King Books

read this to my daughter and she loved it! she loved the story and the pictures, even my son liked it because of the wrestling, I like how the subject is more mature and intelligent than the average kids book. It definitely has big themes behind the fun. and I like that the princess stays free and never marries unlike other fairytales

fun fairytale in which a fiesty princess who doesn't need a man rejects her suitors -by beating them up!

the message is of anti-sexism and sexual equality. This book is a great empowerng picture book for girls, and also as valuableto read to boys, it shows to them to respect women, and a good message for young boys seem to worship the macho world of wrestling and musclemen; a big muscular body dosn't add up to being strong or tough.

Is it the thought of a woman showing up arrogant males? is it the wit of illustrations? Is it the idea of 'strong' musclemen falling like flys at the hands of a comparitively deminutive female? or maybe the witty ending which may surprise a few readers of conventional chauvinistic fairytales?

An clever fairytale/fable which skewers sexism and masculinity. The princess in this book is a girl who gets things done her own way, and won't let anything stand in her way. Not even an entire kingdom of macho musclemen wres tlers. I really liked this book, especially the climactic endinginvolving a hunky musclebound himbo who gets twisted and bent into the shape somewhat resembling the shape of a pretzel!! OUCH!!

Anatopsis is one of those books -- think Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" -- that offers something for readers of all ages. For children, the plight of the young heroine and her new buddy will entertain. Teens will recognize the familiar struggle for independence from parents, and may also tap into the topic of environmental hazards on a fragile earth. For adults, the craft will delight: Abouzeid's limber handling of the strands of plot pay out beautifully (especially in a tension-inducing ending to the first half of the book); then, at the book's end, the thought-provoking conclusion leaves the reader with plenty to contemplate instead of a simple fairy-tale result. The dollops of humor throughout also add to the pleasure of the read. I do hope this is the first in a series!

Anatopsis is kind of a strange book. The beginning seems a little long and the ending seems a little short. The characters are interesting, but lack a level of depth. They seems to have no introspection at all. I know this is a young adult novel, but that really is not an excuse. For that reason it is a cute book with an interesting premise, but nothing more.

Are you a fantasy lover looking for something a little different? Not your average boy-slays-dragon-and-captures-the-heart-of-the-princess fantasy? A fantasy, perhaps, with a bit of a dark edge to it? Well, Anatopsis may be just what you are looking for.

Set on an Earth that is either far in the past, far in the future, or perhaps just an alternate reality (it could be any one of these things), the world is a different place from what we are used to. There are two classes of people: those who are immortal and those unfortunates who are not. Immortals control magic and pretty much everything else, but they cannot truly create anything. Normal humans are forced to work for the Immortals and live in terrible conditions. Actually, the entire planet has nearly been ruined by the toxic stuff generated by the magic that the Immortals cast - only a small island area is inhabitable and it is kept that way with a magic spell. The poor humans? They, of course, live outside this area.

Anatopsis is a princess and heir to the fortune and power that her mother, Queen Solomon, has built up by running Amalgamated Witchcraft Corporation. Their main (and really, only) competition is with the Georges family, who runs Consolidated Necromantic Industries. But Anatopsis would really rather be a knight errant, like her father.

When Anatopsis (Ana) turns 13, a strange new tutor comes to teach her - Mr. Pound, who is a demi-god (and the last living god of any kind, all the rest having been killed some time before). If the chilling Mr. Pound weren't strange enough, Barnaby Georges is to be her classmate and her father has been sent away "for her own good" so that he can't interfere with her education. (No one, and I mean NO ONE, dares disagree with the Queen)

Barnaby is almost the exact opposite of Anatopsis. He has no skill whatsoever at magic, even though he is an immortal. What he does have are clever fingers that can build mechanical items and the last dog in existence, Uno (who can, incidentally, talk).

There's also Clarissa, a human girl who is supposed to be Ana's personal maid, but is really her best friend. When mysterious things start to happen to the prisoners in the Queen's dungeon and the children suspect Mr. Pound, the three of them band together to try and figure out just what Mr. Pound is up to.

Now I come to the point where I feel I can't really tell you much more without giving things away. Let's just say that Mr. Pound is up to no good...as in destroying-the-universe no good and that the humans have a few tricks still up their sleeves. It will ultimately be up to Ana to figure out what's best for everyone, because she is the one that holds the key...to everything.

Recommended for readers aged 12 and up, especially if you are looking for a fantasy novel that's a little different. This book will appeal to both girls and boys equally, though girls may get into it a bit more because of Ana being the primary character. There are some dark bits and things to make you think about our own world (the class segregation between humans and Immortals, for instance, or what pollution has done to the planet) and there's not a happy ending for everyone involved (which would have been too pat), so don't go looking for a Disney-type fantasy. I think you'll enjoy it.

A friend of my mother's recommended this book to me, so on a summer day with nothing to do, I cracked it open and jumped in. What I was met with was much more than a simple, linear fantasy story for kids...it was an engrossing and exciting adventure! I found myself sprawled out on my couch for hours, putting it down only for quick bathroom breaks and snack runs. I highly suggest giving this new and upcoming author a try, you won't be disappointed!

This was amazing. Never before has a book such as this hit me with such force! This was an edge-of-your-seat thriller with lots of twists. Its moral is great- its metaphors are fantastic.
This book takes place in the future, where there are mortals and immortals, with the immortals ruling. There are two Ruling Families, both being rivals. When the Princess Anatopsis of the AW (Amalgameated Witchcraft Corporation) and the Prince Barnaby from the CNI (Consolidated Necromantic Industries) have to take classes together with their strange teacher Mr. Pound (a demigod- being not a mortal nor a god) will they save themselves as well as the dying breed of mortals? Will they find the Os Divantias before Mr. Pound destroys all they know and love?
Highly recommended! I could not put this book down. Read it and you will enjoy it!

Bruce Maxwell was a passionate man that truly loved Neferti. He was determined to protect her and he did so without her knowledge. I enjoyed this book. It dealt with mental illness, love, fear and anger. Would love concur?

I just bought this book on Tuesday and I finished it in 3 days! Nefertiti was brutally attacked and left with scars on the outside and the inside. Bruce was abandoned by his mother who called him a "devil child". Because of his "blue moods", people who knew him called him a beast. Bruce loves his beauty unconditionally and Nefertiti loves Bruce despite his problems with controlling his rage. This story was interesting because these characters had to deal with mental illness and traumatic stress.....but that just made it more interesting!!! I couldn't put down.

Kudos to the author on a book well written...

Six months ago, Nefertiti Townes was viciously assaulted in her home. If it wasn't for her neighbor, Nefertiti knew she would have lost her life that night. Prior to the attack, Nefertiti was a vibrant, well-known artist with a loving fiancé named Dennis. But, now Nefertiti has limited hand movement and an ex-fiancé who ran out on her as she was recovering in the hospital because he couldn't phantom looking at her horrific facial scars. As a result from the brutal assailant, Nefertiti suffered thirty-six knife wounds from her head to waist and she almost lost her eye sight. Emotionally and physically hurt, Nefertiti turned to the only safe haven that she had known her entire life - Bruce Maxwell.

Bruce Maxwell, a successful and prominent business man, has a dark side which he refers to as the beast. With the aid of his beloved aunt and a special doctor, Bruce is able to maintain control over his beast. However, when Bruce learns that Nefertiti's brutal attacked might not have been a random event, his internal beast forcefully emerges with a vengeance.

Beauty and the Beast is an incredibly moving book. I loved Beauty and the Beast! Just like in the famous animated tale, the hero will do everything within his power to protect the woman he loves. I was deeply drawn to both Nefertiti and Bruce from the very beginning. After suffering a great tragedy, Nefertiti knew she could trust Bruce to keep her safe as she tried to cope with her emotional trauma. While Bruce was trying to break Nefertiti out of the cocoon that she had built around herself, he found it very difficult to ignore the life-long attraction that he has always felt towards her. Their connection as a couple, both in and out of bed, was simply amazing. The passion that flared between them was zealous and presented in a tastefully sensational manner. I found Beauty and the Beast to be a well thought out story that captured my heart. Thank you, Deatri King-Bey for creating such a wonderful recommended read!

Nikita
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This story is a must read for all. It proves that beauty is only skin deep and beauty and love does tame the most savage beast. I read this book in one afternoon because I couldn't put it down. Great love story with a lot of intrigue to boot. A must read for all!

This is the first novel I've read by Mrs. King-Bey and I must admit when I first read the books description, I thought who wants to read about a guy who suffers with a bipolar disorder and a woman that's been horribly disfigured, however, I must also admit I am definitely impressed, this novel was beautifully written. In BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Deatri King-Bey brings to light a story about finding the true beauty within. This novel was so realistic and thought provoking. It had me crying and LOL at some of Bruce and Nefertiti's antics. The emotion and love that was portrayed throughout this novel between Bruce and Nefertiti was just overwhelming. Despite the 'flaws' Bruce and Nefertiti suffered, be it physical or emotional, they were able to see pass all that and open their hearts to one another to a deep and unconditional love. This novel raised awareness about the bipolar disorder, it had mystery, action, humor and definitely some HOT and steamy love scenes. A real page turner that I couldn't put down until I was finished. Definitely a novel for the hopeless romantic and those that believe in fairy tales. Thanks for a real eye-opener, Mrs. King-Bey!

This an unbelievably well-written book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and I couldn't help wondering what I would have done if I were thrust into a similar circumstance. Calling these guys the Greatest Generation is uttering an understatement.

By the fall of 1944, the USS Tang, commanded by Commander Richard O'Kane, had compiled a war record of astronomical proportions. O'Kane's sub had sunk more tonnage, rescued more downed aviators, and successfully completed more surface attacks than any other American submarine. O'Kane had also been decorated numerous times with countless medals for bravery. However, the Tang still had one more mission left, and this one promised to be even more dangerous than the others.

O"Kane and his crew were ordered to sail to the Formosa Strait to intercept Japanese convoys operating there. But, on their way to the assigned area, the Tang ran into a terrible typhoon with extremely high winds and seas. Although the sub survived the typhoon, the men seemed to sense that this mission was shaping up to be very dangerous.

Arriving on station, the Tang quickly made her presence known by sinking several enemy ships. The sub had expended twenty three of the twenty four torpedoes allocated to her. All that was left was to fire the final torpedo into a wounded enemy vessel and head back to San Francisco. As soon as the final torpedo left its tube, the men began to celebrate. Unfortunately, the last torpedo proved to be the only one that failed to operate correctly. The torpedo malfunctioned, turned back on a circular course, and struck the Tang with such force that half the crew was killed instantly. Commander O'Kane was thrown into the water. The sub was mortally wounded, but the bow stayed afloat in the shallow water due to the air inside. Despite this, the men still alive inside the sub appeared to be hopelessly trapped.

Some of the men managed to escape from the 180-foot depth by using Momsen lung breathing devices. These allowed the men to ascend to the surface without suffering the bends. Nine men out of a crew of eighty-nine survived. The ordeal was just beginning for them, though. Soon, the survivors were picked up by a Japanese patrol boat. Due to the nature of the sub's attacks on Japanese shipping, the Japanese refused to consider the men of the Tang to be POWs, instead classifying them as special prisoners of Japan. No record of the men's survival was passed on to the Red Cross, so their families had no way of knowing the men were alive.

For the next several months, the men were routinely beaten, starved, and humiliated by the Japanese. They became extremely sick and lost lots of weight. Despite this terrible treatment, the men managed to survive until the end of the war.

Despite surviving captivity, the men faced other challenges upon returning home. Some of the men's wives had remarried after learning that the Tang was lost. Others faced constant flashbacks and dreams of being in captivity. Despite these setbacks, the men returned to mostly productive lives and had regular reunions.

This is an excellent book. Author Alex Kershaw does a fine job of describing the life of Commander Richard O'Kane and the USS Tang. O'Kane was a relentless commander who always sought to destroy as much enemy shipping as possible. He accomplished this feat with flying colors, as the Tang was responsible for the destruction of more enemy shipping than any other American submarine. The book is divided neatly into several sections, each dealing with a different aspect of the story. This division makes the book easy to follow.

I give this fine book my highest recommendation; it is a must-read for fans of submarine stories.

I have the privilege of being the friend of the son of one of the men who served on the USS Tang, and through him I learned of this book that includes considerable mention of his father. This personal aspect amplified the impact of the book for me, but even without this I could not have read the book and not been humbled by reading this true story of those who served. In these troubling times when irreverence and disrespect are rampant on virtually every front, "Escape from the Deep" is a welcomed and refreshing look at men who knew honor.

These submariners were true pioneers in many ways. Operations while under attack and previously untried escape techniques from a disabled submarine pushed them into extraordinarily dangerous uncharted territory. Additionally, when they served they did not know what the outcome of the war would be, and neither did their families. Germany and Japan were winning in those first years of the war. The times were perilous. We need to be reminded of this history and take nothing for granted.

The USS Tang was an aggressive attack submarine commanded by a determined and focused captain and a crew that rapidly became a formidable team. This story of first their operations and later the capture and imprisonment of the few survivors after the sub's sinking makes these men's lives and the lives those who never escaped real to the reader. Inasmuch as it is possible, you begin to try to imagine what it would be like if you were in those circumstances, and you know that it would take everything you have and then much more to endure. This is about courage, honor, guts, agony, and victory.

You come away from this book with a great appreciation for all those who sacrifice so much to try to ensure a future for the generations to come. These are the kinds of people who deserve our great thanks and respect. This book goes a long way to achieve this recognition. It is very easy to read, does not embellish at all, and simply is powerful. Alex Kershaw has done these men and us a service by telling this story.

I really enjoyed this book. It talks about the trials these men went through before the Tang sank, after it sunk, their imprisonment and when they came home. Another home run for Alex.

Alex Kershaw did a very compelling job on this book. My name is Bruce Keller and one of the survivors of the Tang,Floyd Caverly, is my uncle.The book, Escape from the Deep, is very informative as the the happenings that went on aboard the boat after it went down.I know that Alex did a lot of research when writting it.When I heard of the book I got one as soon as I could and had a hard time putting it down until I read it cover to cover. Then went back a read it again.

Being that I have a connection to one of the survivors, it was rather emotional at times in reading it. I would have to put the book down and compose myself to continue. Floyd Caverly, Unk as we call him has maitained quite a sense of humour in spite of all the hardship that him and the other survivors endured.

I would like to thank Alex for writting this book to tell the story of these brave men and what they did for this country and the world.

Thank you
Bruce Keller

Robert Morris gets to the bottom of what challenges us all, why is there struggle to reach my destiny? The life of Joseph is challenging to all of us because we never understand the process that God takes us through to be able to achieve His desire destiny in our lives. The 10 test that we all face in our lives, Prison, Pit, Pride, etc... are all things that we need to overcome to reach the fullest that God has for us. Joseph went through all of them, and needed to, before he could walk in the destiny God had for him. If we stay faithful and trusting in the situations that we are in today, they will eventually bring the harvest, or destiny, of God's ulitimate plan. This book personally helped my through my Pit and Prison tests and help me identify them as I was going through them. I highly recommend to any believer that feels called to do something great for God. It helps you understand the process that God will take you through to finally reach that destiny that He has for you.

This book is an awesome read. We went through this in a Sunday School class and also used the DVD video series that Robert has out. Great for individuals or groups.

I first bought this book at a conference after hearing Robert Morris speak. I read it and bought copies for friends because it was so insightful and practical. This is a great book with a message far beyond the cover. I highly recommend it to those seeking a deeper and more meaningful walk with the Lord.

I have only finished chapter 3 and already have received some life changing revelation which I will remember forever. Get the video!

One of the best books about a favorite character of the Bible...Joseph. I could relate with each test he went through. A must read if you feel you're always living in the dream, but never realizing your destiny. I also recommend the video series. We are using it with our community group at church. GET THIS BOOK!!!

Robert Bell has been a friend to me for a few years now. He is a great leader who knows how to make things happen in business. I was very eager to read his book and learn the details of how he did it! For Bob it was hard work and much discipline/dedication. He is a superb example for anyone to follow who craves for bigger and better things in life! A must read!!

-Anna Kubit
Konsultar Corporation

Bell is really on of the country's more interesting entrepreneurs and he shares his insights not only from the head but the heart. The information I found most useful was how he made the connections he needed to keep pushing his "Banana Boat" products ideas forward. Nice job. Recommended for anyone in business.

'From Lifeguard to Sun King' is a must read for anyone desiring sage business advice in their quest for the American Dream. Robert Bell's creation of Banana Boat, relaunch of Sea & Ski, development of Sun Pill and ongoing commitment to overall Sun Health make him one of America's most formidable entrepreneurs. You'll find yourself cheering Robert on as he finds a way to bridle all his youthful, deviant energy into the great success story that he is today. The itemized success principles at the end of the book are an added bonus to an already engaging & important business guide. I look forward to the Sun King's next important contribution to society, as I know it's inevitable.

Great Book on Entreprenuership from someone who has actually started, built, run, and sold large businesses. Alot of people write about business success who have never actually 'done' anything...Mr. Bell is a true acheiver who has repeatedly succeeded in different businesses. Anyone can learn from this book. It is also an easy and entertaining read. Thank you, Bob Bell, for writing this book...it's generous of you to share your experience and wisdom.

Robert Bell lets us into his world from his modest beginnings to successfully building up the Banana Boat brand as a result of lots of hard work, creativity, commitment, determination, discipline, perseverence, and a brilliant business mind. A truly inspirational story for all whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or not! This story is particularly unique in that the style in which it is written has a very human element to it, very personable, as if Robert Bell was sitting directly across from you sharing his remarkable story. This motivational book will make you believe that anything is possible and not be afraid to dream big because those who do and follow their true passion in life can well be on their way to achieving the American Dream just as Robert Bell did. A must read for anyone thinking about starting their own business . . . you will not be disappointed!

I like to cook but don't have as much time for it as I'd like. I can do the recipes in this book on the weekends, but on workdays, they just take too long.

That's too bad, because the food is very good.

Like a previous reviewer I too have spent time in the U.K. (as I married a Scotsman). The recipes in here are the standards to British cooking. I've tried many other and this is by far the best for anyone wanting to cook British meals in the U.S. The measurements have all been scaled for an American kitchen and every recipe I've tried has come out wonderful. A LOVELY BOOK!!!!

The delight in this book is not only in the recipes, which I have enjoyed immensely. Jane Garmey's wit in the presentation makes one sense a wink at the poor reputation British food generally holds, just as her recipes give it the lie. Generally, British food at its best is wonderful... trouble is that finding it 'at its best' often requires a journey.

The volume is not exhaustive, but presents many classic dishes, most easily prepared (and some which would appeal to, for example, one so avidly traditional as to spend the two months it takes for genuine plum pudding.) It is a pleasant sampler of varied main dish, savoury, pudding, and tea favourites.

I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy cooking. There are many items here which do not require unusual effort or odd ingredients, and can have wonderful results.

Although the book has no pictures, the recipes taste and look like authentic British foods. The measures have been converted to standard American measures and some traditional British ingredients have been changed to easier to find American ingredients such as sour cream instead of creme fraiche; however, this book would be easy to use in any country. A good basic 'What the English really eat' cookbook!

I am an American who loves Britain and who has lived in England. I think British cooking gets a bad rap, and that's just what the author points out. Just yesterday I made the Brown Windsor soup and it's wonderful, so I'd say I'm off to an excellent start with this excellent book. Hooray!

This Bible is beautiful. I always loved Thomas Kincade Paintings and if you do as well you will definately not be dissapointed. I bought this Bible for my husband and I for our anniversary and were very delighted. I would definately buy it again and would recommend. Well worth the money!

This bible is more beautiful than the pictures give it credit for. It is a real keepsake and a perfect present for someone special. Well worth the money. I am seriously thinking about buying one for myself (bought this one as a gift)

I got two of these and gave them as gifts to my mother and mother in law for Christmas. Both of them were thrilled. The book is beautiful and still easy to read, even with all of the illustrations, most of which are in the middle of it.

The cover is a simple white leather & not illustrated like I expected. The inside pictures are quite beautiful. A perfect wedding gift.

This is a wonderful family bible! What a value! It is beautifully constructed and the pages have gorgeous artwork by Thomas Kincaid. The style of the writing is easily understandable, even by children. There are special "family memory" sections on special events and even difficult ones, and how the family got through them together. I gave one of these bibles to my daughter and son-in-law as part of their wedding presents, and when my other daughter saw the bible, she asked for one too. I would
unequivocally recommend this bible to anyone as a gift that will be treasured for many years.

Never before have I heard the Christmas story through the first person narrative of a camel, and it made for such a fun read. Carol Heyer's illustrations are so vibrant and full of life. This adds to the charm of the telling of the Birth of Christ. Humphrey's dialogue is that of a disgruntled camel who just acquired a blanket, somewhat by force. Humphrey believes that he is carrying more than his load of who knows what, to who knows where. In the end, Humphrey is changed by the love that surrounds the Christ Child, so changed, that he gives his newest prize posession as a gift. Both the story and illustrations are moving...the makings of a classic.

This is a delightful book. The illustrations are beautiful and the message is thought provoking for all ages.

This book arrived in excellent condition. I gave it as a gift to my nephew.

This book is just beautiful. The art work is fantastic, and the story is cute.

There's a little bit of Humphrey in all of us: that ever-so-slightly-complainy inner voice, full of wishful thinking. You're in love with his perfectly goofy face by the middle of the book -- and by the end, he's family.

Humphrey's entertaining and beautifully illustrated journey to the manger of baby Jesus rings loud and clear with the true spirit of Christmas, without ever straying toward the cloying or sappy. Read it to your kids and make room on the shelf -- Humphrey's a keeper.

I highly recommend this book for anyone studying or teaching the life of David in I and II Samuel. It gives an excellent portrayal of the character of this very human man as he tries to please his God.

Explores the spiritual formation of King David from his earliest experiences with Goliath to his time in the desert running from Saul to the death of his son Absalom and his eventual death. Makes a great adult study in a small group or Sunday school context.

I found a copy of this book in my in-law's attic. I looked through the contents and decided to read the chapter on Friendship - David and Jonathan. Peterson is profound in this chapter. His comments on friendship as an expression of spirituality were so insightful that I am viewing my relationships with others in a new way already. I was even convicted that my friendship with my wife was not sufficient by God's standard. Wow, what a difference one chapter can make. I can hardly wait to buy this book and read the all of Peterson's reflections on the life of David. I like this "earthy spirituality." Give it a try, you might like it too.

What does it mean to be a Christian? Is the Bible passe, or is it still relevant for today? Does Christianity mean the triumphalstic life? What is the end goal of being a Christian? How can I live an authentic Christian life?

Eugene Peterson (the author of The Message) reflects on the life of David in this book and looks at what we can learn. Every chapter contains important lessons to being a Christian, and areas that we are to reflect on, and how we interact with God in our relationship with Him. The life of David becomes a platform for us to learn about our spirituality and relationship with God.

The following are some facts about David:
- The David story is the most extensively narrated single story in the Bible. We know more about David than any other person in the Bible.
- The life of David showed the humanity of this man after God's heart, and there are many themes that run through the life of David, e.g. parents, relationships, danger, murder, temptation, adultery, pride, humiliation, children, wives, rejection, sickness, justice, fear, peace, death...
- David did not perform any miracles.
- David sinned more than Saul, yet he was known as a person after God's own heart.
- David was known as a man served God's purposes in his generation (Acts 13:36).

The story of David is simultaneously earthy and godly. It shows us that we are never more alive than when we are dealing with God. David was an unfortunate parent, an unfaithful husband, and if we look at him from a purely historical perspective, he was a barbaric chieftain with a talent for poetry. But David's importance isn't in his morality or his military prowess but in his experience and witness to God. Every event in David's life was a confrontation with God.

Spirituality and humanity cannot be separated. We can't grow spiritually without understanding our humanness. We can't grow humanly without understanding our spirituality. David shows us that we can't be human without God. Understanding all this gives hope to many Christians that God looks at the heart, and it is about having a relationship with God. There are many lessons to learn, one of the most impactful to me was David's years in the wilderness.

It seems that all of God's leaders will at sometime go through a wilderness experience at least once. The wilderness experience is not something that any flesh likes, but it is an experience that can sanctify and consecrate the flesh. "Wilderness is the place of testing, the place of tempting" (pp. 75). In David's wilderness experience, he was being set apart, made holy, for God's use. The more he dealt with God, the more human he became (pp. 75). The wilderness was an attack on the flesh and a thrust towards dependence on God. In fact, David seemed most "spiritual" in his days in the wilderness.

Wilderness spirituality also includes being with the company of people we would not ordinarily choose to be with, and who would not ordinarily choose to be with us. (pp. 96). God uses others to point us to Him. If we see that the wilderness is filled with people we do not want to be with, we would have missed God. But if we see the wilderness being filled with God, we would not miss the people in it. "The wilderness taught David to see beauty everywhere. The wilderness was David's school in the preciousness of life; through wilderness testing David learned to see God in places and things he would never have thought to look previously. The wilderness immersed David in beauties so profound that a cheap revenge was unthinkable. The wilderness trained David in loyalties so binding that a broken oath was impossible. The wilderness exposed David to the presence of God in the most barren piece of rock so that no thing, and certainly no man, could ever be treated with scorn or contempt." (pp. 77-8) We cannot be naïve about the wilderness; it is a dangerous place. But we must never avoid the wilderness; for it is a wonderful place (pp. 80). "Hardship brings out the best in David. Suffering can, if we let it, make us better instead of worse" (pp. 198).

If you have ever felt discouraged by your own imperfections in your Christian walk, read this book! David is about as earthy and real as a person gets. As another reviewer wrote, the chapter on the friendship between David and Jonathan is also insightful and valuable. Eugene Petersen explores the reality of David's life situations and choices, and how his relationship with God was affected by them. In so doing, he highlights how God grows us and walks beside us throughout all of the trials of life, even those we bring upon ourselves. Ultimately, despite everything, David remained "A man after God's own heart" proving the existence and endurance of God's grace and acceptance, and that there's hope for us all!