Johnson Books

I attend Community Church of Joy, and was excited and anxious to read the book written by two of the leaders of my church. The book is thoughtfully written, and easy to understand and follow for new believers, but not too simplistic as to leave veteran Christians bored. The concept behind each Life Shape makes it so easy to learn how to apply biblical principles to your everyday life. I am a very visual person, so having the shapes to refer to made it easy to get what the scriptures are saying.

I have to say that Rev. Breen is the best Bible teacher I have ever encountered. He has a wonderful visual gift that brings scriptures alive in a way I have not experienced before. He also is brilliant in finding easy and non-threatening ways to share what you learn with other people. Unlike so many of the books I have read that claim to teach discipleship in a simple way: this book is filled with solid Biblical and theological teaching grounded in good scholarship and deep prayer. I am thankful for both the authors in bringing this gift.

I have already purchased 40 copies of this book that I have given to friends and family. I have read this book together with a small group of men. Now I am leading a group of 14 retired men through the book.

To say I highly recommend this book is an obvious understatement.

In May 2004 I visited Sheffield, England with a handful of church leaders led by Dr. Kent Hunter and organized through the Church Growth Center, based on Walt Kallestad's recommendation. Over dinner in an English pub, Mike Breen and his wife explained the Lifeshapes concept and a bit of the local church history. I was preparing to launch a new mission congregation and I was sure that I wanted to incorporate much of the model that Mike had developed. I came home with passion and a folder full of notes, but I lacked some key pieces for explaining Lifeshapes to others. This book will change your life, if you apply the lessons learned. Together with the Passionate Church companion book, ministry leaders will have the requisite tools to make this model accessible to the innumerable churches in desperate need of a new way to function healthily. Plus, you save the cost of transatlantic airfare!

Thank you Mike and Walt (and Kent)!

This is the best introduction that one could find to gays and homosexuals in Portuguese and Brazilian history from the 15th century to the 20th. The book examines the lives of a number of them, both at the top layer of society, including one Portuguese king, as well as at the bottom and does so in great detail that never minces words. Much of the information about them comes from Inquisition records since that institution had jurisdiction over what was then known as the "unspeakable sin". The inquisitors did not hesitate to go into minute detail about the acts they were condemning and as a result we are given extensive and valuable information about sexual practices at the time, even including some cases of bestiality. The book has a very useful glossary and an excellent index that make it easy to use. All readers who are interested in homosexuality in history and especially in Portugal and Brazil should find this pioneering book indispensable

This volume that includes important but never before translated studies by Portuguese and Brazilian scholars should prove essential reading material for all courses in Portuguese and Brazilian history.

This book is an amazing look into the gay life of Portugal and Brazil over a period of almost six centuries. It ranges from "outings" of two Portuguese icons, one a king, to studies of noble homosexuality as well as that of ordinary folk. Brazil is not neglected and Mott and Vainfas's contributions cover that nation well. Notable also is Johnson's "outing" of Prince Henry the Navigator, a masterly piece of historical detective work. The collection also contains unique translations of three superb studies by Luiz Mott, and overall is a really valuable contribution to understanding the gay life in Portuguese speaking countries. Highly recommended to all those interested in the social history of Portugal and Brazil.

A friend of mine introduced this book to me when I was doing research and writing "Planting Design Illustrated." I loved it. It has many great photos to illustrate garden design. It is a collection of garden design done by Penelop Hobhouse and her partner. It enlightens you and encourages you to look at a design issue at a detail scale. Very good images. It'll show you how brilliant human beings can be.

Penelop Hobhouse is one of the best writers on gardening and garden design, her books always have great print quality and very nice color photos. No offence, she is also one of the great people that dare to call a garden a garden, not "landscape." She is actually talking about landscape design issues, but she prefers to use the term garden or gardens and make her book closer to ordinary people. As a design professional, I love her books also.

I've had this book for several years now and keep coming back every year as an old faithful source of planning inspiration. Beautifully illustrated with plans for many scenarios. Many of the books written by or about English gardens are beatiful to look at but don't stand much of a chance at being reproduced in the typical suburban garden. Hobhouse has, in my opinion, shown us extraordinary gardens, gorgeously photographed, along with plans that can actually be implemented in your garden. I've got a library of garden books, some serving as inspiration and some serving as pure tools (almanacs, etc.) - this is by far the best inspirational garden book I own.

Hobhouse's book combines the look of a coffee table book with the practicality of a manual with her many varied garden design examples. Each design has an explanation followed with outstanding photos. However, the best part is that she illustrates in plan how her plants are grouped so that the beginning gardener can learn about spatial concepts while also about plant placement, color, texture, etc. This is a thorough, but not overwhelming design source and guide that is both useful and inspiring.

even though I am 12 years old my dad still reads me his story. we got it as a gift and saved it because it is so bad it is funny. All the children look as if they have premature aging syndrome, and the characters are such a stereotype of "hillbillies" that it's offensive, but not too offensive to laugh at. The illustrator believes that "if you have fun with anything you do, the rest will take care of itself." This book proves his theroy wrong. I reccomend not to buy this book unless it is as a joke gift.

In Picker Mcclikker, four-year-old Picker encounters Big Louis, a 300-pound gypsy and master grape picker. The event is a world champion grape-picking contest. Picker is the youngest child of a poor but happy sharecropper family from Evergreen, Alabama. And Picker has a very special ability when it comes to what he's named for! Stephen Hanson's wonderfully colorful artwork perfectly showcases Allen Johnson's engaging, entertaining, and warm hearted story of a little boy with a big talent! Picker Mcclikker is energetically highly recommended addition to family, school, and community library picturebook collections for young readers.

This is the original Picker McClikker Story set in rural Evergreen, Alabama where we find out how this endearing little boy became a world famous picker.

When I purchased this book in 1993, I was fortunate to get my copy signed by illustrator Stephen Hanson. Originally the illustrations drew me to the book. Little Picker McClikker looked just like my two-year old son who was also quick with his hands and into everything. However, the story along with the beautiful pictures has made this one of our family's favorites.

This story has all the home spun excitement of the yarns my grandfather used to tell - full of clean, rural humor and the heartfelt warmth of a loving, hardworking family. This sweet little boy, nicknamed "Picker" because of his remarkable picking speed, goes a long way from his depression-era, share cropping farm all the way to Paris, France to become a world champion grape picker.

You'll love this book if you are from the South and love those stories your grandparents used to tell. The illustrations beautifully convey an earthy, homey feeling.

As a photographer and horticulturist I find the images in this book to be absolutely stunning. Mr. Jones photographed the plants he grew as gardener on estates. The quality and sensitivity with which he made these images is amazing. This is not just a book for those interested in plants, anyone with an interest in truly fine photography will enjoy it as well.

Highly recommended!!!

A marvellous and inspiring book, whether you're a gardener or a photographer, or both. Jones' work, found in a trunk in the Bermondesy Market, is quite the most remarkable body of still-life work produced by an English photographer. Reminiscent of the photos of Josef Sudek, Irving Penn or Karl Blossfeldt, it's everything good still-life work should be -- simple, dramatic, evocative and perfectly composed. Since Jones left no negatives -- later in life, he used his glass plates to make cloches to protect his seedlings -- this book is the only public record of his work you're likely to see unless you chance upon an exhibition organized by the author, dealer and collector Sean Sexton. I can't recommend this book enough.

All photographs are reproduced in a warm duotone, which brings out the amazing range of light and shadow in the original works. A learned introduction by Robert Flynn Johnson puts Jones in the context of other close-up still-life photographers. The book's only defect is Alice Waters's inane, hippy-dippy Preface: "A bunch of radishes. A bunch of grapes. [. . .] Charles Jones reminds us that horticulture is sacred. There is no other word for it." She drivels off after two pages, but still, that's two fewer of Jones's photographs that we might have enjoyed.

I am the proud owner of the complete Home Improvement series by Time-Life Books. This book has come in handy more times than I can say. The house I bought is 100 years old and the plumbing was in very bad shape. Time-Life's "Plumbing" had tips and tricks for every plumbing repair or upgrade project I worked on.

I like the new spiral bindings of this book. It allows the book to lay flat, without the pages turning on their own. The binding alone convinced me to update my library from the original hardcover series.

The drawings are very helpful in showing you what you should be looking for. I like the drawing much better than photos...they leave out minor details that would otherwise get in the way, leaving only the important details that let you get the job finished quickly and easily.

I recommend this book (and the entire series) to anyone interested in working on their home. Whether you are a beginner or experienced homeowner, this book will be the one you turn to for all your plumbing questions.

This book discusses many plumbing projects, including those which usually are considered the provenance of professional plumbers. A section lists and illustrates all the tools needed for work. The diverse topics in this book include: emergency repairs, the thawing of frozen pipes, unclogging of pipes no matter the location of the blockage; repairing a water boiler, faucet, shower, toilet, etc. There is also a section on home improvements, including the construction of an underground sprinkler system for lawn or garden.

There are many drawings which illustrate the procedures and the plumbing. Some are cutaways. Otherwise, components that are below ground or otherwise obscured by other things are shown in faded color or gray.

The authors give words of encouragement to the novice. They point out that any job, when done for the first time, is difficult. It gets easier with experience.

I am the proud owner of the complete Home Improvement series by Time-Life Books. This book has come in handy more times than I can say. The house I bought is 100 years old and the plumbing was in very bad shape. Time-Life's "Plumbing" had tips and tricks for every plumbing repair or upgrade project I worked on.

I like the new spiral bindings of this book. It allows the book to lay flat, without the pages turning on their own. The binding alone convinced me to update my library from the original hardcover series.

The drawings are very helpful in showing you what you should be looking for. I like the drawing much better than photos...they leave out minor details that would otherwise get in the way, leaving only the important details that let you get the job finished quickly and easily.

I recommend this book (and the entire series) to anyone interested in working on their home. Whether you are a beginner or experienced homeowner, this book will be the one you turn to for all your plumbing questions.

I would recommend all of Crosswinds placemats. They really help you learn the must knows to pass the exam. They are a great compliment to the other Crosswind materials.

Aside from the book by the same author this may be the single most helpful thing I used to study for the PMP exam. There is so much on this placemat in a clear and concise presentation that is key to passing the PMP exam I can't imagine taking the test without using this tool. All the proccesses with the major ITTOs in a clear flow chart to help you memorize it. Formulas, definitions, it's all hear. Just this alone should add points to your score. Combine it with the book and you've got a formula for success.

I had learned about mindmaps in a class at work. This placemat has the processes for the entire PMBOK mindmapped out graphically with the inputs, tools and outputs. It's color coordinated as well for clarity. This was great to walk through the processes in my mind to see how much I understood them. The results speak for themselves.....169/200 PMP!

Polynesian Interconnections is a mix of the latest scientific information,mixed with Archaeology, Anthropology, Biology, Morphology, Genetics & Linguistics to educate and to analyze the inter-relatedness of the Polynesian people from Samoa, Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga, Marquesas, and the Cook Islands. Author, AhChing, looked for the most current research from the University of Hawai'i to write this book; his style makes for easy reading that is both enjoyable and thought provoking. The book also has its share of drama, as it seeks to address topics that those outside of the Polynesian community might not have known were so controversial... like the idea of a Samoan playing the lead role of Kamehameha the Great, if a movie were ever to be made. Polynesian Interconnections addresses this issue along with many others, and Author, AhChing clearly states his perspective. The editorial reviews for his book state, "This book should be read by all school age children & discussed with friends & family. A great education reference book and a solid foundation for tomorrow's generation." Pick up a copy and decide for yourself.

"POLYNESIAN INTERCONNECTIONS" celebrates the unity of one Polynesian family related to Europeans, Asians and Aborigines Africans through their ancient heritage and genetics. The term Polynesian means 'many islands' or 'many races.' The Polynesians came from an ancient family of intermixed races and today we share our 'ohana' with all peoples of the world. We are one family, the human family, the Polynesian family. To the world we say 'ALOHA' and may the love and spirit of family bring happiness and prosperity into our lives.

Polynesian Interconnections. 2004 books are now in the HAWAII STATE ARCHIVES 2005. (1) These books were featured on Hawaii State-wide KHON 2, Channel 2 Morning News, October 12, 2004. (2) Hawaii State Archives, Library Collection. October 6, 2004. (3) Hawaii Medical Library, Queens Medical Center, Honolulu. November 1, 2004. (808-536-9302). (4) University of Hawaii Library System Network (808-956-8111). This is a tremendous accomplishment for a well written book which seeks to educate and entertain. Well done!

Poor Man's Provence: - Having a fair amount of familiarity with the area and people, I'd say Mrs. Grimsley wrote as good of a memoir of this part of Louisiana as any. Whether one is familiar with the area of not, it would be worth reading it ahead of time to get the most of the visit to Cajun Country. From beginning to end I felt like I knew the central figures in this non-fictional memoir, Johnelle & Jennette, and they didn't disapoint. The place is crawling with people like them and it'll please and even surprise them all to know a transplant appreciates them for just being themselves. Whether the writer, Miss Rheta(as locals would call her), intended it or not, she and Don are now a part of Cajun's lives forever and we're all grateful for her memoir and presence.

All ethnic groups have their on distinct qualities and because of this most are completely misunderstood. Cajuns are no exception. I know when I was a kid I wanted be black. I truly didn't understand why then, but over the years thinking back I know it was because of the sense of pride that most of my black friends had. Ms. Johnson has tapped in to the Cajun pride. She conveys with humor and humility the love they have for their land and family, as well for others not of their ethnicity. Her love for them shines brightly. I love this book and highly recommend it to all.

Somewhat like the wonderful nonfiction works of Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways" and Raban's "Passage to Juneau", only better, much better. Like those two travel novels, "Poor Man's Provence", entertains with unique true anecdotes and historical facts about the down home exotic people and places of the Acadiana ("Cajun") Country, Louisiana. Woven into the colorful quilt of her writing, Rheta Grimsley Johnson also gives us wicked irony, Twain like humor and a little subtle, sincere, simple human philosophy. Unlike "Blue Highways" and "Passage to Juneau", "Poor Man's Provence" is not a travelogue, but instead represents ten years of learning and loving the gentle folks of Cajun Louisiana. It's a great book to read if you think that you will ever want to see this part of the American South, and it's still plenty entertaining even if you just want to get to know the natives vicariously. If there is any justice in such things, this must read book should win lots of awards.

Tools, tools, tools....that is what this book is: how to dig(write a vision statement), how to plant (commit to a plan), how to water (self discipline), how to harvest (service). Allen's book is a lush forest of enrichment...challenging us to our highest and best self. It is all here. Now to get busy in this land of opportunity and make it happen!

As a human being trying to survive on this planet despite myself, I have found Allen Johnson's book, The Power Within to be invaluable. Johnson combines a powerful recipe for increasing the joy in life with heartwarming examples of how the "power within" has shaped his own life and the lives of people around him. The Power Within is a must read for anyone who has ever wondered what it takes to be truely happy. Five bright and glorious stars!!!

Allen Johnson is a masterful storyteller! His book, The Power Within, provides moving and uplifing stories that illustrate the five disciplines that define a victorious life. For those who are serious about creating a meaningful and rich journey, you will reach for The Power Within again and again. Everyone's life has elements of personal effectiveness. Our challenge is to live a life of love, peace and joy. Everyone who reads this book will find ways to grow in personal effectiveness.