Ward Books

In my role as professional development and leadership coach working with Google and other excellent Silicon Valley companies, I read all the "motivational" books and recommend very few (if any) of them. Dan Ward's Radical Elements of Radical Success is a notable exception. If you're looking to upgrade your perspective and kick it into high gear, buy it and read it. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks to brilliant Author Dan Ward, I now know that my personal achievement of limited success is due to the fact I am a Reckless Monomaniac. The Radical Elements of Radical Success is a very interesting and insightful analogy of successful behavior profiles by a young author who is destined to achieve great success. An excellent read and well written book.

I bought this book after I interviewed for a student pastor position prior to my first year at seminary. After the interviews and some very terrible stories from other student pastor's about thier first assignments I decided that there has to be some way to get real, practical advice. The check lists in this book are very helpful and the advice about how to approach meeting with the parish board and listening to thier needs and ideas, taking notes and learning to ask the right questions up front was very insightful and quite frankly, full of things I would never have thought about in advance! Then there is always the first time you get asked to perform a wedding or need to hold a funeral. I've seen weddings, been married and I have attended funerals, but I have never had to be in charge. I had pleanty of theology and theory and even New Testament Greek, but there is always that moment when you realize YOU are the pastor...what now? This guide is brillant and gives indispenable advice on how to approach not just your first appointment, but every new appointment you will ever have.

I am a first year seminary student and someone who has served as a student pastor. I recieved Ready, Set, Lead as a Christmas present and now regret that I did not have it when I came to my first parish. Ready, Set, Lead is not just a book that TELLS you how to prepare for local church ministry, there are practical applications throughout that will aid you as you make the transition to a new parish. The book is not about theory it is about the practice and journey that comes with starting a new ministry. I am sure that much of the my anxiety and the ackwardness that occured with the congregation at my first church could have been eased if I had known about and taken many of the easy steps that both Ward and Brey lay out. I think it is a valuable tool for all who are thinking of or are now working toward local church ministry.

My children and I LOVE this wonderful, imaginitive story. Snarly Sally and her dog Tangles are so adorable; they have become part of our night time reading ritual. We are looking forward to more fun adventures with these two very special characters!

VERY CUTE STORY. THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE VERY VIVID AND CUTE. I LIKE THE MINI POEMS BY SNARLY SALLY SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE BOOK ALONG WITH THE REGULAR STORY. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK!

This book has given me some clues to european history. I never understood why northern Europe (England, Scandinavia, Germany...) developed so much since XVII century, becomming more prosperous lands than southern countries like Italy or Spain. Dawson explains what happened during the "Dark Years" (500-800 A.D) in Europe, and there we may find an important difference between northern and southern countries. Recomended for deep thinking people on History.

Historian Christopher Dawson (1889-1970) saw religion as the cornerstone of culture. Specifically, this Harvard scholar saw Christianity as the root system that grew into what we call, invariably capitalized and announced with great fanfare, "The West." As someone who recently acquired a master's degree in history, I can tell you that Christopher Dawson's name never came up in any of my classes. Sure, I mostly studied American history, which would pretty much preclude reference to a scholar whose work centered on the development of Europe, but even in the classes I took on European history his name never appeared on a single syllabus. His name also never came up in the myriad courses I took on Christian theology and history. After reading "Religion and the Rise of Western Culture," I think I know why. First, the book is an extremely tough slog. If this collection of his writings is any indication, Dawson's knowledge of European history is encyclopedic. No one outside of a graduate level seminar could hope to follow all the ins and outs of this book. Second, and most important, academia has little interest in promoting a historian who argues that Christianity shaped all aspects of modern life. Dawson's claims are unpopular and not morally relativistic.

The author sees Christianity as a unique force in human development, a force that constantly overcomes any obstacles placed in its path, either on purpose or by the vagaries of history. In the case of "Religion and the Rise of Western Culture," those obstacles range from the decline and collapse of the Roman Empire to the mass migrations of the early medieval period to the rise of cities and organized commerce. Presiding over and infusing all of these changes is the Christian faith. The perception that Christianity is a static, ossified system locked in rigid dogma stretching back through the ages, Dawson easily proves, is totally and utterly false. Time and time again the Church and its many institutions--missionaries, monasteries, new and dynamic religious orders--continuously renewed both the Church and European society. Renewal and dynamism in Europe during the Middle Ages? Is this guy insane? There is a popular tendency, however erroneous, to view the "Middle Ages" or "Medieval Europe" as a time and place of sporadic intellectual and cultural development. We've all seen movies or heard stories involving denizens of the Middle Ages staggering around in filthy rags murdering each other in fits of barbaric rage. If you subscribe to that view, "Religion and the Rise of Western Culture" will knock your socks off and slap some sense into your head at the same time!

I know a bit more about early European history than the average person on the street, at least I hope I do, so the idea that the Middle Ages represented a period of vast change doesn't come as a surprise to me. What does amaze me is how MUCH was going on. Dawson's work is a veritable blizzard of names, places, and ideas. He moves from Rome to Augustine to Bede to Aquinas with an ease that boggles the mind. He discusses in great depth the rise of monasteries in Ireland, how these institutions kept knowledge alive during dark times, and how they received and then transmitted knowledge to other parts of Europe. Dawson discusses the development of the liturgy and the effect that ritual had on people. He talks about the rise of the universities at Bologna and Paris, and how Church law helped give birth to civil law. You want to know about guilds and the rise of cities as they pertain to the Catholic Church? It's here in mind-boggling detail. The author also finds time to emphasize the importance of Byzantium and the Orthodox Church and tie them to the main currents of Western Europe. He describes doctrinal debates, the relation of the Church to European monarchies, and roughly a billion other ideas I don't have the space to summarize here.

What I liked best about the book, and what sort of helped bring the themes Dawson tries to explicate in the narrative to the fore, concerns the numerous migrations and invasions throughout Europe from the fall of Rome to roughly the tenth century. The book shows how Christianity, despite suffering great material losses from many of these invasions, reestablished its institutions and brought these barbarians into the embrace of greater Europe. Sometimes this process involved total conversion, other times Christianity operated side by side with tribal customs and law codes (see Beowulf for evidence of how Christian themes took up position next to barbarian values), but in every case the Church eventually triumphed. Dawson's work underscores how a theology first articulated by a single man in Palestine eventually led to the creation of mankind's greatest achievements. Reading "Religion and the Rise of Western Culture" makes one wonder how the West can ever survive without the spiritual and transformative qualities derived from the Christian faith. It's tempting to argue that it cannot, at least not in any recognizable form. Dawson claims outright that the West will die without Christianity.

It's easy to see why the author feared for the future of European civilization. When he wrote his works on the relation between Christianity and Western Civilization, the horrors of the twentieth century were rearing their ugly heads. Two world wars of appalling barbarity coupled with the rise of harmful ideologies greatly concerned Christopher Dawson. He saw National Socialism and Communism as great "walling off" processes that cut off millions of people from their common Christian underpinnings by either distorting the message (National Socialism) or through attempts to displace Christianity completely (Communism). "Religion and the Rise of Western Culture" isn't an easy read, not by a long shot, but it's worth the time and effort. I would definitely read his other works.

This book revolutionized my thinking about the Resurrection and provided an added depth to my knowledge of scripture. A master of scripture, Fr. Durrwell weaves together and systemizes ideas from the bible, and the New Testament in particular, to present much fuller explanation of the importance of the resurrection, as well as the possibility and necessity of contact with the body of Christ.

This book has influenced my spiritual development more than any book except the scriptures. It is not an easy read, and it requires a commitment of time and attention. But for those desiring a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ and his unique role in salvation history.

Fr. Durrwell's classic is subtitled, "A Biblical Study" and it certainly lives up to its name. Durrwell divided his book into nine lengthy chapters: 1) The resurrection of Christ a mystery of redemption, 2) Incarnation, death and resurrection, 3) The resurrection as outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 4) The effects of the resurrection in Christ, 5) The resurrection of Christ, birth of the Church, 6) The Church's life in the risen Christ, 7) The progress and consumation of the Paschal Mystery in the Church, 8) the means whereby the Easter mystery spreads outwards, 9) The Easter mystery in its consummation in heaven. The book also comes with an index of scripture references, index of authors cited and a subject index.

Durrwell relates many points that you might not know. Did you know that several early Church fathers stressed that Christ's priesthood changed in character after the resurrection? I certainly didn't know that. If you can find a good condition copy for a reasonable price, this book is very worthwhile.

I am referring to Book 2 of the Matthew series, revised edition 2002. The five stars are given to that book only.

Whether you believe in or agree with what it says, this book is a well-written "mini-encyclopedia" of new age "philosophy", or should I say "ideas"? Though few books can rival with the Seth Material in this field in depth, this one did offer an even wider, panoramic perspective in a succinct way. There is a synthesis of western spiritualism, Indian philosophy, quantum philosophy, and UFO religions. Sure, there are many repeats, nothing very original. But this book has its own coherence.

Furthermore, the author is one of the few channelers that gives comments on contemporary politics (see Book 3 of the series and take a look at the author's website - www.matthewbooks.com). This helps add some exciting feel to the series. However, one may find those "stories" on politics quite elusive and there are lots of conspiracy theories, a characteristic commonly shared by all sorts of UFO religions. They say, there are always some powerful gangs out there having their own hidden agenda with the ultimate aim to dominate the whole world, if not to destroy it. Could any one gang do that and why is the domination of the world so attractive? What sort of domination it is? Don't they have better things to do? Of course, you are not always sure whether the stories are symbolic or not. The Bush we see on the television screen is a clone, again they say (see the author's website). You may also sense that the Matthew Material as a whole is on a delicate balance between provocation of fear and promotion of message of love. Ying and yang, may be.

Anyway, since I am an "easterner" - a "Chinese" in Hong Kong - to be more specific, I would like to learn more about the role the eastern people, the Chinese in particular, play in the big scheme as portrayed by Matthew, and how different races of people interact in the so-called "Heaven". Do people of a particular race flock together in a particular "village" there? I love stories of these kinds, say the "true" history of the people(s)(and the living things) on earth, and of our cosmic families in "all" the galaxies and universes. More details please. However, you may also have noted that there are so many different versions of "true" history out there, one canceling the other out. I also wonder why there are so few, if any at all, channelers giving these sorts of material in the eastern world.

At last, like so many authors of this kind of books, the author is so sincere, who is a lovely mother who has lost a lovely son. As for the content, yes, you and me must discern. Anyhow, anyone interested in new age philosophy should not miss this book, really.

One more thing, interested people may also like to look at the horoscope of Matthew whose birthday is available at the author's website, which did have a distinctly prominent philosophic, religious, mysterious, and "life and death" tone compatible to the style of the book. Yes, the more books I read in this field (around two hundred or more in the past twenty-plus years), the more I find the earth an interestingly strange or even bizarre place to live in.

This book is on a lot of ET stuff.

So, if you are in to that, as I am, this book would most surely be a good read for you.

Like all her books, they contain an immense amount of info, on all kinds of topics.

I hope this helps.

Forever Love, Rich Macy

This book is another winner! I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in two evenings. Keep 'em coming Marsha!!

When James Owen's fiancee up and marries his brother, James's rage drives him from his home. He sets out for Colorado, looking to work in the mines. He makes the mistake, however, of stopping in Pueblo City where trouble finds him. Set upon, shot, then jailed, an old family "friend" bails him out. The help is not free, and James must work himself clear of these entanglements.
On his way over the mountains at last, he finds the body of wealthy Mexican. A letter explains that the dead man was going to Leones to acquire a bride. James has found an expensive bride gift on the body and determines he must take it, along with an explanation, to the woman.
At the same time, events have sent Amparo Garces y Martinez on a journey from Santa Fe into Colorado where an arranged marriage awaits her. Arriving at the mission, she waits there for her husband to claim her. However, it is James Owen who arrives. In a moment of chivalry, James marries the girl with the intention of taking her back to Santa Fe. Naturally, his plans go awry. First, although he fights his feelings, he falls in love with her. Second, Amparo willingly, joyously, returns his love, and somewhere between here and there, James decides they should go home to his family.
While on the trail, upon reaching Trinidad, they are swept up in a fight between Mexican and white battling factions. Barricaded in the town mercantile, they hope to avoid the trouble--but trouble comes to them. Caught in a crossfire, Amparo is shot, and now James takes up a trail of vengeance against the killers of his lost love.
Ride To Raton is the action packed story of a conflicted man who strives always to do the right thing. The story will catch at your heart and stay with you long after you put the book down. Highly recommended for all fans of western lore.

I went through many books on Maui before I picked this one up. Lucky me! This turned out to be the best ten bucks invested in my trip to Hawaii. This book is small enough to carry in your pocket, yet is chock full of detail. I was impressed when I took a trip to the southern edge of Maui solely relying on this book. Every shop, corner, and area of Maui matches the description in this book. It is very accurate and upto date. The tips included by the authors were very helpful. When we wanted to mail coconuts from Maui and were really lost, this book helped. A few hints for Maui travelers: some USPS offices in Maui have officers dressed in Hawaiian attire, so do not be confused and doubt if it really is a post office guy when you see him dressed like a Hawaiian beach bum! If you go to the southern edge of the island, you can actually buy coconuts at the post office and mail 'em too. Permanent markers that you use to address coconuts are awfully hard to find, so pack a Sharpie with your stuff! Overall, if there is just one travel guide you'd buy, pick this one. The book's binding is very good, and it held up after all the beating around and abuse that was showered on my copy. Don't let the small size fool you--this one is very detailed, and more importantly, very accurate (verified by us in Jan 2000). Highly recommended.

This little book really helped me get the most out of my Maui trip. It's restaurant and activity recommendations were right on the mark. It gives you a great overview without being overwhelming.

I'm sold on Rough Guides. This book is like having a history book to go along with info about so many popular and not so popular places that after reading the description about them, you want to visit. Every time I open it, I learn something new and it makes me want to visit so many places in the USA.

Can't go wrong with a rough guide - I just wish they could fit more in!

There's a danger to publishing a resource book. By the time it hits print, how many of those resources will no longer be available? Like venerable rubber stamp authorities Miller and Thompson, David Ward doesn't just offer us a catalog of catalogs, though images from dozens of rubber stamp companies make up the bulk of this book as well as a listing of stamp stores, manufacturers and suppliers. What makes this book valuable are the articles about tools and techniques, articles that will never go out of date. Sure you can get the same information in other stamping books, or probably learn them online or at your local stamping store, but the combination of articles, project ideas (with color plates of finished projects, none of which use outrageously difficult techniques or expensive materials)and a vast resource base which includes many well-established companies which will probably be around for the next X-number of years, makes this book a must-have addition to the collection of dedicated stampers. This is an idea book, a book to sit and daydream with, as well as a practical guide to the who, what and where of the art/craft of stamping.

If you are looking for a basic, comprehensive source of information and insider stamping tips you need this book. Included in it are pages of images from a various stamp companies, store locations, how to tips, product sources - the list goes on! A great buy for the novice a MUST for the stamp entusiast!