Frank Books

When one thinks of Saint Francis of Assisi, often what comes to mind are images of a soft and weak man immersed in a pacified landscape, full of birds and bunny rabbits who are awestruck at every word that falls from his lips. However, reality frontally challenges this limp-wristed portrayal.

This is evident from Frank Rega's controversial new book, Saint Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims. The author successfully dispels many of the myths spread about the saint's persona. He states: "To reduce this saint to a glorified social worker, a nature lover, or `the first hippie' is a great disservice to his true heritage."

On the contrary, Mr. Rega paints the true picture of Saint Francis: a saint of prayer, courage and action, who, contrary to the claims of many modern biographers, actually supported the Crusades.

The second section of Saint Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims proves this contention. This part stands alone, for those who are only interested in reading about the saint's correspondence with the Muslims. However, it is sandwiched between two other sections, which recount the saint's life before and after his missionary journey to the Middle East. Together, these three sections make up an informative and highly readable biography of the Seraphic Father.

The book's main thrust and most interesting section deals with Saint Francis' true position in face of the Muslims. He felt a tremendous desire for their salvation and even risked torture and death to bring them the Gospel. However, he explicitly denounced Islam as a false religion that leads to damnation.

Thus, addressing himself to the Sultan, Saint Francis said: "If you do not wish to believe, we will commend your soul to God, because we declare that if you die while holding to your law, you will be lost; God will not accept your soul."

This contrasts with the false idea of ecumenism commonly promoted today. The author explains: "Saint Francis' dialogue with the Sultan was a dialogue of conversion to Jesus Christ, not a dialogue of finding common ground in order for the two religions to coexist peacefully."

Mr. Rega also refutes the misconception that Saint Francis was opposed to the Crusaders taking military action to regain the holy land. While the saint wanted the Muslim's conversion above all, he felt that war was justified if they did not accept Christ and adamantly held to the regions they had stolen from Christian hands.

Thus, when the Sultan argued that the Crusaders were not following the Gospels which taught that one should turn the other cheek when offended, he quickly rejoined quoting Our Lord's words taken from the same discourse: "if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee."

Saint Francis explained:

"Here He wanted to teach us that every man, however dear and close he is to us, and even if he is as precious to us as the apple of our own eye, must be repulsed, pulled out, expelled if he seeks to turn us aside from the faith and love of our God. That is why it is just that Christians invade the land you inhabit, for you blaspheme the name of Christ and alienate everyone you can from His worship."

Mr. Rega's work is filled with evidence to support his own Crusade against those revisionists who would like to paint a less virile Saint Francis. He decries those for whom Saint Francis: "was not a bold Christian evangelist, but a timid man, whose goal was to have the friars live passively among the Saracens and `to be subject to them,' rather than convert them to the True Religion."

This book is a must-read for those whose minds have been sullied by the effeminate portrayals of Saint Francis that have been widely circulated. It can serve to shatter this false impression and reveal the true spirit of a great saint.

Have you ever wondered why it's the Franciscans in their long brown habits with rope ties who lead you along the Via Dolorosa, The Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, the most sacred of Christian sites and Christian moments?

In this excellent narrative of St. Francis coming face to face with the Muslims, Frank Rega (a Phi Beta Kappa and Woodrow Wilson scholar) traces a great and controversial moment in Christian history--the meeting of Francis of Assisi with the Sultan al Malik al Kamil, one of the most important leaders of Egypt, Palestine and Syria, in the hot summer of 1219, during the Fifth Crusade. Questions come to mind immediately: what on earth was Francis doing on a Crusade? What was his plan? his hope?

Strangely enough, there are probably many Christians, many Catholics, who are not aware that a crucial meeting took place between Francis and the Sultan. Those who knew Francis, as well as scholars and intellectuals through the centuries, have written tomes opining and debating the reason for Francis' bold venture into the enemy camp during a lull in the heated battle at Damietta, Egypt. But march in he did, with the might of his faith and one companion! He expected he would most likely be martyred. He was not. Instead....

This is Rega's entry into the debate. Francis, who had renounced the world, reduced himself to rags and the most austere living, and who loved every soul and creature on earth, joined the 5th Crusade "in a courageous attempt to preach the Gospel. . . in the Middle East," writes Rega. Standing in his beggarlike habit, Francis began to speak, and because of the simplicity of his arguments and the confidence he exuded, the Sultan was willing to listen to Francis' words. These are gripping moments, and one feels Rega's passion for the subject in his driven narrative, as he shows a Francis many of us have not met before. Along the way, Rega clarifies every question and possibility put forth by theorists, especially today, who "reduce this saint to a glorified social worker, nature lover, or 'the first hippie.'"

Much took place in those few days--or maybe they were more than a few; it is not known--resulting in the unprecedented gesture of the Sultan giving Francis a permit of safe passage to travel "without hindrance" anywhere in the Sultan's domains. Hence, a special relationship existed between the two men, which resulted in allowing the friars to eventually obtain custody of the Christian shrines in the Holy Land. The Sultan also eventually released 30,000 Christian prisoners and negotiated a peace with the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II, in which he returned Jerusalem to the Christians, with Muslims keeping their holy sites. This was the period in which the first Franciscans came to Palestine to care for the
Christian sites, and they are still there today!

When Francis finally returned to Italy, he went on to another great Catholic moment on Mt. Alvernia--receiving the stigmata, the Crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. This is one of the many dramas in his life that could stand out as the moment he stepped into history. Part of this book is an essence-biography, highlighting the heart and soul of the man whose love for Christ held no room for compromise, and who ultimately reformed the Church. The better to understand why he went to the Middle East.

One of Francis' most passionate disciples was Clare--beautiful, wealthy, patrician--who escaped her pursuing family to follow the impoverished Francis' path. Only 18, if she had any vanities, she left them completely in a gesture of renouncement, letting Francis cut off her glorious blonde hair, and giving up her beautiful clothes and jewels for the rough Franciscan habit. These two figures captured the imagination of Christian Europe, and not by halfway measures. . . .

Rega's research goes back to 13th-century volumes. He asks the polemical questions about Francis' mission and offers his own answers at the conclusion of the book. Although intensity of Faith and Belief has faded in much of the world in our time, St. Francis remains relevant and is still an ambassador for Christ and the Gospel, a blaze of love for all souls, everywhere.

St. Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims by Frank Rega is very well researched and written. I found it pleasant to read, as well as very informative. The book explained in great depth the story of the conversion of the Sultan and also gave a greater insight into the character of St. Francis, his own background and conversion. The book also showed St. Francis' respect for all humans. In his desire to convert the Sultan, St. Francis never treated him with disrespect. His goal was only to teach him about Christ and draw him closer to God.

Saint Francis was a peacemaker, but he also recognized the importance of bearing arms in special circumstances, such as in defense of one's country. Being a parent of a son, serving in Iraq, and also a Franciscan, I truly delighted in being reminded of St. Francis' great love for God, his desire to unite all people, regardless of race or religion, and his ability to bring peace to troubled areas. I think all who read this book will acquire a greater love for St. Francis, as well as a true appreciation for his humility and respect for humankind.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace!

After reading the book "Never Play Leapfrog with a Unicorn", I had to know the rest of the story! I read "Staged Affair" part 1 and it filled in some of the missing blanks. It was witty, comical and heart felt. When the author wrote about being nervous in this, I actually felt nervous for and with him! I can't wait to read parts 2, and 3, and 4 and ...!

I can't begin to tell you how brilliant this writer is through all his previous writings. There is never a dull moment. The reality of life as it is and was in times past and present. Keep up the great work, you inspire me with your wit and humor.

Thank You,

He always is a thinkers, a dreamer, a man who is said to look at the world from the outside in-and in this I believe. I am usually not a short shory E-Book person, but once you read "Amok" you cannot help but to open your eyes to this talented writer. Publishers should check out out his work before an agent gets him!
Victoria Morrow

It was a pleasure to read this creative work. I found I did not want to put it down, anxiously waiting to see how the author would tie all the loose ends together. - It was superbly done, and has me eagerly anticipating her next book.

It was a pleasure to read this creative piece of work. I found I did not want to put it down, anxiously waiting to see how the author would tie all the loose ends together. - It was superbly done, and has me anticipating her next book.

One of two new beautifully written, fascinating books by Marie Warder - author of "The Bronze Killer". One cannot but feel sympathy for the young Marguerite caught in the web of her marriage, and we are drawn from page to page in the hope that all will be well in the end. It is always so interesting to read about places you have visited and to learn the early history of the area. I was in Cape town, South Africa in the early 90's so I have been to the top of Table Mountain and have sipped the wine in the Stellenbosch vineyards. Both books have a soft cover, which I especially enjoy as I like to read books in bed or laying on a chaise lounge on the patio. They are also very reasonably priced. I highly recommend both books as a definite must read

Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands is the best single book on the often-overlooked Gulf Coast Theater of the War of 1812. Well written and researched, Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands brings to light several little understood aspects of the War of 1812. First, it illustrates the previously overlooked interrelation of the Creek War and the bearing it had on the outcome of the War of 1812.

Secondly, it details all military and political actions on the Gulf Coast leading up to the Battle of New Orleans. Most books focus only on the events of the battle, ignoring the many actions that had a direct influence on how the Battle of New Orleans was fought. Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands describes these events so one can understand thier impact on the outcome of the battle itself.

Lastly, Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands brings to light the divergent Southern opinion that the War of 1812 was a great military victory. From the Southern perspective, victory was nearly complete; the Creeks had been destroyed (opening more land for settlement); the Mobile territory had been annexed; and a major British invasion had been decisively stopped. The book contrasts this Southern perspective to the typical Northern view that the War of 1812 was at best a draw, which is the general view put forward by the majority of books on this subject.

Overall, the book is readable and informative. It is important for the new ideas and information it brings to the history of an area and a period. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in either the Creek War or the War of 1812.

Dr. Owsley tells the story of the Gulf area during the War of 1812 in a very readable manner. His work is quite thorough and includes a lot of detail about the skirmishes and battles. I recommend this to anyone with an interest in the War of 1812 and the Creek Indian War. The research done was well documented and any student of history will find this a great source.

For decades to come this will be the standard reference work on this topic. Superbly researched utilizing not only the usual American sources, but the previously untapped archives of Spain and Great Britain. Owsley has integrated the Creek War into the larger framework of the War of 1812 causing the reader at some point to pronounce "Eureka" as you begin to acquire a whole new perspective on Andrew Jackson and the conflict with Great Britain.

This may easily be the best history on the Creek War of 1813-1814. What could have been a completely altered history of the United States - if Andrew Jackson had not been in command, if he would have hesitated only weeks from the crucible campaign concluding at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, if the British would have landed the state-of-the-art muskets, artillery, military advisors/trainers, and cavalry accoutrements several weeks earlier than they did, if the Spanish had been more pro-active than they were for the Creeks, etc. - would have prevented us from our Manifest Destiny! I never before have read all of this with such fervor, explanation, and detail. Owsley makes the point that too many of our historians have belittled our accomplishments in these two interrelated wars and downplayed their significance. Often we have been led to believe that the War of 1812 was a "draw." He makes the point that it was on balance a resounding victory.

Jackson's being in the right place at the right time for the Battle of New Orleans would not have occurred but for his role in the Creek War and the overwhelming victory achieved. We would not have had the experienced and trained troops in place under his command but for the Creek War. And, inasmuch as the British did not recognize the validity of the Louisiana Purchase, if they had won the Battle of New Orleans then the Treaty of Ghent signed in December 1814 would not have applied to any claims that they would have asserted over New Orleans, Louisiana, and their planned buffer states under the Creek Indians and their allies. The frontier would have been inflamed and we would have had strong buffer Indian states with which to contend and two mutually supportive European powers. All of this was prevented by Andrew Jackson and his juggernaut victory at Horseshoe Bend. The sheer quantum of international intrigue taking place at Pensacola and throughout the Gulf area is enlightening.

This book is highly recommended by this reviewer. You will receive a whole new perspective on Andrew Jackson and his brave Tennessee and Georgia troops in the Creek War.

Yes, this book is a must have. It is also (a reprint of) perhaps the most important publication of Wright's early career. But it certainly has not been virtually ignored. It has been praised by many, including rival architects, and reprinted numerous times before this.

Wright printed this book in Germany to show the European architecture world what the future of architecture could be. Though virtually ignored in both Europe and the United States, this collection of both built and unbuilt plans and drawings gives a through insight and understanding of the architect's genius.

This book is the only complete and accurate reproduction of Wright's 1910 treatise "Ausgefurte Bauten und Entwurfe von Frank LLoyd Wright" (the Wasmuth Portfolio.) Although it is reduced in size, all plates are listed by their original roman numerals with the German text. It is the only useful refernece when researching the wasmuth portfolio. Neither the Dover edition nor the Horizon Press edition reproduced the plates without renumbering them in some fashion. This book is a must for any dealer or collector interested in acquiring the Wasmuth Portfolio.

The author's son, Frank, at the age of 23 is diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, manic, with psychosis. Previous to this diagnosis, the young man had served a commended tour of duty in the US Navy and had been honorably discharged. The heart wrenching story culminates with Frank committing suicide while incarcerated.

This real life account sheds light on some of the failings in the medical / mental treatment provided inmates. More importantly, it offers a view of a mental condition little understood by most. A reader will glimpse the frustration and confusion that an individual who suffers bipolar disorder experiences and the helplessness felt by family and friends.

This is a well written personal story. The author includes in the final section of the book several poems written by her son during his final months, a copy of some medical records and a helpful list of reference materials and support groups.

Words can not do this book justice. This is a very spiritually touching book. Orrie gave parts of herself to this book that I can't express or possibly even locate in myself. I felt like I was there with Orrie in the visiting room with Frankie. There is so much helpful information in this book for the public, correctional officers, those incarcerated, the courts, attorneys, and those afflicted with manic-depressive illness and their family members. Even though I knew from the beginning of the book that Frankie was going to committ suicide, I still cried when Orrie got the call. I too have manic-depressive illness and have distorted spirituality the way Frankie did in the book. It is so good that Frankie had a devoted mother like Orrie. I am also a correctional officer and just as Orrie said, "Prison is no place for a gently spirit". I also admire Orrie for letting go and letting God. Her and Frankies faith was truely inspirational to me. Thank you so much for sharing Orrie. You are my sister in Christ and one day I will see you and Frankie in paradise!

This remarkable book is an account of a devoted mother's effort--tragically unsuccessful--to rescue her sick son Frank from despair. Frank's illness, manic-depression bi-polar disorder, resulted not in hospitalization, but in incarceration--the justification of which was problematic. The adversities forced upon Frank included, but were not limited to, receiving callous indifference from both the legal and medical professions. Perheps the supreme irony of Frank's idealistic life was that, though he wanted to save the entire world, he was unable to save himself. After the loss of Frank, his mother could have succumbed to bitterness. But she did not. This compelling book is destined to become a classic in grief literature. If you can read this book and not week, you are not human.

I'm a long time reader of vintage American newspaper strips and have purchased many books over the years, from Toonerville to Little Orphan Annie. My favorite reprint volume was a collection of "Poly & Her Pals" by Cliff Sterrett -- until now. This book is officially the best reprint volume I own. To see King's brilliant Sunday pages printed at their actual size is in itself remarkable. The added details and touches of the printing and binding just add to the luster of this amazing book. The real goal here must have been to recreate what the strip looked like the day these panels were first printed, and they have succeeded admirably. The paper stock and colors are true to the printing style of a newspaper -- not the garish overly saturated re-coloring that is done so often with reprint books. The extra biographical detail is first rate. Chris Ware and his associates are to be congratulated on this wonderful book.

I've never expected my son (who is 4) to take an interest in the crusty old comics I enjoy, but this book has really pulled him in. He asks to see it almost daily. Frank King was an amazingly visual story teller, and each Sunday page really takes one's imagination somewhere. That seems to transcend the vast generational differences between my 21st century kid and those who loved this comic nearly 90 years ago.

I have snapped up the dailies of Walt & Skeezix as quickly as they come out. The sunday spreads are well known for the magnificent artwork, and as soon as I found that at least some of them could be found in book form, I knew I had to have it. I am not disappointed, and have marvelled at the artistry of Frank King. Too bad comics today cannot be as well executed as these (with the possible exception of "Mutts" by Patrick McDonnell).

This gigantic collection is worth every cent. Fantastic art - in it original size - great color and the warm and wonderful characters that Frank King vividly brings to life. This and the first three volumes of dailies are musts for any collection of classics.

This is one of the best books on synchronicity available today, even better than, dare I say, Carl Jung's book? In all seriousness, I think the author does a really fine job here; I especially liked the section "Life Imitates Art." Very well done!

Is there more to interpreting reality than just the perceptions of your five senses? Is there indeed a "cosmic trickster" who decides to send you signals with irregular patterns about your own life?
In this fascinating book it is a reevaluation of older principles (the ancient Greek belief about lower and higher destiny for one) connected with modern psychology (C.Jung primarily) that leads to a mesmerising study of the phenomenon of synchronicities: events that we today tend to describe as "incredible coincidences" or dejavues without actually realising that there could be a meaning, a "code", which can reveal to us either things about to happen or can function as warnings about the future, or even, "messages" about ourselves and what we can do to alter the "higher destiny" which is the part of fate we actually can manipulate.

In the hi-tech, fast paced and materialistic modern world all this may sound like another book for "weirdos", but it can't be dismissed as others in its genre exactly because synchronicities are something mostly everyone notices at one point of life or another, and the more aware you are about them the more apparent they become.
Being a natural sceptic the first time i picked up this book i abandoned it after only being 1/3 into it becuase i felt it wasn't compatible with my own personal system of beliefs and understanding. It was only after i started noticing some startling synchronicities myself that i read it (through this time) again , only to realise that there's way more to synchronicities than, well, meets not only the eye but any of our senses.
I tend to think that the "truth" (whatever that may be) is not only something one can "learn" but it's also something one can feel and i consider both processes equally important.

The author divides synchronicities into 17 categories and studies them providing in the process numerous truly incredible examples about them. At certain parts of the book it's the examples themselves that steal the show and you may find yourself recognising situations that are in one way or the other familiar to you but you hadn't paid attention when they happened. Attention is of primary importance as you will find out if you go ahead and read it. Frank Joseph attempts to find what most of us would call a "rational explanation" about synchronicities. He's never dogmatic (to his credit) about his own thoughts and his book reads like a conversation with the reader making it one definite "cantputdowner".
In the end what he proposes is essentialy that the reader examines this his/herself and explain it in his/her terms. It doesnt actually matter how one decides to explain synchronicities he muses, what matters is that there is a different dimension of reality present for everyone waiting to be explored, discovered and deciphered.
Put this book in your bag of valuable tools.

Frank Joseph and his work on synchronicity is powerful and insightful.
SYNCHRONICITY AND YOU is an absolutely wonderful book....
I highly recommend it to anyone interested in meaningful coincidences.

As a teacher dealing with Spanish speaking parents, I found this book so helpful because it provides accurate translations of comments from English to Spanish. It provides plenty of examples for conveying my students matters of interest to the parents in simple objective language.

I use this weekly for home reports. It opens lines of communication between school and home and allows parents that speak Spanish to communicate better with an English speaking teacher.

Great resource on what to say on report cards. When you don't know how to say the right thing, this book says it in a nice, to the point way, with translations in Spanish.

For those of us who love the desert Southwest, it captures the sense of place. The odd mix of characters inherent in Nevada, each multi-dimensional. Compelling story and central characters - I was glued to it. Interesting thoughts on a monk's spiritual pursuits and, of course, temptations. I hoped at times for it to soar even higher into the abstract, but then remembered how grounded in material reality is this setting, and how palpable is the balance between inner peace (the open land) and corruption (the people) there. Felt the ending a little awkward, but still I praise. Read it!

Blunt, no-nonsense prose conveys a dark vision of the modern struggle to maintain religious commitment in this novel set outside Las Vegas. After finalizing plans to use nearby Shoshone land as a nuclear waste disposal site, the Department of Energy has begun efforts to drive out local residents, including the two eponymous monks who live at a Cistercian hermitage in the area. St. Ed, troubled by the monastery's failure to attract postulants and by his bishop's orders to give into the DOE without a fight, wants to make his order more responsive to contemporary society. Brother S, attracted to Bureau of Land Management employee Amy Chavez, finds his vows tested when St. Ed abandons the Cistercian rules and allows Amy to enter the hermitage as a postulant. As the deadline to vacate approaches, the ensuing chaos leads to a tragic act of violence, simultaneously pointless and inspirational, that infuses a note of hope into the novel's bleak tone. Bergon (Shoshone Mike) mixes non-preachy spiritual meditations with an all-too-believable plot; while he's fair to all characters, he leaves no doubt whose side he is on. A solid read that treats faith seriously and doesn't offer easy answers about its place in today's world.

St. Ed is the crusty, foulmouthed founder of a Trappist hermitage in the Nevada desert; Brother S (for Simon) is the one monk in fifteen years who has stuck it out. He has found the monastic peace he sought, keeping bees, irrigating the vegetable garden, and studying church texts. Brother S is disturbed when Ed more or less advertises the hermitage by appearing on a Vegas talk show; he is disturbed in a different way when he rescues a stranded female ranger from the Bureau of Land Management. But everyone - the ranger, Ed, Brother S, local desert rats, and the nearby Shoshone Indians - is more than disturbed when the United States Department of Energy swoops down upon the desert, intending to run its inhabitants off and install a nuclear-waste repository. The author beautifully captures the self-congratulatory hypocrisy of government officials who call themselves "environmentalists" while plotting the destruction of the environment, and worse. And he dwells upon the attractions of the contemplative life so seductively that, for once, you hope the guy will not get the girl.