Smith Books

This book explains or attempt to explain what happens between the preacher and the pulpit!

While a sermon is NOT supposed to be an entertainment, it IS supposed to rouse the listeners to faith, action, and hope. If your preaching is lacking, Dr. Smith has a LOT of help for you.

He is one of my favorite preachers, by a LONG shot. I listen to EVERY sermon he preaches that I can find. His sermons are absolutely LOADED with good theology (and I don't mean "purpose driven drivel")--- it is loaded with theology put to work!

Smith has a magical way with analogies, metaphors, and imagination that most of us don't quite get. I am convinced that PROPER creativity is CAUGHT as much as it is TAUGHT--- read this book and let Smith's logic and ingenuity sink in.

This book is intriguing and a good reference for anyone who speaks or teaches as part of a Christian ministry. Thumbs up!!

Every now and then you need to be made to feel uncomfortable. Perhaps there are few ways to make people fee more uncomfortable than to talk to them about them public speaking or dancing. Robert Smith attempts to combine both of these uncomfortable realities into a helpful metaphor for biblical preaching.

Robert Smith is professor of Christian preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to this, he was a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

Right off the bat you have got to respect Smith's gutsy-ness to link the sacred act of preaching to a metaphor such as dancing. Remember, Smith is from a Baptist institution. I can't wait for his next book, perhaps Fermenting Truth: A Pastor's Guide to a Gloriously Intoxicating Ministry

Doctrine that Dances is primarily a book for preachers. Smith employs two main metaphors throughout.

The first is that the preacher is to be a `doxological dancer'. That is to say he is to be not just mentally engaged with the passage but also emotionally engaged. Smith warns against pastors spending time in the study of the word but neglecting their due time under the knife, in surgery, so to speak.

The second metaphor is that the preacher is to be an `exegetical escort'. He is to use the text to bring people into the presence of God. Here is a definition from Smith of such doctrinal preaching:

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My definition of doctrinal preaching emphasizes its underlying aim: transformation through Christ. I state that doctrinal preaching is the escorting of the hearers into the presence of God for the purpose of transformation. I contend that the task of the doctrinal preacher is to serve as an escort who ushers the hearer into the presence of God through the proper and precise expounding of the Word of God. When this is done, the efforts of the doctrinal preachers have reached their limits because they cannot transform the hearer. The hearer is left in the presence of the only One who can transform a human soul--Christ.

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Some may think that Smith is just being too cute with these metaphors and it is overkill. I'll be honest, I thought the same thing for the first 30 or so pages. But Smith pulls it off. He keeps emphasizing the metaphors and developing them within the context of pastoral ministry. When you finish the book I trust you'll agree that you have been served well by a man who wants to see God glorified and people transformed (including the preacher) by the faithful study and proclamation of the Word of God.

The book is written in a very engaging style. Smith is very culturally relevant (a good model for preachers) and writes with an eye toward the end goal (transformation). He also recognizes the negative stigma of doctrinal preaching, that it is boring. However, he doesn't flinch; his charge is for men to not make the glorious truth of Scripture boring but rather to be affected by this truth and then preach as a man who has been so affected.

I think Smith does a great job balancing the oft distorted poles of emotion and content. Too often men compromise one for the other and sadly the casualties are in the pews.

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Smith writes:

The preachers are simultaneously exegetical escorts and doxological dancers as they respond respectively to the substance of the Word of God within a style that is unique to their own personality yet reflective of an enthusiastic and passionate delivery. Doctrinal preaching includes both the exegetical escorting of the hearer and the doxological dancing of the preacher as the preacher ushers the hearer into the presence of God for the purpose of transformation. The preacher, who prior to the preaching moment has been transformed and who dances in the delivery of the message, expects the hearers also to be doxologically responsive to the Word of God because to the transformative moment. The doxological response in the preaching and hearing of the Word of God does not enter the sermon in its conclusion; rather, it begins the sermon in its introduction and resounds throughout the message.
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Throughout the book Smith quotes from people that I did not expect. I wonder as to why he would repeatedly quote Harry Emerson Fosdick, as well as Karl Barth, and St. Francis of Assisi. I did not find their quotes to add significant value to the point he was making and without a disclaimer would be concerned about folks embracing the rest of their teachings within such a context. This however, would not cause me to not recommend this book to preachers.

Finally, there is a continued reference to American slavery, African American preaching and the development of Christianity within the early African-American community. I had found this curious throughout the first 2/3 of the book until I realized the Smith himself was an African-American. This disclosure by Smith was helpful.

Smith has a wide potential readership, the Baptist community (both Reformed and Arminian), the African-American Community, and the rest of evangelicalism. Each area needs to be reminded of the call to preach the word faithfully and passionately for the glory of God and the transformation of people. May God be pleased to use it to this end.

Smith has introduced a work that will encourage, inspire, and educate preachers today who desire to be true to God's Word. Today, many pastor's preach to a crowd that is biblically illiterate. Smith explain how it is our responsibility to escort these listeners into God's presence through both the emotion and the mind. Doctrine that dances will help you see the Christ-centered need in your message and the need to preach hope in his second coming. Must read for any preacher today seeking to be both relevant and biblical.

i have had a bunch of math classes that used thies therioeys before but never had anyone explained it to me like this before. very easy to read and understand.

This is a really good book, very informative. It is very thorough about all aspects of setting up a drag chassis. It is not an instruction manual on specific construction. It is rather a book teaching you how and why certain techniques work and how they may apply to your car. It is well worth the money. The book itself is printed with thick, high-quality, glossy paper -- it should last a long time.

I have read this book probably 10 times. Each time I read it I learn something new. When I get upside down in my 4-link suspension, I pull out this book and go back to basics. It is written so that any high school graduate can understand it but alot of the material and concepts are college level. If you want to understand how your race suspension really works, I highly recommend this book.

I've wanted this book for quite a while and when I got it, I wasn't a bit disappointed. If you're into the nuts and bolts of drag racing, you need this book. Even though the technology has moved forward since this book was first published, the book isn't dated. Dave has a way of explaining the set-up without being too technical. A definite thumbs up for this book.

I have read this book over and over and learn something new each time. I have assisted in the construction of full tube chassis prior to this book and learned a good deal about what is written in this book. After reading the book, I have a true understanding of why we built things the way we did.
There is a ton of information that most drag racers do not know in this book. After reading Door Slammers, you will find out how ignorant most people are when it comes to chassis setup and how to make a car hook. You'll see that what you used to do in order to hook, is probably wrong. You will also find out what you should have done.

Great Book!!!

A good overall primer to help women understand the actions they need to take to be more successful in business. This book covers topics from dressing for success to learning to read financial statements. Your eyes will be opened to seeing work in a totally different way. This book best serves women who have no knowledge of the inner workings of business.

Generally I'm not big on self-help books; they are typically full of no-brainer truisms and advice that is impossible to follow (i.e., if you could follow it, you wouldn't need the self-help book).

This book, however, is very insightful about women in the workplace, and although it contains its share of truisms, it also offers some enlightening observations. For example, men assume they will learn on the job, while women assume they need to have experience in every aspect of a job description before applying. Also, women may shy away from higher-level or management positions, assuming they require too much work/stress, but in fact many of these positions offer more recognition and pay for LESS work/stress.

I personally found this book to be of great help in getting a new perspective on my career and on presenting my professional self and would recommend it to any woman interested in gaining perspective on gender in the workplace.

I read the book Each of Us and now understand why I felt like I was on the outside of the team of computer guys I worked with last year. This book articulated things that I suspected were hindering me but I couldn't name. I am recommending this book to my friends and family.

I have read this book and can't say enough good things about it! It's wonderful, insightful, uplifting. Even if you don't think it's what you want to do, read it. You will believe in yourself. You will want every woman you know to read it. It will make you strive for something more. It will make you happy to be you.

This is a MUST READ book if you're thinking of changing careers, have been out of the workforce, or just want to make more money. This book changed my life, and I can't say that about very many books. Because of this book, I went for jobs I would not have considered before. I had several offers, and have a job I love.

I bought this book for an urban outdoorsman, and he was most appreciative when he got into some of the pre-tech problem solving.

This book is well written and encourages the reader to be an active participant in the process of discovery (or re-discovery, as the writers may contend). The book is cleverly illustrated and fun to read, offering a wealth of information I have not found in any other sourcebook on primitive skills. I found myself jumping off the couch to venture outside to collect plants for dyeing fabric. Later, I used the description of how to make cordage from native plants found right in my own backyard. I would stongly recommend this book to anyone interested in practical, hands-on, primitive skills.

If you are looking for a book on basic primitive living skills you will find a goldmine of information in Earth Knack. The broad range of areas covered include making fire, making cordage (from vegetable and animal sources), making tools, tanning, flintknapping, making dyes and colors, baskets, bowls, pottery, food and cooking, soap, music, and clothing.

Each chapter provides everything you need to know to complete a couple of projects of that genre but is hardly a thorough treatment of the subject. For example the food and cooking, animals, and getting dressed sections each could easily consume two or three books and there are many on the market that do. What this book provides is a thorough introduction to the skills and the ability to develop confidence by going through several projects.

Although most areas are not covered in detail, some areas are covered better than any other book of this nature I have seen. For example, fire, cordage, baskets, buckets, and bowls are all treated in detail. It contains an unusually good section on flintknapping and an excellent section on making fire. While the techniques are mentioned in other books this is the first one I have read that provided sufficient information to figure out what you are doing wrong if it doesn't work. For example the first several times I tried to create a fire with friction I only created a glazed effect on the wood. This is the only book that mentioned what caused it and what to do about it.

For anyone wanting a broad introduction of all the basic skills of primitive living, Earth Knack is a highly recommended book.

I took an Outward Bound Course, and Bart was the Instructor. He was a very intersting man, so i bought his booy, which was just as intersting

I know Robin and Bart and enjoyed both their book as well as the excellant Earth Knack School that Robin runs . Both their school and this excellant book focus on hands-on. If you fully intend to learn the skills your ancestors used to keep alive this is THE BOOK. Filled with outstanding drawings that guide you through each skill in a step by step fashion Earth Knack points the way and leaves it up to you to take the path.

Whether you have an interest in mid-century modern design, Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian architecture or just Eichler...this book is a terrifc buy. While content rich it is still visually appealing and can easily function as a "coffee table" book. This book also serves as a terrific "idea guide" for those in search of small spacce solutions and/or modern landscaping layouts that bring the "outdoors in."

This book gives you alot of information. If you are interested in Eichler this is the book to get.

My word! I remember touring Eichler homes in Orange California with my parents. The homes, to me, were spectacular. My parents thought they seemed cheap. They were from the midwest and were used to brick homes built for powerful winters. We moved into another home several blocks from the Eichler Subdivision. I walked past the homes on they way to elementary school and just admired them so much. I guess I will never know what it is like to live in one, but I do know what it was like to tour an Eichler as a model home. What a memory! These are very special homes.

Scott K Dolik

As a Eichler home owner I couldn't wait for this book to arrive and thankfully it was a joy to read and pour over all the original photos in the book. I always knew I owned a special home and now I own a wonderful book that validates that too. Even if you are not a Eichler homeowner, but rather just a fan of mid-century homes this is also a must have for your library as it goes into more then just Joe Eichler and his homes. Enjoy the read!

Note: This book has 250 duotone photographs. The website run by the author is fantastic.

easy to read with a lot of exemple and cincal case this book it's very up to date. a book for guys very fond off abt the "art" of ECG interpretation, a issue not always enphatized in the modern cardiology. Of note the easy to understand ECGrgafic pattern and correlation with the culpirit lesion in coronar vessels, difficoult of interpretation of some pattern of lateral STEMI end a lot of many others of trik and pearls.
my preferred txtbook of ECG is tc chou (anyboody know something abt new Suravitz edt after the one of 2001 edt ? )and I think this book of S W SMITH are able in maintaining the philosophy of the surface ECG interpretation.

This text is an incredibly useful reference appropriate for students, nurses, and physicians at all levels of training or expertise. I skimmed the book while in residency and have reviewed it much more thoroughly since completing my training.

The utility of this reference is basically three-fold...

In the acute setting, it is perhaps the only reference that provides more than 200 case-based examples of both 'classic' and more subtle ECG findings to assist in ECG interpretation. High-yield and 'do not miss' facts and examples of both normal and abnormal findings secondary to ischemia or structural abnormalities are highlighted for quick reference. I have not found a more useful resource that can so quickly provide such valuable information.

The text also includes concise review of basic principles imperative to understanding (not just memorizing) ECG interpretation including brief reviews of anatomy, vector analysis, structural defects, and how these factors affect ECG findings. It also illustrates the dynamic nature of the ECG in the setting of ischemia by showing serial ECGs and ECG findings at varying stages of myocardial injury and recovery.

Included in each chapter is an annotated bibliography which acts as a very helpful guide to recent literature. This provides a more focused summary of relavent studies related to each chapter, which allows you to select those suitable for more in-depth review.


The only negative feedback I've heard from friends/colleagues is mild discontent with the rather 'bulleted' text presentation. Personally, I find this to be a strength of the reference as it facilitates rapid review without sacrificing content.

The bottom line is that this text is high-yield, absolutely worth $50, and is the only resource I've found that is focuses on utility in the urgent/emergent setting. I've bought many books, but I actually use this book.

This is a very comprehensive, evidence-based book which will improve your ability to interpret what that ECG is telling you about your patient. I particularly like the extensive use of actual patient cases. Definitely worth the $50.

This book is a great tool to bring your interpretation of ECG in the setting of MI to the next level. If you are a medical student who wants to become competent at reading ECGs you need this book. It not only serves as a tutor, but also as a reference. It's so packed with relevant information that I can't imagine how other medical students can go without it, especially anyone considering a career in Emergency Medicine. If you understand the addage: "the more you know the more you learn," then you'll understand exactly why you need this book early in your career. This book will make you a better doctor.

The ECG in Acute MI provides a quick reference text for use in critical clinical situations in which accurate ECG interpretation will lead to more rapid recognition of appropriate candidates for reperfusion therapy, as well as a text for more detailed study of electrocardiogram interpretation. This manual is intended for all clinicians that may have to recognize and treat an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Thus, this book is for emergency department physicians, cardiologists, critical care physicians, hospitalists, internists, family practitioners, physician assistants, cardiac care nurses, residents and medical students. The text assumes a basic clinical understanding of electrocardiograms and common terminology, and focuses on outlining the essentials of ECG interpretation and how they may be used to accurately diagnose AMI, as well as to facilitate appropriate and timely reperfusion therapy. In this manual, reperfusion therapy includes the use of thrombolytics and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including angioplasty and stent placement.
The authors utilize a well-organized format of concisely written text with key points highlighted and numerous clinical and electrocardiographic demonstrations included in every chapter in order to illustrate core concepts, and allow for quick reference. The text is divided into six sections for rapid review and easy access: General Issues of ECG Morphologies and the Diagnosis of AMI; the ECG Morphologies of AMI broken down by anatomic distribution (i.e. anterior MI, Inferior MI, etc.); Conditions that can obscure the diagnosis of AMI, including ECG pseudo-infarction patterns and AMI look-alikes; Other issues including atypical presentations, biomarkers and echocardiography as used in the reperfusion decision; and the management of AMI.
The ECG in Acute MI includes more than 300 12-lead ECGs, over 200 of which have accompanying case histories to help the reader understand the ECG in a clinical context. Many of the case examples include angiographic findings that serve to cement the reader's understanding of the ECG manifestations of anatomical disease. The chapters and representative example cases are cross-referenced extraordinarily well, facilitating review and comparison in an emergency setting. In addition, each chapter contains an extensive annotated bibliography outlining the pertinent studies previously published, including interpreted methods, findings and comments. The value of including a detailed description of the evidence based literature on which assertions in the text are made, cannot be overstated. Overall, there are more than 500 cited references for the text.
The ECG in Acute MI is well organized, thorough and an easy to use manual, both for the seasoned physician and the clinician in training. Although a manual focusing only on ECG interpretation seems a bit daunting at over 300 pages, the concise format of the text makes reading or reviewing chapters either to refresh prior knowledge or verify findings of an acute ECG in the clinical setting to confirm an interpretation entirely possible. While the reviewer had been comfortable with her ability to interpret ECG's in the acute setting, she was pleasantly surprised at just how much she learned from this manual. The authors set out to review and highlight the key aspects of ECG interpretation in order to more accurately diagnose acute MI and facilitate appropriate and timely therapy. The authors focus on educating the reader on the more sophisticated interpretation of subtle, non-diagnostic and atypical electrocardiographic findings of infarction, beyond the much more easily recognized "tombstoning" pattern of AMI. Additionally, the case based discussion utilizing serial ECG's emphasizes the dynamic nature of the electrocardiogram in acute myocardial infarction. This has led the reviewer to be much more suspicious of subtle hints on an initial ECG and the value of repeated examination in the acute clinical setting. The drawback of a text focused on subtle and atypical ECG findings is that the manual is occasionally tedious in its' detail and tiresome in its' description of differentiating characteristics of subtleties.
Although there are several excellent manuals for ECG interpretation available in the medical literature, the ECG in Acute MI is superior in its utilization of clinical correlation and evidenced based theory. The ECG in acute MI would be an excellent addition to any emergency department library, and would easily lend itself to the development of an advanced ECG interpretation module for residency curriculum. The authors have added a unique and tremendously valuable resource to the reference texts available to practicing clinicians.

This is the best health book on children I have come across. I wish there was a more recent one.

A friend gave me this book when my first son was born. It has been through nineteen years and two children and has helped me evaluate various symptoms that resulted in everything from thrush to pityriasis rosea. Dr. Smith's book was also a great comfort in the middle of the night when one of my children would wake with symptoms I wasn't familiar with! This would make a GREAT gift for any soon-to-be mother. Any chance of talking the publisher into returning it to print?

As a mother of 6 children, I bought a copy of this book 17 years ago, when my first child was a baby. Since I own a bookstore, I have access to quite a slew of books, and own several hundred health-related books for children - from herbal to homeopathic to allopathic medicine. This is by far the best - the one I turn to every time - and it always has the answer I'm looking for. Symptoms for illnesses & diseases that I've never heard of, and the most complete. I have been able to diagnose cases of scarlet fever in my children (confirmed by my unbelieving doctor), and other "odd" illnesses often left diagnosed. My doctors are always amazed that I know so much, and have even asked if I went to medical school. But no, I simply have this wonderful resource in my home library, and have read it often! I am here now, looking for a hardcover edition, since my 17 year old paperback is falling apart (literally)! I would recommend this book to every parent!

The child I raised using this book is now expecting. I'd love to find an updated version of this book to give her. It was invaluable in saving unnecessary trips to the Dr. It is straight forward, easy to understand and has great symptom flow charts to follow to determime what's ailing your child. Worth its price in the peace of mind it can give. My only concern is that since it's so old, I'm not sure if any information in it may be considered incorrect today.(i.e. babies are now put to sleep on their backs/sides rather than their stomachs to prevent SIDS) Even so, it's worth having as a resource in your library.

I find this book to be invaluable. I was given a copy by a friend after my child recovered from meningitis. This book would have led me to this illness very quickly; however, the doctors took three critical days to figure it out on their own. Since then I have been able to do my own research on my children's ailments to verify/refute the doctor's diagnosis. Obviously this is not a book to take the place of a doctor, but it can help you prepare your questions for the doctor. If I had said "could my child have meningitis . . ." the doctor would have reviewed the symptoms and possibly diagnosed properly this relatively uncommon disease at the time (it's more commonly known now) before permanent damage had been done. I was hoping to get an updated copy of this book to include the most current medical information - anyone have a recommendation?

I have been tired for most of my life. In college they used to prefix my name with "fall asleep as soon as she sits down girl". After numerous blood tests, a doctor finally reccommended nutrition. Pam's book really helped me understand the causes of my fatigue. I can't say I am full of energy now, but I am much more energetic than ever before and I have lost five pounds to boot! Thanks, Pam.

Pam Smith has once again done a great job! The book explained so well what the pros and cons for every trend diet and how these do not work. I, myself am a living testimony of that. I look forward to staying and keeping on a steady track to achieve my maximum health level. The Diet Trap lists out the meals, snacks and even a shopping list of all that our bodies need. A great book with wonderful effects.

I am so happy to have this book. I searched for a way to fight that dragging feeling that I always got around 3pm--while sitting in my cubicle. The Energy Edge is the answer---And I don't even have to take any pills!

It seems like everyone is tired and stressed these days. I certainly was, that's before I read this book! What a difference it's made in my life. Now I sleep well at night, and stay awake all day long. No more mid-afternoon sleepiness! The greatest thing about this book is that it's so simple and easy to use. Thanks, Pam Smith, for your book.

This book was so full of information for an easy to follow plan for your diet and your life! I couldn't put it down! I wanted to know more! I wanted to get up to practice what I was reading and she was right. No frills, just practical information you can use. I knew she was a Christian and I could tell the influence on her book. Very balanced and enlightening!

This book, put together by a panel is mighty dry reading - kinda like unbuttered popcorn. Alas, that's a common problem with a report or study put together by a committee, no evidence that any of the panelists has a flair for writing. As with the other reviewers to date, I feel the book provides much needed help on the issue of one's faith on facing and addressing death; especially death under trying circumstances--life support, hospice care. I'd have found it helpful if there'd been some discussion on coping with the death of youth or young children (grief issues are especially critical) and the matter of a child dying before elderly parents, again an especially hard grief issue and test of faith.

When confronted by potentially controversial ethical issues, such as those surrounding death and dying, churches rarely distinguish themselves. There are a number of pitfalls. Knowing that they cannot please anyone, they may simply remain silent, abdicating their responsibility to provide moral guidance. Worse, they may make pious-sounding, but vague, pronouncemnts that address issues without actually saying anything. When take clear positions, they may have a hard time making a convincing connection to their own tradition. This work avoids all those pitfalls. The Episcopal Church's End of Life Task Force addresses issues such as assisted suicide clearly and concisely even as they respect the human anguish and moral ambiguities involved.

This book was excellent. It gives a great insight into the beliefs of the Anglican Faith regarding the End of Life Care, and what we, as Anglicans, can do. I knew before I read the book, that the Church allowed us to forgo Life Support Measures, and Extraordinary measures including refusing artificial Nutrition and Hydration.

This book is a great resourch for any member of the Anglican Faith (Episcopal of Church of England, or member of the Anglican Community).

This is a really useful book for those who are approaching death and those who are critically ill and don't know what the outcome will be. I'm not Episcopalian, but felt really supported in terms of ethical and spiritual help when my father was dying and I read it.

Although specifically Anglican in perspective, the early chapters offer an understanding of death and its place in human life--including theologically appropriate uses of medical treatment/resources--that will be of value to all Christians (and others interested in what religious traditions have to say). After discussions of mourning, the church's role, and social policy issues like access to health care and the importance of palliative care, the book provides several very helpful resources for use in local parishes. This book by a distinguished panel of clergy, ethicists, physicians, and attorneys (not to imply that any of those categories excludes any of the others!) can serve as a useful resource for all who want to make the end of life a more faithful experience, both for themselves and for others.

I am not a runner. I have never been a runner and I never want to be a runner. The great news is you don't have to be a runner to love this book. It's not just about running. It is a warm, funny, motivational, and highly inspirational book about being human; about pushing ourselves beyond what we thought we could do; about getting out of our own way and becoming great. It's about endurance, courage, and friendships. It's about accepting what can't be changed, and changing what can. I now know what all my friends are getting for birthdays this year. Because Dallas shows us you are never too old to become who or what you want to be.

This book is a down to earth, amusing and inspirational tale of Dallas Smith's amazing exploits in long distance running. Dallas talks about the places and the folks he meets along the way, and about the running - his running feats will surprise the reader as they sometime seem to surprise Dallas too. Highly recommended, even for those of us who see five miles as a long distance run.

By reading Dallas Smith's book I found out that I am ready for a new challenge. After being a runner for a quite number of years, I never thought about doing an ironman, even though bicycling and swimming has been always part of my training. With his book I learnt a lot about these tough races, but most of all he woke up something that every adventurer has inside. I made a decision; I am going to try it myself!

'Falling Forward' is not a for-runners-only book. It is a book for readers, for Dallas Smith is, first of all, a storyteller. He is a bard of running. Following the races connects him with everything and everyone and what's happening all around him and lifts life itself onto a pedestal. That sets him and his book 'way apart from other books and articles about running. Whether a runner or not, 'Falling Forward' will entertain you and surprise you and carry you along like a runner who hits the finish line and wants to keep on going - as Dallas Smith is doing.
-- Charles Denning
Cookeville, Tenn.

Great book. Really pulls you into the story and Dallas makes you feel like you are there with him during the runs.