down! It was so touching! it had a mystery suspence and a tiny bit of romance! all I can say is that I realy love it!I love how at the end of the chapter the author left you hanging to find out what happens next! Im going to get the next book tomarrow! I love it!