Walsh Books

A great book with a strong, independent heroine ala Jo March in Little Women. Walsh is a winner of the RNA award too - though not for this book. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! My review would not do justice to this book so if you see a second hand copy anywhere - grab it!

As an earth and atmospheric science professor who specializes in natural hazards, I've seen probably every text available on this subject. For atmospheric hazards in particular, this is the best textbook I've used. It is easily accessible to second year meteorology undergraduates, and could even be somewhat useful in a graduate course. Although the text emphasizes the meteorological science of atmospheric hazards more than the societal impacts, I've found it to be a good balance for a hazardous weather course. This is a substantial textbook with information on nearly all atmospheric hazards, and it is accompanied by a well-produced CD-ROM (and website), which contain a lot of supplemental material and work very well in the classroom. The print size is large and there are many supporting diagrams that are easy to read. My only complaint is the complete lack of discussion of fog, which is a significant natural hazard. Otherwise, this is a superb textbook.

I am enjoying this book so much. What a lift it gives me. It's funny and heartwarming.

A Sociable God - Ken Wilber

Ken Wilber has been described as one of the greatest American philosophers of our times, a visionary genius and the Einstein of consciousness research. He has written almost two dozen works and counts Al Gore among a host of admirers. 'A Sociable God', originally published in 1983 (and re-issued in 2005) was the sixth book from this prolific author.

Wilber, in a new forward, states that the text "is still one of my favourite books. Its central points......are as valid today as they were when the book was first published." His contribution to the sociology of religion is to challenge the accepted wisdom that the increasing secularisation of modern society told anything like the complete story of the development of major world views and cultural values. While praising the many wonderful contributions of modernity and the secular-rational world, Wilber makes a very strong case for development beyond rational. He thus joins many scholars who have opened our eyes to the importance of the transpersonal in human psychological and sociological development.

Wilber's unique contributions are to clarify in great detail the many different usages of the term `religion' so that people can debate from common understandings. In chapter 5 he elucidates 9 separate definitions. Wilber also argues very cogently for the ability to discuss a `science of spirituality' showing that a broad definition of science can move beyond the dominance of the empirical-materialistic narrow science of the modern world and allow judgement of the `truth' claims of religion.

Since the book was written Wilber has refined his theories to produce an elaborate model of human evolution that shows the relationship of different forms of enquiry - psychological, socio-cultural and empirical - to a `theory of everything'. This "Integral Theory" has applications in law, politics, education, business, cultural studies, philosophy and, of course, religion. 'A Sociable God' brilliantly shows details of the building blocks that contribute to the religious-spiritual domain in Wilber's thought.

Dr Michael Liddle
Adelaide
South Australia
Jan 4, 2008

Deftly edited by David W. Cotter, The Song Of Songs: Studies In Hebrew Narrative & Poetry by Dianne Bergant (Professor of Biblical Studies and Director of the Joint Doctor of Ministry Program, Catholic Theological Union) is an exhaustive and meticulous analysis of the Song of Songs, viewing it as a selection of poems in celebration mutual love. Special attention is paid to the careful matter of translating the poetic verse from Hebrew, and the cultural context of the poetry. The Song Of Songs is strongly recommended as an invaluable, serious, college-level analysis for scholars of Biblical Studies in general, and Hebrew narrative and poetry in particular.

I became aware of this book at the University of Chicago. Dr. Walsh is again pushing the envelope in the field of family counseling and therapy. She is exploring new constructs and interventions that are based on a significantly broader definition of health and happiness. This is important reading for clinical counselors and family therapists alike!

Although the book had a 'special' meaning for me, as it was given by a man who asked me to be his wife I found it to be a lovely book and very uplifting. It was lost in a flood over 15 years ago but I can still remember it's sweet content.

City of God discloses a deep interpretation of good and evil for those brave enough to go there. Saint Augustine, one of the greatest spiritual Fathers of the Church places our spiritual existance on a "plane of reality" placed below the being of God but above the "transitory natures of bodies." Thus, every minute and single action we take either turns us "upward to God" or "downward toward bodies." Human nature never changes regardless of history and culture. Ultimately, our spirit turns to one of two loves, upward toward the City of God or downward toward the lesser values in city of earth. Out of love for one or the other, we submit our will to God through conversion or to bodily things of earth through aversion. This book will lead you to reevaluate your life and will allow you to see who you really are. It's a superb reflection for the soul.

I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS REALLY GREAT IN REFERNCE TO IRELAND, ALL THE MYTHS AND FACTS THAT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT. AND I'M IRISH!

This is a great book for those interested on the development of WW II in general, and particularly on the eastern front. It is very well written and mantains the interest of the reader from the first page until the last one. The explanations on military strategy could be a little complicated for those who for first time read a book on the WWII, but they are very usefull to understand this book and the German strategy through the whole war. Small maps are a disadvantage.

Este es un magnífico libro para los interesados en el desarrollo de la SGM, en particular en el Frente del Este. Está aménamente escrito y mantiene el interés del lector de la primera a la última página. Las explicaciones sobre estrategía militar pueden paracer un poco complicadas para alguien que lee un libro sobre la SGM por primera vez, pero valen la pena para entender este libro en particular y la estrategía alemana en general. No obstante, los mapas son pequeños y más bien escasos.