Ward Books

As a working mathematician in the field of hypercomplex analysis I've found this book very useful to understand the algebraic and geometric properties of the arithmetic of hypercomplex numbers. Eventhough the book doesn't tell anything about quaternionic analysis, it is helpful as a reference when one has to deal with the algebraic features of these systems.

I think most of the contents of the book are understandable by second or thir year undergrads, after reading Feferman's "The Number Systems", for example.

Today we are often encouraged to look into our childhoods for clues to whatever difficulties we currently suffer, and there may be some validity for this. In light of such negative thinking, however, we sometimes forget those special joys that made our youth memorable and unique. This wonderful little book that speaks from the heart of a young boy helps us remember those good times. And good memories are priceless! I heartily recommend this book to any and all who grew up in the sixties or before...and any who want to know what it was REALLY like to be a child in those "good ol' days."

Keith Ward's book Re-thinking Christianity provides a useful compliment to his earlier book What the Bible Really Teaches. The former book discusses the Bible and shows how its teachings are misconstrued by fundamentalists, and how fundamentalist claims to take the Bible literally are simply false. This more recent book begins with the New Testament documents, approached in a historical-critical manner, and surveys the breadth of Christian history, arguing that "liberal Christianity" gives a legitimate expression to the historic Christian faith.

Ward makes many of the same key points that he did in his earlier book: that Christianity has been changing and developing since the beginning (p.viii), that the precise beliefs of the earliest Christians are impossible to hold today (p.9), and that what is needed is therefore a revision of the apostles' beliefs, since the earliest Christian authors we have access to had already begun to do the same (pp.10-11). This is liberating in many respects not only because it avoids a fundamentalist approach to Scripture, but it also allows for a potentially positive evaluation of various attempts to formulate and reformulate Christian doctrines and practices down the ages. The fact that something doesn't come from Jesus does not in and of itself answer the question of whether it is Christian, true, or valuable (p.23). Particularly helpful is Ward's treatment of the diversity in the Gospels as having a positive message for us, and his presentation of an appropriate response to the words attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John, namely recognizing that the author has interpreted Jesus' sayings drastically and that, since this author is not God, we may seek to learn from what he wrote, but we cannot give it any sort of ultimate authority. These texts thus call on us to be creative, as their authors were (pp.29-32).

Conservatives and fundamentalists might easily reply that if you jettison your rigorous adherence to Scripture, to doctrine, to whatever else they might make a criterion, then you are departing from Christianity. To many this seems obvious, and yet in fact it is anything but. Do we condemn scientists today for jettisoning earlier theories in light of new knowledge, and somehow suggest that they are less scientists? On the contrary, it is an indication of scientists' quest for understanding and for truth that they are willing to jettison the old in light of the new - not in an overly casual way, but when the evidence demands it. The Bible and the history of religion are full of examples of the same. Christians may call it 'progressive revelation', but it still contains the word "progress" and implies that change occurs. To suggest that humankind continued to learn about God and our place in the universe until 2,000 years ago and then all progress stopped is not only not required by Christianity's Scriptures and teaching, it runs counter to them, and is, if one thinks about it, rather silly as well.

And so it is that Ward has the courage to look at Paul's underlying principles, and to state outright that for us to adhere to Paul's teachings even where he did not implement those principles consistently is an abomination (pp.44-45). Scientific, historical and other methods of gaining more certain knowledge are not merely passing fads, and it is not an option for Christianity to ignore them (pp.118-123). We need to rethink our theologies in our wider cosmic context as well, in light of new scientific knowledge (p.48). In this broader context it becomes clear that, if indeed "all things in heaven and on earth" are going to be united in Christ, then Christ must here refer to God's omnipresent and eternal Word or Reason, and be far more than simply the human person of Jesus (p.130).

At times Ward shows evidence of precisely the thing that scares fundamentalists about liberal Christianity: the lack of certainty not only about conclusions, but about procedures. Why should the aforementioned idea be retained at all, since it is based on the limited horizon of a first-century worldview? How does one determine how such an idea, if it is retained, ought to be reinterpreted? Thinkers like Rudolf Bultmann were helpful inasmuch as they were up front about not only the limitations of the Bible and of human perspectives but about their philosophical presuppositions and criteria for reinterpreting the tradition. At times, Ward seemed even to backtrack somewhat on his statements earlier in the book, inviting Christian readers to "trust" the New Testament documents regarding things historians cannot confirm or prove (pp.142-143). Ward seems to come down on the side of a critical realism, and helpful emphasizes in response to George Lindbeck's idea of the Biblical narrative providing the framework for Christians' worldview that there isn't a single, unified Biblical narrative.
Whatever else might be said about the book, Ward provides a wonderful definition of faith, which is worth sharing here (p.167):

Faith is not theoretical certainty. It is not unreserved assent to the truth of a set of propositions. It is practical committment to a set of values, to the best that I know, in awareness that certainty is not possible. What kind of faith is that? It is faith in goodness, personal committment to a search for goodness and beauty, a search that is inspired by a specific disclosure of such goodness and beauty that has occurred in my experience.

Ward concludes his book by considering liberation theology, and whereas he rejects its willingness to embrace violent means when necessary, he is appreciative of the challenge it has offered to Christians for whom complacency that maintains the status quo is the norm. (The New York Times carried an article about the continued importance of liberation theology, particularly in South America). Christianity is the most widespread religion in our time, but much of that has to do with Christianity's connection of itself to various empires: the Roman, the Spanish, Portugese and British, and so on. How Christianity relates to human cultures and empires is a perennial issue, and in fact it relates to how we respond to the fact that the Kingdom of God that Jesus predicted failed to dawn. One way is to regard it as our job to collaborate with God in building his kingdom, and that will often mean voicing our opposition to human empires and standing with the poor and oppressed. For, in the end, the tension Ward expresses between there being an objective reality and our uncertainty about it, between the need for metaphysics and our inability to formulate one that is adequate, pushes us to focus on committment to our fundamental values, and to not merely speculate about the world but transform it in keeping with our liberal Christian values, working for freedom, justice, and spirituality.

- James F. McGrath, author of The Burial of Jesus: History and Faith. This review originally appeared on the Exploring Our Matrix blog.

Harry Borg is an aging alcoholic who is waiting for death when one day a nail appears in the middle of his apartment sticking out of an invisible wall. When the hole caused by the nail is enlarged (from the other side)a nice guy named Guss pops in. Guss is a reptilian humanoid who seems to find Harry VERY interesting. One day Harry wakes up to find he is now young, handsome and about to go on an adventure that is out of this world.
It seems Guss's people need help. While they are very advanced they have been fighting a war for thousands of years and are starting to lose it. They figure the aggressive human's courage and strengths can help them win it.
But what happens when the Hero finds out that some of his 'Allies' look at him like we would look at a good T-bone steak?
Lizard-people with flying cars, giant bugs used as guard dogs and Grade "A" humans that go great with barbecue sauce, what more could you ask for in a sci-fi book?

The latest in the Krieger "Open Forum" series, Rediscovering The British Empire, compiled and edited Barry J. Ward, is an impressive and informative selection of learned essays concerning the history and long-term effects of Great Britain's one-time colonization of so much territory that it was described by the phrase: "The sun never set on the British Empire." The British affected and influenced histories of Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Fiji, and much more are authoritatively discussed in these college-level writings contributed by an eclectic variety of educated authors. Rediscovering The British Empire is highly recommended for its fascinating perspective on Great Britain's worldwide influence and legacy.

This review is written from the perspective of a forensic psychologist who moves between policy and practice in offender rehabilitation. In 2001 I was faced with the task of policy development to implement the risk-need model across a correctional system. At the time, I could understand what was meant by 'risk' and 'need' but the 'responsivity' element seemed to be missing. In practice focusing on moderate-high risk offenders and targeting offending behaviour has been resisted by practitioners.

The book addresses the problems that many practitioners have expressed regarding offender rehabilitation. Most helpfully, the focus is on "what helps" (the right question) rather than "what works" (perhaps the wrong question). This approach draws the reader away from the usual scripts regarding controlled studies, meta-analyses, and structured (and usually very boring) treatment programs. The book draws the reader towards contemplating how to engage offenders willingly, using strengths-based approaches, assisting offenders to desist from offending and achieving an agreed pro-social life (a much more gratifying way of working).

Generally, literature articulating the Good Lives Model is a dense read. However, in this instance it is designed for the practitioner. Nevertheless, readers need to consider theory. A rehabilitation theory addresses underlying principles, assumptions about causes of offending, and then practice implications. Too often, practitioners dive straight into delivery (i.e., assessment tools and 'one size fits all' treatment packages) without considering the theory that underpins behaviour change. Effective treatment cannot occur without detailed clinical case formulations. A case formulation can work with the offender to determine the causes of offending and what the best individualised strategies to deal with them she or he may choose. This book provides the simplest explanation of the Good Lives Model for those who want to operationalise it.

This book should inspire policy-makers and practitioners to try something different to improve services to offenders in order to meet their needs. As an aside, reading one section motivated me to ask the inmates of a prison I manage what we could do to reduce their drug use (and spare them from the immediate legal consequences they are currently experiencing in the program)- and they told me!

James Dwyer is perhaps the foremost scholar on children's rights in the United States. This book only adds to his accomplishments. The current legal system does more to protect parents who abuse and neglect their children than it does to protect the children. We force children to be in relationships that are to their detriment that they would never choose for themselves.

Dwyer's ideas may seem radical, but his methodical arguments leave little doubt at their conclusion. To his credit he addresses counterarguments to his position that are substantive, rather than merely strawmen. In the process he gives one of the best overviews of the topic individual autonomy that I have seen.

For anyone who works to protect children, this book is required reading. When it comes to doing what is best children, our society talks a good game but does little service. The system is fundamentally flawed: this book shows the flaws and how to fix them.

I used this book in a lectionary-based, adult Bible study. It was great to be able to bring a wide variety of other voices to the discussion.

I resonated with matthew right off the bat; ordered all the books in print from the author's website ; If you dig information about consciousness and truth ( our ET origins and other unearthly delights) -and are looking for the opposite of mainstream- you are here.

"Richvale," writes Dennis Lindberg, "is often referred to as the birthplace of the California rice industry. Formerly known as Selby Switch, a railroad siding, the new town was named in 1909 by the Richvale Land Company developers, who were implying that the land was rich and would grow anything."

That turned out not to be the case. The soil was good only for growing rice, but the process was not exactly easy. Lindberg, the chair of the Richvale Writing Group, notes that "this difficult, backbreaking venture required dedication and perseverance from those who came, primarily from Midwestern states, and stayed to overcome the obstacles they found at every turn in the road." The Writing Group, with more than 40 members over the last half decade, was determined to preserve the memories of Richvale in its early years. Facilitated by Butte College writing instructor Teresa Ward, the group has produced a fitting tribute to their families and has given the wider reading public an extraordinary compendium of life as it was.

"Richvale: A Legacy of Courage, Dedication, and Perseverance" ($65 in hardcover) is available from Amazon.

There is also a companion photo CD ($10), which features 364 pictures from the book along with 617 additional images, from family photos to pictures of harvesting equipment.

The first half of the book includes almost 100 articles telling stories of the California Rice Industry, telephone party lines and the history of Richvale's not-so-hidden vices (think snuff, ballroom dancing and cigarette smoking). The last half presents the stories of some 90 Richvale families, including the founders of the Lundberg Family Farms.

Vivian Fagerstone Potter writes of the first two-car accident in Richvale, in 1930 "at the intersection of Eucalyptus and Lofgren." Potter was 8 and she should know. She was the driver, "seated behind the huge, wooden steering wheel of our spiffy, black, Model T Ford. ... My father, Oscar, was sitting on the passenger seat beside me. ... As we were slowly headed south on Eucalyptus Road, nearing the intersection, I saw the other vehicle, an open-style Model T, approaching from the left, headed west. I stared very wide-eyed and could clearly see my friend Magnus ('Maggi') Nataas Jr., age 11, seated behind the driver's wheel, with a terrified wide-eyed look on his face as the two cars, ever so slowly, slowly, rolled toward the intersection." The two cars met and, writes Potter "went 'crunch, crunch?' There was almost a question mark in the slight noise, as if the T's didn't know what an accident was."

The book is dedicated to Luella Lofgren (1916-2005), the daughter of a Richvale farm family, who added her contributions to the book and encouraged the other writers as well.

For those with ties to Rich-vale this book is a must. For those who treasure the lively memories of an earlier era, "Richvale" is a work of heart.

Copyright 2006 Chico Enterprise-Record. Used by permission.