Trials Books

Dave told me four years ago he was going to write a book. He was kind enough to share thirty years of acquired knowledge and history with me. I figured it was going to be just another book about some off the walk theories on how to train a bird dog like the other books that I had read on the same subject. Little did I know. Dave's book is a nuts and bolts yet simple approach system on training your bird dog from a pup to a finished dog. It is money well spent.

This book is a MUST READ for those new to the sport or those like myself that have been involved for almost thirty years. This is a No Nonsense "How To" guide that leaves no Stone Unturned. Dave gives the new and experienced trainer all the tools and places to acquire everything from training aids to veterinarian tips. I finally found a source to get my dogs "Snake-Bite Proofed"! Keep the book Close By, Dave has done all the Research Work and it's all right at the back of the book for fast reference!
I thought I knew just about everything there was to know about training and field trialing until I read Dave's book... What an eye opener! Lucky for me, I got the book in time to apply Dave's methods to my now six month old Brittany. And Don't fret, Dave addresses the training of all Bird Dogs, not just Brittany's. And most important, he teaches the Trainer how to be a Trainer in clear simple language. If you don't have this book, Get It! Best Investment for any Dog owner!!! Thanks Dave!!

Popular opinion is that one blasphemes by either claiming to be Almighty God (John 10:33) or speaking against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:41).

Bock's scholarly work unpacks ALL the reasons the Jewish literature reveal as definitions of the capital offense of blasphemy. He makes clear that to limit Jesus' claims as being one or both of the above is uninformed thinking. To claim to be the Christ/the Messiah was sufficient for being put to death, whether there was a connection with a claim to be God Almighty or not. Interestingly, however, the Jewish leaders were somewhat selective in which of those who claimed to be Messiah they would seek to put to death. Jesus wasn't apparently into taking out the Romans, so strike him out as a legitimate claimant to the position.

That he may have claimed to be "a god" as opposed to the Almighty God is quite permissible in the Greek at John 10:33. Bock's book will show why the desire to stone Jesus, although a lethal position to take, entailed a blasphemy of a sort not usually expected. One could be guilty of blasphemy, Bock reveals, for claiming close ASSOCIATION with not only God but with patriarchs like Abraham especially (Consider how that bears on Jesus' comment at John 8:58, "Before Abraham was born I am he" (i.e. the Messiah).

[...]

Warning: this book is not for the faint of heart and one who wants to skim the contents over tea and crumpets. A knowledge of Greek and Hebrew will greatly enhance ones appreciation of this book. At the very least, have at your side a good formal equivalence translation (NASB, RSV, ESV, NET Bible) and a Strong's concordance.

Danny Dixon
DannyDixon@4OneGod.net

As I prepare to write an academic paper on Matthew 24:30 and Jesus' claim to be the "Son of Man" coming on the clouds with power and great glory, I find no other resource as helpful as Darrell Bock's "Blasphemy & Exaltation."

The scholarship is impeccable. His evaluation of critical scholarship is incisive and largely critical, yet he does not try to "beat something with nothing." He offers his own evaluations of the evidence in compelling ways. His compiling of Jewish views on Blasphemy makes for a tremendous resource for any student of the New Testament to make sense of Jesus' claims.

Do you want to know what Jesus actually claimed at his trial? Do you want to know what was so offensive to the ears of Jewish leaders so as to merit capital punishment? Read this book.

One caveat: if you are not used to reading works of scholarship on the New Testament (i.e. you are a layperson), this work can get very technical. You need to be aware of the tools of NT criticism (form, source, redaction, literary, etc.)in order to understand Bock's interaction with them. In other words, this book is not for everybody. It's not a "popular" treatment. But, if you want a workout, go for it!

I am very grateful to Dr. Bock for this resource.

As to say Spike Lee is one-of-a kind director and a good follower. I luv him from the top since he been out. I would actually like to hear more from him 'cuz he's still my top director and mentor. Now back to the movie, I know everybody have love for this flick that Spike Lee created it talks about the life and times of civil rights leader Malcolm X (played by my main man Denzel Washington) which begins on reading the screenplay, the talks about it, the stars who played on the film and to those that believe that believe it out, etc. This is one of my all-time favorite books to read 'cuz it tells it all right here from this movie I like. Anyway it's still my #1 favorite movie of all-time. I look forward for Spike Lee putting out a memoir of his life and where he started his film-playing career into a higher level which drops in Sept or Oct of this yr. Specially look forward of hearing it.

"By Any Means Necessary" is an excellent book on the making of the film "Malcolm X" by director Spike Lee. Not only do we get a chance to see the film from the director's eye, but we also get to read all of the hassles he had to go through in order to come out with a film in Hollywood.The whole tone of the book, like all of Lee's books on his firms, is that of a diary. So what we're reading is random notes, scribbles, and just little lines that he will remember down the line. It almost seemed like a match made in hell: Spike Lee, considered to be a "controversial" film director, does a film on the line of Malcolm X, considered to be a controversial human rights figure. Throughout the book, Lee has to remind himself that despite the nay-sayers, the film will be done, even at times when he doubts his own creative genius.There are also thoughts from some of the actors (including Denzel Washington, who also played Malcolm X in his early years), but the best words come from Lee

The Amy in this book is near and dear to my heart. And that is not because she shares the same name as me. Or that i find her story to be inspiring and uplifting. Rather i cherish this book because Amy was my teacher in college.

No, I am not deaf, nor hard of hearing. Rather I am an Occupational Therapist.

Amy was my sign teacher at Mt. Mary College and she brought to us a wealth of knowledge that has known little equal.

People talk about imersion schooling, that is what it was like with Amy. There was no talking just signing learning and growing. First with baby steps and then with leaps and bounds. She was not teaching us about how to communicate with her world... but rather how our world needs to open our eyes and communicate with hers.

This story is a great reflection of Amy's life. What her life was and the things that her parents fought and advocated for helped to form the truly magnicifient person that she is. As a result she has a special inner light that shines for all to see.

I now work in a school system, much thanks to Amy. Without her inspiration i don't know if would have choosen this path. It is not easy to fight for my kids to get them the services they need. Its never as easy as it could be... kids need services but money always drives that bottom line.

Perhaps this is a good book for any parent to read that has a child with special needs. Weather that special need means IEP or 504 it should matter not. We all have to advocate for the little ones... they are our hearts and our souls. If we be not the Gladiators to defeat the Lions... then I know not who will be the voice of those who have none.....

A Case about Amy by R.C. Smith. 1996. Temple University Press. 322 pages.

Smith takes a reader on a time odyssey (1976-1982) to witness a struggle of the Deaf parents of a Deaf daughter, Amy Rowley, and a hearing son endured through the maze of an education and court systems in their quest towards an equal opportunity for Amy enrolled in a public school.

His book, which took Smith about 12 years of researching and interviewing, illustrates how the systems of power could be shifted into their favor by manipulating the interpretation of loosely worded in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. And later in Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (PL 94-142), which was renamed Individual with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Instead of accepting the lower court's order to provide Amy Rowley a sign language interpreter, the school board appealed and argued over the definition of "equal opportunity" versus "full potential" or "appropriate education" that went all the way to Supreme Court.

Along that time odyssey Smith introduced the family's lawyer, Michael Chatoff, who turned deaf in his 20s and how he overcame unjust discrimination against him as he was striving to become the lawyer he was and argued the case for Rowleys at Supreme Court. Smith is successful in presenting an objective insight of the politics, controversial issues, and everyone revolving around and inside the community of Deaf citizens.

A reader may be stunned to learn that the judges of Supreme Court did not scrutinize the Act that was passed in Congress, and they decided that since her achievement tests scores proved that even without a sign language interpreter Amy was getting an appropriate education. As a result, the definition of "appropriate education" or "full potential" won over "equal opportunity." This decision was also cost effective for a public school to avert providing a sign language interpreter for Amy.

Hence, from that time odyssey, a reader questions the true intention of society at large in educating bright deaf children like Amy. Does the school board ever encourage deaf children to accomplish beyond the standard academic achievement expected of average hearing children?

This short, highly readable book outlines the steps that led to the passage of Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in America. Few cases have had the impact on society this one has had. Proponents hail its passage as a "victory for women's rights." Opponents say it has ushered in a Holocaust that dwarfs anything done Nazi death camps. Almost everyone has a strong opinion. No one is neutral.

Stevens begins by ridiculing the crusade led by Anthony Comstock of Connecticut and the Roman Catholic Church to rid America of vice in the late 18 and 1900's, which included information on birth control. He then praises early women's rights advocate Margaret Sanger's efforts in fighting them. He then reviews Texas Attorney Sarah Weddington's efforts in preparing her case for legalizing abortion to the Supreme Court. Particularly interesting is her search for a typical victim to use in her class action suit that led her to Norma McCorvey aka, Jane Roe. He then spends a great deal of time enumerating the, sometimes violent, efforts of pro-life supporters to end abortion and hails the punitive damages awarded "victims" of their protests. He ends by proposing a truce between reasonable people on both sides of the issue to work together to make abortion rare while protecting the legal sanctity of "a woman's right to choose."

Only 175 short pages in length, this book should be read by people on both sides of the issue. Stevens is a gifted writer who presents the issues well. Readers will be much better informed after spending two hours or so reading this work.

Few people are neutral on abortion. The author is not; neither is this reviewer. The fact remains; every time an abortion is performed a child dies. Dehumanizing terms such as, "fetus," "product of conception," "fetal tissue," etc. doesn't change that. As a pro-lifer, I totally reject the proposed compromise the author suggests designed to make abortion safe, legal and rare. Forty-three to forty-five million abortions have been performed since Roe v. Wade. Abortion is therefore, safe, and, thanks to Roe v. Wade, legal. But it is anything but rare. I pledge to use the information in this work in my efforts to eliminate this scourge on our nation's history and honor. Interestingly enough, Norma McCorvey, aka, Jane Roe, now supports our efforts as well.

This book disspelled many of the common misconceptions surrounding this case. I really enjoyed reading the book and liked the way the entire background, as it pertained to this landmark case, was thoroughly explained.

The Case of the Beautiful Beggar

A young woman has just returned from a 3-month vacation cruise in Hawaii. Daphne Shelby has a letter from her Uncle Horace ordering her to met Perry Mason immediately to draft a new will. Uncle Horace's stepbrother, his wife, and a friend came for an extended stay. During Daphne's absence they had Uncle Horace declared incompetent and put in a nursing home. Stepbrother Borden was now in charge of the Shelby fortune, and Daphne was ordered out of the only home she ever knew! The check given to Daphne is for a closed account. There is a suspicion that Borden's wife Elinor has drugged Uncle Horace to make him senile. Perry Mason files a paper to question the court judgment. The bank manager is ready to testify that Horace was competent, and Daphne has a good business head. But Borden Shelby reveals a surprise about Daphne that could prevent her suit. The court appointed a psychiatrist to settle the question. But Uncle Horace disappears!

Soon a dead body turns up. Daphne is suspected of murdering her uncle for the inheritance. But the body turns out to be Borden's friend! Perry placed investigators on all the people, and learns the facts needed to clear his client, and discover where Uncle Horace was hiding. The final scenes in the Preliminary Hearing clears up the mysteries. Another long suppressed scandal is the source of these problems. This is another roller-coaster ride of a story designed to keep your interest until its surprising conclusion.

I think that this book was really good. Earl Stanley Gardner is a great author. There were so many twists in the story you'd never know what would happen next.

The Case of the Rolling Bones, by Erle Stanley Gardner

One morning Perry Mason is visited by three people. Phyllis Leeds is the niece and secretary of Alden Leeds. Emily Milicant is the girlfriend of Alden Leeds. Ned Barkler is a friend and fellow Klondike prospector. Phyllis Leeds thinks Uncle Alden wrote out a big check, and this could be used to have Alden declared incompetent by the other relatives who want to get their hands on his fortune. They want Perry Mason to investigate this financial transaction. Paul Drake found the name of the girl who cashed that check, but she left town in a hurry. Drake traced Maria Whittaker to L. C. Conway, who also moved away. But Phyllis Leeds calls with a crisis: one relative has taken Uncle Alden for a ride and put him in a sanitarium! Perry will serve a writ of habeas corpus on Jason Carrel, the nephew. Perry and Drake talk to Marcia Whittaker, who was used to cash that big check.

Chapter 4 has the habeas corpus hearing. The other side of the family has their lawyer. Alden Leeds was hospitalized against his will. Judge Treadwell goes to make a personal examination, but they find Alden Leeds has fled! When Perry is stopped for speeding, he tells the cops he's going to a fire - in his office! It's true (Chapter 5). They learn that Emily Milicant had been a Klondike dance hall girl 30 years earlier. Alden Leeds isn't at home, but knows how to take care of himself. In Chapter 7 Drake's operatives are watching L. C. Conway's apartment, and they note who showed up, and the time they left. Perry gets a call from Marcia Whittaker, and the identity of L. C. Conway is revealed. Her boyfriend, John Milicant, will never be angry again.

Chapter 8 presents the facts and clues behind the murder. [I noticed the innocuous statement that seemed to point to the guilty person here.] Other facts are given about the backgrounds of the people involved. A handwriting expert gives his opinion about two samples. Perry's conversation with Guy T. Serle brings out facts about L. C. Conway and the events of that night (Chapter 9). Chapter 10 has the Klondike history of Alden Leeds, and Bill Hogarty. Perry moves fast to guard his client and obtain more information.

Chapter 11 has the preliminary hearing, where all the witnesses testify and are examined. This is where Perry Mason demonstrates his knowledge, and where his client is usually freed after the testimony and evidence point to the guilty person. There is a recess, and Perry Mason gathers more information about the murder, and the events that occurred decades earlier in the Klondike. But the police quickly find the missing witnesses, as they are wire-tapping Paul Drake's telephone as well as Perry Mason's!

When court resumes the next morning, Perry cross-examines a prosecution witness to reveal the truth. Perry says any iron-clad alibi in a murder case should be inspected closely since they should never be taken at their face value (Chapter 14). The loose ends of this story are connected in Chapter 15. Some of the things mentioned in this story stick out because of changes in style and culture from over seventy years ago. [Does the existence of great fortunes point to great crimes?]

You may be able to guess the truth (what really happened and who the real murderer is) without much difficulty. However, guessing is one thing, proving it is another,especially when the one-track-minded authorities (police and prosecution) firmly believe that they are absolutely right. Mason uses a risky, but very splendid court tactics to prove the truth. It is one of THE MOST SPLENDID tactics in all Mason stories. Highly recommended.

Written by a Jesuit priest and teacher of moral theology in Rinteln, Germany, the year 1631. Witch trials had reached almost epidemic proportions; madness and burnings were going on everywhere. Friedrich Spee dared to speak out against the injustice he had personally witnessed as a confessor ministering to accused witches in prison. He used the ruse of having the publisher take his manuscript and publish it "without the author's knowledge" to get it past the review of his superiors in the Jesuit order. A second edition was published the following year by a printer thought by historians to be fictitious. It was met with disapproval by the authorities and was recommended to be put on the Papal list of banned books, but it never was. All of this is from the translator's informative introduction.
The book itself is a monument of rational thought in a world seemingly gone mad. It is addressed to "the princes of Germany" though Spee pessimistically states that he doubts those who should read it, ever will. His plea for justice, mercy, and basic human rights is nothing short of brilliant and has much to offer to us today. Many of the principles and ideals which are the Constitutional foundation of the American judicial system are expressed here. Hellyer's English translation sparkles, bringing Spee's relentless logic, passion, and occasional biting sarcasm into an immensely readable form for modern audiences.
Spee makes no attempt to refute the existence of witchcraft. He admits that it is a horrible crime which should be punished severely. However, he must bring to the princes' attention that trials are being conducted in such a way that innocent people are being burned. "Out of fifty" he says, "I doubt that five, or even TWO are guilty." Point by point, question by question, he demolishes every argument used to justify the arbitrary and brutal practices of judges and Inquisitors. He demonstrates clearly from a Biblical standpoint, from the authority of learned doctors of theology and law, and from the perspective of natural law and simple common sense, that trials conducted in this manner CANNOT continue, since putting innocents to death is a great sin and places the princes themselves in moral danger.
I can't adequately express how enjoyable, uplifting, and inspiring this book is. Definitely a must-have for anybody interested in history, witchcraft / witch trials, law, religion, and human rights.

The Cautio Criminalis is a classic in the literature on witchcraft. It is both intensely logical and passionately involved with correcting the injustices of the witch trials. Marcus Hellyer has produced a highly readable translation which transmits both the clarity and the passion of the original. He has also included an introduction on the work which reflects the current state of historical knowledge. This book belongs to the classics of the struggle for human rights; it ranks with Johann Weyer and Beccaria. Hellyer also indicates, at the end of the introduction, that this is not only a historical question; where crimes that we consider heinous are concerned, we are only too ready to abridge the rights of the accused. The appearance of this book is more than welcome.

He has done it again. Another great installment of the Kit Shannon trials. Like previous books, I just could not put this book down. I grew up reading Agatha Christie and thought I could never be as entertained when it came to "whodunits". Mr. Bell weaves a great tale and you almost feel like your back in Los Angeles at the turn of the century. Only one thing in my mind could top this. A T.V. series based on Kit Shannon. In this day of ridiculous reality series, I feel this would make a great series. I sincerely hope this will not be the last I read of Kit Shannon.

A Certain Truth
James Scott Bell
Bethany House, June 2004, $12.99, 300 pp.
ISBN: 0764226479

They met in 1903 and now almost four years later they are married. However, Los Angeles based attorney Kit Shannon Fox delayed their honeymoon with her husband Ted while she worked a court case. Ted seems accepting that Kit is in demand as a lawyer and that she puts in lots of time and passion in defense of her clients.

On the cruise ship heading back to California, Captain Raleigh detains passenger Wanda Boswell for murdering her spouse Chilton whose body was found in their cabin. Wanda retains Kit as her attorney, but on the high sea there is no judge to rule on objections so the captain makes all "legal" decisions; Raleigh bides time until they dock where the police can take over. Though she has doubts about her client's innocence as Wanda had the motive (public fighting), means and opportunity, Kit disagrees with the Captain as she believes that if her client is innocent, the real killer would be free by then. Kit makes inquiries as a frustrated Ted concludes that her practice is more important than he will ever be.

A CERTAIN TRUTH is a superb historical thriller tale starring a wonderful protagonist who defies the role of women in the first decade of the twentieth century. Through powerful characterizations, especially the newlyweds, fans obtain a terrific panoramic look at the era that emphasizes "we've come along way, baby". James Scott Bell provides a winner that will send readers like this reviewer scrambling for Kit's previous appearances (see A GREATER GLORY and A HIGHER JUSTICE) as well as his other works.

Harriet Klausner

This is a great tool for health care professionals conducing clinical trials. It provides useful information, is practical and the resource information is great!

Being a small research site in a locality without many clinical trials we often have to train RNs or other allied health professionals to be research coordinators. I have used each version of this book. New coordinators are given a copy of this book to use as a resource. Potential coordinators are shown a copy to look at to find out if coordinating is actually something they would be interested in doing. It is great to use with investigators too. I find it invaluable.