H Books

This novel is terrifying from beginning to end. Any time your villain is a child possessed by malevolence it makes for a very scary read. If you can get your hands on this, (I personally had a hard time finding a copy), buy it! I promise you that you will not regret it.

I do not read vampire books AND this is not Vampire book. But the book is so GOOD that I will read this author's other books- which are Vampire books!
This is grand scale,small town, multi characters,bloody,atmospheric horror with lots of action,twist, ancient mythology and very GORE,graphic scene. If you like ANY type of horror then this is a must. My rule of thumb is- if ALL reviews of the books on Amazon are good then that book is GOOD... and was I right!

"Greely's Cove" in the baseball parlance is a slugger who hits a long drive to Center field in the old Yankee Stadium of about 455 feet. Unfortunately, the fence is 457 feet back so while a tremendous drive, it is merely a long out. In a literary sense, "Greely's Cove" just misses being a horror classic for the ages due to the lack of further character exposition that is sorely needed to explain the character's actions.

Gideon, a pseudonym for Lonn Hoklin, Oregon Governor Kulongoski's press secretary (a democrat, shame on him)starts the novel off strong with the suicide of a woman apparently under torment from her son. Her son, a formerly autistic empty shell of a human is miraculously transformed into a fully reasoning, talking and mature teenage boy with a slight british accent. Gideon's decription of the boy Jeremy, leads us to imagine a young James Mason complete with red smoking jacket, martini glass and cigarette holder. This breakthrough came under noted psychologist Hadrian Craslowe who lives in a gloomy threatening manse in a remote part of the village. At the same time, the village is experiencing a rash of residents disappearances of approximately one a month. The boy's father returns from Washington DC to look after him and gets drawn up into the creepy and sometimes outright terrifying events that occur as a result of the boy's transformation.

This is all great horror fun! Greely's Cove is an outright homage to King's "Salem's Lot in the outstanding decription of smalltown life and the people who live there. Characters such as Mich Nistler, Stu Bromton, Renzi Dawkins, the unfortunate victims, Corey "the Cannibal" Strecker and Lindsay Moreland will remain in the reader's memory long after the book is completed.

However, the lack of full exposition of main character's Carl Trosper, Hannaford Hazelwood and Robinson Sparhawk deny this novel classic status. Carl Trosper is an unlikeable character despite the author's best efforts, leading us to believe whether Gideon wanted to make him hero or anti-hero. The mystical duo of Hazelwood and Sparhawk are better defined characters whose limitations and history are not fully described by the author. Ms. Hazelwood is presented as an ancient (good) witch of a mystical order capable of awesome power. Mr. Gideon should have delved further into this order and the history the order has with the evil represented by Mr. Craslowe. Mr. Sparhawk is a forensic psychic who has met pure evil twice before and ran from the challenge. Why was this? What was he so afraid of, besides death? All three characters seem incomplete which makes the ending of the novel less satisfying then it could have been.

A very fine novel, but approximately 25 pages short of being a classic one.

Being a very big fan of the horror genre, I was at first reluctant to pick this up but then succumbed to it. And boy was I glad I did! This guy is completely underrated and deserves some recognition from the Bram Stoker Award. Sadly though, all of Gideon's books are out of print but are worth searching for. Well, anyway I'll try to describe the plot without mentioning any spoilers. In the small town of Greely's Cove, a woman's body is found at the house at the edge of town. Suddenly, that house becomes the place of fear and terror for the town. With dead bodies, a vampire, and a evil entity trying to break through the other side to the real world. This book is extremely gory and gruesome, and not for the squeamish. If you like your horror bloody and gory, then this is it but don't say I didn't warn you.

It is refreshing to find a book that can give me the creeps. Greely's Cove showed me that there are still stories out there that can push the right buttons for me. Right from the beginning I knew this would be a special story. Some of the ideas presented in this book were simply outstanding moments of horror.

A mother is driven to suicide after the miraculous recovery of her autistic son (don't even try to imagine what happens to her body). The estranged father returns with big ideas about having a son, but he doesn't find what he expects. Mysterious disappearances around town are adding up, and the police chief is forced to seek out the assistance of a "forensice psychic" to help with the case... one that has encountered this type of evil only a couple of times in his life - each time he retreats, fearing for his life and sanity. What does the once-autistic boy and his doctor have to do with the case?

There was a lot going on in this story, but the plot was never confusing and none of it ever felt forced. My aversion to psychics was a non-issue in this book, as the character was likeable and believeable right from his introduction. Pacing was good, and the story progressed with a very natural flow. At just over 400 pages, the length was perfect. There are many stories that feel hundreds of pages too long, but this is one that I would not have minded reading for another hundred pages (not that it needed it). Another positive is that even though this novel is from the late eighties, it didn't really feel dated - with passing references to salaries and cars being the only indication of the time period.

I highly recommend this book to all fans of the genre.

I'm at a loss about how to begin a review of the titanic marvel "Joseph and His Brothers" because of its being so many things, adding fright to the one who tries to properly bring forth what future readers are in store for upon opeing its first page and delving into "Descent into Hell."

I have never before and doubt ever will again read a 1,500 page 'tale,' let alone one that includes a continuous barrage of gripping stories alongside psychological insight of God-like proportions. What's icing on the cake as to this book's sheer power and unforgettableness is its comic charm. I did not know I was going to be reading what is pretty much a comedy when being pulled into this marvelous Old Testament narrative.

If you have read the biblical account of Jacob and Esau on down to Joseph in Egypt and are worried that its contents couldn't stay intriguing for this many pages, there is good news, because it, for the most part, very much is.

In the preface, translator John E. Woods accurately proposes he thinks that "Mann ... wanted to make sure he had readers worthy of him" while explaining that some portions of this interweaving jewel are prone to be more difficult to read than what is, thankfully, the majority. And it is this truth, in which I agree with this stirling translator, that I breifly dwell upon.

In several used bookstores I've been to, the only part of this story that I ever saw available, and in a volume all its own, was H.T. Porter's translation of "Joseph in Egypt." Given its apparent availability over the other three parts, I suspected it would be the best - which Mann himself thought to be true. But, solely from the perspective of, as Virginia Woolf would aptly call me, a 'common reader,' I bring forth that those trickier 'riddles' that Woods forwarns, or maybe just mentions, occur most often in this third volume. The feel of being sidetracked a little too much continues on into the beginning segments of "Joseph the Provider."

Do these, I will dare to say, overly descriptive, meandering pages that include some repitition detract all that much from the sheer pleasure that dominates most of what is nothing short of this literary feast and party? Hardly not. For outside of this minor qualm over the author perhaps going a little too far about content that probably didn't require as much attention, there is no book I have read up until now that has offered more to a reader than this. I guess "sublime" is not a bad word to use when measuring the result of Mann's cataclysmic efforts that encompassed a time span of 16 years, no less, including a 5-year absence between the third and fourth stories.

He touches on such juicy, delicious insights about mankind, helping to devour the notion that life is different now compared to then. And while it is entirely varied in custom, how could our experiences be all that different due to the fact that we all have one monstrous thing in common, our humanity.

Mann had me wondering if he wasn't something more than human, though, his elegance, wisdom, humor and charm are in such top form. And while it could have been one of the great many gods of Baal that Mann includes throughout who could have helped guide his pen, I'm more prone to believe it was the God of the wanderer who possessed his wrist on occasion.

One of the greatest books ever written.

Also the kind of service / support rendered by Amazon, when the first copy did not reach me, was truly touching and amazing. Within a fortnight of not having received the original book sent to me, I had the book finally in my hands ! Great customer service.

For all the great technological magic of our age we suffer the misfortune of living in a time where the depth of hyperbole rends the edge from language leaving us bereft when the time comes to describe something truly remarkable. Thus to say that John Woods' translation of Thomas Mann's Joseph and His Brothers offers readers a gift of almost indescribable value may leave one wondering if I am making a literally true statement or simply wallowing in the common puff of our day. In this case the latter is the case for Mr. Woods' translation of Mann's great opus offers the reader an experience both challenging and sublime.

Readers unfamiliar with Mann's work may feel a sense of vertigo beginning this even more than his other works. Much of the style of narration, unique with its perspective shifting through time, seems almost purposely designed to leave one doubting their footing. Increasing the sense of dread is the books sheer heft, with over 1500 pages of small type and weighing in at almost two and half pounds. Yet those brave souls who resist the temptation to lay down this load in favor of a more easily digested work will come to in the end appreciate the feast to come. Mann's work rests on its own unique rhythm, and once the reader grows acclimated they will surely appreciate both the work and the great skill of Mr. Wood as translator. This series of four novels expounding on the biblical tale of Jacob, his son of Joseph of the famous robe, as well as his brothers, often comes when people engage in the entertaining and fruitless parlor game of determining the greatest literary work of the 20th century. While no single work can claim such a title, the complexity of the work and the Herculean task of translation should be evident that this is only the second instance of its translation into English in the more than 60 years since it first appeared.

Beyond simply outlining the work's subject matter, in many ways it seems written with the express intent of defying further description. With a complex web of interrelated stories, occasionally taking subjects that the bible reflects on for only a sentence and expanded on them for a hundred pages and at the same time seeking to place this seminal tale in its religious, historic, and cultural context, the work often leaves the reader gasping at the audacity of Man's enterprise. Yet almost every one of his efforts comes as a remarkable success, leaving one much to ponder. Indeed, any expectation that one can rush through this work will surely leave you with only a headache and little to show for the effort. Instead, one must take their time and slowly chew on Joseph and His Brother's digesting each piece in turn. Like many great works this one takes effort and diligence, but the reward comes as more than just bragging rights for having read it. Far more, it will offer an often eye opening new perspective and beckon from the book shelf to be taken down again so that you may reread this section or that.

One last point: to end where I began, Mann's attention to detail and word choice often gives pause, making each of us consider the harm done when we rain down words on a subject when a mere drop would do.

The new translation of Joseph and His Brothers is beautiful, as is the novel. Yes, it's long--about 1500 pages--but it's worth all the time it takes to read. Perhaps this isn't the place to start, if you haven't read Mann before, but if you already admire his work, you're going to love this book.

Anyone who has read my Listmania "Escape Mass Market Fiction" knows that I touted this novel (tertrology actually) as having ".... the most exquisite language since Shakespeare". But it is truly beyond that. After 30 years and over 3,000 books read I can affirm that there simply has been no greater work of fiction produced in any century by man or woman. One of the reviewers for the Lowe-Porter translation was dead-on saying you keep wanting to go back and reread the last 20 pages you managed to finish just to savor the experience. Original editions are a little rare and expensive, but, like any treasure, it's rewards are transcendental, and once read, you can consider yourself part of the most esoteric world of the true literati. NOTE-- Beginners who are easily scared off and prefer to sample before committing might want to skip the Preludes and go straight to the main chapters.

I recently did a make-over party and handed these out as favors. Thought this would get the kids off to a good start on their summer reading program. The kids loved them and the story is very thought provoking. Shows kindness to others.

My kids have all Judy Moody and Stink books. They love them, and I know for the fact that they help kids who struggle with reading in 3rd grade. They are easy to read and have a good story, are funny and appealing to that age group. A must have!

This book was good. My favorite part was when she hits the teacher's elbow. That made me laugh!

judy moody always wants to be in the news paper or on tv. judys cat won the pet contest and she finnaly was in the news paper.she was happy after all of that.when judy got home she looked in the news paper.she said thats a get picture of me and my cat.

i liked this book because stink was funny by selling moon dust.

the thing i dont like this book was judy always wined.

I thought this book was a bomb! You have got to read this book. If you are a Judy Moody fan and you read this book you will like it very much.The main thing that happens is Judy Moody is trying to get famous.

This small book is sooo powerful it is unbelievable! I had so many aha moments that it shocked me. Would recommend this book to everyone at every age.

I picked this book up after leafing through it a bit, and what I found intrigued me to buy it. It's an interesting journey through life and growth, offering insight along the way. "The Laws of Spirit" can be read quickly, but should be savored for its rich content. Our life is always open to transformation, and only we have the power to fully direct that transformation. All life is a journey, and this books helps lay it out in simple terms to achieve balance in life. Elaine Williams

I came across this little book completely by accident (fate?) in a bookcase/library of about 800 books while renting a house for a few weeks scouting locations for my company. I was at a very low point in my life and this book taught me a new way of looking at almost every detail. This particular Dan Millman book shows you how we make life so much more difficult than it has to be. I have purchased and given away almost 40 copies of this book to friends, family, and sometimes to people I have just met or barely know that seem lost or overwhelmed with life. Suggestion: Find a spot that is special to you to sit back and absorb this book...it's an easy "short read" and I hope it speaks to you as it has to me and many others.

This book is short and to the point. The problem is that once you have the tools in this book, can you apply them. That seems to be my downfall. Another good guide book out there by my favorite author.

This book is one of my all time favorites. I have bought over 40 copies of this book and given them to friends (many of them in turn told me they bought copies of this book for friends and family). If you want to give a gift that will be appreciated, give this book as a gift!

I have reread this book several times!

Harriet Page Potter is an inspiration to us all. She never forgot her grandmother's words. This book is an exciting read that left me wanting to know more about all the characters. I don't want to say more because it the twists and turns make the story so unforgetable.

I enjoyed this book more than any other about Texas history. It was an unbelievable but true story about a woman's fortitude during a very difficult time.

In 1968, I was a 24 year old Texas newlywed who had a serious case of Flu. While recovering in bed, my mother-in-law gave me a book to read called Love Is A Wild Assault. I thought it sounded like a rather "racy" title for my mother-in-law to be recommending to me, but she assured me that it was not just another "dime-store romance novel"; that in fact it was a wonderful story of how love,courage and determination got one young Texas woman through all of the experiences of her life during the early days on the wild Texas frontier. I will forever be indebted to my mother-in-law for introducing me to Harriet Potter and her story. I have recommended it to so many friends over the years, and I never tire of re-reading it myself. I also gave my daughter her own copy a few years ago when she was ready to leave home and begin a life of her own. It has become one of her favorite books; and now we are both anxious to share it with HER daughter who is a voracious reader and will begin high school next year. This book is timeless and deserves the highest praise that can be given. It is indeed a RARE TREASURE to find a story like this one. I only wish I could share it with EVERYONE.

Is it possible to equally detest both feminists and purely decorative women? If your idea of the frontier woman is someone who overcomes both timidity and inselectivity, the lessons learned from this book will be monumental. Its basic thesis is that love must like all things be practical, because in loving the practical, we are loving the life that gives us consciousness. There's philosophy, frontier adventure, and the story of a woman determined to survive whatever life throws at her in this alternately whimsical, romantic, adventurous and violent book. It needs a better edit, and the style seems formal to our ears now, but the challenging sentence structures show us how much smarter people were even 50 years ago (attention modern humans: your civilization is dying and you're in denial). One could probably drop 100 pages of redundant experience and data from this book without losing a thing, but I'll take it as it is. A surprisingly good read.

I have read this book twice for two different book clubs and recommended it for several others. In 1957, Elithe Kirkland, a history writer, takes a diary found in an attic and novelizes it. This is an amazing true story of a pioneering woman in early Texas, her loves, her life and her courage. It reads like it was written yesterday. My favorite book of all time.

I would say that this is a well written and indepth looks at Michael Jordans return to profession basketball with the Washington Wizards.

If you only read one story about Michael Jordan, this is the one to read. I am from D.C. and regard him as the greatest athlete of the 20th century. It was delightful to read about a second comeback. The fact that he did come back to be a Wizard, makes this story remarkable. Worth every sent!

Wow is the only words that can penetrate the ranging emotions that occur when this book is read. Awesome. A must have for any Michael Jordan Fan. I want to be so much Like Mike Right Now.

I would say that this is a well written and indepth looks at Michael Jordans return to profession basketball with the Washington Wizards.

For 13 brilliant seasons Michael Jordan danced the dance of greatness across hardwood floors of basketball arenas from New York to Los Angeles to Barcelona and Paris. With a warrior's heart and an artist's grace, Jordan long ago transcended the sport to become one of the 20th century's global icons.

On the court, his almost mythic flair for the spectacular prompted former Los Angeles Laker superstar Magic Johnson to say simply, "There's Michael, then there's all the rest of us"Off the court, Jordan's ability to alter markets and drive the business of his marketing partners is unprecedented.

Through it all, Jordan showed the world that greatness, true greatness, comes from the inside out. He remains perhaps the greatest practice player in the history of sports, his desire to improve upon his own example legendary. When critics questioned his all-around ability, he became the game's most dominant defensive player at his position. When teams decided to close down the lane and eliminate drives to the basket, he became a deadly jump shooter. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson had the most successfully teams of the 1980s but never won more than two consecutive championships. The Bulls won three straight--twice.

In Michael Jordan Returns to the NBA Again, the writer pulls back the curtain on one of the most remarkable sports figure of the 20th century and delves into the question of why he returns to the NBA after going out on top in 1998.

I first learned of Mistress Masham's Repose during a game of charades. (Can you imagine trying to act out this title, especially since it's a book so few people have heard of?) I had already read and loved The Once and Future King, and set out to find a copy. I have read this book three times over the past 20 years. Each time it strikes me anew as such a wonderfully funny, sweet and substantial novel. It could be that the title itself is what kept it from becoming a classic alongside Wind in the Willows and A Wrinkle in Time. Read this book! Buy this book for all the book-loving children in your life!

As an American child of about 10, I acquired a battered copy of this book along with a bunch of children's books from a family friend whose children had outgrown them. As other reviewers suggest, I was mystified by much of the book (the poet Pope?) but I still found it a great adventure story and loved the illustrations. It didn't hurt that I resembled Maria myself (a bookish tomboy with glasses--thank God for LASIK). I have re-read the book with pleasure on a number of occasions and now understand the references, but I wouldn't hesitate to give this book to an intelligent American child today. Perhaps it would prompt him or her to learn more about British history and literature. I'm glad to see it has been reprinted.

As kids, both my brother and I considered this one of our favorite books - and we did a LOT of reading. I can't tell you how many times I read it. Our copy was lost at some point, so I am thrilled that it is back in print so I can now read it to my own children. My kids are 3 and 6, so still a bit young for this book, but I'll probably buy a copy now for my own pleasure, and another for my brother.
I have always loved books that lead you to another book, and I just had to read "Gulliver's Travels" after reading this one. As a kid, much of it went over my head, but I still enjoyed it. Now that I think about it, I should re-read that one too...

Although one of White's lesser-known works, to my mind it's easily one of his best (Anne Fine regards it as her favourite children's book). The concept of Lilliputians living in an English landscape garden is superb, and White develops his theme in wonderfully enticing ways - and always with his typical 'feel' for character and setting. There's so much to enjoy in this tale - still a classic after 60 years.

After finishing university T. H. White worked as a teacher in the Stowe School which occupies a gigantic former Baroque stately home: here he conceived of the idea of Malplaquet, modeled after the greatest of all British country homes, Blenheim Palace, where the Dukes of Marlborough have lived and where Winston Churchill was born and raised. Malplaquet, an imaginary dilapidated repository of all its nation's history (we find out the Princes in the Tower were executed in its medieval dungeon, which also contains the ax which beheaded Charles I), would make a wonderful setting for any book, but rather than use it for a Gothic (the obvious choice), here White had the inspiration to make it the setting for a children's fantasy. White's mansion is not only the home of the little girl Maria who has inherited the estate (and not much else) and her warders--some cruel, some kind--but also a group of Lilliputians brought over from their island home during the time of Swift, whom Maria encounters one day. Maria's encounter with the Lilliputians becomes for her a means for learning about the nature of tyranny--both that exercised over herself by her guardian the Vicar Mr. Hater and her governess Miss Brown, but also that she herself can hardly keep herself from exercising over the Lilliputian community hidden on her estate.

This is a children's book that, to be honest, will best be appreciated by adults. White imagined his readers not only familiar with GULLIVER'S TRAVELS but also with some of the history of seventeenth and eighteenth-century England: American children particularly today would be confused as to who Mistresses Masham and Morley were, or what Malplaquet is named after, or even who Gulliver was. And their patience might well be tried by White's love of Wodehousean "types": the bluff Lord Lieutenant with an obsession with horses and hounds, and Maria's mentor the absent-minded and esoteric antiquarian the Professor . But adults (and even older children) should love this book, and its well-structured narrative is a real pleasure.

This book features fairies and is in the children's fantasy genre, but it is about much more. It has relevance to yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and I believe it could appeal to anyone who ever loved great children's stories, of the kind that make you think as well as carry you away.

The importance of this book is both small and large, and I don't just mean the fairies as opposed to the ogres in the story. The smaller message is "use your head, appreciate simple things, and learn to live with less." The larger message is "something really terrible can happen if you don't." That "something" is pretty horrible and could destroy the Earth and humanity. I hope this book has the effect on others that it has had on me. I couldn't stop thinking about it after I read it. The writer of this book mixes a fun story with a message that really hits home in our modern world. For myself, I plan to pay more attention to what I actually need versus what I want.

I did enjoy the storyline of fairies going on a mission, solving puzzles, discovering new things, completing a scavenger hunt, writing poetry, etc... But I also can't stop thinking about my impact on the world, even though I am just one person. Along with a great story, this book contains classic-style illustrations (looks like a variety of media-ink, watercolor, acrylic) and fun activities in the back. The activities in the back are designed mainly to appeal to children, but the book itself is geared to everyone. I think the message might mean different things to different people depending on our ages and experiences, but it is definitely relevant.

My daughter and I loved reading this book. After we read it, she talked about it so much that we decided to read it again.

The scarecrow is a nice character in this book, friend to the Princess of Haiku and guide to help the fairies in finding her. The ogres are also good characters and somewhat funny, playing marbles with coconuts and hopscotch with giant river stones.

The adventure has the fairies solving puzzles, going on a scavenger hunt, and writing poetry to free the Spirit of Simplicity (aka The Princess of Haiku) from an evil spell. The scavenger hunt was particularly wonderful because they were looking for things like the whisper of butterfly wings and the smell of rain and music in the water.

What really drew me to this book was remembering the fun and games from my childhood. My daughter wanted to know more about string games and handclap games, and she asked me about getting a kite. I hope she continues to show an interest in these things instead of so much focus on the handheld games and other electronic type stuff.

This is a good book and I do recommend it.

This book stresses choices and particularly making wise choices. When the fairies are asked to choose between a pebble and a giant ruby, they must choose the pebble because they are looking for simplicity. Their problem solving must also seek the simple solution. A door with many keys (the fairies can only choose one key and can only try one time to unlock the door) is already unlocked and does not require any of the keys - in other words, the simple solution. Fortunately, the clever fairies are using their heads in this story and do make the right choices

You'd think a story about a princess would be all frilly, but this is not at all. It is about poetry, simplicity and learning about what's really important in the world. The fairies learn simple and valuable lessons on their journey. While they are on their fairy mission, even when faced with a serious task, they take enjoyment in simple pleasures surrounding them. One of the things I liked most about this book was the fact that I was never able to predict what was going to happen next. Over and over again I was surprised by what was happening, and this made me want to keep reading. My ten yr. old niece loves this book, I am reading it aloud to my own children and I will be recommending this fairy tale to friends.

How the whole thing started is important. That's what I think is so interesting. Sure, the fairies go on an exciting mission, but the whole thing started with a book of poetry being destroyed. That's the larger message of this book. Human beings recognizing that even our smallest actions can have gigantic consequences, like the butterfly effect. I liked the way this story was put together. It's like I was tricked into enjoying it so much because it's magical and fun, but I was reminded of how serious even our littlest mistakes can be.

This is one of the best books on leadership today. It teaches leaders at every level how to get Christians from focusing on a personal agenda to getting on God's agenda. One of the best books on leadership ever written. I use it for small group leadership training.

Henry and Richard Blackaby (father and son) are leaders the Southern Baptist denomination, with leadership demonstrated in the business and academic realms respectively. "Spiritual Leadership" is an attempt to tempter the current crop of leadership books, which focus on the American concept of rugged individualism and creating vision. Blackaby and Blackaby, in "Spiritual Leadership" recognize the practical wisdom contained in such books, yet seek to ground their arguments in the foundational concepts of service to Christ and fervent prayer.

Indeed, prayer and submission to God are the central elements around with the rest of the book turns. The authors argue that "creating a vision" and reliance upon human wisdom are foreign concepts Biblical teachings on leadership. They argue that man does not determine his own paths, but rather God prepares activities for his servants, works through them to accomplish these tasks, and then follows up to produce the success (defined by God himself) of the endeavor. To determine what this pre-determined activity is, Blackaby and Blackaby argue that prayer is essential.

The message is simple--seek God's will in strengthening your faith, in your major life decisions, and even in your day-to-day activities through prayer, then (once God's will is determined) humble yourself and faithfully carry out that will. Yet, the message is not simplistic. The authors present the concept thoroughly, addressing growing prayer life and leadership style; showing what spiritual leadership is and is not; addressing short-term issues and long-term ones; showing how this style of leadership plays out in a variety of settings; and providing pastoral encouragement. Although the simple message is consistent, the book never becomes repetitive or boring; rather the prose is fresh and stimulating throughout.

Now, I must admit skepticism based on certain doctrinal and practical principles. On the doctrinal side, I confess my belief that God communicates and communes with man through means--Scripture and Sacraments. On the practical side, I fear that people will simply imagine that God is "telling" them what they want to hear anyway--that is, that people will ascribe to God their man-centered ideas.

Although I still believe both hold water, I decided to follow Blackaby and Blackaby's advice and pray more fervently in the way they recommend to see if any change comes about. Indeed it had. Consistently praying (both prayers common to the church like the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning Prayer, and the weekly collects as well as idiosyncratic prayers), I found that my perceived connection to God strengthened, stress reduced, major decisions made with a strong sense of peace as I acknowledged God's direction, and even new, exciting opportunities presented.

While I would have liked to see this book focus a little more on holistic spirituality (e.g. the role of worship, daily Bible reading, Sacraments, etc) in the thorough way they presented holistic leadership, the fact remains that "Spiritual Leadership" is a positive, paradigm-changing book. This is true on the intellectual level (faithful servant versus rugged individual paradigms) and the spirituality level (my spirituality has deepened as a result of following the advice of the book).

How the arguments of "Spiritual Leadership" will play out in my life beyond the month trial or how my opinion of the book will shift as I increase in my understanding of prayer remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the command of our Lord to pray fervently remains, and Blackaby and Blackaby do a great service in showing how this command can be practically lived in a variety of situations.

The Blackablys have done a thorough job in researching and summarizing today's secular leadership teaching then contrasting it with spiritual leadership. They point out that many of the principles of secular leadership are of value but the underlying principle of spiritual leadership that differs from secular leadership is that we are to seek God's agenda and not our own. To make their point, early in the book they discuss Jesus as the model for spiritual leadership. Jesus, the very Son of God, did not seek His own agenda, but rather spent hours in prayer to align himself with God's agenda.

The Blackabys also do a great job teaching that spritual leadership is not just for leaders in the church. Spiritual leadership is also required of Christians that are in secular leadership roles. They give us many examples of US Presidents as well as military and corporate leaders that have aligned themselves to God's agenda and have been effective.

We are living in a world that is growing in complexity and the demands on leadership are ever increasing. The Blackabys have shown what an advantage spiritual leaders have in being able to align ourselves to the agenda of a wise and loving God rather than attempting to create our own agenda.

Drawing from examples of leaders in the Bible, leadership theories, testimonies of ministry and secular leaders, and their own experiences, Henry and Richard Blackaby present a refreshingly helpful and insightful resource on leadership in their book, Spiritual Leadership. Recognizing that Christian leadership today sounds more and more secular than Christian, the Blackabys call on Christians in leadership roles, both inside and outside of the church, to "seek to lead God's way" (17). They define this type of spiritual leadership as "moving people on to God's agenda" (20).

Three main aspects of Spiritual Leadership set it apart from other leadership books and make it highly commendable...

First, it is intended for a broad audience. It is written in a way to be just as helpful for Christian CEOs and other business people as it is for pastors and ministry leaders. In fact, the authors state that they intend this work to be for all Christians who want to make a difference (14).

Second, and most significant, Spiritual Leadership is theocentric in its approach, not anthropocentric. This book is not a do-it-yourself guide to leadership nor is it a self-help book. Instead, it is a refreshing focus on God in the vast sea of "Christian" leadership books today. From the outset, issues such as goals and influence are all presented in terms of God's will. For example, influence is defined as moving people from where they are to where God wants them to be (20). Even popular leadership concepts are reframed in order to present the issue from God's perspective, such as noting how time management really is personal management in order to stay on God's agenda (200). All throughout the pages of this book the Blackabys paint the picture of leadership in terms of God's plans. It is not about advancing one's personal goals. Rather, it is about obeying God and moving people to be in line with His will. The authors conclude that since "God is on mission," the task of leaders is to join Him in that mission and bring people along to join that mission (70). In light of this reality, leaders are urged to make decisions with the reminder that they will give an account before God. The authors remind the readers that the goal is bringing God glory while the reward is finding joy in knowing that they pleased God. In being God focused, this book also recognizes that leaders can accomplish nothing without God. Instead of providing a checklist to be used to achieve goals, the Blackabys encourage leaders to depend on the Lord. In fact, from the outset they state that God calls leaders to do things that only He can do; thus, spiritual leaders must depend on the Holy Spirit (21). Such dependence on the Lord requires a leader to have a vibrant prayer life as well as seek guidance in the Word, from other believers, and even from looking at how God is moving in the circumstances of life. While the repeated stress on dependence and prayer may cause the reader to think "I've heard all of these things ten times already!," such an emphasis prevents the reader from missing the most important theme of the book as well as challenges him or her to remember Jesus' words that are so counter-cultural in the leadership world today: "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Third, Spiritual Leadership focuses more on being than on doing. Instead of offering a program to implement, a check-list to do, or an attitude to embrace, this book challenges leaders to be faithful to God. As in the other themes, the Blackabys are straightforward in this assertion, as seen when they say within the first several chapters that "leadership is more about `being' than about `doing'" (31). The Blackabys believe that being holy and faithful and modeling obedience to God's will are necessary since leaders cannot take their followers deeper than where they themselves are. As such, spiritual leaders must spend much time in the "conscious presence of God" (170). By abiding in Him, spiritual leaders can then encourage their followers to grow in their relationship with God. In addition, such abiding is shown to be necessary since spiritual leadership comes through revelation, not from vision. As leaders and followers seek God, they will be able to join together in accomplishing the work to which He calls them.


All of these themes are repeated throughout the book. By stating them directly in the introductory chapters and repeating them throughout, it is hard to imagine how any reader could miss this counter-cultural, yet solidly biblical, approach toward leadership. By the time readers turn the last page, they can easily articulate the thesis that spiritual leadership is moving people on to God's agenda. They can articulate the reality that leadership is about pleasing God. They understand that such leadership requires abiding with God more than doing certain tasks. Most of all, they recognize that such spiritual leadership, while hard work, is a high calling and a "God-given privilege" (236). Whether you find yourself in a leadership role in the church, in business, in education, or even in your home, the timeless, Biblical principles articulated by Richard and Henry Blackaby will motive you to discern God's will, be faithful to follow the path He has set before you, and do everything you can to bring others along on the exciting adventure of knowing and following God.

I found this book very engaging and was able to read through it without multiple pickups. By this I mean, that I didn't put it down for a few weeks and then pick it up again. Instead, I read through it in about four days. Overall, the book was very good. The only area I would have liked to have seen greater depth was in the decision making process. This was one of the shorter chapters and I felt the authors could have gone a little deeper here.

From a Christian perspective on leadership, this book would definitely be in my top five choices along with The Revolutionary Communicator, The Book on Leadership, Lead Like Jesus, and Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge. These other four are fine reads as well.

For most people when they think of Spying they think of the guy on ground
doing his Thing.But little thought is given to the people who make and place
the gadgets the spy uses. The book goes through the history of the departments and devices involved from the beginning till the present day with eye opening stories packed full of interesting facts.
If you are interested in Tradecraft then this is the flip side of the coin.
An excellent book that belongs in every spy buffs library !

This is the Whole Story

Robert Wallace is a good friend and a former colleague.

Cold War intelligence operations and those who managed and ran them were always highly compartmentalized so that only a handful knew the whole story.

Now, with access to former Soviet intelligence files, many things have become more clear. Still, it is for writer/practitioners like Wallace to give us a fascinating and until-now-unknown view of the long U.S. - Soviet standoff.

This book is a great read, hard to set aide. It should be must reading for anyone who wants facts about how technology supported (and sometimes failed) American (and Soviet) intelligence operations during those long and expensive years. Interested college students and their teachers can rely on this text. It is painstakingly researched and noted.

The Agency understandably has a tough pre-publication review process and I am pleasantly surprised to see how much of Wallace's material has been allowed to see print. Although I often knew only a little of the many specifics he writes about, there is no doubt that this is the whole story, satisfying and often surprising even to the Old Timers who were involved.

This is the best book I have ever read! You won't believe what you'll read in this book! They got to make this book into a movie! It is better than James Bond!

The tools of the spy trade are fascinating for their role throughout history, and SPYCRAFT tops the list as the most comprehensive account of their creation and implementation. H. Keith Melton and Robert Wallace are the wolrd's leading authorities on the subject. As one of the producers of the SPIES series for A&E, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I grew up in the 60's and 70's watching "Get Smart" on TV and James Bond movies in theatres. I loved the gadgets and often wondered how many actually existed in the real "spy world." Now that I live in DC and work in biometrics, I'm still fascinated by surveillance technology, but since reading "Spycraft," I don't have to wonder anymore. This book is fascinating -- not just because it details the gadgets, but because it looks at the people, politics and tactics behind the technology used by the CIA in recent decades. Forget James Bond -- the real spy heroes are in this book. I have a new appreciation for spytechs and their role in the intelligence game, and I was surprised how quickly I got through the 500+ pages. Loved the photos! Well done to Bob Wallace and Keith Melton!