Walsh Books

Vibrant reproductions of Homer's watercolors bring the vivid hues of his art out for visual appreciation. You know, what else can I say? I love Winslow Homer's paintings and this book showcases them pret-ty dang well. Worth the money. Worth the time. Buy it. Reside with it. Love it. Tell your friends. Take it to tennis matches. Read it while driving on the autobahn, and then (not uncoincidentally) mention it in your will. It's a nice book!

This book was by far the best book I have read about any of the well-known artists who have preferred watercolor as a medium. I am an artist getting back into the field after around 30 years, and I took up watercolors about 3 years ago. The book has most definitly contributed to my understanding of this medium, mostly because it was written for artists and therefore contains loads of information about the daring ways in which Homer experimented with this little understood medium. There is a lot of detail about each work, both scientific and technical, and besides, I got to know the man. I understand now why Winslow Homer is important the in history of watercolour -- he was corageous in the use of the medium, and did not limit himself to the European tradition of watercolor. He was an excellent draftsman (confirming my insistence to become a master draftman too), and set the standard high for any aspiring watercolor artist. A MUST for any professional who would become an expert in this difficult medium. Judy Moraga, Caracas, VenezuelaWatercolors by Winslow Homer: The Color of Light (Art Institute of Chicago)

Winslow Homer - The Color of Light is a work of amazingly penetrating scholarship on many levels that examines the techniques and the pigments and papers used by this foremost of native American watercolorists, as well as much else. Every time a book on Winslow homer comes out, one assumes it will be the last, then yet another emerges that is nevertheless of immense value in understanding this painter. Winslow Homer - The Color of Light is such a book.

This is an invaluable book on Winslow Homer's watercolors with superb color photographs and technical details.
TEDESCHI, MARTHA; DAHM, KRISTI; WALSH, JUDITH; and HUANG, KAREN.

Watercolors by Winslow Homer: The Color of Light

The Art Institute of Chicago, Yale University Press, New Haven and London2008

978-0-300-11945-9

228 pages, index of technical terms, extensive references and bibliography, copiously illustrated with excellent color plates.

This catalogue accompanied an exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago in spring 2008. Technical information about Winslow Homer's watercolor technique is woven throughout the entire text. Homer's career in watercolors is carefully traced beginning with his self-taught, trial-and-error early watercolors. He began using watercolor as an independent medium in 1873. His method was often to paint quickly in the open air or to develop a watercolor from a careful pencil study. He seems to have informed himself by reading treatises on the medium. Favoring papers of moderate texture, he opted for opaque watercolor at first but sometimes combined transparent washes and opaque passages. He usually began by laying out the central motif with graphite lines. Technical variety was established early and would endure throughout his career. Homer's "Bible" was Chevreul on Colors.

By the early 1870s Homer was an accomplished draftsman. To achieve brightness and opacity he used zinc white watercolor, mixing it with and layering it under transparent watercolor. By 1878 he carried out some works entirely in transparent watercolor. For "Weary" he selected an off-white, medium-thick sheet with a rough, twill texture and used a dry brush method for sunlight hitting the tree trunk. In the fall of 1880 he dedicated himself to painting in transparent watercolor and appropriated a new range of transparent pigments including three blues: Antwerp, indigo, and Prussian. A chart is provided of his pigments from 1878 to 1903.

Many of his watercolors were on Whatman paper, handmade from linen fibers and infused with gelatin size. This size sometimes attracted mold which appeared in scattered spots of foxing. The Whatman paper was bound in a solid block with a gumlike adhesive and gauze on four sides. His brown laid papers, containing red and blue fibers were made by the French manufacturer "Saint Mars." Among the remains of Homer's studio materials are two Winsor and Newton "Japanned tin boxes" containing moist watercolor cakes. They contained glycerin, a wetting agent that retains moisture and causes the immediate release of color when touched with a rough brush. Two of his watercolor brushes are pictured; they are made from sable bristles set into a swan quill that was stripped of its feathers.

Homer sometimes transferred designs using carbon paper. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals the artist's use of madder lake; in "Two Boys Watching Schooners" of 1880, the madder lake was used over the figures and rocks to convey the sun's warmth. He sometimes used blotting to create atmospheric textures or would wet, blot, and scrape areas. Scraped passages are recognized when viewed at an angle; the broken and disrupted paper fibers in these areas have a softer look than the uninterrupted surface. Homer sometimes used sandpaper to abrade both pigment and paper to reveal the white substrate below; this method created a speckled texture, taking away pigment only from the highest points of the rough paper while leaving it in the surrounding interstices. Occasionally, Homer abandoned his brushes and tools and manipulated watercolors directly with his fingers. Other techniques discussed include applying broad flat washes for sky and water, painting wet-on-wet to create atmospheric effects, spattering to produce the effect of salt and humidity hanging in the air, tamping the brush to construct thin wispy tops of pine trees, using a knife to create white highlights, and using a resist, possibly of white lead, a drying oil, and a resin, to block off areas. Alterations were sometimes made by scraping. Infrared images of the graphite underdrawings may reveal significant changes in composition. Homer sometimes cropped the works; the trimmed edges appear slightly uneven and lack the adhesive residue from the watercolor drawing block.

Homer would sometimes place tracing paper over a watercolor, outline the main elements with a soft graphite pencil, and place the tracing face down onto a copper plate to transfer the image for an etching. Some of the red lake pigments in Homer watercolors have faded. The original color may be preserved where it was covered by a window mat or frame rabbet edge.

For those of use who revere Homer as a great American artist and who particularly love his watercolors, this book is what we've waited for. I only wish some of the details and close-ups (which are stunning!) were larger.
One reviewer said that her watercolor teacher is considering a course with this book as a basis. Great idea. I've taught watercolor at Fullerton College for sixteen semesters and I would love to do the same. For years my students and I have conjectured on how Homer worked. This book answers almost every question that can be answered. And the reproductions are excellent. And the work is breathtaking.

I first saw this book and thought, okay, well, it's about some little Canadian hockey players in the eighties, that's weird. But having never played hockey nor lived in Canada or the eighties, I thought, well, I'll give it a try. And I loved it. Stephen Galloway's first novel is a remarkable story of two boys growing up together with a common love. The characters were wonderfully quirky. I've read this book about 3 or 4 times and I cry every time. It would make a beautiful movie as well.

Finnie Walsh. A book not only fun, but informative as well. This book, written by Steven Galloway is an awesome, book. Unlike the usual canadian books, it just great... If you like Hockey you'll love this book. If you don't like hockey you'll love this book. The book has relationships, between family, friends, and beaus. A wonderful, outstanding read.

Finnie Walsh in my opinion was an eye opening experience it is by far the best book I have ever read and everything about it made me feel more interested. There is not a single bad thing I could say about it! The characters alone made the book, how you understood how they felt at diferent times, how they were perfectly described! This book made me laugh, cry and made me feel emotions that have never occured before in my mind! I couldn't put it down and I will continue to read it over and over again because everytime I am sure that I will recieve more and more happiness sadness and information from the text! I am getting it for everyone for Christmas and I hope that everyone will enjoy this story as much as I did!

I picked up this book mainly because of my job working with high school teachers and students and ended up reading parts of it out loud to my own kids during a car trip. My 12 year old son was hooked, he read the book, then I finished it. It was amazing to have that 'secret book conversation' with my son. I/we both loved the book.

Are you looking for a spanky good read? Look no further than this sly little Canadian book about a couple of kids living in the middle of the province of British Columbia who play hockey. This book is a swift, delicious thing that has a devilish way of not letting you free of it. You'll want to read it until you arrive at the last page--it is, in the classical sense of the hyphenated word, a "page-turner". I loved it. It was touching, heartfelt, and uncommon. A novel with an elegant plot, developed synchronously with its characters' motivations. Galloway is a secret talent ready to explode on the scene.

This book takes a difficult, personal story and makes it relatable and inspirational. You will feel like you know the author, Courtney Walsh, as you are reading the book. Her sense of humor, honesty and compassion will move you!

Excellent book - suggested by the [...] website.
Courtney Walsh does an excellent job of chronicalling the search for her own "authentic self" in our modern times - where one's own self identity is often a measure of subjective "standards".

Super insights! There indeed ought to be more books written about this subject.

Lipstick and Thongs grabs all the Nurse Ratched's ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") in our society and cleverly forces them to take a closer, compassionate look at the taboo subject of suicide.

Author Courtney Walsh brilliantly uses her charm and wit to hold the readers hand as they stroll down a dark and lonely path together with a personal comprehension and confidence that has not been expressed in quite this way ever before.

A truly engaging, must read memoir that will touch your soul.

Finally someone has brought to life a story of mental illness, courage and survival - and you don't need a doctorate to understand it! This book should be on the 'must read' list for all young women. A fantastic tale of one woman's roller coaster ride through life. I'm not sure where I stopped laughing and started crying...

Mental illness gets short shrift in books and movies. Typically, the "crazy" person is treated like a pathetic victim or a frightening pariah. It's wonderful to see an author treat this topic with humor, sarcasm and wit. I hope to see more from Ms. Walsh in the not to distant future.

Looking at this book reminded me of the many toys and games that I grew up with or found in the attic when I went snooping through the old stuff as a kid. This book is very well done, with lots of pictures and interesting facts. It is obvious that the book is very well researched. Worth the money.

Have you ever wondered who the creators are of the wonderful toys and games you and your family have enjoyed over the years? THE PLAYMAKERS has the answers. You may be especially interested in those most famous or very rare toys or games that you have tried or maybe just heard about over the years.

Even those that may deny they are toy lovers must admit they have some time or another played a game they really enjoyed or had a favorite toy of their childhood. Therefore, everyone is a toy lover! THE PLAYMAKERS will bring back memories of happy times for all ages. The collective book Tim Walsh has put together is remarkable. This is not about toys that can be picked up in any toy store or mall or even those toys made just for children. No, no, no! This is about toys for everyone: young and old, male and female. Toys and games made for all to enjoy.

This colorful, informative book by Tim Walsh is so fascinating that every family should have one in their bookcase. THE PLAYMAKERS is a terrific book that is not only fun to read but is also an historical chapter in the civilization of man.

I was looking for a price guide for these toys and this isn't it, but I didn't even care because this book is fabulous. Wonderful pictures and the origination of the most beloved toys. Big, thick heavy book. Nice coffee table book.

If you have fond recollections of tossing a Frisbee with a friend, putting a hotel on Boardwalk, using a "Q" on a triple word score, dressing a Barbie doll, watching a Slinky descend a stairway, yelling "Yahtzee," or winning a game of Trivial Pursuit or Pictionary, this fine retrospective by Tim Walsh belongs on your coffee table. All those memories and more came back for me as I turned the pages of "The Playmakers -- Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys" and learned of the inspirations, the struggles, the near-misses and the overwhelming successes of toy and game inventors of the 20th Century. The nostalgic experience and the well-researched backgrounds of these fun and educational diversions make for hours of reading and fact-finding enjoyment. I was surprised to learn that most of the big sellers over the decades have been of American origin -- though Trivial Pursuit came out of Canada and Rubik's Cube has Hungarian roots. It's a bullet-proof selection for anyone on your Christmas list who never quite grew up when it comes to playing with toys and games.

A flip through the pages of Tim Walsh's "The Playmakers" is a trip in a time machine. I had more fun reminiscing about my favorite toys than I remember having when I played with them 25 years ago! The genesis of the greatest toys of all time is a captivating story that has never before been told in such interesting detail. Tim's passion for playthings oozes from the pages and stirred nostalgia in the heart of this overgrown kid.

I thought this book was laugh out loud funny--and it would be fun to hear it read aloud as a book on tape. The drawings of the various glasses at each new chapter were also very funny. It is a pretty fast read--once I had the time to sit down and read it--it only took me a few days..I didn't read it as fast as some shorter books (like it is) because I was trying to savor it. :)

This was a very enjoyable read, even though I'm a contacts girl. I read this in 1 day, it's a quick read because it's so clever. I highly recommend.

I could not put this book down. It was so funny. I felt like I could relate to every word of it. I wanted to spread the word about this book so I reviewed it for the library newsletter, which I work. I think everyone with glasses should read this. I was almost afraid to read it because I didn't want to be let down. This book exceeded my expectations.

I really enjoyed this book,,,really brought back memories. It made me smile, brought a tear to my eyes,,and had me laughing out loud,,,and happy to be a girl who wears glasses. I think one special thing about the book for me was it made me feel young again!!!

This book is witty, beautifully written, and rings so true! I remember hiding behind a tree watching for my intended victim (boyfriend) peeking out with my glasses on, and when I spotted him, whipping the specs off, stepping out and pretending I had seen him all along. Later came the agony of HARD contact lenses etc., etc. The interesting part of this book is that it can be a wonderful metaphor for anything that makes anyone who is the least bit different (especially teenagers). Oh the suffering! Girls out there, this book is for You! Unless, of course, you were captain of the cheer-leading squad and had mammoth boobs. This girl was the only person who was REALLY happy in high school. Most of the rest of us barely managed to survive.

I recieved the book ahead of the time that it was scheduled in the exact condition that it was listed in. Great job!

My husband sent me on a 2 day get-away...from our young kids. I didn't know how much I needed it. I read this book I got at the WOF conference front to back in two days and I just couldn't put it down! It is truly inspiring. I don't even remember what I used to dream about as a child or an adult. Mommy-brain has just washed it all away. I highly recommend reading this. Oh and if you can hear it in your head with her adorable, Scottish accent - it really makes it a hoot.

I really enjoyed this book and the points it made with references to, The Wizard of Oz. It really inspired me and I can't wait to read her other works.

Author and speaker Sheila Walsh offers Christian women the chance to dream. Weaving her own story throughout, Walsh's winsomeness and self-depreciating style will win over even the most hardened, dream-forsaken Christ follower. Very skillfully she intersperses the story of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz into the opening of each chapter. She gently urges her audience to recall those earlier moments of life when their hearts were naïve and still tender enough to dream big. Then she woos readers into her confidence by presenting compelling biblical arguments for taking their hearts (and dreams) out of cold storage and allowing them to flourish once again.

Walsh describes her own introduction to Christianity as a girl and how as a young adult she tried to live up to the "perfect Christian woman" model, which eventually landed her in a psychiatric hospital for depression. Her story is gritty and utterly relatable, which will resonate with fellow Christian women as they face their own "unattainable" standards that frequently imprison and enslave them.

Walsh challenges women to dream big by first understanding their freedom and standing as children of God. She discusses the importance of learning to accept one's uniqueness and celebrating it (as God does), and also handily walks Christians through the ABC's of letting forgiveness do its perfect work in order to be fitted to receive the desires of one's heart. Likewise, Walsh provides excellent narratives from other women who have overcome shame and defeat, and are now living in peace with themselves, others and God.

Once Walsh has primed her readers from the inside out for the journey to Oz, she takes them by the hand and gently urges women to see that change is part of life and that pain is not necessarily a bad thing if it is the agent that compels inner maturation. Through disappointment, women can emerge stronger and, honed by God's grace, more holy. Walsh does an especially nice job of depicting the body of Christ as an entity where love is the unifying element, where women live out their tenets of faith through active service and acceptance of others. Jesus wanted His followers to live out His dream, which was "that we would love one another and through our love other people would know that God is alive and well."

Walsh continues to explore this theme of unifying love, further stating that Christ prayed for believers to give themselves in sacrifice for a bigger purpose knowing that only through God's enabling grace could they achieve even a small measure of success at it. And when Christians choose to love through God's grace and mercy, "a watching world pays attention." Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons she offers in this text is not merely personal transformation via learning to dream and believe God for great things; it is the vision she incites for enlarging one's borders to the benefit of a lost and waiting world.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

This book is for anyone who had a dream and thought it would not come true. It is encouraging, inspiring, and humerous, which you need when you feel your dreams are gone. I love Shelia Walsh! I first readLiving Fearlessly, after that she had my heart and confidence. You will encouraged and dreaming again.

I love Ellen Stolle Walsh books! This one has clever cut-out illustrations and a nice message about trying different things and group acceptance. Children love the large print and the fun repetitions.

Fun and humorous! Betsy the independing-thinking frog wants to try something different. Shows a female character with leadership skills: getting all the other frogs to try dancing. Very minimal text per page, and fairly short overall so easy to hold a toddler's attention. Beautiful Leo Leonni-style artwork. Age 1.5+

Teaching children that they don't always have to follow suit, instead of just hopping and jumping, they can dance and twirl to their own tune. My youngest daughter lists this as one of her three favorite books and I certainly see why.

I can probably be forgiven for confusing Ellen Stoll Walsh with fellow children's author/illustrator Denise Fleming. Both artists use remarkably original cut-outish designs to present stories of highly creative animals. Both have also used mice in a great many of their books. I was under the impression however that I'd never read a Walsh story, until I remembered her delightful "Mouse Paint" from a couple years ago. In that story, Walsh used otherwise unemotional rodentia to tell a clever tale of camouflage and colors. "Hop Jump" is not particularly dissimilar from "Mouse Paint" at first glance. The characters never show much in the way of emotion. Just the same, Walsh has a way of positioning her characters bodies and phrasing their thoughts so as to make you think that their otherwise blank faces express a wide range of intentions and meanings. The result is a delightful little tale of frogs, dancing, and diversity.

Betsy is bored to death with her compatriots. No matter where they go, the other frogs go "Hop jump, hop jump". They never change their style. When she watches the pattern of falling leaves she attempts to imitate their movements. Betsy cannot float gently to the ground, but she can leap, turn, twist, and dance. Of course, the other frogs crowd her and inform her that there is no room for dancing. When she goes off to find her own dancing ground, her fellows are intrigued and eventually join her. The moment of truth comes when one other frog wants to hop and jump in the newly formed dancing circle. The others try to tell him that there is no room for hopping. Betsy contradicts them, however, and says, "Oh yes, there's room. For dancing and for hopping".

Walsh creates a variety of frogs that look similar at first but carry distinguishing characteristics. Some have yellow spotted green bodies with green spotted yellow arms. Others have purple spotted green bodies with yellow spotted green arms. Betsy, so that the reader can tell her apart from the others, is the sole blue frog amongst them. They all have benign expressions and wide orange eyes, though. Using a minimal amount of arms and legs and bodies, Walsh coaxes a great deal of expressive movements out of these otherwise limited figures. The message the story contains is a simple one and the pictures are just as easy to understand. The words are also particularly short and good for those kids attempting to read their first picture book on their own.

Cut-out picture books normally conjure images of Eric Carle. I wish, rather, that images of Ellen Stoll Walsh were conjured instead. "Hop Jump" is just one more well-written beautifully illustrated book of hers that tells a story with simplicity and aplomb. An excellent companion to Leo Lionni's, "Fish Is Fish".

This is an excellent choice for kindergarten teachers that are looking for a book that is simple in its vocabulary and number of words per page, yet rich with meaning and personal connections for children.

A wonderful book to read with young children. The art is beautiful--very unique--and the story is sure to hold children's attention. Anyone who enjoyed playing dress-up as a child will especially like sharing this story with a son or daughter -- I know I can't wait to read it to my new baby girl!

My 18 month old son loves the beautiful pictures - we pick out objects from each profession as we go through the pages. It's doing wonders for his vocabulary. This book also encourages him to continue "pretending" and using his imagination to become whoever he wants to be. I can't wait for the author's next book.

Little Ryann Wiggletoes is a book that children will want to read again and again. My daughter likes to anticipate what persona Ryann is going to try on next. Career exploration for children is addressed in this book without reinforcing the typical gender stereotypes found in other children's books.

My son and I love this book! Ryann's journey is full of excitement and imagination. Plus the illustrations are spectacular! I have and will continue to recommended this book to friends and family. I look forward to reading more stories from this up and coming author.

I bought this book for my son and a friend's daughter and they both love it! It teaches children about the imagination and how important it is. Right away my son wanted to dress up and play, "pretend!" This book teaches children they can be anything they want, but in the end they are loved by their parents! A good book to read over and over again!

In Book 7 of the "Love Comes Softly" series, Belinda is spreading her wings and trying new things. She finds that Home is a great place to be.

The continuing saga of Clark and Marty finds Belinda, their youngest child, traveling to faraway Boston as a private nurse. Her new life is much different from the one in the West, but Belinda adapts and enjoys her new life. Janette Oke has written this series so well that you feel that you are there and a part of the Davis family. This book is as rewarding as the six before it. Happy Reading!

I would recommend this book wholeheartedly. One word of advice though if you have decided to read the book after seeing the series on the Hallmark Channel,like I did, it might take a little bit to figure out where you are until you get a little further into it. Just keep reading you will come to a point in the book that will make the reading seem to match up where the series left off. I would suggest having book 8 and the Prairie Legacy series on hand because once you start reading you will not want to put the books down. If you are wondering if you should start with book 1 rather than starting with book 7 I would suggest that only because they are a great read and they grab your attention making you feel like you are actually there living each situation with the characters.

I loved this book. It was such a fun and sweet story.

Belinda is featured in this seventh book of the series. Her brother, Dr. Luke has trained her well and she is working full time as his nurse. Her job takes a twist when a wealthy, elderly socialite suffers a stroke on the train and must be taken off and cared for in their small town. After the critical period, Belinda then becomes a private duty nurse in their small town.

Meanwhile, she has seen her 2 best friends and nieces Melissa and Amy Jo marry and move out west. Nursing has consumed so much of her time that she has hardly realized that life is passing and she does becomes aware of TWO possible suitors at the same, exact time - Jackson has returned as a Doctor and joins Luke's practice. Rand is an up and coming builder who has plans for a home for Belinda and himself. An offer to accompany the rich old woman to her home in Boston removes Belinda from the predicament of 2 suitors and no real love on her part.

Not only does she accompany, but she stays on at the Boston mansion of her employer. Never has she seen or even dreamed of such finery but she does learn to adjust. "Aunt Virgie" thinks of Belinda more as a daughter than a nurse which causes no small stir among the other household help. Matters are complicated even more when the old woman's grandson Peter comes to America for a visit. Will a friendship or romance develop between the two young people? Aunt Virginia hopes so, to keep her beloved Peter nearby.

Belinda travels abroad with her employer, and even though she is experiencing once in a lifetime events, she is empty and dissatisfied inside. Has she traded her peace of mind in a tiny prairie town for a life of luxury and discontentment?

I am excited to begin book eight in this series, Love Finds a Home.

In this 5th istalment of the "Love Comes Softly" series Janette Oke continues to take her characters to new levels. Each having their own strengths, weeknesses, and trials. As always a great read and hard to put down. I just want to read from start to finish and start the next book.

Marty and Clark are home from Missy's, and the re-adjustment takes time. Luke has finally left home, studying to become a doctor. Arnie and Anne have married. Nandry is withdrawn and refuses to be a part of the family anymore and Marty is unable to find out why. Clare and Kate are super-anxiously awaiting the birth of their first baby. Are they prepared if things go wrong? Will their faith survive? The LaHayes have decided to visit Willie and Missy in the West, and much to everyone's surprise, they love it! In their absence, we again meet Lane, the humble, trustworthy, handsome young cowboy who works at the Hanging W. Missy and Willy now have three children and Clae and her preacher husband are in the east.

This particular book focuses on Ellie, her strong points and her dreams. She has adequately assumed the role of homemaker and caregiver in spite of the fact she is probably the prettiest, most eligible young woman in the area. Her heart is pure, her motives are right and she is a real blessing to her parents. Will this continue? Or change when she is faced with a life-altering decision? This book makes the reader hurt with Ellie, dream with her, and finally, well, you need to read the book.

There is one major bombshell in this book, but that would spoil it for future readers. Way to go Janette Oke, and keep the books coming in, they are a wonderful escape to a simpler, quieter time. This book ends with the Davis family in awe of passing on UNENDING LEGACIES....not just material, but spiritual as well.

This book was focused on the other children of Marty and Clark.
Very little was mentioned of Missie and Willie, and I didn't know if I would be interested in it. I was!!! I love Ellie and Lane. There were heartbreaking moments, also. Overall, must read again.

I love this series but this is one of my favorite books only because it is so full of fun and surprises. I think that love that Ellie finds is sweet and true. I also love the biggest suprise of all.

This fifth book of Janette Oke's "Love Comes Softly" series continues the story of main characters Clark and Marty Davis. In her dealings with the issues surrounding the family's acceptance of Clark's new handicap and the occurance of other difficult events, Janette Oke gently teaches lessons of faith readers can apply to their own life. Whether describing the emotions of a mother sending her grown children off to fulfill their dreams, or tackling the agonizing question of why God would permit tragedy in the lives of those who serve him, Janette Oke's writing draws the reader into the story and plays those emotions directly upon the strings of the reader's heart. Unlike many lukewarm prarie-era stories, this book does not shy away from unpleasant subjects. Instead it tackles them head on, forcing the reader to grow in his/her own assurance as s/he identifies with the characters in the book, and with their tragedies and triumphs. A must read for anyone who has ever asked the question, "Why, God?"