Roberts Books

As someone new to the singing scene, I find this volume to be my "go to" resource for my voice lessons. Purchased on the recommendation of my voice teacher, it has all the tenor arias you need--wherever you are on the singer's journey...The major repetoire is represented; all the major langugages. From "Amor ti Vieta" to the more recognizable arias, I expect this volume to be with me for years to come.

The book is a great collection. The book was in excellent condition, priced aptly, and delivered promptly. I can trust Amazon.com...

I use this book constantly in my teaching. I love it.

"Arias for Tenor", a G. Schirmer Antholgy(opera), is a plended collection of originally keyed scores of tenor arias from some of the most famous works of all time. Layouts of "Don Giovanni" and "Rigoletto" are just a couple of classics sung by the greats of opera that are obtained by purchasing this book. Whether you are a professional vocalist or an aspiring opera singer, this is definitly a valuable and sound investment.

Sylvester Allen
Greensboro College, NC

As far as i am concerned it's the best book that is just made-written for tenors and people who are students at the conservatories-music schools as me ,should truly benefit from it,

This large, high quality book is an exhaustive reference of maps and related commentary regarding the various stages of Armenian history. It is a must have companion for any aspiring Armenologist and a nice coffee table book for all Armenian families.

This is an amazing atlas presenting in-depth covering of the long and turbulent history of Armenia. There are numerous publications on Armenian history, but they either contain plain maps, or plan text. This one not only presents an enormous number of extremely valuable and rare historical maps covering about three thousand years' history, but also presents in a very reader-friendly style unbiased historical facts associated with every single map. More than that, it presents invaluable statistical information, such as the population by regions. It also presents very intriguing architectural data. One of invaluable features of the book is the coverage of the Armenian genocide and the first republic.
This is more than a book - it is a great treasure that anyone interested in history in general and Armenian history in particular MUST have.

A comprehensive collection of cartographic information related to Armenian History and Geography. The acompaning text is also very informative.

Although it is published as an atlas, through both historical and contemporary maps, diagrams and text, Robert Hewsen manages to trace all the important cultural, military, geopolitical and geographic influences and changes within Anatolia and the Caucasian region. For those interested in Armenian, Roman, Persian and Ottoman/Trukish history, it serves as a comprehesive, yet easy source, for both scholar and non-scholar alike.

Robert Hewsen's "Armenia A Historical Atlas" is a true masterpiece. This atlas contains 278 detailed color maps that chronicle Armenian history from antiquity to the present day. The maps are meticulously accurate, very detailed and visually appealing. They also show precise topographic, political, religious, onomastic and historical details. There is a mixture of many regional maps, detailed local maps, city maps and even building plans.

Each map is accompanied by a very detailed overview of the time period and theme covered in the map. The work is a remarkable feat of research, drawing on countless primary and secondary sources in numerous languages.

The real strength of this work is that it chronicles, in both visual and written form, Armenian history from generation to generation over millennia. As such, this book is an invaluable resource for all histories that coincide with Armenian history, especially the regions of regions of Eastern Anatolia, Western Iran and the Caucasus. You will find numerous historical details about Byzantine, Persian, Eastern Christian, Seljuk, Georgian, Ottoman, Russian and Soviet histories not easily found in other historical atlases.

I highly recommend this atlas to anyone interested in Armenian history or in the history of this region.

This book is amazing. You will find yourself peering at every full-color nook and cranny for days. There are so many historical, book, and film references, you'll find yourself taking endless notes for things to look up later.
If you consider yourself even the slightest of sci-fi/fantasy/horror fans, you will cherish this book.
It is quite a tome, however. Be sure to work up your bicepts before trying to lift it.

First off I think you should know that this wonderful book's 768 pages weigh a bit over ten pounds. It is a reprint of three very popular Collectors Press 20th Century series, Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy. I bought this copy because I'm interested in visual popular culture and I was very impressed with the historical scope of the subject matter, the 1300 colored illustrations include not only book jackets but covers of magazines, comics and nicely, film posters.

With so many illustrations you can search out your favorites, I like the work of Hannes Bok, Kelly Freas and Jeff Jones and there plenty of examples of their work. Running through all the images the three authors contribute a popular history of each genre but it is the huge collection of covers that make this a knockout book for me.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

BTW, I bought this big book at a huge discount and I suggest you take the trouble to check the title out on the comparison shopping book websites, you'll be surprised at price variations.

If ever there was a book that's a treasure trove of images and information, this is it. An incredible array of pulp, comic, paperback and other art of 20th century science fiction, horror, fantasy and the like. The production values of this mammoth book are great, with familiar and totally obscure titles shown and explicated. Buy this book!

Being a professional artist, and a mondo horror fan, I was craving to get my pencil smudged paws on this book. Over 700 pages of lavishly illustrated science fiction and horror history. Art of Imagaination brings to attention the works of the great artists who have worked in this field for over a century. Anyone with even a minor interest in thsi subject would find this text a true page turner. Highly Recommended.

This book is a must have for anyone who is creative. If you've lost your sense of wonder, this book will bring it back. You cannot help but be inspired by this fine tribute to the illustrators and art directors of fantastic art. You will not be disappointed buying this book. No cheap black & white stroll through memory lane here. It's a full color journey spotlighting the creative talent of imaginative artists from days gone by to today. High quality paper and binding are the icing on the cake. A tip of the hat to the authors and publisher for such an authoritative volume on a thinly treated subject.

I've read a lot of instructional books over the years, and this ranks as one of the best. My greatest concern was that it be worth the price, and it certainly is. Explanations are clear, photos and diagrams are excellent and the first chapters on historic and contemporary makers make good reading. The book is ever so slightly thin in the area of plate tuning and violin varnish -- but one might argue that both of these topics are so broad as to justify a separate investment in instructional material. I am confidant, however, that one can make a very good instrument using this book alone as a guide -- with the exception of plans and patterns for a specific model, which are not included. The English generally do a very good job at books addressing traditional arts/crafts, and this publication is no exception. I consider my copy an excellent investment.

I found this to be a fantastic book. It is very well written and beautifully illustrated. The text covers every detail of the art of making a violin. It does lack in a few areas however. I would have been thrilled with the addition of some information on original design and or mechanical drawing of a violin. Also, the book is a bit thin in the areas of plate graduation, tap toning, wood selection, tools and varnish. Overall though, I highly recommend this book; it is more than enough to get anyone started on building their first violin. I'm sure it is the best text currently being published.

This book has the best drawings and photographs of the process of violin making that I have ever seen. Large format, good camera angle, good shadowing and lighting. I have been an amateur violin maker for a long time and I learned about a half a dozen new procedures or tool modifications right away. I highly recommend this book for aspiring violin makers.

I have purchased a few books on Violin making and this is by the far the most impressive of all. This book is full of clever techniques and lead you through the complete process from beginning to end, including the delicate area of varishing. Alternative methods are also give for some key areas, such as hollowing out the back and front of the voilin. The thing that makes this book stand out from the others is the artwork and the photographs that accompany each step of the process and the superb presentation. The tip I liked the best, was how to solve the problem of forming the rib joint at the bottom of the voilin. Being a novice, I struggled with this initially.

If there had to be a criticism it would be that it does not have typical template for the main mould, however this is only minor as templates are available from a various other sources.

This book is worth every penny..

This is not a type of beautifully decorated book usually found on coffee table to amuse guests even though it is of superb quality. It belongs in the workshop. It is written for both inspired and motivated beginners as well as serious luthiers. The chapter on tuning plates is revealing but can confuse a beginner. Since I am a beginner myself, I wished for complete measurements of the violin. I overcame the shortcomings by contacting a supplier of woods, tools and plans. Rest assured, the author included the list of suppliers at the end of the book.

This is arguably the most important book of the last 10 years.
and it takes huge courage to present this argument in the face of such establishment criticism. After all, look at how much Linus Pauling had to endure for his belief in Ascorbate and he was one of the most prominent scientists of his generation. Have times changed? NO, the establishment is still in control of our health and the statistics prove that they are doing an atrocious job.

ALL of the major dis-eases are increasing, and the icing on the cake is that new ones are emerging all the time. The time is now to take responsibility for your (and the childrens) health and nowhere is there a better place to start than with this fantastic book on Vitamin C. To finish heres a quote from Drs Emanuel Cheraskin, Marshall Ringsdorf and Emily Sisley

"There are more than TEN THOUSAND published SCIENTIFIC papers that make it quite clear that there is NOT ONE body process
(such as what goes on inside cells or tissues) and NOT ONE disease or syndrome (from the common cold to leprosy) that is not influenced - directly or indirectly - by Vitamin C"

If thats not enough to persuade you to learn about it then nothing will

What a well written, courageous book this is. Courageous because the authors, two professors of medicine, explain in laymen's terms, exactly how science is incorporated into medical practice, and how mistakes and bias get filtered into the mix. After making this clear, they follow the vitamin C story from the very beginning and demonstrate exactly how medical science developed a "bizarre" and illogical pet hate for vitamin C, Pauling and all his disciples. (and ignored apparent benefits)

This will not endear them at all to the tightly knit medical profession, but is a distinct service to the public.

In an honest and fair approach, with no unscientific exaggeration of evidence, the authors explain both sides of the vitamin c "controversy" which wouldn't have been very controversial at all if larger doses had been tried.

They also explode the sacredness of the "large, randomized,double blind, clinical trial" and clearly show how silly it is to deny patients a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) treatment, shown to provide huge benefits, on the flimsy excuse that no large scale trial was performed. Clinical trials should be refuted or replicated to allow science to advance. Phony excuses do not advance science.

All the latest findings are here from Cathcart, Cameron, Riordan, Hoffer and other doctors on the leading edge of ascorbate therapy.

The vitamin C deficiency theory of heart disease, developed by Pauling and Rath, is analyzed and updated, and the latest cancer treatment methods are given.

This is a very important book that has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives, it should be placed in the libraries of every school in the country.

W.G. Whitney

Utterly honest, easy to understand, "Ascorbate, The Science of Vitamin C" is a real treasure. The difference between a small anti-scurvy intake of vitamin C, a few milligrams per day, and a therapeutic dose of 10 grams or more per day is made crystal clear.
The complete lack of evidence for the RDA set by the FDA is revealed. The rapid elimination of vitamin C was shown graphically, thus the folly in the persistent use of multi-gram oral doses by inept researchers was exposed. Small doses must be taken orally, maybe every hour, to keep serum levels up. The increase in serum levels obtainable with injected, not oral, sodium ascorbate, the usual non-acidic salt of vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is explained well.
The flaws in the published studies intended to debunk the usefulness of vitamin C from The Mayo Clinic and The Heart Protection Study in the UK are spelled out in detail. Wrong doses, wrong dosage forms, mismatched control patients, etc., all combined to fail to prove that vitamin C is not effective in treating cancer or cardiovascular disease. The problems with these studies and others is explained in great detail, and you will be able to follow the reasoning of the authors.
Then it is less of a shock to learn that vitamin C can cure polio and prolong lifespan for those with AIDS and cancer, among other conditions. The studies by Pauling and Cameron on vitamin C for cancer believed invalid by mainstream medicine, were, in fact, as well done as was ethically practical, and were confirmed by unrelated researchers.
My only gripes with this book are the incompetent chemistry on page 63 and some of the explanations of ordinary chemical reactions. Neither hydroxyl radical nor hydroxide ion plus an electron will give water as shown. Neither charges nor atoms are balanced or accounted for. Many disease states were said to be caused by the presence too many free radicals without enough direct evidence or identification of which free radicals.
That done, my opinion is that this book should be required reading by a very wide audience. Referencing is done to a very high standard. The next edition should be superb.

Ever wonder how wild animals like rabbits, squirrels, deer, etc. can live outside in cold weather and not catch colds while we humans routinely catch colds living in our warm dry houses? The answer is surprisingly simple: animals don't catch colds, or get any of a host of other illnesses which plaque humans, because most animals manufacture vitamin C every day and we humans don't. That's right, almost all animals except humans manufacture vitamin C in their bodies every day and they manufacture a lot of it -- a typical animal manufactures 20 mg of vitamin C every day for every pound it weighs. An animal weighing as much as a 150 lb. human would manufacture at least 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily and humans need about this much vitamin C too. But the government, and most physicians, tell us humans that we only need about 60 to 90 mgs of vitamin C daily. 60 to 90 mgs of vitamin C daily isn't enough vitamin C to keep a typical cat healthy, and is far short of what adult humans need. No wonder we humans catch colds in the winter and suffer from a variety of other ailments all year long. Fortunately some humans recognize the importance of vitamin C and take it as a supplement every day. Those who don't take supplemental vitamin C should do so, for a variety of health reasons which this excellent book discusses.

Books that discuss unconventional treatments often confront allopathic medicine and accuse it of conspiracy against the health of humanity. The topic of vitamin C is controversial and can easily be turned into the same old fight between the so called medical establishment and progressive allopaths.

I, however, was pleasantly surprised by this book. The facts regarding vitamin C are presented in a solid and ethical way. There is no unjustified claims, only well researched facts. There are more than five hundred references at the end of this text.

The authors are concentrating on application of ascorbate in "big three": infections, atherosclerosis and cancer, their prevention and treatment. They present biochemical basis for the action of ascorbate in each of these conditions, then results of animal experiments, followed by data from human trials. They draw very distinct line between the dosses needed for nutritional supplementation - i.e. to aviod the developments of scurvy - and pharmacological, or megadoses, that may be used to treat advanced conditions. Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of ascorbate is also well discussed.

I am a medical doctor, and enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and would be interesting for wide audience. I agree that vitamin C may have the potential for treatment of numerous medical conditions and there should be more research on it.

This is a great book, I never get sick of looking at it. Highly recommend for lover of Asian stle living

This is an excellent look at the best examples of tropical Asian luxury living.

It is not a detailed exploration of regional design elements (look to Bali Style, Thai Style, Tropical Garden Design, et al, for the next degree of depth). It is, however, a rich overview of the best of SEAsian luxury architecture and furnishings.

Every page is simply gorgeous, with photos "bleeding" out past the paper, one trait of a good coffee table or style book. There is little or no image repetition in the coverage of the homes or boutique hotels featured, and each photo is perfectly focused, every composition seen in its best light.

In all the shuffle of Thai grandeur, Balinese earthiness, and Malaysian simplicity, the book might at first glance seem to be presenting a kind of fusion. I think it's fair to say that there is plenty of contemporary blurring of the distinctions between regions, but the reader can also look for regional elements and quickly learn them. Each property is given its own mini-chapter, which helps a lot. And the regional details and sensibilities really come alive when you read the accompanying texts, which are the work of expert style writers.

In fact, the contributors list reads like a who's who of style gurus. There is the clever and quippy Made Wijaya, descriptive Diana Darling, the meticulous William Warren, and details-minded Robert Powell. It's a great read!

I am a collector of Luca Invernizzi Tettoni's work because ALL of them is a visual feast for the eyes. This talented man has a knack for details and never fails to capture the vivid and glowing nuances that represents the best of Southest Asia's style. Take it from me, living in the same environment, I sometimes take it for granted. This book is more than just a coffee-table piece, to complement the gorgeous photography , the text , written by various specialists, will enlighten you with well researched information on local crafts and traditions. It also shows the transformation that SEA architecture and interior designs have undergone; overall a fascinating mix 'n' match of vernacular designs and contemporary style.

My dream is to be surrounded by teak and orchids, eating curry and sipping lime juice, and not owning any sort of time piece. Since that isn't going to happen for several more years I bought this book. I am neither a designer nor a photographer so my only input is how this book makes me feel. I have come to love Southeast Asia after several all too brief trips to the region and Tropical Asian Style, specifically Tettoni's photos, has brought some life to my dull suburban living room. And, while I realize that this book comprises several distinct cultures, it is the overall effect, not any particular region, that is so overwhelmingly beautiful. If you feel trapped in your American workaholic routine, this book is a wonderful diversion.

After reading it, I wanted to knock down every wall in my house. Or at least remove the window glass. My next house will definitely be designed based on the rooms in this book.

I didn't read much of the text because the pictures were so captivating. They show every aspect of the tropical Asian house, except perhaps kitchens, which seem to be nothing more than a stove-type device near the dining area. The predominant theme is living among nature and even inviting it to share the living space with you (or is it the other way around?). Instead of windows and doors, you see slatted screens and netting. Very romantic. And a far cry from most of America's obsession with locks and glass. I need to move......

This book is throughly enjoyable and full of humor and fun. Robert F. Smith is a talented writer and I look forward to many books to come.

I read this book after my mom and sister both read and enjoyed it and I was pleasantly surprised at how cute the story really was. I was a little thrown off in the beginning because of the blatant stereotypes on both sides of the religous issue, but after a couple of chapters, the story draws you in and you can't wait to find out what happens in the endearing little podunk town of Longfellow/winded. Both Baptists and Mormons are hugely stereotyped, so the book doesn't really favor or bash one religion or the other, which creates a nice easy-going atmosphere. It takes little mental processing and you finish it quickly. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast, funny, easy, feel-good read. I finished this book in a few days and it was a great way to start out my summer!

Robert Farrell Smith's Baptists at our BBQ was one of the most delightful books I have ever read. Not only is it funny, but it gets you thinking about the goodness of God in our lives. The details he gives about a struggling branch aren't too far-fetched in the world we live in. Not only does he give us a wonderful, grasping story, but he also helps us to see into the "Mormon" culture and just how interesting we can be. Look into it to see what else Robert Farrell Smith has to say despite just being a creative author. It will get you thinking about the realities.

Robert Smith has a knack for bring out the humor in LDS life. I laughed so hard. Then I would read it to my husband and we would both laugh. I finally started over and we read it together. It was great. I use this and the second book The Miracle of Forgetness as gifts all of the time. I've turned many friends on to this author as well. It's like reading a modern day Tom & Huck adventure.

Baptists at Our Barbecue is easily the funniest LDS book I have ever read. (excluding Robert Smith's other books, which should be required reading for anyone who is LDS or living near someone who is) This is the only book that I have read where I actully laughed out loud. My wife thought it was so strange that she immediately read it and she loves it as much as I do. I have two copies because I can't stop telling people about it. BUY IT! You'll love it.

If you read one book on Grace in your life, it sould be this one. Grace doesn't stop...it keeps going. The question is, "How for does it go?"

This was my first Capon book and it made me fall in love with his writing and the way he uses stories and dialogue to expound the meaning of grace.

I think almost all of his books are on grace and that's because he has been captivated by the grace of God.

This novel, like most of his other books, may not be that simple a read but once you get what he's getting at, then you start to stand in awe of the amazingness of God's grace.

Capon is pretty lutheran in his view on law and gospel and it shows clearly in his books.

This particular novel is interesting in the way he tries to convey God's grace to us. It's about two people who are married but carries on with an affair together. This story is meant to outrage us, but Capon uses this storyline to show us that God's grace is like that. Despite the sins we do, He still loves us and accepts us in Christ.

Has Capon gone a bit far in illustrating grace to us? Well, i don't know. All i can say is that he's at least half right! A good book to read and ponder about God's grace

This was my first Capon book and it made me fall in love with his writing and the way he uses stories and dialogue to expound the meaning of grace.

I think almost all of his books are on grace and that's because he has been captivated by the grace of God.

This novel, like most of his other books, may not be that simple a read but once you get what he's getting at, then you start to stand in awe of the amazingness of God's grace.

Capon is pretty lutheran in his view on law and gospel and it shows clearly in his books.

This particular novel is interesting in the way he tries to convey God's grace to us. It's about two people who are married but carries on with an affair together. This story is meant to outrage us, but Capon uses this storyline to show us that God's grace is like that. Despite the sins we do, He still loves us and accepts us in Christ.

Has Capon gone a bit far in illustrating grace to us? Well, i don't know. All i can say is that he's at least half right! A good book to read and ponder about God's grace

We have clear conceptions of important abstractions that we have heard named, but not defined, since we were children. We live with misconceptions born while we wait to understand when we are able. Unfortunately, these images take on a life of their own, and crowd out any possibility of there ever being any real understanding.

Grace is one of those concepts. We hear the word repeated in sermon and song, we use it ourselves in characature. The image of what we think Grace is limits our access to its reality in our lives.

Enter this annoying book. Capon twists and tweaks and disturbs our sense of what is right and wrong. OUR sense.
Only when the shocking first section is trumped by the final section do we realize what is happening to us. Even though he warns us repeatedly along the way, and taunts us into dialogue.

I admit the central section merely annoyed me without enlightening me ... yet. Maybe I will get it later. Sacred adultary, a mafia hit, and a coffee hour give-and-take seem unlikely parables to expain Grace. It works. With style and grace. Anyone who has tried to live a life of faith honestly in the midst of the contradictions of life will feel this book resonate within their soul.

No wonder it is subtitled "Romance, Law, and the OUTRAGE of Grace."

Capon continues to tantalise, entice and stimulate with this revised edition of Between Noon and Three. Capon captures the incredibly lavish Grace of God through a combination of wit, exegesis, and a carefully crafted story. This book is a real shock to the "grace-fearing spoilsport in every one of us". Capon confronts the menacing ugliness of legalism and drags it screaming into the light of the lavish Grace and Love of God. Capon expounds the Grace of God in such a way that one can't help salivating at the beauty of God made complete in his glorious Son. Throughout the novel one is continuously shouting AMEN (I Love you) to the Father who so loves his children that he does not give grace so that they will feel "much obliged" but rather extends totally free, unconditional, absolutely radical, all encompassing Grace. This is the grace for Dead people, and as Capon eloquently describes: all that is required of a dead body is to stink. I Love my God who makes the little, least, lost, last, losers and the DEAD - ALIVE! FREE and all this is GRATIS!

This book is a must for anyone who wishes to understand the Bible. The authors go into the history of this important book that has impacted so many lives. They look back into pre-history when the words of the Bible were repeated around a camp fire each night.

The evolution of the Bible, described in this book, gives the reader a better understanding of how the Bible came to be.

I am quite the biblical scholar (well, to be honest, I'm quite the scholar in lots of fields, as the depth of the average title in my multi-thousand-book collection belies), and I am hard-pressed to find a biblical history/Bible as literature/biblical exegesis book that compares to this one. I could argue that Reader's Digest has, as is its wont, produced a volume that brims with less than exceptionally profound scholarship, but its purpose is to enlighten, amaze, and entertain, so never mind the academic nits. Even the most diehard atheist would be hard-pressed to maintain his separation after his eyes alight on this breathtaking volume. I simply can't sing its praises enough.

This is a wonderful overview of the Bible illustrated with color art from down through the ages. Quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version, a translation which is favored by scholars for its accuracy. The comments are insightful, interesting and accurate. A great supplement to this book is THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BOOK OF PROVERBS by Cody Jones. Numerous characters from throughout the Bible are pointed out who illustrate King Solomon's witty observations on human nature. Many of the riddles and mysteries of Proverbs are explored with surprising new answers. Proverbs are a treasury of God's wisdom and give practical applications of Biblical values in punchy memorable sayings.

This is not the ordinary book you are apt to find in Bible study class. THE BIBLE THROUGH THE AGES is much more interesting. It is a topical tour of the Bible arranged around five themes: the Oral Tradition, the writing of the Old Testament, the writing of the New Testament, the copying of the Bible by monks in the Middle Ages and the distribution of the Bible after the invention of the printing press. One topic I find to be particularly interesting is the discussion of the debate over the canonicity of Christian writings during the first three centuries after Christ. A related topic covers certain writings left out of the New Testament. THE BIBLE THROUGH THE AGES is a thick book and it is richly illustrated. Although it is not exactly a reference book, it contains much information not available elsewhere.

"Sweeping in scope, alive with fascinating information and incisive commentary, this lavishly illustrated book presents an unparalleled look at the most influential work in human history. It brings to life the breadth and beauty of the Bible's message, its impact on countless generations, and its enduring inspiration and influence throughout the world." Reader's Digest


The Beautiful Encyclopedia:
Storytelling and the oral tradition
Papyrus: Egypt's Gift to Writers
Poetry in the Old Testament
Words of Wisdom from Proverbs and Amen-em-ope
The Oracles of Isaiah
Shaping the Pentateuch
Ezra: The Second Lawgiver
The making of the Septuagint
What was left out: the Apocrypha and the Pseudoepigrapha
Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls
The World of Jesus
Letter Writing in the first Century
Who wrote the "Other" Epistles?
Telling the story of Jesus
Present at the Apocalypse
Shaping the Mishnah
Invention of the Book, 'Codex'
the Gnostic Challenge
Origen and the Sixfold Bible, 'Hexapla'
Apostolic Fathers
Desert Fathers
The Bible in the Eastern Churches
Tatian Harmonized Gospels
Guardians of the Scriptures
The Art of Illumination
Picture Bibles
Wyclif and the Lollards
The age of Gutenberg
The Path towards an Authorized English Bible
Taking the Gospel to the New World
Joseph Smith and "The Book of Mormon"
Translating Scripture Today
modern Biblical Scholarship

A tour with the Bible:
You embark on a tour through the ages guided by a team of the most distinguished bible scholars of our time lead by Bruce Metzger. Those editors, researchers, art consultants and designers include David N. Freedman, Eugene Nida, Jonathan Sarna in a great team. In the 384 pages they meticulously researched, beautifully illustrated, and creatively written. this is a book to read, a story to enjoy, reflect, and share, and a reference to return to whenever you need clarification, illumination, or advice. This is a great work the Reader's Digest, and every contributor should be praised for.

Amazon.com Reviewers Say:
* This book gives an objective view of the Historical aspect of Christianity and Judaism.
* This is not the ordinary book you are apt to find in Bible study class.
* This is a wonderful overview of the Bible illustrated with color art from down through the ages.
* This book is a must for anyone who wishes to understand the Bible.
* stunningly beautiful, a bibliophile's treasure : I have not encountered a more thorough, thoroughly enjoyable, straightforwardly written, ABSORBING journey through the history of the Bible.

Once again I am drawn into the gritty world of the London crime scene. In Ken Bruen's books, I am never sure who is more vicious and criminal, the serial killers or the police who are searching them out.

This book has our serial killer going after the police starting off with a traffic warden and aiming toward the protaganist himself, Ken Brant. We have all of the usual police who we got to know in previous books including Brant (of course), Falls, Roberts, the incompetent Super with his "golden boy - snitch" McDonald. Alas, we no longer have my favorite, Lisa since she killed herself in McDead.

This book may be a little rough for many readers and it might be hard to follow by people who have never been exposed to the peculiar language that is spoken in South London (some say that it is English, but I would not swear to that).

After years of reading George Pelecanos, James Lee Burke, John Harvery, George V. Higgins, Raymond Chandler, Ross Thomas, and others who can turn a phrase while inducing me to turn a page, I've finally started reading Ken Bruen. "Blitz" introduced me to a world so sloppy and hungover it feels as real as anything the aforementioned writers have created.

Here's the 3rd person narrator on Brant, one of the protagonists: "Brant considered asking her for a ride but she looked the deep type. She'd have issues and want to talk after. He hated that." Sharp, politically incorrect, perfectly believable. And the killer, who decides to create his public persona as a vicious murderer who only takes out cops? A complete, drunken screw-up.

Bruen is the real deal. The most exciting thing about finishing "Blitz" was knowing that he's written a shelf and I'm just starting him.

Blitz is the name of a sadistic killer who begins bumping off London bobbies. Tell the truth, I loved BLITZ. I loved the main cop characters, Detective Sergeant Brant and Chief Inspector Roberts, and hope they show up in another book. This is an alcohol-saturated book: it seems all the characters are up till 3 am boozing and look like hell the next day at work. What fun! Wouldn't we all like to be like that, throwing our health to the wind, devil-may-care like. No, probably not. But it is somehow liberating to live vicariously through such tough, hard-as-nails characters. In our overly PC age, when smoking a cigarette is a fineable offense in many places, it does the soul good to see people being free to make mistakes even if only between the covers of a novel. Living badly should be a choice, not a crime, in a free society. Brant and Roberts live badly and are tough, funny and likeable. Ken Bruen has written a series of novels with Jack Taylor as the protagonist which I haven't yet read but have received good reviews. BLITZ is my first Ken Bruen book. Tell you what, mate, it won't be my last.

...he'd probably ask Ken Bruen to write his scripts.

Ken Bruen's "Blitz" is a rock `em, sock `em, no-holds-bar brawl of violent men and hard women on both sides of the law - an in-your-face tale told from the wrong side of London.

Remember the days when Lawrence Sanders was bringing crime fiction to the masses with NYPD's tough Captain Delaney and gripping crime drama like "The First Deadly Sin?" Well, carve up Sander's pedestrian prose with a broken-off beer bottle, run Captain Delaney through the gutters for some edge, strip out any regard for political correctness or social redeeming value, and you'll start getting a feel for Bruen's brand of raw drama on the mean streets. There's no genius in the story - a maniac decides to declare open season on London's cops, and starts indiscriminately killing them. In tracking down the murderer, this is not as much a police procedural as it is a character study in misfits and miscreants - and that's just the good guys.

This is black prose that finds beauty along its jagged edges - a searing journey through vicious deeds and twisted minds that builds to an unexpected and cynically satisfying climax. Ken Bruen is the real deal - if you're hooked on Lehane, Child, Huston, Rankin, or Gischler and haven't added Bruen to your reading list, don't wait another day.

Call it "Irish Noir," "Post-Modern Noir, " or whatever other adjective or descriptive phrase you can come up with; it matters not one bit. There's noir ... and then there's Ken Bruen. Blitz is the sequel to Bruen's The White Trilogy, a series of novels that introduced us to the cops in the South East London squad. A more dysfunctional collection of police officers would be hard to imagine. This time around, their loyalties, their training and what's left of their fragile sanity will be put to the test as they attempt to collar a sociopath who is out there killing cops with a hammer. (Leading Bruen, of course, to insert an irreverent reference or two to the Beatles' immortal "Maxwell's Silver Hammer." Would you expect any less?). The killer, nicknamed "the Blitz" by London's rabid tabloid press, is a total `nutter. As the novel progresses, the reader is left with the sneaking suspicion that this whack-job is probably going to get away with his crimes and maybe even make a few pounds selling his story to the highest bidder. The fact that you are tempted in that direction, however, is dead giveaway that the author has something else entirely up his sleeve.

What Blitz lacks - relatively speaking, that is, compared to some of Bruen's other novels - in terms of sheer primal energy and visceral impact, it more than makes up for by means of a subtle and not-so-subtle sense of humor that is as grim and as dark as it gets. It's not that Bruen has become domesticated. It's just that his technique has become more sophisticated over time. Indeed, the author's implicit indictment of society is all the more searing because it is couched largely in such outlandishly humorous terms in this novel. You'll laugh your arse off in places while reading this book. Five minutes later you'll realize that what tickled your fancy was definitely no laughing matter a' tall. And five will getcha ten that's what the author bloody well intended in the first place! So strap yourself in and grab a motion-sickness bag. You're in for a wild ride through the sights and sounds of a London that will never, ever make the pages of any guidebook.

Read the entire text of this review in MYSTERY NEWS (October/November 2004)