Thomas Books

Loved this book. As a prison memoir, it does not shock or scare. Korean prisons, despite their lack of heat, cannot compete with Thai, Turkish or American prisons on the fear scale. This book delivers much more; it is the best that I have ever read on the subject of foreigners negotiating, stumbling, fubmbling and bumbling their way through South Korea. Thomas captures the maddening dualities, how he is constantly faced with both special treatment and petty humiliations. One minute, he is in awe of the maturity, cohesion, the genrosity, gentleness and, above all, the charm of Koreans. The next he is driven up the wall by their uniformity, closed-mindedness, bullying, brutality and pride. Every foreigner that has lived in Korea on Korea's terms has lived Thomas's story. Obviously, few have lived as much on Korea's terms as Thomas. And fewer still have written about the experience with more intelligence, even-handedness and wit.

The most touching and disturbing part of the book deals with the author's friendship with a character identified only as Green. Green, married to a Korean prostitute, is serving time for murdering his own half-Korean children. Upon his parole, Green is deported and immediately relocates to Koreatown in Los Angeles, finding a home where outsiders are not supposed to have a place. Why would he choose to get as close as he possibly could to his former captors? After reading Thomas's extraordinary book, you will understand why.

This book is riveting. It chronicles a worst nightmare come true with a tone that is wise, witty and utterly accessible. I can't recommend it highly enough. I was entranced by the various transformations of optimism that this author traipses through on his seemingly horrific yet 'can't look away' journey.

Heard Thomas on a pod-cast of the Diane Rehm show. Thought it was interesting and got a copy. This is one of the best books I have ever read. I was so captivated with his writting that I had a hard time putting it down to get other things done. The writting is easy on the eyes, flows well and just slips off the page. In this coming of age story we not only have the story but a true transformation. Highly recommend it.

This book is incredible! I agree with the other reviewer who pointed out that one particular negative review on this book seemed grossly uninformed. To sum up just how that review errs, this book is not at all "uneventful"; the entire point of the memoir is just how humbled Thomas *did* feel by his experience; and while he does comment on ethnic diversity in the prison, he by no means sees his fellow convicts as "losers." Please don't do yourself a disservice by assuming that this book is nothing more than some whiny, poorly adjusted, rich boy's lament.

As for my own reactions to Brother One Cell, I feel that everyone can take something from it. While receiving a prison sentence is obviously no small deal, the appeal of this book is broader than many might assume. Some readers who never had to deal with a jail term may still find that it strikes a chord, have they ever found themselves faced with a prolonged set of difficult circumstances far away from home. The soul-searching that Thomas does, the way he articulates his pain over being kept apart from his loved ones, his insistence on "going it alone" despite his feelings of isolation, and his discussions of the fear of losing himself (on a fundamental and psychological level) are all of universal interest. He talks at length about the internal change that leads him to value the most mundane of acts -- things that he does not have in jail -- such as reading whatever he wants, looking at members of the opposite sex, walking around outside, and so much more.

I feel that there are probably a number of people out there who could relate to the types of emotional and psychological changes explored and documented in this book. He even mentions (in varying amounts of detail) experiences such as phantom pains, flashbacks, and his unique relationship with Korea and feelings about the time he spent there. The author starts off by showing us the aimless vagabond he once was, allows us to accompany him very intimately through his periods of rage and depression following his arrest, and concludes with a sense that Korea is now very much a part of who he is.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the following
-prison memoirs
-unique glimpses into seldom-seen aspects of Korean culture
-anyone familiar with Korean culture who is interested in outsiders' impressions of it
-stories of self-discovery
-culture shock
-autobiographical accounts of the profound personal changes borne out of unrelenting hardships faced in relative isolation (as well as the changes in an individual's perspective on said hardships as time wears on)

The latter reason to read this book appeals not only to those who have been forever changed by circumstances that their loved ones will never truly know, but it could also be of immense help to anyone trying to understand their loved one's experience and the depth of the impact it has left.

Brother One Cell is fascinating--this book is raw, yet compassionate and, above all else, honest. Just as other reviewers have noted, I too can see this book taking a place on required reading lists; it is only a matter of time before it becomes a classic.

First things first. If your name is listed in red ink, and almost everybody else's is in black, it does not mean that you've won a prize. Do not try to collect your package from the window. Cullen did and he wound up serving 3 and a half years in a series of Korean Houses of D.

Ever since I read a Giant Robot article about Asian and Asian-American inmates stockpiling ramen, ketchup packets, soy sauce packets and other odds and ends to create ersatz versions of the dishes they craved, I've been fascinated with prisoner resourcefulness. In this respect Brother One Cell is a very satisfying travelogue. Cullen is a big, unseasoned foreigner, not yet fluent, completely inexperienced as a criminal, who must learn to survive as a prisoner - how to talk to people, how to make sure he gets his mail, how to deal with mosquitos, extreme cold and fluorescent lights that stay on 24 hours a day...

Even more satisfying is the transformative mental and phillosophical journey upon which the author embarks, at first unconsciously and then with growing determination. The appreciation and grace at which he eventually arrives is a good reminder for those of us who've been spoiled by taken-for-granted freedom, cooshy living conditions and Get Out Of Jail Free cards we didn't necessarily deserve.

Outstanding book that'll nurture your heart and nourish your mind. A must read! It's an awesome book, and I highly recommend it.

Dick Biggs' book has something for all of us, from leaders in our military, to industry, and our society. Every parent should have this book because it lays out what is important in life, read relationships, and how to achieve same. We are the leaders of our children, and Dick makes very stronge leadership points. This book is divided into twenty contrasts of life, twenty short chapters loaded with idea, thoughts, and recomendations that we need to study and commit upon. The first chapter, Image and Integrity, is the perfect start. Without integrity we don't amount to much, but too many of us today are only concerned with image. In this chapter, "grit" is found in the word integrity. This book is small, 5 X 7.5 inches, and the chapters are 4 to six pages that makes for handy reading. Read a chapter with your morning coffee, while waiting for the rest of the members to arrive at a meeting, and at other times when you have ten minutes for good thoughs about where you are going. Most importantly, if you take this work seriously, you can determine who you really are and how others know you. We all need to think about Richard Biggs' words, they will help us and our society. This is a great gift for those people you love.

"Burning Brightly without Burning Out" is a breath of fresh air to those pressed by the demands of life. Besides being easy to read, the content is straightforward and potent. With so many voices calling for our attention, it's wonderful to have some basic principles by which to evaluate our commitments. Bigg's solid foundation gives his life direction and purpose. Instead of trying to do it "all" half-heartedly, Biggs has discovered the secret of doing a few priorities well. Thanks for the lessons well-learned!

They say in five years, you will become the average of the books you have read and the people you have associated with. For two-and-a-half years, I've had the privelege of associating with Dick Biggs as a professional speaker--and now I've been able to read his book. Both have become indispensible resources for me.

Dick is respected among professional speakers for being a man who walks his talk. Reading his latest book, BURN BRIGHTLY WITHOUT BURNING OUT, is almost as good as knowing the man--it will provide very practical assistance if you want to achieve great things in your professional life while building balance into your personal life.

Are you a reader? Then you'll really enjoy this book. Are you working on developing the reading habit? Then this book will get you hooked. If Amazon allowed a SIX-star review, this one would get SEVEN!

A friend chose this book and left it at my house. I ran out of books for the moment and picked it up thinking it was another one of those...
How absolutely overwhelmed I was at my age (73) to learn so much in so few pages. Much of what he has said to help guide people to a fuller, richer life, I had already learned and applied, but none of us have ever reached the point we can't learn or see something a bit differently.

My life changed drastically when health dictated this master workaholic was ordered to shut down her thriving business overnight or else...For 2 years I have been under recontruction to learn to be at peace in every situation. I can see, however, how to start over again now that my health is back and the doors are slowly opening to be useful again to myself and the Lord but this time I am going to keep this book right along with my Bible so I will put into practice the principles Richard K. Biggs has put forth. For whatever years I have left I intend to do it right and be a blessing to all I meet because of these excellent guidelines.

This is our second order of the book. It is used by our Tablet Users Group faculty members. We have had Thomas Angelo as a speaker at Rose-Hulman and were very pleased by him and his work. We would highly recommend Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for College Teachers. The book has been very well received and helpful teaching, evaluating & assessing classroom techniques.

The book arrived in perfect condition, even though it was listed as used. Arrived on time.

This book is a handbook-style text that elaborates on the concept of "Classroom Assessment Techniques," a term used by the authors to refer to alternative methods of evaluating or assessing student learning. The book is a handbook because each "CAT" is listed in terms of how to prepare, use, and evaluate results; the authors also present rather subjective indicants of the amount of time required for each technique.

The techniques range from the laughably simple (such as "muddiest point") to the more involved (such as student learning portfolios); the handbook is arranged in terms of types of assessment that may be conducted with each group of techniques. The book provides a wide variety of techniques, and the user should be able to find several applicable techniques for a particular educational situation.

However, I would strongly suggest that anyone using these techniques NOT rely on this text as the sole source of how and why to do educational assessment and evaluation -- the field is too complex and the implications are too important.

Excellent book! Angelo was very clear and concise in guiding teachers through the assessment process.

The text was used in a course through UW Stout and it is a very good resource for methods that can be used to assess learners progress towards a goal. Great tool to have on the bookshelf!

This collection is great. pictures of all the dishes, full recipes, as well as good tips while cooking.

The books arrived in excellent condition, they are high quality books. The other reviewer mentioned the quality of the paper isn't high, I disagree, I think it's great. I bought this book for my wife. She is from Hong Kong and already cooks amazing chinese food (her father is head chef at an LA Chinese restaurant). She's now venturing into french food and has made several dishes (more so from Bouchon)

My wife is a former paralegal, now a stay at home mom. She's had no formal training from a cooking school. With that in mind, she can realistically make about 30% of the food from French Laundry and about 50% of Bouchon's recipes. The reason why they are so difficult is that it is tough to find fresh food that is mentioned in the book. You don't find rabbit, frog legs or veal at the local Schnucks or commissary (we're military). Some of the techniques require tools that aren't readily available to regular "non-chef" consumers.

Bouchon - Our favorite has been the flatiron steak and the trout from Bouchon. My wife said it was fairly simple to make. Very little prep time. The french fries came out delicious and they too were easy to make.

French Laundry - The salmon tartare came out nice. Again, the directions were easy to follow. The rest of the dishes in this book however are much more involved. The book itself has great pictures had great write-ups on certain techniques.

While the books were expensive (We normally get $5 cookbooks from the bargain bin), they are well worth it. I am one lucky man . ..

Beautiful coffee table book. Limited is use for an amateur, or even a serious amateur. But it's fun to read and the photography is stunning.

So much more than just cookbooks! It's very visual, makes you excited about cooking and partaking. Emphasizes simple flavors of food, don't complicate what can easily achieve perfection on its own.

The Complete Keller is completely wonderful. Beautifully written and photographed, these books are a wonderful escape to Keller-world.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK. I HAVE TAUGHT WOMEN'S BOOK STUDIES FROM THIS BOOK FOR YEARS AND IT IS ALWAYS A SIGNIFICANT LIFE CHANGING BOOK, THAT IS WELL WRITTEN, DIRECT AND LEADS THE READER TO EVALUATE WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR LIFE IN REGARDS TO THE SUBJECT OF THE BOOK AND HOW THEY CAN MAKE IN CHANGES IF DESIRED. I'VE ALWAYS FOUND IT INSPIRING TO ME PERSONALLY.

I used this book to teach a marriage seminar at a recent women's retreat. It provided a solid foundation to base the seminar on. It is filled with good, practical, biblical information. The response from the women was overwhelming. We all went home encouraged and anxious to be the best wives and mothers we can be.

I am really enjoying this book. I can tell this will be the type of book I'd read over and over again. Linda Dillow is so "real" and uses so much scripture in her examples and applications to living the Christian woman's life.

I did enjoy this book, however I only gave 4/5 stars because it did not focus much on becoming the "Mother You Have Longed to Be." It did had many good points about being a "creative counterpart" in relation to being a wife.

I have read many books on how to be a better wife and this is the only one that doesn't make me chaff! Linda puts it all together in a beautiful format that causes you to strife to be a better counterpart!

I just got this game from Amazon less than a month ago to use for exercise and to stay out of the Texas heat. It is great! You get to choose your song, the level of difficulty, and mode of dance you want to do. There are songs by Jeremy Camp, Toby Mac, Pillar, Day of Fire, Superchick, Zoegirl, Red, Relient K and more... all recent songs, with a great beat. I've played it almost every day since it arrived and I always work up a sweat and yet it is so much fun I want to keep playing. The pad moves around quite a bit on carpet so you have to re-adjust it between songs. It comes with sticky pads if you want to put it on a hard surface to keep it from slipping but they don't work on the carpet. I installed it on my iMac with the 10.5 Leopard operating system. It doesn't say it is compatible with this but I made it work anyways. Here is what you need to do if you get it and have trouble with the install. When I put in the disc to install it said I didn't have the previous game version and that it would create a folder for me. It put the folder called "Dance Praise" on my desktop. It then said I could install the game, but it kept giving me an error message. So I dragged the "Dance Praise" folder from my desktop to my applications folder and then tried to install it and it loaded right away. I haven't tried it on a PC but it only says it is compatible with XP not Vista so keep that in mind.

they need to make this game for the consoles! (PS2, PS3, XBox, Wii, etc etc) Who the heck wants to dance to their tiny computer screen? It is great fun, I would so much rather my kids play this than Disney Dance Revolution (much better songs with a much better message), but I do not like having to hook it up to the computer. They are missing a huge opportunity, let's hope they get on the ball!

I ordered this for my daughter's 13th birthday. She enjoys the Dance Dance Revolution game at the video arcade, and I hoped this would be close to being as much fun for her. It is! I'm so delighted that the pad works well with the arrows and is sensitive enough to register her dance moves. She has already enjoyed many hours of dancing. I don't count it towards her "computer time" since it's such terrific exercise. What I love about this game is the terrific Christian music. Many of her favorite artists sing the background music, and there's no lyrics that make me wince. (Unlike Dance Dance Revolution songs!) My 9 year old son is also enjoying the Beginner level. The levels seem appropriately difficult, when compared to how my children do on the Dance Dance Revolution game at the arcade. I'm a bit astonished that this game works as well as it does, for such a reasonable price. What a bargain!

What a blast! Lots of Christian songs with the words and five difficulty levels. It includes a game and an option for tracking calories or time for exercising. It can have multiple users who can each create their own favorites playlist.
I have found it easiest to hit the down arrow with a flat foot rather than just tapping it with my toes.

Not quite as much fun as I thought, but that could just be me. There were too many options and I just wanted to play and go. Would have been nice if the music could have just been played on its own instead of always having to have the game load. Be careful when you open the package as the chemicals used on the mat made my head spin. The smell was awful, I had to leave it outside for a couple of days for the smell to go, not sure how healthy that smell is but it gave me a very bad headache. Even now I have to shut the mat away in a cupboard as I can still smell the chemical faintly .... I think the company should look at that aspect of it especially if children are in the house.
Having said all that, the game is fun and worth getting. Maybe a second hand one where the smell has already gone!

This book sweeps you back in time and holds you there till the very end. The elements of suspence, romance and history are perfectly intertwined to make the book one I didn't want to put down. The author's attention to detail in the individual scenes brought to life the Revolutionary War. This is the perfect mix of entertainment and enlightening. I loved it and will read the next in the series.

I'm incredibly impressed with the quality of this book and this author. Picture something between John Jakes and Diana Gabaldon, and you have Daughter of Liberty - a sweeping story of the beginning of the American Revolution AND the satisfying growth of a relationship that is fraught with impossibilities...and danger.

Rushing ahead to act without thought to God's will has consequences. Most often, negative, painful, and life-scarring. Yet we've all done it.

This is what connects a reader's heart to Elizabeth Howard, the main character in Daughter of Liberty, the first in The American Patriot Series, masterfully written by J. M. Hochstetler.

Elizabeth portrays the essence of innocent and faithful daughter to an established Boston family stalwartly supporting the Whig party. All the while, she is passionate for the patriot cause and dons the role of Oriole-elusive rebel spy.

Life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Captain Jonathan Carleton. He's magnetic, handsome, and a Redcoat. Elizabeth's traitorous heart is completely captured... a complication she hadn't counted on, especially when the first shots ring out in Lexington and Concord.

More than just her heart is at stake during the first skirmish of the Revolutionary War. The lives of many depend on Elizabeth. But has she truly learned to wait on God's will, or rush ahead in her own power to save the day?

J. M. Hochstetler's story delivers to the reader not only a page turner, but a wealth of education about the beginnings of the War for Independence.

For someone like me who is not a fan of historic fiction and who honestly believed I had already read more than enough accounts of our country's revolutionary period, I was pleasantly surprised to discover The American Patriot Series by J. M. Hochstetler. The first book in this excellent series, Daughter of Liberty, was also the first book I had read by this particular author, but I knew right away it would not be the last. Within moments of turning to the opening page, I was captivated by this story of the brave and daring Oriole, a spy for the American Revolutionaries with a secret that could change the course of a nation, and Patriot, another spy with a most amazing secret of his own.

Hochstetler not only weaves a suspenseful tale of courage, intrigue, and romance, but also decorates the pages of this exquisite novel with some of the best writing I've come across in years. This book was well worth the read, and served to push me on to the second book in the series.

"The crack of the pistol's report came from directly behind the courier. Sizzling past so close to his ear he could feel the heat of it."

With these words, and the impact of a rebel fieldpiece, J. M. Hochstetler's Daughter of Liberty bursts onto the historical fiction scene.

Twenty-year-old Bostonian Elizabeth Howard sympathizes with the patriots' struggle for freedom from English oppression. Her convictions set her at odds with her parents' pro-British sympathies, and force her to live a life of lies and deception. By day she is a debutante, by night she is a spy.

Ruggedly handsome Jonathan Carleton was born in England, but is now a wealthy Virginian landowner. He's committed to serving his country, but to which does he owe his allegiance? As a member of the British regulars he stands for everything Elizabeth despises.

From the moment these two meet, their attraction is fiery and dangerous, and neither Jonathan nor Elizabeth suspects the other's true allegiance. Are they destined to remain enemies forever?

Add to this conflict a villain out to get both the hero and heroine, and a final plot twist that will delight fans of the Jane Seymore version of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and you've got a truly interesting read.

The Revolutionary War makes a great setting for the realistic plot and action Hochstetler incorporates. Fans of American history will appreciate this novel as a painless way to learn more about the lives of such famous historical figures as General Thomas Gage, General John Pitcairn, Paul Revere, and Dr. Joseph Warren.

Although I am a fan of historical fiction, I was a little overwhelmed with the depth of history included in this book. The emotion of "disgust" was also used too frequently in the prose for my taste. However, the plot, the lively dialogue, and the character interaction-especially the romantic development-are fabulous, so don't let the historical details stop you.

I really love the layout of this Bible. It is very easy to read and understand the commentary. The tabbed version is great as well. I was happy to find it's notes come from a literal 6 day Creationist point of view, but sadly, I'm sorry to say that the author is a Calvinist Babtist, Cessationist (does not believe that Gifts are for today). This is evident in the interpretation of certain OT and NT scriptures. Unlike others have stated, DR Morris DOES have a personal opinion about these things, and is not just basing the commentary on other scripture. Well, I love the Bible and Pray for Morris to live in all of God's goodness he has for him :)

I am very impressed with this study Bible - gives wonderful commentary information on many subject to give a better understanding of certain text. I do have a few disagreements; however, as I don't believe there are any mistakes or contradications in the KJV and only misunderstanding and limited knowledge on the readers part. Docy

The Defenders Study Bible by Dr. Henry Morris is THE BEST Bible I have ever owned. I have been a Christian for most of my life and I own several different study Bibles but they all pale in comparison. Why? Because they compromise the word of God. In most of my other study Bibles, they make you doubt Gods word, especially in regarding the creation in Genesis by adding that the creation could have occurred over a longer period of time.

Dr. Morris verifies the six day creation with other bible verses. He doesn't rely on his beliefs, he relies on other scriptures for verification. The Lord would not need longer periods of time to create the world because he did it right the first time and does not need more time to let things "correct" themselves. He is a perfect God and he created a perfect world in six days. Why would God say six days when he meant something else? This is where faith plays a vital role in reading and interpreting the scriptures. You either believe God means exactly what he says or you don't. Satan compromised the word of God to Eve and look what happened. God means exactly what he says. Exactly.

Another plus is the scientific analysis of creation and the great flood. He describes using other scripture how the flood occured and the effects of the flood on the world scientifically. It really strengthens Gods word.

Having this Bible in the King James Version is comforting also because it is as close to the original Hebrew and Greek text as we can get. There is no interpretations. I compare verses from this Bible to my other Bibles and the changes are dramatic and sometimes entirely different. To me this can be dangerous.

In Job, some of my Bibles change the words Behemoth to Hippo or elephant and Leviathan to Alligator..... Now I have never seen a hippo or an elephant with a tail the size of a ceder tree, and I have never seen an alligator have smoke and fire come out of his mouth and nostrils.

I recommend this Bible and all of Dr. Morris' other books to all Christians, both new and old.

The Morris footnotes are as conservative as Schofield's, but much easier to read and understand, and less dispensational. Neither I nor my minister and missionary friends can fault the doctrinal position of Morris, who believes that the Creator of the universe was able to state exactly what He meant, and able likewise to preserve His word for us today. Morris, the author of the standard text on creation, offers scientific background to dispense with the modern myth of evolution, enabling those who believe God rather than the humanistic fantasies of Darwin ample and irrefutable arguments for God's truth. A fine gift or presentation Bible, I received mine from my church when I trusted Christ as Savior. One of my missionary friends has won many souls to the Lord with his copy - may God grant you and I the grace to do the same with ours! There is no version of the Scripture that I can recommend more highly, especially now that the John R. Rice reference Bible seems no longer available. Signed, a redeemed sinner

Bonus points for the larger type, easier to read than a lot of other bibles. Extensive notes that defend the accuracy and infallibilty of the Bible. A must have for anyone who is serious about studying the Authorized version of the Word of God.

I love anything Ravi Zacharias writes. He brings you to the only conclusion possible in whatever spiritual truth he is presenting, and I love this. But greater still --- there is in Ravi Zacharias a truth that transcends intellect -- he genuinely loves the Lord he writes (or speaks) about. This makes his books or his sermons worth my attention.

"When we see our hearts as God sees them, we find His strength, not only to understand good and evil, but to act on it. The one who resists this truth has nowhere to turn." (p. 184)

Ravi Zacharias is a native of India, but got Saved and converted to Christianity as a young man. He is most famous as a public speaker for explaining and defending Christian concepts in an intellectually thoughtful context, mostly by debunking the faulty viewpoints of the opposition. Where other radio preachers and book authors are heavy on emotionally expounding upon Scripture, Ravi's unique approach focuses on intellectual discourse. He talks and reasons his way as to why Christianity and Bible teachings are correct, without necessarily using Scripture as the sole evidence, but rather by using logic and focused thinking. He teaches Bible truths and values using observations about society, history, and culture.

I personally find that Ravi is most concise and focused on the radio, not in his books, nevertheless, in his autobiography, WALKING FROM EAST TO WEST, Ravi says that DELIVER US FROM EVIL and THE REAL FACE OF ATHEISM are his bestselling books. I have read both, and I think this book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, is his strongest work.

"It was not the Code of Hammurabi that touched America's conscience. Nor was it the intent or content of the Koran. By no stretch of imagination was it the pantheistic framework of Eastern mysticism. America's soul was indubitably formed in keeping with the basic assumptions and injunctions of this, the moral law of the Hebrews, which gave her a vision of history's linear thrust whereby she was to reconcile liberty with law." (p. 154)

In DELIVER US FROM EVIL, Ravi writes about the state of Western culture, which has largely abandoned Bible-based morality and thus also suffered the consequences which we must now try to redeem. "Freedom can be destroyed, not just by its retraction, but also by its abuse." (p. 86)

The popular concept that there are no absolute truths, and thus anything goes, morally speaking, is at the basis of today's sorry state of affairs, culturally speaking. "An ABSOLUTE is basically an unchanging point of reference by which all other changes are measured...RELATIVISM is, therefore, only another word for ANARCHY, and that is why truth itself becomes elusive when there is no longer a point of reference." (p. 219)

The danger is that without a commonly accepted standard of morality, our culture is constantly under attack from within, by people with unhappy, desperate hearts which know no peace, and who wish to enforce an absence of morality. "Rebellion that sees no sanctity in life's essence is a constant state of mind bespeaking a heart that will never be satisfied." (p. 136)

This can only be done by trying to build a consensus that there is no God, the Bible is not real, and all that exists and may be considered is the material world--ripped away from any spiritual meaning or purpose. "...secularization assumes that this world--the material world-- is all we have...secularism is the philosophy of choice for American intellectual and political life." (p. 23)

In the USA, where the the 1st Amendment has been perverted by religion haters to mean freedom FROM religion, the problem is one that we are living with everyday, and not for the betterment of society, but to its detriment. "Not only has secularization brought us a silent universe with no voice from without, it has also brought us a silence from within as it has redefined the whole role of conscience." (p. 56)

Have you ever been self-righteously confronted by someone defending morally reprehensible things, while condemning the concept of morality itself? "In an unbelievable and shocking turn of events we have moved from speaking out against certain moral choices to being pressured by political enforcement and the so-called tolerant cultural elite not only to accept what was once disapproved of, but to celebrate it. Allowance for people to determine their own moral destinies has been supplanted by the demand that even that which may be repugnant or offensive to one's moral sensitivities must be acclaimed and glorified." (p. 133)

The anti-Christian spirit of this age has increasingly, and secretively, turned to the power of a secular judicial system of government to try to enforce immorality and condemn morality. "...the power to create and enforce moral relativism has been placed into the hands of government. Political power is a strange place to entrust morality because proverbially politics is not synonymous with moral uprightness. The very institution that is distrusted most has now become the shaper of the soul." (p. 78)

These days, we are pretty far along the wrong path in our Western culture, and the good guys are very late in catching onto the game plan of the bad guys, to wit, the public school system has been taken over by secularist believers who get to teach their secular view of life while condemning a Christian worldview because it opposes their immoral behavior. "The whole point of state controlled education is that it gives to the government the power to shape the souls and write on the fresh slates of young hearts... to assume that they accept that responsibility from a posture of neutrality is to live under the most destructive illusion." (p. 138)

By the time I finished this book, I thought that Ravi explained how things got so bad in our culture, and that knowing that much, we are better equipped to understand and deal with the situation, which will basically require an act of God to straighten out, of course, but God will win in the end. Christians know how the Bible ends and the true believing Christians end up in Heaven, while what do the secularist have to look forward to in the end? Nothing, by their own perspective, and worse, eternal damnation from a Biblical viewpoint. You can't beat God in the end. "Throughout history the Word of God has remained firm; it rises up to outlive its pallbearers." (p. 190)

Amen that, Ravi, amen that.

Leave it to Ravi Zacharias to put eloquently what all of us somehow feels. Something's gone wrong in our society -- it's not as kind as it used to be. Something's amiss. Ravi has tapped into that "something". As always, brilliantly thought out and argued. Always with compassion but never compromised.

This book examines the Zeitgeist or spirit of the age, points out what is wrong with it and how to reverse the destructive trend. The modern era is taken as the period 1789 - 1989 and the Post-modern as the one that followed. The West is currently in the grip of the PoMo mindset, more so in Europe than in the USA.

Whereas reason was held as the highest value under modernism, it has been ridiculed by postmodernism where truth is considered to be extinct. Purpose and design were emphasized in modernism, but postmodernism emphasizes chance and randomness. The post-modern spirit considers values as relative and celebrates unreason and the loss of meaning. Deconstruction and contradiction are its gods.

Although the modern pursuit was inhospitable towards spiritual truth, debate was still possible because information was subject to induction and deduction. In the post-modern mentality the purpose of debate or dialogue is not to discover truth, since here facts have no legitimacy. Debate is therefore impossible.

The first section of the book is titled The Moods Of The Present; it explores the ideas and circumstances that gave birth to the current cultural struggle. The author rigorously investigates the PoMo mindset in the light of the fruits it has borne. This part contains interesting references to sources as varied as The Great Divorce and The Pilgrim's Regress by CS Lewis, the thoughts of GK Chesterton and even song lyrics by The Moody Blues (Question) and Carly Simon (Playing Possum).

The second section looks at voices from the past, those that have shaped Western culture down the ages. As postmodernism mocks the promise once offered by modernity, religion comes under even greater assault, partly because of the faults of politicised religion. Theocracy is not the answer. The real hope lies in a change of heart in the individual.

This section includes the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley and an interesting quote by Peggy Noonan, among others. The author discusses the history of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. Manasseh turned out to be one of the most evil kings in the history of ancient Judah. He was a practitioner of "multiculturalism,' introducing hideous habits like infanticide from the surrounding nations.

Zacharias provides a frightening description of what these sacrifices of children to Moloch must have been like. It shows how one person can lead millions into evil, when a nation ceases to think clearly. After Manasseh, the righteous King Josiah led the kingdom of Judah back to God again.

Section 3 explores the mystery of evil, with reference to the trial of Eichmann and popular culture like the movie Pulp Fiction in which murder is trivialized. The beautiful poem The Coming by R S Thomas is reproduced here, and the grace of God and the invitation to redemption are discussed.

Appendix A: The Ineradicable Word is a defence of the uniqueness and authority of the Bible, a brilliant apologetics for the veracity of the message in our Judeo-Christian scriptures. It deals inter alia with the transcultural nature of truth and the transformation of the soul.

Appendix B: Inextinguishable Light, deals with the structure of reason, certainty and the matter of absolutes. It includes a quote from Malcolm Muggeridge warning of the spiritual plague of relativism. It explains the relationship of logic - reason - truth and the Word as truth in the battleground of the heart.

The book concludes with an Annotated Bibliography of the Bible, Notes by chapter and a Study Guide with questions to use as a workbook. I also recommend Sinisterism: Secular Religion of the Lie by Bruce Walker, While Europe Slept by Bruce Bawer, Menace in Europe by Claire Berlinski, The Dragons Of Expectation: Reality And Delusion In The Course Of History by Robert Conquest, The Force of Reason by Oriana Fallaci, The West's Last Chance by Tony Blankley and Our Culture, What's Left of It: The Mandarins and the Masses by Theodore Dalrymple.

This book examines the Zeitgeist or spirit of the age, identifies what is wrong with it and how to reverse the destructive trend. The modern era is taken as the period 1789 - 1989 and the Post-modern as the one that followed. The West is currently in the grip of the PoMo mindset, more so in Europe than in the USA. Whereas reason was held as the highest value under modernism, it has been ridiculed by postmodernism where truth is considered to be extinct. Purpose and design were emphasized in modernism, but postmodernism emphasizes chance and randomness. The post-modern spirit considers values as relative and celebrates unreason and the loss of meaning. Deconstruction and contradiction are its gods. Although the modern pursuit was inhospitable towards spiritual truth, debate was still possible because information was subject to induction and deduction. In the post-modern mentality the purpose of debate or dialogue is not to discover truth, since here facts have no legitimacy. Debate is therefore impossible.

The first section of the book is titled The Moods Of The Present; it explores the ideas and circumstances that gave birth to the current cultural struggle. The author rigorously investigates the PoMo mindset in the light of the fruits it has borne. This part contains interesting references to sources as varied as The Great Divorce and The Pilgrim's Regress by CS Lewis, the thoughts of GK Chesterton and even song lyrics by The Moody Blues (Question) and Carly Simon (Playing Possum). The second section looks at voices from the past, those that have shaped Western culture down the ages. As postmodernism mocks the promise once offered by modernity, religion comes under even greater assault, partly because of the faults of politicised religion. Theocracy is not the answer. The real hope lies in a change of heart in the individual. This section includes the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley and an interesting quote by Peggy Noonan, among others.

The author discusses the history of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. Manasseh turned out to be one of the most evil kings in the history of ancient Judah. He was a practitioner of "multiculturalism,' introducing hideous habits like infanticide from the surrounding nations. Zacharias provides a frightening description of what these sacrifices of children to Moloch must have been like. It shows how one person can lead millions into evil, when a nation ceases to think clearly. After Manasseh, the righteous King Josiah led the kingdom of Judah back to God again. Section 3 explores the mystery of evil, with reference to the trial of Eichmann and popular culture like the movie Pulp Fiction in which murder is trivialized. The beautiful poem The Coming by R S Thomas is reproduced here, and the grace of God and the invitation to redemption are discussed.

Appendix A: The Ineradicable Word is a defence of the uniqueness and authority of the Bible, a brilliant apologetics for the veracity of the message in our Judeo-Christian scriptures. It deals inter alia with the transcultural nature of truth and the transformation of the soul. Appendix B: Inextinguishable Light, deals with the structure of reason, certainty and the matter of absolutes. It includes a quote from Malcolm Muggeridge warning of the spiritual plague of relativism. It explains the relationship of logic - reason - truth and the Word as truth in the battleground of the heart. The book concludes with an Annotated Bibliography of the Bible, Notes by chapter and a Study Guide with questions to use as a workbook.

The Illusions of Postmodernism

Intellectual Impostures

Intellectual Morons: How Ideology Makes Smart People Fall for Stupid Ideas

Sinisterism: Secular Religion of the Lie

I wanted to add that disclaimer so you wouldn't reject my review out of hand. Even though it is a bit preachy, the lesson is a good one for the religious and the secular alike. It's a message of mercy, and also makes it very clear that just because you have made bad decisions in the past doesn't mean you are worthless or that you cannot overcome your mistakes.

Preaching aside, this is an entertaining adventure, and I enjoy it for that reason alone. Just because a book has a religious theme doesn't automatically make it bad. And heck, just because the lesson is religious in origin doesn't make it less valid.

I Want to know why this fella hasn't written more books. I loved the Med- evil setting,the authentic characters, the intrigue, and the romance in this book. This would be a great read for men and women.

I found this book at a thrift store and bought it for 90 cents because it sounded interesting. It was an awesome read and the best 90 cents I ever spent! I was engrossed in this book from the very beginning, and the characters were great! The review by publisher's weekly should be ignored because they obviously don't like the Christian perspective. But I think anyone who reads it could appreciate this book. I ordered the first book, "The Crown of Eden" because I wanted to read them in order. "The Crown of Eden" was a great read too but I liked this one better. I just bought the 3rd book called, "The Bride of Stone," and I can't wait to read it!

I am an avid fantasy reader (though this is actually the first fantasy novel I've reviewed on Amazon). I would like to support what previous reviewers have said-do not listen to the editorial review for this book. Those who would say it is nothing but a corny mini-sermon with overly simplistic characters obviously could not have really read the book-and I do not say this lightly, because as a rule that is what I think of many Christian/allegorical fantasy novels.

This book is the final title in the Seven Kingdoms series, set about 120 years after the reign of King Perivale and the collapse of his Empire. The main character is Evalonne, a girl of the kingdom of Louchland who is forced to flee for her life for becoming pregnant out of wedlock, and eventually becomes a prostitute so as to support her baby. She is freed from this life and becomes a traveling companion of a wandering swordsman named 'Roburne', who is in fact Lanson, the prince-in-exile of Louchland. Eventually, Evalonne is captured and taken to Louchland to be executed, while Lanson takes his murdered father's throne and confronts the Kirk (church) and its corrupt bishop to save his lover and gain justice for his father.

Like William's other books, the characters are realistic and the writing is excellent and very descriptive. Though the Christian/allegorical message is indeed easy to detect, it does not become 'preachy' like so many novels in this genre. Indeed, like William's previous writings it is a very philosophical and thought-provoking book. It only took me three days to read, but gave me food for thought for weeks.

Thomas Williams' first book (CROWN OF EDEN) was wonderful - fun and unique characters that don't always make the right choices. I found I could relate quite well! It also taught me to relax: God's will is going to be accomplished despite the plans and attempted manipulations of His Enemy.

This book was even better! After deciding to see how the Master of the Universe would use every evil plan of the "bad guys" to accomplish His plans, I sat back and fully enjoyed the creative way Mr. Williams has chosen to show us the love and enjoyment of the Master of the Universe in the characters' lives. I could not put the book down. There are many truths from scriptures in this book. For the person who says this is a "sunday school lesson," I say, give me more sunday school lessons like this!!!