Nelson Books

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.

Michael Card wrote a good book about him and his friend Dr. Bill Lane which I think is good but the Lord took him and Michael Card's Nephew which is amazing quickly the Lord will come back and get us unto him the Bible tells us that he will com back for his people soon which he took Michael's Nephew so early and I ordered some of Michael Card's Music I can't wait to receive it an the mail hear it for the first time I hope he will write a another book soon I really like how he writes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found this book in a discount store and could not pass it up because of my interest in discipleship. I could not put this little book down! I has several ah-ha moments as I read through Card's thoughts. Here are a few that have stuck with me: 1)God embodies truth in people. God sent truth into the world through Jesus, who is the truth. In the same way, a discipler is one who embodies aspects of truth. This thought is not emphasized in the book, but it has stuck with me and made me think of how to disciple someone. 2)Sonship is established in the wilderness. Through trial we find how much we need Jesus. We notice he is close to us. Card writes profoundly as one who has suffered and learned from it. He ties in discipleship by talking about his mentor's role during the tough times of his life.
In the end, Card writes with a clear knowledge of Scripture. Several times while reading the book, I wanted to put it down and become more familiar with my Bible, not because I doubted the truth of his comments but because the Word is eternally interesting, satisfying, and freeing. Card's love for truth and the person of Christ is contagious. Don't miss out on this book!

"I want to show you how a Christian man dies." This is what Dr. Bill Lane told Michael Card when Bill discovered he had a terminal illness. If you are led to believe this is a book about death, you are mistaken. It is a book about life, Bill Lane's life and Michael Card's life. If you were as fortunate as Michael was, and knew Bill, you will hear his voice and feel his presence on every page. If you enjoy Michael's music and wonder where his Christian maturity and spiritual insight comes from, in meeting Bill Lane you will have discovered the answer. If you have never heard of either of them, after reading the book you will discover what a "walk" with Jesus Christ can mean to you in life and in what the world calls "death".

Sharply designed new soft cover edition of this book takes Tuesdays WIth Morrie to a spiritual place. Best reason to buy this edition is the inclusion of a CD of Michael Card and his mentor Bill Lane taken from a Moody Radio broadcast before Dr. Bill Lane's death. The book creates a holy hunger in the reader for pursuing relationships such as Card and Lane have known. While you always have a sense of Michael Card's humanity in his books and Bible studies - this one pulls back the curtain on the heart of an author who learned to love well.

Reading the truth of how God does work in each of our lives is there in that book...is like being six years old and playing dress up and standing in shoes 10x's your size! It's simply your future...but you're not there yet! You will have to grow into it. But they are the right shoes. This is the response of a friend I lent the book to. I agree wholeheartedly it just that she put it better than I ever could. Michael Card's work always leaves me with a closer taste of the Lord.

I read this book back in the 80's and found it very helpful. When my aged college daughter was questioning her major, I shipped her this book. I think it should be a "must read" for all high school students.

it is an easy guide to help others and yourself to overcome daily crisis.

As a part-time personal career coach for college students trying to identify their major, I was thrilled to see the "What Color Is Your Parachute" franchise has created a version for the late teens/early twenties demographic. Despite the best efforts of college career counseling offices, I still encounter many young people needing help identifying career options that complement the person they are. Resources such "What Color Is Your Parachute" provide young adults with critical learnings they can use to educate themselves about the importance of their personal interests, their strengths, and their skills to ultimately make an informed career decision. And it doesn't hurt if the parents of the young person have read this (or similar) works, as well, so they can be educated coaches for their young adult. In many cases, parents have invested time, emotion and money into getting their child into an institution of higher learning and keeping them there, so their participation in this stage of their child's life is a logical next step. Trust me, parents - they want your involvement more than they let on.

As a HR Manager, the regular version of "What Color Is Your Parachute" has been a resource I've relied on and recommended for the past 15 years to those affected by unexpected downsizings and by the `I want to do something different but I don't know what' bug. After reviewing this new version, I feel confident young people will benefit as much from this work personally as I have professionally. Highly recommended for young people who seek answers to the simple but complex question, "What's next for me?"

Wow! I wish I had this wonderful book when I was a teenager.

I remember very vividly when I came across Richard Bolles' 'What Colour is Your Parachute', it was way back in the late 80's/early 90's. At that time, I was embarking on a journey to find out about what I wanted to do with the second half of my life.

Naturally, I was attracted to this new book when I saw it in my local bookstore. I am pleased to note that the author has now teamed up with Carol Christen, a career strategist & Jean Blomquist, a college counseller, to come out with this great guide to help teens zero in on their favourite skills & apply that knowledge to get the most out of school, set goals & pursue their dreams.

More importantly, this book actually brings back some sweet memories of what I have perused - pondered about & worked out - for the first time.

It is filled with interactive exercises, provoking worksheets & interesting profiles of young adults who have found their uniques paths in life, all beautifully structured in a three-part layout:

- Part I: Discovering Your Dream Job;
- Part II: On the Way to Your Future;
- Part III: Landing Your Dream Job & More;

With a track record of some thirty years in the career advising arena, the lead author's 'What Colour is your Parachute' has been recognised as the world's best selling job hunting book. To me, it is very much more than that - it's about you & your future; about exploring who you are, what's important to you & what you like to do.

I fully concur with the authors: Life is meant to be lived to the fullest.

In order to achieve a fulfilling life, all of us must do what we love & love what we do!

To sum up my review, this is definitely a crucial book for every teenager who cares about his/her future.

Attention: Mums & Dads, please go & buy this book for your teenaged kids as soon as possible!!! You will be ambly rewarded in the long term.

This book uses Hollands theory of interests to help the teen discover what they want to do. The book helps prioritize interests and translate them into potential careers. This book is an excellent resource from self-discovery to building your resume to interviewing and negotiating an offer. This book is easy to read and understand and the information is useful and current. I highly recommend this book to any teen trying to determine their career path or any adult working with teens with plans to help them determine their career paths.

This book is very well written for the person who is seeking to learn about Jesus of Nazareth.

This books has some very interesting points on Satan and anti-God. It is required reading for anyone interested in religion and Christianity today. The book will help you deal with issues facing the real world in a holy sense.

this is the only book I ever buy in bulk - it is great to give to people who are unfamiliar with Christianity,Jesus Christ, the church, etc. This book is very easy to read and the content (although their is no scriptural reference) is very accurate Biblically. I encourage Christians to read this to further deeper your understanding of Jesus.

As a previous reviewer mentioned, I also purchase this book in bulk to pass out. It is excellent. It is small and short, but packed with a common way to understand Jesus in his day and what that means for us in our day. It has helped many people I know to understand the Gospels much better and it has given them a confidence in knowing Jesus Christ.

No other book I have read is such a succinct summary of Christianity as originally taught by Christ. It takes us back to the times, history and original context without the intervening centuries of Church politics or dogma. Yet it is done in a practical, no nonsense, modern style acknowledging past/current religious and secular prejudices about Christ. In short, it is a discussion of Christianity that both Christians and non-Christians can be proud of without having to suspend their faith, reason, or intelect

I challenge anyone to get through even two pages of this book without crying. I read it before I did the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer 2007 in San Francisco. I met many of the featured walkers throughout the walk, and the book truly gave me the inspiration I needed to get through some of the grueling miles of the walk. If you're thinking of doing the walk, or you know someone fighting breast cancer, this book is amazing.

For those of us who participate in 2-day, 3-day, afternoon or morning walks, who fundraise beyond our wildest expectations, and who continue to believe that a small group of dedicated people can change the world, this book is a reminder of all our effort, blood, sweat and tears.

For our families and friends who have trouble wrapping their minds around it, this serves as a powerful teaching aid to make them realize 'why we walk' if they haven't grasped it already.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of the featured walkers during the weekend of October 1st & 2nd 2005 as I participated in my second Avon 2-Day. Mike McElduff (and the Peggy's Spirit team), Sandra Jordan (and her husband) and Barbara Jo Kirshbaum are such angels-on-earth that it's hard not to feel inspired.

There's a special kind of person who walks miles and miles, endures cold, wet, blisters and cramps, raises thousands of dollars and inspires others to listen and be educated about this disease that has torn so many families apart. We walk to raise awareness and inspire others to do the same. We walk for the survivors, for those we lost, for their families and for our future. We sacrifice one day, two days, three days, weeks, months, years, so that one day, we hope in our lifetimes, we will find a cure.

I hope this continues to illustrate why we walk and why we will continue to dedicate our lives to the fight.

I had the pleasure of meeting Deb Murphy on a "Walk" and am so excited about this book. They certainly did a magnificent job of putting together interviews with so many people all striving for one common goal, to eradicate breast cancer. In the meantime, these very very dedicated people are doing a large part. I am fortunate also to be related to one of the women mentioned in the book, who never stops surprising me with her strength and dedication to this cause. It is just so emotional to read about these individuals. Knowing, all too well, there also are so many others out there walking and walking. The stories are never ending and you meet such remarkable people as shown in this beautiful book. Thank you so much for creating this inspirational work of art.

A rare glimpse into the hearts and minds of some very inspirational people. A well written and photographed book that will inspire you to do great things in your own life.

This collection of vignettes clearly desplays the lifes and hopes of breast cancer survivors, their friends, family, and supporters. It inspires one to be involved in the fight against this dreaded disease. The walks are a clear example of the goodness of the human spirit.

This self help book is great in learning about several different issues. It helps to show that there are other people out there dealing with the same things as you.

This book is an insightful, well written, easy to read, resource for people who are willing to take a look at their relationship patterns and how they may be getting in the way of meeting your needs. I highly recommend it.

This is a wonderful God-centered book to explain how attachment disorders happen and are translated into adulthood baggage. I read it to understand someone else and found me in it. Not only does it describe the problem but it goes into the solution. Easy to read and understand. Just a great book.

- a must read for adults who want to better understand their childhood/family dynamics and improve them, and for parents who do not want to repeat mistakes of the past.

The authors have offered insight into family dynamics based on scientific study and their work with patients. They have uncomplicatedly classifed relationships into 4 areas. The premise is that our relationship styles are based on the relationships we had in our families. I have not been able to book the book down.

The authors also offer a section on building healthy relationships with our children and tools to change your future.

Over the years, despite a successful career, great husband and family, I have had nagging feelings of emptiness and loneliness my entire life. But on the outside, I look like a happy, well adjusted and confident working mom. What is the source of these feelings and how do I replace them with happy feelings?

I have been reading books on self-esteem. Some of the content is relevant, but I feel that what I am reading is a prescription for a symptom, not the true problem.

Reading "Why you do the things you do" was an incredible Ah-ha moment. I think I now have the start of a comprehensive tool kit - to really review my history and my 'today' in a completely and constructive manner.

I need to mention that I have seen the book in Christian book stores. One of the author's goals is to help build a stronger relationship with God of a relationship style has hindered that in the past. The Christian content is fairly small and a bit understated.

The earlier (hard copy) edition of this book was titled "Attachments" and used primarily by competent clinicians everywhere. The book has been "oprahfied" (if you will) in that it is now palatable to the lay person who wants to rise to the challenge of "Know Thyself". There is simply no better place to start in terms of understanding the relationships you have and hope to have.

An excellent book to teach kids about empathy and living in someone else's shoes.
I read this book in second grade, at a very troubled time in my life. I remember feeling a kinship with Ruthie, and felt better everytime I read it. I checked it out of the library every chance I got.
After having children I remebered how much I loved it and spent years trying to find one. Finally bought one used on Amazon and shared it with my girls. It still affected me in the same way!

I am 32 years old and I remember this book being read to our class by my second grade teacher. That's how unforgettable this book is. I am now going to read it to my third grade daughter. It was my all time favorite book as a kid.

I'm seventeen now and I read this book when I was in grade four or five. I read it about three times, then moved to a different city, and haven't been able to find the book again. I beleive this will remain my favorite book forever. It's very emotional, and brought tears to my eyes. I'd love it to be in print again, and make it a required book in schools. Hopefully I'll get my own copy of it soon, and be able to read it whenever I want to.

I'm only 16, but I personally have read this book 4 times. I love it! I recommend it to anyone interested in novels set around W.W.2 Phyllis Green is an exceptional writer and captures you, the reader's, attention and draws you int Ruthie and Cornella's fun loving lives!

This book was really cute and I recomend that it is put in print again so that anyone could read it.

I had to write this review after reading the previous reviewer's comments, which make little sense. THE OUTLAW is a fantastic read, and, more importantly, the first book that really grapples with the strange, magic reality of Willie Nelson. It is virtually un-put-downable, full of character and verve, honesty and insight.

Even as I tore through it I suspected there might be a split between those who read it: for so-called 'loyal' Willie fans who treat him like some kind of God, it may not appeal. Those who are looking for an uncomplicated, unthinking homage to Willie will not find it here - there are plenty of those kinds of books on the shelves, but this is the first Willie book to really grapple with the complexities of the man; it is a warts 'n' all study, although affectionate, knowledgable and fair, and presents him and his amazing world in a thorough and truly new way.

It is clearly and cleverly written, with little up-close vignettes of Willie in between each chapter, and with cameos from all the major players in Willie's life. I bet Willie read it with a wry chuckle and thought, 'Yep, they finally got me!'

A wonderful book, highly recommended to all Willie fans who don't wear blinkers, and all other music fans.

I enjoyed the book, and felt that it presented a pretty thorough, well-rounded view of an interesting person. I do think that Mr. Thomson knows the music scene very well, although he unnecessarily inserts some of his personal condescending viewpoints of some currently popular country artists. I knocked the rating down a star because it needed better editing - there are several typos that should have been caught.

I gave the book as a gift, and they thought it was great

Great insight to one of America's greatest song writers and musicians. I've followed Willie for over 30 years and I'm not a country music fan. Willie reaches everyone who loves a good song.

Awesome book! Fills in a whole load of gaps in Will's life that I often wondered about. I've been a fan for 25 years and hoped this kind of 3-D book would come along - it's not only very astute on his life and character but also absolutely BRILLIANT on his music.

I had heard that this book was extremely good, and now that I have actually gotten to read some of it, I must agree wholeheartedly! Not only does Mounce go into incredible detail in discussing the Greek of the Pastoral Epistles, he shows the reader the various viewpoints regarding controversial passages as well as listing the strengths and weaknesses of each. One can tell that his research is exhaustive and accurate. Although the sheer amount of information can be daunting (I won't be able to read if cover to cover for quite a while), this book can be a great asset to a Bible student, whether he is writing a paper or simply studying the Word of God.

This commentary is well written and easy to read. Even the introduction is extremely indepth, but all of the information is interesting and useful; it's not a bunch of scholarly drivel. Knowing/understanding Koine Greek and it's usage makes reading this commentary a little easier. Overall Mounce has done a fantastic job.

I was so delighted when I began using this commentary. I have never used a better commentary on any book. Well written, packed with information, and good arguments. He also believes in Pauline authorship.

Prior to reading this commentary, I had considered the Pastoral Epistles (I & II Timothy and Titus) to be among the few 'boring books' of the New Testament - nice to read every once in a while, but not a lot of interest there. Mounce's commentary changed all that and made the Pastorals very exciting books for me. His knowledge of early Christianity and the social backgrounds of the time is outstanding and he puts these to good use in the commentary, digging out of the text important insights about the early church, its organization and function, and the way these early Christians did life and church together. This commentary is wonderfully written and much more accessible and much more of an easy read (despite its depth and scholarliness) than most other technical commentaries - even ones of one eighth the length. Mounce offers wonderful arguments in favor of the traditional view of the texts' origin - Pauline authorship - and his introduction to the books is overall excellent. He handles difficult passages admirably, covering the various views and the arguments for each. His interpretations of the passages on women are a bit more traditional than how I would be inclined to take them but he provides good evidence for his position and considers opposing views. My only quibble would be that I wish he had spent more time on the perplexing arguments given by Paul in the sections on women in the church, especially on how they are to be interpreted. The discussions on these points were very short and mentioned in passing in larger discussions on the letters' views on women. I had no clearer idea what was going on in these arguments after I read the commentary than before, which is a shame. Other than the points where this happens (which are VERY few), this is an excellent work that I highly recommend for anyone looking for a great, easily accessible (for a scholarly or semi-scholarly commentary, that is) technical commentary on the Pastorals. Sure it's the size of several volumes in one but when you read it you soon forget this as you become immersed in the lives of Paul and the early Christians.

I'm going to admit right up front that I have not read the entire commentary. There are things that I do and don't like about this massive work by William D. Mounce.

First the good: This book is a pretty good deal when you consider that it includes 3 of the Pastoral Epistles. The author sticks to an orthodox/conservative view on the Pauline authorship of the epistles. He also defends the conservative view on many of the controversial passages in Timothy.

I didn't like the layout of this book. It was harder than usual to find a particular passage. The reading tended to be a little more dense and scholarly that I'm used to. I don't know if a commentary on Timothy is available in the NICNT or Pillar series, but I've found the NICNT and Pillar commentaries to be very illuminating while being significantly easier to read.

If you are looking for one commentary that covers 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus from a conservative point of view, this work by Mounce deserves your consideration. Be forewarned though that the layout is not as nice as that in the NICNT and Pillar series commentaries.