Religion Books

a marvelous book of blessings - a gift from John O'Donohue - who has recently died much too soon...his written legacies will continue to inform, and nurture his readers

O'Donohue has blessed us with this profound treasure. It is replete with soul - a companion for all the seasons and incidents of life.

I can't begin to say enough about this book. It is a collection of "blessings" for all occasions, moods and daily events. Buy it. If you own a copy of Anam Cara then you'll be lown away bu this one.

John O'Donahue's last book is a blessing indeed with inspirational blessings for all occasions.In the last week, I've read his blessings at birthdays,friendship gatherings and a memorial service. Deeply appreciated by all.

Irish author & poet, John O'Donohue was a GIFT to the world. This book was his last before his unexpected death in January. I had the opportunity to hear him speak at a Retreat Center last year.... and he mentioned at that time that he was working on completing "To Bless the Space Between Us" - the book is beautifully written.... and I highly encourage people to "listen" to any of his audio tapes. Anam Cara... an earlier book is my favorite.

F. J. Sheed was a brilliant writer. His To Know Christ Jesus, like Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ, is a great help to reading all four Gospels at the same time coherently, for as the author states, they were not written with chronology in mind, therefore the sequence of Gospel events could be confusing at times. Sheed not only guides the reader step by step through Christ's life, but as a friend of Christ (clearly the author was a man of deep prayer) he also makes the reader stop at certain places along the way to help him meditate and bring depth to the reality of Christ and the significance of His actions on Earth. This is truly a masterful spiritual work. I recommend reading it with the Bible open. It will deepen anyone's understanding and knowledge of Christ and give one a keener sense for detail, and one cannot love what one does not know well, hence the importance of this book.

This book provides the best gospel commentary/reflection known to man.

For every gospel story, this book has a thorough look at the passage along with comments on related passages. This book is well-written and easy to read. You can skip from chapter to chapter, or just read from start to finish.

Though it is easy to read, the material is dense. I've re-read this book 3 times and I'm still getting new stuff from it.

There are few books that I will *specifically* require my children to read. This is one of them. (Though I guess I'll have to wait 'til the kids are about 15-16.)

I checked the web site at www.ignatius.com for this item using the ISBN 13: 9780898704198, and the description there is of a paperback book.

The description below is from the Ignatius site
[ ISBN: 9780898704198
Author: Frank Sheed

Length: 399 pages
Edition: Paperback
]

I think that back in 1992 the book was published in hardcover under ISBN 10: 0898704197, but that edition appears not to be available any more.

I am providing this review solely about the edition that is available here rather than about the content of the book. I haven't read the copy I received yet, it was a paperback even though i was expecting a hardcover.

PS: after writing this review I requested that amazon.come make a change to the description of the books binding from "hard cover" to "paperback" and amazon.come agreed to the change. Now any purchaser will know exactly what they are getting when they order the book. I am impressed with amazon.come's willingness to make the change suggested.

Frank Sheed takes the four Gospels and brings them together masterfully into one volume. Great explanations of the times and customs surrounding the events also. A must read along with Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ.

You should think you know everything about the life of Christ. try to read this book, and you'll see you have lots to learn. I think it is a really interesting book.

I bought Transfigurations and Grey's earlier book Sacred Mirrors at the same time. Both are visually amazing and the print quality is excellent. I especially liked reading about Alex Grey's journey as an artist that is part of Transfigurations. It's not a path I would want to tread, but knowing about his life gives good insight and empathy into the aesthetics of his work. I'm very glad he met with Tibetan culture, which obviously has influenced him greatly, and helped him escape the dark trap of Euro-American nihilist existentialism

Transfigurations is a beautiful book that does an excellent job presenting the work of Alex Grey, one of the most important artists of our times. There is no artist quite like Alex Grey. For many years, I have used this book and an earlier Grey book, Sacred Mirrors, as a transformative tool both in my own life and helping others.

I bought this book for my son who'd asked for a coffee table art book
by Alex Grey, and he was happy to have received it. When it was under the tree unwrapped after Christmas, I took a look, and it's an interesting work. I'm not sure if it's in his room or if he took it to college; I'll have to look. If it's home, I can read more of it.

It arrived in beautiful condition.

Truly edifying, powerfully enlightening art of the nervous system (peeled open) and all its glory.

The universe is marvelous, indeed. Grey is a shining star.

Although my other books reviews are totally sarcastic this one is sincere. Giving TRANSFIGURATIONS five stars tells you nothing, it is my most cherished possession purchased from Amazon. Alex Grey is the most beautiful inspiring artist I know of, disturbing as well. For both reasons I get goosebumps each time I hear his weird kind of slimy sounding voice on the DVD and audio tapes that I also purchased. I find his whole dark side very intimidating and there are a couple of spots where the blur between holy and immoral is way to ominous for my churchy little, reactionary mind to consider but I'm sure that in his genius he is expressing things that, like all of his works, are simply way beyond my comprehension.

Even though I really like Grey's self-portraits as a boy, I usually skip past the first thirty-five or so pages to his more inspiring works of colorful anatomy charged with energy and connected to occult and mystical symbols of the spirit. I've always thought of these symbols as pertaining to aesthetics who live an isolated existence, however, for Grey's works they seem to be intimately associated with love, family, personal growth, and the journey through life.

I find his most beautiful works to be his oil on linen anatomical scenes of his family which include one of him and his wife embracing and another with both of them, eyes shut, in a moment of reverence with their daughter in which all three pineal glands are actively sharing an interwoven and upward spiraling rainbow of purely intelligent energies. Another is of his young daughter, as a toddler, who draws out a sphere from her heart encircled by a rainbow of noble and vital energy containing within it a Tibetan symbol of primal purity.

Alex Grey expresses better than anyone I've found how religious symbols from around the world are spun from the same spiritual desires and aspirations of people everywhere and are all equally divine.

Transfigurations shows Alex Grey's development through his life cycle from the dark cocoon of young manhood through his emergence as a man of tremendous knowledge and beauty expressed in fantastic colors and intricate and intriguing layers and details. He is clearly one who has made an incredible journey in life and easily ranks with all of the most famous and greatest artists in art history.

besides the Bible. Page by Page, Young Cajun Priest Fr Romaro has Answered All Key attacks/questions about the Catholic Church. He Cites Early Church Fathers, after Citing each Question/Attack. Cites Definitive Bible Verses, And Reasoning, And Sometimes Recent Church Leaders. An Ideal Methodology. Fr Romero Adds a Basic Chart of the Many Different Protestant Denominations That Began 1500 Years after Jesus. Major Surprises Page by Page. Cannot put down. And This Book by Fr Romero is the First Such Book. Other Authors are Following. Very Highest Recommendation.

Fr. Romero has written an excellent resource that should be on every apologist's bookshelf. Each topic begins with a statement of Catholic teaching, then each major objection is handled individually, and finally the writings of the early Fathers of the Church end the chapter. The footnotes alone are worth the price of the book!

Using the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, writings of the early Church Fathers, and a number of other references, new and old, Father Mario Romero has compiled a wonderful defense of the Catholic faith in "Unabridged Christianity." Having read a number of apologetics (including many of the newer references used in this book), I've found that Protestants will accept few sources outside of the Bible. It appears that Father Romero had this idea in mind when writing his book. He takes a number of the primary complaints, disagreements, or falsifications of the faith from Protestants, divides them into chapters, and then answers each one with solid Biblical references. He also educates the reader on the proper translation of certain words that seem to be problematic for those outside of the Catholic faith. At the end of each chapter, he lists writings of the early Church fathers to show how the Catholic Church has been doing things the same way for two thousand years. Also at the end of each chapter are endnotes (some of which take up almost as much space as their respective chapters).

The topics covered range from Mary to Purgatory to "statue worship." He also defends transubstantiation, which always gets my friends of other faiths riled up. He covers marriage annulments, which do not always get a lot of attention from apologists.

All of this is done in a very straight-forward, plain talking manner that is neither offensive to Protestants nor is it egotistical sounding. I've come across a few apologists who are very headstrong with their defense of the faith which, while not necessarily wrong, might turn off Protestants from studying further. Father Romero's writing style is more like a "sit down over a cup of coffee" than an out-and-out religious debate.

I highly recommend this book. It's an enjoyable read that won't weigh you down with a lot of philosophical jargon or lose you with lots of "big words." I also recommend a number of the books that Father Romero uses as references, particularly the Karl Keating and Scott Hahn books. Another excellent apologetic is "Why Do Catholics Do That?" by Kevin Orlin Johnson. His writing style is very much like Father Romero's, with a little more humor spread throughout his book. Check these titles out if you are a budding apologist like myself.

If you're a Catholic you MUST own this book and read it so that you can defend your faith. If you're a non-Catholic Christian, you must read it to learn about your heritage. When I was a protestant, I one day wondered, "Just what am I protesting against? Why should I assume that the Catholic Church is wrong without looking into the matter myself?" It's been my experience that most people don't really know what they believe or why they believe it, much less what or why anyone else believes. If you are an "Anti-Catholic" protestant who thinks that the Roman Catholic Church is the [..] of Babylon' then, with all due respect, PARK YOUR PRIDE, remove the chip from your shoulder, get comfy and open your mind and heart and read this book. Of course, before you do, offer a prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance. God Bless all of you on your journey.

This book is a very practical guide to what Catholics believe. It is written is practical style, setting forth in each chapter a basic tenant of Catholic faith, followed by a series of Protestant objections and Catholic Responses to each objection. This format makes the book easy to follow and a great source for quick research or for group study discussions. As a protestant, I am trying to educate myself on what Catholics genuinely believe, and I've concluded that the best source for that information is not from Protestant critics but from those who are themselves Catholic. The author, a Catholic priest whose ministry emphasizes teaching about what it means to be Catholic, quotes from much Scripture in this book and provides citations and footnotes to numerous Church documents to support the points made.

For purposes of gaining a better understanding of what the Catholic Church teaches, I highly recommend this book. It is also beneficial for developing a mutual sharing of faith between Protestants and Catholics so that each can better understand what they have in common as well as their actual differences. From that point, a more meaningful, productive and spiritual conversation may follow.

I'm going to make this review simple. If you enjoy action packed movies, you'll enjoy Virtually Eliminated, Terminal Logic, and Fatal Defect by Jefferson Scott. Reading his books is like seeing a movie in your mind, it's wonderful. No joke, these books are great. If you want to encourage a young person or an adult to read more, give them Jefferson Scott's books. Once I read these 3 books, 3 of my friends read them and they all ENJOYED the books. For one of my friends, Jefferson Scott's book was his introduction to Christian Fiction. I love it!

Jefferson Scott's techno-thriller trilogy is a great series, one which I would recommend to anyone. It is set in the near future, and is very inventive. The books are Christian in nature, but are not overly "preachy." An interesting aspect brought out in all three is the balance which can be found between faith with science. Most Christian books I have read are seriously lacking in depth. In some cases, they're downright "hokey." Not these books, though. They are well-written, they have good story lines, and they'll keep you turning pages until the end. And once you've read the last page, you'll be eager to get the next book in the series

Loved this book! Couldn't put it down. Almost made me late to school one day because I couldn't stop reading... Highly recommended!

Jefferson Scott sends techno-thrills that make you think and read faster all at the same
time.

I was very impressed with Mr. Scott's Firebrand novels. They depicted the military and civilian world
together for a believer coming from one to another. In this novel, the author takes us shortly into the future -- into 2005!
It is enjoyable to see what the future holds for 2005, as depicted in 1996. Not too far off, really, but some minor
descrepencies are notable. This doesn't remove interest from the story, however.

I liked this book for many reasons, the least of which was not the fact that it takes place in my home metroplex.
The main character, Ethan Hamilton, works in Irving, TX and lives in the Mid Cities Area, as do I.
The author constantly references highways and landmarks in the Ft Worth area that I recognize and see on a weekly basis.
This brought the story to a closer reality for me, causing me to visualize it right down the road.

Jefferson Scott easily turns this cyber-thriller into a family story good for everyone read, one that will
hold the interest of everyone in your clan. I recommend this book to any and all readers of any age. Jefferson Scott is climbing to the
top of the list for Author's that I constantly watch for!

The first time I saw this book, I thought, yeah another book about computers, it's all good.

The minute though that I read the first page I was hooked. Jefferson Scott has done a great job of balancing Sci-Fi with a great Christian Theme. As a christian, I found this book really uplifitng and an insight into just how we are called to treat others.

This book is just totally "there" and it just hooks you in from the start. Every page, every twist, every plot turn has you in suspense. This book is just one of the excellent novels that Jefferson Scott has produced and you must get it!

I also highly recommend the sequels, Terminal Logic and Fatal Defect as well as the Operation Firebrand Series

This book gives a dipicton of WWII that you do not get in most books. I have meet this man and heard him give many presentations on his book and experiance. I would recomend this book to anyone that is interest in WWII and what happend over there from someone that experianced it.

I too was fascinated with Mr. Van der Geest's book even though it sounded too good to be true. I am a student of WWII and of the Battle of the Bulge in particular as I had an uncle who was killed outside of Champs on Christmas morning. I question Mr. Van der Geest being there as he said he was. I have researched the events of December 22nd, 1944 in great detail and in no account (A Time for Tumpets; The Battered Bastards of Bastogne, The Bitter Woods, etc.)can I find any mention of Mr. Van der Geest being there and interpreting anything and these books go into great detail in naming names of those who were involved with the surrender proposal. I wonder if he was even attached to the 101st airborne as he talks about them fighting their way out of Holland on the way to Bastogne where they were going to meet up with Patton. The battle hadn't even started yet; Patton hadn't made his proposal to relieve the 101st and besides the 101st was going to Mourmelon to rest and refit. He writes about going to Bastogne the first week in December, but the 101st didn't leave Mourmelon until Dec. 18th.
I have found other errors in the book as well and it makes me wonder if perhaps Mr. Van der Geest took accounts of the war and made them his own.

I just finished this book. It is an amazing story that proves fact is better than fiction. What an amazing life this man lead. His courage and fierce determination to survive brought him through the key places and major events of WWII. Buy this book and pass it around. I was fortunate enough to have this book passed to me.

Mr. Van Der Geest spoke at my school and I have never heard a more amazing story of courage and faith. This book captures his story of his survival during WW2 and all he accomplished after he escaped the death camp. I would recommend this book to any person young or old because we cannot forget what happened to this man and the thousands of others like him - especially those who were not so blessed as to survive. We cannot forget our history and we must learn from it. This should be a mandatory book to read in highschools everywhere, because it carries a far more important, interesting, heartbreaking, and yet hopegiving story than any other book I certainly ever read. I'm so glad this man had the courage to tell his story.

My father recently sent me this book as a present. It was probably the best book that I have read this past year. This story, of Jack Van Der Geest, life...really hit home for me. Recently, I became very sensitive to racism. Specifically, my fiances son was beaten by a group who believed him to be a white supremist.

I plan to buy this book on a regular basis and give it as a gift to those other parents that need it...to educate our youth on the tragic events of World War II.

Jack Van Der Geest...is an inspiration...

Rob Johnson

There are a plethora of translations of Chinese classics out there, but please know that many of these "translations" are just "re-imaginings" of the original, i.e. the authors usually do not know Classical Chinese (let alone modern Chinese!).

Merton is one such "translater". This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as one is aware that this does not strictly reflect the original text (although it may resemble it). What we have here is a picking over of existing translations of the Chuang-tzu and a recombination of them. This is often done with some artistic licence.

Merton is better than most in that he is somewhat sensitive to the original material. Things get vastly worse with translations of the Daodejing (for example, Ursula le Guins monstrous butchering). If you want a more accurate account of the Chuang-tzu then I recommend A.C. Grahams' expert translation which is a relatively successful facsimile of the Chinese original (given the difficulty of rendering Chinese into English anyway).

I am a recently retired teacher who for thirty-five years have begun every class (Theology, Sexuality, Physics, Chemistry, Math and in summers Arts and Crafts to kids 4-12 years old) with a sounding of small brass cymbals (Tibetan), a minute of silent breathing followed by a short reading from the Tao Te Ching, Emily Dickinson, a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, or the Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton.
I meet former students now pushing into their fifties who baldly admit that those moments have stayed with them all these years and they have included meditation as one of the most important activities in their lives.
Thomas Merton's Introductory Notes say it far better than I ever could and should be read .
I can only wholeheartedly recommend that you buy this book and keep it at your desk or bedside for a quick straightening out of your mind concerning what is really important in life.

If you have an interest in learning the deeper meanings of Tao then this is a book you must add to your collection. A seldom translated philosophy of poetic renderings are clearly detailed in the transliterations of Thomas Merton...the spirit of Tao is clearly revealed.

This is a very good translation made by Tomas Merton of Chuang Tzu's works. This also gives a little bit of the view of Tomas Merton due to his Note to the Reader section and his specific selection of some of Chuang Tzu's writings to put in this book. This book has many good proverbs and stories written by Chuang Tzu which can be very enlightening and sometimes humorous. Chuang Tzu is one of the greats of Taoism but of course Lao Tzu takes the top position. If you are interested in the learning about the roots of Taoism you should check out this book and some about Lao Tzu also.

Like a fine wine, this collection is best consumed slowly. As it is clearly stated in the foreward, this is not a faithful reproduction of Chuang Tzu but a collection of personal and spiritual interpretations of his work. Readers that expected otherwise might consider reading the description of the book before purchasing it. It would seem embarassing to write a negative review of a product that goes in complete contradiction of the product's clear description and intentions.

Thomas Merton was a Trappist Monk who took a particular interest in Buddhism and Asian spirituality. Because Merton tragically died at a young age, we will never see a final product of this work. In "The Way of Chuang Tzu", Merton selects writings of Chuang Tzu which reflect a Christian mentality. Obviously, Chuang Tzu was not a Christian. However, this does not disqualify his writings to a Christian audience in any way. If the reader can go into this book with an open mind, he/she is likely to enjoy it. Those who are closed minded to this type of work which may seemingly blur the line between faiths according to their view may be outraged. I would strongly encourage open-mindedness.

Theologian David Bosch stated that, "The mission of the church needs constantly to be renewed and reconceived." And so Christianity and its myriad churches have adapted to the changing climate of secular cultural beliefs and methods which gain wide popular acclamation. By the time Voltaire wrote in "Candide" of his devoted disciple to ultra-rationalist Alfred Leibnitz, Prof. Pangloss, the "take it on faith" appeal of the churches toward less acculturated masses seemed glumly passe in the craze of the western cogniscenti toward the new rationalism that stressed study of evidence in rigorous empiricism and epistemology. By the 19th century, the gospels, scriptures, older apologies and other early Christian texts were beginning to be scrutinized by the criteria of rational method formulated in the immediate prior decades. Dissatisfied with the veneer of vague metaphysics in the literal content, the early Christian rationalists employed methods of literary criticism and developed "higher criticism" as a means of analogous and metaphorical interpretation.

Especially in the U.S., starting in the mid-20th century a reactive more fundamental and evangelical school of clerical scholarship is determined to take their "new" rationalism public. In the day and age of rocket science and electronic engineering, both in sermon and classroom, the scholars would spread the word that faith alone is no longer required to embrace Christ's one "true" revelation -- hence, books written for popular appeal such as "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell. (Apparently that was not enough : "The New Evidence that Demands A Verdict".) Alleged ex-Atheist journalists like Lee Strobel become super-stars on Christian television with books like "The Case for Christ", ad nauseum.

D.M. Murdock is not the first detective among skeptics to casually but surgically burst the bubble and pollute the punch of modern Christian claims of evidence. But in less than 200 pages she does so with an alacrity and thoroughness that is nothing less than stunning for the quantity of information imparted but brevity in outlining a counter-case. I am reminded of an especially skilled courtroom attorney orating a final summary of arguments to a jury.

She has the ability to make her case quite ably from a minimally clinical perspective, to be sure. But the reader is treated to so much more. We recognize in the writing style here, the sumptuous ability to engage her reader and immerse one in the vagaries of comparative mythology and religion that is the trademark of Acharya S. A passionate archeologist, classicist, and historian, she has that knack of being able to guide the reader into sharing with her the adventure of exploring intellectual realms not commonly known or appreciated. She uses such talent here in spades. From a respectful summarizing of Gospel Matthew, we are alerted to the problem of harmonizing the gospels, the problems of evidences outside the Christian paradigm, the problem of dating the gospels and other Christian documents by standards of best tangible evidence, the earlier Jewish scriptural and pagan influences on the NT, other issues aside, each more enthralling than the preceding, until finally debunking the weak claims of evidence, some clothed no better than the proverbial emperor, insisted upon by the growing range of evangelical Christian scholarship. The pages turn, the momentum builds, and even the most disinterested reader is introduced to fascinating aspects of literary development and mythologizing in the earlier ancient realm of our western tradition.

Who was Jesus? is an exceptionally well written and researched investigation into the Jesus story and the New Testament. The author, D.M. Murdock, brings logic, reason, and intelligence to a subject that has held human kind captive for centuries and dares to go where so very few ever dare go. This book rates among the top of a very small group of other equally as compelling books such as "The Age of Reason" written by Thomas Paine in 1794, "The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors" written by Kersey Graves in 1824, and more recent publications "Caesar's Messiah" by Joseph Atwill and "An Infidel Manifesto" by Gary Lenaire.

Over the more than three decades that I've been researching/studying Christianity as a determined "Anti-Theist" {a term author Christopher Higgins chooses to use when referring to one who denies [any] belief in supernaturalism) there is one aspect of this "Universalized" belief system that [cannot] be ignored; "Christianity is a "Big-Business Machine"; and, no matter what may be the denomination, its basic premise is "making money" and exerting control upon the [gullibility] of those indoctrinated into what can best be defined a "Cause Célèbre" (or rather, a case in point that despite some in-general educated public controversy and/or [appears] to bend-over backwards to arouse great interest and, thusly, becomes famous because of the issues or the people involved, today such promoters are the mostly degree-holding skilled professionals whose [job] it is to "... keep listeners interested and believing..." and, thereby, carry-on a generational fantasy in which the "Goodly" {the believers} will be redeemed and live eternally servicing the needs of the Deity, while the "Evil" (those who defy the cause) will be eternally punished!
Has anyone ever stopped to wonder how long "Heaven Can Wait"? Surely by now, after many, many, many centuries beyond the initial "Institutionalization" of a Jewish Jesus as a Grecian Christ back in the 4th century of the Common Era, the "Waiting List" to enter the "Kingdom" must be as long as would be the distance from the earth to the moon and back again--several times over!
While much has been said/noted much can be seen to depict the sorry "State of Affairs" into which for all-too-long the entire world has been subjected under the guise of Christianity! Thus, since I cannot state the matter in better terms, I can only repeat [copy] that which was written by D.M. Murdock on page 262 of her book: "Who Was Jesus?" The Fingerprints of The Christ" -- an assertion with which we [fully-concur] and which we now quote:
"... this issue is not to be taken lightly as the threat of the global destruction of civilization by religious fanatics looms larger by the day. The devisers of clever fables have, in fact, established a bizarre and dangerous fairytale that is setting up the entire world for a decimating holocaust, apocalypse and Armageddon the likes of which we have never seen before. With its constant portrayal of "End Times" scenes of death and destruction, the fundamentalist Christian perception of reality, which incorporates the Muslim and Jewish paradigms as well, constitutes a deleterious delusion that teaches a variety of doctrines incompatible with the love for life but repeatedly calling for a cosmic battle that ends all life. With its eschatological doctrines of the Second Coming, Rapture and End Times, the Christian myth is, in the final analysis, unsustainable (emphasis added).
Be sure to read her other books "The Christ Conspiracy! The Greatest Story Ever Sold" & "Suns of God"!
***
Sincerely,
Ronald A. Malloy

I read once that `History and Education is religion's biggest enemy'. This book, `Who was Jesus? Fingerprints of the Christ' is both historical and educational and a treasure for the inquisitive. If you do not subscribe to blind faith then I would recommend this book. Actually, if you have a parochial education you should read this book! A prominent atheist stated that adherence to a Holy Book only curtails ones sense of wonder and `Who was Jesus?' makes you wonder.

I was once a Christian, but I ate the fruit from the tree and found it delightful and D.M. Murdock's work is a delight.

As a Religious Studies student at Indiana University I am extremely fascinated by the historical origins of Christianity. Ms. Murdock has provided a much needed objective evaluation of the supposed "evidence" which is usually marshalled in defense of traditional and conservative approaches to the topic. With an even handed use of logic, she forensically examines primary sources. While often citing mainstream and conservative scholars, she doesn't limit herself to their timid conclusions. In fact, her analysis leads to conclusions that are as reasonable as they are shocking. This work is both consice and thorough. It deserves strong attention from aspiring academics as well as those of the conservative literalist fold. Rather than dogmatize out of some hidden agenda, she, more rationally, lets the evidence speak for itself. I highly recommend this eloquent and persuasive volume!

I have dealt with depression and lack of motivation for many years. Whenever I feel like I need a pick-me-up, I whip out this book and start thumbing through it. It has loads of ideas on things to do in your life. I recommend it to anyone and everyone who feels a little hopeless or bored sometimes. GREAT book!

I wish I had bought two...my husband got his for Christmas from me and he hasn't even looked at it yet. I have looked at it and love it. I may snatch it from him...

I bought this book about 5 years ago and have had so much fun reading it. I know I'll never get to do all of the "wishes" but I do check them off as I complete them. I would love to see how many I can achieve in the next 40+ years. It's a great book when you're bored to just pick up and open to any page. My kids have fun looking at it with me too. This is one of the greatest books I've ever opened!

This book made me realize two things when I received it in 1997. First, I need to remember how many things I have accomplished in my life. Second, what an accomplishment or "wish" is to one person is not to me. I define my own success.

I have been keeping for sometime a notebook in which I write things that I want to do in my life from sailing, visiting Italy, and writing a magazine article to eating less fried foods, and stop worrying for once. I have about 500 entries and its a great feeling when I can slash them off after they are completed. I bought Kipfer's 14,000 Things to be Happy About and I liked the lists of things she mentions that make you happy since it was so diverse and amusing. When I saw The Wish list, I thought perfect for me because it was just lists of wishes like that of my notebook. I like this book a lot because its simply ideas and wishes that I would never have thought about. From simple wishes such as join a health food co-op, learn to play the piano, stand up for a friend to the challenging, have dinner with former governers, hike the Appalachian, sit next to Jack Nicholsen at a Lakers game, this book has tons of ideas. I have added many entries from it and have never failed to be entertained by Kipfer's ideas. This is a small thick book that would fit well in a stocking, on your desk, and in good reading spots such as an office or even a bathroom. I love to pull it out and pencil off or circle entries that I have done or wish to do.

This is one of the best books we have read. It certainly opens your eyes to things you dont realize blocking blessings. I would recommend this to anyone wishing to get their lives in order. This is a re-read book.
Thank you

A must read! Find out what you're missing out on and what you can do to get it back!

This books overall theme is that anytime we open our eyes and become aware of our surroundings blessings follow. We can't change that which we do not first recognize. There are a lot of people who probably do not believe that the words you speak will come back to you, and that's okay. This book is just for those who believe and want to better themselves and their families. The book suggests that what you speak will come into existence. If your negative and speak bad things then your life will mostly exist with misery. If your positive and speak blessings, blessings are to follow. The book also suggests that people can speak evil things against us and they can manifest into curses, so we should not associate with people who curse us and when someone does, we should turn it into something positive and pray against that curse. Over all the book is very well written. There is not a moment you want to put the book down, it is a very easy read.

"10 Curses that Block the Blessings" is an awesome book inspired by God. A must read. You will be blessed to know that the curse can be reversed!

Larry Huch must have been led by divine inspiration when he penned these 10 Curses...they are right on and his writing style makes the information easy to read, easy to understand, and motivating to change. I read the entire book within two days - couldn't put it down.