J Books

Here is the clarion call to a true life that
glorifies God. Put the lies of culture aside
and learn the real truth.. and live it!!

The fact Pastor John Piper in some of his books, "Don't Waste Your Life" and "A Hunger for God" quoted Law in this book several times intrigued me to read it personally. As I went through the chapters, however, it is clear to me and will become clear to the readers as well that Law sounds eerily close to a Roman Catholic minus the devotions to the rituals. Despite many deep, excellent, stinging, uncomfortable, soul-searching reflections and illustrations on the Christian life contrasted against the futility of a self-centered life that I believe are profitable for Christians, particularly to defy the preaching of prosperity gospel that seems to "prosper" more than the true gospel, sadly Law embraces the fatally erroneous doctrine of justification by works. In his view, Christians need to practice the principles of piety, self-denial, generosity, meekness, simplicity of life and all the Bible, particularly the New Testament teaches, the best they can in order to be saved that sounds all too familiarly popish. What he mostly brings up from the Bible is the wonderful teachings of Christ. There is no mention of poverty of spirit, dependence on God's grace to live a sanctified life or to desire to live for him to begin with, let alone the cross, justification by faith, sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and perseverance of the saints.

Well, the immediate questions that arise are of course, aren't Christians saved already, and that they are saved by grace on the basis of the finished atoning death and resurrection of Christ on the cross, and not by works? How does one know that he has done his best? What is the standard? Whose standard is it to use to determine whether one has done his best, man's or God's? If it is man's standard, which one? The Pope's? How can we be so sure if it is his standard to be used, not someone else's? If it is God's, where is it in the Bible that says God commands us to do the best we can and not rely on him for everything without excluding our responsibilities? Where is it in the Bible that God's standard says we are saved as long as we do the best we can? This is unquestionably deadly because in the end, it points to the perfectionist demand of the law where no one can meet, which is warned against by the Apostle Paul in his epistles, particularly to the Romans and Galatians. The meat of what Law talks about is all about doing and there is no mention of child-like dependence and trusting on God's grace in Christ through the Holy Spirit to enable us to follow what Law, in some cases, biblically and exquisitely exhorts to embrace and practice. To properly describe what Law offers here is a mixture of rich food and poison. The rich food is his biblical heart-piercing warnings, rebukes, reflections, illustrations and encouragements, specifically about prayer, fasting, simplicity, modesty, generosity, humility and self-denial that I must admit are too good, too important, and too bitter-sweet, eye-opening of an exposure and remedy to my own weaknesses to be overlooked as well as too precious to be neglected in practice. The poison is his constant insistence of justification by works. For the fullest benefit to be reaped, enjoy the rich food. Let it purify our souls and reform our lives, but spit the poison out. Instead, embrace and enjoy the even richer food of justification in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, and to the glory of God alone for these are the fountain that enables all true piety.

If you're looking for a challenge in your spiritual walk - this is the book for you. Law's classic book was the transforming resource in the lives of the Wesley brothers as well as abolitionist William Wilberforce - just as it changed their lives, this book will not leave you the same!

I've read an abridged and edited version for the modern reader by John Meister (158 pages) - but it wasn't enough - I had to order the small type 317 page version! This is not an easy read - on the difficulty scale of 1 - 10, this would be a solid 9. I wouldn't suggest this book to anyone in high school or even college - Law deals with real world issues and a little seasoning in life is necessary to get the full effect of his challenge. This is a perfect book for the Christian man who wants more than a Purpose Driven Life, the man looking for a profound, insightful, and challenging read that will deeply impact the core of his being!

You can find these books online. The longer version is a Vintage Spiritual Classics edition and retails for around $13.00. Rare will be the person that will want this book - but if you're the one, don't pass this one up! I give this my highest endorsement and recommendation.

Law deals directly with the concept of devotion to God - and asks some difficult questions about where man places his true devotion in life - in the things of this world, or in the Kingdom of Heaven? Law argues that a wise and reasonable man will wholly devote himself to the things of the Lord for they are far superior to the temporal and worthless things of this world. In fact, Law says that a lack of this devotion is a clear indicator of gross ignorance! The book gives several practical elements necessary for a devoted life including prayer, study, humility and confession. But it is not the elements about which Law writes, it is the manner in which he presents them to the reader that makes this book so exceptional - Law raises the bar and challenges the follower of Christ to live an exemplary life, a life worthy of their calling, a life comparable to the great saints who have walked before us or even to angels who minister above us!

wow - what an inspirational, hard-hitting, right on read this has been. I'm still in the process of reading it but I already love it. This should be required reading for all Christians. Then perhaps the church would live differently than the world and perhaps we'd have less scandal.

So far I can see that there needs to be a balance. One could easily tend towards legalism and a justification by self-works type of mentality. Perhaps he'll cover in later chapters how it's the Spirit of God that now creates the will to do differently and also empowers us to do so as we allow him to lead us in all areas of our lives.

But as long as one is aware of this work of the Spirit in a believer's life, then this book can do nothing but stimulate one to self-reflection and love and good works.

This book should be read by every Christian that can get it. It was a tremendously insightful and humbling book that opened my eyes to the hypocrisy in my own life as well as the church in general. The Christian church in America and I am guessing much of the Industrialized and wealthy west[yes, I am a member of that group] have fallen so far from the devotion and holiness that God requires that it is a shock to see what was the actual New Testament norm just 270+ years ago, let alone at the time of the writing of the New Testament. This was a very easy to read book, compared to say Spurgeon or Calvin. Extremely convicting personally. Would recc. to anyone who see themselves as sinners and wants to know what they should do. Includes excellent examples and is written as a practical guide, though not a how-to book[remember, was written over 270+ yrs. ago, before self-help books where invented;)]Found out about this book from a Word Pictures Program on the subject at their video's are also highly recc. for those seeking to glorify God and enjoy him for eternity[mans chief end]
Sincerely,
Wayne Borngesser

What would a world be like if Ants were the evolved creatures?
What would their cultures be like? What would their values be? How could they interact with Humans? You will never look at a trail of Ants the same way again! What would happen if Humans could live for hundreds of years, how wealthy and powerful could they become?
These are the introductery concepts of this amazing story that explores betrayal, revenge, isolation in a new and fascinating way. This short book is plenty to work over for anyone. I just wish that Ms. Cherryh could manage to come back to this story some time and explore more of this fascinating tale.

There are many reasons I love Serpent's Reach. 1) It is the first book by C.J. Cherryh that I bought (as I was judging it by the cover). 2. The Majat are a insect-like alien race and I like both insects and alien races, so for me it is a real treat. 3. C.J. Cherryh's might SEEM to start out slow, but she is really creating a setting and a foundation for a perfect story.

If you liked this book, I would suggest C.J. Cherryh's 'Pride of Chanur' which is a stand alone book that is followed by FOUR other books (A three book series and another stand alone). Alien cats, but not just your run-of-the-mill alien cats.

Serpent's Reach (1980) is an SF novel in the Alliance-Union Universe. In 2223, the interstellar probe Celia discovered the majat, a sapient alien species, on Alpha Hydri III -- Cerdin -- in the Serpent's Reach. The majat body structure and organization was much like social insects such as ants. At the time of discovery, there were four different hives, each ruled by a collective intelligence with memories spanning millions of years.

There were no survivors from the Celia, but the hives did decide that each human was an individual intelligence. In 2229, the crew of the Delia probe was kept alive and, in 2235, under terms of the Hydri Treaty, one shipload of colonists was allowed to settle on the planet. These became the Kontrin Company. The colonists, however, brought a shipload of embryos, from which were grown the Betas. These Betas, in turn, grew clones of themselves, the azi, with biological timers that limited lifespan to forty years.

In this novel, Raen a Sul hant Meth-maren is Kontrin. She is the direct lineal descendent of The Meth-maren, destined to lead the family some day. For the past fifteen years, she has been learning the things that she should know to govern. Since all Kontrin have been made potentially immortal by the majat, she has many years of learning before she is old enough to have fun.

One day, the family estate at Kethiuy is visited by the Houses of Thon and Yalt, but these welcome guests bring others from the House of Hald and, worse yet, members of the Ruil-sept of the Meth-marens. Neither Hald or Ruil would have dared to set foot on the estate without Thon and Yalt. The Ruil cadet-sept has come to suggest a change in the relationships with the majat, but the talks are only a cover for an attack on the Sul-sept.

Only Raen survived the vicious attack by the Ruil-sept, Red and Gold majats and majat-azi. She manages to escape to the nearby Hive of the Blue majats and to convince the Hive Mother to help her wrest Kethiuy from the Ruil-sept and others who have assisted in the attack. She succeeds in destroying the Ruil-sept, but the Blue Hive is also destroyed and she is captured.

She is brought before the Council and Eron Thel, the head of the conspiracy, is almost allowed to relinquish Raen to her enemies. Yet Moth, second oldest of all Kontrin, protests that there has been no vote and Lian, the Eldest, agrees with Moth. Lian makes a speech, at the conclusion of which Moth kills all the known conspirators. Raen is banished from Cerdin.

She chooses to go to Meron. The following year, Pol and Morn Hald appear and confront her. She sends Morn away, but Pol stays for dinner. They meet occasionally at social events and smile at each other, but they never meet in private.

Raen lives through a few assignation attempts, but never gives the Council any reason to curb her freedoms. When Lian is assassinated, she continues her usual social activities. She moves on to Andra and then Kalind. But then she leaves Kalind on the Andra's Jewel. Every Kontrin seems to know that she is in transit but none knows where she is going.

During the voyage, Raen challenges an azi to a Sej match, to continue until the ship reaches her destination. Jim, the azi, agrees and they play ten games a night until the ship reaches Istra, the contact point with the Outsiders. Jim gains a lead until the final day and only loses the match in the last game. Jim now belongs to Raen, so she buys him a full set of luxury clothes and accessories and installs him within her quarters.

A Blue majat is also on the Andra's Jewel. On the last day of the voyage, he awakes and Raen calms him down. He is a messenger from the Kalind Blue Mother to the Istran Blue Hive. Raen suspects that he is the only Blue messenger to reach Istra since the destruction of the Cerdin hive.

In this story, Raen discerns a plot on Istra that didn't die with Eron Thel. She sets out to correct the problem, making contacts with Beta companies and the Blue Hive. She burdens Jim with more responsibility and he expands his programming.

This story is typical of the author, with one human becoming the main contact with an alien species. However, there are secondary plots, including the results of providing humans with potential immortality. Jim also undergoes a significant metamorphosis by immersing himself in Raen's deepstudy tapes.

Highly recommended for Cherryh fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of alien cultures and human adaptations.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Some of her works go slow for me, but I was completely enthralled by this story. Her characterizations are vivid and realistic. I've read it several times now!

Remote contact with Alliance. Dates mentioned do not fit with dates given in other Union-Alliance stories.

The worlds of Serpent's Reach are colonized by Union, but have only contact to Union and Alliance at a single station. They are ruled by immortal families, while the populace consists of azi and mortal "beta" humans. The immortals or "Kontrins" are the link to the four hives of indigenous giants ants.

The female protagonist is the only survivor of her family murdered by rival humans, then of all the ruling families, when humans perish as the hives make war on each other and are united in a single hive, which apparently is part of the natural life cycle of the hive, which spans several hundred years.

Again, we have been hit. All of us. Another school, this time San Diego. And another boy who was mocked and abused and taunted until he even told people what he was going to do. All the tenets we need to have to understand the inner world of THIS boy are in Shooter. The book is a handbook on a sad and lonely psyche in a boy unafraid of finally lashing out. If school boards won't get this in the schools for discussion, let the parents chip in and get it in in truck loads! I wonder where the author is tonight - and if she wishes we would listen? Bless the children as we sit idly by when there is this first, pioneering, and excellent book on WHY!

I'm a kid, but I'm 17 and I know exactly what Harold felt. Most of my friends either still feel or have felt the same way. How come Dr. Woodhouse knew this? The book made me cry so I won't put my name here but my counsellor said that was good and wants to read Shooter in The Skie with me, in parts. But I want to save it because there are certain pages I have saved so that I can read them when I feel alone. I thought I was crazy. I think a lot of kids do. I wish we had this book as an assignment in, may be, grade 9 and we could write our answers. I gace it to my sister and my mom read it. I just wonder if the writer, who seems really smart and honest, had to make an okay ending or parents and teachers would freak! I think Harold would have gone, but gone peacefully. Maybe not. Thanks for giving this to me, Mrs. Woodhouse. I wish I could talk to you. R.T. (student)

I am close to retiring as a scondary school principal and I was as impressed when I read this fine book the second time as I was the first time through. As a once English teacher, I presume to say that this author is an important writer, and an invaluable social critic as well. The detail she provided of this boy's psyche are invaluable to us and, when we think about it, we should have inferred some aspects of "his" psychological pain from various behaviors. But the author has handed us the boy's pain and his wishes on a silver platter. The questions she has included are perfectly pertinent and, I might add indicative of her thoughtfulness. The questions have been clearly thought out so as to be useful, not inciting.

I will be recommending that this book become part of a social studies curriculum. However, were I younger, and my career in mid gear, I would insist on it. What is the saying? "God, save the children"? This exzcellent book could help us to save at least a few. Mrs. H. Mason

As a criminal lawyer I was intrigued to read Shooter on a cross-country flight. As the author would know, most of these kids are first-time offenders, going straight to murder. Dr. Woodhouse captures the torment and confusion that set in when they realise what they have done. Most of them have never seen the inside of a police station, let alone a prison, let alone a maximum security prison. Among the other extremely important issues that this book deals with in such a fine, readable story, is the mess we have made of dealing with our youthful offenders. The boy in this book is not unusual. He should not have been where he was, but this is what we are doing with 13 to 15 year olds who snap. I wish everyone involved with family court, youth offenders, and the related legislation and sentencing would read this pioneering book. The author is a hard-nosed criminologist taking us through this story and process with the artistry and care of a poet. Congratulations to the author, but also to the publisher for being smart, brave and sufficiently prescient to publish this fundamentally informative book. WE NEED MORE OF THE SAME!!

The book is so revealing. "Shooter" opens the door to a subject we have been discussing from behind many, many doors, both socially and institutionally. The author, Dr. Woodhouse, obviously possesses the very rare ability to feel, understand, and to explain the complex emotional and mental make up of her fellow human beings. I have seen her do it in person, as a presenter. Now, I have experienced her curious acumen in her writing. I bought HARD LESSONS for my family to increase the chances of staying in touch with our children - my nephews and nieces included. I bought SHOOTER IN THE SKY to take us all a step further toward sensing and feeling their pain before they become either a potential victim or just another kid in serious pain and isolation. Thank you again, Dr. Lauren.

Sheehy claims that her writing of this book was the breaking of silence on a taboo subject. Her aim is to provide information which will help woman better understand what they have been going through. She claims that traditionally women have been poorly informed on the subject. She claims reliance on friends, on mothers does not bring the kind of full knowledge of the subject required.
She provides many stories and examples, and gives a real sense of how varied this 'silent passage' is. A minority of women go through it seemingly without problems, but for some it is wholly unbearable. One question which is central to the book and really unanswered regards Hormone Replacement Theory , and its advisability. Recent studies have pointed to increased levels of cancer of those who have taken the hormones.
Sheehy repeats herself often, beats her own drum, but is a clear writer whose work no doubt has been of real service to many women who have suffered without understanding what exactly they were going through, and why this is not something to feel guilty or be stigmatized about. Sheehy's strong believe that knowledge and understanding can be of great help seems to me correct and fair.

This book is an excellent overview of menopause but needs further updating in light of the current controversy over Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The author is still all aglow over HRT, and it is heralded within the pages of this book as if it were the end all, be all for menopausal women. While this was the general prevailing medical view, it seems that further research has put its value in question somewhat, and HRT is now at the heart of some heated medical controversy.

Still, if the reader is aware already of this budding medical controversy over HRT, the book does offer some insights into menopause in an informative and fairly concise fashion. This should prove to be especially helpful to the hordes of baby boomer women who are entering this phase of their lives. The book also provides information into holistic, alternative ways of addressing some of the issues attendant in menopausal women. It appears that nature may provide some palliatives that some women may find preferable to the drug-infused approach of some medical practitioners.

Overall, this is an excellent, well-researched book and one that a lay person can read with ease. It provides interesting insights into the emotional, psychological, and medical concerns of peri-menopausal and menopausal women and discusses some of the remedies that are available, if necessary, to ease women through this major life passage. The book has clearly been a labor of love for the author, and she has endeavored, with success, to remove the mystery that has enshrouded menopause for so long.

Chapters are short and easy to read. This book deals not only with the technical aspects that most books do, but primarily with particular women's experiences with those various aspects--especially their feelings. This is what is left out of most of the other books. I recommend this book together with a more techinical book. But if you can only buy one book, buy this one instead. The main thing this book left me with was a feeling that instead of menopause being something that will just happen to me, there are a lot of things I can do, in a proactive sense, to manage the menopause. This is the most positive book I have seen on the subject, and helps me decide about all the questions to discuss with my doctor. Without reading this book, instead of being ready with a list of questions for my doctor, I would have passively listened to whatever he said, and thought that was it.

but I feel better now, and I attribute my new outlook to having read The Silent Passage.

Those of us approaching or in the midst of our passage into menopause owe a great debt to the pioneering women who lifted menopause out of the dark ages and brought it into the broad light of day. One of these early pioneers was Gail Sheehy. With the exception of her views on Hormone Replacement Therapy (as other reviewers have pointed out) this book offers a lively, energizing, well-researched overview of menopause. I read the original edition about ten years ago and have considered the deeper meaning of the title of this groundbreaking book. "Silent Passage" carries echoes of another revolutionary work, Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson. Silent Spring foresaw a day when pollution would destoy the reproductive cycle of birds, and they would no longer sing their songs. The Silent Passage echoes that notion. It not only implies that in menopause women suffer in silence but also that the clear, vibrant voice of women at midlife and older had been silenced. Now, thanks to pioneers like Gail Sheehy, we are demanding that our collective voices be heard!

--Suza Francina, author, Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause and The New Yoga for People Over 50.

I read this book several times when I was young. I loved it then and my son has read this a couple times in recent years. I have all four books in the series. The description of his life on the trail, taking care of the sled dogs, and even the food he ate while on the trail were all exciting to me. The book starts out about Silver Chief's mother, before the Chief was born. I had forgotten about that part. This is a great book. Another book I liked regarding the outdoors, which also had great detail, was My Side of the Mountain.

I read this book as a young girl and now at the age of 60 I enjoyed it just as much. I read it to my four kids when they were in the 5th grade and they loved it as well. Now my daughter who is a high school teacher is using a copy of the book in her classroom for her students to read.

My dad read this book as a boy in the 1950s. He introduced the Silver Chief books to me and I read and reread them as a young preteen. I have since read them to several children who also couldn't get enough of them. Silver Chief is a beautiful silver animal part dog and part wolf. A Royal Candian Mounted Policeman named Sar. Thornton heads north to track a murderer. While waiting to track down the murderer, Thornton captures and tames Silver Chief training him into a loving companion and loyal friend. When the Murderer wounds Thornton in the leg, it is up to Silver Chief to see that they arrive safely back to civilization.

I read this book in elementary school, after stumbling across it while browsing through the school library. It's such a great story and even though it's for youngsters, I wouldn't mind re-reading it now as an adult, just for the memories of the brave wild dog's adventures.

I read the Silver Chief stories as a grade school kid back in the 50's and even today just hearing the name conjurs up memories and pictures in my head of "the Great White North," the Canadian Mounties and the moving story of the bond between a man and a wild dog. I had a heck of a time finding a copy to read to my three boys -- the [Local] Public Library had relegated it to storage in a warehouse. How unfortunate that so many wonderful children's titles have been lost or forgotten. I'm glad to see this one is still available to another generation of readers -- the romance, adventure and genuine feeling of this story remain timeless!

The author took his knowledge and experience with the prison system and created a great story. Loved the ending!
Well written John J. Maffucci.

Well written and you can't put this one down.

I thought it was a very interesting read. It showed how alcohol and money can lead the main character to go astray. It also showed how a person can turn their entire life around after entering AA.

The author's knowledge of the prison system and psyche was impressive. It also showed how most criminals are there because of alcohol/drug related crimes. The other reason it a lousy family upbrining.

The author was well versed and made these characters come alive. The ending was also very good and I read it in a week and passed it along to a friend. Bravo to John J. Maffucci!

Nicely written in a slightly Hitchcock-like
manner. I would like to read any other works
from this author. The work depicts true
wit and wisdom in it implementation.

John J. Maffucci the author grabbed my attention in the first chapter and wouldn't let me go until i finished the last page with a surprise ending. It's a "MUST READ" for those interested in the psychology of violent criminals ans how they might be controlled in the future. This book should be a Hollywood or TV movie.

I loved this story. A story of what happens when you don't forgive is given with such humor and wonderful, leap-off-the page characters. This story is longer than the other debut effort but equally as witty and innovative.

Ms. Walker gives us the story of the Church Mother, Mother Pray Onn who thinks she knows God better than anyone and just-arrived-on-the-church-steps, Sister Connie Fuse; a woman who has been involved in numerous religions trying to find God. The premise is that Mother Pray Onn asks Sister Connie Fuse to take her grave layaway payment to the They All Dyin To Git Here Cemetery and Sister Connie Fuse (con-fused) mistakenly places it in the mail slot of the We'll Haul Your Ashes crematorium. That little mistake sets off a series of hilarious attempts at payback by Mother Pray Onn. All she needed to do was accept Sister Connie Fuse's apology, but no, Mother Pray Onn decides to get back at her.

I love the character Ma Cile, Deacon Laid Handz and Rev. Knott Enuff Money characters. I also love the idea that the children bring about an understanding that the spiritally-challenged members of the Ain't Nobody Else Right But Us-All Others Goin' To hell church couldn't begin to understand.

Like her other story, Sister Betty....I would love to see this story on the stage or in any visual setting.

I read where Ms. Walker has been signed by a major publisher. I'm sure this will be just the beginning for this very talented writer. July 03 cannot come fast enough for me.

We had a Sister Connie in our church growing up. All of the teenagers would just watch her in her struggle to please the Mothers of the Church. We could also hear them just tear her apart while she did this. Ms. Walker took me back to a time that I so lovingly remember, i.e. being seen and not heard. I highly recommend this one for a journey back to the Youth Choir rehearsals and BYPU meetings, you know what I'm talking about! Kudos to her!

I read the first book about Sister Betty and thought I would cry from laughing so hard. But Sister Connie Fuse had me doubling over. What a great way to give a message about forgiveness. First of all I'd like to know how the author came up with the idea of someone accidentally taking a grave layaway payment to a crematorium instead of a cemetery and then have a story where the church members got together like they were going to a boxing match between Mother Pray Onn and poor Sister Connie Fuse.

I love the way the author took the innocence of children and made the adults re-examine their behaviour of bickering and unforgiveness.

I must see this on the screen. Miss Walker's writing is so vivid and her dialogue unforgettable. I particularly loved the character of Ma Cile who's favorite food is a pigfoot fajita and only has one eye. All the characters from Rev. Knott Enuff Money to Deacon Laid Handz were written with such individuality that the author never had to say who was saying what. That kind of writing takes skills and this author has them.

I thought I was a fan when I saw her perform, I'm definitely one after reading these two books.

The author, Pat G'Orge Walker, has created some of the funniest characters I've read about and placed them in some hilarious situations. In between laughter so hard it makes your face hurt, you get a powerful message. Make no mistake, the author is biblically sound in her writings and even more, there are people who really act this way. I think Sister Betty and Connie Fuse would make great movies.

If you are looking for side-splitting humor, Sister Connie Fuse Makes A Grave Mistake, is a short stress-relieving read. Not only are the characters memorable, you may know the real-life versions in your local church. Pat G'Orge Walker does a wonderful job of tickling the funny bone and revealing the true essence of what it means to be a Christian.

Don't miss, Sister Betty! God is Calling You, the first short story in this collection of adventures of the "Ain't Nobody Else Right But Us - All Others Goin to Hell" congregation. Sister Betty makes an appearance in this story along with some others.

Excellent book, good pictures. I like the grouping by body part and specific classifications of dermatologic disorders.

Fantastic book, I absolutely love it. Lots of nice pictures,the book was much better than I had expected - a great buy!

The pictures were excellent, each disease also had a differential and there were small bonuses regarding pediatric patients. Book is well organized and easy to read. Perfect for a med student, and even for residents

Delivery was fast, and the book was in excellent condition. It was a very good purchase, I was very pleased.

This is an excellent book! I'm using it in NP school. It provides a 1-2 page explanation of the skin disorder along with pictures.
thanks

As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a beautiful book to page through. And it's pretty clear, I think, that the authors are real experts on their subject. I was going to buy it from Amazon on the strength of the other reviews here, but frankly I'm glad I borrowed it from the library instead. The writing is really quite poor throughout, and much as I found the subject interesting, I found it tedious to untangle one ill-constructed sentence after another as I made my arduous way through the book. The writers don't seem to be quite sure of who their audience is, or what tone is appropriate for this sort of book. At times, it reads like a textbook; at others, like a reflective essay. But it never reads very smoothly. A thoroughly revised new edition would be nice!

This is an amazing and informative book on tea. I am very pleased with the quality of its publication and the amount of information compiled and composed within such a beautiful book. The pages of which allowed me to rediscover one of my favorite drinks. I had forgotten how truly wonderful a good, properly made cup of tea can be. Our society has become super sized and highly caffeinated to the point that we no longer recognize the complexities as well as subtleties of tea. This book will show you how to buy, brew, and appreciate this fascinating beverage. From the first sentence to the last prepare to escape on a wonderful journey back in time when this drink was first presenting itself to humans right up to modern day. From the dynasties of the east to the aristocratic monarchies of the west, tea has traveled a long way to what we know today and the Heiss' will take you on that Journey. Sit back and make a cup of tea and prepare to be filled with the knowledge that The Story of Tea will bring you. Forget what your corporate retailer has taught you about tea and allow yourself to be educated on this historical and healthy drink. After reading the book you will most definitely want good quality tea. There are good teas out there and the book will give you listings of places to get them as well. They are not as hard to get as you might think.
So get yourself a teapot, some good loose tea, and a strainer and enjoy this wonderful drink, not to mention the book itself!

This is, hands down, the most authoritative text on tea to date. It is in the same league as William Ukers 1935 edition of his "All About Tea". What a refreshing breath of fresh air this book is with it's numerous eye witness accounts of tea manufacturing. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Heiss, for this spectacular contribution to the world tea community.

Frank Murphy, author, "The Spirit of Tea". Owner, Jade Mountain Tea Company, Santa Fe, NM

Like a slow fulfilling cup of warm tea this book caresses the very soul of the reader. A wonderfully arranged in depth guide to tasting and brewing tea. Surveying the customs, crafts and history of tea. The authors chronicle tea's influence across the globe and provide a complete reference for enjoying the ART of tea preparing and drinking. Ten Speed Press elegantly compliments the Heiss' narrative. The Authors have done great justice to the fascinating and colorful world of tea. After reading this book your simple cup of tea shall no longer be a simple matter.

I've read quite a few tea books over the years, but never one like this; this one revolutionized the way I buy, brew, and enjoy tea. The extensive information on tea production finally gave me a real understanding of the different types of tea available on the market--plus a greatly enhanced appreciation of the incredibly intricate processes involved in making tea. A book loaded with so much information could be dull to read, but it's not-- in fact, I found it hard to put down. The authors are clearly devoted to their topic and the combination of history, travelogue, fabulous photography, and esoteric tea facts is fascinating. My morning (and afternoon and evening) cuppa tea will never be the same!

It's no wonder this short little novel stood in the Argentine bestsellers list for about 27 WEEKS. I too read this book in one sitting, but not because of its lenght,(even though it helps)but but because its so good and so well written that I literaly went out and bought a copy for each of my friends for christmas last year and each one stated that it was the best gift they had recieved. The cover might be a bit tacky but hey never judge a book by its cover. there are so many things to say about this novel that there isn't enough room to write about it. All I have to say is buy it, it's worth every penny.

No wonder the novel won the price for best novel in 1983 in Mexico....it is superbly well written, misterious, erotic and captivating.

Read this in one sitting...Wonderful plot and great characters. This is what finding new authors is all about.

I have read in the longest time . I was going to write that he is the best writer form argentina , but that statement does not do him justice . I too read this book in one sitting and since then giardinelli has become one of my favorite writers . I own every one of his books . The ending is surprising and also genius. Get this book you definitely will not regret it .

I love short books that pack a wallop, pull you in and just refuse to let you go, demand that you read them at one sitting - I think of "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" by Thornton Wilder, "Night Flight" by Antione de Saint Exupery, and "The Reader" by Bernhard Schlink. I have now added "Sultry Moon" by the Argentine writer Mempo Giardinelli to this exclusive club. This is a gripping tale of one man's fascination with crime - a fascination which leads him to commit several crimes during three days under the hot "sultry moon" during December 1977, in the early days of the Argentine military dictatorship, which is a background to this story but not its central focus. Ramiro, the central figure of the story, is drawn into a vortex of crime, conscience and punishment as ineluctably as was Raskolnikov in Dostoyevksy's "Crime and Punishment". Looking for something a little bit off the beaten track to grab you one rainy (or even sunny) afternoon? Go read this extraodinary book. I think you may be repulsed but you will definitely be fascinated.