Spencer Books

Stephen Spencer's William Temple: A Calling to Prophecy is a fine introduction to the life and thought of one of the most influential Anglican Archbishops of Canterbury of not just the 20th century, but for all time. Temple was born in 1881 and died in 1944 of gout, from which he had suffered for much of his life. Although sickly at points, he was a man of tremendous vision and compassion, receiving visitors until shortly before his death, and fighting in particular for the cause of the working poor over the course of his lifetime. A socialist, he was also a tremendous intellectual, and the apex of what Michael Ramsey (Archbishop of Canterbury 1961 - 1974) called "liberal catholicism" - that is, a critical negotiation between, on the one hand, the inherited faith of the Church catholic and, on the other hand, the challenges and insights presented by new ideas and understandings. Spencer does a fine job throughout this book of showing how Temple's social commitments, intellectual endeavors, and spiritual life were intertwined with one another. Temple thus emerges as the ideal Anglican saint: intellectually rigorous, theologically broad-minded yet deeply rooted, and charitable.

There are eight chapters in the book, beginning with Temple's privileged upbrining - his father, Frederick Temple, was also Archbishop of Canterbury - and moving on through his youth and ordination in the Church of England. Part of Spencer's basic point was that Temple had a tremendous sense of calling on his own life, but that this calling was only realized as he increasingly yielded himself to his calling within the Church. Temple thus appears as something of a liminal figure; his intellectual commitments took him outside of the Church - above all to German Idealism - but his sense of spiritual calling drove him more deeply into church life and, therefore, higher and higher in the Church's hierarchy. One could, therefore, argue that Spencer's account is somewhat hagiographical and not strictly biographical. I think this is fair, but I also think that a sense of the holy is necessary when discussing the life and thought of a saint. Thus, I think Spencer ought to be commended rather than criticized for making this one of his major subthemes.

One of the more interesting facets of the book - and one of the more immediately relevant to Anglican arguments about identity and theology, I think - is Spencer's discussion of Temple's ecumenical endeavors. Temple - disastrously, in my mind - sought an ecumenism that was based upon the sacrament of baptism at the expense of the sacrament of confirmation. Thus, one of the historic markers of catholic Christian identity was shed by Temple in order to reach out to Protestants who had abandoned the episcopate and all of which that entails. Such a move was, no doubt, noble on his part, but one may ask whether or not, in retrospect, it was wise; it weakened the Church's sacramental practices, and in his own lifetime aroused the staunch disagreement of another late-19th and early-20th century Anglican luminary, Charles Gore. I found Spencer's discussion of Temple and ecumenism especially fascinating; if Anglicans are to cohere, it may end up only occurring at the *necessary* expense of Temple's legacy on this issue.

Stephen Spencer's short volume is an excellent addition to the library of every self-respecting Anglican, whether lay or in holy orders. Temple was a great man, even if flawed on some matters; his sense of the coherence of reason and revelation both validates and further encourages the longer history of Anglican beliefs in the harmony of nature and grace. Temple is an Anglican saint well worth knowing; Spencer's volume is one that is well worth owning.

Loved the characters, loved the setting. A good book to read with a cup of tea and an afternoon free. The Joan Spencer mysteries are well written and for cozies have more depth that some. If you've read some earlier books in this series, you know that Joan and Fred are finally married. They go to Fred's hometown of Bishop Hill to stay with Fred's mother (who has dementia) and dad while his sister and husband go on vacation. Fred's mother goes missing and when they find her she has found a dead body. The killer thinks she saw him and so they end up looking for the killer as well as trying to protect Helga from him. That's all I'm going to tell you. I enjoyed this book very much.

Darrell Spencer was one of my teachers at college. This man not only knows his craft inside and out, but is also incredibly dedicated to helping others understand it, too.

Every single short story a student handed in was delivered back covered with red pen markings of improvements, suggestions, recommendations of authors who write similar material, praise and criticism. The skills he taught me have spilled over to many other aspects of my writing and business life as well. Incredible.

His short stories are rarely predictable, and his honesty to his characters shines through. I have not yet read his newest collection "Caution, Men in Trees", but am anxiously awaiting it's release.

If you are serious about writing...fiction, novels, movies, music...read his works. You will be inspired. If you want to write, READ.

(and even if you don't want to write, be sure to pick up Darrel's works for a great read.)

Steven

This very nicely written book tells in lovely details the history of Yaddo, the artists, writers and composers' Colony located in Saratoga Springs, NY.

...The cultural and historical significance of The Corporation of Yaddo on 20th Century American culture is brilliantly analyzed with critical essays and period photographs in the upcoming anthology Yaddo: Making American Culture edited by Dr. Micki McGee, a sociologist and cultural critic at Fordham University in New York.

Author Marjorie Peabody Waite (1884-1944) takes us back to 1784 when 200 acres of land were settled by Jacobus Barhyte (1754-1842), a Revolutionary War Sergeant who fought and won in the Saratoga Campaign of 1777 under General Gates of the American Forces. Soon after he had built a house and a mill, Jacobus married Christiana Abel, the daughter of a local farmer. They had a son, John. Thomas and Nancy Campbell were the Barhyte two slaves that were given their freedom in 1808. Jacobus good business and PR acumen turned the Barhyte's Farm into a successful trout fishing spot and tavern destination frequented by the best society of Saratoga Springs' visitor through 1849.

Miss Waite recalls the tale in the 1820's of the repeated visits to Jacobus by Joseph Bonaparte, the exiled former King of Spain. Bonaparte liked the Barhyte Farm so much that he made several attempts to purchase the place from Jacobus: all offers were firmly declined. Another well known story is that in 1842-43, Edgar Allan Poe found inspiration for one of his most famous poems, The Raven And Other Poems, and proclaimed the verses aloud while visiting the woods on the Barhyte Farm.

...In 1881, Spencer and Katrina Trask bought about 400 acres of land including the former Barhyte Farm. It was renamed "Yaddo" by the Trask's four-year-old daughter Christina. It is during a visionary walk in their gardens that Katrina and Spencer decided to give away the Yaddo Estate to people of creative powers after their passing. Soon after Katrina's death in 1922, their wish was realized under the guidance of George Foster Peabody, Miss Waite and Elizabeth Ames (1885-1977) who was Yaddo's brilliant director from 1924 to 1969. In 1926, the first 40 "guests" arrived at Yaddo during the summer season. Composer Aaron Copland, painter Marion Greenwood, novelists Irving Stone, Lona Mosk, Evelyn Scott and John Cheever, film-maker Ralph Steiner, literary critics Malcolm Cowley, Newton Arvin, Van Wyck Brooks and Clifton Fadiman were among the dozens of creative personalities who passed through Yaddo in the late 1920's. Their individual works of art would eventually shape 20th century American culture.

The unique business acumen and financial successes of venture capitalists partners Spencer Trask (1844-1909) and George Foster Peabody (1853-1938) is best told in the 1941 History of Spencer Trask & co by Eugene J Koop. Katrina Trask (1853-1922), an author, poet and playwright, writes in detailed anecdotes of their early days in Saratoga Springs in her 1888 book "Chronicles of Yaddo".

The 1880 book Reminiscences of Saratoga and Ballston by William Leete Stone is among the historical sources Miss Peabody Waite uses for her writing.

This trivia book is an interesting and fun compilation of facts and trivia on one of the most interesting places in the world. Yellowstone national park sits on top of a so called super volcano. The Yellowstone Caldera is the largest known center of active volcanism in the world. The caldera measures 30 by 45 miles. Therefore Yellowstone has the largest concentration of geysers and other hydrothermal features in the world. It has more than 12 times more active geysers than Iceland, and more than all of Russia, in fact more than a third of all active geysers in the world are located at this single spot.

Add to that the amazing wild life and all the great hiking trails. An estimated 10,000 Elk live in Yellowstone Park and thousands of bison (buffalo) roam the park in large herds which virtually every visitor will see. I have seen wolf fighting Grizzly Bear in the park, coyote stealing elk meat from wolfs, and I have seen bear (black and grizzly bear) every time I have been in Yellowstone. Also did you know that there are lakes in the park that drains into both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean?

You will learn a lot of interesting facts about Yellowstone, our earth and the natural world by reading this book. In addition, reading this book will give you a good insight into what there is to see and visit in the park. It is also a great and fun companion while you are waiting for a geyser to erupt, or resting on top of a mountain.

I've been a fan of Dracula since I was 6 years old. The original Stoker novel, the many film adaptations (some wonderful and memorable, some commendable attempts, and some that are outright horrendous), and the innumerable comic books/graphic novels, novels, documentaries, television shows, etc. have given me tremendous pleasure and fun. I've even played Dr. Seward in a terrific new stage production of the original story. In addition, I've studied the actual historical figure of Vlad Tepes, or The Impaler, the fifteenth century Wallachian ruler from whom Stoker drew so much of his inspiration and background material for the novel. So I'd like to think I know whereof I speak here.

This is a marvelous audio production. The acting is spot-on. No weak/fake British accents here! The primarily young cast give terrific performances as the heroes and heroines of the classic tale. Heathcote Williams is a wonderful Dracula, his deep, snarling voice dripping with menace and the tiniest bit of arrogant humor. Brian Cox, already a well-established veteran actor, does a lively and heartfelt job as Van Helsing. All in all, the cast perfectly personifies the original characters.

But it's not all dramatic readings of the novel; there are some sound effects (a few more wouldn't have hurt, nor would they have been intrusive, since the performances are the main attraction and draw the listener in nicely), and even an atmospheric background score which helps to set the mood (Naxos has provided the source materials for the music as well in its thorough liner notes).

And finally, this particular abridgement/adaptation is well done. It's edited tightly enough that the story keeps moving inexorably forward, and features some wonderfully horrific scenes in the book rarely if ever depicted on film. The only glaring omission is Mina's description of the scene wherein Dracula attacks her - one of the most harrowing and erotic of the novel. It's disappointing it is not included in this dramatization, but it does little to detract from the rest of the production.

Anyone who is a true Dracula fan and wishes to listen to a quality audio version of the original story would enjoy this well done production.

my oh my, some of the books that pass for classics! i have read compulsively for around 26 years, but this sort of book could make me give up the activity. i so deeply regret the loss of the six evenings that i wasted slogging through the pages of this ridiculous thing. the characters are annoying flat caricatures, and the plot/action is simply silly beyond belief. if this book can be considered a classic, then anything is possible. maybe in a hundred years Brittany Spears will be considered on par with Bach and Beethoven in the history of "classic" music? could happen, i guess.

Though it had been made in to multiple movies and changed into other forms of media, Dracula's characters and the evident Victorianism makes it one the greatest horror novels ever written. It does move slowly at times and the ending is anticlimactic but the good outweighs the bad in Bram Stoker's classic novel.

There are many "good-guys" in Dracula but there is never a true apparent protagonist and this does anything but detract from the story. Jonathon Harker does seem like the intended protagonist but Mina, Van Helsing, and Dr. Seward could all be put on the same level as well. In fact it is Van Helsing who makes the plans to try and destroy Dracula. The way the book was written (diary and journal entries) the reader is drawn closely to the group of heroes who pledge there lives to one another to fight an evil they all wish to destroy.

Also the elements of Victorianism are seen through out the masterpiece. Stoker is able to maintain the characteristics of the era while still writing a horror novel. Mina is able to rise above what women were expected to be able to do and "play with the big boys." She plays a vital role in the fight against Dracula proving that even with men and all their wisdom, sometimes it takes a women's mind to come up with ideas and conclusions that the men had not thought of.

Though it is a bit gruesome, slow, and anticlimactic at times, Bram Stoker's Dracula is a masterpiece for the ages.

Bram Stoker's "Dracula" was first published in 1897, and as one reads this work, it is overwhelmingly apparent that it was written during a time when morals and virtues were held in a much higher regard than they are today.

The book is comprised primarily of various journal entries from six main characters. Two of these main characters are remarkable women, possessed of lofty talent and high moral character. It is when both of these women encounter Count Dracula himself and fall under his poisonous and deathly spell that the remaining main characters in the book--all courageous and gifted and accomplished men--spring to the aid of these women.

I, for one, loved the old fashioned language, the rigid formality and courtesy, and the unyielding respect that the main characters demonstrated in their interactions with one another. Chivalry was certainly not dead in 1897, if one were to use this book as evidence. The graciousness and loyalty that the men in this book showed the women is inspiring, and the moral refinement and sensibilities of the women characters caused me to yearn for an older time, away from the immorality and crudeness apparent in today's society.

I had to smile at one point when reading the book when the two main women characters found themselves out late at night after a frightening experience. They were both in their full-length bedclothes, which apparently covered every part of their bodies but their bare feet. One of the women, not wanting to appear immodest dabbed mud on their bare feet so as not to offend anyone who might see those exposed parts.

This book is filled with suspense and plausibly thrilling episodes. It stands as a wonderful classic of good-natured fright, which proves that tension and drama and expectation may be created in a work of fiction without all of the offending elements of bloody violence, gore, vulgarity, sex, and devilishness thrown into the mix. Its ending is noble, with at least one of the main characters revealing remarkable compassion when she sees the look on Count Dracula's face during the final decisive scene in the book. This book was a pleasant surprise, as I wasn't suspecting a work of such high literary value from a "horror" novel. Thus, I highly recommend it.

While not typically driven to review, I was puzzled by the other reviews for this book. There is an overwhelming amount of, not just good but, great reviews for this book and an average rating of 4-1/2 stars. Actually, the only reason I looked at the reviews for this book at all is that I found it to be the most disappointing book I've ever read. Like a few of the other 1 star reviewers, I actually liked the first few chapters. Stoker develops a nice gothic atmosphere until the story moves west. To each their own but when I read the reviews that claim this to be the best gothic story ever written, riveting, exciting, and any other description that wouldn't apply to watching paint dry or grass grow I wonder if we read the same book at all.

In these troubled times with the economy, it's such a pleasure to read a book so heart warming.

If you're looking for a story about an apparently very intelligent and lovable cat, you can find it here. If that's what you're focussed on, you can skip a half dozen historical and autobiographical chapters. But the reflective reader will want to read it all, in sequence, and contemplate this story in its full context.

One warning: The picture on the front of the dust cover - which is mentioned a few times in the book - is not reproduced within the text. So don't throw away the dust cover.

For a very different narrative, which ends up in a somewhat similar place, see Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish.

Dewey ... is a wonderful and heartwarming story. It is a must read for anyone who has a love of animals (cats, of course!) and books. It is a rich and well written book that has depth. I'm buying copies for friends.

I ordered the book on Oct. 12 from a seller called "mikes great deals." The order was confirmed and I was told I would receive it between Oct. 17 and Nov. 3. I waited and waited and waited and finally started checking into the seller's reviews. They were mostly negative! Failure to ship and failure to communicate were the most common. I contacted Amazon and was eventually able to obtain a credit. What a negative experience! Why is this seller still allowed on Amazon????

This book never arrived. The seller would not respond to my email. STAY AWAY from this seller.

As a web designer, I've always wanted to learn how to use ASP to access database records and use them in my projects. This book has given some great instruction and examples that will help beginners start a foundation of good coding and functions that they will use all the time. Thanks so much!

I picked up this book while developing ASP with an Access backend for my own web site. I found this to be a terrific reference to learn how to communicate with ADO and it made database access/updating a snap!!

With the switch to ASP.NET and henceforth ADO.NET this book isn't as necessary as in the past (the author has a new book relating to this very topic), but if you are running ASP on your web server and need to communicate with Access or SQL Server you will not be disappointed!! My only complaint relates to the fact that nearly every example is written in VB and not JScript. I find Jscript to be a better server side language to use in the pre .NET world and would have liked it more if the author had mixed up the examples he uses in this book. Aside from that, the book is wonderfully organized and I found it to be very useful.

**** RECOMMENDED

This book took me from Frontpage Websites to being a real website developer. I've gone back to it hundreds of times. This is the Moby Dick of the ASP coding world.

Although I had an advanced degree in Computer Science all my project experience was in the field of non-web-based application development. So when I entered the web application development market I needed a fast paced book to teach me how to convert my skills from the usual database development to a web based one.

Although many online articles were helpful this book was the reason I understood many concepts.

Its a perfect book for a beginner but if you are already experienced in programming/databases this wouldn't be a bad place to start off web development in ASP (this is not ASP.NET).

This book is not just for a beginner....I include intermediate ASP developers as well.

This book is perfect for a beginner though. It explains stuff in not too much detail but enough to understand the full explanation of how to do real-life transactions and a good bulk of what you need to know in Web Development. I'd say this book brings you to an intermediate level after you are done. The advanced levels come in when you start doing sessions and stuff like that.

What is really nice is that this guy knows what it is like to be a developer for a company and the pains you go through. His examples are examples I've been able to understand, therefore my knowledge of ASP at work becomes better and this is the reference book I use most.

He gives a nice list of common errors in ASP which can drive you nuts if you haven't really got down all the basics..and often you forget the simplest things. On p. 232, he lists each error and a brief description of why you could possibly be getting this...and he's right. If you get any of these errors, just whip out this page and save yourself 10-30 minutes or more of frustration with ASP.


Even though .NET is here, if you are still developing in ASP, this book may be old but the syntax hasn't changed so buy it if you can still get your hands on it!

The whole book is great....a must have for even an intermedate developer......and a great beginner book also.

This well written book is worth reading and refreshingly honest. One begins to feel familiar with the various family members.

The book arrived in a timely fashion, was in good condition (as described by seller). Will use them again if the occasion arises.

I could not even finish this ridiculous book and I cannot figure out why it is a best seller? Irene needs a deprogrammer or a psychiatrist. When I came to the part where she marries a man who already has a wife when she had a chance with a NORMAL man who treated her well, I knew I could not finish this silly book. Her soon to be husband who has a wife and kid tells her he would 'love to see her milking his cow' and she takes this as a marriage proposal? Ummm,,,, something is dreadfully wrong here. Definitely two sandwiches short of a picnic. Sounds so backwards. Hogwash and actually I find it disgusting that these men get away with child molesting.. No wonder they have to hide from everyone. YUK! Irene, I hope you get some help! And all those poor kids that the government (us taxpayers) supports on welfare! I would rate this negative 5 stars if possible.

Shattered Dreams was a story so well written that I couldn't put it down.

Irene was a child who was reared in Pologamy. Her mother left the order when she was a young teen, and begged Irene not to become involved in the order. As a teen, Irene was torn between marrying a young man who professed his dying love for her or agreeing to be a second wife to her cousin's husband, entering the life of pologamy.

Irene felt God telling her to enter the world of Pologamy. Against her mother's wishes, she secretly married, believing she would have a wonderful life.

Irene shares her hearaches without loosing her sensitivity towards her sister-wives. She tells the story of how they were expected to birth a child a year, and share a husband with many wives. There were times they all were thrown into the same house with all of their children, and lived in horrible poverty. For many reasons, the family moved multiple times, and were often left alone for months on end while their husband was off on mission trips or working for the church. When he was around, they each had their assigned night with him, which of course leaving each sister wife feeling horribly lonely at times. The purpose of having so many children was to build up a beginning family that would receive their own Godhead in the here-after.

How she was able to keep her cool as long as she did is beyond me. At one point she was responsible for the 24 hour day to day care of 24 children while two of her sister wives were living in other towns working. After months of caring for the children in a tiny house, she finally told her husband she could no longer continue. She was exhausted beyond belief, but instead of receiving understanding from her husband, was reprimanded for not being stronger.

I was happy that she did not make her husband out to be a demon as other books on the subject have. Rather, she shared many tender moments with him, and it appeared he did everything humanly possible to care for his huge family. Irene's tale took place long before food stamps and public assistance for "single" mothers.

I recommend this book highly to those interested in trying to understand polgamy for it explains in detail why they choose this lifestyle, and helps readers learn the dynamics of this lifestyle while preserving the dignity of the family.

This is the fourth book I have recently read by women who have left polygamy behind, and I found it to be the best of the bunch. Although it is frightening to realize that this lifestyle is still endured in the 21st century and in America, I try to read up on the subject so that I can try to gain some understanding. Each book I read just makes me wonder all the more how these women can stand these husbands who ignore them and their children so shamefully. Not just stand them, actually, but yearn for them.
Irene's book was, in my opinion, the most well-crafted of the books I have read by these women. In some of the others I found the wives to be a little less candid than Irene is, and they seem to try to make more excuses for themselves than Irene does. The most puzzling thing to me, especially after reading another book about the same husband by one of Irene's "sister-wives," is how they all go crazy trying to get their husband's attention and affection when he so clearly only cares about himself and "the Principle." The wives are starved for affection and the children are just plain starving. I understand that they are brought up to believe that this lifestyle is divinely ordained, yet the men involved are such total creeps that you wonder how any woman can yearn for them.
Irene gives a very vivid and clear portrait of the years she spent in polygamy, and how she finally emerged to enter into a happy marriage with one man who cherished only her. It is heartbreaking to see how she threw away so many good years, but her (13)! children seem to be a blessing to her. I am so happy that she has found peace and joy at last.

"One...two...three...four...five..." My sister groaned softely. I didn't look at my parents or my sister, but I could imagine their faces. If only they understood that I was doing this for all of us. The tyrants in Tara's head only got worse. Tyrants. That is what Tara calls the voices in her head. As these so called "tyrants" got more powerful. Tara's relationships with others got worse. She stopped walking to places with people. She could not be disturbed, or she would have to start all over again.
This story is told in first-person, by Tara. Even thoough it's fiction, you will learn a little about something called OCD. And all the kinds people could have. Kissing Doorknobs is a serious book, but will make you smile at the same time. Unlike most books, this one has mood swings. At one point, you will be emotional. And two pages later, you will be laughing like there was no tomarrow. Yes, it is a chick-flick. But not all girls will enjoy it. I would recommend you reading it if you like reading fictional books about the lives of teenagers.
Kissing Doorknobs will make you wonder. "Why don't Tara's parents support her?" "What is wrong with Tara?" Well that's for me to know, and you to find out!

Excellent 1st person look into a disorder that can be hard for the average person to understand. Its easy to say "just stop" when you don't understand how the people suffering from OCD are tortured by their disease. This read was entertaining while also opening the door for education of OCD and its effects on those who suffer from it as well as their family & friends.

I first read this book in 8th grade. Seven years later, after having been diagnosed with OCD, I've realised how well done it really is. Tara's pain and her family's pain are both acutely, poignantly, and humorously described. The ending, as stark as it may seem, is like the "endings" I've expereinced with my OCD: relapses do occur, but all you can do is keep fighting. I recommend this book to families of people with OCD, as well as to people who just want to understand it better.

In the book Kissing Doorknobs by Terry Spencer Hesser, She explains exactly what OCD feels like and the effects it has on friends and family. The main character Tara Sullivan had always worried about everything. In Kindergarten she always thought something was going to happen to her mother while she was in school. As time moved on and she got to middle school she started to act somewhat normal. When Tara turned eleven she heard the saying "step on a crack, break your mothers back" everything started to go wrong again. Tara now believed that she must count every crack everywhere she went. If she got interrupted or lost count she ran back to the beginning and started over, or something bad would happen to her mother.
As time passed Tara tried everything she could to calm herself down. She recited prayers, arranged her meals and talked to her dolls. Even the sound of her voice calmed her down. As her compulsive behaviors got worse Tara came up with a new ritual to make herself feel better. By kissing doorknobs, this all started when stopping by her friend Donna's house Tara placed all ten fingers on her lips. Tara knew right away that it would be repeated. Although her mother did not like when Tara acted like this she did it anyway. This book taught me a lot on OCD and the effects it has on friends and family.

Tara Sullivan has obsessive compulsive disorder. She cannot step on cracks or it will break her mother's back, so she counts all the cracks on the walk to school. She also cannot help but pray every time some curses, has to turn the doorknob with equal pressure from all fingers, and must confess every single infraction at her Catholic confession. She visits various doctors who cannot diagnose her, much to the frustration of her family, who find it hard to understand that she doesn't want to be difficult but feels overwhelmingly compelled to do her rituals to be okay. While this part of the book is very interesting, Tara often speaks as though she is an adult instead of a teen. She comes to conclusions at age eleven that are clearly not possible. Also, there is a small romance injected towards the end of the book that doesn't fit with the rest of the novel and seems forced, as though the author felt obligated to include romance. Despite these drawbacks, the book is appropriate for 12+, and is a great look at what OCD really feels like, and the ramifications it can have on the family members of someone with OCD.