Nelson Books

Talk Thru the Bible provided me with what most commentaries cannot-- a clear and concise overview of the Bible that saved me the time and trouble of wading through paragraphs of tedious text. Wilkinson and Boa did an excellent job charting the outlines of each book of the Bible, providing capsulated information on the background and theme of each book, and explaining the Bible in modern-day English. I highly recommend this resource to any Bible student, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader. In fact, it's thorough enough to meet the need of most Bible teachers, but also simple enough for any Christian. My library is incomplete without it.

If you are looking for an easy to understand survey book, then this is what you want. Talk Thru the Bible does a good job explaining the historical background, date, theological contributions, and authorship of each book by highlighting the big ideas presented. It is written from a conservative evangelical perspective in a conversational mood and is devoid of heavy theological language.

Besides what you'd expect to find in a survey book, Talk Thru the Bible also offers explanations of Hebrew poetry which you can understand, nifty charts, and outlines detailed enough that you could develop sermons from them. All the articles are short and easy to digest--which is perfect for the micro wave attention spans (short) we all seem to have these days. This would be my choice of a textbook if I were to teach Old or New Testament survey.

This is a wonderful resource for any serious student of the Bible. Use it right along with your Bible to help you better understand the who, what, when, where of each book of the Bible and how it fits together as a whole. I find it very easy to follow and would highly recommend it for any Christian's library. Now I am even more excited than ever to dig deep into the treasures of God's word!

I have used this resource for casual and in-depth Bible study. Every book in the Bible is reviewed, names defined, key theme, key verse identified and more. The Old Testament writers are charted in order that "at-a-glance" the reader can see whom was ministering as contemporaries. This is a simple, yet complete resource. My library is incomplete with out it.

I teach Bible study and I find Talk Thru the Bible an excellent study tool for self-study and preparing lessons. It gives an outline and overview of each book of the Bible and is easy to read and understand. It is a book I will keep in my library and refer to often.

If you are a parent or grandparent (or you know anyone who is) then you need to run out and buy this book right now! If there are children in your life that you have ANY influence over at all then you need the information that is in this book.
Eric and Leslie are a married couple that God has blessed with an amazing ministry to youth. They are filling a gap that is badly needed in todays society - "If you will love God first and foremost with all your heart, then He will bring the person He has chosen for you to you and give you a blessed love." They have written many books and while I have read almost all of them, I've never been disappointed. Leslie wrote "Authentic Beauty (the shaping of a set-apart young woman)" for young women and Eric wrote "God's Gift To Women (Discovering the Lost Art of Masculinity)" for young men. And when I say young I mean age 13 until they are married. They have also written "When God Writes Your Love Story" and "When Dreams Come True" both based on their own personal story of how when they each individually loved and honored God first - He brought them together. It's a beautiful and inspiring story.

Based on what I've read from them I have changed the way I am raising my children in respect to dating and courting and marriage. My 9 year old son was watching a tv show with the other kids and I a couple of months ago and when dating came up on the tv show he sat up and said, "I don't have to worry about liking someone because God already knows who I'm going to marry, so I don't have to worry about it." Then he laid back down to watch tv. That simple statement made my mother's heart so happy! He already knows its in God's hands - what more can I ask for. This book is impacting my families lives and I wanted to share it with all of you.

If you're a parent trying to negotiate the troubled waters of helping your teen to not only not succumb to sexual temptation but to actually be EXCITED about having a love life that's better than anything a sex-starved world has to offer, this is the best book you'll find. Read this and learn a ton from the Ludys.

This book is a MUST read for any parent. It doesn't matter if your children are still in the womb or ready to start driving... GET THIS BOOK! I will be eternally grateful to the man who put this book into my hands with the instructions "Read this." I did read it. Every last word. It changed my life and its changing the way I raise my kids and parent them. This book gave me revelation that I was living my own life in a wrong manner, outside the will of God. I had been raised with a certain set of values and beliefs that were contrary to God's will for my life. Now God is using this book, this teaching and growing me in a profound new way. It has changed my relationship with Jesus in a dramatic way and has taken my parenting on a completely different level. My relationship with my children has already changed. I am seeing greater love, communication and a new dedication and purpose to their walks with the Lord.

Along with this book, I have been reading "When God Writes Your Love Story" also by Eric & Leslie Ludy. I encourage you to check out all their books. These are amazing authors who have lived and loved in a different way. They have allowed God to be the instrument to bring them to one another. I too have purposed and dedicated my life entirely to the Lord and have surrendered the pen of my life to Him. He is now scripting not just my love story... but my parenting, my work relationships and all interactions I have from this point forward. Once you read this book, pass it on to another parent who is struggling to bring the things of God into their home.

I honestly believe if we live according the will of God, we can change an entire generation. With teaching such as this and other books like it, we can take back the families we've lost.

Read this book.

I've gotta say flat out that this is a wonderful book. This is the new, creative perspective that I have been seeking, as a parent, to lead my children to purity. This is the answer that you and I have been looking for.

Please note that this is a book based on a Christian viewpoint. It's very "churchy" with lots of Christian jargon. If you aren't a strong Christian then you're going to think this book is silly and get turned off - don't waste your money.

On the other hand, if you do consider yourself a strong Christian parent, you may love this book. This book offers a paradigm shift in parenting. This challenges most of your existing views on what parenting looks like with respect to your children's relationships with the opposite gender.

To paraphase the couple hundred pages of this book with two lines, this book reminds us that the existing parenting rules of today reflect an Old Testament perspective (don't have sex, don't do this, don't do that) but Christ has come and shown us a New Testament perspective (develop a relationship with God) and that is a view that will ensure long-lasting purity.

I have to admit that I don't agree with everything they say in this book. Sometimes it seems over the top and the churchy comments get kinda thick. Regardless of these misgivings, I TREASURE this book. This goes down in my top ten list of ways to live your life. Sandwich it on your bookshelf between C.S. Lewis and Keith Green. I only wish I'd found this earlier.

Along similar lines is another book called "Every Man's Marriage" by Stever Arterburn and Fred Stoeker. Similar view to what marriage is about. First read the marriage book and perfect your relationship with your spouse so you can be a role model, then read "Teaching True Love..." and give the gift of a perfect relationship to your child.

It's really good. Heard Eric on FVB ([...]). It's not so easy to tell your audience that if you want your teenager to believe in love, you need to have it in your own marriage. Live it, don't just talk it.

Just who is Wayne Alderson and what right does he have to tell me and you how to manage people? He has been in the trenches and succeeded. He took over PITTRON STEEL when it was undergoing an 84-day strike, had lost $6 million, was down to 300 employees, had 600 grievances per year and an absenteeism rate of 20%. Within two years, by applying his "Value of the Person" philosophies of treating workers with dignity and respect, PITTRON saw the strike end, a 400% increase in sales, a 64% increase in productivity, grievances dropped to two and absenteeism to just 1% and, best of all, the company made $6 million!

This experience led Wayne to develop a phenomenal 2-day seminar around his unique managment style that is truly the best I have ever attended. And I'm speaking as a business professor who has taught and developed seminars for 13 colleges and universities. I hosted him in the School of Business at my university some twenty years ago. He was recently here in Birmingham again teaching the young managers of an 80-year old steel company how to manage their people with dignity and respect---and still make the company profitable.

The book THEORY R MANAGEMENT is like no other managment book you will ever read. It is not about how to kick your people in the rear, or firing the bottom 10% on an annual basis. It is not about winning with intimidation or climbing to the top on a pile of worn out subordinates. No, it is about treating your people right and having them respond in in the right way. This sounds revolutionary and it is. In the past 36 years I have personally seen companies experience constant labor stife, walkouts, strikes and phenomenal turnover. But the text books I have to use never seem to address the cause of all this turmoil. They are too wrapped up in the KITA principle, Herzberg, Maslow, Theory X and Theory Y, and management versus labor to see that there is a better way.

THEORY R MANAGEMENT is all about a better way to treat people. Get the book. You won't ever regret it. And when you do, you'll probably want to call Wayne in Pittsburgh for his seminar schedule. Also get a copy of STRONGER THAN STEEL. This earlier book tells the amazing story of the turnaround of PITTRON.

If Wayne Alderson's story were ever to be made into a movie it would get two thumbs up! Get the book and see why.

There are far too many points made in this book about the importance of valuing people to adequately do it justice. Wayne Alderson, in his book "Stronger than Steel" talked about his role in the amazing turn around in the early 70's of Pittron Steel Company, and highlighted the risks he took to put people first in the heat of an "unwinnable" battle with the union. In this book, "Theory R Management", he takes the principles learned in that turn around and develops them further.

"Theory R" management says: "People come before economic and organizational concerns. They are the most important asset and the most important product of any organization". In the first chapter titled "Taking a risk to find a better way" he states that the "key is building relationships". With confrontation, everybody loses. This simple fact outlines the necessity of this book. As a Human Resources Director, I see firsthand how a failure to put people before processes can undermine a business's success. Far too often, a manager relies on confrontation instead of seeking a win/win when dealing with labor relations and employee discipline. The long-term cost is a lack of trust, not only with the one employee but others as well. This book addresses some rock solid principles to ensure both valuing the person and holding them accountable for business results are met together.

In the section titled "Treating other's with respect" Wayne outlines some principles behind "Theory R": Respect an employees needs. Respect an employee's desires. Respect an employee's potential. Respect an employee's family. These first three are pretty common in most business manuals, but "Respect an employee's family"? The theory is that if we respect an employee's family with time and appreciation, a cyclic effect begins. Family members place a greater value on the workplace and the working parent or spouse. Employees feel more pride in their work and more appreciation at home. (Page 100).

The principles here in this book are at times self-evident, at times truly revolutionary for Corporations and at times perhaps too simplistic. What is clearly evident though is how they resonate with people who hear them. Wayne is on to something here, and the risk is well worth the reward. This book should be required reading for anyone in business, especially those whose employees are supported by labor unions.

This book reminds is that good personnel mgmt is dependent on doing the right thing for the employees and not trying to manage or manipulate them. Making employees the most important resource is a key to success. Great personnel management requires good one on one interpersonal relationships not efficient organizational charts. Alderson and McDonnell use many real life examples where Theory R Management has been implemented with great results. Theory R has application for interpersonal relationships on and off the job. Related info on managing interpersonal relationships can be found in Steven R Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

This is a must-read book for all who lead. It is a workside companion, a "devotional" that will help keep us on track. For the follower, it is a "prayer list" for their superiors. It is also a checklist for them as they aspire to be leaders one day.

I don't just read this book for myself. There is a strong urge within me to pass it on to people of influence and people that could reshape the soul of the firm for good.

This book is best out of the shelves and into the hands of people. If we were just able to digest this one, and apply it to our organization, there will be quantum transformation which will make a difference in the lives of individuals and in the life of the corporation.

Don't just read this book, DO IT, MASTER IT and PASS IT ON!

I was lucky enough to find this book at a bookstore some years ago, and it has been my management bible ever since. It teaches how to handle the most important (and costly) resource in any organization... employees. Whether you know it or not, you have a relationship with everyone in your organization. Once you recognize and accept that, you can begin the process of developing those relationships into cooperative efforts that acheive organizational goals while making the workplace a much nicer place be.

Why isn't this book up there with the top selling management books of all time? Maybe the management world, which is full of matrix-based management theories and decision trees, is not yet ready to face the fact that our relationship with employees is the key to all of our business success.

Summers at South Point for Emily and Reese have been pretty much normal and uneventful- hanging out at Antonio's for the $2.99 pizza slice and drink combo, scoping out boys on the beach, and sleeping over at each other's houses. This summer though, things are starting to get a bit wonky- the weather is acting up, and two of the hottest boys ever have arrived, but are they boyfriend material or something else entirely...?

In Blake Nelson's debut in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, though he's written many other realistic teen novels, it feels as if he's been doing this genre forever. The suspense in this book keeps the pages turning, and it becomes a great adventure. Filled with humorous moments, hot guys, and a subtle hint of appreciation for the Earth's environment, this is one amazing book.

Okay, I'm going to tell you the secret. The mystery to be solved, the secret to be unlocked. Ready? Here it is -- they came from below.

Every summer, Emily Dalton leaves Indianapolis to spend the summer with her scientist father on Cape Cod. She spends most of her time in South Point going to the beach, eating pizza, and meeting boys with her best friend, Reese. A week into the summer, they meet Steve and Dave, two of the cutest boys they have ever seen. They feel drawn to them in a way they have never felt before, almost like they are not human.

Strange things seem to happen wherever the two of them go. A boy falls off of a roof at a local party and breaks his neck, but after a couple of minutes with Steve and Dave, he walks away unharmed. Emily and Reese realize that these guys are not just tourists. They came from below, and they need to find their way back to the bottom of the ocean. Unfortunately, they cannot return to their home until they rescue their friend from a top-secret government facility, and they need Reese, Professor Dalton, and Emily to help them do it.

This book is smart and funny. Emily and Reese are like any teens you might meet on your summer vacation. They are interesting and quirky and fun. It is so easy to get wrapped up in their story of crushes and friendship that you might not realize what the book is truly about until you have finished it. It is also about close encounters of the third kind, but it is so much more than your typical sci-fi alien encounter book. The aliens look and act like humans, but their emotional range is much deeper than anything we can feel. They experience the world in a way that we cannot imagine.

THEY CAME FROM BELOW also looks at the way that we treat the Earth. In my opinion, this is the best kind of book; one that keeps your interest, has a great story, and delivers a message with a strong impact that does not get in the way. It is science fiction, but reads like contemporary fiction. Definitely worth picking up!

Reviewed by: Becca Boland

Blake Nelson's first science fiction book for teens provides a fine blend of social commentary and science fiction. Two teen girls vacationing in Cape Cod meet two cute boys - but there the tale diverges from the usual romance, for the boys are unusual and they have an important message to impart about Earth's ecological state. In blending a familiar romance with a saga of friendly aliens and ecological concerns, THEY CAME FROM BELOW succeeds in producing a unique, involving and unpredictably satisfying story line.

Two aliens from under the ocean come up to try to save their friend. They have to find him before the world discovers his secret powers. This book was really exciting and I want to know what happens to Reese. if there is a sequal I will definitely read it.

Seventeen year old Emily and her best friend Reese have one thing on their mind (and other parts of their bodies), finding boyfriends for the summer at Cape Cod. However, their vacation starts with a strange twist as Emily finds a white blob on the beach. However, the authorities take it away so Emily gets back to the prime directive of finding a boyfriend.

Emily and Reese meet handsome German exchange students Steve and Dave; they know they have found their boyfriends. However, the male teens, who have the ability to heal people and communicate with any living organism, are leaving the planet shortly due to the levels of pollution harming them. First they must rescue a fellow ET captured by the government, followed by heroes' kisses from the girls, and then finally depart.

The fun in this young adult science fiction lies in the comparisons between the sets of teens. The American females have one goal: boyfriends; the exchange students also have one goal: rescuing an ET (though hugs and kisses with the girls is a nice byproduct). Teens will enjoy this lighthearted romp as the two teenage girls believe they finally succeeded in obtaining boyfriends even if THEY CAME FROM BELOW. Emily and Reese understand the most wonderful summer of their lives.

Harriet Klausner

excellent Bible reference. this one completes my set. very insightful. easy to understand.

If you are not familiar with J. Vernon McGee or his style, I would suggest that you try a single volume paperback commentary first to see if you like it. McGee reminds me of someone's grandfather...wise, opinionated, down-to-earth, and even gruff at times. If you have ever heard his radio broadcasts (from which these commentaries are derived), you know what I mean. McGee has a strong and distinct style, and he is always pressing us to seek God's will in our lives fervently. You can't fault the honesty of his vision or spirit! These commentaries give you McGee's interpretation of each chapter of that particular book of the Bible. The thing I like best about his commentaries are that they are fresh and interesting. He rarely gets tied down in seemingly obscure details or debates. If he has an opinion, he'll tell you exactly what it is and why without beating around the bush like so many other bible commentaries. Although I don't agree with all of his opinions, I respect his perspective, and rarely do his works leave me without something to "chew on." This is also the only commentary that I have that can actually leave me laughing aloud at some point he's made. He had a great sense of humor!

I would recommend this series of five volumes to any student of the bible. They are a great commentary for the every day person, unintimidating and understandable.

J. Vernon McGee is the only radio Bible teacher that I know of who consistantly pointed his listeners/students to the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ no matter which page of Scripture he was teaching from. The Lord Jesus Christ is always brought to the front and center of his teaching.
He was definitely gifted by God to teach from the Bible. He taught me how to interpret Scripture correctly by comparing Scripture with Scripture. The Spirit of God worked through J. Vernon McGee to lead me to saving faith in God our Saviour, and to turn me from the religion of Lutheranism (i.e., law and "gospel") that kept me from receiving God's GIFT of grace by faith alone, in Christ alone completely. Amen!

Dr. McGee had a saying that went something like this: "Put the cookies on the bottom shelf so that the kiddies can reach them." That was his approach to teaching the Word of God. He taught in a way that was able to be understood by every day, common people. Adults, as well as children, can become strong in their knowledge of the Word of God through the systematic teaching of Dr. McGee.

The only thing that I disagree with him on is when he would stray from the Authorized King James Version in favor of the "better"/corrupt manuscripts. Overall, his teaching is mostly taught from the Authorized Version.

When either listening or reading his program/commentary it is as if you are one-on-one with him. You will also discover that he has great sense of humor.

I have the five volume set and recommend that if you are looking for good solid Bible teaching, this is a good eternal investment.

DR McGee is without doubt one of the best present day commentators. Originaly this material appeared on his radio broadcast show Thru the Bible. It is with great pleasure that I recommend this study for anyone who is seeking either serious scripture study or sheer enjoyment of the word of God. DR McGee was definitely a teacher gifted by God and his humor and vision is most enjoyable.

If you find reading scripture and understanding it a bit difficult, this book really makes it easy. The book contains all the scripture and each scripture is discussed in easy to follow language. I've found it makes me want to read it every day. I also bought the second book Corinthians thru Revelation.

This is a wonderful book. It offers beautiful methods of maintaining and enriching family rituals. Advent,Christmas, Lent,Pentecost, Thanksgiving, Halloween etc. It is all here. The first section of this book discusses ways people can approach all celebrations. Then the second half focuses on specific holidays. My copy of this book is well worn and well loved. The author is Catholic, but most of her ideas work well for any Christian faith. She offers fresh ways of responding to the liturgical calender. Included are crafts, prayers, games,the history of each holiday as well as family and community centering activities. While families without children will respond to a lot of what she has to say, families with children of all ages will find their copy of this book as well worn as a treasured family cookbook.

I have had this book for 20 years. I came upon it when my children were small and felt it tapped into something deep within me. I was not raised Catholic so many of the traditions were new to me, but delightful. Over the years I have used them with my own family and introduced them into my church community, as well. The projects are simple and noncommercial. I would count this book as one of the most formative to my role of parent; creating a home rich with meaningful rituals and traditions. I love the simple illustrations too.

This book helps you to create important traditions with your family, but it is more than that. Your faith is opened to new and exciting possibilities and Mueller-Nelson teaches us how to live in the world and with God.

Nelson's excellent book offers not only a spiritual perspective to family celebration but wonder-filled, seasonally-oriented practical ideas for enriching your family life. Those who have wandered away from their childhood family rituals of celebration will be delighted with "To Dance With God" as a rediscovery tool for communal spirituality. For another book on the spirituality of family life together, look up the recently published, THE FAMILY CLOISTER: BENEDICTINE WISDOM FOR THE HOME, by David Robinson (New York, NY: Crossroad, 2000). Blessings upon your home this season.

Wanting to develop traditions in your family? This is a great starting point. One of my favorite books. Fun to read, too

I have been a Christian for years. I have heard many partial explanations of the prosperity message that left me with more questions than answers. Dr. Dollar gives a lucid and insightful presentation of the teachings of scripture about prosperity as well as defining what prosperity really is.

For years the church has taught that God wants us to be poor and needy. Dr. Dollar shows that this is not what the Bible teaches nor is it true through his experience with God. I would recommend this book for any who truly want to explore the Bible and what it has to say about God and how He wants to relate with us.

This is another life-changing book from Dr. Creflo. This wonderful book taught me what Total Life Prosperity is and that prosperity IS the will of God. I learned that to say prosperity is just money is not incorrect -- it's just an incomplete definition. Total life prosperity means prospering in your body, your relationships, your mind, your emotions, and, yes, your finances.

The "prosperity message" is under attack within the Church. After reading this book, I can't imagine why any Christian would reject the fact that God's will is prosperity. I now have a better understanding of Jesus' saying, "I am come that you may have life and have it more abundantly" thanks to this book. The Bible talks about money more than it does heaven. It talks about God's desire for His people to fare well in life often. As a Christian, it never set right with me that the same God Who saved me and delivered me would leave me sick, broke, and in family relationships that were disunified. I am so glad I read this book, for it showed me what has been missing in my life and how God wants me to have the best.

If the Bible is the final authority in your life and you have been wondering whether God's will is prosperity, buy this book. As always, the thing I like most about Dr. Dollar is that he doesn't preach or write his opinion. Everything he says is back up by Scriptures (plural).

This book will become your manual for entering into total life prosperity! Easy to read and understand yet it covered every possible area of life. Creflo Dollar explained from a pastor's viewpoint that prosperity isn't only money. A great book for those just beginning to walk by faith or anyone needing a refresher course!-

I loved this book. It realy helps up Christians who still feel we are not worthy of God'd FULL BLESSINGS! Use your mouth! If you can lift up your voice during a football game, you can lift the Lord up in prayer.

I truly enjoyed Creflo Dollar's book about prosperity. In particular, I like how he stresses that thinking about prosperity only in terms of financial gain is incomplete; one must also think about prosperity in terms of health, relationships and other areas of our life.
While, I have trouble listening to Creflo Dollar on TV, the writing style in his book is clear, easy to understand, and directly applicable to our everyday lives.

Bob was my childhood hero, and so seeing that he had written an autobiography was like a dream that I never thought would come true for this private man in the public setting. However, he and his recently famous son Brian felt compelled to write a book that doesn't brag about their on-field exploits, but as a beautiful tribute to the person that appears to be their hero, Bob's first wife and Brian's mother Judi.

From this book's pages I learned a lot about a beautiful woman, someone who graced the earth with her presence, and about the devoted love that her family members had for her. A wonderful, and funny, and touching book about love within a family. First, the Griese's and friends love for Judi, and then, the love that Bob and Brian had for each other as they tried to support one another.

I can truly say that this book had a positive impact on my life. 5+++ stars.

Bob was my childhood hero, and so seeing that he had written an autobiography was like a dream that I never thought would come true for this private man in the public setting. However, he and his recently famous son Brian felt compelled to write a book that doesn't brag about their on-field exploits, but as a beautiful tribute to the person that appears to be their hero, Bob's first wife and Brian's mother Judi.

From this book's pages I learned a lot about a beautiful woman, someone who graced the earth with her presence, and about the devoted love that her family members had for her. A wonderful, and funny, and touching book about love within a family. First, the Griese's and friends love for Judi, and then, the love that Bob and Brian had for each other as they tried to support one another.

I can truly say that this book had a positive impact on my life.

THIS BOOK IS NOT JUST FOR FOOTBALL FANS! It is a compelling and inspirational story about the lives and the unusual parallels of two high-profile people--a father and his son--that involves much more than just the game of football. It encompasses sadness, joy, humor, and much more. It is presented in an interesting and unusual form by co-author Jim Denney. He captures some conversations between Brian and Bob Griese talking with each other about many events the two have shared in their lives, both on and off the football field. Often, these conversations get humorous, dad and son going at it tit for tat, openly displaying their strong, inherent competitiveness, even between their own two football careers. But the affection between them always shows through in their amusing dialogue. Their conversations, as well as inserts from other contributions of family and friends, are very moving as they discuss the life of Judi Griese, their wife and mother, who secumbed to a five-year fight with breast cancer in 1988. They tell of her strong influence on all of their lives. Bob and Brian have courageously revealed much about their family, personal, spiritual and emotional lives, much of which they have previously chosen to keep very private. I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. It's a great story, one that great movies are made from.

This book is a heartwarming story of how a family survived the tough times and came out on top. If you like football or not you will enjoy this book and be able to see the love of family between each line. If you think football can't be applied to life, you will find out differently by the end of this book. Truly inspiring!

Suprisingly, this book is not just for football fans. It has a little bit of something for everybody.

The book is written in a very unusual format. It was as if both Bob and Brian Griese were just sitting around talking, discussing many different things, and voila, we have a book. It is written so matter-of-factly, that it becomes a page-turner rather quickly.

The book parallels the two quarterbacks, in their careers, family life, and personal triumphs and tragedies. Dealing with football was only a part of the book. You really get a good feel for these two men when they talk about a myriad of subjects and events, and you can't help but let your heart go out to them when they reflect upon Judi Griese, respected wife and mother.

The book's compelling language is peppered with humor rather nicely, and the overall tone of the book is quite inspirational. I truly enjoyed this book, and it sincerely kept my interest throughout. Undefeated is a real winner.

Valley of the Shadow, the first book in the Dakota Moons series, is set in a sad time of Indian history, and is an exciting, emotional and mysterious story of missionaries to the Dakota Indians.

Simon and Ellen Dane and their two children are serving as early missionaries. The historical focuses on the good and the bad Indians, Dakota and Sioux and the white man's attempt to reach them with the Gospel.

The central character is a half- breed Dakota girl, Genevieve LaCroix. She is pulled between her loyalties to the whites, the Indians and the missionaries. Whitson very thoroughly depicts the complicated relationship between the white missionaries and the Indians. Land, heritage, religion and culture enters into the clash which results in horrible bloodshed on all sides.

A haunting love story unfolds between Gen (Blue Eyes) and a young, energetic activist Dakota, Two Stars. Fighting to remain a brave and strong warrier, Two Stars becomes a changed man due to the influence of the Christian missionaries. His best friend, Otter, now becomes his arch enemy and is central in the attempt to destroy his future with Blue Eyes.

Central to the books' violence and heartbreak is the great Minnesota Sioux Uprising.Turncoats are common among both Indian and white and survival depends on not only age and phyical strength, location and weapons, but whom you trust and who trusts you.

A beaded necklace with a cross in the middle keeps reminding Gen of her Indian heritage and binds her to the handsome Dakota warrior, Two Stars. However, Gen and her 2 charges are captured by unfriendly Indians. Two Stars risks his life repeatedly for the whites, the good Indians and for his love, Blue Eyes (Gen).

A fast moving love story that survives the impossible suddenly has the bottom drop out and leaves the reader in tears - hoping....and waiting for Book 2 in this series, "Edge of the Wilderness."

Starts with a bang. Can't put it down. Edge of your seat drama featuring missionaries confronting Dakota culture and God's grace working in and through and in spite of them all. Agonize with Simon Dane's years of frustration with a fruitless ministry and his fall from a pedestal to become a mere mortal. Struggle with Genevieve LaCroix as she comes to terms with her French father's thinking, her Indian mother's looks, a white man's God who does not fight back, and the making of a man for Daniel Two Stars. Stephanie Whitson makes you care about the people caught in a gruesome slice of history. Janet Chester Bly, [...]

Valley of the Shadow is the story of the Dane family, Simon, a man of God who feels led to work with the Dakota Indians, his wife Ellen and two chilren. In a related storyline, Genvieve is the daughter of a French trapper and Dakota Indian who meets the Danes and becomes their friend and later companion after she arrives at their mission. Two Stars is a Dakota Indian who also finds himself with the Danes, but for an entirely different reason than wanting education and spiritual instruction. Central to the story is the Dakota uprising, with Gen and Two Stars especially proving their bravery. As Gen and Two Stars begin to fall in love, events in the story constantly interfere to keep them apart. The conclusion of Valley of the Shadow will make you anxiously await the sequel.

An engaging tale of Romans 8:28. Stephanie Grace Whitson creates a haunting story of hope in the midst of death, peace in the midst of war, comfort in the midst of loneliness. An encouragement to anyone walking in their own valley of shadows. --Lisa Samson, author of The Church Ladies.

Beautiful Genevieve LaCroix is eighteen years old when her father brings her to Renville mission in Minnesota to receive an education from Rev. Samuel and Ellen Dane, the white missionaries struggling in their ministry to the Dakota in that area. Daughter of a French nobleman and granddaughter of a valiant Dakota warrior, Gen is frustrated by Rev. Dane's unspoken inferences that all things Dakota are "bad." Mrs. Whitson weaves together the strands of Gen's discovery of faith, her love for Two Stars, a Dakota warrior (and his separate journey to faith), and Rev. Dane's spitiual odyssey as he learns to reach out to the Dakota with love rather than pride against the backdrop of the Minnesota Sioux Uprising of 1862 and the year or so preceeding it. Gen, Ellen, Rev. Dane, and Two Stars each have their own path through the Valley of the Shadow; and this tale takes the reader along with each of them as they suffer and triumph. This story is told with great sensitivity and respect for the Native Americans who were defrauded of their lands to allow the great rush for cheap land. Valley of the Shadow is a gripping tale on its own; but reading Mrs. Whitson's excerpt from the sequel at the end of the book makes me more than anxious to read Book 2 of the Dakota Moons Series!

I was expecting a book with interviews of homeless people. This book is more complex than that. It contains short excerpts of interviews which are grouped under subjects pertaining to homelessness, plus interviewer notes, narrator observations, illustrations, and other extras. No single voice dominates the book or even a portion of the book. Look for Genny Nelson's powerful introduction and chapter introductions.

I thought I had some answers to the question of why people are homeless. I've got fewer answers now, and a lot more compassion for the folks that I see every day. This is a good book recommendation for the person who begins a sentence with "All homeless people..."

This book is extremely unique with a compilation of hundreds of different quotes from the homeless. This is the most frank, non-sugar coated perspective of this issue I've ever read. This completely changed my own views, especially the chapter about the reasons people were out there on the street. After reading this I'm a lot more sensitive to why this problem persists. Great read!

This book can be hard to read but it is full of beautiful stories, sad and touching. I had the honor of reading snippets before it went to press and was struck by many of the passages.

I helped out with the later results of Sisters' research, the Photovoice Project, where photographers (some of them participants in the research) were given cameras to document their lives on the streets. You can see some of the photos in this book. Buying this book, you will read and see incredible things. Sisters is dedicated to telling the truth in a non-violent and gently personal manner. You will not regret reading about the lives of the men and women of Portland's streets...

I was touched by the voices in this book. Some of the narrators seem reliable; some do not. All of them echo the same sentiment: they feel invisible to us, to our society. It reshaped the way I react to those I pass who stand on street corners or occasionally speak to you as you walk through downtown Portland.