Murray Books

The Canadian government's 1983 decision to allow U.S. cruise missile testing resulted in much criticism - it was anticipated, and thus kept secret for as long as possible. JUST DUMMIES uses recently declassified documents from government to trace the events surrounding the cruise missile program and its effects on Canadian-US relations. Chapters analyze opposition, military strategy, and major issues and are key for any military collection as well as for any holding offering insights into Canadian history and culture.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The northern part of Alberta Province appearantly bares a close resemblance to much of the northern part of the Soviet Union. As a result, the United States requested permission from the Government of Canada to conduct flights tests of unarmed air launched cruise missiles over Canadian territory. Testing began in 1984.

The testing program was kept secret as long as possible, but of course eventually became public knowledge and started a series of protests. Some of them were quite violent as when a truck bomb was set off injuring several people.

In this book Dr. John Clearwater has written a summary of every aspect of the testing. Note that Dr. Clearwater is a former editor-in-chief of 'Arms Control Reporter.' This is a magazing put out by the Institute for Defense and Disarmament Studies which is opposed to virtually all weapons development programs.

In 1901, New York City was the site of a large and important Christain Missions Conference. No less than revivalists and missionary luminaries, Dwight Moody, Smith Wigglesworth and Hudson Taylor tried to persuade Andrew Murray of South Africa to minister wtih them. Andrew Murray declined - twice. The Missions Conference sessions were transcribed in their entirity and the manuscript sent to Murray. The Key to the Missionary Problem is his discerning and insightful response. He outlines in brief what he understood the other participants to say before launching an answer that hits a bullseye not even targeted by the others. A highligt from Chapter three gives a brilliant history of the Moravians (the present-day Brethren Congregationalists), the most successful missionary sending church since the days of Pentecost. Chapter six sets out a description of the evidence of the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life that should delight and challenge even todays believers. The Key to the Missionary Problem is a "must read" for all of us who hold dear the ideal of a personal walk with Jesus Christ.

Andrew Murray's book is one of the best books I've read in my Doctor of Ministries program. The postmodern culture in which we live has made personal evangelism a subject of derision and scorn. Many churches have even relegated individual soul winning as an archaic practice. Murray repeatedly makes the case that the reason soul winning is no longer fashionable is due to the lack of love we have for Jesus Christ Himself. Murray's book is like a breath of fresh air in an age when we focus on 'political correctness' and 'pluralism' and 'tolerance' to the exclusion of upholding the Biblical standard and obedience to the directive to go and make disciples of all peoples. If we claim to be Christian we cannot ignore Jesus' command to be His witnesses in the world to bring people to faith in Him. The Key to the Missionary Problem is a powerful, inspirational, work that should be read by every person who claims the title 'Christian'. The key to the problem is definitely a personal one; the solution to which is renewed love for Jesus and renewed love for those without faith in Jesus; enough love to share the message of salvation in Jesus Christ with them.

Once again Charles Nolan Publishing has done the Christian Church a real service with this re-publication of J. C. Ryle's "Knots Untied".

Knots Untied is perhaps Ryle's most controversial writing. In it he defends his position as an evangelical Anglican (Church of England) member and minster. He sets forth his positions in contrast to the high church movement of his day, and in contrast to other church traditions such as Presbyterianism and the Baptists. (I am writing this review from my Baptist perspective.)

Throughout the book, his convictions are set forth
in a gracious and kind Christian attitude of love for those that disagree with him; an attitude that would be well for the some segments of the modern evangelical and reformed Christian church to imitate.

You may not agree with all of Ryles's views, but in the things essential he stands squarely on the Biblical evangelcial and reformed fundamentals. Just as important you will be challenged to think more carefully about those things on which you disagree with Ryle, and perhaps not be always so quick to expound your differences so dogmatically without the loving qualification Ryle uses in expounding his own distinctive views.

Yes, there are issues in Knots Untied where I disagree with
Bishop Ryle, but in reading Knots Untied, my respect for the evangelical Bishop remains undiminshed. On the contrary that respect has increased. I can not help but love him all the more as I see in his attitude toward those who disagree with him, a gracious spirit and heart that imitates the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Knots Untied" is the perfect book for the serious Anglican Christian. Written by the first Bishop of Liverpool, J.C. Ryle, this work is a veritable treasure for the Anglican who is looking for theological red meat.

Ryle lived in time much like our own. A time when "new teachings" were disrupting the Church of England...just as "new teachings" by various Anglican leaders are disrupting Anglicanism in the western world today.

Unlike many modern Anglicans, Ryle had no trouble identifying himself as a Protestant...in the grand tradition of the great English Reformers and as the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion enumerated. In this work, with outstanding clarity of thought and with razor-like precision, he answers all the hot questions of his day...and most of those today.

This book is not just for clergy. One of the aspects of Ryle's genius was his ability to write definitively enough for scholars and yet, to do so in a fashion not offputting to the people in the pews. Every chapter is memorable and if you're not careful you'll have more highlighted than not.

Christians of other persuasions will also benefit from this work. Informed Presbyterians and Baptists know that for most of the period since the Reformation, they have differed very little theologically speaking from Anglicans, save the form of church government (Presbyterians) and in the matter of baptism (Baptists).

Book lovers will appreciate the great care the publisher has taken to produce a first rate presentation and library grade binding. This volume is the second in the series of Ryle reprints. My advice is to buy one copy to use...and another to have for safekeeping.

This work provides a theoretical and practical basis for structuring knowledge systems by the knowledge engineer.
A componential model comprises a number of predefined components. A topological model specifies some connection (spatial or conceptual). A geometric model describes spatial relationships. At the highest level, the knowledge engineer asks
the system to justify the inclusion of a piece of knowledge into the knowledge base. Knowledge acquisition is a process whereby
experts provide their expertise for expert systems. How is knowledge structured and formed for the knowledge base? The knowledge engineer provides designers with enough knowledge
from experts to allow the designer to produce an initial system.
The system designer requires expert's knowledge in a form which can be translated into an expert system. A beauty of this work
is that it provides a step-by-step description of the process
a knowledge engineer formulates in the deployment of an
operable knowledge base.

The author describes a variety of methods by which an artificial
intelligence system acquires knowledge. This is done by the
knowledge engineer when he/she analyzes texts, interviews
experts, elicits reasons for expert decision-making and
rule ordering, collects case history and resolves conflicting
opinions amongst experts. Cleal's work in the area of
artificial intelligence will help organize and set forth
a knowledge base of information and the all-important rule
structures which govern it.

If you look up this same book using the author's name, for example Things We Do (Key Words Readers/Book 4a) by W. Murray you'll find very inexpensive copies...even under a dollar. Why on earth the marketplace sellers are listing for these prices under this entry, for apparently not collectible editions or perfect condition is boggling. I'm glad I found a reasonably priced copy.

I've used this series with ESL students, basic skills, special ed., and regular and gifted students. They've all loved it and learned to read quickly. The book is small and easy to hold, the pictures are clear and inviting, and the step-by-step learning of basic sight words gives guaranteed success. The cost of the books will not strain any school's budget.

This is a valuable retracing of the history of the third use of the Law in American Lutheran circles.

Originally published as Ph.D. dissertation, Murray provides us with a well researched and footnoted source of this interchange in Lutheran theology about the third use of the law.

Central themes jump out from one's reading which are most useful. One's view on the Law definitely affects one's view of the Gospel. Thus, antinomianism is destructive of the pure Gospel. Further, the allowance of existentialism into theology caused Lutheran scholars to achieve an unfaithful hermeneutic of Law/Gospel which leads to removal of any Law. The history here on simul was fascinating. Its retranslation to sequential explains the resultant mistakes.

Broken into three historical periods: 1940-60; 1961-76 and 1977-98 was most helpful and allows the reader insight into developments and influences. Prolegomena is significant here, as Murrray so aptly points out as the discussion progresses.

Enjoyed very much the intellectual rigor the author held to, and his succinct running commentary. Excellent work to understand what's at stake in the debate over third use and what has occurred on the theological battlefield to date. Will benefit the church significantly.

This book turned out to be much better than I had anticipated, and that's saying a lot because I expected to enjoy it at the start. It will be a valuable book for Pastors, seminarians, and interested laymen, especially in the Lutheran church, but also for Reformed readers who hold the Calvinist view of the 3rd use (to see a Lutheran critique of your position). It helps the reader recognize and reconsider the importance of the 3rd use of the Law, and its place in the life of the Christian. The book does this by focusing on the historical and systematic side of the issue, as it developed within American Lutheranism from 1940-1998, with reference backward to theologians of the Reformation.

What I found most interesting was the close connection that is established between Gospel-reductionism and its two-fold consequence of denying Scriptural inerrancy (and permitting the wolf of historical criticism into the church) and the denial of the 3rd use of the Law. By essentially extracting the principle of Law and Gospel out of scripture and holding it ABOVE scripture, the liberal theologians who were the forebears of the modern ELCA placed themselves in the position to critique and overrule Scriptural teachings on the basis that they were 'not-Gospel'. In keeping with this Gospel-reductionistic attitude, they also denied the continuing significance of the law in the life of the church and the Christian, which is nothing other than antinomianism. Therefore the 3rd use of the law (as a distinctive function for the believer) was obliterated.

In contrast to this stream of liberal theology, the Missourians exposed the error of making law/gospel a hermeneutical principle external to the scriptures, and rather as a reality WITHIN Scripture. Murray does an excellent job of explaining this and the contrasting views, and also gives lengthy treatment to the various stereotypical views of Law/Gospel that run into error. He is also rigorously consistent in maintaining the Formula of Concord understanding of the third use.

I did have two or three small criticisms of the book, where I found room for improvement. One is the frequent use of latin and german phrases without providing translations in the endnotes or within the text. I was frequently able to determine from context and from recognition of common theological phrases what the latin and german phrase meant. But other times I was left to make a crude guess at the translation. It wouldn't have taken much to provide translations in a footnote, and it would make a big difference in the accessibility of the book to the average layman. A second criticism is the shortness of the conclusion at the end. Murray did an excellent job of critiquing various viewpoints along the way, but could have provided a more thorough recap of the positive understanding of the 3rd use at the end. Finally, I thought there were some points where it was a little unclear whether the commentary around certain quotes from the liberal theologians was reflecting Murray's thoughts, or his summary of their position. Usually it became clear on re-reading several times, but that seemed to be mainly a matter of editing.

Despite those minor concerns, I would highly recommend this book for its value in sharpening your understanding of the 3rd use of the law, as well as to help alert you to subtle errors in this doctrine that are easily overlooked.

Peter Alexander has written a biography that does come close to doing justice to perhaps the greatest living poet in English. It is not only a well crafted account of the details of Murray's hard early life; it is, more tellingly, a compelling yarn about the pain, struggle and triumph of a troubled, stubborn and divine genius.

It can also serve as a useful primer. And not just to some of Murray's more diffcult poems, but to poetry itself. You are put closer to the poet's seemingly impossible aspirations for his words, and thereby participate more keenly in the truth of his poetic gifts in revealing the spirituality of the ordinary.

It is hoped too that this biography is as premature as its title suggests, as I, for one, want to hear a lot more of Murray's poetry in years to come.

Les Murray is the leading poet in the English-speaking world today. This account of his often strange life and work is scholarly, well researched and lifts the lid on some of the dirty tricks of Murray's rivals and enemies in the Australian literary scene (there were unsuccessful attempts to ban it). Sheds light on many aspects of poetry, culture in general, and the human condition.

Why, this is absolutely fantastic of course! Read it. Own it. You won't be sorry you did!

A very useful guide to the complete works of this important Victorian architect. Particularly strong on his 'grand tour' of Europe in his early years, on the details of the Palace of Westminster and on his character. Nicely disproves the common belief that his works were simply a neo-gothic production line - he was far more thoughtful than that but was very much constrained by the taste of patrons. As far as I can tell this is the only work available on Barry. Please let me know if you know of others. If there are any criticisms of this book it is a lack of impartiality (ok, it is written by his son)and the fact that it is too contemporary - I'd like to read a later book that can set his work in historical context better. (perhaps given how out of fashion he later became that ain't such a good idea ?)

This book has wonderful photographs of the rodeo. My son (2) loved it very much. I enjoyed reading about the children who participate in the rodeo and what they do to prepare.

I Like this book for other kids. I like the pictures. I learned how to ride a saddle bronc.

Lonely Planet has great books and this one certainly was. It's very thorough and tells alot about things that interest travellers. They are up to date and tell you the pros and cons of the different countries. I liked it alot and I know that other people will too.

The Lonely Planet guides are excellent for any locale..but this edition (covering Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Portugal and even Morocco) is a must-read for the quintessential backpacker jumping on a plane for Europa. These guides excel at recommending lodging of many price ranges (from youth hostels to 5-star hotels) and meal choices of the same range (excellent recommendation for outdoor markets.."buy a loaf of bread, a block of cheese and a bottle of wine here"..which is a plus as many guides catering to this area focus on only older travels with large budgets..or persons seeking to spend only a dollar a day or some insanity..it's always good to have the most information possible..and it's included here. Entertainments ideas from free plaza and park visiting to museums, discotechqes, architecture, boat rides etc. etc. are included..good for young and old. It even lists culture-sensitve information such as appropriate dress for visiting churches and monasteries as well as travel-safe tips for women. Book your Eurorail pass and get going.