Lawrence Books

the writter gives a deep doctrine of theology.exellent contribution. i really enjoyed. DR.a.x.g. silva

A very interesting book with a whole new outlook on the Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran. Schiffman suggests that years of Christian scholarship has somewhat tainted the study of the scrolls and that a Jewish perspective on the scrolls is long overdue. I especially enjoyed his perspective on the origin of the dead sea sect, tracing their roots possibly to the Sadducees. The first several chapters serve as an introduction to the dead sea scrolls, including the story of their discovery, so if this is your first book on the DSS you should find sufficient background on the subject. He always compares the DSS literature with the practices of other Second Temple Period religious groups and literature, pointing out similarities and differences. I felt that part 2 offered more insight into the lifestyle and mindset of the community who lived at Qumran than anything I've read.

Lawrence H. Schiffman wrote an excellent book re The Dead Sea Scrolls. RECLAIMING THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS is a clearly written account of the development and interpretation of these Scrolls which were first discovered in 1947. Schiffman argues that not only Christians but also religious Jews can benefit from this book to gain a better understanding of the roots of their religion.

Schiffman presents the controversies surrounding the editing and publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls. These controversies were based in part on pettiness, professional jealously, etc. Yet, Schiffman also informs readers that some of these controversies were based on honest differences of opinion. An interesting feature of this book is the photo plates of some of "the players" involved in this controversy. One of the scholars involved in interpreting and publishing the scrolls was Ben Zion Wacholder whose was one of the professors this reviewer's son while in graduate school at Hebrew Union College in Cincinatti, Ohio. Schiffman gives a detailed yet clear picture of the scholars involved and explains why there was controversy and what the differences were.

Schiffman also explained the cultural mileau in Palestine and Judea during the time that the Scrolls were written (c.400 BC-200 AD). Devout Jews were caught in cultural conflict between Hellenistic Greek influences and later Roman influences especially after 63 BC. Schiffman explains that these differences were serious and led what may be called the Maccabean Wars (c.175 BC-163 BC). Schhiffman showed that not only were there conflicts between religious Jews and their Greek and later Roman rulers, but these influences caused internal conflict among religious Jews themselves. For Christians this helps explain the mention between Saduccess and Pharisees mentioned in the New Testament. For those who seek a biblical background of the Jewish vs. Greek conflicts, the books of First Maccabees and Second Maccabees, which are found in Catholic Bibles, are the biblical sources. As an aside, religious Jews celebrate Hanukkah to commerate the Maccabean struggle against the Greeks. Schoffman's book helps readers to better understand this conflict.

An important feature of THE DEAD SEAS SCROLLS is the maps and geography of the sites where the Scrolls were found. Alert readers should understand that the Dead Sea Scrolls were written over a long period of time in response to outside political pressures and internal Jewish conflicts. Some of the Scrolls contain parts of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)and are some of the earliest examples of books of the Bible that we know of. Readers should note that some of the biblical books found in The Dead Sea Scrolls are different and either shorter or longer than those contained in contemporary bibles. This is a good topic to investigate.

Most scholars and historians think that memebers of the Essenes wrote and edited The Dead Sea Scrolls. One interpretation of these men is that they isolated themselves from both Roman and secular Jewish influences. Schiffman exlained that these men may have been pacifists, but some scholars disagree in that the Essenes were not always so peaceful. The debate is based in part that the Qumran site was a fortress for militant activity. Schiffmann effective argued that this site was NOT a military fortress.

Schiffman further how The Dead Sea Scrolls assist in explaining both the origins of Christianity and the development of Rabbinic Judaism. In other words, The Dead Sea Scrolls are the exclusive domain of either religion. Schiffman makes a good case that THE MISHNA and THE TALMUD were base in part on these scrolls. Schiffman gave both Christians and religious Jews a clear explanation of how THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS contributed to both relisions.

Essentially Schiffman presented a readable account that should satisfy reasonable men whether they are Christian or Jew. Honest scholarship and honest/reasonable debate can coexist if scholars can shed their personal and professional jealously. Serious readers should give this book the serious attention it deserves.

One of the greatest scholars of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Lawrence Schiffman, tries to correct the problem of 40 years of Christian reading into the Judaic texts found at Qumran. By exploring the Scrolls as a whole, as well as the main groups of Jews in ancient Israel, Schiffman presents an amazing thesis as to who theses people were, and what schism led them to break from their homes and form this community. A book full of wisdom, and insight, Schiffman leads the reader on a complete exploration of the times, Scrolls, and provides a very helpful glossary for the layman, and scholar alike

When I saw this book, my intital reaction was here was another cheap expose'written by someone who has an axe to grind. But the book is more than that - It is a chilling look into an industry that truly has "gone wild". The writing is clear and impassioned and this has much to do with the author's empathy for the consumer and his genuine desire to change the industry. His efforts are laudatory and he really sticks his neck out to accomplish that. I sure hope corrupt brokers get wind of his book and are ashamed to know this book is out there now exposing their sleazy charade. Buy this book, and recommend it to your friends. Don't get caught unaware of the unscupulous underbelly of this industry. Mr. Lawrence could be another Eliot Spitzer.

I just want to say I gave this book 5 stars because of it's wealth of information on the mortgage loan sharks as well as the warning flags it presents when applying for a mortgage. Finally, someone out of the mortgage industry challenging & exposing the dark side. And it's done in a way that the common folk like myself can understand.

For years, I have listened to programs like Larry Burkett's "Money Matters" and The Dave Ramsey Show on "Debt Management" and how only the banks get wealthy on our debt. But Dave Lawrence goes beyond those radio programs and exposes heart wrenching stories of debt & wealth all orchestrated by these loan sharks that no one else seems to want to talk about.

There is alot to absorb in this book, I highly recommend it to everyone. Hat's off to David Lawrence

I was shocked to find out that many in the mortgage business put personal incentives ahead of the client's best interests. I was horrified to find that I was taken advantage of by people I actually trusted. Now I am armed with the truth and won't let that happen again.

Mark Twain on bankers: A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.

Reviewed By David M. Kinchen
Huntington News Network Book Critic

Hinton, WV (HNN) - In the case of a mortgage broker - at least the predatory, unscrupulous ones described by David Lawrence in "Refi-Bust: Mortgage Brokers Gone Wild!" (Booksurge Publishing, $18.95, 174 pages, paperback) -- the "Mr. Egos" and "Big Mels" he describes will gladly sell you another umbrella for $2,000.

The characters depicted by Lawrence, who worked as a mortgage broker in Ohio, could have come from the typewriter of David Mamet, who depicted shady real estate salesmen so brilliantly in "Glengarry Glen Ross" a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that was made into a wonderful 1992 movie starring Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin and Alan Arkin.

When I suggested to Lawrence in an email that the characters also reminded me of a 2000 film called "Boiler Room" about an unscrupulous bunch of young Wall Street stock brokers (starring Giovanni Ribisi and Ben Affleck), Lawrence said his fictional mortgage broker Mr. Ego had his crew of mortgage brokers watch "Boiler Room" for inspiration!

Here is Lawrence's description of Big Mel: "Big Mel was the ultimate in macho. A baby-faced 20-year-old kid wearing fancy gold cufflinks, gaudy jewelry, expensive European suits and an expensive watch. With his slicked back hair he actually looked like a Mr. Ego clone. Ironically, Big Mel was only big in spirit, as he stood only five-and-a-half-feet tall. As stereotypical as this may seem, he actually looked like Mr. Ego's `Mini Me.'"

Lawrence, defending honest mortgage brokers - yes, he actually believes there is such a breed and describes his experiences working for an honest mortgage broker - says that crooked, greedy mortgage brokers, along with many homebuilders providing their own financing, and yes, many commercial bankers - are responsible for the nearly 1 million home foreclosures each year in the U.S.

What the heck is a mortgage broker, anyway? Lawrence defines them as "An individual or firm that matches borrowers to lenders and loan programs for a fee, or anyone who acts as a go-between and gets a fee or other compensation."

That's the definition of any broker, whether it be for stocks or real estate. Simple enough, but the fee is the problem, in my view. A loan officer at a bank, which is where I advise people to go, is generally on salary - not subject to the high pressure "produce or be fired" atmosphere prevailing at the boiler room mortgage brokers described so vividly by Lawrence.

All too often homeowners seeking to refinance their homes and pay off student loans, credit card debt, medical bills, etc. are the proverbial lambs led to slaughter by mortgage brokers who lie, cheat and steal - all for the all important fee that leads to a six-figure annual income for men and women in their teens and 20s. Many of the people Lawrence worked with wore $800 suits, drove $100,000 Porsches and lived in dilapidated one-bedroom apartments in the "bad parts" of his Ohio city.

Lawrence describes "10-pounders" - loan fees of $10,000 - and "20-pounders" - those of $20,000 - that motivate the sweatshop operators of a largely unregulated industry. Ohio mortgage brokers ran wild until 2002, when the Ohio General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 76 that Lawrence says was supposed to "clean up" the mortgage brokers in the Buckeye State. Like a lot of legislation, the intentions were good, he writes, but the crafty brokers soon found ways to skirt the licensing and education requirements contained in Bill 76.

There's a lot of technical material in the book about loans that even experienced loan officers have difficulty comprehending. The material is important, but I think the essential message of "Refi-Bust" is to not trust anything a broker tells you. Or maybe the old Ronald Reagan mantra, "Trust, but verify."

I've always been an opponent of interest-only loans, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and the bait-and-switch approach used by TV advertisers - you know the ones -- but if you must get something like this, check it out with a responsible attorney, he advises. As Lawrence says over and over again, "there are no 1 percent loans."

My advice, based on decades of covering real estate at metropolitan newspapers and online, is not to get into a house you can't afford, don't rack up unsustainable credit card debt and sell the house and move into an apartment if homeownership has become too much to handle. Life is complicated enough without housing affordability worries driving you crazy.

A good, but often overlooked, source for housing finance in West Virginia is the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, www.wvhdf.com The phone number is 1-800-933-9843. I wrote about his organization, headed by Joe Hatfield, when I covered business news at the Beckley newspaper. Other states have similar bodies that provide housing finance at reasonable rates to ordinary working people who want decent, safe and sanitary housing, not starter castles to impress people they don't even know.

The audience for Lawrence's often entertaining book should be homeowners thinking of refinancing (be very, very careful! This is the road to perdition in too many cases); prospective homeowners tempted by absurdly low teaser payments that probably don't include taxes or homeowner insurance and just about anyone tempted by the offers than jam everyone's mailbox daily.

David Lawrence is an author who has over ten years experience in the mortgage business as a loan officer, manager and former owner of a prestigious mortgage company. In other words, he was in the belly of the beast for a decade!

The book is entertaining, but more important, it has information that could prevent you from making the most costly financial mistake of your life.

I recommend "Refi-Bust" without reservation. Don't wait for the movie! I've cast in my mind Vin Diesel as Mr. Ego and Giovanni Ribisi (he was in the recent remake of "The Flight of the Phoenix", playing the aircraft engineer) as Big Mel.

Author's web site: www.RefiBust.com

The reviewer covered real estate at The Milwaukee Sentinel and the Los Angeles Times. He has been a member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors since 1971 and was president in 1984.

This is the most balanced and comprehensive book on Reiki I've ever read. The author presents a wide sweeping introduction on the various Reiki Lineages including the political dynamics undergirding the various splits along the way showing what happens when human ego enters the picture and the various polarities give rise to differences.

In Western Reiki, Takata Sensi is largely attributed with the dissemination in the West. The author asserts that Takata initiated 22 Masters who later met following her death and began to share stories of their training. What they discovered is dissimilarities with the information. They then tried to unify the system through consensus which further led them to elect a lineage holder. Mrs. Takada's granddaughter was elected but not without challenge. This led to a split in loyalties splitting Reiki further. But the author also notes and lists in his book numerous Reiki lineages.

What evolved in Reiki is not an uncommon outcome in many other forms of healing or martial arts. Take for example the split after Ida Rolf died leading to the formation of other lineages of Rolfing, or the split in Aikido following the death of O Sensi leading to further fragmentation in the art. These are but two small examples of the political underpinnings shaping original Art forms when human ego enters the picture.

As a Reiki practioner, I find it regrettable that various lineages hold that they represent the 'one' and 'ture' Reiki and that others are only flawed versions from the original root.

It is most likely that Dr. Usui taught people in different ways and perhaps added new components as he grew in the Art. If this is indeed the case, than all lineages contain some aspects of the truth of Reiki. What we need is a unified openness to abridge the various lineages to ascertain what is original with Usui for the sake of an integral approach.

I think the author brings sensitivity and insight in this regard.

A very complete source of information for those practicing Reiki but perhaps not quite as accesible for others.

INNER SELF MAGAZINE
"Finally here is a book which actually explains how healing works. Reiki Healer is a great achievement offering not only an excellent overview of the Reiki system, but insight into its history, symbols, spirituality, and what one can expect within Reiki training. It is an important book for anyone interested in Reiki and will also prove of value to anyone considering training. Unquestionably, a book set for the best sellers list."

NOVA MAGAZINE
"Lawrence goes about imparting his knowledge, from the obvious to the esoteric. He clarifies the Attunements needed to tap into Universal energy and the skills needed to activate third degree status, all involving dedication and commitment. Yet we also pick tips on bringing Reiki into our lives. A book to awaken a latent interest or to set you on the path to learning the therapy for yourself."

RAINBOW NEWS MAGAZINE
"Lawrence Ellyard is a practising Reiki teacher and Buddhist practitioner. From this manual you will discover, among other things: The original Reiki history and teachings of Dr. Usui, The Attunements, Initiations and how they work. How to heal yourself and others, The practical application of Reiki in daily life and the complete Reiki levels, including Reiki teacher training."

Quite possibly one of the most informative and practical information guides out there regarding history, philosophy, application and technique, as well as, guidelines for how to market yourself utilizing this medium for self employment/strategies, that I have ever had the pleasure of borrowing. SO good I purchased my own personal copy as it was a MUST have for my energy work library.

Not only the perfect adddition to an existing Reiki Library, but something I plan on utilizing for new students by vitue of it's straightforward, no non-sense, easy to understand perspective regarding this age old healing technique.

Would recommend to anyone who's even interested or curious about Reiki.

I have followed the work of Linn/Knowles for some time now. An admiring fan. When I heard Resistance and Persuasion was going to be released I was ecstatic. This is the finest academic book written about persuasion in 20 years. It will become an indispensable classic in short time. The editor/authors collect the best of current research delving deep into resistance and the Omega Strategies that will overcome it.

If you're in college and get to have college credit for learning this you are fortunate indeed. Enjoy. There isn't better at the University Book Store.

Kevin Hogan
Author of The Psychology of Persuasion:
How to Persuade Others to Your Way of Thinking

In 2006 I was privileged enough to see Dr. Knowles as a conference i was attending. Each of the 3 days Dr. Knowles was given a hour in which to take the stage and to train us on the subject of this book. (Omega Strategies)

In seeing Dr. Knowles Live, reading his book and watching his brilliant DVD set I can only promote and encourage anyone who has to persuade, influence or sell to do the same.

In this book you will find the keys that other authors have either failed to noticed or simply didn't know about.

The OMEGA strategies are those in which you reduce the resistance to say no, where as more traditional methods which are widely known and taught are ALPHA strategies which increase the offer to gain a yes.

Please promise yourself you will take the time to purchase this book, utilise the information and comment with a review what you thought.

"A brilliant and genius piece of work!" Thank you Dr. Knowles.


Gary May - Author
SELLING: Powerful New Strategies for Sales Success
www.garymay.co.uk

This book is fantastic, and, this book will take some serious dedication for many. This book is a very academic read. If I'm not mistaken, I think it is actually used as a college textbook for a psychology course. Okay, now that you have my disclaimer, let me say this: This is the kind of research material that Kevin Hogan pours through tomake his incredible Science of Influence Products from. Why? Because this is the stuff that's been proven to work, tested in University studies, etc. You will learn methods you can use with anyone; your spouse, kids, clients and more. And talk about covert hypnosis....WOW! This is a MUST HAVE for any serious student of persuasion.

Put quite simply there is not a better book available today on the topic of resistance. Dr. Knowles does a wonderful job of breaking down the different types of resistance and showing which strategies overcame or created less resistance.

What is really like about this book is that it is based on hard science and real studies, not hypothetical ideas of what could or should happen.

This book is a must for anyone serious about persuasion, sales, marketing, advertising, or negotiating.

Dave Lakhani
Author of Persuasion: The Art Of Getting What You Want
www.howtopersuade.com

This is an amazing book. . It covers skill mastery in many domains (golf, wrestling, chess, music), showing the commonalities that lie at the heart of exceptional, as apposed to average, performance (e.g. consistent, focused practices over years characterized by high quality feedback, the need for the individual to master self-regulation if he or she wants to increase skill over time, etc.) It also provides a cautionary tale, in the form of a golf pro who developed exceptional skill but who never achieved the type of fame or wealth of say a Jack Nicholas. Why? Because skill too narrowly defined, no mater how great, does not lead to achievement. You have to take in the total context (social, political, etc) if you want your "skill" to lead to widespread recognition. At least that's what I took away from my reading. While the book doesn't lay out an explicit "blue print" for applying it's information, it is still a wonderful resource for trainers or teachers looking to develop high level instruction and to mentor those pursuing peak performance.

Having been an educator physician for some time, Dr. Ericsson reveals the nature of expertise as opposed to good, OK, mediocre, learners. He also lends insight into the difference between casual practice and dedicated or focused practice - which is the key to mastery. Anyone who wishes to be the best learner or the best teacher should read this book - every year.

Is the highest level of expertise attributable to innate talents or to hard work? K. Anders Ericsson, the editor of the book declared that "experts are always made , not born". "With the exception of some sports, no characteristic of the brain or body constrains an individual from reaching an expert level." According to Ericsson's research, people who reach the peak practice differently from people who stagnate. Here, the same amount of time put in does not mean the same quality of experience gained. Deliberate practice is Ericsson's big idea. It is the "practice that focuses on tasks beyond your current level of competence and comfort." "When most people practice, they focus on the things they already know how to do. Deliberate practice is different. It entails considerable, specific, and sustained efforts to do something you can't do well--or even at all." It demands high concentration, and much reflection and feedback analysis. And it is important to "identify the aspects of your performance that will need to be improved at your next level of skill".

The book is a collection of 15 academic papers for a symposium on "The acquisition of expert performance: Implications for optimal professional development". The studies of the expert performance in the book range from disciplines in arts and science, sports and games. With many regression equations, data tables, and data graphs, it is not a leisure read. However, the topic is immensely interesting to me and I think it's well worth the time to digest the information.

I'm not done reading it, but it's painful all the way, but painful in the way of the detail. I'm sure if you try hard enough you could figure this stuff out on your own, like people have done for thousands of years, but to see it there in front of you, it's a real short cut for getting to doing what you're trying to do. It's not some lame motivational book like if some nobody wrote, "How to be Successful," in the hopes of being successful by selling it. No, this is real science. It's doesn't tell you what to do at all, and the language is all technical like a robot, because they're psychologists and that's how psychologists talk, I guess, but it's living robot-matter, and they're talking about what they're doing, which is doing things, so there's a reflective aura all around the words, because it's a meta-subject. This is the subject of all subjects.

Many here in the US know Pier Paolo Pasolini as a filmmaker, and many know him solely for his last film, Salo or the 120 Days of Sodom, arguably the most disturbing, disgusting, and controversial movie ever made. He was a multi-faceted man to say the least. He was an essayist, a political activist, a playwright, a novelist, and a poet (in addition to being a filmmaker). This is a small but vital collection of some of his most famous poems. My favorite one is "But It Was a Naked and Swarming Italy", along with "The Wealth of Knowing". This is a reasonably priced, tiny collection of Pasolini's poetry, and is definitely worth picking up for anyone who is interested in this brilliant, controversial artist.

"Roman Poems," by Pier Paolo Pasolini, is a bilingual edition with Italian and English versions of the poems on facing pages. The translations are by Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Francesca Valente. The book includes a preface by Alberto Moravia, who describes Pasolini as "a civil poet," by which Moravia means "a poet who sees his native land in a way that the powerful of the country do not and cannot see it." There are a number of recurring themes and motifs in this book: the urban environment, poverty, politics, the life of a poet. Many of the poems have a strong autobiographical or confessional flavor; a number of them deal with death.

Another thing that struck me about these poems was that many of them evoke a gritty, down-and-dirty sense of life. Pasolini's words evoke a world of "sweaty delivery boys," "the sticky smell of coal," "ancient whores," and "alleys choked with darkness and garbage." Much of the book is very rooted in specific places; Pasolini cites such geographic names as the Viale Marconi, Trastevere Station, the fields of Aniene, Piazza Bologna, and the Garibaldi Bridge. Pasolini creates a particularly powerful and mesmerizing portrait of the city. He takes the reader from "the bourgeois quarter" to "a poor people's house at the city's far edge," and vividly appeals to the senses as he describes what he encounters on the journey.

Some of the poems that appealed to me the most are as follows. "The Privilege of Thinking" offers the speaker's thoughts and observations while on a train ride; the poem is very down-to-earth, yet also has a transcendent quality. "Sex, Consolation for Misery" is a darkly prophetic vision of a "new world" being born; the poem offers a paradoxical message and hallucinatory imagery. "I Work All Day. . ." combines a playful touch with a political edge as the speaker reflects on his role as a poet. "But It Was a Naked and Swarming Italy" offers a vivid and passionate portrait of a young poet living in poverty in Italy in the 1950s and 1960s. But my favorite piece in the collection is "Toward the Caracalla Baths," which combines deliciously rich and evocative language with an effective parallel structure as the poet describes a diverse group of characters heading towards the title baths.

The back cover of the book notes that Pasolini was born in 1922 in Bologna, and was murdered in 1975 near Rome. I found this book very hard to get into on my first reading. But as I re-read the poems, Pasolini's language and vision began to really come alive for me; he may be one of those poets whose work rewards patience and attentiveness. In "Roman Poems" Pasolini is very introspective and psychological, but also casts a penetrating cinematic gaze on 20th century Italy in both its beauty and its pain.

Pier Paolo Pasolini is probably better-known as the director of movies like "Salo", but his poetry is at least as good as his movies, and probably better. "Roman Poems" compiles a number of his eccentric little rhapsodies: mostly free verse, dealing with topics of homosexuality, politics, and the beauty of the city. I don't know how much these poems will interest those who aren't intrigued by Pasolini as a cultural figure, but they're certainly worthwhile.

Pier Paolo Pasolini was most remembered as a controversial filmmaker -- Salo;120 days of Sodom is his most notorious, famous because it proceeded his tragic death. Likewise, Pasolini possessed others talents: painting, which was undermost and, as already proved on this site, writing. Pasolini began writing prose/poetry at an early age but soon developed his talent as a fiction writer (some of his films were originally novels). Roman Poems, beautifully translated by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, is a collection of Pasolini's scribblings: mainly prose, eulogies, odes, and long-poems. These compositions were compiled from different sources: some books dating from Pasolini's teenage years, others sometime before his death. Roman Poems presents many themes but usually centers around Pasolini's lifestyle as a street hustler and derelict; his poems are generally set in his Roman homeland --hence the titled. Moreover, Pasolini has created a ideology all his own, attacking groups as the aristocracy, Fascist Italy, Capitalism, and sympathizing the proletariat and the underdog. Of all the pieces in the book, the ones that stands out the most is "A Sentimental Education," and "The Resistance and its Light;" both exhibiting intense imagery and spirit for which Pasolini was known for. Unfortunately, Pasolini was persecuted and despised by many people: indeed an untimely death for an artist of his time. It's sad to say that people still have a hard time comprehending Pasolini, and this incomprehension usually manifests itself as deep-seated hatred. Roman Poems presents Pasolini as a man who anticipated a change in politics as well as a change in art. Those who will read are taking a great step.

This is an excellent book that will challenge and expand your view of spiritual mentors/directors. I read this book with my small women's group and we got a lot out of it. The best part is it not only talks about spiritual direction, but it also gives practical advice and examples. It is both theoretical AND practical in nature, which is sometimes hard to find. Highly recommend!

This book is essential for anyone who wants to go deeper with God. It discusses all aspects of spiritual friendship and spiritual direction, with an emphasis on prayer and experience over answers and advice. There are key insights about our relationship with God and with others. A wonderful, inspiring, and motivating book.

If you're looking for an excellent introduction to spiritual direction and spiritual friendship, this is your book. Benner knows what he's talking about, and says it in an easy-to-read manner.

Recently, I've started getting interested in the Spiritual Direction, so I picked up this book. I expected it to be a practical book about how to give spiritual direction. And, I'm glad to say that I was not disappointed.

Dr. Benner gives us two paths of "Spiritual Accompaniment": spiritual friendship (which is informal) and spiritual direction (which is more formal). He also gives useful examples (even transcripts of actual sessions) and general principles which are quite informative for anyone considering pursuing spiritual direction, either as director or directee. My favorite chapters are probably the last two, though. Here, he considers placing spiritual accompaniment in two specific contexts. First, there is the small group. His chapter here outlines the use of the Lectio Divina (a form of devotional reading for those who are less familiar with it) in fostering deep spiritual sharing in a small group rather than simply using a small group for fellowship or Bible study. Second, there is marriage. Sadly, many marriages, even if successful, lack spiritual content, and Dr. Benner offers ideas of how actively pursuing spiritual friendship and direction with your spouse can be a relationship which draws you together spiritually.

Sacred Companions is written for someone who is relatively new to spiritual accompaniment, and as such is written with relatively little jargon. Also, he includes an extensive topical list of suggestion for further reading on a number of topics, from prayer to Lectio to spiritual direction and theology.

If you're looking for a book that's a good introduction to spiritual accompaniment, then this is a book I would certainly recommend.

In the third installment to the series Hades writes about the popular myth of Medusa. As you know Medusaused to be a gorgon(A bug eyed winged monster with snakes for hair. But she wasn't born that way. She was born a beautiful moon goddess with silky black hair. A nasty goddess(Athena)made her and her sisters that way. Soon a young man named Purseus is after her head.Can Medusa save herself? This book may not have as much action as the first book but is just as good.

This is the third in a series?! I thought this was the only one! Well never mind. I loved this book, and although I normally don't like medusa, but i love greek mythology, so i tried it and loved it. Hades is actually the good guy in this one, and tries to help save medusa from being killed by the jelous... someone. Sorry i'm not a spoiler. all in all this was an awesome book.

The book Say Cheese Medusa is about Hades, a Greek god of the underworld. He tells the real story of the Greek stories unlike the big fake, Zeus. He says that Zeus made Medusa sound bad when she really wasn't. He tells the story of how Perseus, the brave hero who slayed Medusa, really didn't and how he was a big fake. The story by Hades says that Perseus really was a brat and how Cerberus, the three headed dog, hated him. Medusa (according to Hades) is still alive and has a small hotel and spa running. He tells the real story and every single word is true.
I really like the book because Greek stories are really interesting and all but to have it from a god's point of view is interesting. It has all the things correct but in some parts the story is changed but it has all the main parts. The book had weird places like in this quote, "The Underworld Mall was under constructions that spring. Dozens of new shops and restaurants were going up." I mean really, a mall in the underworld, what will they think of next, you think, well there is more!!! I love the new places the author adds in the book. Then there are things like this, "The one and only sibyl doll! Press the button and she'll tell you your future!"
Things like these are crazy!! I mean, you think that the gods only watch and meddle with our lives; in this book you realize that they have lives too!!! The book is funny and entertaining at the same time. It is a book I can read over and over again without any complaints. If I like it, you will too. I am sure , and I recommend you to read it too.
My favorite part of the book was everything. Yet to have an specific part is hard. I would have to say that my favorite part of the book was when Medusa's sisters come up with the plan of helping Perseus. Their plan is to take one of the fake heads that Medusa makes of herself and instead of beheading Medusa it is a fake head made of plaster. That I think is my favorite part of the book. It was a really interesting book and if you read it for yourself, you will see the hardship if choosing the most favorite part of the book.

Kate McMullan has created an excellent twist on traditional myth telling. I bought these books for my older two children (ages 9 & 7) and found them not only funny, but extremely eye opening and appropriate for adults as well. They should really be read in tandem with Bullfinch's anthologies in any mythology class, as it offers a view from the "other" side, which is rarely, if ever, explored.
In this "episode" a beautiful and very kind, minor moon goddess is transformed into the legendary "turn men into stone" gorgon by a very jealous and self important , major goddess. It is a story of how understanding and being compassionate to others can overcome even the seemingly worse circumstances and reveal the true beauty beneath.

My son normally isn't thrilled about reading, but he takes these two books to school every day and reads them at their reading time!

Finally books to come out for kids with adventure based on some old school stories.....

i thought these books were great they have so much imagination and are jam-packed with adventures and fun!! children will love them as much as adults !! this was written by my daughter so there's you're point!!

This is the best book I ever read, it is amazing, I thruly recomend this book to all the action fans and childrens.

Lawrence Dorr creates the most unforgettable characters! Each and every one leads to a better understanding of the world and a greater acceptance of others. The stories in this collection are filled with extraordinary kindnesses that always seem to come when we least expect it; but more importantly, Dorr shows the reader the only way to transcend the limitations of the physical world. I love this writer and only want to say PLEASE MR. DORR, GIVE US MORE, MORE, MORE.

Lawrence Dorr creates the most unforgettable characters! Each and every one leads to a better understanding of the world and a greater acceptance of others. The stories in this collection are filled with extraordinary kindnesses that always seem to come when we least expect it; but more importantly, Dorr shows the reader the only way to transcend the limitations of the physical world. I love this writer and only want to say PLEASE MR. DORR, GIVE US MORE, MORE, MORE.

Dorr is a master of prose with his powerful images and poignant topics. His word structure alone is impressive. These are some of the best twentieth century American stories I have read.

These twelve stories reflect the experiences and emotions Hungarian-born writer Lawrence Dorr suffered in his war-torn homeland before and during World War II , and after his move to America. As a young lad, Dorr faced the Germans, was posted on the front in excruciating cold, was wounded, found his family killed,and his ancestral home consfiscated. After making a daring escape from the Communists, he wandered throughout Europe holding a variety of jobs, from working a loom in a British cotton mill to being a teacher. These situations are the details and threads by which Dorr weaves stories that tell of the anguish he suffered as an exile. They also illustrate in graphic detail the horror people can perpretrate on others, and on a country, in the name of patriotism and honor. Because the revelations about human nature in these stories are so honest, they are often difficult to read and/or accept, but the reader leaves them wiser and more aware of God's grace. Dorr's characters and plots reveal a love and humanity that heals. Simple and kind acts extended to someone physically or emotionally wounded reveal that good exists, even if given by those who seemingly have lost all dignity. In other stories, Dorr shows the redemptive values of family, nature, worship, and even domestic rituals. In that sense, Dorr is a religious writer. His peace comes from an unshakable knowledge that God is good and that mercy is a gift. Door's writing is spare, lean, and masculine. A gifted writer, his images,descriptions, and writing style attest to his extensive knowledge of and familiarity with the classics, music, and art. It is no wonder that Dorr was nominated for a a Pulitzer prize in fiction. His writings and characters speak of anger,intrigue, passion, humor,love,and friendships. This book is compelling. Dorr is one of America's finest writers of fiction