M Books

If you are interested in developing new skills in how to do the relationship dance, this is the book for you. Fearless Loving is a must read. It doesn't matter whether you're currently in relationship, whether you would like to be in a relationship, married, single, recently split up, or divorced. Rhonda has a talent for bringing together concepts and distilling them into bit size, chewable skills for taking action, which most any one of us can implement, given our commitment.

This book is a valuable tool for me, personally and for my sixteen year marriage/partnership. I'm finding new ways to really listen, communicate, to set boundaries, to clarify perceptions, to honor my feelings and to play.

Fearless Loving also offers an insightful and helpful protocol for people who are interested in a new way to date. I highly recommend this book to my friends and anyone interested in Love.

Rhonda Britten just gets it. This book is so wonderful. She can guide you along your path to loving in a way you never thought you could, but always wanted to. The most poignant truth for me is that everyone is innocent. That's so hard to think and act on, but she's so right about it. I would have everyone believe me innocent until proven guily, so it only seems fair for me to believe that about everyone else. This book will help you with understanding any type of love and how to do it best! She never coaches you to be someone you're not, and even highly discourages behaving as if you were playing a game. She teaches you how to test your prospective partner, or current partner so you can hear what they're not saying (which is more insightful than what they are saying). Rhonda will fill you full of courage and you will feel that you can love confidently without ever sacrificing who you are, or ever compromising what you need from a loving relationship.

Fearless Loving is well-written and packed full of useful tools that if followed will send you on your way to building new love relationships, enhancing the one's you already have and uncovering and discovering the ways in which we block or deny ourselves love. The author jumps into the trenches with you as she reveals her own personal experiences. This approach made it feel real and tangible. The best self-help book I've read in a long time!!

If you've ever been through divorce -- if you've ever had a failed relationship and aren't quite sure why things couldn't have worked out better -- if you're tired of playing relationship roulette -- READ THIS BOOK!! It's the guidebook for finding and keeping love that you've been looking for. And don't forget to read Fearless Living, too! It's your ticket to freedom and to the real YOU!

ok, i only first heard of Rhonda by watching the TV reality show "starting over" + then got hooked onto watching the amazing clarity with which she brought women from all walks of life to.
so my roomate bought this book to assist her from dating another jerk, and boy, is this book stellar! its not thick, not complicated, but really packs an emotional + mental punch. i have even more respect for this woman, who has been through so much + has found a way to positively help others. i've been telling all open-minded pals of mine who really do want to change any "failures" they have to read this. its really good stuff!

This book makes fascinating reading. It helped me to appreciate more the musicians I was already familiar with, such as Jack Teagarden, and opened my eyes to a lot of people I knew little or nothing about. Be sure to pick up the companion CD, too.

This is the finest book about jazz that I have ever read. I own many of the records that the author dissects, as well as having seen several of these great jazz artists perform, and I find his judgment perceptive and unerring. But this is far more than just a book about jazz music. What makes these musicians tick, how did they happen to assemble together for a recording session, how did the record business impact their selection of pieces to perform? The author draws on a variety of academic disciplinces, including art, psychology, economics, and social history, to put his subjects in perspective. Most important, he is a fine storyteller who empathizes with the people he writes about. While many reviews focus on his overall thesis about race in jazz, this is but one theme he articulates, and it serves more as an organizing structure for the book than as its sole message.

First of all, Dick Sudhalter is a gifted writer. He crafts his narratives like a well constructed solo or composition. Second, this book tells us about early white jazz musicians and correctly describes the interplay between vital African American innovations and the contributions of Caucasian jazzmen. Sudhalter in no way diminishes the seminal contributions of African American jazzmen. He simply talks about the contributions of other artists, and does a masterful job of helping us to see the interplay between musicians who have given us this wonderfully entertaining music. I thought I knew a fair amount about the history of jazz. After reading this book, I know more. Nothing is more American than Jazz music (just my opinion), and the more you understand it, the more you know about the USA in the 20's and 30's. I keep re-reading parts of this book because there's so much here.

While a brilliant documentary, Burns' "Jazz" also reinforced the notion that jazz is exclusively an African-American artform. Fortunately, "Lost Chords" does much to blow away that misperception. While never belittling or downplaying the role of those African-American giants in jazz, this book does an outstanding job of profiling all of the individuals and bands who received short shrift from Burns: Steve Brown, who pretty much invented jazz bass playing; the Jean Goldkette Orchestra; Miff Mole; Frank Trumbauer; and may more. And he does so in a way that is both interesting to the casual fan (with anecdotes and such) and the hardened muso (excerpts of scores abound). A scholarly tome, this is a worthy addition for any jazz fan's library. I look forward to Volume II.

Not a mere antidote to political correctness in jazz criticism; Lost Chords is a prewar cultural history, a lesson in music structure, a history of woodwind instruments, a guide to innovations in guitar tuning, AND MORE. It shows the musicians as human beings with all their failings, humor, drives, hard work, and talent. I especially loved the account of the bass sax --- an instrument that looks like it could double as a moonshine still --- and its usefulness in the early days of sound recording. Sudhalter admonishes us to listen to the music and to make up your own mind. Exactly right. A good place to start is Robert Parker's Bix Beiderbecke Great Original Performances 1924-1930 (available on Amazon) If you have ever heard an early 78 rpm record, you will be astonished at Parker's sound restoration.

This was overall a pretty good book, but what bugs me is that in almost evary super special, the girls fall in love. They're a little young to be doing that. But I was really impressed by how good the BSCers were with the kids in the bus accident. They talked to them, comforted them and even agreed to bunk with them. I've always thought Kristy was too competitive and a whiney, snobby brat and the 'winter war' proves it. It seems as though she just has to win EVERYTHING! And, okay, so Dawn was born and raised in California, so of course she'd be bad at the winter sports. The kids were wrong to ridicule her. This is a pretty good book, but it will make youi frustrated in some parts.

Did your school ever take a field trip to Vermont in the winter? Stoneybrook Middle School has. In this book, there are many problems. One of them is that Kristy and Claudia are being really competitive and mean to each other. They get more competitive each day. At the end of the book, they forgive each other. The conflict is best friend vs. best friend.

There are many characters in this book- all girls. And they are trying to help their team win the Winter War. (a field day)
Dawn is having trouble with her skills. She has long, pale blonde hair and blue eyes. Kristy has shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes and is short for her age. She is also the captain of her team for the Winter War. Mary-Anne has really short blonde hair, brown eyes, and is also short for her age. She is also writing a report about the trip. Claudia has long, jet black hair, brown almond shaped eyes, and is Japanese-American. Stacey has curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and has diabetes. When she goes skiing, she has some boy problems.

This book tells how five girls fight, forgive, and have fun. The author's message is to be competitive but, have fun. I rate this book a five star because Ann M. Martin writes chapters from different character's points of view.

I loved this book, and have read it alot, but the only thing I think is that Jessi should get over herself! Its annoying because she thinks Pinky (who is about SIX) is predjuduced, just because she's being mean to her. I mean, come on! I didn't like that bit because it is really annoying how she thinks anyone who does anything that isnt nice is treating her like that because she's black. I don't think that was especially true. But basically it was a good book. Claudia and Stacey both fall head over heals with french skiers, the only thing is- Claudia's "guy" is married! Kristy is captain of the Red team, and gets to competitive. Meanwhile, a whole busload of kids have been stranded in the snow, and the BSC decided to take them on. It was a good book!

This was a really good super special. A good job you're doing,Ms. Martin, and keep up the good work!

The Baby-Sitters Club aregoing on a school field trip. When they arrive on the bus, a terrible thing happens. The bus crashes but luckily no one was hurt.

Meanwhile, the Baby-Sitters are having a blast! What kind of vacation did they exactly have? Read this book and find out!

The Baby Sitters are going to a winter vacation. Dawn is having troubles with skating. Kristy is helping her team win the Winter War. Mary Anne uncovers a ghost in the lodge.

As great as the photos are the text is almost as good.

Very refreshing; especially in the winter and in light of $250 million player contracts.

This is a fantastic book for anyone historically inclined. It focuses on an era- in the context of baseball. The descriptions with each amazing photo show how America viewed baseball as a microcosm of the country. A great discussion book. Highly recommended. An added bonus is the classic, unretouched photo of Ty Cobb sliding into third, knocking the third baseman off his feet.

I have been a reader of baseball history for most of my 45 years, and I never heard of George S. Conlon. I know him now. This book is nothing less than fascinating. The photos are marvelous, but every printed word is interesting, starting with the preface. I could not put it down.

This marvellous collection of the greatest baseball photographs ever taken qualify as one of the very best contributions to both baseball literature and serious photography. The consummate images of rough-hewn blue-collar stock named Wagner or McGraw or Overall silhouetted against rickety hardwood bleachers, rusty wire screens, and smoke-baptised brick houses; unmown grass and pock-marked infields beneath them; the smell of pancake mitts and hickory bats and unwashen wool uniforms in their nostrils; coal-dust and farm soil and blistering summer sun etching character into their faces. These, I say, seem to me the very breath and blood of the grand ol' game of baseball, all gloriously frozen in time in its purest splendor by the sensitive eye of Charles M. Conlon. These indelible images from the tool of a genius ARE NOT JUST BASEBALL PHOTOGRAPHS! Who can shake the documentary immediacy, mental peace, or aesthetic excitement aroused by the breath-taking images of Bob Rhoads warming-up his soupbone, shadowed by the hand-operated scoreboard at the wood-and-spit Hilltop Park? Or a flailing Tommy Leach squinting a pop-up into the merciless Brooklyn sun? Or Ty Cobb, his jaw curled into a fist, ruthlessly showering dirt and hellfire into a helpless third-sacker? Or muscular Tim Jordan gracefully balancing a heavy-weight stroke of his massive war-club? As the authors state, Conlon deserves to be ranked with Ansel Adams and Walker Evans, and compared with Eugene Atget. His undying images provide a unique look at a time and way of life gone by. P.S.: What I want to know is, WHERE IS THE SEQUEL? Conlon left 8000 negatives; and many of his most extraordinary--such as Russ Ford warming up by the Hilltop's trumpet-clutching "p.a. announcer"; or Hank Gowdy burnishing in the sunlight, warming-up on a Polo Grounds sideline in 1917--have been reproduced in a baseball card set, the discontinued "Conlon Collection," issued by the Sporting News. But the reproduction of these wonderful photographs in the set are inferior to Constance McCabe's sensitive care; and are much smaller, besides. Neal, if you're reading this, PLEASE put together another volume of Conlon's brilliant images!

Were Charles Conlon still alive, I would track him down and kiss his feet for capturing in such vivid detail the historic giants of baseball. The book features remarkable photos of the greatest baseball players of most of the first half of this century. Suitable for framing, the photos typically depict individual players and small groups, often in game action. The well preserved photographs provide an important window on a truly beautiful game and its players in an era when outfield fences were optional, and a "baseball club" was just that. My favorite of Conlon's gems shows Hall of Fame shortstop Honus Wagner gripping his bat. Under his fingernails is Pennsylvania coal dust. His chipped, oversized piece of lumber looks unwieldy by today's standards. And his sinuous forearms are testament to the power that we remember him by. Other photos are paired to show the dramatic impact of age and the outfield sun on players of yesterday. Picture Wes Chandler spunky at 25 and then battle weary at about 50 and you'll understand why so many players strive so hard for a moment in the sun: they want to enjoy it before it's all gone.

If are bodies are not fed we will die. In the same manner, if the spirituality of our being is not fed, it too will wither and fade. This book offers food for our spiritual journey in a way that makes one look forward to the meal and after partaking makes one fulfilled by the experience.

A book of daily meditations needs to give you something to think about, chew on, and ponder, throughout the rest of your day. Nouwen does this. His meditations are brief, and to the point. They cover many aspects of our daily journey to become more fully the children of God, emotional and physical, as well as spiritual. He invites you to think about who Jesus really said was your neighbor, for example. I began in June, and have not yet gone through the whole year, but I already know it is a book I will be able to use for years to come.

INTRODUCTION:
From the St. Matthew Gospel (4,4): "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

These were the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus quoting Holy Scripture in Deuteronomy 8:3 showing the importance of spiritual nourishment. "Bread for the Journey" is a great daily devotional/meditational book with contemplative tid-bits for thought on our daily journey as Christians. If you are not on a spiritual journey with God this book will help you form an appetite for God's Word and God's thoughts. If God as Creator is the Chef, then Henri Nouwen thru this daily meditational book is His assistant cook.

AUTHOR:
Wikipedia describes Nouwen as "a Dutch Catholic priest and writer who authored 40 books on the spiritual life." In recent years, Nouwen's meditative writings are popular with many Protestants (especially those from the emergent/emerging Church movement). Nouwen was also a pastoral psychology, and theology professor at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard universities, and spent the latter part of his life working exclusively with the developmentally disabled.

CONTENT:
The book is organized by months, and the only pattern that I could find is that some number of consecutive days are focused on a larger theme (e.g. about "Being ____", or "Jesus is _____," empowered and Holy Spirit, the church, eternal life, joy, sorrow, and others). Many of the daily meditations seem to fit the Christian calendar and major holidays.

CONCLUSION:
Henri Nouwen's 365 daily thoughts are deep, insighful, and spiritually rich. The short daily half-pager meditations include ample quotes and verses from the Bible and are so effective that it makes one "see" a seemingly simple topic in a deeply spiritual and yet practical way.

Now I feel that, really, no Christian (Protestant, Orthodox, Roman-Catholic) will leave this banquet starving or unmotivated to be more Christ-like.

INTRODUCTION:
From the St. Matthew Gospel (4,4): "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

These were the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus quoting Holy Scripture in Deuteronomy 8:3 showing the importance of spiritual nourishment. "Bread for the Journey" is a great daily devotional/meditational book with contemplative tid-bits for thought on our daily journey as Christians. If you are not on a spiritual journey with God this book will help you form an appetite for God's Word and God's thoughts. If God as Creator is the Chef, then Henri Nouwen thru this daily meditational book is His assistant cook.

AUTHOR:
Wikipedia describes Nouwen as "a Dutch Catholic priest and writer who authored 40 books on the spiritual life." In recent years, Nouwen's meditative writings are popular with many Protestants (especially those from the emergent/emerging Church movement). Nouwen was also a pastoral psychology, and theology professor at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard universities, and spent the latter part of his life working exclusively with the developmentally disabled.

CONTENT:
The book is organized by months, and the only pattern that I could find is that some number of consecutive days are focused on a larger theme (e.g. about "Being ____", or "Jesus is _____," empowered and Holy Spirit, the church, eternal life, joy, sorrow, and others). Many of the daily meditations seem to fit the Christian calendar and major holidays.

CONCLUSION:
Henri Nouwen's 365 daily thoughts are deep, insighful, and spiritually rich. The short daily half-pager meditations include ample quotes and verses from the Bible and are so effective that it makes one "see" a seemingly simple topic in a deeply spiritual and yet practical way.

Now I feel that, really, no Christian (Protestant, Orthodox, Roman-Catholic) will leave this banquet starving or unmotivated to be more Christ-like.

I was given "Bread For The Journey" at a particularly low point in my life and will personally attest to its restorative power. Henri Nouwen was the rare soul who wrote from a soul molded by the living heart of scripture and informed by compassionate hands-on caregiving.

BFTJ is a daily meditation guide that delves into the pith of religious experience from the Christian point of view. Nouwen's deep insights into the Eucharist are sometimes startling and far deeper than the warmed-over tripe often doled out by those of lesser spiritual prowess. But his gentle words always point with love toward healing the brokenness that is part and parcel of the human experience.

So fascinating are Nouwen's thoughts that one is tempted to wolf them down. But taken in small mouthfuls, chewed well and digested thoroughly, they can be healing to the mind and soul. They can also prepare the reader for properly receiving the Eucharist, not as a mere matter of habit, but as a healing ritual that connects to (and overcomes) one's own sinfulness, nourishing the spirit.

Carbonel took me away when I was a child,I loved every well written detail,and could imagine every event as it took place-the only problem was,when I got older (alot older!!)I had forgotten the title and despaired of ever finding the book again-Imagine my joy when I found a used copy in a thrift store-it looked familiar,could it be....? Hooray!It was!Carbonel!I bought it immediately and read it asap and will never ever let it out of my hands again!This is a fabulous book for children of all ages,and if my opinion counts for anything,I would advise to get a copy of your own right now!Truly a wonderful,wonderful book.

...It was my FAVOURITE when I was a kid - ...Why is this fantastic book out of print??

When I first read this book, I was 10-years-old. I grew up and never forgot the joy that I received from its pages. I kept looking for it when I got older and now have my own copies of all the Carbonel books. I am now in possession of an amazing child's book that deserves to be shared throughout centuries to come. Wonderful book - deserving to be named a favorite classic.

This book captured my imagination as a child and was a pleasure to read again after 17 years. I feared I might ruin a childhood memory by tracking it down and reading it again but it was well worth the effort. I hope it's magic will still reach young readers even though it is now out of print.

My mom gave me this book when I was 8 years old. Hesitantly, I started reading it, and was immediately hooked. It is the first chapter book I remember reading, and I owe my love of literature to Barbara Sleigh and Carbonel. Before the advent of the Internet, I spent many years trying to track down copies of all the Carbonel books, with limited success. Then one day, I discovered that they had had been reissued in the United Kingdom. I was in law school at the time, and my wife told me we couldn't afford them. Imagine my surprise, that Christmas, when I found them under the tree! My wife had called a bookstore in London, and had them shipped to the US just in time for the holidays. I'm now 39 years old, and still reread those books about once a year. I have read them to both my children, and they have read them by themselves. I think we can all look back on our lives, and find one or two events that shape aspects of our future. For me, a British book about a little girl, a witch and a magical, royal cat set me on a road where books became some of my most cherished possessions, and reading my most enjoyable pasttime. Read the books; feel the magic.

The Cardcaptor Sakura series is definitely for younger readers only. The whole concept of the series is about a magical girl (Sakura) who spends her time catching cards.
This is the final installment, which is very similar from the Cardcaptor Sakura anime, however the ending is quite different.
The "Original Manga" style means you read it backwards (right to left) which could be challenging for some kids to read like that.
The whole book, in a nutshell, is really, for kids aged 7-11 who are reading manga for the first time.
If your over 13 this book may not be for you. However if you like or obsessed with mangas with fairtale endings, you could buy this book. It takes around 5-15 minutes to read, cute it may be, it's not that much as a thriller, as it is predictable.
If you're 13+ I suggest reading All-New Tenchi Muyo: Alien Nation. It may have a "darker" plot, it seems more "teenage" reading on the whole.
The CCS manga contains nothing seriously explicit, meaning it's suitable for all ages. Why the anime DVDs are rated PG-13, I don't know.
If your 7-9 you'll love it. If you're 9-10 you'll find it mediocre. if you're 11+, this might be a bit of a bore. If you're anime-crazed with cutesy talking bears (Kero) or a girl in pink dresses (Sakura), you might be able to "enjoy" this book. But it's totally you're call.

The CCS saga ends with this. No magic changing in this volume. Only Sakura struggling with her emotions and Syaoran returning home. That's basically it. The front and back pictures are great. It's better in color though.

I love this book it's so cute this one won't have much card captoring in it and cardcaptor fans know why.don't read this if you have not already read volumes 1-5 or you will spoil a great ending.tokeyo pop does it again!!!!!!!!!!

CLAMP have done it again. Another beautiful book, the end of Cardcaptor Sakura. This book focused on the relationships of Cardcaptor Sakura and brings them all to a close. Everyone is shown with their loved one. Fujitaka and Nadeshiko are reunited, we are shown that Eriol and Kaho are together, as are Rika and Mr Terada, Chiharu and Yamazaki, and Eriol tells us that Yukito chose Touya to be his first love (although we already knew that from book 4), and since Touya sacrificed his magic to save Yuki and he touches Yuki's face a LOT when they talk we can assume he feels the same way. So everyone has their special, number one person except... Sakura and Syaoran. So Syaoran finally confesses... we could see this was coming, but CLAMP twists it into angst territory. I am not going to say too much, but there is a lot of angst, and then a happy ending of course!! My one disappointment was how little Touya and Yukito appear in this book, but then I am a manic Touya and Yuki fangirl, so that is probably just me. A beautiful end to a beautiful series. And this is coming from someone who hates romance novels or movies. This is the only thing vaguely near romance I can stand, and that is because CLAMP is so skilled at injecting just the right level of sappiness into it. :) And who can resist Yue at the beginning when he is sulking and Eriol is talking to him?

In this book, several characters are leaving. Eriol is going back to England, and Syaoran Li is going back to Hong Kong. Sakura finally has to decide what she really feels for Li. As usual, the most interesting thing about this series is the relationships - if the series were just about capturing cards, I would have stopped reading a long time ago. I loved this volume, because reading about Sakura as she works through her feelings was very interesting. The artwork is still beautiful, and I definitely recommend this book. I think it would probably be best to read this volume after reading at least some of the previous volumes. There is a "the story thus far" section, as well as some information about each of the main characters, but you might still miss out on the emotional impact of this book if you begin with it.

This book, unlike other books about Taiji and weapon forms, describes the sword form from the application point of view. How has the Jian developed to become what it is per today, who used it and what techniques are used in combat? He describes clearly the differences between the Yang family style and the public sword form. What I find remarkable are the differences between the public form described in the book and the public form described by (for example) Chen Wei-Ming. This book is worthwhile studying for those who want to have more background in Taiji sword.

I bought this book, read it and was utterly amazed that someone with the knowledge and skill level finally wrote a reference guide for those of us who haven't been able to go that extra mile because of lack of the information available. I really recommend this book for someone who is learning Taiji sword (from a teacher of course), because it will be of big help to you when you need to refer back to it.

The book is about the Yang Family Taiji Sword Tradition. Two different styles are presented: one which most of us are familiar with that was down from Yang Chengfu's lineage and taught to Mr. Rodell by Master T.T. Liang; the second one came from Master Wang Yen-nian of the Yang Jianhou (Yang Chengfu's Father) tradition. Those that are familiar with the history of Yang Taiji will understand that there is a difference between father and son's technique.

The book begins with the Author's Introduction and then History, Sword Ettiquette (which I found particularly interesting), Jian (sword) Anatomy, how to hold the sword and perform the secret sword fingers, basic stance and sword cuts. Then both forms and their applications(!) are shown using real antique weapons from the Ancient China. There is also some interesting stuff in the Appendices.

I hope you buy this book it will be of great benefit to your training.

You can not learn a martial art by reading a book. That said, this book is a wonderful companion to a class.

Without a doubt, Scott Rodell has written one of the most accessible and comprehensive books on swordsmanship (Chinese or otherwise) I have read. The book welcomes the novice reader and makes him feel comfortable with the subject, while the seasoned martial artist immediately understands the author's intended message, without feeling lectured to. Scott speaks the language common to traditional martial artists with quiet elegance and confidence.

Andrew Winston

This is an outstanding contribution to the field of publications dealing with Chinese martial arts. Not only is it a meticulously-written and well-illustrated guide to sword technique, this remarkable book also supports the topic with information which "flesh out" the art's social and historical context. It explains not only the "what", but also the "who", "why" and "when". In this way, it is not only an invaluable guide to serious students of taijiquan and its sword techniques, but will also appeal to those readers who are interested in the role that martial arts played in late imperial China. The author's experience as an instructor and his dedication to scholarship ensure that the information in this book is accurate and well-reasoned, with none of the unsubstantiated and fanciful lore which has been the bane of martial arts writing for years.

I have a few books on my shelf on this topic, but this one was the most impact-full to me in terms of its intensity.
This was due to how extensive the examples of abuse are.
Like Fox's book of martyrs, I had to read it in bites, and put it down occasionally.
I guess I'm not very thick skinned :~/

If you are a serious leader in the church, you should be familiar with this material.
Some will say that these events prove that Christians can find safety from abuse within the institutional walls.
But so didn't the children of Israel find safety within the well protected walls of Egypt.
Every institution of man has its pros and cons.
And if you know what to look for, you can always identify the servants and the masters there.

This is why I found this particular book so important.
As I observed the characteristics of one abusive Christian system after another, I started to see the necessary building blocks which lead to the abuse.

For me, the bottom line is, that there are large numbers of people in the world who are very happy being followers. And out of these, are a large number of vulnerable souls.
Vulnerable people are easy to take advantage of.
And it takes a very high level of Christ-character not to be drawn into doing so.
The seed of abuse is inherent within our first Adamic nature.
When the environment is conducive, the seed germinates, and if the new-man does not cast it off, (Hebrews 12:1) we soon have a very large tree.

To be the CEO of Enron requires a high level of academic achievement, business acumen, and charisma.
And so, when an instructionalized clergy-laity system, based on the template of the world exists, the fruit is inevitable.

Men who are put into positions of leadership within a church, which following the template of the world, selects them solely by academic achievement and charisma.
Men, in authority with very little Christ-character worked into their lives are seed beds of abuse ready to germinate.
Place that seed into the ground of vulnerable and submissive followers, and you have today's Christian version of Enron.

This book will help you to see the signs.
100% thumbs up.

I believe we all know of people who have been in abusive relationships and even abusive job situations but it is sometimes hard to imagine people getting involved in abusive churches. That is why this book is a must read for every disciple.

This book exposes abusive churches. Dr. Enroth even names names. Every chapter opens with an abusive story. Each person is real. Each person has been hurt by abusive churches. The irony is that the leaders discussed in the book fail to see their abuses. Many try to cover them up or simply ignore the pain they have dealt to others.

In the end, I appreciated Dr. Enroth showing the reader that Jesus is not the abuser. While most of these religious groups claim to be speaking in His name or even quote Scripture, they have twisted the teachings and practices of Jesus to be something He never intended (1 John 5:1-4). Truly, Jesus is not like men (Hebrews 13:8) and He will not cause us the pain that is found in this book (Matthew 11:28-30).

There are extreme forms of church abuse and subtle forms. As we grow as individuals we need to learn how to use our wisdom to prevent us from getting involved in abusive situations like church cults. I really didn't need to read much of this book to know the author's motivation for writing it. I was a member the church that ultimately inspired Mr. Enroth to write this book. Fortunately for me, I was not easily controlled, but there were still things that I went along with simply to appease people I assumed were my friends. Unfortunately, there were members who were not a strong willed and this led to broken homes, severed relationships, and suicide attempts among many other things that left me questioning my own sanity for being involved in something that so obviously had nothing at all to do with God. Read this book if you or someone you know is involved in a religious cult because it might very well save a life or at the very least save someone's sanity.

This book is helpful and encouraging. Find the life in it and you'll be glad you read it.

In a world of "mega-churches" and cults of personality, it more important to arm oneself with the truth, and not someone else's version of it. While the examples in the book are taken from the late 1980's, and back about a century, there are many examples everyday of the devastating consequenses of spiritual abuse. Whether it is David Koresh and the Branch-Davidians, Jim Jones and Jonestown, or even Andrea Yates (who's mental illness was only worsened by her husband's minister) the results are tragic. Bad churches happen when good people don't step up and say anything. Read this book and recognise the patterns.

Susan Neider's Guide to the Colorado Plateau gets it exactly right. Read this book - or even just look at it - and you are itching to get on the road! The stunning pictures tell you where you'd love to go and the logical and readable maps and the clever photo icons show you just how to do it. After you make your travel reservations, go back and really read the book. The pictures will reward much careful looking and the literate, informative text is filled with useful and unusual details on the history and geology of the region. This book informs without clutter or preachy wordiness. And when you are finished with your trip, you'll have an unbeatable souvenir - though it is likely to be worn out! No matter, you will likely, like me, log on and buy another! The price is right, too, it won't break the bank. This book is an excellent value. Great job, Ms. Neider, thanks!

The best book of its kind and it delivers a remarkable balance of informative text, readable maps, and wonderful photos. This is much more than your normal guide book - it is a portfolio of why I love this place. There is a great deal of information that I haven't found anywhere else - or at least not from the same reference. I now have a copy to carry with me, and a copy to keep displayed in the house.

I took Susan Neider's wonderful Color Country on our family's recent trip out west. We had never been there before, and traveling with Ms. Neider's book was like having our own personal tour guide. She tells you where all the "not to be missed" spots are in each park, and even the best time to see them. Then she provides great maps that make it foolproof to get there. We were never lost even once. We particularly appreciated the scenic route she recommends for approaching Monument Valley, and the detour to Goosenecks State Park, a wonderful spot our other guidebooks didn't even mention. And there was just the right amount of information about the geology of each area to keep us informed, and so well explained that we were still interested. She gives each site a Child Rating for its interest to children, and we found these to be spot-on. For example, she rates Mesa Verde a "5" (the highest child rating), and we all loved it. And now that we're home, Color Country has become our favorite souvenir. The photos are just plain amazing. This book is worth the price just for the portfolio of photographs alone.

[...] Color Country provides travelers to the Colorado Plateau of Utah with essential information to get the lay of the land, a concise explanation of the geology of each park, a list of highlights, and gorgeous, honest photographs of the places covered. Dirt and gravel roads are not the focus of this touring guide; those who want more detail about backcountry travel would be advised to read an expert such as Michael Kelsey. However, even remote places like Kolob and Needles are, in fact, mentioned in the copy I bought. For the traveler looking for a superb overview, this book cuts to the quick and captures the essence of each park with finely-conceived text and images. Rating this book with one star is like buying a Brooks Brothers suit and then complaining because it didn't hold up when you went rock climbing in it.

The photography is art and I am looking forward to our trip. I feel as if I've already been there.