T Books

This is one of the early books dealing with the bible and homosexuality written in 1983 just after John Boswell's book (Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality, 1980.

In his commentary on 1 Corinthians Gordon D Fee says that this book "is a model of fairness to all sides". The book is very clearly written and his quotation of the various Greco-roman sources is especially useful as it gives us valuable historical information about society and homosexuality at that time, for this alone it is worth getting. His main thesis is that pederasty was the main form of homosexual activity in higher levels of society in the Greco-roman world. And that the NT bible is against this exploitative sexual activity. Now if Paul had only written 1 Cor 6:9 condemning the malakoi and arsenokoitai, he would have a very good point. However, this argument falls rather flat when one considers Paul's reference to male and female homosexual activity in Romans 1. The fact that Paul says that the men were "consumed with passion for one another" means that he is hardly referring to just exploitative sex. As far as we know female homosexual relationships were very rare in society in those days. Paul's argument in Rom 1 is based on the created intent of the Creator, therefore he indicts both males and females who practise this sin. It is easy to understand that men indulge in this sin, but even the females indulge in this sin, that is Paul's point.

In his discussion of the origin of the word "arsenokoites" used in 1 Cor 6:9 he establishes that this is based on the Greek translation of Leviticus 18 and 20 in the Septuagint the LXX (p86). He fails to point out that Paul's use of the word arsenokoites, which he gets from his Greek OT, means that Paul also thought that the Levitical prohibitions against male-male intercourse also applied in his day. But on p107 he seems to back track by saying that arsenokoites has no recoverable history prior to Paul's use if it, but this is hardly the point, Paul's use of the word arsenokoite is derived from the LXX, meaning that Paul approved of the Levitical prohibitions. He then goes on to argue, and it is quite subtle, that when malakos and arsenokoites are used together, then malakos points to the effeminate call-boy, then arsenokoites in this context must be the active partner who keeps the malakos as a "mistress" or who hires him on occasion to satisfy his sexual desires. If this argument is correct then Paul is only condemning exploitative sex and prostitution, which Paul also clearly condemns in 1 Cor 6. Again we need to look at Rom 1 to see more on Paul's thoughts in order to clarify the issue.

In his discussion of Rom 1:26-27 on p 109 Scroggs clearly looses the plot. He does not seem to realise that Paul refutes his expoitative argument when Paul mentions "dishonoring of their bodies among themselves", men being "consumed with passion for one another", and "and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error".

I highly recommend this book for all who are interested in the biblical issues that surround this debate, especially for the Greco-roman history. Also recommended is Robert Gagnon's book "The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics".

Dr. Scroggs does a wonderful job of describing the culture at the time the bible was writen... A little gross but effective.

He then relates this to what is said in specific scriptures. A good way to read the bible, I think.

This is an excellent book for anyone curious about the Scriptural basis (used by both sides) in Christian debates over the morality of homosexual acts. It is short (150 pages) and very readable.

The book starts out with a brief overview of various positions on homosexuality taken by different Christian sects, and how those different positions are claimed to be supported by Scripture. Then he takes a historical approach, going into detail about the cultural background of the time and place where the New Testament was written, which means particular focus on Greek pederasty (sex between men and boys). Scroggs explains both the debate in mainstream Greek society, as well as the views of and Scriptural interpretations (and misinterpretations) of both Palestinian and Hellenistic Jews. He makes clear what is known, as well as what is missing from the historical records.

My favorite aspect of this book is that Scroggs does not let the reader know his opinion at first. He starts being incredibly objective, and then slowly becomes more and more opinionated and colorful in his statements. Finally, in the last chapter, Scroggs gives his own conclusions. I won't spoil the end, but I will tell you that he bases his conclusions on two conditions:
(1) The biblical statements must be consonant with the larger, major theological and ethical judgments which lie at the heart not only of Scripture, but of the historical church throughout the ages. (2) The context today must bear a reasonable similarity to the context of the statements at the time of writing.

Scroggs, a Biblical scholar and Christian, is intellectually honest and rigorous about both his research and analysis. He jumps to no rash conclusions about anything, and when he states his own conclusions, he always presents opposing views in a way that is non-judgmental.

It is the Christian right who takes scripture out of context to suit their own desires, that is, promote homophobia. Start scratching--itchy ears.

tching ears, April 15, 2003 wrote:
Reviewer: A reader from Ballwin, Missouri United States
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

The information in this book is incredible. It compares and contrasts the "boys club" in Rome and Greece circa 300 BCE to 300 CE with the loving caring relationships enjoyed by modern gay couples, and concludes they have nothing in common. The reader is guided through an unjust, misogynistic, male dominated society that was in every way the exact opposite of God's kingdom of equality and justice and love. It is no wonder, the early church found so much to condemn. And it is no wonder the later, unjust, misogynistic, male dominated church did nothing to correct the misunderstanding. Robin Scroggs has come a long way toward documenting the injustices done to our brothers and sisters.

What a miserable life our Frost leads!

However, I don't feel sorry for him, because I know everyting will be all right with him in the end of the story.

I like happy-ending stories, and so I like this seiries of Inspector Frost.

Incredible. This was the first Frost book I read after seeing the inferior TV show first. In my opinion it's the best of all five Frost novels, with good mysteries, likeable (and unlikeable) characters, just about everything.

Whether you're British or American, you'll love this book (and the others in the series.) Here's hoping Wingfield writes more!

After reading all the Colin Dexter Inspector Morse books and feeling at a loss as to what could possibly satisfy me after such a delightful and rich reading experience, I was lucky enough to find Frost.Definitely not politically correct but what fun to read ! Great stuff.

Frost is a new series character for me and I will enjoy following him in this series. He is brash, rude, profane, obscene, callous, rough-edged, filthy minded and has poor personal hygiene. Nonetheless, he is also relentless and compassionate. He gets his bad guy and also shares the credit.

Most of the police have the flu and -- of course that's when a whole series of crimes take place, piling up on the exhausted Jack Frost. (Would someone's parents really do that to a child?) meanwhile, his vicious and incompetent superior is looking over his shoulder trying to find an excuse to scrape the Frost out of the force.

This is my first Frost book and I'm an immediate fan. I've watched all of the TV series and loved them and am now enjoying the book too. The TV people have cleaned him up quite a bit physically and cleaned up his language too, as they'd have to in order to pass the censors but he still makes a wonderful character. The dishevelled, grubby, newly widowed Frost is joined by a new offsider, Det.Sgt.Frank Gilmore, only 24 years old, and totally unable to comprehend how this grubby, crumpled older man could possibly be the crack policeman that he is. As usual, the always fussy and inept Police Superintendent Mullett is always there to exasperate Frost, who does his job expertly, but in his own unorthodox way. There are two separate cases taking place, one the serial murders of old age pensioner women who are found with their throats slashed, and the other being a case of arson and murder. The writing is tight and the book flows seamlessly as the overworked police team from Denton moves in on the criminals. It's a great read which I can't praise highly enough.

SUFREN SUS PROPIAS TRAGEDIAS ...¡QuÉ error !
Este libro sabio, te guìa para que guìes a su criatura a que no solamente no sufra, sino hasta llegue a celebrar ( o por lo menos a aceptar ) la llegada de su "rival "

muy sencillo.
Pero preparar a tu hijo o hija mayor para que lo acepte con alegría auténtica, SON PALABARS MAYORES.
Luego anda uno por ahi de quejoso de que "los hermanitos no se llevan bien"
¿Cómo se van a llevar bien si al mayor no se le pidió su opinión y no se le preparó debidamente, y el chiquito siente los celos del mayor?
NO se trata simplemente de anunciarle que va a tener un hermanito: ESO ES MUY CRUEL.
HAY QUE DARLE LAS ARMAS Y LA SEGURIDAD EN SI MISMO AL NENE MAYOR !

Y TAN SABIA ES LA AUTORA DE ESTE LIBRO !
Ella si nos transmite la tragedia del mayorcito cuando sabe que viene otro nene en camino.... Y NOS DA EL REMEDIO !

ANTES DE COMENZAR A COMPRARLE COSAS Y ROPA...¡COMPRA ESTE LIBRO !
Es indispensable para que no sufra tu hijo o hija mayor, y NOS GUÍA A PONER LAS BASES PARA QUE HAYA UNA RELACIÓN DE AMOR Y NO DE CELOS ENTRE LOS HERMANITOS...
De veras, amiga...es vital para el futuro feliz de toda la familia y para el corazoncito del primogénito !

Nos fue muy ùtil cuando naciò nuestro tercer hijo..porque cuando el segundo anunciò su llegada, el primogènito sufriò lo indecible en el aspecto emocional !
Esta obra psicològica, te DA LOS PASOS MÀS INTELIGENTES PARA PREPARAR AL MAYORCITO PARA LA LLEGADA DEL NUEVO BEBÈ !

The books in this series are absolutely incredible. The characters are very well developed, they are historically rich, and they are easy and fun to read. I read them until the covers were falling apart and I had parts of them memorized. I highly recommend them to anyone - even those who don't usually enjoy reading.

Through the many books of Mrs.Renich they have been overall touching! You can ask anyone, but I have never liked reading, but through these episodes I was not able to put down my books! The type of description that Mrs.Renich gave made me cry, laugh, and feel hurt! I wish all love storys could be as dramatic and wonderful, as what her texture makes it out to be like! If you want something touching, and adventurous, I garentee this will give you all! I have really enjoyed reading these, and I am sure, so will everyone else who reads them!

I love the whole series. I've read then so many times I can quote from them. I recommend them to all my friends. The books talk about a struggle to survive though war and love. Salina and Jeremy love each other. They go through so much. I want to know what happens next! I've been waiting 3 years. Please Come out with a Fourth book. They all left me hanging at the end and I want to know what happens next. I also like how they quote from the Bible and are Christians. That doesn't happen much in the world today. I love them so much! Let me know!

Let me just start with saying that I read each book in this series so fast and was so eager to read on that I barely noticed when I HAD finished and was halfway through the next book. I went straight through the whole series in less than 3 days. I was very impressed and emotionally filled with with the lives of the characters. It put a whole new perspective on the civil war. I must admit also, I'm not a normal bookworm, but T. Renich sure did get my attention. Although, I was extremely disappointed that it all ended so soon. I know that if I were to get the chance to read the next in the series(hint, hint) I would in a heartbeat. Please!!! I NEED MORE!!!

I think that this book is excellent. I LOVE the entire series. I wish that there were more books in it. I would tell everybody to read this series. I wish that Ms. Renich would write some more. If she did I would buy it in a heartbeat.

I will make this short and I'm not going to summarize the book. This was a wonderful book to read. The imagery is fantastic. The writing and depth of story is awesome. This book isn't for the for the meek.

I would not know where to begin to try to summarize this book. There are several story arcs, and several narrative voices which are actually all one voice-- different guises of Humberto Peñaloza. He is an unborn fetus (miracle baby), a frustrated nun, an improbable mute, and the secretary to a rich man who may or may not have fathered the rich man's deformed baby.

The Obscene Bird of Night is justly considered one of the best books in Chilean literature. Richly and skilfully written, its myth and metaphor wraps around itself to be moving, horrifying, mystifying and satisfying.

This is a book that needs some time. It is very far from an easy read. If I have not given it five stars, it is not a comment on the genius of the book. Rather, it is simply that it is more grotesque than I really have the stomach to enjoy in an unqualified way. I admire it immensely, and recommend it unhesitatingly.

This is one of the best latinamerican books, further than magic realismus (realismo mágico) this novel traspasses all the borders beyond time, gender, reality and absurd. Dark novel that takes you into your own clue du sac. This wonderful story narrated by a mute man, who becomes all the voices in the novel, is like a monad of humanity, himself represents all the human disgraces, inherited from generation to generation and unable to scape fate. Must not be missed if you want to take a deep immersion into human condition.

I have a really hard time finding fitting words for describing this work. I will, perhaps in the manner of the author and the formal lines the story follows, will make the following word association: voices, flux, silence, gravitational intermitence, mentalese, overcrowding, sensation overflow, vertiginous, fast, schizophrenic, haunting, implosive, relentlessness... extremes, circles, spirals, ouroboros that eventually finds that recursion leads to nothing; that is, indeed, the last word: Nothingness.

I tried to show you by way of just a chain of emotions and ideas what you will most certainly experience by reading it.

There are two advices I most heartily provide:

1) Read it in spanish. Please do try. No translation can do justice to this piece, specially in terms of rythm and word play.

2) Prepare your mental voice to adopt the rythms given by the author on each paragraph, on each sentence. I do know this may sound obvious, but in this specific case, it cannot be overstated. Almost every paragraph will be an extreme and wild travel, a rollercoaster of voices and emotions and images, all entwined and tangled together quite organically. The author made a strategic use of commas and dots, comply with his strategy and the trip, the mesmerizing experience, will be unavoidable.

This is by no means a literary critic, since I barely enjoy most kinds of novels but, in this very particular case, you cannot avoid the gravitation of the work, the way it draws you near as if it had a thousand hooks, the way it never completely lets go, even upon reaching its end. This is, by far, one of the most superbly accomplished works of narrative I've ever read. I thought no one could even begin to compare to Rulfo, Sartre or Kafka, three of my personal favorites, but this book, although essentially different, even surpasses them.

That much I recommend you this work of art, a supernova of images and spears and apneas, multi-dimensional apneas.

Rarely is a book more complex, more funny or more harrowing. The magical tale of Humberto Penazola who spends the last days of his life in a convent taking care of old women, is narrated through a series of surreal hallucinations. Questions of his identity and his sexuality are explored beyond the realms of imagination. Tumbling through a dark spiral of black magic - this book is a MUST read for one and all!!

Like all good teachers and media specialists, Mrs. Skorupski won't tell her students anything, but she will teach them how to find answers on their own.

Our Librarian Won't Tell Us Anything! by Toni Buzzeo is a delightful book with strong characters, and the bright, lively art by Sachiko Yoshikawa adds even more zest to this empowering story. Highly recommended.

Several years ago I met Toni Buzzeo on an airport shuttle at a conference in Kansas City.The van was full of Teacher-Librarians swapping stories, and after I shared mine, from the front of the van came...."there's a picture book in that". Fast forward to Pittsburg, October 2005 when Toni and I met again and I reminded her about her comment. The rest as they say, is history! There really is a Liberty Elementary, a Carmen character and me, the Real Mrs. Skorupski! I hope many of my Teacher-Librarian colleagues enjoy sharing Toni's book with their students! My students did! I can't wait to see the second in the series "Fire Up with Reading".
The Real Mrs. Skorupski

I love this librarian. She runs one smooth operation and if I were a kid who needed to do a project, I would go find Mrs. Skorupski. Her data projector works. She is never flustered.
When she meets a new fourth grader, she says, I love fourth graders. Students will love her back and tackle their research problems with more skills because of meeting her.

Way to go, Mrs. Skorupski!

This book challenges children to discover libraries and become capable, independent learners. In a cheerful manner with vibrant illustrations (love the spider earrings on Mrs. Skorupski!), the storyline empowers children on their quest for knowledge within a library setting.

This book is ideal to use at the onset of a research project with students within classrooms or within a library setting, as a read aloud, or to offer to children for leisure reading.

Sachiko Yoshikawa's illustrations are the perfect compliment to the lighthearted yet meaningful message.

-Jennifer Ward

What a fantastic book. This book is a wonderful way to help teachers and librarians to help children in learning to become independent library users. The book delivers the message in a simple and cheerful manner. The story is great for students beginning a research project, learning to use the online card catalog or searching for books to meet their individual needs and interests. This book makes a wonderful read aloud as well as a fantastic book for kids to read on their own. After reading this book students will want to become "A library success story".

I bought this to hold Seder in my student home. It was my first Seder, as well as the first for all present. This book made it very easy to accomplish, as well as a lot of fun. Just remember, it goes from back to front :)

Eson's Haggadah is an excellent addition to this literary and religious tradition. He brings new insights and new explanations to this venerable literature. It is worth reading and using.

The Passover Haggadah For All generations is truly designed for all participants,young and old, attending the family Seder. With chldren in mind, Dr.Eson has clarified and developed through extensive research answers to questions that the probing young mind might have. It is truly a different Haggadah and is sure to make the family Seder an exciting experience.

We have a new contribution to Passover this year from Morris Eson, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the State University of New York at Albany and long-time member of Temple Israel in Albany. Together with Devora Heckelman, a member of the United Synagogue Commission on Education and con to several Solomon Schecter Day Schools, and Fay Silton, Education Director at Temple Israel, Morris Eson has produced a valuable pedagogical tool designed not only to enliven th Passover seder but to serve as a supplementary text for middle school and secondary school students in their study of the Book of Exodus.
The Haggadah contains all the basic elements of the traditional Passover service plus valuable commentary and historical information based on the writings of Judaic scholars and Eson's own reflections. According to the author, many of the segments are designed to be read aloud by participants, serving to maintain a high level of interest. He notes also that the commentary draws from a wide variety of sources - historical, scientific, literary, as well as from his own imagination.
Besides offering helpful explanations of the origins of Passover rituals, the new Haggadah provides many opportunities for children and youth to participate. Notes throughout the text are drawn from both ancient and modern sources, serving as a bridge between the different generations at the Seder table as well as a bride from the present to the past. The author also includes suggestions of discussion topics to enhance conversions during the meal (e.g. "Our people's Fascination, with Language.). Mixing the traditional with the innovative, this Haggadah will appeal to those looking for a Passover study experience.

Despite trying new haggadahs, it's always been difficult to have two seders every year be continually interesting and a new learning experience for our children, ourselves, and our guests. It also becomes expensive to buy new sets of haggadahs. So it was a wonderful find to discover A PASSOVER HAGGADAH FOR ALL GENERATIONS - A MODERN MIDRASH. It keeps the traditional Hebrew while it brings new insights and commentaries for lively discussion. Dividing the commentaries into a four year cycle helps us viscerally understand that we continue to learn from the tradition, though our family has to be self-disciplined not to use all the commentaries in any given year. We also like the format, lots of white space and easy to read. This is a hagaddah to use and to keep using.

It is not enough to know WHAT a writer said, we must know WHY he said it, in order to truly understand the work. My opinion is that Mauck the attorney has absolutely NAILED IT, to be quite colloquial. Acts is a poor history, but it is an excellent "elogium" (legal statement of facts required by Roman authorities), and seen as a legal document, we now understand why Luke wrote, and why he didn't write, about various things.
Since reading Paul On Trial several years ago, plus other works, I have written my own (history-emphasized) commentary on Acts and taught it several times in classes. Whether in print or in class, my teaching now has Mauck's Paul On Trial as the starting point and framework!

I am a long time student of the Bible and a lay minister in our church. This book has helped me "conceptualize" the books of Luke and Acts and will surely help me "speed-understand" the points in each book in relation to the larger inspired work and inspired word of God. The book is very well written and if you are reading this review, it should be in your library too.

I am still reading this book, but want to provide a comment. This book is worth the effort to read,study, and contemplate. I agree with all of the preceding reviews. For me, Mr. Mauck's book is functioning like a good brass or gold polish. It is stripping away the grime and tarnish of twenty centuries as well as my own understanding and appreciation of the Book of Acts, cleaning and polishing it right down to it's original design details and shape. I am now seeing things in Acts and the Gospel Of Luke that either I never was aware of before or have always wondered about but didn't know more. This book is wonderful because in its way, it reveals Christianity as it is, a uniquely radical, powerful phenomenon that is supernaturally guided and fueled, not the pervasive, almost ambient cultural Christianity that we all tend to take for granted, for good or ill.

I found that this is not a book that can be read quickly, it is more like a text book that I could only take in smaller portions in conjunction with going through ACTS in a small group Bible Study. I would like to know who the people are that are slamming this author, I would really like to know their arugments against his theory, because this is very powerful stuff, Canonization of the Bible speaking...not even Chuck Missler or Hal Lindsey thought of this theory before Mr. Mauck.

I simply can't think of a reason why anyone would doubt his theory that Luke wrote what has become to be known as Acts as a defense of Paul and the earliest Jesus/Gospel followers...and he pulls the book of Luke into the same theory, although the title doesn't mention this fact. At a minimum, Acts should have been titled "Acts of the Holy Spirit", more so than "Acts of the Apostles", as many refer to it. But now after reading this book, Acts should be retitled in all new pressings of Protestant Bibles to more reflect this book's arguments.

This will probably be his only book, unless someone un-earths some new letters or documents in an archeology dig in the middle east that were written for the same trial-type cause. This was a job well-done, by someone who gets it that we worship the Jewish faith fulfilled. God Bless.

I read this book about 2 years ago, and am still fascinated by its premise and the well-reasoned approach used to support that premise. Mauck's writing is clear and compelling, and got me thinking about the Book of Acts in a far different way than I ever had before. To the best of my knowledge, there is no other book that treats Acts as a legal document and Mauck's arguments gripped me to read further and revisit the Bible itself in light of this idea.

I am neither a law student nor Bible scholar, just a Christian interested in learning more about my faith. I highly recommend Paul on Trial to anyone who is interested in more fully exploring the early Christian church and Paul's challenges in spreading the Gospel.

This is a good book for beginners on Peoplesoft. Some of the core concepts are well explained. I am told there are not many books around on peoplesoft that are good and this one ranks high..

I am a DBA and wanted to work on building a warehouse for PeopleSoft HRMS along with generating reports for the client. This book really helped me and my team to understand the hr/payroll concepts quickly. If you are a DBA/developer working in Peoplesoft environment, good to have this book in your library.

It is truly a thorough documentation of every important part of PeopleSoft HRMS. It is a handy-dandy book for anybody working in HRMS. Thanks to the author for taking time and putting thoughts to write such a gem.

I have been working with Peoplesoft product since last five years,I have seen may books in the market but this is the only book I have seen which has very usefull information which helps the begenners a lot to understand main tables and also gives overview of HRMS functionality.

I strongly recommend this book for Begenners and is useful as a reference book for any one.

This book is a treasure for anyone who needs to get quickly up-to-speed on the PeopleSoft HRMS data architecture and the most common tables against which queries and reports are executed. This alone would make the book invaluable because of the confusing PeopleSoft documentation and the thousands of tables. However, the author goes well beyond by breaking down the most important tables, grouped by function, into attributes and explaining how to create highly useful business reports from them.

In addition to the thorough coverage of the data architecture, the book also provides an excellent compendium of information and tips for using SQR to its fullest potential. Although my main interest is in the tables, I considered material on SQR to be a bonus and learned a great deal from this section.

If you are working with PeopleSoft on either the technical or functional side this book will probably be your most used reference. The author deserves the highest accolades for clear writing, technical knowledge and the ability to distill the essentials into one of the best references and tutorials I've read in a long time.

The writer of this book makes a serious effort to teach quilters to produce fabulous quilts. It is presented in a clear, concise manner. I recommend it for the beginner as well as the more exoerienced quilter.

This book has gorgeous quilts in it, especially the quilt interrupted. I would recommend this book.

I just started quilting 10 months ago, I had never sewn or quilted before that. I have now made 2 quilts from this book and am going to make more. I love this book! The directions are very clear and easy to understand and follow. There are smaller quilts and large quilts. You really can't go wrong with this book!

I have been dying to take a class on M'Liss Hawley quilts but don't like paying the price for the classes. I bought this book for the Quilt Interrupted pattern. Wow!!! All the projects are beautiful and its great the there are two or three versions of each quilt to spark every quilter's imagination.

Phenomenal Fat Quarter Quilts (c 2004) by M'liss Rae Hawley has a string of 5 star reviews. While this book has some traditional quilts, it focuses more on more contemporary artistic designs. Color choice varies accordingly. Looking to go beyond the tried and true? This book's for you! Designs and color choices are reminiscent of art displayed in a modern museum. This book stretches the creativity of the reader.