P Books

This morning I picked up this commentary to see what he has to say, and it is good stuff. Dennis Johnson has written an excellent commentary on Revelation. I have also written one as well, and I have over 40 commentaries on this book. He gets to the heart of the matter. For any biblically literate person this is highly recommended. Great stuff.

For the past 15 or so years I have avoided Revelation, in part because I assumed the book would be too difficult for a normal guy like me to understand. Recently I decided it was time to stop neglecting this portion of God's Word.

Thanks to Dennis Johnson for producing such a well reasoned commentary without the sensationalism so common in modern Christian writings. I never dreamed that Revelation would make sense to me or, as it has, become my favorite book of the Bible. It pretty much summarizes the entire Bible.

I would encourage any who have, like me, been scared of Revelation to simply read it for what it says and compare Scripture with Scripture (rather than the evening news). Triumph of The Lamb will help you through this study. It certainly has helped me tremendously.

This is a wonderful exposition of Revelation.
Many people seem surprised by Johnson's excellent detailing of Revelation's truths.
Yet this kind of teaching is NOT NEW to the church or the world. It is what had been believed all down through the history of the church. WILLIAM HENDRIKSEN (1940), WILLIAM MILLIGAN (1800's), and many many others have taught for AGES that the Old Testament is THE key to unlocking this book.

The general population has a problem with their understanding of The Book of Revelation only because a couple of highly popular authors have been teaching their own unscriptural fantasies about the Book of Revelation for the past 30 years.

I don't have to name names because these two sensationalists are so popular that everyone knows who I'm talking about.

The false church, along with the world, latches onto the utterances of these people because they do not understand the Book of Revelation either, allowing these two, along with a few others, and also another very odd man and his scary wife to get away with saying all manner of foolish speculations about the Book......though no one can refute what they say because so few have read the first 65 books required in order to break the code of the Book's symbology.

For many, many years, great theologians and teachers have taught the correct translation of The Book of Revelation, yet their voices have been drowned out by the popular worldly speculators whose theology is just plain wrong.

Dennis E. Johnson is not wrong, and I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who has the love of the truth, and whose greatest desire is merely to know the TRUTH, regardless of what it is.

I also want to communicate to everyone reading this that there are many other great authors and teachers who know and love the truth, and lay it out nicely for everyone to understand. It's time we stood up and put an end to these money grubbing so-called teachers, who are nothing more than wolves in sheeps clothing.

I recommend the Revelation and prophecy-related books of These other wonderful and highly competent teachers of Truth:

William Hendriksen, G. K. Beale, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Louis A. Brighton, John Stott, Craig Koester, Leon Morris, Everett I. Carver, Richard Brooks, John Wick Bowman, Jay E. Adams, Earl Wesley Morey, Simon Kistemaker, Eugene Boring, Paul Butler, Vern Poythress, Philip E. Hughes, G.B. Caird, R.C.H. Lenski, Philip Mauro, Louis Berkhof, William Milligan, Herman Hoeksema, Stephen S. Smalley, William E. Cox, O.T. Allis, Michael Wilcock, Albertus Pieters, Geoffrey B. Wilson, Archibald Hughes, Ray Summers, & Malcolm Smith. There are also many others whom I haven't the time and space to name.
These good people lovingly teach truth and are not given to wild, ridiculous speculations about a future which the bible speaks nothing about. They don't try to make scripture fit their own silly pre-conceived notions, but instead exegete scripture by what it actually says and means, regardless of their own beliefs.

I apologize for saying little about Dennis's book, but I'll let the other reviewers speak for that. I agree that it his is a fine tome indeed. It's an easy read as well, so you don't have to keep a dictionary by your side the whole time, and I consider that to be a major issue with Revelation related books. Many great theologians are very lacking when it comes to being able to relate their great knowledge to others, especially the student and layman. Dennis has the great gift of relating his truths in an easy and understandable way.

I merely needed to get this off my chest after reading some reviews here where people seem very surprised to see a Revelation commentary which espouses that which most of the underground church has ALWAYS believed. This is only what has been taught for century upon century by many respected teachers and theologians (Though overshadowed by the popular masses).

Yes, Left Behind and The Late Great Planet Earth sell alot of books. Thats about all they have done, unfortunately...That is, make money. Sadly though, the one thing they haven't done is taught truth.

I just finished teaching an adult Sunday School series on Revelation. My brother-in-law, who is a professor at the same seminary where Dennis Johnson teaches, suggested this book as a resource. I relied heavily on this tome throughout the 11 weeks of the course, especially since I did not like the curricula I had found and ended up creating my own curriculum. The writing is clear and easy to follow. The concepts are organized and well thought out. The theological concepts and explanations are sound, scholarly work. Dennis did a great job tying in themes and references to the Gospels and Hebrew Scriptures. Bravo!

Johnson's commentary is amillenial, exegetically sound, and detailed without becoming verbose. I have read numerous commentaries on Revelation, and I consider this one of the very best. It ranks alongside William Hendriksen's More Than Conquerors and Vern Poythress' The Returning King, but is much more in-depth than either of those. Also highly recommended is Kistemaker's commentary.

Well documented, full of stories, detailled technics, the different phases and improvements...etc...Everything about this test submarine and her evolution.

Very good text.

Some nice b&w pictures.

I would have liked to see more drawings. It is the reason why I do not give a 5 stars.

I recommend this book !

I <3 LArge$$ and dis hrr B00k mdea me rilly hapie cuz he id teh best-0r3z t34(h3r 3\/4R!

The USS Albacore, preserved today at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is the prototype of the modern submarine in all respects except nuclear power. She served the US Navy as a floating test bed for numerous technological advances including the teardrop hull, single-stick control, and the towed sonar array, for nearly twenty years. This book is based on interviews with her captains, crew members, the engineers and scientists who conceived and designed her, and the shipyard workers who built her.

I brought my family to the memorial at the end of our vacation. We had a great a great time. I bought the book on impulse and was rewarded with a very interesting read.
I served on submarines (SSN-703 & SSBN 626B)and I think this is a very informative book. A must read for an submarine history buff.

I have been facinated with subs ever since reading about the Hunley in Clive Cussler's book Sea Hunters, so I was pleased to find the USS Albacore only 45 minutes away from my home. I have visited her on several occasions and have wanted to know about her history for some time. This book gave me just what I wanted! The photos are a great part of the book, especially the ones of her arrival in her final resting place in Portsmouth, along I-95 and Rt. 1.

Explains in lay terms the processes used in illuminated medieval manuscripts. Still a bit complicated, but a good resource.

This publication using a lexiconary form lavishly displays an art form too long ignored. Extraordinary effort and expense has created a book that shows and explains the accomplishments of a lost art. Any bibliophile, any artist will devour this book.

This slim volume by Michelle Brown is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in the study of books and manuscripts (codicology). In a succinct dictionary format, Brown gives definitions of all of the major terms that may give trouble to someone visiting a museum or reading a work by such major writers in the field as Chris DeHamel. Suitable as both a textbook and a companion to books on manuscripts, this book is nearly indispensible to the beginner and the intermediate in allowing some understanding into the complex technical and art-historical vocabulary used in the field.

I used this book and the Christopher De Hamel book while I was taking a graduate course on Illuminated Manuscripts. The information was indispensable for the entirety of the course, but it also helped me in future courses I took. It is wonderful to find an academic book that is fun to read! I would heartily recommend it to anyone, and especially to students who are studying manuscripts or merely the art history of the period! It is a most worthwhile investment!

This little volume provides brief definitions of all the important phrases and terms used in the study of illuminated manuscripts including forms, techniques, themes, and periods.

Great for understanding the differences between an historiated initial and an inhabited initial - or between an antiphonal and a gradual.

Most of the representative images are in color and are well chosen to illustrate the definitions. Perhaps their only drawback is their small size due to the size limitations of the book itself.

A great companion while reading to "Medieval Illuminators & their Methods of Work" by Jonathan J.G. ALexander or "A History of Illuminated Manuscripts" by Christopher De Hamel.

Valley of Death is one of the sexiest and most exciting books I have ever read! The love scenes sizzle and the action beats the Lethal Weapon movies! The characters are beleivable and so real. I'd like to meet Jack Riley in person to see if he's really that good in the sack!

Craig's book pulls you into the world of Jack Riley and Moria Clark, full of fast-paced adventure and romance. Valley of Death was a nonstop thrill ride that kept me intrigued with each new twist and turn. Ceaselessly exciting, Craig's novel keeps you turning pages until the finish.

Craig's book pulls you into the world of Jack Riley and Moria Clark, full of fast-paced adventure and romance. Valley of Death was a nonstop thrill ride that kept me intrigued with each new twist and turn. Ceaselessly exciting, Craig's novel keeps you turning pages until the finish.

Valley of death was an awesomely paced page turner that I couldn't put down! It has the action and humor of the Lethal Weapon Movies and the romance of Romancing the Stone! Form Chicago to the Arctic, it never stops and never lets up! if you buy no other book this year, buy Valley of Death!

THis book reads like Dannielle Steele with a gun. It's a fun book, action packed, and full of surprises. Everyone should buy and read this one. It's worth the money.

Valuing Intangible Assets

I am management consultant whose practice area is Market Opportunity Analysis. This book is a wonderful reference for the client who holds important IP, brands, trademarks, or know-how, and seeks to have its value in the marketplace established. The writing is clear, well organized and the examples carefully chosen.

This book is practical and easy to read, provided you know the basic principles of valuations. I would not recommend it as an introduction because it is burdened with too many details. It gives a systematic and thorough introduction to the subject. Do not expect to read this book and be able to do any complicated valuation on your own. However, you will be able to lead more informed discussions with appraisers AND with the tax authorities. You will also be able to review valuations by appraisers more critically and judge their quality or to assess in the preparation phase the relevance of information required.

This is very good book that shows you how to evaluate and what to evaluate intellectual property assets by giving you the ins and outs of intangible assets valuation. Only need to be reinforced in How to determine or estimate a discount rate for those assets. Very good material for writing out a final reports.

For those who are interested in the management of organizational knowledge and intangible assets, 'Valuing intangible assets'should prove to be highly practical. There are many knowledge management frameworks out there that assist business executive to manage their intangible assets (such as Sveiby's intangible asset monitor), the practical usage of these frameworks would be greatly enhanced by incorporating the valuation aspect of intangible assets. Reilly has provided a comprehensive illustration of both the 'scientific' & 'artistic' aspects of valuating intangible assets. 'Valuing Intangible Assets' is easy to read & loaded with useful examples, it is a rare one in the market.

A larger portion of the value of a company nowadays comes from Intangibles (brands, patents, workforce & related contracts, durable customers etc.). This holds true in several industry sectors. Measurement of intangibles is a fascinating subject, but until this book was published, there was no single body of knowledge available to guide the general reader, or a Valuation professional. You had to work in one of the reputed valuation firms to be exposed to the techniques. This book is by far the best practitioner-oriented Intangibles Valuation book I have come across. It is very comprehensive in terms of the topics it covers, and does a wonderful job of covering almost all intangibles of interest. Each chapter is written by a relevant expert, and this invariably leads to variations in quality and some lack of consistency. However, for the most part, it is very well written, and definitely worth the price it sells for.

From the moment I picked this book up I could not really put it down until I finished it. It took about two days and the feast was over. I go frequently to the branch monasteries of Chah in the UK, Chithurst and Amaravati - the fantastic food, the beautiful gardens and land dedicated to wildlife and contemplation. None of this possible without Chah. But this book gives the other side. I can only paraphrase from a cynical card sent to a friend after reading this book:

"There was a spiritual sadist called Ajahn Chah. Western disciples flocked to him. The food was so bad that you couldn't have been paid to eat it. The disciples suffered sleep deprivation, starvation, not being allowed to get into a comfort zone, cholera and typhoid. Some of those that survived are now the abbots of 20-500 acre monasteries in BUANC (Britain, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada) - living in comparative luxury compared to the huts, hard wooden floors and privations of a forest Wat. There are people running around them desperate to feed them - some of these monks may even be genuine. Religion is a funny thing."

As this book points out, a monastery is at best like a hospital though a comparison to military barrack life is not far off - there was a hierarchy, you had to put up with orders, tight discipline and having your complaints thrown right back at you. You had to try and put in five years ....

I don't think things at the Buddha's time were so different somehow. In the Mahaparinibbana sutta, when a monk called Subaddha (not the Subaddha who had a deathbed conversation with the Buddha) hears of the Buddha's final nibbana, he says - good, now we won't be ordered around and forced to do things we don't like (words to that effect). Even the Buddha said that being a monk was hard. That sometimes, his disciples were expected to stay up at night meditating. Ajahn Chah ... was a disciplinarian worthy of a Buddhist setting in ancient India.

We can see that basically he was a fantastic teacher because - he tolerated people he knew were not interested - he suffered them to listen to his well meant teachings dispensed without judgement about his listeners. He did not surround himself with a group of yes men and attack "outsiders" but always expressed Dhamma - in your face, teasing, rustic and not afraid to upset those in his care. Chah was ready to talk to lay people, before going back to bed desperately ill - once he became a master; no expense was spared in opportunities to teach.

Somehow, I get the impression that the practices in these monasteries was so similar to that at the time of the Buddha and there are no illusions. I mean, being stuck in a relatively small space, with manual work, an alien culture with snakes and insects and not really being allowed any peace, except the peace of taking the medicine. Then you get sent to another monastery, another teacher for a while and you spend your time rotating around and round various forest venues until you become relatively senior to take up disciples and your own establishment. A good monk's life is almost impossible.

Varayapanno/Breiter knew this. But he did not count on the fact that even after he disrobed and shunned becoming a permanent translator to Chah, that Chah would soon be dumb - unable to transmit any further teachings for a decade or so before his death. So Bretier, along with Kornfield did their best to record for posterity his teachings and this book is one big example.

A big low down on one of the most famous Thai masters in recent times. What I like about Breiter is that he does not make assertions that Chah was an Arahant (though he winkles out points about this). He just says that Chah was an enigma - and this is how I like it to be. An Arahant is an enigma, and this book keeps open that Chah may or may not have been whatever .... despite the assertions of the likes of Ajahn Brahmavamso (his Australian disciple) that Chah WAS an Arahant. We could and would potentially all hail our own teacher as the greatest, for cynical motives. In Bretier there is no - "Chah was the greatest", talk. Just that Chah was ultimately the salvation to many - a big, spiritual wake up call. A venerable father - someone you would be indebted to forever.

Read it and don't believe - this is a no holes barred roller-coaster ride about the monastic life. I just wish there could be similar books about other Thai masters like Ajahn Lee or Ajahn Tate, some of these monks described or seem to have described meditation in a more intellectual context than Ajahn Chah. Someday, Ajahn Chah may even make it to Hollywood.

I've bought and read both Being Dharma and Still Forest Pool, and enjoyed them very much. But Venerable Father is far superior to them in giving this soft American a real idea of what it was like studying under and living with Ajahn Chah. I both envy Paul Breiter for his experience, and am really glad it was him rather than me going through it! :)

But seriously, this humble yet assured voice resonates throughout the book. Yes, it is the skill and compassion of Luang Por that is responsible for the quality of much of the book, but truly Breiter's frank evaluations of his experiences during and after life as a forest monk makes this much different from other, more traditional memoirs that I have read. I'm not saying that he's enlightened with a capital E, but during the course of the book the training (when fully followed, as Ajahn Chah taught) seems to automatically make the monks into more awake, more compassionate, less suffering people. The importance of even trivial-sounding Vinaya rules becomes apparent, and thus Chah's way is illuminated.

The sections of the book after he disrobes are even better. You can take the monk out of the forest (and his robes), but you can't take the forest out of the monk. These chapters were poignant and in some cases very funny indeed. Ajahn Chah's total intuitive understandng, and effortlessly devastating criticism, of Mahayana double-talk was especially amusing. For instance, to the Mahayana claim that we don't need to do anything to improve because our nature is originally perfect, when he says that's like saying if you put sh*t on a silver platter, you don't need to clean it before eating from it because the platter was originally clean! But all the time he is understanding totally how Mahayana, for all its linguistic troubles and even theological difficulties, is as dedicated to the path of freedom and compassion in its own very different way as is the Forest School.

This book is a gift. It gives us the feeling of sitting at Luang Por's feet -- the wonder and the horror of it, a highly (even totally) awakened master teaching each student to match his or her understanding, and a mischievous old man pushing his monks to the very edge of sanity, or a little beyond. I know I wouldn't want him tugging on my robes and laughing while I was trying to give a first Dhamma talk in Thai, but it would have been amazing to know and love this man. Venerable Father is as close as any of us will come to Ajahn Chah, and we have Paul Breiter to thank for it. I'm incredibly inspired to ordain, even more than before. Scared, too, of course, but living under the Vinaya sounds like a pure and productive way to live.

If you want to read Luang Por's words and get even more inspired, buy and read Being Dharma and Still Forest Pool, too!

NOTE: Be sure to buy this book in the Paraview edition. There are other, unauthorized reprints out there, and this is a beautiful volume.

An absolutely timeless account . This is a very good look at an important moment in the history of Buddhism , when Westerners first
fully embraced and were embraced by the Theravada School of Buddhism. I have a good friend who is currently a Bhikkhu in Thailand , under the tutelege of another great living master meditation monk . I am using Paul Breiter / Ven. Varapanyo's book here as a model to suggest my friend do the same invaluable recordation of his own story and the teachings of his own great master. He has read this book too , and he is thinking about it.
Stay tuned !

Venerable Father is the thrilling adventure of a young man from New York partaking on his spiritual journey and the fascinating experience of living in the forest monasteries of Thailand with one of the great masters of Buddhism.
It's both an exhilarating story and the tale of the profound journey of a young mans spiritual quest.

Venerable Father, I didn't want to put it down A 1970's true story of a western monk in Thailand monasteries, living the monk's life while living with and under the guidance of the very well respected Ajahn Chah. Entertaining and sometimes very funny, or other times almost painful is the image as you read, the story tells of the monk's real day and night life, the rules of practice, the daily and seasonal routines of practice, the tasks of maintaining the place, the meals, the living arrangements, and all the walking they do. Then there are the joys, hardships, issues, occurances and problems. It's interesting to find out how the monastic community tends to lay visitors and newly ordained monks, offering the teachings to one and all, even to children who are sent by their parents. It's a lot of work for the monks and Ajahns, often at it very late at night only to rise at three a.m. to do their own practice. But then in turn you read of lay people showing great reverence, bringing dona, meals, cloth, and caring for a monk outside the monastery grounds, when he goes out for alms, or into town to see a doctor for instance. He tells of other mundane life instances you don't generally get to read about. You really get a sence of, and then wonderment of how they do it. A deep appreciation grows.

A major aspect of the book is directed at Paul's path of Buddhism, through the wisdom and sometimes harsh guidance of Ajahn Chah. A monk is faced with many hardships and questions, and the enlightened Ajahn Chah's direction and answers were not often what Paul expected or wanted, but there was always so much love, friendship and faith in this joyous Ajahn's wisdom grew. Although sometimes confused and horrorstricken, Paul followed the Ajahn's teachings and ultimately he received lessons of profound insight, and peace. You get close to this often playful character, Lang Por, get a glimps of how he lived the Theravada tradition, was surely an enlightened being, had the wisdom, and was able to touch, teach and guide, so Buddhism has spread around the world. What a great teacher this man was, a true gift to us all, and so is Paul Breiter's book. it's a five star read. You need it in your library.

Herndon brings us along through the mystification of his first year as a public school teacher. In the end, he is fired for, well, for teaching. This series of stories -- told matter of factly and leaving much up to the interpretation of the reader -- still rings true, as he captures the inherent paradoxes teachers and students face every day.

White Jim Herndon saw his "impossible" junior high ghetto Blacks as human beings. By the end of the year, they'd learned both to read and write better and much more - even to love a "Honky."

Junior High's a crazy place. James Herndon made me see that craziness clearly, since he tells it like it is. The conflict he dramatizes- between the kids' interests and possibilities for learning on the one hand and the administrators' desire for order-- is real today, too. Today's administrators call it "data-based decisionmaking" and "scientifically-measured results" but it still just means order-- a number next to every kid's name (now, they call it "progress towards standards" instead of IQ, and make a colorful bar graph out of it) that tells you who's better than who.
The world will be a better place if you do what Herndon did, but you'll get fired just as fast now as then.
This book makes clear that you don't need anyone to believe literally in racism in order to perpetuate a racist society.
All you need is to make conformity to white culture the sole entryway to all achievement, respect, income, and education, and then punish all those who fail to conform by putting them in the basement.
All you need is to establish the teacher's role as a manager of papers and people rather than as an educator.
All you need is to believe that we are test-takers first and human beings last.
All you need to is to put 1,500 youngsters in one brick building and expect all of them to toe the line.

Herndon wrote in a moment when America thought that its institutions could be healed, that its oppressions could be undone. Now, everyone thinks that the institutions would be fine, except that Somebody (terrorists, Republicans, homosexuals, rich people, poor people) has sat in a closed room somewhere and figured out how to sabotage them. HErndon reminds us that we have done it to ourselves.

The author writes of his first year teaching, which happens to be in a 98% black urban junior high school. I found this book captivating and could not put it down. It is a quick and easy read although its' contents will keep you thinking for a long time.

The author begins with his first day of school and takes us through the end of the school year at which time he is fired for being incompetent in the eyes of the administrators and other teachers. Chapters are written almost as short essays on a single topic, moving through the school year. Herndon introduces us to his 7th and 8th grade students with humor and sincerity. Many of these children, to my horror and amazement, can't even read their own names let alone anything else. Herndon discusses what school policies are and how other teachers "control" the class by restricting their movement and even in one case, not allowing the children to utter one word to the teacher during class. Absurdities in school policy and administration come through to me very clearly as I read these stories. The style of writing is one of storytelling rather than a book discussing why school reform is needed, but you will clearly come to your own realizations of what the problems are by simply reading these stories.

Half way through the school year, Herndon decides to do whatever it takes to get these children to learn. In some cases he comes up with innovative teaching methods and in other cases he allows the students to find their own way of doing things, and guess, what? Learning happens! Success! Well, the success is in the eyes of the students and in the eyes of this schoolteacher (not in the eyes of the administration). There is mutual respect between students and teacher but the other teachers and administrators think Herndon is an incompetent and that his students are out of control, so they fire him.

I figured out the year was 1959, but this could just as well take place today. Herndon's epilogue, written six years after this year of teaching, is brilliant. This is a short book and an easy read. As you read it your mind will be reeling with emotions and ideas about public/government schooling and who are they really serving?

James Herndon was a great American writer. He had freewheeling wit and intelligence, an urban beat, poignant, ironic humor, well-sketched and righteous anger and most importantly, a sense of seeking, a desire for the truth in his life. The reader becomes complicitous in the same search and thus "The Way It's Spozed to Be" is one of those rare and magnificent books in any subject area that transcends a reading experience and takes on the impact of real time.

Yes, the book is about a troubled inner city school, yes the author is a first-year teacher who bucks the system, yes he was naive and idealistic, and yes there were and are many books and movies that share these premises, but what sets this book apart is the author's simple humanity and honesty. He knows he will not solve everything. In the epilogue, when he is long elsewhere, he muses sadly that conditions at his first teaching job probably haven't changed.

Also, Mr. Herndon knows that even if he succeeds in getting the kids to sit still long enough to do their expected work, to act the way students are "spozed to act" and conducts classes the way they are "spozed to be conducted," what the students are learning is not a love of learning itself, but rather a perverted desire to be the "way you're spozed to be."

A telling incident: Mr. Herndon sees an art project done by a class of students, mostly if not all African American. Yet the people in the poster are Caucasion. Mr. Herndon asks the art teacher why that is and is told that most of the pictures the students see are people with Caucasions. Even their imagery is the "way it's spozed to be."

This is mild compared to the racism that exists within the student body, based on various shades of skin complexion and the students' features. Add in the merciless teasing doled out to anyone who couldn't read, in some classes, all but a few students, and you have a hotbed of dysfunctional and hyper-critical relationships where learning is nearly impossible.

The author doesn't pretend to understand or solve large-scale economic issues, although he comments objectively that many kids don't have enough money to eat proper lunches but most are willing to buy "tennis," the slang for sneakers. He also doesn't pretend to understand social or familial circumstances, in fact, families are rarely discussed and we see the students in the stark flourescent light seen by Mr. Herndon. He doesn't offer sweeping solutions.

Instead, he walks this dismal territory as a brilliantly perceptive and caring guide, bringing us close to the academically deprived conditions that we know exist, and more than puts a human face on it. He illuminates the psychology of children, concisely and with searing truth. This writer broke down many times, both in the first reading and in many successive ones. He feels the frustration of the children and shares their delights.

At one point the students start a tradition called "slambooks," notebooks in which they essentially write down the often insulting comments about other students and teachers that are anyay expressed verbally. Other teachers confiscate the slambooks, but Mr. Herndon seizes on it as the first sign of hope that the students might begin to understand why we should attempt to articulate concepts on paper.

Another aspect of this book that separates it from many in its genre is that, although Mr. Herndon agrees to accept the students' traditions, he doesn't pretend to take part in them himself in order to become accepted. He still sees the slambooks as insulting and shallow attempts at written expression, but attempts nonetheless.

The essential message of the book is that Mr. Herndon refused to allow status quo, which at the time was sadly this: teachers pass out worksheets, students did not complete them, students pass them in, teachers fail or pass students. Instead, he dared students to find something that no teacher had ever offered them: a reason to actually want to learn.

This was not the "way it's spozed to be," and Mr. Herndon is punished for that.

This book is never heavy, never dull. Some of the short chapters, only a page at times, could serve as small portraits of the "underclass" of America, and on a deeper level, the awful ache everyone has at times that things could be a whole lot better if we only knew what was needed and how to get it.

-Robert Murray Diefendorf, Author of "Release the Butterfly"

The commentary, questions and answers by Vos in this book are very good. I only saw a couple of problems in his comments. Going through the Catechism with my family and Bible Study group using this book as a guide has been a tremendous blessing on all of us and our relationship with God.

This is the book that I wish I had a long time ago. Very well written. Easy to understand. It's written in a "catechism on the Catechism" format. Lots of questions and answers on each question in the Westminster Larger Catechism.

While the Larger Catechism itself is an outstanding work that carefully and succinctly explains our Christian faith, this is a work that takes each question and breaks it down further. Insightful commentary and fitting Scripture citations round out each selection and make this an easy to use resource for quick reference. Highly recommended.

This book is a treasure! Compiled from Vos' articles in "Blue Banner Faith and Life," this commentary on the Larger Catechism lays open an often-underused resource of Reformation theology. Vos proceeds through each question, giving helpful Bible references, and then organizes his comments in a question and answer format. With a little adjusting, we were able to use this for family worship - it took us two years to get through, but what a blessing!

I have a large number of books on Reformed Theology including a number of books which seek to use the Westminster Confession and Catechisms as a springboard to explain the intricacies of Calvinism, but this work is something special. The clarity of thought here is miles beyond anything else I've found. The format is simple: A question from the catechism, the relevant scripture passages identified and summarized in a single sentence, then a series of brief questions and answers on the passage. The Larger Catechism of the Westminster Confession has unfortunately been rather neglected, both in churches and in the written word (Ridgely's two volume commentary is the only other I can think of, and it's much to complex for most readers) but this volume makes all the theological complexities crystal clear. A must read.

The teachings here are mostly beliefs of historical Presbyterian churches and Calvinists. I believe there has been modification in beliefs among certain of the Presbyterian Churches and other Calvinistic religions, softening selected teachings in this book.
The book however, is among those every serious Christian should read, along with The Westminster Confession of Faith, Reformed Baptist of 1689, Book of Concord - Lutheran Confessions. Nothing helps you more in understanding religious differences and truths than to study the history of the Reformation. Today's TV evangelical churches are in serious need of another reformation as people are being misled with doctrines of Freud, feeling good, becoming properous, and entertainment. It is not Biblical (or possible) to make a personal decision to believe as faith is a gift of God. In additon, faith comes from sound doctrine in the form of Biblical scripture, not man's doctrines. The Bible warns of this pitfall, and your soul is at risk if you fail to understand this, 2 Peter 3:15-16. There exists a serious lack of spiritual knowledge and doctrinal discernment. The key to salvation is Grace through Faith, itself a gift of God. Finally, reading and studying the Bible is the most important thing a person can do.

This is good but a book that more accurately describes what is expected and required is the Spritual Centers in Man (also by Manly P. Hall). I have it under its original title, An Essay on the Fundamental Principles of Operative Occultism which is more accurate in description. Anyways, Spiritual Centers does talk about the various spiritual centers but what I like about it most is the beginning subject matter which is the requirements of the occult student and what he or her should expect on the path of Occult Studies, the subject that this book obviously purports.

In the age when the number of false prophets grows like mushrooms after rain, this book will help an aspirant avoid the many pitfalls that are thrown under his feet. Painfully honest and to the point, this book gives best advice to those who aspire to become students, disciples, or some day adepts of the BL - no, ambition will not get you there. Those who have sight will see the wisdom, which they need to have to qualify for the entrance into the Eternal. The ABC of occult studies; a book which will be my permanent companion. My most sincere gratitude goes to Mr. Hall for living such priceless jewel for future generations.

This is the shortest introduction to the depths of esoteric knowledge you will ever find. If you are on the Path, you will feel like it was written just for you. If you aren't, don't even bother.

The pursuit of knowledge, the practice of service to one's fellows, hardship and suffering and ultimately, a true comprehension and temperance of our lower natures, all combine to lead us to a better understanding of our existence. In this curious and important essay, Hall describes the shared destinies of all of us; and that is our pursuit of truth and our conscious or unconscious hunger for a meaningful relationship with the Divine. He warns and laments about our modern tendencies to material gain and instant gratification in all things worldly. Over time, he suggests, the methods used in attaining material gratification has translated into our spiritual endeavours. One cannot deny the plethora of `expert' advise out there, presenting in many guises, to attain Wisdom in "ten easy steps". Become an all-powerful, influential guru and mammoth success, getting rich in the process. For a substantial fee, ladies and gentleman, we can show you the secrets of the ancients and throw in a no-fail diet to boot. This, of course, is not the road to Wisdom. The true road, Hall suggests, is a long and arduous one, fraught with suffering and difficult lessons, where one's hope lies in one's sincere labour, courage, true aspiration and egoless silence.

This short essay is recommended to anyone interested in sound and universal advice in their pursuit of a greater understanding of themselves and existence.

In this short work by Manly Hall, he digresses into the little known subject of how the ancient masters of the mystery schools go about teaching their students. Much has changed in the way of secret societies since the days of Plato and Pythagoras, however, the principles are generally the same. Silence is still of utmost importance. In the times of Pythagoras, silence was not only a virtue, but something your life depended upon. Today, you will not get crucified or burned at the stake for revealing secrets from a society, however, your integrity and Will are disseminated. Silence today stands as a virtue more than anything, but one that most people neglect. This short book also looks into the practices of the Student, Disciple and Initiate, as the basic three grades of the practitioner once they have entered a mystery school. Even today all of these attitudes that Hall speaks about have complete practicality in today's culture. It is less about environment and more about the demeanor of the practitioner. If one does not take in all of the ideas represented in this book, surely one or two of them will cling to the readers mind as not only possible, but inspirational. For those that have been practicing the secret arts for a period of time, this book may serve as a good reminder of why they are doing what they do to begin with.

In 1978, the legendary rock band The Who asked “Who are You?” In this book, Marc Marsan asks the same question but adds the clause “When Nobody’s Looking?” Unlike The Who, Marsan actually has an answer to the question he poses. You are, he says, the sum total of your genetics and environment plus your personal push. But Marsan is also smart enough not to get down into the gutter with the nature vs. nurture debate. He is really interested in how you move past your genetics and environment to chart a course that brings out your potential for genius. In this sense, he is asking everyone who reads his book to return to childhood, when they felt free to live, love, and learn. But he doesn’t offer just platitudes; he recommends concrete steps to help you make this trip, like advising you to study your family history and examine your ancestors for traits and talents that could be hidden in you. We ...recommend thisbook to any person who needs a little shove toward self-actualization. Executives, managers, human resource professionals, and students will find this book easy to read and immensely useful.

I really liked this book. Marc mixes humour, self help and clever narration very well. Another part is because my name is in it.(In the conglomerate page 19-21). This is an interesting twist to Marcs personality but as I finished it I realized that his experiences led up to the great man he is.

I would like to thank you for writing this book. I first found out about it through the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper in the book section, the title caught my eye. It represented exactly the question that I've always asked myself, "who am I when Nobody's looking" and why don't I show that side of myself to others.

This is the first book that I have read, (and I read many books!) that stressed finding that creative side again, as we were when we were children. I felt your energy come through, throughout the entire book. Your message also taught me how to use my mind to form associations-therefore giving myself more options, which in turn would cure me of that helpless feeling that I sometimes feel.

It was interesting how you tied in genetics to the equation (DNA)..I am very close to my family, and they do have a major influence in my life. My parents, as well as my brother, and my friends, all impact my high concept.

My major concern at this time is working a field that promotes the Spirit. For so long, I have felt restricted in the choices that I have to find a new career. Your association exercise helped here. I enjoyed filling out the high concept exercise.

Perhaps the most difficult exercise for me was to write down my most defining moment. Maybe it's because I don't feel that I have reached that point yet, or maybe because I couldn't pinpoint my "most important" anything at the time. This book carries over into my personal relationships as well.

Your book is better than "self-help" books, in that it is practical. I truly believe that one is a product of what they read--and your book has definitely had a positive effect and influence on me. I have already recommended your book to four of my friends. If it weren't for the title, I may have overlooked it. I'll keep referring to some of the chapters, as I need them.

Thanks again for writing this book and sharing your brilliant ideas and way of thinking with others!

After watching Mr. Marsan knock the socks off of the audience during a recent convention keynote address, I left wanting to know more about his concepts, and so I bought this book to see if his engaging concepts and real-life energy translated to the written page. I think the answer is yes. Mr. Marsan is a self-confessed "out of the box thinker," and his book asks the reader to step out of the box as well. One of the biggest strengths of this book is that it gives the reader the opportunity to be an active participant in the material presented. As a result, it helps to read throught the book one time,and once you think you have the "big picture," then go back a second time to participate. Self-help/self-discovery books are hot items in the 90's. What I liked about this book is that each section presents concepts that all lead to personal development, but each section can be taken individually. I didn't have the "where do I start" syndrome when I finished reading like I have had with other books which focus on personal development. For me, the first step is to work on what he calls "your high concept," or personal mission statement. For other readers, they may choose to work on their personal "DNA" (distinct neuron archetype). Also, Mr. Marsan does not ask the reader to do anything that he himself has not done. The book is full of real-life, sometimes painful, sometimes very funny anecdotes. Having had the opportunity to see Mr. Marsan speak, I can tell you that his wit and sincerity seem to be genuine. Lastly, I think the title of the book is the best way to think of its message and what it is attempting to help people with: Try and be the best person you can be for its own sake and reward - live with purpose and don't compromise yourself. Readers who are driving down the road of personal development should enjoy this book.

As Marc takes me on his voyage of self-discovery, he supplies me with examples and materials that allow me to accompany him on my own voyage of self-discovery. The core idea of the book--that each of us is a "Distinct Neuron Archetype" and we can best realize our best by developing a "High Concept"--makes a lot of sense. He gives good instructions and examples to help me on my way.

Marc's suggestions on how to engage my creativity are particularly concrete and useful, and his examples not only clarify, they entertain!

Who Are You is a valuable contribution to anyone interested in making the most of his or her gifts.