Thomas Books

I have given this to three of my favorite teenagers who were looking for a study bible that was packed full of good, easy-to-find study information, but didn't make them look like they were geeks while carrying it.All three report taking it out in class and using it for free reading time and it slips under the radar. Their youth pastors like it because of the terrific word knowledge and historical information right on the pages with the bible text. I own the adult version, and will continue to give the student version as I see the need.

bigger print would have made it a 5 star, but it is a great study book.

This is a great youth study bible. I brought it for my teenagers and they love it! My son is excited about reading his bible because this bible helps you understand the scriptures more easily. I purchased three bibles in total. The print is a little too small for me but the teenagers don't have a problem with it. You won't regret getting this bible.

My wife loved this bible so much she had me buy four more

I am 31 years old and have been walking with God for 9 years now. I try to read thru the bible 1 time per year. I have the privilege of having 5-10 different tranlations and different study bible's including the grown up version of this one. Not telling you this to brag as you dont know who I am, I am building up to the point that this is my favorite one. The study notes dont get in the way with too much "interpretation". It just states the facts in very simple terms. And will encourage you in your walk with God wether you are a new believer or have been walking with God for many years. Everyone that has had any exposure to this Bible will tell you that it is GREAT!

Wayne Grudem, Chapter 6, Perseverance Of The Saints:
(THEY WERE NEVER SAVED - HEBREWS 6)

'enlightened' Gk photizo
Eph 1:18 'that the eyes of your enlightenment'
and Heb 6:4 'having once being enlightened'
: 'Contrary to the assertion of several interpreters, does not carry the sense of 'believed the gospel' or 'came to faith' in these or any of its 11 NT uses. It refers to learning and understanding, and therefore the most that can be confidently claimed for it is that it speaks of those who have heard and understood the gospel. Certainly such intellectual understanding of the facts of the gospel is an important step toward saving faith, but it does not in itself constitute the element of personal trust in Christ that is essential to faith.' pgs 141,142

'Another good parallel is seen in the false teachers described in 2 Pet 2:20-22. They had 'escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our (Kurios) and (Soter) Jesus Christ.' vs 20, which indicates that there had been both knowledge of the gospel and repentance, but then they had turned back to their previous ways. Moreover, they had never really been saved, for Peter says, 'It has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'The dog turns back to his own vomit, and the sow is washed only to wallow in the mire.' vs 22 - in other words, the repentance was only an outward cleansing , and did not change their true nature.' pg 148

Although not a Calvinist (5 point, 4 point or otherwise), I felt duty bound to read this book as it presents most of the leading Calvinist theologians of today. It is almost a "who's who" of reformed Calvinist thought - only R C Sproul is notable by his absence. And, mark, this is 5-point Calvinism - yes, including the "L" of limited atonement! Those looking for the more moderate Calvinism of, say, R.T. Kendall will not find it here.

Space does not allow for the detailed discussion each article deserves, so this review focuses on a few articles (particularly those other reviews have overlooked) and make some general observations on the book's contribution to the perennial predestination verses free will debate.

The collection kicks-off with Ray Ortlund's case studies on God's sovereignty in the Old Testament. In doing so it nearly shoots itself in the foot, at least for this reviewer! Whilst Ortlund's rather pugnacious article makes some reasonable exegetical points concerning Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1, his section on Jonah perpetuates the misunderstanding surrounding this great prophet. To call the first true missionary to the Gentiles (who, incidently, had a 100% success rate) a "nasty, sulky prophet...clearly he is the bad example we are not to follow" is a staggering insult. If apologising is in order in Heaven, Orlund will be joining what will probably be a very long queue to the prophet Jonah!

Robert Yarborough contributes a more conciliatory essay on Sovereignty in John (a response to Grant Osborne's thoughtful essay in Grace of God). Donald Westblade handles the Calvinist view of election in an equally thoughtful manner, but in not avoiding the stumbling stone of double predestination, for this reviewer he inadequately deals with the implications of divine foreknowledge.

Wayne Grudem's essay on Hebrews 6, as other reviewers have noted, is a highlight of the collection. Whilst Hebrews 6 is not the only problem passage for Perseverance to be found in the Bible (Ezekiel 18:24-26, 2 Peter 2: 20-22 and even John 15: 5-6 spring to mind), it is perhaps the most sustained teaching in the New Testament contradicting "Once Saved Always Saved". Grudem argues well for the passage to be read in a Calvinist light. Though he crowns his argument with the old cliché of "the backslider was never saved", the article ingratiates itself by neither quoting the Westminster Confession, nor trashing opposing views and by keeping its Biblical focus on the passage in hand, rather than wandering off into the warm, sunlit uplands of Romans 9-11, Ephesians 1-2 and certain parts of the Gospel of John. Would that more Calvinists took this approach!

Four articles deserve special consideration as between them they cover what is, in effect, the keystone of 5-point Calvinist doctrine. If Bruce Ware can prove Effectual Calling and Grace (those who are elect in Christ will be saved come what may), Thomas Schreiner can disprove Prevenient Grace (God's grace is extended to all, it is down to us to appropriate it in salvation - a key part of Wesleyan Arminianism), J.I Packer reconcile God's love being for all, but only saving the elect (without the elect having to do anything about it), and John Piper prove that there are two wills in God, then 5-point Calvinism has won the day and the emperor is truly clothed.

Though the arguments of these four authors are strong, and certainly scriptural, in the opinion of this reviewer, they are not compelling. Schreiner's comment that, "The scandal of the Calvinist system is that ultimately the problems posed cannot be fully resolved," sounds like an admission of defeat. He does not adequately resolve the passages which state that salvation (and hence God's grace) is offered to all, such as John 1:9-13 (note how easy it is to assume v.13 is predestinarian if you have already decided it to be so!) and John 3: 14-18. Ware uses scripture rather selectively in his defence of ECG. He admits that there are problems with passages such as Rom 10:13 but doesn't follow them through adequately. Packer writes a characteristically pithy article, but doesn't resolve the tension inherent in the question of whether God's love can still be for all in the face of limited atonement. The only true Calvinist resolution remains to go down Pink's route and make God's love truly selective. This would satisfy logic, but do a disservice to the Biblical revelation of God! Piper, probably Calvinism's leading apologist, rests too strongly on secondary sources. I also agree with another reviewer that he is wrong about 1 Tim 4:2. He is hamstrung by a false dichotomy between whether God's highest commitment is to his glory, or to a love relationship with the saved. Why should God have to choose - he is God after all!

Don Carson's article on Assurance is characteristically thoughtful, well written and rounded. In summarising Compatibilism (an attempt to reconcile the full Biblical revelation of God's character with 5-point Calvinism) Carson inadvertently reveals the problem: God's character as revealed in Jesus Christ through the Bible is too rich and multifaceted to fit into the confines of a theological system, even one as established as Calvinism. For this reason Still Sovereign is unlikely to be the last word on the subject.

Still Sovereign is a response to The Grace of God and the Will of Man, a collection of essays edited by Clark Pinnock in 1989. If time allows, reading the two volumes in parallel is highly recommended. As Grace of God is pre-Openness Pinnock (just - the germination of the Open Theist seed is obvious, and co-Open Theists Richard Rice and John Sanders feature prominently), the response in Sovereign is more measured and less knee-jerk than much of what has been published more recently. It is also a valuable introduction (and summary) of many of the contributors' theology, as well as contemporary 5-point Calvinist thought.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. I read it through to the end and found myself agreeing with quite a lot of it - and reading other parts with gritted teeth. Where it succeeds (where, I am sorry to report, Grace of God fails), is to keep its focus on the Bible, rather than appeal to philosophy. Still Sovereign's contributors are given enough space to develop their arguments, and are not constrained by the editor. Calvinism remains the majority view in evangelicalism, and this book explains it well.

If you are looking for single, sustained, scholarly, and Biblical defense of predestination, then this book is a must-read. Several scholars join forces in this work to show that Arminianism is Biblically indefensible. Thomas Schreiner argues in his essay that Romans 9 teaches "individual election unto salvation," and his presentation is, in my mind at least, irrefutable. John Piper shows that the Calvinistic God is loving, and sincerely desires the salvation of all men, but still ordains only some to heaven. His essay on the "two wills of God" is one of the most enlightening articles I have read. Wayne Grudem spends a massive fifty pages exegeting passages in Hebrews that Arminians have claimed show that genuine Christians can lose salvation. His conclusion is that the Reformed doctrine of the "perseverance of the saints" stands firm, despite the warning passages of the book of Hebrews. S. M. Baugh's essay on the Biblical meaning of the term "foreknowledge" is more than a rehashing of the traditional Calvinistic prooftexts, and offers some fresh insights into the meaning of this word.

Overall, this book was well-written, scholarly, and Biblical. I highly recommend it. While not an easy-read, it is one of the best defenses of Calvinism I have encountered, and it puts most Arminian parallels to shame. For links to essays and articles written by John Piper and other Calvinists on predestination, I recommend the site,

...

This website is a massive resource of arguments for and against Calvinism, and is the best I have seen on this issue.

This book is a condensation of "The Grace of God, The Bondage of the Will," which was a 2 volume work written to defend Calvinism, and as a response to 2 books by Clark Pinnock: "The Grace of God" and "The Grace of God, the Will of Man."
A few chapters have been removed to make the original into one book, but most of the terrific articles remain.

To many people today, Calvinism is an anachronism. After the 11th September outrage, How can people take a teaching seriously which proclaims that God is good, and yet completely in control of the world? Could a good God really be all-powerful, and yet allow (or even ordain) atrocities like that?

The contributors show that a proper understanding of the Bible involves believing that God is indeed sovereign, yet also loving, just and good.

John Piper's helpful chapter asks the question "Are there 2 wills in God?" And then seeks to show that God does indeed "fulfil all his will" and yet "is not willing that any should perish."

S.M. Baugh discusses the meaning of "foreknowledge" in the Bible, and argues persuasively that God's foreknowledge must mean a lot more than knowing what is going to happen in the future.

Jerry Bridges shows that a belief in the sovereignty of God has practical implications for everyday living, while Samuel Storms explains how it is worth praying to a God who has already decreed "the end from the beginning." In fact, he argues that there is not much point in praying to a God who is not in complete control of his world.

This book has been one of the most helpful explanations of Calvinism which I have read. Highly recommended.

This stimulating and scholarly book was condensed from the two-volume "The Grace of God, the Bondage of the Will" published by Baker in 1995. Fourteen of those original chapters are included here, dealing with three areas of concern: 1. Biblical Analyses, 2. Theological Issues, and 3. Pastoral Reflections. Contributors include such renowned scholars, theologians, and pastors as Thomas Schreiner, D.A. Carson, J. I. Packer, John Piper, and Wayne Grudem.

The book commences with a very satisfying look at the sovereignty of God in the Old Testament, worked out carefully by Raymond Ortland Jr. Tom Schreiner's chapter on Romans 9 is likewise excellent and persuasive. Piper's chapter "Are There Two Wills in God?" is worthy of careful consideration for die-hard Calvinists. He offers a reconciliation between sovereign election and God's desire for all to be saved that is interesting . . . although I am not persuaded that his interpretation of I Tim. 2:4 is correct! Wayne Grudem's careful study of the Hebrews warning passages and the doctrine of perseverance is of special value. I highly commend it. His arguments are convincing and (I think) virtually impossible to refute. Packer's chapter on God's love is typically clear and concise and witty - but maybe a little too short for a book of this caliber. Carson's reflections on assurance offer food for thought by tying the issue together with other pertinent areas of theology. Baugh's look at foreknowledge and Schreiner's look at the Wesleyan doctrine of prevenient grace are also of value. Sam Storms, Jerry Bridges, and Ed Clowney offer helpful thoughts on the more pastoral issues.

The book is of special value in that it interacts well with opposing views and especially takes on Clark Pinnock and company who wrote "The Grace of God, the Will of Man" which is an attempted defense of Arminian theology. I think any theologian (from either side!) would benefit from a careful perusal of these pages.

Great from point A to point Z guide to raising and caring for beef cattle- an easy read with a lot a valuable information. I would not only recommend this book to someone else in my family looking to start raising cattle- I would buy it for them myself! -- Mike Jorden

When we started raising beef cattle a couple of years ago, we had a difficult time finding information on the subject. This book has been an invaluable reference, covering a variety of subjects from breeding and feed to healthcare and handling. The book is well-written and well-organized, and it's clear that the author has years of real experience to draw upon.

I am a novice rancher who bought 37 calves at an auction. At one point I had 15 sick calves on my hands, primitive corrals, and the whole town laughing at me. Tonight, I can honestly say the worst is past. My brother and I doctored ten bad eyes, saved a bloat case, doctored a footrot immediately and effectively, and saved at least five extremely ill pneumonic calves, while vaccinating, branding, and eartaging the whole bunch. Without this book and the thorough, intelligent, and courageous instructions it gives to the cattleman, I would have lost a good part of my herd, all my joy for ranching along with them. As it is, the town isn't laughing anymore and starting to wonder where we came up with all those good ideas they're seeing popping up on our place.

Well written and easy to understand guide for everything you want to know about cattle. I learned much and constantly refer to this book. It helped me to better understand our cows and their needs. I HIGHLY recommend it to other cattle farmers, even those who think they know all about cattle.

While a bit redundant @ times, I found this to be an excellent treatment of cattle-raising. I am a novice to "cattle ranching" and have found it very useful and easily read; also, well indexed. A few "oldtimers" have found it very useful and have asked where they can get one. The practicality is enhanced by good illustrations.

I read violent books(Richard Laymon,Jack Ketchum,& Brian Smith are my some of my favs). So Im no stranger to gore and blood. This book is probably THE most violent book I have ever read. But it is also one of the best books I have read in such a long time. I havent cared for the characters of a book, like I did here, in such a long time. At times my heart was beating because I was so nervous, other times I was almost moved to tears becuase you actually felt like you were chained in that basement with them. I was rooting for Roger and Tooth to make it through the unglodly tortures that they endured the whole time. Skinny Man is one really evil dude.

I would watch out for other Ryan C. Thomas novels in the future because he has a knack for fantastic story telling. I really would like to see this book get picked up by a major publisher because this book needs to be recognized for what it is, brilliant!

but I could'nt stop! This is the most horrifying, sickening book I have ever read (and I love Laymon) yet it is also one of the hardest to put down! I read mostly in one sitting and called my reading buddy right after to warn her about what I was going to pass on to her next!
This is a visceral, pull no punches, why I am reading this and worse yet, why can't I stop horror story! It left me reeling, feeling a little sick, used up and spit out and I highly recommend it!
Happy Reading!

This book scared the heck out of me. Very gory!! Wanted to bury this book in my backyard before I even finished reading it but you can't. The plot really grabs and keeps you turning the pages. Looking forward to the next book by Thomas.

The Summer I Died was a heart racing page turner. I couldn't put it down. I lost my appetite in a few parts (I never lose my appetite) and had to take a few deep breaths. This is for sure a bloody mess....I recommend it to all horror fans.

There are ways to die, and then there are ways to die...

"The Summer I Died," is a very unsettling book. Roger and his friend Tooth inadvertently interrupt an insane serial killer while he is in action. They are captured and become part of his fun. This serial killer engages in sick, twisted activities. My muscles were actually sore the day after I finished reading the book because I was so tensed up as I was reading what Roger and Tooth had to suffer through.

This depraved man makes his victims suffer horribly. The author really paints a vivid picture of what is happening to the victims. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. Everything that you can imagine as what your worst nightmare could be occurs in this story. The victims even have to live with body parts being hacked off and fed to his dog. This was very gruesome but entertaining. I definitely recommend this book to horror fans.

It is unnerving that such a twisted tale came from mind of the author, Ryan C. Thomas. Perhaps it is more twisted that I couldn't put the book down, I kept reading...I will say one thing, if I was to have a potluck and I invited Mr. Thomas, I would not let him bring a meat dish.

Five out of Five spaceships.


Reviewer: Paige Lovitt for Multiverse Reviews

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This is what a Lovcraftian collection should be. Almost all the stories are spot on good. While one or two stories in the collection fell flat for me, most were excellent. I will not go into each story in the collection, as others have done that justice already; but "The Insider" was so good that it still gives me a shiver thinking about it.

Any fan of the "mythos" needs to have this collection. While dovetailing closely with HPL's writing, it has originality and freshness that made it a joy (or horror) to read. And you have to love the cover.

These days one of the hardest problems facing Cthulhu Mythos authors is to be able to write exciting tales within Lovecraft's framework, and yet tell these tales in a new and exciting voice. A fresh approach unfortunately seems to be something that numerous authors who've recently contributed to the cannon have been unable to do. So it is refreshing when an author such as Stanley C. Sargent succeeds to do just that, bringing a new perspective to the worlds of cosmic nihilism.

The Taint of Lovecraft is Sargent's second collection of Mythos tales, the first was , also published by Mythos Books LLC. This later collection contains nine tales, nine poems, two essays and numerous illustrations, including interiors and a cover illustration by the author of H.P. Lovecraft dressed up as a Pharaoh.

The standout tale in this collection would have to be "Nyarlatophis, A Fable of Ancient Egypt" which draws us back to the life of Pharaoh Amenemhat I, founder of the Twelfth Dynasty, and his encounter with Nyarlathotep (in the form of Nyarlatophis). The Outer God once more attempts to destroy humanity as we would expect, but this time in a land and culture nearly three thousand years distance from the time when Lovecraft penned his first tale. It is evident that Sargent knows his subject, both Cthulhu Mythos and Egyptian history, and so is able to take us lovingly back to this splendid age so often referred to, but rarely visited by other cannon authors.

One of Stanley C. Sargent's great strengths as a storyteller is his ability to adapt Lovecraft's style, yet make it his own. Stories such as "Live Bait" and "Double Screetcher" incorporate those horrific twists readers expect at conclusion, a trait Lovecraft used so well. But these stories also allow us to see the comic side of the mythos, and to see that our perceptions of what is right and wrong is based purely on our `humanness', and that sometimes we are no better than the horrors we ourselves fight against. Sargent's favourite of his own work, "The Black Brat of Dunwich" likewise has a similar theme. This story tells "The Dunwich Horror" from a completely different perspective, in this case from the viewpoint of Wilbur Whateley, and makes for interesting reading, especially if we consider that Lovecraft's protagonist Armitage is seen as the antagonist here.

The end of the collection contains two essays, the latter of which provides an interesting analysis of "The Dunwich Horror" offering a rarely discussed insight into what self-inflicted and societal-inflicted demons Lovecraft might have been fighting against all his life, but demons that also allowed his fevered artistic expression to flourish. Lastly, each story is introduced by steadfast scholar Robert M. Price (I can see this guy on his own Mythos Collectable Card), who provides his own special touch to the collection providing insights on each story for those who like to know how and where such tales originate.

In summary The Taint of Lovecraft doesn't take the Cthulhu Mythos into new places and new times, rather the reader is drawn back to Lovecraft Country - be that Arkham, Dunwich, Innsmouth or Ancient Egypt - and once arriving there, Sargent turns everything on its head. Nothing it seems, is what it seems, but isn't that what the Mythos is all about?

The Taint of Lovecraft is a joy on many levels. Stanley C. Sargent writes with wit and insight that are equally incisive in crafting the tales collected here. These brilliantly original takes on the Mythos fiction created by H.P. Lovecraft will undoubtedly please fans of horror fiction in general and Mythos readers especially. Sargent labors over the historical research that forms the backbone of many of his tales, and the results show in the authenticity and accuracy of his work.

This mix of stories, poems, and two highly entertaining essays is an important contribution to Mythos fiction. More importantly, though, it is a highly satisfying read.

The centerpiece of the book, "Nyarlatophis, A Fable of Ancient Egypt" is one of the most impressive Mythos-inspired stories I've ever read, and achieves the almost unheard of feat of rivaling the work of HPL in its sense of dread and eerieness, even though it is set in time period far removed from that in which HPL wrote.

What may stand out most about Sargent's tales in this collection, though, is their unerring capacity for nurturing the humor and sense of irony that is native to HPL's work but is often lost or overlooked among other Mythos fiction efforts, and bringing it to the forefront.

In short, this is a beautifully written, fantastic book.

A devoted student of the Lovecraftian writing, Stanley Sargent has brought fresh and exciting blood to this art form in his book TAINT OF LOVECRAFT. His stories grab you at the beginning and hold you spellbound to the final words, often those that are unexpected and surprising.

You need not be a student of ancient history to understand Mr. Sargent's stories. He brings everything to life for you, keeping you on an exciting journey through words that are alive and ready to leap out at you as you turn each page. If you are ready to be shocked, surprised, thrilled, and mystified, this book is for you.

In this, his second collection of tales inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's writing, Stanley C. Sargent firmly establishes himself as a master of his craft--a compelling storyteller in his own right and an important torchbearer for the legacy of Lovecraft's Mythos. The best tale in this collection is "The Black Brat of Dunwich," an insightful reinterpretation of Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror" that meshes so well with the original one cannot help but think Sargent found the key for cracking a sinister code Lovecraft intentionally wrote as a hidden subtext. It almost begins to feel that one needs Sargent's later work in order to appreciate the antecedent text on all of its multi-faceted levels. I don't want to overstate the point, but I wish future collections reprinting Lovecraft's original tale could all include "Black Brat" side-by-side with it. That being said, Sargent's story may lose some of its relevance for the uninitiated.

Most good Mythos fiction is not only steeped in a sense of otherworldly terror and the macabre, but is also solidly grounded in real-world history. "Nyarlatophis" is no exception; Sargent's knowledge of ancient Egyptian history and mythology appears exhaustive, and this tale--the longest in the collection--was obviously well researched. In some ways, it may actually have been too well researched, as the first third of the story is rather ponderous as the reader wades through what often feels more like an historical essay than a novella. But again, readers who stick with this tale will be glad they did, as the pace picks up significantly half-way through, and the dark, cataclysmic ending is all the more powerful for the grounding in history Sargent provided earlier on.

As for the remainder of this collection, it is a varied mix: an effectively disturbing science fiction tale that brings the Mythos to the stars, a prequel and a sequel to two other Lovecraft classics that also stand on their own as powerfully creepy narratives, a handful of comic takes on HPL themes (fun but probably my own least favorite pieces in this bunch), and one or two twilight-zone style horror pieces with only very loose connections to the Mythos per se. These stories are handsomely illustrated throughout, including a drawing or two by Sargent himself. The author also throws in nine of his whimsical poems, written in a style that blends Edward Gorey with Shel Silversetein. Two of Sargent's non-fiction essays complete this set, one that is really little more than a collection of anecdotes about the possible influences of Lovecraft on the EVIL DEAD films, and the other of which provides some fascinating insights into Lovecraft's biographical self by finding clues in his stories.

For all those enthusiastic minions of things Lovecraftian out there (among whom I count myself one), THE TAINT OF LVOECRAFT is a book that should have a prominent place on your shelf. For the rest of you, TAINT might well serve as a good introduction to the expanded Mythos, but if nothing else, it offers a handful of diverting tales.

The occasional case of the mad artist -- gaunt, ragged and living solely in his own creative mind -- has dominated our view of how art is created. In fact, patronage was and is the medium in which most art is created. This beautifully printed book casts a clean scholarly light into this remarkable relationship of artist and patron. While doing so the authors also examine how the demands and desires of daily living and the strains and strengths of personal relationships -- spouses, lovers, friends -- play upon the same chords that the patron touches, for good or ill. All are amply documented by the authors and as with all biography the telling anecdote best reveals the character of the subject. The fact that for decades a fertile art community existed a thousand miles or more from patrons and markets raises the question of whether indeed something special for the art world was going on in Taos. Easily dismissed by many as regional artists in the past, the Taos artists are put in a context by the authors' examination of the skein of relationships stretching to Taos. I would think that the world of art scholarship on that basis alone needs to respond to this well-focused work by examining other colonies, schools and concentrations of artists in the history of our country, for the purpose of finding how those stories of patronage compare. On its face alone the art reproduced in this fascinating book makes the case for the importance of the Taos artists as American artists. But the patronage story raises this question: Why did big city people, living and creating the big story of its time -- industrial, urbanizing America -- choose to support the painters in the desert? It seems to be a paradox. Or is it? We await the next study in depth of artists and their patrons. "Taos Artists and Their Patrons" has set the height of the bar. I hope the authors of this book stay in the game for the next book.

While the literature on American art history has grown enormously during the last several decades, that devoted to patronage remains very scarce, usually directed toward single supporters such as Luman Reed and Mrs. Jack Gardner. Taos Artists and Their Patrons is probably the finest study to appear devoted to a single school of painting, that which arose in Taos in New Mexico at the end of the nineteenth century. The authors have thoroughly investigated all aspects of patronage--exhibitions, individual advocates, institutional support, and many other forms. At the same time, they have presented what must be the finest study of the work of the artists active in Taos, embellished by a wealth of marvellous images, beautifully reporduced. The book enjoys three major accomplishments: it is a definitive study of the nature of American art patronage; it is a thorough review of one of the most important regional schools of art in this country; and it's a fabulous read!

Excellent book showing a great deal of beautiful art from the Taos artists at the beginning of the century. The book does and excellent job of telling the history behind each painting. The book is also very inspirational to artists. I suggest this book to anyone interested in art, anyone who is an artist, or people interested in art history.

In the tradition of excellence demonstrated in his book "Victor Higgins, An American Master", Dean Porter, along with Teresa Ebie and Susan Campbell, has produced another visually and intellectually pleasing work.

Both artists and collectors will learn much by reading this book, for it proves that it is more than technical skill and artistic sensibility that contribute to an artist's financial and critical success.

Those who have instinctively turned to Europe and the Eastern American Artists when wanting to view fine works of art will be enlightened and surprised to learn that some of the finest works of art in this century have been produced not in Europe, but in the USA and in the Southwest in particular.

This is a beautiful and informative book for anyone interested in art, whether they be collectors or art historians or simply those who like to view magnificent works.

Dean Porter and his gifted associates have skillfully authored not only the best book ever written about the "Taos School of Art", but the most interesting and educational. Why is their book different? They departed from the standard biographical information generally available everywhere and continually repeated by other authors in every new book and took the time to bring into focus the collectors and art buyers who made it possible for the artists to make a living at their chosen profession. The many stories, glimpes, and setches of both the artists and collectors make this book most interesting and readable. There are also many new paintings never before shown in other books about this group of artist. There is also a art exhibit that compliments the book. This is a must read and must see for those who love and collect the "Taos School of Art". Like a fine red wine, you wish in your heart you could drink on forever.

This is a great book and really fills in the blanks, so to speak. We enjoy coming home from church and looking up the hymns from that morning and learning more about the song writer and the circumstances surrounding the hymn. More often than not it will lead to tears. I would recommend this to every Christian household.

I bought this book as a reference book to be put on my coffee table.
It is a wonderful history of many of my favorite hymns and looks wonderful
displayed on my coffee table. I would highly recommend it!

This was a gift for an organist/pianist. She loves the hymns included and the stories. The spiral format is wonderful for staying open for playing. She has already used it for a funeral and was pleased at the selection of hymns available. Highly recommended!!!

This book is beautiful! I bought this keepsake for a gift and the person loved it! It is not only fascinating but the book itself makes a beautiful addition to your coffee table! Well worth the price... it looks like it costs at least $50 or $60. It's a great gift whether you read music or not.

This is a wonderful book for anyone!!... There are songs with the words and music on one side...and the story of the hymn on the other side... Great spiral binding makes it much easier to read and to play from... I just ordered two more for gifts... the large print is a big plus for me as well.... you won't be disappointed with this fantastic book!!

The characters in this story were very well developed and believable. The story was gripping and the plot was excellent. I believe this is Georgia's best book to date

No one knows the human heart like Georgia Bockoven. The night I started this book, I didn't go to bed until I finished it. This is a story of family and healing and the real meaning of finding your way back home. Buy it -- and read it right away, and cry and laugh and have your heart broken and healed again.

I stumbled across this book quite by accident and boy did I fall. It's an easy read that keeps your attention to the very last page. It is all about family and finding your way home. I loved this book. Can't wait to read her others.

The only reason I got this book from the library is becuase of the lead character's name. This book was great. It really makes you take a good look at your own family ties. The story was great, you could relate to the characters, the people were real. This book is a keeper, will be looking for more of Georgia's titles.

I picked up this book thinking 'Okay, it's sounds pretty interesting' and to my surprise it was not only interesting, it was tremendously addicting! I didn't want to put the book down. Any free time I had from the kids and work I had my face was buried in the book. It's a great book, it's one that I'll keep for my kids and one that I'll send to my sisters. The characters are wonderful and very realistic. One that'll touch your heart. Pick one up, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

This is another wonderful Thomas & Friends storybook. My son adores it and gets very excited to see the Octopus and Shark. When actually playing with his trains he would replicate the wrecks. Highly recommend this book to all kids who love Thomas. My son is 2 1/2 and asks us to read it every night.

My 2.5 year old loves this big, colorful Thomas story. He studies the illustrations and talks about what all the trains and cranes are doing. Really fuels his imagination!

I love trains and I used to watch the show when it aired on PBS years back. So every now and then I come across one of these books, I snatch it up. Love the stories and art work. I even got a chance to see Thomas the Train when it came into town on one of its tours. Little ones loved it. I highly recommend this series to all those who like a good fun story and especially to railfans everywhere.

What fun! A big aquarium exhibit is coming to Tidmouth and the docks are hustling and bustling with activity. Cranky the Crane is unloading Bulstrode. Harvey is loading small crates of aquarium glass, while James and Salty are busy with their own tasks.

The only problem is, Thomas wants to help and he keeps getting told that he is too small to be of assistance. Sad because he can't find a job `his size', Thomas is about to head back to the Station when he comes across Salty with a huge, toothy shark in a see-thru tank. Surmising Thomas' sad state, Salty takes pity on Thomas and tells him that small engines **can** be useful, which is exactly what Thomas finds out.

When Percy is surprised by the shark in the tank, he loses control and runs right into Henry who then crashes into Harvey's freight car. This accident is so noisy and unexpected that Cranky gets spooked and drops a crate of seaweed on James, causing James to go off the track.

As we say at our home, everything was goomeywammered. And to make matters more complicated, the docks are such a scene of chaos that none of the large engines can move about. They are just too *big*.

On cue, in comes Thomas. He steps up and because of his smaller size, he is `Just The Right' engine to clear up the whole mess. The story ends with everything back to normal and everybody waiting in anticipation for the big exhibit to open.

Five Stars. Good Read-aloud. This book has good artwork (versus the photos that are taken from the TV show). Steamies abound. So many that almost any Thomas fan should be content.

Our small blue friend gets to be a hero. This confirms for small fry that you don't have to be big to be helpful. This book can even be used to help children to understand that no matter how big a mess is made, if everyone pitches in to help together, that mess can be cleaned up.

"When Thomas arrived at the docks, the other engines were bustling around. Everyone was working hard to prepare for the Ocean Life Exhibit, which was coming to the Island of Sodor. " -From the book

Ocean plants arrive on the docks to be put in the fish tanks to make the fish feel at home. Thomas notes the excitement, and decides to look around. He was amazed that several of the cars were like none he had seen before: they were clear, full of water-and held an octopus and a shark! Thomas looks for his friend Salty and asks where the special cars are going. Meanwhile, Harvey was crossing the tracks with a fragile load of empty fish tanks. Percy was in a hurry, and noticed a huge shark looking at him from one of the tanks. He was so surprised and scared that he ended up crashing into Henry, who crashed into Harvey-yikes! What a mess!

There's a neat set of trains that corresponds to this book-the aquarium cars. I highly recommend those, especially as companion toys to go along with this book. Unlike some of the Thomas the Tank Engine stories, this delightfully illustrated book doesn't promote competition, name-calling, or rude behavior.