Thomas Books

I used this book for a recent Special Needs training I facilitated at South Carolina University in Sumter, SC. The Preschool teachers loved it because it got over and sealed the point I was trying to make. "Don't change the child, change the environment in which the child is in." It gave them a more open mind of how to adapt their classrooms for the children in which they serve.

We have had this book for years and I just purchased it for my daughter's Kindergarten classroom, it is such a fun book, I love the illustrations and it is one that I can read again and again and still enjoy it.

The book was received in good condition and in a timely manner. I would recommend this site to others.

We simply adore Winnie the Witch at our house... by we I mean me (38), my husband (44), and our 2 and a half year old daughter. The humor appeals to every age, as do the fantastic illustrations. I recently ordered the three story collection and was not disappointed. Take a chance on Winnie.

This is, I think very much more for a child from 2-4 than anything else. The language is simple as are the concepts. It is very good humoured and beautifully illustrated. This is a book my 2 and 4 year old love to look at.

There are quite complicated illustrations of Winnies house which is a large castle - it is all in black. The problem is that Winnie's cat is also black, she can see the cat when its eyes are open, but when they are closed she keeps tripping over it - so she changes the colour of the cat.

It is a simple story, just a couple of plot elements, a little bit of problem solving and a happy ending (as you would expect) It is a nice book for discussing how to solve problems with children - (for instance what would you do if you kept tripping over the cat? what colour would you like best here? and so on) Its a nice book for opening up dialogue, and also for leading into art and creativity.

It is also a nice book just to read - and it is a favourite with my two at bed time right now. I think the cat is the most appealing thing in it, which is well drawn and a bit leggy, the illustrations remind a lot of Ronald Searle/Quentin Blake style.

I see there are more books in this series and I am keen to get hold of them for the girls before they grow out of them

As a producer/artist who is considering a move into the commercial production world, I wanted a book that explained, in a step-by-step fashion, the mundane work routines of a commercial director without glamorizing the business or condescending like an Idiot's guide. This book is exactly that. No frills, just the facts. It is so well-organized, informative, and concise--with tons of great advice that I know I will continue to reference for years to come. It will probably be some time before I can apply all the tools in this book to my professional career, but in the meantime, I feel so much more confident about my decision to move in this new direction. Thanks for writing this, Thomas. I would have been wondering for years if I should take the plunge or not.

Finally, a book about the process of making commercials! It's an easy, up to date read and has lots of funny examples. Really all aspects are there, even the politics of commercial business, how true. Enjoyable read on your flight to Cannes!

This was a superb book, one of the best I've read recently (I read hundreds).... because the author writes from a professional working director's standpoint, and his tips are carefully crafted and communicated.

The thought process behind the Ford/mountain spot, and revisions for example (pages 62-66) was superb, eg why not having the woman drive up, the visuals, framing etc.. very practical and well written.

The business end of it was extremely well put together as well, with advice for commercial directors and how to properly shop their spec reel and establish themselves.

As someone who primarily creates internet commercials for my company's products and seminars, I found a ton of solid content here, too - for all aspects of crafting the spot professionally. The author put a lot of work into writing this, it's extremely professional, hands-on, and should be considered a "seminar in book format" for commercial directors. It's just that powerful. Nice work - thanks!

Two thumbs up - this one's a winner.

- ken

What I liked about the book was the straightforward advice and insights into how things really get done in commercials. The author really gets into the nitty-gritty talking about his experiences so that you are left with an idea as to how these highly charged commercials are made. Do visit his website to see the actual commercial which was the main case study in the book.

Full disclosure: Thomas and I went to film school together.

I just bought this book to support Thomas. But after receiving it, I realized it is the book we all needed while in film school. I recommend this book for anyone that is thinking of working in commercials. Directors, Assistant Directors, Producers, Cinematographers, and anyone else that doesn't have a firm grasp of the way that commercials work.

I personally know some really creative directors that have given up on their dream, which might not have happened had they had some sort of guide like this book.

Congrats Thomas, it should be "REQUIRED READING" at Art Center.

This book shows the reader the optimal process to reach well-thought-out decisions that not only pick the best possible solution to a problem or opportunity, but also rates how well the solution meets the overall criteria. This help assure that the solution will actually solve the problem, not just be the best of mediocre options. If the solution does not reach the level of comfort of the team, that it will solve the problem to the actual criteria determined, the team has the tools to reopen the process and further research, brainstorm, etc., until the criteria are met. Fabulous book, fabulous process. Any team can benefit greatly by implementing this process.

I only wish I had had this book 40 years ago when I first started in business. Tom has hit the problem with a 100% solution. I hope he follows up with more of his insight and business savy.

Tom McAuliffe is a brilliant leader in business! This book should be required reading for anyone starting out in the Business World.
As an individual who has started a *few* successful companies.
In my opinon this author's book is priceless for it's sheer knowledge it has to offer. I have consulted with this author on several occasions with much success.

Adopting and using McAuliffe's techniques, process and website tools will speed your organization's decision making process and will yield vastly improved communications throughout your business.

In my final semester of a strong MBA program, I was surprised to discover a totally new approach to management decision-making. I think it is a topic that is largely overlooked by most schools. Perhaps it is assumed that smart students will be able to make smart choices, make them quickly, and be successful bringing others to their point of view. My prior business experience would suggest that these goals are not so easy to attain. Tom McAuliffe's book, The 90% Solution, might offer a clue as to why some management teams are so much more effective than others. I think the tools offered in this book could be important to any business student who wants to succeed in the real world. Or, to paraphrase American Express, "...don't leave business school without it."

All Rivers to the Sea was a wonderful way to end the Galway Chronicles. Once more I was moved to laughter and tears as I followed the lives of the people of Ballyknockanor. Martin's character was fleshed out nicely, Corrie and Ceili's story made a heart wringing sub-plot, and Mad Molly was as wise, humorous, and prophetic as ever.

Though it's nice to think of Kate and Joseph living "happily ever after," I would love it if the authors would continue this story in a different series as they have done with their Zion sagas.

Things were looking up in the fall of 1844 for the residence of Ballyknockanor. Kate is just about to pop with her and Joseph's son. Colonel Mahon is dead. And Joseph, still thinking he's a fugitive, has arrived back in London. But all is not well. Personal tragedy awaits the Burkes and the English will use anything to crack down on the Irish. Plus the biggest roadblock to Irish independence may be just around the corner in the form of rotten potatoes.

It's been way too long since I read the third book in the series and I had forgotten some of the details of it. The important pieces did come back to me as I read the events of this one, however. My problem with it is the story. All the events of the story pile on top of each other to make for a depressing read. I realize it was what was happening in Ireland during that time, but it still isn't pleasant to read.

The Thoenes have a gift of bring history to life. Unfortunately, it's not always happy. This is one such case. Wonderfully written book, it's just a shame the subject matter is such a downer.

If you have not read the three previous entries in "The Galway Chronicles" series, you simply must read them first. But if you who have read them, you will not want to miss "All Rivers to the Sea", the immensely satisfying conclusion to the series. The novel commences where volume three left off, with newlyweds Joseph and Kate separated by adversity, and Kate expecting their first child. But there is hardship on both fronts. Away in London, Joseph finds his life threatened by murderers. At home in Ireland, Kate suffers the agony of the death of her own child. When Joseph and Kate are finally reunited, their suffering continues in the form of a potato blight which destroys the food supply of their staple produce, results in more suffering, pain and death. Even Joseph and Kate's marriage relationship is strained by sorrow and misunderstanding.

In "All Rivers to the Sea" the Thoenes not only portray the suffering of Joseph and Kate Burke, but also that of another family told in a sub-plot - the Grogan family. Suffering is epitomized in the Grogan family when they are cast out of their home, totally destitute. Daniel Grogan first suffers the loss of his wife, and then is forced to place his children in a workhouse. The horror of the workhouses is painted with stark reality, demonstrating the heartbreak of impoverished parents faced with death, and forced to part with their children by placing them in workhouses, where they suffered under the "charity" of a corrupt state church (p.117). The only light in the darkness is that one child of the Grogan family enters the Burke home. But even this is shadowed with darkness, because it occurs in a manner that has overtones of the birth of Moses (with the older sister watching the cast out child) and the birth of Jesus (with the family not finding room in the "inn" - in this case, shepherds). This is no coincidence, because the Thoenes make a strong connection between the suffering of believers and the suffering of Christ. Kate reminds herself that the scars of suffering "make you more like Him" (p.185), and some hungry children with simple childlike faith state that they must eat "The bread of Christ ... the bread of suffering." (p.199). And when the suffering are cast out of their homeland, they are reminded by angels "Remember Christ the Savior, the child for whom there was no room!" (p.302). The only flaw here is that Kate incorrectly insists that suffering must not be accepted as God's will (p.163), although what she means by this is correct: Don't be passive in suffering, but "Pray instead for a clear eye and a firm plan to bring your people relief. Work hard to make this hard life better for as many as you can." (p.163).

The significance of the title "All Rivers to the Sea" also has to do with suffering. Mad Molly says prophetically "We'll none of us survive! The river flows, don't ye know? It carried off man and beast, grass and flower, to the sea. Always to the sea! It's over for us." (p.153) Joseph later explains: "Life is about people, and not about things or places or land. A river that rises in the mountains only to die in a bog is a sad, useless thing, Martin. We must be like the stream that bursts through all dams and finds its way to the sea. To a new life in a new way." (p.270-1) And the angels admonish at the end: "Remember the River from whence you came! Remember the Sea which all are bound to cross one day!" (p.302) At the end of the novel there is some taste of justice and redemption. Yet the bitter taste of suffering remains, forcing Joseph and Kate and the people of Ballynockanor to take drastic measures to ensure their ongoing survival. With the last chapter of "All Rivers to the Sea", one chapter of their lives is at an end. The characters must move on to a new chapter, even if it is clouded with adversity and suffering.

Yet it is precisely this that makes "The Galway Chronicles" so appealing. Unlike many contemporary Christian writers, the Thoenes' do not offer us a "feel-good" pill with a "they all lived happily ever after" ending. In the "Galway Chronicles" they are not afraid to make their readers journey through the depths of tragedy and despair, nor to leave them with a bitter taste in their mouth. Some readers might prefer a fairy tale ending, but this is real life, not a fairy tale. And in real life, the presence of sin and suffering is ongoing, even at the end of a book. The solution is not found in a pretend perfect life, but the solution is found in the work of Jesus Christ who gives hope in the midst of a life of sin and suffering. The happy ending comes only when this last chapter of history comes to an end, and when He returns. In this sense the Thoenes' boldness in presenting a harsh picture of a life of suffering, and their refusal to provide a "happy" ending, is heartily refreshing. They do not do the gospel a disservice - as so many other writers do - by suggesting that believers on earth can expect happy endings here on earth, before heaven. These novels show that there is no heaven here on earth, but that the hope of heaven offers real encouragement in a life of earthly suffering. And that certainly makes them worth reading.

The final book of the Galway Chronicles is a masterfully woven tale. Joseph Connor Burke is finally reunited with his wife and family after learning that he has been pardoned for treason.

Shortly after his return the potato famine begins. Joseph and Kate are faced with anguish and dispair as they try to keep their family and their people from starving. Their unfailing trust in God is what keeps them hopeful in this tormented time.
The addition of the Grogan family only adds to the story.

As you read this book you will learn more about the people of Ireland in the 1840's then you have ever before. The treatment of the Irish people by the English is deplorable. I was surprised that as the people of Ireland are starving ships are being sent to England full of grain and livestock to feed the English. Always new that the famine was horrible to Ireland but now I know the whole history of why it was so horrible.

I think I now have some insight as to why my Great-great-grandparents came to America.

As you read the books in the Galway chronicle you feel like you are witnessing first hand their joys and sorrows and their steadfast faith in God.

This work, the fourth in "The Galway Chronicle" series, has afforded me a much deeper understanding of "things Irish" in the 19th century. Frankly, I could have gleaned much information from textbooks or historical treatises. But this series goes deeper: it incarnates the history. My daily encounters with Joseph Burke have encouraged me to more deeply consider the challenge and possibility of squaring off against today's rampant and relativist postmodern mindset with truly biblical moral courage, compassion, and Christlikeness. So sorry to see this series completed; I would devour more.

Susan Yates provides genuine help and insight for mothers of young children. I just had my first child and am feeling a bit overwhelmed. This book has helped me realize that I am not alone! Her writing is easy and enjoyable to read. She is a pastor's wife, but has struggled just like the rest of us. Motherhood is not easy and she doesn't claim it to be. It is a huge responsibility, but taken way too lightly in today's society. She provides great perspective and encouragement for the journey.

I really enjoyed this book. This book offers (as the title indicates) "encouragement for Mothers of Young Children" from a Christian perspective. She has five (5!) children, so in my books she has credibility as far as parenting goes. She covers many aspects of parenting small children from self-image, discipline, the atmosphere in the home to setting priorities. Her advice was so helpful to me as I raised my girls and will be a great blessing to anyone who reads it.
I just finished reading her new book "And Then I Had Teenagers". I highly recommend them!

I was excited to get this book, but found it slightly dissapointing. It was nice that the author is honest and admits to needing to get away from her kids and that they can drive her crazy at times. Most moms these days will not admit to that. The book did not really tell me anything I had not learned already from other parenting books. But all in all it was a good read.

I definitely recommend this book! It is very encouraging. Susan strikes a good balance - she is real about the struggles and frustrations but she also presents encouragement through perspective, God's nature and perspective, and practical ideas. You feel like there is someone who knows exactly what you're going through as you read the book.

AND THEN I HAD KIDS is my all-time favorite parenting book, and I've read dozens. While so many authors give parents specific how-to tips and make us feel like failures if we don't follow their advice exactly, Yates shows us it's a tough but often hilarious calling to raise young children.

Because her book was first published in 1988, readers today can be assured Yates knows what she's talking about. Her five children are now grown, married, and raising their own families. Since her husband and children have also written books, the Yates' successful parenting experience is documented in the various stages of their journey.

From this authority, Yates offers expert survival tips for mothers still in the trenches raising young children. Her book opens with the sinking feeling that her house is too quiet. Where are the twins? She discovers little black footprints trailing from the fireplace, across the brand new carpet, to the utility room freezer. "Peering inside, I found two little girls black with soot joyfully looking at books!" By seeing her in this situation, we understand she's been there, done that, and she knows what moms of young kids go through every day.

The book is divided into ten sections: the first chapter offers a general overview of the challenges that face mothers, then the next eight sections look at each challenge specifically and offer tips for overcoming them. Examples include maintaining a positive image, establishing priorities that work, becoming a best friend in marriage despite the heavy demands of child-rearing, disciplining children, and shaping a Christian home. She ends the book with ideas for parents heading into the teen years, which is another age she writes about in AND THEN I HAD TEENAGERS.

If you enjoy this book, you'll also like Yates' essays, which are archived on the site for Today's Christian Woman magazine. Parents of college students will be blessed by another book written by the Yates' sons, THE INCREDIBLE FOUR-YEAR ADVENTURE: FINDING REAL FAITH, FUN, AND FRIENDSHIP AT COLLEGE.

I highly recommend Yates' book for young moms, even going so far as to say it's my "Bible of parenting." I've given away so many copies of this book to women in need of encouragement, and I've read and reread it dozens of times myself. Although many more recent books have been written on this topic, this is one of the absolute best.

--Reviewed by Heather Lynn Ivester

Mr. Baker's novel is filled with beautiful, haunting scenes, scenes which reflect the internal, or heart, of the characters struggles. Each character came to represent an archetype for me, the higher self, the wanderer, the distraction. The whole story becomes a journey to understand ourselves, but not in the cliche way common to first novels. In a deeper, richer way.

This book is a must read, both for the high quality of its writing and for the journey you are lucky enough to be included on in its pages.

I recently completed reading The Art of Confession and it had a tremendous impact on me. The story of love, loss and the insight that ensues is beautifully woven throughout the book. It truly touches on the spirit of living a full life regardless of circumstance. I recommend it to those who have ever lost a piece of their soul to the past. The tears shed from reading this book can be very healing.

I purchased this book having no idea what to expect and was more than pleasantly surprised. Mathew Thomas Baker writes eloquently, expressing every image and thought with just the right amount of detail. I would highly recommend reading this book and anxiously await any future publications from this extremely talented author.

Thank you Matt - what a wonderful book you have written. I too personally know Matt, and our common interest of reading is how we met. He is the member of a local book group that I attend. We were all blessed and honored to share in having Matt's book be our selection this past month...because it is not too often we get to probe the mind of the author behind the work.

We all had so many learning and interesting thoughts from the reading and sharing - and I encourage everyone to get this book and share with family and friends...(just as Philip had to learn that even with eyes we do not always see - and from Oliver the lessons may be hidden in the process of art - and for Silva the travels may not end in this lifetime)...

This is a book I will always read and re-read and cherish...bless you Matt...and a kiss to Owen... Love, Marsha :)

Thank you Matt - what a wonderful book you have written. I too personally know Matt, and our common interest of reading is how we met. He is the member of a local book group that I attend. We were all blessed and honored to share in having Matt's book be our selection this past month...because it is not too often we get to probe the mind of the author behind the work.

We all had so many learning and interesting thoughts from the reading and sharing - and I encourage everyone to get this book and share with family and friends...(just as Philip had to learn that even with eyes we do not always see - and from Oliver the lessons may be hidden in the process of art - and for Silva the travels may not end in this lifetime)...

This is a book I will always read and re-read and cherish...bless you Matt...and a kiss to Owen... Love, Marsha :)

This is a book everyone should read. I totally agree with the writer, that we all know and live in war-situations. You don't have to be a war-veteran to know what war is.
We have and create our own wars in daily life. It occurs in every situation/relation in which we can't make peace with "the other".
It occurs in a parent-child relation. Boss-employee. husband-wife. And hey... don't forget the NEIGHBOURS!!
This is a very insightful and deadly honest story. We will and can all relate to what he's been through, and most important, HOW we can move out of pain and suffering. How we can heal our lives and be peace.
If someone as wounded as he was, can do it, we all can.
Love, Peace and Blessings to a Man of Wisdom and Peace, who reaches out to all of us. It's up to us now to heal ourselves.
One (of many ways) to practise mindfulness is by doing a FREE 10 day Vipassana meditation retreat. Look at dhamma-org. Google for Vipassana and Goenka, there are dozens of centers worldwide.

As a fellow Vietnam Veteran of combat and casualty calls, Thomas' book brings relief through mindfulness.
Finally, someone explains how focusing on breathing can calm the mind, quell the rage, and convert the destructive energy of anger into an active and productive purpose such as "engaged Buddhism."

"At Hell's Gate" actually opens the gates of hell, my mental home for forty years, and shows me the clear path to peace. I'm gonna walk it and recommend that all victims of trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder join me and follow Claude Anshin Thomas' leadership.

Thank you, Rev. Thomas, for showing me the way.

The Vietnam War has produced its share of memoirs but few have the impact that author and veteran Claude Anshin Thomas has in his inspiring book "At Hell's Gate". It is odd in a spiritual way, that he published his book a year after my own autobiography "A Spiritual Warrior's Journey". We both seem to be following different paths to the same destination. He and I were stationed at the same time in Phu Loi South Vietnam in 1966 & 1967. We were both crew-chief/door-gunners on Hueys. He was with the 116th AHC (Assault Helicopter Company) and I was next door to his unit in the 128th AHC. We each saw the same kind of war and combat and shared some of the same actual battles - so this added to my reading experience.

His book - much like my own - is a journey of self-discovery and spiritual evolution. He fights the demons of PTSD upon his return home and tries to medicate and drug his pain. The author shares a life that was filled with great emotional suffering. The key to his book however, and that separates it from so many others, is that this provides some direction for not just veterans but all who are suffering from their own personal wars of life. He gives the reader a look at how he grew and how he found something (Zen ) to help him cope and grow spiritually.

The book can be read in one sitting but it is best if savored over a longer period of time. There is much wisdom within these pages that will help heal and change others. I highly recommend this as a gift to give to any veteran of any war. The book is full of compassion and hope. There are methods for meditation in the back of the book which could give those in need a "road map" to some healing.

I first read about Claude Thomas on the internet a few years ago. I found his story so strong and powerful. I was glad to finally be able to read this book. This is a very powerful story about the power to heal and transform.

Thomas's experience is proof that even people who have endured the most horrific experiences can come to peace. He is so honest about the horrific experiences in the Vietnam War, his substance abuse and other problems in his life. Through his journey he has learnt how to live with these wounds.

He writes:

"...suffering is not our enemy. It is only through a relationship with my pain, my sadness, that I can reach the other side, that I can truly know and touch the opposite, which is my pleasure, my joy, and my happiness. "

I greatly admire the path that Thomas has walked. He has truly embraced the spirit of Buddhism and the meaning of being a monk, going forth into homelessness. He studied first with Thich Nhat Hanh and then with Roshi Bernie Glassman. The pilgrimages and street retreats that Thomas has done, to me represent one of the finest expressions of engaged Buddhism.

I highly recommend this book as a spiritual biography and a guide to Buddhist practice.

Claude Thomas's At Hell's Gate is the story of a terribly wounded individual (bad childhood, PTSD, alcohol and drug addictions, intimacy problems) trying to find healing for himself. His analysis of his own ill-being, to use a phrase favored by Thomas' mentor, Thich Nhat Hanh, is not only a gripping story. It's also valuable to the rest of us who, like Thomas, are likewise wounded.

Thomas' journey to healing is based on Nhat Hanh's "engaged Buddhism" model. The basic principles of engaged Buddhism are that (1) violence is caused by suffering; (2) suffering is caused by unacknowledged and unhealed interior wounds whose destructive energy manipulates us; (3) mindfulness to those wounds and the way they enslave us is essential to both personal and social liberation from violence; (4) reality is best described in terms of "interbeing," unbreakable connectedness, so that my actions or lack of actions necessarily affect everything; (5) and therefore my own healing contributes to the healing of the world.

Thomas' own breakthrough was attending a weeklong retreat conducted by Nhat Hanh. Since then, Thomas has been ordained a mendicant monk in the Soto Zen tradition, makes regular walking peace pilgrimages across the U.S. and other parts of the world, and regularly ministers to street people and veterans.

This book is well worth reading, especially for someone who has no acquaintance with Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings. The book is sometimes repetitious, although I can't quite figure out if this is deliberate of unintentional on Thomas' part. Moreover, one occasionally senses that Thomas' is still so wrestling with his own demons that his focus is more self- than other-directed.

Still, these are minor caveats, and Thomas' book stands as an eloquent and insightful testament to the deep human yearning for a return to innocence, to healing, to wholeness. As a Zen koan asks, "What did your face look like before you were born?" At the least, it was without wounds.

Got this book at the library just thinking I'd learn a little and may or may not enjoy it. Turns out it was really really good! He talks about discipline, suffering and sacrafice as being major parts of the Christian lifestyle and it makes excellent sense. Being a Christian does not mean life will be rosy from then on out. I never thought of Christianity in this way before but this book changed my mind and gave me a new perspective. I would recommend it for someone going through a tough time and having trouble understanding why or just someone that's a Christian that will certainly face troubles in the future at some point. I learned so much more than I thought I would.

Gary Thomas is a gifted writer and communicator who presents classic foundational truths in a fresh and understandable way. This book represents another work that will cause the reader to think past a stereotypical walk with Christ.

If I could give this book more then five stars I would. "Authentic Faith" was very convicting, and really made me think about some things in my life. I am a fast reader, but there were days that I could only read a couple of pages because I had to take time to think about what Gary Thomas said.

Thomas starts off his book by talking about laying new groundwork for what defines authentic faith, which is a life centered around God and not ourselves. Authentic faith developed by "authentic disciplines" such as contentment, suffering, persecution, waiting, mourning, humility and forgiveness. These disciplines are different than traditional disciplines such as fasting, praying, studying the Bible etc., because they are not initiated by us but rather by God. Whereas on the other hand, traditional disciplines are initiated by us to help build our faith. Although, they are worthy of our initiation they can sometimes foster religiosity, pride and self sufficiency.

One of my favorite chapter was about the discipline of suffering. To think about suffering as being a good thing seems ironic, but Thomas quotes another writer named Thomas Watson who says it so well, "Sometimes a sick bed can teach us more than a sermon". This made me think of sufferings I have gone through, that haven't been on a sick bed, and yes they did teach me more than a sermon could. Thomas also shares in this chapter about how our refusal to suffer can lead to addictions and physical breakdowns, which I have never thought about before. I would recommend that anyone suffering from an addiction should get this book, because how he explained the process of addiction and physical breakdowns made so much sense.

The other chapter that I found helpful was about the discipline of mourning. Thomas talks about the importance of letting ourselves mourn, and not necessarily in the sense of mourning someone's death, but in repenting over sins in our life. To allow ourselves, to look at the sins in our life, and start associating them with pain and not pleasure.

There are so many other great things about this book that it would take several other paragraphs to explain. So, all that I can say is this is a must read book.

I absolutely enjoyed this book...but what I enjoyed even more than the book itself was the amazing resource of classic authors and texts through Gary Thomas' extensive footnotes...it is always a joy to find a book that sends you on a long and wonderful trail through the greatest thinkers/theologians of all time...a must read!

This is one of the best books I've ever read! Thomas address areas of faith that most people never talk about (the difficulties that we can't control). I recommended it to all my friends. We even used it for our women's study bible stuy. Every one of my friends who've read this book has also loved it. It's challenging, and it makes you uncomfortable with the comforts of your own faith. This book is convicting, but it also helps to transform your thinking and test your faith.

Joyce Meyer did an amazing job writing this book about dealing with the lies that the enemy makes us believe as truths. This book helped me to see things that the enemy didn't want me to see and it brought me closer to God. Now, I can say I'm free from all of the enemy's lies. It also taught me how to pray in a way that pleases God. This is a must have book for Christians who truly want to develop a closer relationship with God.

This book came into my life at a time when I had struggles that were suffocating me. My head was in a fog. I felt like a snail without it's shell - exposed on a hot day. Though I had a close relationship with God my focus wasn't on Him as it should've been but on the issues I was having to deal with. The wisest thing I did was pick up this book and, along with my Bible, studied God's message. The Battle Belongs to the Lord is straightforward and helps you to enter God's presence in a strong and powerful way by teaching you to praise and worship Him at ALL times; especially during the tough times.

This has to be one of my favorite books by Joyce Meyer. It gives you practical strategies to overcome life's every day struggles by handing them over to the Lord. This book has so many realistic tools that can be used to live a life of victory through the Lord. I have to admit that when I read the Bible I sometimes have difficulty getting the true message or meaning that is being conveyed. Joyce has a remarkable ability to translate verses for people just like me, as well as give practical methods of putting these passages to use in every day life.
READ THIS BOOK AND START YOUR LIFE OF VICTORY.

This book is a great resource in your walk with the Lord. Too many times we try to take care of the battles ourselves and when we do we will always lose. The only way to win the battle is to let the Lord fight it for you and have complete trust in him. This book helps you give your battles to the Lord by reminding you that the battle is not yours to fight anyway and that God will ultimately win the battle. This is a great book to read if you are having problems giving your battles to the Lord.

My attention was gripped from the very first sentence and held "captive" throughout the entire book. It was well written and spoke to issues we all deal with in our desire to grow and mature in our relationship with God. This is the first book of Joyce Meyer's that I've read and I have been greatly blessed by it. I highly recommend this book for anyone who struggles with fear and defeat in their lives.

Among many books dedicated to capitol ships in the II WW, this volume is a very pleasant reading. It comes close to the experience of on the spot study of the design, construction and operational life of dreadnoughts of allied Navies, leading every naval buff to the very insight of the ship themselves. Each class is thoroughly illustrated, giving detailed information of ship's armament, protection systems, engineering and machinery. The best facet is the careful examination of operational career of each ship and the analysis of battle damage sustained by the ship according to testimonies, technical data and the most probable reconstruction of incoming shell trajectory. The damage studies are interesting since they are presented with extensive use of line drawings, further explaining the ships' innermost structural architecture. Another remarkable feature is the extensive chapter dedicated to Soviet wartime effort to build capital ships. It literally casts a light on the subject, providing many facts and photographs of this unknown page of II WW. Profiles, armor diagrams, shear,frame & body plans, line drawings are very accurate as they are results of blueprints' deep investigation.

This book is really an authoritative source for studying battleships from their inception to their final days.

Mssrs Garzke and Dulin have written a trio of detailed, comprehensive and objective analyses of the battleships of the World War II era (designs past 1930). In this volume, they analyze the capital ships of the Netherlands, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union. Overall, they rate the units of France as the best in the 35,000 treaty class due the Richelieu's fine protection and speed coupled with excellent firepower. The authors analyze the loss of Prince of Wales to Japanese air attack and the loss of Hood to Bismarck in intricate detail. For any wargamer or student of warships or naval history, this book is a must. Even designs contemplated but never laid down or completed are discussed, including the Lion class and French Alsaace class. A must read.

FIRST THOUGHTS: THIS VOLUME INCLUDED BOTH THE MOST AND LEAST FAMILIAR SHIPS TO ME

This was a real pleasure to wade through. Although I have read a great many volumes which detail the British Dreadnought classes quite well, I knew very little about the 2 French classes and the proposed Dutch Battlecruiser. The oversize fold-out sketches were a real pleasure to behold, especially under a bright light and a magnifying glass. Over the years I have read many books about naval vessels and military history and this volume, like the rest of the series, adds some new and fresh perspectives to my thinking. Whereas NO single book or series on the subject of 'Battleships' can be considered THE FINAL WORD on the subject, this series, of which this specific volume belongs, is so well organized, detailed and comprehensive that I firmly believe that it is a 'must-have' for those with an intense interest in Battleships - like myself.

IN A NUTSHELL: CASE STUDIES OF 8 DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT CLASSES OF DREADNOUGHTS FROM 4 COUNTRIES

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER TWO: THE DUNKERQUE CLASS
CHAPTER THREE: THE RICHELIEU CLASS
CHAPTER FOUR: THE NETHERLANDS - DESIGN 1047
CHAPTER FIVE: THE KING GEORGE THE V CLASS
CHAPTER SIX: THE LION CLASS
CHAPTER SEVEN: THE VANGUARD
CHAPTER EIGHT: THE SOVIETSKII SOYUZ CLASS
CHAPTER NINE: SOVIET BATTLECRUISERS
CHAPTER TEN: CONCLUSION

APPENDIXES

A. FULL-SCALE ORDNANCE TRIALS
B. THE PRINCE OF WALES
C. BATTLESHIP AND BATTLECRUISER GUNS



WHAT IT IS: THE ABSOLUTE ZENITH OF A NATION'S JINGOISTIC TECHNOLOGY & POWER

In essence, the Dreadnought represents everything a powerful or wanna-be powerful nation can impart into a ship to project power on the behalf of that nation. I just made that up, but it is so obviously true. When one goes through these volumes, one can see a combination of the national pride, desperation and deviousness that lay behind the erection of fleets of these incredible vessels. Here are some motives that are touched on in these volumes:

The British wishing to limit the size, power and number of Battleships by treaty as their global fortunes were on the wane proposed and built ships that were less than ideal in all respects prior to World War 2;

The Japanese wishing to keep the world in the dark as to the size and power of their new ships [Yamato Class], hide the construction of the ships and put out false documents regarding the ships' displacement and the gun caliber of its main batteries [460mm];

The Americans utilizing the escalator clause to include 16" guns in the North Carolina class as a response to the secret Japanese building program;

The Germans building larger ships than they were limited by treaty to do as the need for armored protection increased as war approached;

The French built the Dunkerque and Richelieu class as a response to the Germans building the 'Pocket Battleships", followed by their 'Battlecruisers';


BOTTOM LINE: THE SECOND VOLUME OF AN AWESOME HISTORIC TRILOGY

After a complete reading of the entire trilogy, I feel, I now better understand the construction and design considerations that lead to a completed Dreadnought. These books including this volume have fed my interest and have encouraged me to look deeper into the topic of Dreadnought engineering and construction. Now, after reading this series, and then re-reading it, I feel better able to grasp the technical materials that I will have to deal with as I continue to delve into the fascinating topic of 'Dreadnoughts' and their effect on history.

Excellent as a general technical reference. Compiles technical data very hard to find in a reasonable amount of places elsewhere. Drawings much improved from those that blighted their previous work on US battleships. Wish they would redo the book on US battleships.

I'm adding my voice to the chorus of praise for the G&D books. The attention to detail is impressive. The authors go so far as to account for the different definitions of "inch"--an inch of armor in the Royal Navy was actually 0.98in, and this reflects correctly in the figures cited for the KGV, Lion, and Vanguard classes. In citing the damage inflicted on France's Dunkerque by exploding depth charges, the authors properly tally, not the amount of explosive in all the depth charges lying alongside the ship, but only the amount which detonated properly. Impressive work.
It should be no surprise that more recent revelations have overtaken G&D's look at Soviet designs. Still, the info they do present is generally representative of the design's actual properties. A similar state applies in the chapter on Dutch Design 1047.
The only caution requiring the reader's attention is that the occasional typo pops up to confuse the statistical information. This is a general caveat for all three volumes rather than this one in particular.