Gilbert Books

A fascinating read.

I am very involved with genealogy, so I really enjoyed the memoirs.

The structure of the book was different and refreshing.

Written by Arnold Reisman Ph.D., who has served as Visiting Scholar in Turkey at both Sabanci University and the Istanbul Technical University, Turkey's Modernization: Refugees from Nazism and Ataturk's Vision is enlightening true story of how the Turkish Government of Mustafa Kernal Atatuk and Ismet Inonu accepted German and Austrian Jews, and took advantage of these victims of racial prejudice and persecution to aid the Turkish Republic's progress in academic, scientific, and medical undertakings. Tracing the lasting impacts of builders, preservers, creators, social reformers, healers, and scientists, as well as the problems they encountered, the turbulence caused by World War II and their attempts to emigrate to the U.S., Turkey's Modernization is a fascinating parable of how Turkey capitalized upon the best and the brightest - as well as of its stumbling blocks, such as its cultural predispositions for encouraging talented scientists to be content as hired hands rather than strike out and forge new businesses. Highly recommended especially for college library, international studies and Turkish history shelves.

The convergence of two historical developments are at the center of this book. First , is the rise of the Nazis to power in Germany. Second, is the creation of modern Turkey, and its effort to develop a first- rate set of academic institutions. This convergence meant that a number of leading German and Austrian academics were invited in the years 1933-1939 to teach and help establish their disciplines in Turkey. Among these are some figures of world - reputation including Erich Auerbach, the author of one of the greatest of all works of Literary Criticism, 'Mimesis' the leading figures of the 'Berlin Group' the philosopher Hans Reichenbach, the mathemitician aerodynamist and positivist philosopher Richard von Mises, the positivist philosopher Carl Hempl, the composer Paul Hindemith, the theatrical producer Carl Ebert,and the astrophysicist Findlay Freundlich. One of the first scientists and a major figure in expediting the whole process was the pathologist Philip Schwarz. All in all close to three - hundred distinguished academics and their family members made their way to Turkey during this time. The effect of their efforts amounted to nothing less than a total transformation of the higher education system in Turkey, in the sciences, humanities, and arts, but also in public health, library, legal, engineering and administrative practices.
Reisman provides a thorough documentation and often moving narrative of this process, including his telling of many of the individual stories of the academicians involved. In the background he provides an overall history of modern Turkey and brings this up - to- date even providing an explanation of the current situation of the academic world in Turkey and why the original reforms carried out by these academicians have not always had the results desired.
This is a large book impressively researched and very clearly and movingly written.
I could not recommend it more highly.

Arnold Reisman's book, Turkey's Modernization, was a history lesson of the best kind. I have read a number of books on the Nazi takeover of various countries. Yet, I had never experienced the joy of learning how Turkey welcomed those expelled from Germany.

In 1933, when Hitler came to power, he decided to dismiss all Jewish professors from German colleges and universities. Geniuses of technology, physics and the arts fled into Turkey's waiting arms and began its well-deserved modernization.

The "emigres" (renowned scientists, architects and artists) are responsible for some of the most magnificent structures in Turkey still standing today. These brave professors taught Turkish students and were revered by most in the country. Of course, they had to deal with jealousy from Turkish professors for a number of reasons. Some of the emigres were paid a higher salary and enjoyed various perks, yet this was all deserved. It certainly couldn't heal a people
who were devastated at having to leave their homes and families to chart an unknown territory. Yet, thank God they did! Hitler's lost was absolutely Turkey's gain!

These professors were too many to be named in this review. You must read this book in order to understand and celebrate the contributions of these refugees from Nazism. They were saviors to Turkey and the students they benefited.

Turkey's Modernization was a book I couldn't put down. It should be required reading for all who are history majors and any who can enjoy a story of lemons turned into lemonade.

Armchair Interviews says: Another unique view of history most do not know.

This book is about the story of the German-Jewish professors that were displaced by the [..]and were invited to come to Turkey by Ataturk's government. About 150 of them came in the 1933-1938 time frame. Some stayed for a few years, many stayed for 10 years or more. Some have stayed until retirement.The book, about 470 pages long and illustrated with many photographs and other material, is a really well-researched investigation into * the world circumstances that made this episode possible* the individuals who arranged the mechanics of this immigration* the personal life stories of these very capable scholars* how they adapted to life in Turkey* how they impacted Turkey's university education and modernization* the nature of the support and non-support they received from the government and the people This was a subject I had fleeting knowledge about. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which greatly enhanced my knowledge and understanding of the subject. It also provided yet another illustration of the vision and genius of Ataturk in making deft use of every opportunity to improve his nation. It triggered in my mind the thought that Turkey probably had a second similar opportunity at the time of the disintegration of the Soviet Union, when top tier scientists in select fields could have easily been induced to come to Turkey. Unfortunately, political cadres in charge at the time had nowhere near Ataturk's vision. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It is very readable and has many details that our generation can relate to. An interesting trivia is that Einstein was one month away himself from coming to Turkey within these group of scholars, when he received an offer from Princeton.

Before I read this book, I was beginning to process the idea of community and the radical implications it has for the church and this book succintly puts it together.
Radical is kind of a funny 80's word, but I think it most accurately describes what the author is proposing God wants for His people. it has nothing to do with gender, everything to do with giftedness and can be uncomfortable when faced with some feedback on yourself. How amazingly different from the world which clamours to one up each other, and hold power over others. how much Jesus and Paul turned the worlds thinking on its head. how much like God to do so!

I enjoy this book from first page to last. Author is sharing his insightful analysis on the community: to seek the authentic meaning of "community" to this generation when importance of community is vanishing!!!

Highly recommended!!! I think it is a 'must-read' for all!

The book is well written if one agrees with his line of reasoning. Unfortunately, his insisting on the word "head" (as in husband being head of the marriage) as having no connotations of authority is simply wrong as far as my understanding of greek can tell.
Also, his description of the trinity, in which no one member submits to the other (he consistantly uses the word "subordination", a tactic of feminist writers but not typically evangelical writers) strikes me as being very unorthodox. There are some scriptures he did not deal with that he would have to in order to convince a wider, Biblically literate audience of his trinitarian views.

This book was written in 1997 and would still have to be the best book written on church community. A Biblically functioning community is not stagnant, boring, restrictive or judgemental. Read this book and catch a glimpse of community life that no sane person would ever want to live without. In fact dont just read it - be challenged to not only transform your own way of 'doing' church but transforming the lives of others with the richness found in developing a Biblically functioning community. You will not be disappointed.

Dr. B writes with power and deep insights about the church, leadership, gender relationships and our responsibility as Christians to each other and the kingdom's work. Reading this book with honesty and openness permits the reader to be challenged and changed in their life and worldview. It is a must read for those serious about their call to Christian service.

Gilbert Morris is one of my favorite authors, and IMO, Edge of Honor is one of his best. While perhaps slightly predictable, it is no less engaging, and definitely action packed. The characters, especially Quentin and Eden are deep and well developed; even the children.
But, the book was really enhanced by the crazy character of Ben Calendar and his unexpected story.
Very endearing story...makes me want to float down the Mississippi and look for this farm.

Reading his books are like sitting down with a cup of tea in front of a fireplace and having a heart to heart talk with Dad! All of his books are so interesting, so full of romance, adventure, and depth of character! Edge of honor was superb! The Lord always talks to me through Gilbert Morris writings!

I found this book to be written exceptionaly well. It's nothing less than what Gilbert Morris usually writes. However, it was a bit hard to believe the situation happening, although it definatly could. I found it romantic and enjoyable reading, but give it a four because it didn't give me quite as big a thrill in reading it as most of his other work does. It was however, a wonderful book and I would still highly recomend it for reading. You will go with a northerner as he travels to the south to help out a woman whose husband, he has killed during the end of the Civil War. It was an accident that he killed this man and finds it his responsiblity to care for his wife. So off he sets to help her, but finds love instead. Go with him as he travels to a place that people have made him feel less than welcome. Enjoy your reading!

Happened across this book in the bookstore. I have never read any other books by this author, but I was intrigued by the storyline on the book jacket and the time period (I love Civil War era history). I couldn't put this book down (there is life without the internet! ) and finished it in 3 days. Highly recommend this book!

Gilbert Morris has managed to integrate the guilt of a Yankee toward his war deeds into a journey of self forgiveness and discovery in the EDGE OF HONOR. The opposing emotions of one who is duty bound to fight for his nation , yet honor bound to mininster to the sick and dying is a wrenching study in the strength of character of one human being. To further complicate matters by falling in love with the widow of a casualty of the struggle who happened to be on the opposite side of the fight... well; Could it get any more difficult? Yes, if you were the dealer of the death-blow to said casualty! Magnificent period imagery, heart-tugging interpersonal relations. Gilbert Morris is a fine writer and a very competent historian.

This book is one of Gilbert Morris' best. It shows what God can do for one man and inturn for his family.

I appreciate the good buy and the good shipping on this item. The Morris books are wonderful. I have every one of the Winslow Series, and I am waiting for more to come out.

Thank you for offering great products.

Characterization is one thing you can count on with a House of Winslow book.
Stuart's hopelessly addicted to seeing a woman who's definately not his wife and not good for him. When things get crazy, it's Stuart who lands in jail. The slammar's not normally the best place to find God, but he manages it and turns his life around. But will his faithful wife have him back? Will his children remember him? Can the past be buried by grace or will resentment reign? Find out.

This is another very enjoyable book in the House of Winslow series. The only thing to think about is that the book is enhanced by knowing the family history, starting with the first H of W book. They are well worth reading.

Morris does a great job of integrating the new Winslow family line into this story, and while some spots in the plot are weak, I really loved the characters of Stuart and Leah. This book has a lot to say about forgiveness and hard hearts. The Christian theme in this book isn't as preachy as in the last few, and the powerful message that God can change anyone is emphasized over and over. The only disappointment was that the bad guys didn't "get theirs", but I guess that is true to life. Great love story, strong characters, enjoyable plot.

...someone understood that the most serious things are better said while joking!!!!! I've read quite a few books that support humour as a powerful means of education, leadership, etc. but none of them actually took their own advice. We all know that simplicity is the best, most effective way to do things. At the same time it is the most dificult, so we usually hide our ignorance (smatter actually) behind fancy terms, long sentences nobody understands, and extremely 'serious' titles. I guess the authors of this book not only know what they are talking about but are very intelligent people as well.

Thank you Gloria Mayer and Thomas Mayer for giving me the pleasure of reading your book. Btw, I loved the title "Implications for Serious Managers"... That was a good one!!

Goldilocks is finally an ibnteresting and entertaining management book with a really good message. Comnbining the modernized fictional stories with an understandable real business case type message reinforcing the story is unique.

this is well worth reading for business/management joriented people, or those who would like to become more so.!

Oldilocks On Management is destine to be a modern classic of business literature. The Mayers have an uncanny touch to combine humor and insight while they interlace modern managment precepts around 27 classicfary tales. A wonderfully entertaining book that leaves you laughing and astonished at hom much you have learned - while laughing at each new story.

Move over Lying With Statistics, Oldilocks is here to claim the title ofthe best business read!

When I read the reviews for this book, I wonder if we are all talking about the same book. All the praise sounds like paid endorsements from friends of the authors.

Getting the idea that I didn't like this book? Not at all. Actually I loved it. It was fun to read & quick.

But, that's all it was -- animated & entertaining.

Goldilocks is purely ephemeral with management insights added in order to convince you that what you're reading has substance. The so-called 'business principles' are nothing more than short, shallow blurbs.

Here's how the book is arranged. There are 27 different fairy tales. There are two I'm not familiar with. Ever hear of the "Bremen Town Musicians?" Or "The Old Woman & Her Pig?"

Each tales is modernized and reflects a business theme. For example, The Three Bears operate a budget motel deep in the forest and Chicken Little reads the Wall Street Journal because she follows the prices on corn commodities.

The story follows with details concerning a business issue such as:

=> marketing => team building => sales => cash flow => hiring employees => customer service

A shaded box follows called * Basic Lesson *. Sometimes there's more:

=> how the tale applies to serious managers => a real-life story => a conclusion, called the 'bottom line'

What I found is that most of the time the 'lesson' wasn't what I thought it was. It might be me, but I think the tale's outcomes aren't clear.

Let's talk 'Sleeping Beauty'. You all know the basic story. In the Mayer's version Beauty's parents are wealthy beyond imagination. Think Bill Gates. She has everything she could want -- wealth, beauty, intelligence.

The curse put on her by the uninvited guest is: "Nothing worldly will ever satisfy you. All this wealth is going to bore you, enervate you, exhaust you. It will all seem so tawdry and meaningless that you won't be able to stay awake." (p.67)

The Mayer's lesson is that you shouldn't leave people out of your planning process because it results in poor outcomes.(read Wicked Witch)

My take, from the way the tale is written, is this: when you give someone all they need in worldly goods, when they have everything, then you remove all motivation to excel at anything. They have nothing to strive for.

Or how about the 'Ugly Duckling'? In this version the lesson is to nurture and tolerate your staff's innate skills & differences.

Yet the story makes it clear that the swan (ugly duckling) was forced to leave the ducks because he didn't fit in with the corporate culture. The way he looks doesn't adhere to the duck dress code & he trumpets when he should quack.

In most of these tales the conclusions don't support the story examples.

Who's right? I don't know. Maybe it doesn't matter.

What does matter is the authors came up with a neat gimmick then made the tales fit their pre-conceived business lesson. At least that's my conclusion.

If you come across this book when you're browsing the bookstore & you have time, read some of it. If you see it at the library, check it out. Buy it only if you have extra money around & are looking for some business fluff to break up the day's work.

Though kids would never suspect it, behind all the huffing and puffing, the golden eggs and glass slippers, our beloved fairy tales are chockfull of sound lessons for business. This book brings those magical yarns again to life-but with new force and relevance for grown-up managers.

The book is the brainchild of Gloria Gilbert Mayer and Thomas Mayer, avid fairy tale fans with thriving careers as consultants. During their three decades of involvement in management, the Mayers watched many trends come and go. They also came to a startling realization: the best business practices reflect time-honored principles-in fact, the very stuff of classic children's stories.

"Fairy tales offer us fundamental truths that have persisted across generations," the Mayers point out. "They are simple, direct, fun, and enduring."

Liberally sprinkled with whimsical line drawings, Goldilocks On Management revisits 27 enchanting stories we all know and love. Without sacrificing the cherished staples, the Mayers tell each tale with a distinctive twist to make it more adult, entertaining, and reflective of today's on-the-job realities. (For example, Goldilocks is recast as "a highly compensated professional woman with a serious attitude problem.")

But this fairy tale collection is no mere humorous parody. The "moral" of each story is crystallized as a one-line basic business lesson. Each yarn is accompanied by an in-depth discussion of its applications for serious managers. And every imaginative tale is complemented by a parallel real-world business example-a contemporary case study with striking similarities to the storybook fiction.

A wonderfully playful resource packed with thoughtful insights and practical strategies, Goldilocks on Management takes a fresh and winning approach to excelling in the big bad world of business.

Gloria Gilbert Mayer and Thomas Mayer are corporate consultants, speakers, and writers specializing in issues of concern to health care professionals. They have collaborated on numerous articles, as well as a consumer's guide to HMOs, The Health Insurance Alternative. This book was inspired by their mutual love for classic children's stories and a lesson reinforced throughout their three decades in management. Gloria holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. Tom holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and is also board-certified in Family Practice from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan, Managing Partner of Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management Group, an education and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu. Azlan has a MA in International Business and Management from the University of Westminster.

The author definitely chose a provocative title for this book. I hope that no one avoids it because of the title. If you read between the lines you can see that he is not denying the biblical doctrine of the eternal state. In fact, I thought that another way of titling the book could have been "Disembodied existence somewhere in an ethereal third dimension is not my destiny."

The view that many Christians have is that, after this life, our souls go to heaven and we walk streets of gold, wearing white robes and singing hymns for eternity. What Marshall does is show that our eternal destiny may in fact look a bit more like our current earthly existence than we realize.

Marshall correctly brings out the biblical teaching that the created order is basically good, and therefore it can be embraced. Sin is not the essence of the creation, sin is an imposter.

Because many Christians have wrongly interpreted Biblical passages on the world and worldliness we have adopted an attitude that sees this world as something evil at worst, or unnecessary at best. Either way, this world and this earth and this creation are to be avoided or endured until the time when we will be freed from all of it.

However, Marshall shows very well that sin is to be removed from the creation, the creation itself is not destined to perish. He demonstrates that this creation is destined for renewal, not eradication. Eternity will be spent in a new heavens and a new earth.

Such a view has implications for how we live now. Our work, our rest, our play, our culture, our politics, and all human activity has value. We are to embrace our earthly callings. He makes the comment that all honest work is pleasing to God. Paul tells us - wheter we eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.

All of life can be and should be done to the glory of God.

One weakness of the book is that he does go overboard on showing that this earth is our home. I once had a professor who said that when a ship is listing badly to the right, you don't jump up and down in the center to get it straightened out. You jump up and down on the left. I think this is what Marshall has done here - he has seen how the church has overdone it on the otherworldliness and is trying to get us back on course about our responsibilities in the here and now. As such, he doesn't deal adequately with the verses that speak of our identity as pilgrims, strangers, aliens, etc..

With this minor weakness I still have no problem giving the book 5 stars. It is a beneficial and necessary read for Christians.

Paul Marshall, in talking about the Christian faith in relation to the secular world, does make some solid, practical points. However, the consistency of these points varies as each chapter arises, and the importance of work, for example, is as important as play, and rest, and so on. His emphasis is placed on all the wrong things. Yes, he does encourage Christians to acknowledge the need for these physical and spirutal rewards, however, he discredits God in many instances. Man's sole purpose on the earth is NOT to take care of it, although that is a big factor. Man is created to glorify God. Marshall discredits God's omniscence in Chapter 12 by stating, without supporting, that "God was directed by Adam's decision" to name the animals. Here, Marshall in talking about the amount of responsibility placed on Adam, discredits God and ignores God's ubiquitous omniscence. Marshall repeatedly contradicts himself and places man as equals with God, which is just messed up. This book may be helpful to new Christians, as a starting point, but there is much more solid, beautiful literature out there and I strongly recommend that no Christian apply his entire spiritual life around this book.

This book is one of the best introductions to Christian worldview thinking I have read and should prompt one to more robust reflection on the many ways one's commitment to Christ should form all of life. Marshall's treatment is thoroughly biblical, and he writes in an engaging style. He first explains the Reformed pattern of Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation and then explores its impact on our learning, our work, our rest, and our play, as well as its implications for how we think about the natural world, politics, the arts, and technology, among other topics. Throughout, he utilizes clear illustrations and helpful applications that make the biblical principles concrete. (For example, his discussion about how to think about the way we dress is alone worth the price of admission.) All told, Heaven Is Not My Home is an excellent catalyst for thinking Christianly about God's world.

The Bible says, God's Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Ps.119:105) But do you stare at the lamp? No. You don't buy a flashlight so you can hold it up to your face and stare into it. The purpose of a lamp is to illuminate other things. In the same way, God's Word is meant to be a light for revelation of God and on His creation. The Word of God helps us to see properly the world that God has made.

We don't find great details about buildings, or marriages, or music, or physics in the Word of God. But in the light of the Word, we can study the world and learn about such things. Because our minds have been darkened by sin, it is only in the light of God's Word that we can understand the creation as it is. (Rom. 1:20, 21). Without a sound knowledge of the Word of God, we are left with a distorted view of God's handiwork.

A LIGHT FOR DIRECTION
God's Word is more than a light; it is a light on a path. It is meant to shine on the way before us. We don't stare into our flashlight. We point it forward and down, hitting the ground about six feet ahead. We shine it on the path before us because we want to see where we are going. It helps us see the stones, cracks, gullies, and slopes so we know where to place our feet without falling.

Paul Marshall wrote: "As we study the Scriptures we need to shine them on the questions that lie before us on our pilgrimage. This includes not only questions concerning our personal life and the church, but also the farmer's questions of how and what to plant or how to make our daily bread, and for all of us, how to deal with fields, factories, studies, politics."

He continues: "We ought to study not only God's Word but also God's world; we study the world in the light of the Word. We need to study not only Isaiah but also industry. Not only Philemon but also politics. Not only Acts but arts. It is not for us to choose between knowing the Bible or the world; we need to know the world biblically."

RESPONSIBILITY & FREEDOM
"What is so important to learn from Scripture is the connection between human responsibility and human freedom. We are bound to the Word of God and free to work out our service to God. Throughout Scripture we can find a continued story of human development in life and society. People everywhere continue to create new things. This cultural development does not stop at the end of biblical revelation. The command to fill the earth and bring forth fruit shows us that historical changes and development are very real, very much part of God's intention for human life."

CALLED TO CREATE, DEVELOP, ADAPT
"We are called by God to create to develop, and to adapt what is about us in response to the guidance that God has given us. The nature of being human, or being made in the image of God, is that we are given responsibility for the earth. And real responsibility often comes when the answer is not obvious, when the laws and rules leave open several options, or when many different laws and rules apply at the same time. We are not just interpreters but also judges or deciders."

REAL RESPONSIBILITY
"We have to make real decisions about how we can put flesh on what God has shown us to be the path of peace, hope, stewardship, and justice. God gives us real responsibility. Our responsibility is both frightening and challenging. We cannot shrink from it."

I commend Paul Marshall's book to you.

This book is insightful, readable, enjoyable, and brilliant. I will recommend it to many friends. Marshall summarized many of my thoughts about modern Christianity, and challenged me to take the Kingdom call of God more seriously in my everyday life. Highly recommended.

This is a nice book for beginners or slightly knowledgable scanner-persons. It isn't an "everything" book, but for novices like me, it was pretty good.

Before reading through this book I only used my scanner to occassionaly scan photos. After reading through this book I discovered that I can do a whole lot more and my scanner is no longer gathering dust on my desktop anymore. The author has a very friendly (often humorous) style of writing that makes you feel he is actually talking with you one-to-one. This book should be included with every scanner that is made.

I saw this book at the library and checked it out to read. The book has a lot of chapters and topics, but doesn't go into much depth in most areas. For example, the chapter on Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is 5 pages total. That includes some broad statements about how scanners do OCR, but no discussion of how to improve the processing, specific OCR software, etc.

The author seems to own PhotoSuite software (or it came with her scanner) since most examples of graphics software are presented with this package. No help with PaintShopPro, Photoshop, etc. if those are what you use.

This book may be useful to home users of scanners to add graphics to documents, retouch photos, etc. but this is NOT the book for people doing serious scanning applications. It is a misleading title that states "How to Do Everything".

This book was amazing. I felt that the author really addressed the important questions I had about scanning and really taught me some cool things to do with my scanner. This book is an absolute must when buying or using a scanner, I felt that it should have been included with my scanner.

David Huss is a highly skilled digital imager, and a superb communicator to boot (see my rave review of his Photoshop Elements book). This paperback is no exception - other than that the title is a misnomer that leads one to expect an overview of scanning hardware. And that it ain't! Rather, the title should have been "How To Do Everything with >>Scanned Images<<", and that the author does very well indeed. If you had hoped to learn how scanners work (not even a diagram is provided) or how to get the most scanner for your budget - forget it. Moreover, the chapter on OCR (optical character recognition) is disappointing - many words but few pearls. To add to the confusion caused by the title, this paperback also appears as a hardcover book with precisely identical title, but entirely different author (of the opposite gender yet). Having said this, Mr Huss does a fabulous job of showing you how to scan photo's properly and, better yet, how to process the resulting digital images. The final chapters on correcting & enhancing photo's, and on restoring damaged photo's, rate 5 stars, making the book well worth the modest price. If only the title had not led to expectations unfulfilled.

I returned this book as I could not see a journalistc advantage, to research and acknowledge a process through grieving.

After the acute mourning phase fades, and it will (although it takes time), the time for remembering appears. This is a wonderful book for writing your memories, putting in photos, or doing whatever you want as a personal tribute to your loved one. I think it would be hard to work on this book shortly after losing someone, but a few years later, or whenever grief turns into the quiet background music of everyday life, it is time to write down all of the wonderful and precious memories.

This book would make a wonderful gift to anyone who has lost a loved one - even for yourself.

I found this journal/book to be very helpful in dealing with grief over the sudden loss of my mother. The introductory sections described exactly how I was feeling and the pages to journal give space to get feelings down on various subjects. Using the book helped to remember the good times. I would recommend it to anyone going through this process. I actually felt a bit better after working through it using the book.

When my young sister died suddenly, I was devastated. I wandered into a bookstore and somehow found this book. Although it is a journal, I didn't intend to write in the book when I bought it. I just wanted to read the quotes on life, loss and grieving on each page. They really captured my many complex and painful feelings. Now, several years later, I still remember "The presence of that absence is everywhere." The quotes were also short, which helped when grief prevented me from focusing on anything for long.

I did end up writing in the book, and drawing pictures, and inserting stickers and poems she would have liked. It has been my companion through this grief. And now it's a treasured momento with stories of her life and our relationship.

This is a wonderful grief journal. Almost too nice to write in! It has some wonderful poetry and sayings throughout the journal pages. The intro has tips on how to get the most from journaling - encouraging the expression of emotions.

This compilation is a classic collection of short-story murder/mysteries. Father Brown is a compelling figure throughout. The collection is large enough to spend days reading, if you like, but arranged in such a way that you can sneak in little bits of Father Brown as you are able.

This collection is comprised of 12 mysteries featuring Father Brown, a Roman Catholic priest who uses his knowledge of human nature and his intellect to solve the mysteries that seem to pop up around him. At times the solutions to the cases seem a bit fantasic and a little bit out-of-the-blue. However, all the solutions are logical and make sense when you think about them.

Furthermore, Chesterton's writting is brilliantly descriptive and really helps the the reader visualize the scene. As one of the other reviewers said Chesterton's writing ability really is extraordinary.

My personal favorite in the collection was "The Sign of the Broken Sword."

I would recommend this collection to any fan of mysteries and especially those who enjoy Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie's Poirot.

What an absolutely delightful set of stories! Each is gem of superb writing that is clever and perceptive. G.K. Chesterton serves up short detective stories, each of which is solved by the insightful intuition and logic of his Catholic priest hero, Father Brown. The situations Brown finds himself also illuminate 19th-century British class distinctions and pre-occupations. The characters are well drawn and intriguing. The 12 Fishermen is an aristocratic men's club with no apparent purpose other than to meet yearly in an exclusive restaurant. Inspector Valentin, the "greatest detective in the world," is an avowed atheist who is repelled by Brown's religiosity and irritated by his cleverness. Flambeau the exquisite thief starts out as a fairy-like phantom figure before becoming Brown's confidante. The murders and killings in the book are varied and fantastic -- everything from beheadings to duels to suicides are trotted out for us to decipher. But though Chesterton lays out his clues in the open, no case has an obvious solution, and all involve twists of identity. Red herrings abound, mostly of the reader's own conjuring. It's a wonder to read how the simple priest is able to see clearly where others see not at all.

Chesterton's evident humanity and views on life fairly leap off the page. His heros and villains are of the upper classes and include an odd menagerie of soldiers, doctors, poets, socialists and aristocrats. Chesterton sympathizes (to a point) with the socialist young, the romantic and even the repentant ne'er-do-well. He finds amusement at those who dabble in foreign religions. But he is wary of atheism, the occult and the anti-clericalism. Yet whatever his feelings, he gives to each of his characters the Christian opportunity to change and the very human reluctance to do so.

Worth reading or listening to over and over to appreciate GK's craft!

Father Brown is first introduced to readers as a kindly, clumsy little priest who prattles naively about the valuables he's toting, and keeps dropping his umbrella.

But appearances, G.K. Chesterton reminds us, are deceptive. "The Innocence of Father Brown" is the first collection of stories about the kindly, eccentric detective who has an uncanny cleverness that nobody guesses. Chesterton wraps each story in his warm, sometimes entrancing writing and a very odd assortment of crimes.

The first story opens with French detective Valentin on the hunt for the great thief Flambeau, and along the way encounters a little priest who is telling people about his "silver with blue stones." Turns out that the little priest is the target of Flambeau's crime, and the priceless sapphire cross he's carrying is about to be stolen -- but Valentin discovers that Father Brown is a lot cleverer than he seems.

In the stories that follow, Father Brown is involved in a series of strange crimes -- a cold-blooded beheading from religious bigotry, "a cheery cosy English middle-class crime" for Christmas, an Italian prince's invitation ends with revenge, a mysterious fall, a murderer in the open that nobody sees, precious gems, headless skeletons, and a suicide note that reads: "I die by my own hand; yet I die murdered!"

Chesterton's mysteries are often ignored next to Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, which is odd when you consider his uncanny knack for making mysteries that are simple, yet incredibly hard to figure out. And each mystery is accompanied by little insights into human nature -- such as the one man whom you could see going to a crime scene, but wouldn't notice.

The mysteries are usually written very casually and a little humorously, but with an oblique wall of clues that don't make sense until Father Brown reveals the motives. And Chesterton's crowning achievement is a writing style is absolutely exquisite ("Between the silver ribbon of morning and the green glittering ribbon of sea"), something that not many mysteries have.

Three characters are really important here: little gnomish Father Brown, whose innocuous appearance hides a shrewd knowledge of crime and evil. There's Flambeau, a master thief who is impressed by Brown's intelligence and understanding, and the rabidly bigoted French detective Valentin, whose dislike of Brown takes an unexpected turn early in the book.

"The Innocence of Father Brown" is a solid little collection of Chesterton's detective stories, starring one of the least likely detectives you could pick. Definitely a good read for mystery buffs.

G. K. Chesterton had a writing ability that is nothing short of extraordinary. He could craft landscapes, settings, and locations with vivid textures, and possessed a cunning knack that made the ordinary seem thoroughly outlandish and the peculiar rather tame. This collection of short mysteries aptly shows off his skill as a writer; whereas most authors would use an entire novel to build tension, cultivate atmosphere, and weave a complex mystery, Chesterton could do all that in a few brief pages - and at a much higher level of quality too! Reading this book is like reading twelve beautifully crafted novels in one, such is the quality.

I won't spoil the stories for you; reading this book is a rewarding journey for the imagination, meeting many characters fantastic in their normalcy or surprisingly believable and realistic in their peculiarity, visiting locations stunningly brought to life with a writing skill that is second to none, and delving into mysterious events that are often confusing, complex, and entertaining for the brain. Don't pick this book up if you want some pedestrian tales; pick it up if you want first-class storytelling that will keep you both guessing and thinking.

The Music on this Cd is some of my favorite music from Jaco . I first bought the album about fourteen years ago a just about wore it out. I have looked around for the cd everywhere and finally found it here.

Actually, I am not suppose to write a review for this record, but the unjustified responds from so many Jaco fans, forced me into putting my pen in this tiny review. This album is no doubt very good, great musicianship was displayed here, but by saying "The Birthday Concert" is a lesser album, that I can't agree. Take "The Chicken" for instance, the soloist playing here is a lackluster compared to Micheal Brecker who played in "The Birthday Concert", I don't want to go into techincal details but can't you all hear that? I understand for the fans who only want to hear the Jacobass, maybe the bassist was in a better form here, but for me the band gotta be good as a whole especially the soloist (M Brecker burns!). Don't get me wrong, this is still a good record, but the only thing that I can't agree with is "The Birthday Concert" a lesser album.

A great CD which is a record of 3 live preformences in japan, it's Jaco in his near top playing along a wonderful big band! The tune i like best is "The chicken"

I literally climbed down into a sewer to retrieve my Invitation tape after it fell out of my car into the gutter. I didn't know if it was still being made and I wasn't taking any chances! It's one of those albums that I listen to over and over and over. The Chicken is so funky, Jaco's playing is so good. The pan solo is so fun. The whole band rocks - the songs are tight and together and the band seems to breathe as one thing. This album is far far superior to "The Birthday Concert" which seems like a mere warm up to this one. (oh, um, I guess it was!)

Personaly I think this is one of the best recordings of Jaco doing primaraly funk. This summer at camp I got a chance to jam with John Scofield and we played "the chicken", from then on I was hooked. When I got home I listened to the tape of invitation over and over (it's the kind of thing you dont get tired of). Unfortunatly the tape is now dying and it's definatly time to ordr the CD. If you're a fan of Jaco, funk or jazz, this album's definately worth it.