Nelson Books

Ronald Reagan will be long remembered as someone who could give a great speech. Critics, however, wrongly labeled him a dim-witted actor, propped up by good speechwriters. Their hatred for all things `Reagan' make it impossible for them to attribute even the slightest bit of intelligence to the 40th President. As their goal to alter the Reagan legacy, they completely omit the hundreds of radio addresses he personally wrote during the years prior to becoming President, which aptly chronicle the true brilliance that truly was Ronald Reagan. IN THE WORDS OF RONALD REAGAN, by his son Michael Reagan, continues in that arena by sharing with us, many of the personal letters this prolific letter writer penned.

This compact, 200-page treatise, lends the reader yet a deeper look into the essence of thought that was Ronald Reagan. Here you will find a small portion of Reagan's discourse on subjects ranging from acting to welfare.

If you admired Ronald Reagan, then you will admire this book. If you are too young to remember Ronald Reagan, this book will lend critical insight into his character and ideas. If you hate all things Reagan, then there is nothing for you to see here. Just shut up and move on.

Monty Rainey
www.juntosociety.com

Broadly speaking, many Democrats seem to think that most Republicans don't care about people who aren't rich, and haven't financially succeeded. And, also broadly speaking, many Republicans seem to think that most Democrats are spendthrifts, who like to use public tax money on programs which destroy families, and take away individual choice and initiative. While I am sure there ARE people in both philsophies that hold these extreme views, it is my own contention that most people, of whatever political stipe and ideals, mainly just want to live as happy long, and productive a life as possible, and make sure that their loved ones are able to do so as well.

I suppose the main thing, as a moderate, that I personally have against Republicans, is that, though I throroughy DO agree with the philosophy of being able, proudly and individually, (and WITHOUT any meddling of government telling one what to do), to "pull oneself up by one's bootstraps", it seems that many Republicans tend to forget that there are MANY people who CAN'T pull themselves up by their theoretical bootstraps....simply because they have no shoes! Democrats take a different tack on this -- one I also enormously dislike. Yes -- they will give "shoes to the shoeless".....but they will NOT allow the people they are "helping" to CHOOSE their own shoes. If you are "helped" by a social-service agency, it seems, THEY tell you what to study, and/or what type of job you "should" be doing.

So -- I guess, though I can see good things in both the Democratic and Republican philosophies, I also can see definite negatives in each. Being neither a complete Democrat, nor a complete Republican, I feel I am free to admire the best people of each party.... I admire Jimmy Carter, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Regan.........just to name a few.

This small volume, IN THE WORDS OF RONAOLD REAGAN, by his son (with first wife Jane Wyman), is a fascinating little book! You can tell it was put together with love and devotion....and the reader, perusing its riches, can only wish it were longer.

The picture of Ronald Reagan on the front cover, and the smaller one of Micahel Reagan, on the back inside bookjacket flap, are in "shiny" print....in a very good facimilie of an actual photograph. Within this book, interspersed between Ronald Reagan's words of wisdom and wit, are 28 additional photographs, portraying everything from a photo of the Regan family in 1915, (Ronald with his parents and brother Neil), to Mr. Reagan, as President of the US, inspecting sailors at the recomissioning of the USS New Jersey in 1982. Pictures are also present of the 1982 Inauguation, Mr. Regan's acting and football-playing days, meetings with world leaders, Mr. Regan on horseback and two very different pictures, taken seconds apart, on the day of the assassination attempt on Mr. Reagan.

After a heart-felt and proud introduction by the compiler, Michael Regan, 62 categories of Ronald Reagan's words are given.....from "Acting", "Age",
"Alzheimer's" and "America".....to "Education", "Faith, "Family" and "Football",.....through "Marriage", "Memorials", "Morality" and "Nancy",....to "Truth", "Values", "Veterans", and "Welfare State", to name just a few. Each category has at least one, and often
more, memorable quotes.

Mr. Regan's pithy, folksy, common-sense words cannot help but make one think....and even, however grudgingly, admire him. I doubt that any American, of any political stripe, can argue with these quotes....although one does tend to add one's own interpretion to them:

.........." In America, our origins matter less than our destination,
.......... and that is what democracy is all about." (America)

.........." History teaches that wars begin when governments believe
.......... the price of agression is cheap." (Defensse)

.........." They say the world has become too complex for simple answers.
.......... They are wrong. There are no easy answers, but there are
.......... simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know
.......... is morally right." (Morality) (( Of course, everyone has
a different idea of what "morality" really is, from, say, pro-choice people, to anti-abortion people, to people who, like myself, feel it's up to each individual to choose their own way, and respect other's rights to do things with their own lives, their own way. And therein, of course, lies the conflict. But at least knowing that one should have SOME moral compass is a good idea, I think. -- comment of this reviewer. ))

But here is a statement sure to elicit sympathy from ANYONE of any politcal stripe.

.........." It's so...frustrating! I'll make a statement, and an hour
.......... later, the press or the legislators will say, 'Sure, that's
.......... what he says, but what does he mean?' I don't get it. If
.......... they could only accept that I say what I mean, it would save
.......... so much time!" (The Press)

.......... " Nothing lasts longer than a temporary government program."
.......... (Government)

.......... " You know, Senator Kennedy was at a dinner just recently,
.......... for the ninetiethy birthday party for former governor and
.......... ambassador Averell Harriman. Teddy Kennedy said that
.......... Averell's age was only half as old as Ronald Regan's ideas.
.......... And you know, he was absolutely right. The Constitution is
.......... almost two hundred years old, and that's where I get my
.......... ideas." ( The Constitution ) (( Mr. Reagan would have
.......... been a powerful lawyer, with his turn of the phrase!......
.......... ....comment by this reviewer ))

.......... Two Soviets....talking to each other. And one of them says,
.......... "What's the difference between the Soviet Constitution and
.......... the American Constitution?" And the other one said, "That's
.......... easy. The Soviet Constitution guarantees freedom of speech
.......... and freedom of gathering. The American Constitution guaran-
.......... tees freedom after speech, and freedom after gathering."
.......... (( A good thing to remember, in these days of Vladimir
.......... (( Putin's regime.....comment by this reviewer ))

.......... " Secretary William Bennett makes, I think, an interesting
.......... analogy. He says that if you serve a child a rotten
.......... hamburgerin Americal, federal, state and local agencies
.......... will investigate you, summon you, close you down, or what-
.......... ever. But if you provide a child with a rotten education,
.......... nothing happens, except that you are liable to be given
.......... more money to do it with. Well, we've discovered that
.......... money alone isn't the answer. ( Education. )
.......... (( Of course, many people have differing opin......ions on what constitutes a "good" education...........comment by this reviewer. ))

Witty, thoughtful, thought-provoking.......all of the many quotes in this
small book merit reading and thought. Some are as short as a few lines. Others go on for a page and more. All are interesting....most are brilliant. One quote -- believe it or not -- seems to me it could
easily be given at some future commencement, say, from a "StarFleet" Academy graduation! (Yes....a quote from Ronald Regan, of all people!)

It is:

.........." For two hundred years, we've lived in the future, believing
.......... that tomorrow would be be better than today, and today
.......... would be better than yesterday. I still believe that."
( The Future )

As with any person, any group or ideal, sweeping generalities make for
stereotypes and narrow-minded ideas. Ronald Reagan was far more broad-minded and future-oriented than many give him credit for. His mind was
optimistic, realistic, and full of wit. Personally, I have great admiration for the man....wishing only that he had realized that ALL people want dignity and success.....but that, again, some people cannot pull themselves up by their bootstraps because, they have no shoes. Yet,
one must admit that government programs CAN cost over-much....because greedy politicians and lobbyists -- of whatever party -- get their hands in the till....and like the extra money they take out! I'm sure Mr. Reagan realized this.

Reading this book, it's obvious Mr. Reagan wanted the best for
Americans, and the best for every citizen of the world. His optimism and wit are timeless.....as demonstrated by every word of his in this book!

Visitors to the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home buy more copies of this book than any other that we sell. Filled with positive little tidbits from a family perspective! It's great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a great book to have if you appreciate all that President Reagan represented and accomplished, or if you were not around to understand the massive impact he had on our nation, then this is a greeat introduction to our 40th president.

It is all the more valuable because it his insight from his son Michael, insight that can only be offered by a family member. For all the great publlic stuff I already knew about President Reagan, the advice he offers Michael for his marriage helped further my belief in what a great man he was.

This is a quick read, but it is also one you will refer back to for quotes and enjoyment!

I was born just two years before Ronald Reagan was elected president, so I have virtually no memories of his work as a politician. However, my limited study of recent history left me with the impression that Reagan's life warranted further investigation.

So, I turned to this simple little book of the quotable Reagan, with commentary interjected periodically by his son, Michael. The contents of the book are far from earthshattering, and it wouldn't be too hard to find much more substantive information about Reagan elsewhere. Nonetheless, this book fulfills its promise as a compilation of some of Reagan's many soundbites that provide a window into his character and heart.

The quotes are organized into categories like "Alzheimer's," "Gorbachev," "Values," etc. Within each category are a few pages of short quotes that Reagan provided in very public settings (inauguration speeches, Republican convention acceptance speeches) and more private ones (like personal notes or anecdotes that he told to his family, to which Michael would have unique access).

Ultimately, the book provides only snippets, and after seeing the frequency with which some speeches appeared (like "The Speech" in 1964 on behalf of Goldwater), I was left pining for the entire transcripts of those famous addresses. The other primary fault of the book is that it paints a rather idealistic image of Reagan's life. I understand Michael's interest in promoting the greatness of his father, but the presentation was so overly flattering as to appear a bit artificial.

Nonetheless, there are a number of quotes worth reading in this collection. I laughed out loud a number of times, and I was moved at other times. For a quick snapshot of the wit and wisdom of Ronald Reagon, this book is a good place to start.

A wonderfully crafted autobiography. Honest and personal, Geldof puts the first half of his life under the microscope and you grow to love him for his warts and scars.
A riveting book especially for those who recall the music of his era. You will laugh and you may cry even if it is only because the book ends years short of the present day.

This book is one of those books that will renew your faith in the ability of normal people to change the world for the better. It is also hilarious and a great read!

I don't usually read biographies books but this one is a very good one

It's severly dated by today's standards, but what an excellent read, all the same. I look at it as the music industry version of Julia Phillips "You'll Never Eat Lunch In This Town Again". Biting with sardonic wit, lots of muck-raking (most of it spot-on), and just a wee bit 'o' honesty.

How much of it is true, we'll never know. But the essential bits (the inception of the Boomtown Rats, their immersion into the music scene, other bands, Live Aid, etc.) are required reading for anybody who gives a damn about the music industry. There's loads of comedy as well as pathos, as well as some of the greatest quotes I've ever read in an autobiography.

If you can still find a copy, it's well worth owning.

Bob Geldof's book is a stunning odyssey into the mind of a rock star. he also happens to be a philanthropist who can teach a thing or two to the best of them. the man behind `live aid' not only collected hundreds of millions out of a telethon for africa's famine victims, but made sure they reached the right hands. his forthright language and no-holds-barred style are refreshing. if you must read an autobiography of a rock star, read this one.

A well crafted novel that is fast paced and frightening. Attention to details and dialogue make this book especially believable. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Tom Clancey move over! Nelson Blish's first novel has all the ingredients for a perfect read: clearly defined characters who are people you want to know, plot twists that amaze and delight, laughter/drama, and an ending that left me sitting at the register in hopes of a second novel from this brilliant author. The details were obviously well researched and added to the all too realistic "ripped from the headlines" feel of this fast paced and cleverly written piece. WELL DONE!

This is a welcome first novel from a writer who provides very insightful descriptions of events and experiences. For example a chapter on hang gliding is masterfully written and you feel your riding upon the back of the guy.Other chapters are individual gems of writing about love, family relationships and Pentagon types. The book is mainly about terrorism and heroic efforts to counter same.The finale is unique and unexpected. All in all a great summer read.

The author is a new Tom Clancy. His knowledge of the government,the navy and especially submarines is vast. I really stayed up all night to read this book. I hope he has more in the pipeline....the book is fun and informative and a great read

This book is a fast-paced "page-turner." Every time I thought I'd take a break at the end of a chapter, I had to read the first few pages of the next chapter . . . and so on until I finished the book in two sessions. For those who love Clancy, but don't want to spend a month on a book, Blish is the author for you! Well-written, suspenseful, and with a surprising twist at the end, this book will leave you hoping Blish has another one going to print soon.

This is a great way to listen to the Bible. Johnny's chill tone and deep weathered voice makes this one of the best and most enjoyable audio bibles around. I would imagine that many of the most hesitant to bible listening could soften up to the surprise of Johnny's voice reading the scriptures. Cash's coolness, rough, and relatable history that many of us can identify with, helps most anyone have "ears to hear." It is awesome how Jesus can change anyone so remarkably. Johnny Cash's testimony of his radical change by Jesus' words can be read about in his book, "When A Man Comes Around".

The guy proclaims the Word of God beautifully and simply. If you're not much of a believer, it just is done well and straight forward.

The New King James Version is more modern English (without all the "unto's" and "ye's" and "thou's"). Easier on the ears. Also, no accompanying music. Just him reading slowly and with understanding.

The above comments are in comparison to James Earl Jones reading the New Testament. The guy has a voice like no one else, but the original King James version language- lame backround music - and a whispery, momontone reading (if you can imagine James Earl Jones doing that) - makes this far inferior to Johnny Cash's.

This audio Bible is great. Johnny did a fantastic job and paced himself nicely. His pronunciation is well done. I enjoy these CDs immensely.

Thanks Johnny and I'll see you in heaven!

No frills or fancy workings, just plain old Johnny Cash reading the New King James version of the New Testament. It's straight-forward and understandable, delivered in a matter-of-fact tone that leaves interpretation open to your own mind. Johnny Cash does his best to read without flair and dramatics, allowing the words to speak for themselves.

I enjoy unwinding after a long day by throwing on some headphones and relaxing to the soothing words of JC.

this set was everything i could have hoped for. it was amusing that someone reviewing this product would describe Johnny Cash's reading voice as "wooden" ... have they never heard him speak or sing ? if you have heard his voice you know what to expect. personally i find his voice rich, comfortingly real, and ideally suited to a project such as this

there is no annoying music in the background, which is ideal for people who suffer from diminished hearing, like me, or people who find such unwelcome additions to be nothing more than a distraction

his reading is often described as slow, but i think it might be better described as casual - about the speed he spoke in public or on TV : he typically seemed unhurried when he spoke, but having a "script" allowed him to talk faster than i'd anticipated. his cadence is not too fast, just faster than i had been led to believe

the books are broken up into chapter-length files (important if you wish to rip to MP3 files as i've done) and sometimes span from one CD to another (important if you're considering getting this for an elderly person who might need to search for the next CD, as well as possibly complicating the operation of a CD player for a person with visual limitations)

this is a wonderful product and i would gladly purchase it again. the only "improvement" i can suggest is offering an MP3 version for people who may lack the technical ability to convert the CDs themselves (they are Legion)

Judaism, Physics And God: Searching For Sacred Metaphors In A Post-Ein-stein World strives to answer the question, "If we can't see it or prove it, how can we believe it?" Leading the reader on a journey through both the ideas of modern physics and the ancient teachings of rabbinic text, Judaism, Physics and God stresses that faith and scientific insight do not need to be mutually exclusive. Chapters explore cosmology and creation, quantum mechanics, Albert Enstein's theories of special relativity, general relativity and Jewish meaning, string theory, and integrating new metaphors and scientific awareness into traditional Jewish life. As meticulous in its research of sacred Judaic texts and philosophy as it is of modern physics, yet presented to be as accessible as possible to the lay reader striving to better understand complex concepts, Judaism, Physics And God is a welcome addition to religious debate and studies shelves. Highly recommended.

Judaism Physics and God
Searching for sacred metaphors in a post Einstein World

A shema:
"THE LORD OUR GOD; THE LORD IS A SINGULARITY." (Not one;-in fact God is the big bang.)

Well worth the read. Rabbi Nelson has a very user friendly style of writing. He is able to link traditional Jewish words and motifs with today's language (scientific mindsets) of atoms and particles. Rabbi Nelson has built a very strong bridge to show where there is linkage through the passionate creative use of language-metaphors. He has also taken it one step further to give texture and depth to everyday acts. By assuming all things began at the big bang; then knowing/thinking that we all began as star dust embodies everything with holiness.

Nelson also lays out the dark side/ challenges of new scientific insights. If nothing is knowable for certain, as quantum physics states, then an all knowing God becomes an open question. Maybe the really difficult answer is that God is not all knowing. The implication of that insight for man-God relations is hard.

My only regret about the book is that the books' section on String Theory. Nelson's continued efforts at finding metaphors that reconcile our traditional language and science limit him. I would have been interested in Rabbi Nelson working with String Theory as a new challenge to both cosmology and Judaism. The harmonics of String theory and the transcendent nature of God would have been an interesting discussion.

In his next book (using the quality of this book and predictability theory) I hope Rabbi Nelson is able to address the connection between modern neurological, bio-chemistry and God in a unified religious theory......

This book ranks in the top five books I have ever read! The author has taken the most complex ideas and theories and made them understandable to me. I have no science background, but I could understand what he said. For the first time in my life, I had an idea of what Einstein's theory of relativity is all about. I will refer over and over again to this book. It is one of the best I have read on such complex things.

Judaism, Physics And God: Searching For Sacred Metaphors In A Post-Ein-stein World strives to answer the question, "If we can't see it or prove it, how can we believe it?" Leading the reader on a journey through both the ideas of modern physics and the ancient teachings of rabbinic text, Judaism, Physics and God stresses that faith and scientific insight do not need to be mutually exclusive. Chapters explore cosmology and creation, quantum mechanics, Albert Enstein's theories of special relativity, general relativity and Jewish meaning, string theory, and integrating new metaphors and scientific awareness into traditional Jewish life. As meticulous in its research of sacred Judaic texts and philosophy as it is of modern physics, yet presented to be as accessible as possible to the lay reader striving to better understand complex concepts, Judaism, Physics And God is a welcome addition to religious debate and studies shelves. Highly recommended.

This is one of the most interesting and important books on Religion and philosophy that has been published since Einstein had to reconcile his discoveries with his beliefs.

Much of Judaism (and., by extension, Christianity) operates through the use of metaphors to bring us closer to God. God is described as a Shepard, as a King, as our Father, as our Rock, and as Light, just as a few examples. By definition, a metaphor illuminates but does not fully describe-- any of us can think of what aspects of a father we would ascribe to God, and what aspects of a father (growing old and dying) we would not ascribe to God.

At one level, Rabbi Nelson in this book asks what metaphors from physics- specifically post-Newtonian physics-- can we use to illuminate G-d? His metaphors are fascinating: to cite one example, he asks us to consider God as the Light. God is often described as "Light" in prayers. God is also described as timeless-- a thousand years is but an instant to God according to the Rabbis. Well, physics happens to describe Light as timeless as well- photons from the big bang haven't aged at all in the 15 or so billion years of it's existence.

That's the first level of the book, and by itself it is very fascinating. God as the Big Bang, God as Light, God as shaped like multi-dimensional manifolds used in string-theory. Rabbi Nelson is very careful to explain the physics at a very approachable and enjoyable level, perhaps he succeeds so well because like most of us he does not have an advanced science degree. Yet there is a deeper level to this book as well: for Judaism, indeed for Western religion to remain relevant, it has to confront and grow along with our growing understanding of reality. This is the fundamental challenge that has been presented to Religion since the dawn of the Age of Reason. Rabbi Nelson takes on the challenge --- not by attempting to prove or disprove the existence of God, but by attempting to understand God through our growing knowledge of the universe.

You do not have to agree with Rabbi Nelson's personal beliefs to learn from this book-- there's plenty here for everyone from the confirmed atheist to the most Orthodox believer. Furthermore, he sets up a framework that can--and most likely will--be used by others for generations to come. I fully believe that this book will be referenced generations from now, if not beyond.

Howard Blackburn accomplished a feat of endurance and spirit that equals any. This is a well told tale of the man who froze his hands to the oars of his dory to row 100 miles in January off Newfoundland. Gripping and substantial, this book stays with you.

It would be too easy to simply say that Howard Blackburn rose above his adversity. I should like to have known more about, or even known him - fisherman, retailer, sailor and philanthropist - here is a man of legend among men of iron. Howard's tale is marvelous; a testament to the pioneers and explorers who follow their restless dreams without compromise. Lone Voyager is a fascinating and enlightening look into the industry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the men who fought long odds and the compelling draw of a man possessed of his visions.

Though I live in Gloucester and have spent a good many evenings in Howard Blackburn's establishment with his pictures and newspaper articles hanging on the walls, I only recently discovered this book. What a wonderful adventure! The first chapter, which tells the story of the fishing trip during which Blackburn lost his fingers and toes, sets the stage well for the rest of the adventure. And what an adventure it is! Here in Gloucester they talk of the days of "iron men in wooden ships" and Blackburn was the toughest and most indomitable of all those iron men. After surviving the trip that opens the book, he goes on to start his famous tavern in Gloucester, cross the Atlantic twice on his own, sail around Cape Horn and up the Pacific Coast bound for the Klondike, and undertake a perfectly fascinating trip up the Hudson River, through the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi.

Because I wrote a book based in the seafaring history of Lake Erie I was particularly gratified to read that Blackburn wrote that of all the waters he ever crossed he considered Lake Erie to have been the worst --- even worse than the Grand Banks in the Atlantic.

Author Joe Garland is well known both as a historian and a sailor and both those skills are well used in the telling of this tale. This is an extraordinary story of an extraordinary man told by an extraordinary writer. What more does a reader want?

I found an old copy of this book and read it a year ago. An incredible true story. I`m glad to see that it is available in paperpback again.

Howard Blackburn was one cool dude! I mean the guy gets caught away from the mother ship and rows for 5 days to live but it costs him all his fingers and that's just the first two chapters! You've got him going off to the Yukon on a gold rush jaunt, a couple of single handed trips across the Atlantic. A circumnavigation of the Eastern US via the Great Lakes and the Misissippi River and around Florida. He just won't quit.

Anyway I bought the book because of the stories about dories, and was hooked by all the other adventures as well.

BTW there is a rowing race of 22 miles in open Atlantic called the "Blackburn Challange" The folks of Glouster loved him.

I checked this out from the library for my husband; he loved it so much I planned to buy it for him. Meanwhile my father-in-law came for a visit and loved it so much he wouldn't put it down... So, I ended up buying two books; one for each of them. Neither could put it down and said how they would want to read it over and over. My two favorite men in my life absolutely LOVE this book. Also, it is a great add to his growing collection of Johnny Cash books and music. It adds an important part of who is was. Also, it was very interesting to find out what an educated Christian he was; in detail.

Anyone familiar with the tenets of Christianity know the conversion story of the apostle Paul, a persecutor of Christians, who came to faith in Jesus. After his conversion he became one of the early church's biggest missionaries, converting hundreds upon thousands and building churches wherever he visited. His life story is astounding, and Johnny Cash has done a remarkable job in telling his story in "Man of White", a fictional account of the life of Paul.

"Man in White" paints an overwhelmingly realistic portrait of Saul of Tarsus, a zealous Jew who felt called to persecute his fellow Jews who had turned to faith in Jesus. His conversion and blinding on the road to Damascus changes his life; his encounter with the Man in White affirming that his mission in life is not one of persecution but of love. Cash's narrative is fast-paced, Biblically grounded and well-written. The reader is swept into the time and trials of the early Christians, the deadly persecutions they suffered and the fearlessness they had to have in order to give their lives over to Christ. Cash has created a backstory for the apostle Paul that fills in the gaps with clarity and intuition, a daring task for anyone, but one that Cash accomplishes with seeming ease.

For those familiar with Johnny Cash only through his music and his history of drug problems, it may seem strange that he chose to write a novel about the apostle Paul. Yet one could draw parallels between what Cash went through to overcome his demons and finally get his life on track, with what Paul went through as he tried to run away from the Lord. Cash is a fitting author for this novel because he knew all about running away from a calling; this novel ate away at him for years before he was able to finish it. He didn't think himself worthy to write about Paul, struggled with the conversion scene, until he too had a dream about a vision on a road. Johnny Cash was the "Man in Black" who wore that color for "those who never read / or listened to the words that Jesus said", and talks straight to those who would listen through the "Man in White".

I think Johnny Cash did a tremendous amount of research & thought to write this novel of the Apostle Paul. I was impressed how Cash put it into simple words, easily understood in the flow of the very interesting story line.

This helps put the greatest evangelist in a human perspective. I would highly recogmend it to any Christian or any Johnny Cash fan. Johnny Cash's autobiography "Man In Black" is also an incredible book. Bottom line, Johnny Cash was a wonderful author, not to mention an incredible musician.

I would not call myself a huge fan of Johnny Cash, but I'm certainly a huge fan of this book and its story. Making direct application of Biblical characters is the whole point of the Biblical characters in the first place. If we don't live vicariously through ancient personalities we don't learn a thing from them. Mr. Cash draws an uncanny parallel between himself and the converted Paul. He too had a blinding flash of the obvious. I am so impressed when a celebrity shares his/her faith in Christ unashamedly with no intent to criticize or for self-gain. The direct connection with scriptures teaches life changing experiences.

This is an awesome devotional!! A friend had given it to me and then I passed it on to another friend. But I didn't want to be without my own, because it is so uplifting! So I ordered another from Amazon. It has blessed me on so many occasions and speaks right to my heart!

Once again, Max Lucado manages to use elegant but simple words to imbed beautiful thoughts to lift you up.... Make no mistake, his works are geared toward Bible Believing Christians or those who want to learn more about God's Love and the Bible. His analogies relate to the "common" people as he assures us that we are all unique in God's eyes. It is nice to read, as it is separated into small readings - so you can read for 5 minutes or an hour - perfect for me before going to bed. Hope you enjoy too.

What a delightful read. I'm already a huge Lucado fan but really enjoyed this book because I spend every morning at a coffee shop reading. I felt like I was sharing my coffee time with Max. How do you like yours, Max: sugar or cream?

No blue, down-in the dumps days here! Max does a wonderful job (as always) of reminding us how precious we are to God!!

As a family, we are currently reading and discussing Lucado's essays on "Next Door Savior." These brief essays are so poignant and powerful, and have shed so many fresh insights on our Lord and Savior, that I just had to complement those readings with this pithy work of art.

Lucado is a wordsmith, pure and simple. Other than our own beloved pastor, who recently retired after 22 years of faithful service, I have never encountered another such finely-tuned articulator of truths. He takes the seemingly mundane and ordinary, gives it his own spin, and in so doing presents information in such fresh and enticing ways!

In "Mocha with Max," what you'll read are excerpts from some of his previous works, from "The Applause of Heaven" (1990) to "Come Thirsty" (2004). He weaves these excerpts expertly and seamlessly, and then collates them into eleven thematic chapters, among them Hope, Life, God's Eternal Plan, and Faith. Above all, the text comforts us during our inevitable trials, challenges our cycles of complacency, and wipes the tears from our collective sorrows.

Truly a wonderful read. In fact, you'll be hard-pressed to put this book down, and once you dedicate an afternoon to its insights, you'll be a recharged and more positive child of God.

I loved this book, so much that I'm buying it for gifts! Written with the traditional family in mind, Robert Wolgumuth uses honest,personal examples & stories from his own life to illustrate much needed do's and don't's for successful family relationships. Along with the Biblical references and explanations, this book is a "must own" encouragement for every family. Reading it was like talking with a friend. I was deeply moved.

Raising our children in a Christian home is an important part of our responsibilities as parents. However, sometimes it is difficult to know where to begin, especially when you might not have been raised in a Christian home yourself. Robert Wolgemuth lays out simple definitions, principles and ideas to help you be intentional and successful in creating a healthy, God-centered environment for your family.

One thing I love about Robert's style is that he is not sharing the "10 Principles for creating a Christian Home" or "How to Create a Christian Home in 3 Easy Steps." He shares key values - like the power of words and the importance of laugher - and then he shares practical ideas that have worked for him. He gives you some vital components of a Christian home and a starting point for implementing ideas that work for your family.

As we build our Christian home, we develop not only a ministry to our children, but to everyone who visits our home. As Robert notes, "God is exactly what a Christian home should smell like. The moment folks walk through the front door, there should be something - although completely invisible - that reminds them of the God of the universe. And when your kids show up at work or school, there shodl be a trace of secondhand smell that others can quickly detect."

As parents, we cannot leave the responsibility of the spiritual development of our children to the children's or youth ministry at church. We must begin at home. The Most Important Place on Earth is a great resource in helping us to do just that.

This book is an absolute must for any Christian home. I love it!

An absolutely outstanding read - very uplifting, very challenging. Author of She Calls Me Daddy!, Wolgemuth explores the various unique elements that make a Christian home different than just any other home. While the book has many practical suggestions that Wolgemuth shares from his own experience (good and bad), the primary emphasis of this book is to get the reader to feel, not think, about the importance of the Christian home. Wolgemuth begins with the smell of a Christian home - the aroma that brings back memories of family, food and fellowship within the home. He talks about the words that are used in the home - how they need to be encouraging, loving and tender. And he talks about the home being a safe place, one where children feel like they can be themselves, even if that isn't always perfect.

Wolgemuth probably says in the book a dozen times that he's "old school," and he is. He believes that the family ought to sit down for dinner together, he believes that electronic devices (TV, video games, etc) disrupt family conversation time and result in disconnected children, and he believes that the parents should view themselves as the "priests" of their home. I guess I would have to say that I'm "old school" as well and wish that more people would be!

Wolgemuth is also very honest about his own learning curve as a parent and gives numerous examples of where he blew it as a dad and a husband. The book is an excellent read - slows down a little in the final couple of chapters, but still one of the best books I've read on the importance of the home and the family...especially in our culture today!

I am only halfway through this book, not because it is a tough read, but because everytime I pick it up, I read something that calls me to get up and go do something. This book is so rich (the best word I can use to describe it). The author, Robert Wolgemuth, uses a very casual tone and talks about what works to build a Christian home in everyway. It really is motivating and it gives good reminders and habits to practice everyday. I would recommend this to new parents, old parents, and basically anyone who comes in contact with children who want to be of Christian influence. Wonderful! I will try to read it every year.