Wagner Books

This journal is a great resource for reflection upon scriptures and engagement in the discipline of spiritual reading, "lectio divina". Wagner has grouped scriptures according to themes and has a scripture passage for each day throughout the year. The thematic approach she uses allows you to explore the biblical theme in depth and to reflect upon it in all areas of your life throughout the month. Using this journal has helped deepen my prayer life through intentional time spent meditating on the scriptures and praying. The introduction to lectio divina at the beginning of the journal is helpful to those who are new to the practice and a great refresher for those who have practiced lectio divina before. I highly recommend this journal to anyone who is seeking to deepen their prayer life.

While the history was good and the presention supported the fact, there was nothing in the line of notable firehouse architecture. From an architect's point of view, this gives one the basic understanding of firehouses, but nothing regarding the architectural advancements of the firehouse.

I used this to study for the Praxis middle school science exam (for teaching certificate), along with Arco Master the GED Science book (also extremely helpful). This book is well laid out and has practice tests. I enjoyed studying for the exam and had no problem passing thanks to these excellent and cheap resources.

Rudolf Semmler wrote down his conversations with Joseph Goebbels. This book, in effect, is Goebbels's table talk.

Semmler attests to the anti-Christian, humanistic philosophy of Goebbels (7/24/1941), which was to be fully expressed after the war: "Then he [Goebbels] would like to produce a book on Christianity of real political importance. In it he would dispose of old-fashioned theories of Christianity, and lead from this criticism to an ethical system for the twentieth-century man." (p. 49).

Tens of thousands of Polish officers and intellectuals were murdered in cold blood, by the Soviet NKVD, at and near Katyn. Upon the discovery of the mass graves by the Germans, Goebbels exploited this tragedy for propaganda purposes. Apart from dividing the Allies, Goebbels hoped that Katyn would remind everyone of Soviet barbarism, and thereby provide fresh moral justification for the German war against the Soviet Union (pp. 82-84). Interestingly, he complained that German newspapers were devoting too little attention to Katyn: "Goebbels points to the British tactics of giving so much time and space to an event of propaganda importance that the public is eventually sick of it. That, he said, is the right method. The story must be so hammered into the public mind that the mention of the word Katyn sends a cold shoulder down the back of the stupidest man." (p. 84). (Ironically, British newspapers also devoted very little attention to Katyn. They were more interested in flattering the Soviets than in seeking justice for Poland).

David Engel has attempted to belittle the role of the Polish government-in-exile by asserting that the information it provided, on the Nazi extermination of Jews back in German-occupied Poland, was merely a repetition of what was already available from other sources. Moreover, Engel charges that the information was deliberately presented in a low-keyed manner in order to minimize its impact. In striking contrast, none other than the Nazi minister of Propaganda, Goebbels, paid a backhanded compliment to the Polish Government-in-exile, openly admitting to the effectiveness of its message. In fact, Semmler and Goebbels found the Polish action serious enough to wrestle over about how best to neutralize it. The entry of January 10, 1944, devoted by Semmler entirely to this matter and the ensuing strategy session, is here summarized: "Lately there have been a number of stories from abroad about alleged murder camps run by the Gestapo, chiefly in Poland. There, they say, Jews, Poles and other races we don't like are burnt or gassed...Now that this propaganda is gaining strength, causing a stir in the whole world press, and doing us a great deal of harm, I suggested to Goebbels that he should say something about it to the foreign press. I drew his attention particularly to statements made by members of the Polish Government in London, which contained detailed figures...Goebbels believes that a statement to the foreign press would seem too demonstrative and would give the impression that we were worried by the enemy's campaign of agitation." (pp. 117-118).

The 2006 book FEAR, by Jan Tomasz Gross (Jan Thomas Gross, J. T. Gross), has tacitly encouraged the view that the looting of (Jewish) properties by Poles was some kind of uniquely Polish vice, and was moreover yet another testimony to eternal Polish anti-Semitism. Interestingly, for all of their reputed discipline and ingrained adherence to law and order, the German people also resorted to looting, even on a large scale. Goebbels found fault with the German people, in this regard, in the aftermath of one of the Allied bombing raids on Berlin (11/24/1943): "Goebbels is informed that nowhere in Berlin have there been any demonstrations against the Government. But many half-ruined houses have been plundered and long stretches of the transport system of the city is not working." (p. 111).

On October 14, 1944, Semmler wrote: "He [Goebbels] says that it we lose the war the Russians would not find it difficult to turn the Berlin workers into Communists again." (p. 156). Goebbels words proved very prophetic. German Nazis effortlessly morphed into German Communists, and East Germany (the NRD) became one of the most repressive and doctrinaire of all the Soviet-imposed puppet states.

Other items of interest in this small volume are: the capability of a few more Hamburg-firestorm-like raids themselves to cause Germany's defeat (p. 95); a possible Nazi-western, or, less likely, a Nazi-Soviet separate peace (pp. 119-120); considerable detail about the anti-Hitler plot of July 1944 (pp. 132-147), and the plans to denounce the Geneva Convention and to shoot the Allied POWs (pp. 182-185). Interestingly, the proposed Nazi-Soviet separate peace (written about on April 12, 1944) would have included Germany's surrender of the General Government (German-occupied central Poland) to the Soviet Union (in addition to, of course, the Polish lands east of the Ribbentrop-Molotov line) (p. 120). Ironically, much of this actually happened. Poland was indeed surrendered to the Soviet Union--but not by the Nazis but by the western Allies. Only the western borders of this Soviet-ruled Polish nation were different from that envisioned by Goebbels.

This book continues the collaborations between Wagner and guest illustrators depicting episodes from the life of grandiose assassin Hunter Rose, the first and most entertaining character to sport the Grendel costume. Despite all the obvious criticisms one could direct against the sadistic anti-hero and the adolescently pretentious tone of the writing, the character and stories remain compelling, with the vividly imagined quality of true, if nightmarish, inspiration.

C. Peter Wagner has written a thought provoking book which should be helpful to all churches. Wagner identifies problems (diseases) which hamper church growth and will cause the death of churches. Those pastors and church leaders who are experiencing growth problems will readily see potential problems in their local congregations. I felt that this book was well done and useful for myself as a young pastor. My only complaint and wish would be for more information on the steps to combat these 'diseases.' I did find particularly interesting, particularly since I am part of a Holiness church, the problems Wagner says Holiness churches encounter due to the "santification gap." This discussion could have been more substantial as well. However, to his credit as I have noticed with other Wagner works, he makes references which are helpful for the various topics discussed. I wish to give this work 4 & 1/2 stars!

A very fun book of music that is fairly easy to play and enjoy with a mixed ability choir.

Genre: Non Fiction

Title: Homebuyer's Helper: How To Have and Hold On To Your House

Author: Dr. Taffy W. Wagner

Buying a first home is a huge challenge that must not be made without proper investigation and education. There is so much more to it than just getting a mortgage and moving in. Many people fail to think of unforeseen occurrences and costs let alone the high cost of maintaining a home on a daily, monthly and yearly basis.

Dr. Wagner has written a fact filled book that is a must read for all those thinking of buying a new home, especially if this is the first new home. She takes the future homebuyer from the very first step, considering personal credit reports through to moving in, escrow accounts and possible emergencies after the move is final. Appendices at the end of her book give further invaluable information including credit agencies, sample budgets for new homes and payment assistance programs. If you don't need this information yourself, give this volume to a friend or relative who is planning to purchase a new home.

Highly Recommended -Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr, Allbooks Reviews

Christmas, sometimes called "Satan's Revenge," is not universally loved, believe it or not. If you loathe "The Little Drummer Boy" after 89 hearings, you need this book, and a copy of "Ethel Burke's What I Hate About Christmas." Add both to your wish list for this Christmas.

Opera is a beloved medium; an art form in which singers and musicians perform a work of drama. An opera combines text which is called a libretto with a musical score.

- Source: Viking Opera Guide

Everyone has their favorite aria, favorite tenor or soprano and/or operatic production. Many of us do not know why we like a particular piece in terms of operatic genre or technique; we only know one thing: we just do!

For years, I have gone to operas and listened to the beautiful musical scores performed in concert with a wonderful stage production. I viewed each segment as distinct in many ways without any background information to understand how one type of opera led to another form or technique or what came first or later. I (like many of you) knew that opera was beloved by Italians for centuries and had its roots in that wonderful cultural melting pot of so many "artistic greats".

A few years ago I decided to read the librettos first of any opera that I was going to see in translation so that I would sense the pathos first hand and understand the link to the music. It quite simply opened my eyes.

Lately, the Metropolitan Opera has branched out making opera very affordable to any one who is able to buy a movie ticket and there are HD movie theaters nationally and internationally where for about $20 you can have one of the best seats in the house.

I love the Teaching Company products and this set is one of the Great Professors series done by renowned teachers and experts in their field. Robert Greenberg is one of them; in 24 full hours of lectures; he traces the origins of opera through time making these operas come alive for you with engaging material including the scores and the librettos themselves.

The contents of the Four segments include 32 lectures and they are available at the Teaching Company in DVD format, CD format as well as audio download. The offer here is for the cd format. However, as an FYI the DVD format citing the Teaching Company "features vintage photos of great composers and classical performances (but no footage of actual performances) and includes on-screen translations of the vocal selections as they are being played. The course also works well on audio--perfect for daily commutes." So you may want to check out other offerings including this one for the format of your choice and there are of course price differences. The Teaching Company (I have found) offers sale prices which are extraordinary at various times during the year; in fact all of their programs go on sale at some time during the calendar year. There are substantial saving currently on all formats of this program. Of course, I cannot guarantee that when you read this review that the sale is still on; but if you contact them I am certain that they can guide you as to when the product will be on sale once again.

Without a Teaching Company sale price on this product, the CD price here would be a good value; without a discount the full price is $359.95; remember though there are three different formats and one should check out all pricing as well as the sale prices offered at The Teaching Company and elsewhere.

The table of contents for the series is as follows:

Course Lecture Titles

1. Introduction and Words and Music, I
2. Introduction and Words and Music, II
3. A Brief History of Vocal Expression in Music, I
4. A Brief History of Vocal Expression in Music, II
5. Invention of Opera and Monteverdi's Orfeo, I
6. Invention of Opera and Monteverdi's Orfeo, II
7. Invention of Opera and Monteverdi's Orfeo, III
8. Invention of Opera and Monteverdi's Orfeo, IV
9. The Growth of Opera, the Development of Italian Opera Seria, and Mozart's Idomeneo, I
10. The Growth of Opera, the Development of Italian Opera Seria, and Mozart's Idomeneo, II
11. The Growth of Opera, the Development of Italian Opera Seria, and Mozart's Idomeneo, III
12. The Growth of Opera, the Development of Italian Opera Seria, and Mozart's Idomeneo, IV
13. The Rise of Opera Buffa and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, I
14. The Rise of Opera Buffa and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, II
15. The Rise of Opera Buffa and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, III
16. The Rise of Opera Buffa and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, IV
17. The Bel Canto Style and Rossini's The Barber of Seville, I
18. The Bel Canto Style and Rossini's The Barber of Seville, II
19. Verdi and Otello, I
20. Verdi and Otello, II
21. Verdi and Otello, III
22. Verdi and Otello, IV
23. French Opera, I
24. French Opera, II
25. German Opera Comes of Age
26. Richard Wagner and Tristan und Isolde, I
27. Richard Wagner and Tristan und Isolde, II
28. Late Romantic German Opera--Richard Strauss and Salome
29. Russian Opera, I
30. Russian Opera, II
31. Verismo, Puccini, and Tosca, I
32. Verismo, Puccini, and Tosca, II

It is not obvious by looking at the table of contents; but each lecture goes far beyond what is detailed above and many other operas are also discussed. The series which I am finishing up right now is a tremendous resource and has helped a lover of opera; (though I consider myself a novice) gain valuable information and a new understanding of the art form itself. Also, when I go to the Met or to an HD performance I feel that much more engaged because of what I have learned and because of Professor Greenberg's explanations.

Greenberg can become over exuberant at times and I realize that it is difficult for a true connoisseur to mask some of his or her preferences when discussing a subject that they love; but overall nobody should be able to question the impeccable background of the program itself or the instructor. A valuable reference for the entire family. This is very well done.

Bentley/2008