Murray Books

This product was great. The book was almost new, with only minor highlightings inside that you can't even notice. It arrived in almost no time. I admit that I didn't expect it to be that good.

This is one of the most helpful texts that I have purchased in the past year. It is easy to read and gives lots of examples as well as many points to ponder. HOWEVER, (if it matters to you)- make sure that you do not get the BOOK ALONE version. There is an online component that you need an access code to, which doesn't come with the book unless you buy the other version (I believe it said "with myeducationlab" in the item description). As a matter of fact, it's cheaper that way by about $8.00 believe it or not. I had to buy access separately because I waited too long to return the one that I bought which was book alone. I guess you have to live and learn... I hope someone benefits from my mistake!

I got this book for a class. It worked great. The book was clean and brand new. Thanks!

Very good reference on how to handle an elementary classroom. Children's environment and temperament were considered. Sample lay-outs included.

Smooth and speedy transaction. Updated emails on the tracking of my purchase were much appreciated. Great buy. Recommended.

The Complete Angler - Izaak Walton and Chalres Cotton

This book deserves a place in a collection of great angling books, such as those of John Geirach, Henry Middleton and Scott Waldie. It is really two books and an odd sort of middle section on property rights and fishing (funny how some issues have not changed much since the late 17th century). It has some wonderful discourses on not just fishing but the lifestyle and philosophy of fishing. There are some sections and descriptions that can be tedious but they minor compared to the overall wonderful dialogue of the majority of the book.

The first section is written by Izaak Walton and, to me, was Canterbury Tales-esque, is it's older English language (which is entertainingly preserved) and its format. Three travelers - a fisherman (angler), hunter and falconer meet. In the course of discussing the merits of their activities the angler convinces the hunter to come along fishing with him (after seeing a hunt with hounds). Over the course of a few days on the rivers of England, the angler turns the hunter to the quiet joys of angling. He goes through the fish in England and all the baits and methods of fishing for them as well as how to prepare each of them. I had never through of carp of chubs and fish to eat, but after some of the descriptions in this book, I may have to give the a second look someday. The first book is as much of a celebration of the social and contemplative nature of angling as it is descriptions and methods of fishing. Interspersed are encounters with the local farmers, milker and inn-keepers as well as the talking over of the days activities among friends. But the highlight of this first section, and in my opinion the entire book, is the parting words of the angler to the hunter of how angling is a life philosophy that departs sharply from the hustle and bustle of the capitalist life. The first book is replete with references to early Christianity and its admonitions against looking to wealth for happiness.

There is an odd middle section about property rights and fishing which serves as a rather odd bridge to Charles Cotton's section. This book focuses on fishing for trout and graylings in a small section of England. If found the wordy descriptions of the flies by month to be tedious and the lack of philosophical discussion of fishing to be a little disappointing of an end.

Five days of fishing along the river Lea which joins the Thames near London is the background on which the cheerful narrative of The Compleat Angler is laid. The splendid civil conversation of Latin named Piscator, Venator, Auceps, Viator, and Piscator Junior is a joy to hear. Shakespeare was just publishing his first work when Izaak Walton was born in 1593 in Stafford. Walton retired in his early fifties and traveled about rural England visiting friends, fishing, and writing in his easy-going fashion. After publication of The Compleat Angler in 1653 he continued to add to it in his leisurely way for the next quarter century. Samuel Johnson praised the book in the eighteenth century and later Charles Lamb recommended The Compleat Angler to Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 'It breathes the very spirit of innocence, purity, and simplicity of heart,' he noted. 'It would sweeten a man's temper at any time to read it; it would Christianise every angry, discordant passion; pray make yourself acquainted with it.'
The Compleat Angler is a true classic of English literature that owes it's esteem not to advice about fishing but to Izaak Walton's pre-occupations and exquisite manner. Subtitled The Contemplative Man's Recreation the pages glow with delight in the hills and dales, woods and streams of the beloved countryside. Walton conveys a message of meek thankful fellowship and peace to all "honest, civil, quiet men". 'The Compleat Angler is not about how to fish but about how to be,' said novelist Thomas McGuane. 'Walton spoke of an amiable mortality and rightness on the earth that has been envied by his readers for three hundred years.'

This is surely one of the earliest books available to the modern angler. But it's worth distinguishing 'anglers' from 'fishermen'. I take 'anglers' to be people who go after fish for fun or sport or pleasure and 'fishermen' to be people who go after fish for work.

The first thing to be said about Izaak Walton's book, is that it is a play followed by a text book. The second thing, is that it's in a foreign language even to the English, because it was first published in 1653 when the author was 60. A ripe old age in England in those days.

Walton was essentially a biographer. He got paid for it - often commissioned as a good artist might. He wrote 'The Life of Donne' - a poet who even I've heard of. He's alleged to have been a prosperous merchant, but it doesn't really matter. Great angling writers like Richard Walker were engineers. Old school writers like George Skues, were public school educated solicitors in London practices who took the train to the chalk streams of Winchester in Hampshire at weekends, tying flies as they went.

The play concerns three people who meet by chance and get into conversation about their interests. They're travelling at a walk, and so they lighten their journey with convoluted conversation. Before long, it develops into a bit of a competition. Walton is the angler (Piscator). Another gentleman is keen on falconry (Venator) and yet another is keen on hunting (Auceps).

If you tire of 17th century banter, skip forward to the chapters on each particular species of fish, which will ring true immediately. To me it's a revelation that these friendly old fish will still fall for the same tricks as Walton was playing on their ancestors over 350 years ago.

Three hundred fifty years ago Izaak Walton wrote of the curious blend of inner peace and giddy excitement which the amateur naturalist finds at streamside. He invites us to stroll with him through the countryside, discussing the mythology, superstition, and the science of England's aquatic fauna. It is an unrushed journey, though we often arise at sunrise, and the author introduces us to many of the local inhabitants. Indeed, if our fishing is successful, we might exchange our catch for the song of a pretty milkmaid. The Compleat Angler is a brief book, and Walton's intent is to hook the reader, and encourage him to try fishing for himself: "I do not undertake to say all that is known...but I undertake to acquaint the Reader with many things that are not usually known to every Angler; and I shall leave gleanings and observations enough to be made out of the experience that all that love and practise this recreation, to which I shall encourage them." Interestingly, Walton starts off on the defensive, since the fisherman's passion was even then caricatured. By the end the reader has joined the "Brotherhood of the Angle," making artificial flies and enjoying the poetry of fishing: "The jealous Trout, that low did lie, Rose at a well-dissembled fly." To the modern ear Walton's literal belief in naturalists' old wives tales may seem humorously anachronistic, and it comprises a remarkably large part of his affection for his subject. We are also frequently reminded of the book's timeline with comments such as "...the Royal Society have found and published lately that there be thirty and three kinds of Spiders," while we now know that there are thirty thousand species of Arachnids. And the Brotherhood of the Angle is a genuine fraternity to Walton, "...I love all Anglers, they be such honest, civil, quiet men." The prospective reader must also be disabused of the misconception that Walton was a purist for artificial lures; he strongly recommends worms, minnows, and live flies. In Walton's watery world there is no dry humor, only fresh. Following his description of the twelve most effective artificial flies he says, "Thus you have a jury of flies likely to betray and condem all the Trouts in the river." And here he compares the beautiful coloration of a living trout to...well, you'll see: "Their bodies [are] adorned with such red spots, and...with black or blackish spots, as give them such an addition of natural beauty as, I think, was never given to any woman by the artificial paint or patches in which they so much pride themselves in this age." At the risk of taking some of the surprise out of the book, I here present a sample of Walton's fishing secrets: "Take the stinking oil drawn out of Polypody of the oak by a retort, mixed with turpentine and hive-honey, and anoint your bait therewith, and it will doubtless draw the fish to it." I would guess that Walton wasn't much of a cook, however, and I do not recommend his recipe for eel (partially skinning it, packing the viceral cavity with nutmeg and anchovy, cutting off the head, slipping the skin back over the body, and sewing it together where the head formerly was, then barbecuing it on skewers). Walton's affection for fish and fishing extends beyond the aquatic nobility of trout and salmon, to the often ignored commoners: gudgeons, sprats, bleaks, herns, tench, roach, umber, loach, and sticklebag. And as for the importance of fishing in Walton's world: "I envy not him that eats better meat than I do, nor him that is richer, or that wears better clothes than I do; I envy nobody but him, and him only, that catches more fish than I do."

Walton uses the perspective of an enthusiastic angler to promote a lifestyle of reflectiveness, gentle humor, and appreciation for nature. The book is easy to read, despite being first published in the 1600s.
The Coachwhip Publications reprint edition (ISBN 1930585209) is inexpensive and contains Cotton's "Part 2," written at Walton's request for the fifth published edition of "The Compleat Angler."

I first read this one about fifteen years ago and I was very impressed. There's always the risk when you revisit childhood favourites - you might find them utterly daft. Not this one! While the book is somewhat naive - it's a book for kids, after all - it was still quite charming.

After an apocalypse of sorts, group of people locked themselves in Arc One, trying to maintain knowledge through the dark ages. The society has become a rigid class society: lords on top, workers in the middle, slaves on the bottom with soldiers controlling them.

Main character Tomi is a son of a lord, part of the ruling elite. When he comes of age, he's given proper access to the information databases. Unfortunately there's a slave rebellion, which ends up with Tomi being tossed out of the Arc. What a strange world he finds outside!

It's a lovely, positive story. I'd recommend this to kids that are into science fiction without a doubt - and also to adults, looking for a quick and pleasant read. (Review based on the Finnish translation.)

I've re-read several times and I love reading evey word or punciation mark of it. The twists in the plot makes the classic sci-fi story oine an unbelievable read. It the kind of book that lingers in your head and mentailly forces me to write a sequal to "The Dream Catcher" and "Devil on my Back" with my mind; using he brillantly made characters in different situations with different characters. it's immense! I wish Monica Hughes could could develop a series of these Ark stories!

Gratefully Written by,

Caroline D.

Devil on my back- Simply outstanding!, June 22, 2005
A Kid's Review
I've re-read several times and I love reading every word or punciation mark of it. The twists in the plot make the classic sci-fi story line an unbelievable read. It the kind of book that lingers in your head and mentally forces me to write a sequel to "The Dream Catcher" and "Devil on my Back" with my mind; using her brilliantly made characters in different situations with different characters. It's immense! I wish Monica Hughes could develop a series of these Ark stories!

Gratefully Written by,

Caroline D.

this book was a really well written book. i am just starting to read her books and they are really interesting. i read the isis series and i recomend that to anyone who likes science fiction. i can't wait to read the seqiul to this book!

I haven't read this book before but i'm looking forward to reading it. The summary on the back is very incisive and informative. I'm in my first year of high school and i had to choose a book to write an essay on. I chose this book for it's good title and summary! I really hope i enjoy reading this book!

This is a great book to read with your little one. It goes through several different types of hugs (the Octopus hug, the Monkey hug, etc.) and says what each one is in a fun way. This is a really cute book and my son loves to read it over and over. Plus, we get to hug all the way through it!

I don't dislike this book. I just don't love it, either.

My nieces rarely choose to read it, and I don't choose to read it any more often than they do. It just doesn't grab any of us.

Maybe I'm just over the whole "imitating Dr. Seuss" thing that many lesser writers try to do. I wish they'd find their own style instead of trying to copy his - they never get it right anyway.

How many Disney books can one read in a row without tiring??? I often find myself (or my child) pinching me to keep from falling asleep while reading. This is the first book that I want to read every night to my kids. The humor is laugh out loud funny!!! I hope other books will follow to keep both ME and my child entertained.

I have a 15 month old daughter. I can't tell you how much she loves Hugville. We read it at least 3 times every night before she goes to bed. She even has favorite hugs.
It's a great book that I know she'll like for many years.

EXCELLENT, FUN, CREATIVE DRAWINGS, EASY TO READ, AND A FAMILY ACTIVITY BOOK.
WE NEED 12 HUGS A DAY TO BE COMPLETE AND THIS BOOK DOES IT!

This pragmatic and thought provoking book is the vehicle to guide and inspire young adults to become "Extraordinary" in all areas of their lives. Dan Murray's straight forward advice, entertaining anecdotes and goal setting roadmap, demonstrates how Dan took "response" ability for his life by taking action to achieve "Extraordinary" successes, professionally and personally.

This is a perfect read for both teenagers and adults. Dan Murray tells it like it is, and gives true examples to back up his story. Its fun and easy to read, with comics included. He has been there, and done that, so his story relates to many issues that all teenagers face. After meeting him, and reading his book, I was motivated by many of his ideas and so were my students. This book is a great inspiration for all teenagers to get them motivated for success!

As a counselor, I work with high school students. On a recent visit by Daniel Murray to our school, I observed our students respond in a positive, dynamic manner to Mr. Murray's presentation, and swarm the stage afterwards for an autographed copy of his book.
My Method to the Madness delivers a powerful message with a new twist, flavored with the right punch for our teenagers. Here is a man who has "been there, done that", survived, and surpassed. From the choice of fonts and layouts to the humorous anecdotes and cartoon figures, this book is an enjoyable, educational, and truly enlightening read for people of all ages and life situations who are looking for the path to personal success.

To my surprise, I read this book in one sitting. It was easy to read, enjoyable and provided applicable steps to setting and achieving goals. I am recommending this book to numerous family and friends.

"My Method to the Madness" is a well-written, insightful "how to" book of sorts that is undoubtedly helping teenagers everywhere understand that they, like Dan Murray, can accomplish anything they set their minds to. This book is written in a language kids can understand. Dan does not lecture. He does not preach. He does not judge. He does not use scare tactics. Instead, he shares incredibly personal stories about his own life - about the mistakes he made in youth and as a young adult, about his feelings of being a loser, about his sister's love and faith in him and about how, through a simple birthday card, she inspired him to turn his life around and become the successful (and, more importantly, happy) person he is today. In short, Dan offers a unique perspective that kids and young adults can relate to, and illustrates, through hard-hitting examples, why his "method to the madness" worked for him, and why it can work for you. Although Dan's book is geared to an audience much younger than I am, I believe it will appeal to people of all ages. I graduated from high school over 20 years ago and have been relatively successful in my professional life - first in marketing and then as an attorney - and yet, as I read Dan's book, I kept saying to myself, "Hey, I can do that!" I felt so inspired to get off my butt and actually follow through on some of the things I've been dreaming of doing for far too long! I highly recommend this book.

This book is a mighty testimony to the healing power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is witness to the fact that even tough we might face death if we can face it with peace, joy, and victory. There is so much to be learned from this book and it is put simply and plainly. As you walk on the journey to learn more about God when reading this book, you find God teaching you about yourself. God's Will for our live is to have complete faith in him. Hallelujah, for another testimony to the love, mercy, and faithfulness of the most high God to man.

It was truely a blessing to have read this book.The book inspired me to stay in the will of god.

This book is very encouraging for people who are facing hard times and do not know where to turn to in those difficult times. If people would just put their whole trust in God as Evangelist Murray and her husband did; Then they too will be able to operate in the will of God.

The chapters that I have read are written with the simplicity for anyone to understand. The words of the book are an encouragement to my spiritual walk. God bless and thank you Dr. Murray.

I have three words: BLESSED! BLESSED! BLESSED! Continue what you are doing for the Lord. My blessing goes out to Dr.Murray for truly blessing my spirit!!!

This book is a first rate historical work chronicling the most magnificent working class struggle in history. A time when anarchism meant something truly inspiring and when it still had substance.

The Spanish anarchists remind us of a time when large numbers of people vehemently opposed the status quo of Capitalism and the State and truly did what was necessary to organize a mass movement to radically change it. Bookchin writes with such a clear yet intelligent prose that virtually everything he writes is worth reading. This book is one of his best and along with his 4 volume (and unfortunately very expensive) book "The Third Revolution" it very much proves how strong a historian he really was during his lifetime.

While this book is both highly informative and exciting in its evocation of a remarkable period of history, I cannot also be saddened by the fact that Bookchin died last year in 2006 and that his fiery intellect is no longer with us. I am also saddened by this work in another way. While Bookchin brings to light a period of history that should never be forgotten or not learned from, looking at the modern anarchist "scene" I cannot help but feel that the glory days of classical anarchism are gone and that contemporary anarchism has completely degenerated into misanthropy, post-modernism, mysticism, nihilism, and an opposition to forming mass movements at all; in effect that today's anarchism has become completely coopted by modern bourgeois society and has been rendered completely inert by that mentality. Let us hope that is not the case, but if this is so then we, those of us who still insist that a genuine social revolution is desperately needed and also a mass movement organized from below to achieve it, must forge ahead and adopt a new term for our form of revolutionary libertarian socialism, something Bookchin tried to do in the last years of his life and from which we can learn a great deal.

Bookchin established himself among the foremost anarchist theorists of the late 20th century with his sparkling collection "Post-Scarcity Anarchism".

With "The Spanish Anarchists" he proves himself to be a historian of the first rank, drawing on primary sources, a wide array of secondary literature, and in-depth interviews with key members of the Spanish Anarchist movement to paint a vivid picture of half a century of organizing that led to the most powerful anarchist upsurge in world history (yet!).

Bookchin handles the history deftly, drawing out lessons for practice while always making clear the specificity of the historical moment. He pulls vivid quotes and his character sketches of key figures in the movement are masterful.

This is history for history buffs, though, and gets into considerable detail on several decades of struggle in several hundred pages. It may be boring for those who do not have a particular interest in the period.

Note well: the book does not discuss the Civil War and Revolution of 1936-1939-- for a detailed treatment of that struggle, Bookchin recommends Bolloten's massive "The Spanish Civil War" and for a shorter take, Broué and Temime's The Revolution and the Civil War in Spain". Orwell's classic "Homage to Catalonia" is also a brilliant read, albeit from a semi-Trotskyist point of view.

The other guy said it better than me, but Bookchin's book is one of the few that really get's down deep into the process by which anti-authoritarian ideas and movements get generated and how they achieve, or can achieve, social change. Wonderful both for theory and history.

The first point to mention: One's understanding of what happened in Spain is almost certainly indicated by the answer to one question. Was this the Spanish Civil War or the Spanish Revolution? The essence of Bookchin's book (and it is not original to him) is that there was a revolution within the Civil War. While there is considerable recognition of the Civil War, there is much less discussion and consideration of the revolution within that civil war.

One immediate problem in understanding the dynamics in Spain is the crazy quilt set of actors. Key groups run the gamut from Fascists (Francisco Franco as a leader) to monarchists to liberals/moderates to Marxists (Trotskyites, represented by the organization POUM, versus Stalinists, organized as the UGT [with members called Ugetistas]) and anarchists (syndicalists, members of the union CNT, whose members were called Cenetistas, and straight out anarchists, members in the organization FAI, with individual members referred to as Faistas). Yikes! One needs a scorecard to keep them straight!

This book does not focus on the Civil War and Revolution so much as on the background to those events. Bookchin goes back to the anarchist Mikhail Bakunin's influence on Spanish radicals. Much of this book is the run up to the Civil War and the revolution embedded within that Civil War--the Republic versus the Fascists represented the Civil War. The anarchists trying to implement libertarian societies was the revolution.

Topically, the book begins with the origins of the idea of anarchism in Spain. Bakunin was a critical figure here, a Russian aristocrat who, oddly enough, adopted the anarchist perspective. An emissary who did not speak Spanish brought Bakunin's ideas to Spain; given the linguistic obstacles, it is surprising indeed to see that he had an impact on the development of a Spanish anarchist movement.

The book then describes the development of that movement in Spain over the past quarter century of the 1800s and the early 1900s as well. In short, anarchism did develop something of a foothold in Spain. Unfortunately, some of the advocated if this view engaged in "propaganda of the deed," terrorism, to try to advance the cause. In the process, much damage was done to that very movement.

Bookchin then described the twin developments--support for anarcho-syndicalism (a perspective that argued that workers' organizations ought to structure the productive process and be the basis for organizing society) and the CNT (a union that supported syndicalism). The essence of the latter can be discerned by this quotation from Bookchin (page 162): "Obedience to the wishes of the membership was a cardinal rule. At the annual congresses, for example, many delegations arrived with mandatory instructions on how to vote on each major issue to be considered. If an action was decided upon, none of the delegations which disagreed with it or felt it was beyond the capacity of its membership was obliged to abide by the decision."

The instability of government in the 1920s and 1930s is then discussed, as a lead up to the outbreak of the Civil War/Revolution. Bookchin concludes by observing that (page 302): "We must leave the details of that revolution--its astonishing achievements and its tragic subversion--to another volume."
Obviously, Bookchin has an ideological perspective on the events in Spain over the period of time that his book covers. And that must be taken into account when reading this work. Nonetheless, overall, his scholarship is solid, and much of what he contends is found in other volumes as well (hence, triangulation occurs to some extent). For those wanting to understand the Spanish Civil War from a perspective not normally presented, this book makes a solid contribution.

"Can anarchy work" or "Is anarchy a mere utopia" are questions asked frequently by people who are not informed about the ideology and philosophy of anarchy but, most importantly, the history of anarchy.
Since you arent going to be taught any of all this in school the burden falls on your shoulders to discover it (amongst most other meaningful things that you will not be told about).
Murray Bookchin, is a great historian, and does an awesome job of documenting the most recent and most convincing attempt at anarchy in pre-war Spain.
Bookchin descibes a movement that found roots in the "lumpen proletariat", that part of the working class with almost zero education that marxists looked upon with contempt considering them incapable of ever starting a revolution.
Yet, exactly that part of the working class was the one that through appaling living and social conditions embraced the concept of anarchy, namely, no masters, equality, work as creation and not braindead toil, education that promotes free thinking and not unquestioned swallowing of dogma and above all liberty.
This is a fascinating story, perhaps overly fascinating compared with modern times where most the people take social conditions as self-understood. A movement, that, through a massive network of action that ranged from strikes against brutally oppressing regimes that inevitably and repeatedly resulted in massive bloodbaths, direct action, informing people about their present future and past while actually opening up to them a whole new world of possibilities that would drive them out of their every day misery and into a new situation where through thriving freedom the society would transform.
Bookchin introduces the readers (as he had to) to some of anarchy leading theoriticians (and practicians) such as Bakoonin and their influence on the Spanish anarchists while he goes into exhaustive detail highlighting internal conflicts concerning differing anarchistic tendencies as well as the ones against socialists (who more than often proved to be disguised conservatives) and of course against the establishment itself and its organs of suppresion.
It's a back n' forth story he tells as well, as the struggle of the spanish anarchists to establish themselves at the front for social change ("not tomorrow, now!" said the pickets at the massive protests and demos) was often sunk in blood, often thrown back by mass executions, often took a step backwards because the need for biological survival took a priority or simply because disapointment would momentarily settle in before a new spark would "detonate" the movement again.

The history of the spanish anarchists is remarkable in more ways than initially obvious. In a very intense sense it proves that the philosophy of anarchy doesnt demand from anyone to be well educated in order to comprehend it. "Absolute" freedom is not a complex concept and everything that derives from it is equally simple. It doesnt recquire reading bulky volumes of economic politics that lead nowhere nor trying to improve a system within which has already failed from the get-go (capitalism). It demands the "impossible" but simoultaneously the natural.
While Bookchin writes in a rather heavy style that wont easily grab you, he's an incredible historian who leaves no stone unturned in his effort-mission to explain thoroughly a historical event. That is my only objection to this book.

Other than that, this is more than recquired reading for anyone interested in anarchism (here, its history )or in examining political philosophies in general.It would help if you started from Emma Goldman's "Essays on anarchy" before this if your knowledge of this philosophy is somewhat superficial.

Excellent book. Louise (the mother) writes in a restrained, understated, yet intelligent style that breaks one's heart. Those of us with children who suffer with mental illness will appreciate the details of this story -- we are usually presented with the broad strokes of a family's descent into madness (as we are in Raeburn's "Acquainted with the Night") but this book offers us the small observations that we share with other families in the same situation. The author makes us feel the frustrations of an intelligent woman forced to deal with uncomprehending psychiatrists, teachers, neighbours, and social assistance workers. When you are the parent of a young adult with a mental illness, you are powerless in the face of bureaucracy and Louise reminds us of how soul-destroying this vulnerability can be. As the other reviewers commented, I wish I knew what happened to Louise and her husband over the years, and to their son. I googled her name and the name of the book but was unable to find much.

Our high school library was weeding out books and I came across this book. I instantly knew it was a book about mental illness, being a mother of a son with paranoid schizophrenia. I started to read it and I never put it down. It was painful to read because I knew the hurt and the hopelessness that Louise and her family felt. Her story provides a look into a family that learns to love, live and hope in spite of the heartache and pain they endure. It truely speaks for all of us on this journey. My son is homeless right now because we can not allow him to come home. He refuses medication and is an adult. Even after all this time, there are simply no easy answers for these problems and our federal and state govenments do not do enough. Louise this is a beautiful book, I felt your courage, your pain, your love and I could see Tony and I saw my son.

I ran across This Stranger, My Son: A mother's story, while packing up my high school library. It is an old title and the book was well worn and needed to be replaced. The title intrigued me and I took it home to read. I was propelled to my childhood by the heart-breaking stories of a little boy lost. You see, I was the sister of such a "monster." I watched as my parents struggled on a very modest income to get help for my brother. My brother, about the same age as Tony, was tormented at school. The safety of home is where he released all his pent-up rage. I hated him; called him a monster and worse. Thank you, Louise Wilson, for allowing me to see that my guilt was really my love for a brother who was ill not mean. My brother has had a fairly normal life because of the recognition of a chemical imbalance for which he takes medication. Please let your readers know how Tony has faired. Now, since this title is out of print, I'll just dust off this book, place a new cover on it and book talk it to my high school students. A sequel would be wonderful...we so care about you, Tony and all of your family.

I have to wonder what was happened to Tony since this book was written in 1968??? Maybe his Mom has written a sequel or up date. Tony was very much like my son in many ways, but his illness didn't erupt until he was around 35 and was diagnosed as Bipolar/manic drepression. Somewhere around 1990. Luckily there were good drugs to keep him somewhat "normal" I hope Louise will contact me to let me know how Tony is doing if she reads this. Inability to get along with other people is paramount in Tony's and my son's world. Paranoia is ever present. My son, as a youngster, used to tell me to quit looking at him when I was admiring my beautiful, blond headed Adonis. So, Louise, if you're stil around, I would love to hear from you!!!1 Best, Anne in North Carolina

I read this book as a child of nine in an excerpted version in 'The Reader's Digest' and I have never forgotten the anguish Jane suffered when Tony wiped jam all over her party dress. I managed to get a second-hand copy [...], and it went even deeper this time. I am a mother of a child in England who has ADHD, and thirty years on, the same tags were hung on us as they put on Louise and Jack - bad parent, dysfunctional family etc. Nothing's changed, at all. Deborah Spungen had the same experiences as Louise with her poor daughter Nancy ten years later, and it took the 'experts' just as long to diagnose Nancy Spungen with paranoid schizophrenia. I greatly admire the parents of these two lost children. Does anyone know if anything ever helped Tony as the book ends in 1968? Louise and Deborah, Tony and Nancy, you are in my prayers.

As an ESL teacher, my students are always telling me how they need to build their vocabulary. Sure, someone can do this by reading more. But, non-native English speakers are often confused by many common English words.

This book has 504 vocabulary words that native speakers use often, but which can be confusing to non-native English speakers.

With clear but simple definitions, examples and exercises, people who read this book can easily build their useful English vocabulary.

This is the book i highly recommend for middle school students to increase their vocabulary. It has words that are higher level, but not outrageously so. It just concentrates on vocabulary words, not words a student needs for multiple subjects...just high-use words. The activities are good reinforcement and practice. Try this book first and don't waste your money on others for this this age group.

2 of the reviewers used the word "learnt"!!! Think they should learn that's not a word... apparently not covered in the book :)

I homeschool my son and this book has been very helpfull, would recomend it to anyone who needs assistance with spelling.

My ESL teacher uses this book. It is a good one. You must like it.

Andrew Murray lived, ministered and worked more than 100 years ago. Yet each word, each truth shared in this anthology is as fresh and as relevant today as it was then. Like the Bible, this is not just one book, but a collection of some of his "best" writings. Like the Bible, this book should be read and meditated upon daily.

Mr. Murray enrolls you in the School of Prayer and gives 31 lessons on how to pray like Jesus prayed: effective, effectual, fervent prayers--with the sure confidence that God not only hears your prayers but answers each one of them. In Abide With Me Mr. Murray expounds upon John 15 where Jesus is the Vine and we (believers) are the branches.

In each book he encourages the reader into a closer, more intimate relationship with God. He is definitely a Christian, makes no apologies for it, and his writings are filled with encouragement and exhortation to be more like Christ. Then he tells you why and how to do so.

This is A MUST hAVE bOOK FOR EVERYDAY GUIDE LINES TO GO BY AND HELPFUL WITH THE bIBLE. it is also wonderful. So glad I found out about Andrew Murray. He was the best .

This is a great collection of Murray's books on prayer. I absolutely love it. It has helped me to view prayer in a different light.

My dad was an intercessor who passed the legacy on to me. I didn't realize how significant that work was until reading this book by Andrew Murray. He explains how intercessors enter into the work with Jesus, the Mediator who does the same work in Heaven. As we follow the lead of our great High Priest, we are doing His work on earth.

Throughout this book Murray reminds us of the vital role of intercessory work. "Disciples of Jesus, you are called to be like your Lord in His priestly intercession!" he writes. Prayer that succeeds is prayer which expects results. Murray tells his readers to expect answers. "Faith can only live by feeding on what is divine, on God Himself," we're told.

Not all prayers are answered immediately. He uses Scripture to point this out. Persistent prayer is willing to wait. Being in God's presence takes a commitment of time. "Take time in prayer to listen to His voice," Murray advises. He teaches the way to exercise faith is to discover God's will on a given matter through hearing what He has to say in interactive prayer.

Murray's primer on prayer is actually a collection of the great preacher's writings on the subject. It is best to read this with an open copy of the scriptures nearby. The reader is advised to spend some quiet meditative hours, allowing the Holy Spirit to encourage and correct. This book is a bargain, too, for the price.