M Books

Very informative, great pictures, covers everything you need to know to raise a wonderful garden.

I've been slowly entering gardening as a serious hobby and this book was perfect for me. Whether you've never gardened before or have done it for years, this book is a wealth of valuable information. I spent hours reading it! Gorgeous photographs and easy to understand intructions and information -- this book has become an indispensable reference for me.

The information and photographs get a 5-star Rating. The binding (0 stars) fell apart the second time I opened the book.

I was a little disappointed with this book because I thought it would have more information on specific plants. It gives very little info on the specific plants and focuses on the design aspects. As a novice gardener, this book has not been very helpful to me. Don't buy it if you want a general reference guide.

This book covers almost everything including how to grow Blackberries and grapes which caught my attention and how to take care of cuttings, which I had never done before and had all sorts of doubts about. Thanks to this wonderful jewel, my back yard is now filled with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants that I have grown from cuttings off of other plants and flowers in only a few short weeks.

My husband bought me a greenhouse in February 05 so I thought this book would be perfect for us. We have tripled our flowers and plants by using this book. Now the back yard is half filled and the greenhouse is totally filled thanks to this book! Total cost was only for the soil and pots that we needed, everything else was all cuttings placed in water or placed directly in the soil until rooted.

This book is very expensive but worth it's weight in gold!
I love it!

The book never arrived at 3 weeks, so canceled the order and hope the charge is reversed on my card. Woody's books was nice about the problem and sent me a $5 check to aid in buying the book at a higher cost in a local book store.

This is a fantastic book for the newly-diagnosed breast cancer patient. It was given to my by my surgeon's office. It does a great job explaining things on a level that the average person can understand. It also has great diagrams, lists of questions to ask your medical team, glossary of terms, websites to check out and comments from breast cancer survivors and/or significant others of survivors. I highly recommend this book.

We give this book to surgeons in our area to distribute to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Before purchasing it, we had a group of 4 breast cancer survivors review and rate 3 separate books on breast cancer. This book "won" hands down, based on numerous criteria -- everything from its explanation of breast cancer treatments, to its index and glossary, to its discussion of life after cancer. It is clear and easy to read, provides comprehensive information on types of breast cancer and corresponding treatment alternatives, has wonderful graphics and photos, and provides interesting anecdotal stories of actual patients in its sidebar. Highly recommended!

I was introduced to this book at work and am now giving it to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. I am on oncology certified nurse in the radiation oncology department of my cancer center. In January 2007 I also became our Breast Cancer Patient Navigator. I find this book gets excellent reviews from patients and their families alike. It is a great source of information, covering all the topics from diagnosis to living life 'after cancer'. I only wish I would have had this book when I was on my personal breast cancer journey! I highly recommend this book for someone newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

"Many experts believe that Herceptin represents the future direction of breast cancer drugs, because it targets a particular protein on the cancer cell, rather than attacking all cells at random. As research progresses, scientist hope to make all anti-cancer drugs as specific as possible." ~ pg. 97

Designed to compliment the book, the DVD provides an environment of understanding with explanations for all the procedures and various situations that will occur after a diagnosis. New treatments like Immunotherapy are discussed and there is an extensive resource section with additional CD options, including a CD-ROM program that is an interactive guide to treatment.

Helpful up-to-date information about why you may not need a mastectomy and only a lumpectomy is encouraging and gives hope. Radiation and Chemo is also discussed in detail. Throughout both the DVD and book, women tell their stories and that gives a sense of the range of experience. There are over 150 color photographs and graphics to illustrate important points.

A variety of questions are given in each section so you know what to ask your doctor. The stages of breast cancer are given so you know exactly what your doctor is talking about. The main sections include:

Facing Breast Cancer - Your feelings, support groups, healthcare teams and overview of treatment options.

Breast Cancer Basics - Types of Breast Cancer

Diagnosis and Staging - Tumor Testing, the Pathology Report, Additional Tests, How Stage is Determined

Surgery - Reconstruction, Lumpectomy and Mastectomy options, Lymph Nodes

Reconstruction - Choosing a Plastic Surgeon, External and Internal Options

Radiation Therapy - How treatment is given, Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy - Side Effects, Common Chemotherapy Drugs

Hormone Therapy - How Treatment is Given, Who should be Treated, Side Effects

Immunotherapy - Future Therapies and Herceptin

Clinical Trials - Participation Ideas and getting the newest treatments...

Life after Cancer - Emotional Recovery, Physical Recovery

The Guide for Your Partner is a special section your partner can read. If possible, watching the DVD together would be ideal because it explains all the basics in the book.

Be a Survivor is an excellent resource because it gives you all the questions you need to ask and answers a number of pertinent questions any woman will be asking the moment she is diagnosed.

Vladimir Lange, MD is one of the most respected doctors in this field of study and this book came into being after his own wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.

~The Rebecca Review

I can also recommend "Reconstructing Natalie" by Laura Jensen Walker.

I bought this book for a doctoral level class I am taking. It is outstanding! The information in it is practical in the classroom and simply makes sense. I highly recommend it.

This is a great overview of literacy instruction for any elementary classroom. The book is reader friendly and offers many different ideas that could be applied to the classroom the next day. Many primary ideas could easily be adapted for intermediate, however, overall the authors did a great job of presenting ideas that were usable in every grade! The vocabulary, reading, and writing lessons/activities are fun for students while continuing to challenge and develop their thinking. The practical nature of the book is ideal for any teacher!

I just got into this book in my class. What I have seen so far of it it is a good book. great for Methods classes for Education Majors.

This is a must have book for elementary school teachers. It gives great insight and ideas for teaching children how to read and write.

This is a must read for all elementary classroom teachers. It offers research based lessons to implement a balanced literacy program. It's an easy read. I highly recommend it!

"The Complete Guide to Securing Your Own U.S. Patent" by Jamaine Burrell takes the inventor on a journey from concept to marketplace, and covers everything else in between.
An easy-to-follow guide, the complicated topic of patenting is simplified by Burell. It offers practical advice and instructions, tips and examples. It will undoubtedly help any inventor learn the ropes of filing, protecting and maintaining a U.S. patent.
Imagine life without the cell phone or home computer. Without those technologies, modern-day life would be very different. For those inventors, patenting was an important process.
With this book, patenting doesn't have to be a mysterious task. Even the lay person can file a patent.
Whether the inventor has created a new medicine, a breed of fruit, machinery, or computer software, they will want to protect their invention and make sure it finds its way to market. This will give them the knowledge to actually do so.
It also discusses copywrites, trade marks and trade secrets. The guide, with companion CD-ROM, could easily help the inventor bring the next big need or necessity into the mainstream.
5 stars

The Complete Guide to Securing Your Own U.S. Patent by Jamaine Burrell is truly a complete reference source for deciphering the puzzle of securing a U.S. patent. At times, the complexity of the process boggled my mind, but the author cuts to the chase and gives good descriptions of legal requirements, definitions, specific info for certain states plus details on the various types of patents, intellectual property, inventions, copyrights and trademarks and more.

After describing many details, he gives complete instructions that would enable a layperson to do a patent search, fill out the applications and save plenty of money in attorney's fees. Of course, it is a long and extremely detailed process that could easily be messed up by not paying strict attention to details. The appendix includes a variety of information, including PTO fees and copyright fees, plus info on countries participating in certain conventions for those who may wish to pursue international patents or copyrights.

Overall, the book gives an excellent overview of the patent process, and I would recommend the do-it-yourself method for the most dedicated of souls, of which I am not one. I would either have to hire an attorney, or miss out on my big patent.

If you've ever had a big idea, then you need this book on Patents. This book thoroughly covers the U.S. Patent process from applying for a patent, to protecting your rights under a patent. I especially found the sections on marketing and making money on inventions and intellectual property very helpful in building my own WEALTH. I feel that the book gave me the new-found ability to transfer my intellectual property into revenue generating assets. I highly recommend this book for anyone who thinks they might have thought of the next big thing.

For anyone who's ever held off on really running with a great idea because the process of getting a patent seemed too daunting, this book is the next best thing to having an expert hold your hand and personally take you through all the steps.

The author begins with a straightforward overview of what the book is designed to do and then follows through on all counts, beginning with the basics of what patents are all about and why they're so important. Also discussed in great detail are the elements of intellectual property, the processes of invention, and the steps to establishing patent ownership, including patent searches, filing a patent application, and protecting your patents. Although the book's main focus is patents, other intellectual property assets including copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets are also covered. Also included is a CD-ROM with all the forms and checklists necessary for filing a patent.

Patent law is complex, and hiring a patent attorney can be costly. This book will not only help inventors protect their inventions and ideas, it can save them money along the way.

This is a study of the patent, what it means and the basics of getting it more than a step-by-step manual starting at the beginning and ending with your putting a Priority Mail application in the slot.

To obtain a patent you do not have to prove that a concept works. You only have to document it in clear, layered language and drawings. The language is critical for the defense of the patent's claims which means that everything gets defined several ways. Thus, "a tube is, a pipe, a hollow conductor or any such enclosure for the transmission of said fluid" instead of just being a tube. Such extra verbiage allows lawyers to spend hours in court arguing over what you meant, said and did not say to run up your bill and make an already cranky judge furious at the other side.

If you are starting from zero, have not been through the process, at least through the searching phase, and clearly know nothing this book is worth the price. It is basic, clearly written and fairly up-to-date. But, the real source in this business is the US Patent and Trademark Office' website. While it is written in the cautious, overstated, layered language of "Bureauspeak" it is understandable to the novice if he has has read 20 or 30 patents, knows his own field well and has paid a few lawyer's bills. Fear of an outrageous bill is compelling motivation in matters of this kind.

There is a place for guide to the USPTO website, but there are so many variations now with so much more patentable, i.e. computer programs, genes, fanciful chemical systems, business models, etc. that such a guide would either have to be an Occam's Razor-like work revealing certain principles or a compendium of the many ways to get through each of the several ways for the kinds of patents now available.

Experience with this area convinces you that patents were created for attorneys instead of inventors. This is an area of law practice that is an open field of strange people with dreams and those who will milk them of their last dollar. After they have their patents in hand most find that no one wants them because they didn't think of the idea first. Ego begins where creation ends and it is like hitting a bedsheet with a stick. You never have an effect, but about 1% of the people who suffer through this process make it work and get to spend hours in court going after the big guys who ripped them off.

In this 2nd volume of The Complete Peanuts, Charles Schulz refines the 1st 8 characters he introduced in the 1st 2 and 1/2 years of Peanuts. Lucy is a little fussier (she'll be known as crabby later on) and Linus, though still a baby, thinks deep thoughts and is known for sucking his thumb. Charlie Brown is establishing himself as the wishy-washy "loser" (he has his 1st Valentine's Day letdown in this volume). Also, the security blanket is introduced but it's Charlie Brown and Schroeder who endorse it at 1st, not Linus. Lucy admits she has a crush on Schroeder (the 1st in a series of unrequited love affairs). Violet and Patty are more or less reduced to 2nd bananas (they'll later be known mainly to repeat all of Lucy's putdowns to Charlie Brown). They plan a party and decide not to invite either Charlie Brown or Lucy, realizing that "inviting some people isn't as much fun as not inviting people." Schroeder is still a big fan of Beethoven and classical music (he's the catcher for Charlie Brown's team) and pretty much replaces Shermy as Charlie Brown's buddy (Shermy is rarely seen in these cartoons, he's given a crewcut). 2 new characters are introduced but only one of them seems to have "staying power"- Pig Pen and Charlotte Braun. Pig Pen is a lovable slob with soot all over his face and clothes. Charlotte Braun is a loud and obnoxious character, who would later be written out. Charlie Brown's team always loses and Snoopy's imagination runs wild (though he still walks on all fours and we can't read his thoughts that often). The term "blockhead" is introduced here. In fact, Schroeder is one of the 1st to call him that (but not to his face!). Lucy's mother disgraces her by writing The Life and Times of a Fussbudget. The term "Great Scott!" is used often by Charlie Brown (it would later be replaced with "Good Grief!"). In 1 cartoon, Violet and Patty announce they will not play Lucy's games, which makes Lucy quite upset. After a tantrum of kicking and screaming, she agrees "All right, then. Let's play your way." In another cartoon, she kicks around Patty's doll, Violet's stamp collection, Linus' cookies, Charlie Brown's picture puzzle and Schroeder's piano. Later, as she's running away from the angry gang, she complains nobody understands her! She won't let Linus play with her toys but she will let him play with a rubber band. She later takes it away, though: "I didn't mean for you to have THAT much fun with it!" Charlie Brown's pitcher mound is introduced. Linus stands up for the 1st time, but quickly loses his balance when Lucy rewards him with a cookie. In a few cartoons, adults appear in the background (particularly in the golfing cartoons). A lot (but not all) of what wound up in More Peanuts and Good Grief, More Peanuts is featured here. There is also an interesting introduction by news commentator Walter Cronkite.

Must have for that peanuts fan in your life. Be aware this is part of a set...

This is the second book in the series and my 12 year old daughter loves both. Once she was reading the first book she wanted the next one too. Seeing how the characters began is fun as well as the old drawings. And seeing them evolve in personality and age is great. Snoopy's antics get more and more animated, Linus is a baby, and there is the introduction of Pig Pen! He actually cleans himself up, but then decides he likes himself the way he was. I got the book for my daughter at Christmas. We've read several pages each night and are now almost done. I guess we'll be getting the next one in the series. If you are a Peanuts fan, these classic comics are definately worth collecting!

I've always loved Peanuts. As a kid, I especially enjoyed the TV shows, but of course everyone loves Snoopy, and the other characters, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, and Pigpen, are all very fun. As a result, when my wife got this for me for my birthday, I was fascinated to see how far what we know as Peanuts had evolved from what it started out as. Charlie Brown still has that shirt with the stupid stripe on it, Lucy has her hair with the two little bobs at the sides below her ears, and Pigpen (who makes his debut here) is followed by a cloud of dust (most of the time). But Snoopy is very very different from what we're used to, spending all of his time on all fours except when he's begging, and being much more dog-like than he was in later strips. He's even drawn differently, with a sharper nose and a more dog-like body. There's another girl (named Violet) who I don't remember from the more recent cartoons, and Patty (no Peppermint) is a pretty straightforward girl, not the tomboy who called Charlie Brown "Chuck" all the time. Linus can't even talk yet! This was one of the biggest surprises: to me, the Peanuts kids were always frozen in time, but apparently Schulz aged them in the first years.

I enjoyed this collection immensely, and I'm now determined to buy more of this collection.

This excellent series by Fantagraphics continues in volume two of the Complete Peanuts. This volume features an introduction by Walter Cronkite. This book features the introduction of Pig Pen. For an oddity, we also meet the long forgotten Charlotte Braun, who is a girl that looks just like Charlie Brown. My personal favorite character, Linus, begins to develop his personality. Volume two is another 5 star edition.

The box set is awsome.
Hard cover, high quality paper and tons of Peanuts.
Must have item!

If you enjoy Peanuts and love to get a sense of when the comics were actually printed - this whole series is for you. A true peanuts fan will love all these sets.

Peanuts in a great presentation and at a good price. What more can you ask for?

I have purchased other volumes of the complete peanuts, and am very impressed as to the quality of the cartoon images, pages, and binding. These are handsome books designed for a long term place on your shelf. At the prices on Amazon these are a great deal. A gift good for any child, or nostalgic adult.

Classic... that's the word that describes it 100%... classic Peanuts!! Nothing better! And it is put together in such a beautiful way all the way down to the binding and box that holds it!! Brilliant content and brilliantly put together!!!

"Dr. Gail's" Insightful how-to guide brings order and understanding to why we dress and groom the way we do. It helps women to feel comfortable in their own skin by illuminating the reason behind what sometimes seems like madness. In today's cookie-cutter, judgemental time when so-called fashion gurus with flash-in-a-pan book deals and cable television shows, it's refreshing to know that there is a voice crying out in the wilderness saying, it's ok to be who GOD made you; and to reflect your individuality through your style. Kudos to Dr. Gail!

Daughters of the King : Finding Victory Through Your God-Given Personal Style by Gail M. Hayes
Walk Worthy Press -May 2005
Full of inspiration and self-reflections.

Have you ever wondered why you like the things you like or even what career would best be suited for you? Have you ever daydreamed about Mr. Right or what makes you really you? Well, look no futher! DAUGHTERS OF THE KING suggests the ideal types of careers, spouses, clothing and loads of other things! We've all seen or heard about personality analysis before, whether it was Meyers-Briggs or some other method. Yet, Dr. Gail M. Hayes provides a whole new perspective in her book DAUGHTERS OF THE KING, which opens by providing an analytical quiz to the reader to help determine which of the six types they may fall into, from Jaunty Espirit to Sensual Exotic. For instance, if you fall in the "Harmonic Refined" category, you may see yourself as some type of diplomat affecting world peace or how about an accountant keeping the numbers in order? With your distinctive traits, you like to plan your work and work your plan. You have a great eye for detail. Just like the prophetess Anna, people have great respect for you and how you get things done but their feathers may get ruffled by your directness. Whereas your "Elegant Flamboyant" sister is a woman in charge and she has no problem letting others know it. She is the free-spirit entrepreneur who loves marching to the beat of her own drummer, just like her Biblical counterpart Lydia. She could also be that talk show host who likes to be the center of everyone's spot. Although these are just two of the personality traits highlighted in the book, Dr. Hayes relates each of the six traits back to a Biblical female and thoroughly provides insight ranging from clothing and jewelry preferences to career choices and family relations.

All in all, I enjoyed the approach DAUGHTERS OF THE KING provided. It was an interesting glimpse into a subject matter that I've studied in the past. While I enjoyed the biblical references, I thought some of the generalizations about the various image types may have been just that, too general. Yet, I found myself studying the text in the book and at times, laughing out loud or shaking my head in agreement. If you're curious to see how your personality style matches up to your biblical counterpart, do not pass up DAUGHTERS OF THE KING.

Reviewed by Nedine
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Authors Gail M. Hayes, PHD, has written an awesome non fiction guide for women of all ages, all races, to help them to first understand that they are unique and one of a kind. A woman of God called before the foundation of the Earth to be who they are according to how God made them.

Daughters of the King helps us to recognize our personal God given style so that we will not try to fit into someone else's mold or perception of who we are. We can be ourselves proudly knowing who we are in God regardless of our personality styles, which includes our dress, what kind of jobs we enjoy, our ministries, our family lives, and who we are as a whole.

What I enjoyed the most was utilizing the Image Indicator in the beginning of the book and finding out what personality style I am and then reading further in the book to see how very accurate it was. Being called "Jaunty Esprit" was very unexpected, but after reading through the book, I found that I had a little in each personality style.

I would recommend this book to all women regardless of their race, religion, or dress size. What Dr. Hayes shares in her book will cause you to take self-inventory to find all of the amazing things about yourself that is personally and uniquely yours created by God.

Reviewed by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO Book Blub

An incredibly interesting and wildly fun - and I must admit truly accurate book - found me recently. It is Gail M. Hayes' book, Daughters of the King.

Hayes believes that every woman has her own unique sense of style that is not only how she dresses but also how she does things (like holding an eating utensil or how she thinks). It is her very essence. It is simply who women are in the world and as children of God.

Hayes presents a simple twelve-question image indicator, and from the answers can tell women what type they are; Jaunty Esprit, Harmonic Refined, Elegant Flamboyant, Creative Poetic, Chantilly Graceful or Sensual Exotic. Now you might scoff or even laugh at the thought that a short questionnaire can pinpoint style, but I must confess that when I took the test, it was so accurate it shocked me. And no, I'm not going to share my style. I'd like to quietly savor it for awhile before proclaiming it to everyone.

Once you have determined your style, Hayes discusses in depth the beauty of your unique style, the inner you, tells a biblical story, discuses your style and family life, your strengths in the body of Christ, working style, good career choices, color and clothing and jewelry choices, as well as make up and hair styles.

I absolutely love this book because it's fun, it explains my style personally and as a child of God. And because it is, as I said before, so accurate! Women, buy this book, share it with your daughter, friends and anyone who will listen. I see style parties cropping up all over the country. "What fun!"

I love sea stories, I love survival stories & I knew very little about this book besides the fact that almost every review was 5 stars. I thought I would give it try. This is the story of John Caldwell who at the end of WW2 was stranded at the opposite end of the world from his new wife Mary whom he had married the year before. Try as John might he could not find a way to get back to his wife in Australia. From his years of service in the merchant marine he had enough money saved up to buy a 26 year old 29 foot sailboat. With ZERO training & knowledge of sailing he set off from Panama for a 9,000 mile journey.

One of the things that sets this book apart is at the start John really knows nothing about sailing & he isn't afraid to admit it. Right from the moment he casts off he is only minutes from disaster but somehow he prevails & after numerous mistakes he slowly learns to be a better sailor. He sails solo but he is far from alone, he has two kittens who you learn to love & other secret stowaways. Some become friends, some become dinner. John writes with a great sense of humor. As I was reading the book I was expecting John to get lost or beat up in storms but I wasn't expecting the epic tale of survival. It is one of most successful sailing stories ever. I won't delve any farther into what happens but I will say he has endless interesting escapades with the creatures of the south seas & you will see why this is a desperate voyage. Also you will be amazed at what a human being will eat if pushed to the brink of death.

You will love John's storytelling. I was sad to learn that John has passed on. This week (Sept 2008) his wife has published another book (Mary's Voyage) about further journeys with John - I can't believe he stepped foot on another sailboat. If you love sea stories this book will not disappoint.

John Caldwell was in love. So in love he bought a less-than-adequate 29 foot sailboat to sail thousands of miles across the Pacific (from Panama to Sydney, Australia) to be with his new bride. On his way, adventure and obstacles ensue, and he really shows what he's made of throughout the story.

What a great book! A real page-turner. You will have a hard time putting this one down. I know I did!

John Caldwell, a young American who served in the Australian air force and the US merchant marine during WWII, found himself at the end of hostilities stranded in Panama. He had no way to get back to Australia and his new wife Mary.

With more pluck than brains Caldwell, who had not done any small boating, buys a small sailboat (about 29 feet) with the idea of sailing to far off Australia--more than 8500 miles of open Pacific. First he learns how to maneuver his boat in and around the islands off Panama, with many hilarious screw-ups. Finally he sets off across the ocean. He has a tiresome voyage to the Galapagos Islands, again with many screw-ups, some of which almost cost him his life and nearly wreck his sailboat and disable his auxiliary engine. After the Galapagos the sailing goes better as he has wind and current with him and only some 8000 miles left to go. Then about half way there, between the Marquesas Islands and Samoa, Caldwell is hit by a terrible hurricane that destroys his rig, nearly sinks his boat, and forces him to jettison all of his food, water, navigation equipment, and supplies. His prospects for survival, not to speak of getting to Australia, are remote. Fortunately he had an almost indestructible craft, and that was his greatest piece of luck.

Under jury jig and near death from starvation, he eventually fetches up in the Fiji Islands. He is nursed back to health by the kindly natives and soon makes it the rest of the way to Australia by hitching rides on boats and planes, and is reunited with his beloved Mary. They apparently have lived happily ever after (or at least until the late 1990s), even founding and running a resort in the Caribbean.

Desperate Voyage is a wonderful and wonderfully engaging story. Caldwell writes so well and so engagingly that this book is really hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it. You cannot help liking this plucky screw-up with a penchant for survival. Of course, I feel somewhat guilty enjoying this tale so much--after all it is mostly about screw-ups, disaster, pain, and close brushes with death most of which resulted from Caldwell's rashness and carelessness. Caldwell's voyage is not one to emulate. But as A.J. Mackinnon says in his masterful The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow (another boating story full of screw-ups) "No screw-ups, no story." Certainly if Caldwell had been an accomplished yachtsman and as careful as we boaters are supposed to be, there would have been nothing here to laugh and cry about. Also when reading Caldwell's tale I was reminded of Mackinnon's admission: "Of course, I exaggerate for effect." How much has Caldwell exaggerated to enhance his tale? No one knows, but I sincerely doubt that he really drank his engine oil in order to assuage his hunger when he was starving.

More than thirty years ago when my young family were avid deep water sailors, I read many survival and adventure stories written by those who had had narrow escapes. John Caldwell's vivid tale of his struggle to return to his Australian lady love following his release from the Navy at the end of WWII still stands out in my mind. This year, as I home school my grandson and encourage him to develop innovative thinking, determination and loyalty, "Desperate Voyage" once again comes to mind. One of your other reviewers remarked that Caldwell "had no literary pretentions," but his book is, nevertheless, well worth reading for Caldwell's own humor and durability in the face of disaster. I am happy once again to add it to my library on my grandson's behalf.

This was a very insightfull book of one man's sailing adventure to return to his true love. I was very moved by this book as I have visited both Costa Rica (from where he starts his adventure) and where he finally found his perfect island in the West Indies. Both sailers and non sailers will love his humour and love.

I think this cd and book that accompys it is truly a comfort for anyone
who is trying to help with the death process or for someone who is dying
and looking for a peaceful way to die. It has helped me to look at
death in a totally different way and is a definite guide to aiding others
through this process. Thank you to the authors and musicians.........

I have used Graceful Passages in many ways. It is an excellent education tool to address the "Elepahnt in the Room" for those who have not dealt with end of life issues. It is an excellent support tool for those who grieve. Graceful passages embraces diversity of different faith practices in the messages that it uses to teach.

You can listen to the powerful words and beautiful music over and over and over....May God bless You..always

Graceful Passages is a book and CD with wonderfully spiritual passages from many different cultures and beliefs. Men and Women, each on their own differnt journey help me understand the different paths we are all on and that as birth is the beginning, death is the end - but of only this life as we now know it. And that is OK. It is not to be feared as in western society. It is normal and natural and being prepared, and understanding it, guides us to making decisions about our death that are thoughtful, purposeful and with meaning. I have given this gift with love to friends who are in their dying process and it has been received well. I highly recommend listening to the words quietly and and allow the compassion to come through to your heart.

While I think this would benefit anyone, it is most meaningful at the end of life. I brought it to my grandmother when she finally admitted she was dying - she fought off leukemia and pnemonia for years. She lay on the couch and I on the love seat as we listened and tears streamed down our faces. I will never forget that day. This CD helps create a ritual of death, a significant send off. It is the variety of perspectives that is so appealing as well as the poignant manner in which they are presented.

This book was extremely helpful to me. I never gave much thought to the healing ministry, mainly because it all seemed so foreign and so over-the-top. I thought all faith healers were a bunch of kooks and that miraculous healings were few and far between. It's sad that I thought all of that because I am a Christian and I grew up in a Christian home. Then I started dating this guy who felt called into the healing ministry. I was really troubled by this (and so was my family). So I started doing research. I didn't want to just bail out on anything if the healing ministry is valid, if it's real and it's of God. I came across this book and it explained it all for me. If you have doubts about the healing ministry, or you just need some more information... Read this book. It's amazing. There are some things in it than I have doubts about, but those are just small issues; trivial things that probably aren't that important. I like this book because Dr MacNutt isn't some radical, holy-rolling, throw-the-spirit-at-all-people kind of person. He is down to earth and he lays out the facts like they are. He doesn't claim to know the mysteries behind healing and even confesses that he, in no way, has all the answers. But this guy is experienced and it is well worth your time to read this book.

I believe that every Christian should read this book. It explains God's healing power in a very understandable and down to earth manner.

This is a very informative and helpful book. I recommend it for anyone striving for an understanding of hands-on healing. The book is written for any Christian, Catholic or Protestant, not just clergy.

This book has become the model I use for the healing ministry I lead.
Practical & Spirit led.

MacNutt has compiled the definitive work in Christian healing. Any church with or without a healing ministry would profit from a study of this book

Part one walks us through the usually explanations and rationale that a lot of people need as preparation for healing if they've grown up in naturalistic, materialistic educational systems. We need to be reminded of the plausibility that the transcendent God we believe in really does transcend. The only thing I might have found interesting that isn't included here would be a brief background of the philosophical foundations of modernity and rationalism, although it might not have been appropriate for MacNutt's intended audience.

Part two is an essential reminder of the necessity of faith and loving when it comes to healing. The book strikes a good balance between the theological, the practical, and the exhortative.


Part three is perhaps the most useful part of the work. It divides healing into four categories: forgiveness, emotional healing, physical healing, and exorcism. It gives careful analysis of each situation and practical approaches to prayer. I appreciate that when he comes to exorcism, he is neither dramatic nor shy.

Part four is a bit of a mishmash of last details. He gives twelve reasons why people may not be healed, talks about the presence of healing in the (seven) sacraments, and gives due consideration to the importance of secular medical care in addition to prayer.

Having watched a healing ministry be established and flourish at a church, I now wish retrospectively that this was the foundational text. Pragmatically, it is at least the notes on the growth of a healing ministry in a well-written, complete, and balanced form.