Education Books

Great tool too have, especially if you haven't had Algebra in over 16 years!

I purchased this book to make a quick review of Math and help my son. I am so happy that I will buy the entire collection from elementary Algebra to Calculus including Differencial equations, Geometry and Trigonometry. Great help for those who need a solid foundation in Math. You can't go wrong with Schaum's Outline.

As a student returning to calculus, after many years without touching the subject, I found that the hardest part for me was just going through the simple mechanics of algebra. Conceptually early calculus is not that difficult, but often to get the right answer it requires a lot of intricate algebraic manipulations. I found myself making easy mistakes and my calculus book less than helpful at refreshing the algebra I needed to know (and had forgotten). I ended up getting this book as well as the precalculus and calculus books by schaums, but have found the Intermediate Algebra book to be by far the most helpful. The pre-calculus and calculus books glossed over areas where I really needed more examples. The practice problems helped me to eliminate simple mistakes in my work and gave me more confidence going into complex problems. I noticed that classmates of mine who were struggling got caught up on concepts because they didn't have a rock solid understanding of the algebra. Transformations that the instructor took for granted eluded them because they were still trying to figure out where the negative sign went. While there are some errors, for the cost I really couldn't recommend this book enough - especially when compared to my $175 Calculus book. It helped me get an A in second semester calculus.

People learn in many different ways and my way is to know exactly what is going on in the problem and why the equation took that next step. Many of the problems in the book do this but there are a nagging few that do not show what formula they used. Of course the skills are built upon each other and it assumed that you remember the past formulas. For me though this doesn't always work out.

It is a great outline for those who need to brush up on their skills and it also helps out the beginners. Take lots of notes and remember the formulas to help out in later chapters. For the price it is a great help and I am happy to have made this purchase.

This book, I must say, is very good companion for any high school or middle school students who want to master the subject. I like this intermediate algebra better than the elementary one--simply more interesting. But to well prepare yourself for college math/algebra, you only need this book: the most useful problem or resource book that I have ever read in English :
Algebra: A study aid for self-education
ASIN: B0007C0IUS
in my school library. This book is just so useful that every problem is provided with sufficient background information. You can ACTUALLY MASTER the subject by working out the problems ON YOUR OWN--solutions are provided to every problem as well. Moreover, every pair of problems is typical, help you sharpen your skills while teaching you much about it. If you are ambitious and want to get even better in the subject, check it out. It's very user-friendly but very informative and interesting!

Excellent resource for educators and people who want to be involved with changing the educational system in our society.

If you are an educator, parent or administrator, this handbook will enable you to obtain the crucial, leading edge knowledge in learning styles, multiple intelligences, personal neuro-physiology that enables one to "know thyself." Self-esteem and self-awareness, cognitive learning, including the necessary skills to make one prepared for "life at 21 years old," are also main considerations when teaching students to capitalize on their individual strenghts and wisdom.

Schools that Learn also emphasizes the importance of mastery, synergizing curricula presented, and authentic assessment vs. basing students knowledge purely on standardized test-taking.

This helpful manual is extremely important for educators, administrators, and parents, to read as it combines the aforementioned information and applies it to "building strengths that will be useful in career decision making."

Finally,Schools that Learn emphasizes the importance of keeping a "spirit-filled" outlook while learning, the extreme helpfulness of a mastermind group, accelerated and lifelong education, and of course giving back what you have learned to the community. This "cause and effect" is often forgotten in busy professtional lives, but truly ensures success for those who "get it."

This is an essential book for anyone interested in education. Its comprehensive coverage gives much background, even at the risk of being distracting when you want to follow-up on the leads to so many interesting source-books and links. Though you are told to dip in anywhere, you must read the first section, esp. "The Industrial Age System of Education" by Senge and "A Primer to the Five Disciplines" (Personal Mastery, Mental Models, Shared Vision, Team Learning and Systems Thinking) (pp. 27-93).

The authors consider this book a "prequel" to their other books about learning organizations (p.7). That's true. Though this is the most recent book, you can start with this one and go on to the others for further depth. Some repetitions may only serve well for mastery.

The whole book is very readable and informative. Concepts are clearly explained. It follows the same excellent editing format as The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook and The Dance of Change.

When you get too enthused by so many ideas and success stories of innovations, heed the advice for "The Strategy of Organizational Change". "Focus on one or two new priorities for change, not twelve. Most school systems are already overwhelmed with change. They don't need a new initiative; they need an approach that consolidates existing initiatives, eliminates "turf battles," and makes it easier for people to work together toward common ends." (p.25)

There are just too many passages that you wish to quote. The book is a treasure mine. However, for those (esp. busy administrators) who find the volume too daunting or verbose (592 pages!) and still want to get a handle on launching into transforming their schools into learning organisations, I would recommend, "Ten Steps to a Learning Organization" and start with the simple questionnaire given there.

Senge became famous for his book on learning organizations. In this book, he and his co-authors apply those concepts and ideas specifically to educational institutions. While much of their focus is on K12, the ideas and process are applicable to higher education as well. So many management books are really fads with superficial value, but Senge's books are very practical and valuable. This book in particular demonstrates a great deal of passion on the part of the author's for their topic.

Having been given the instructions to select a book of vision for a reading group in a graduate class, I didn't expect to choose one of over 500 pages. The length, however, is indicative of the power this book has for changing minds about schools and the way to structure them for learning. I found myself often reading passages aloud to other educators and anyone who would listen. Instead of stifling my curiosity, the book inspired me to dig deeper on the five disciplines. A great book for creating a vision of education that includes schools where students are learning. I may purchase another one to loan out!

Hannah Breece was an amazing woman--strong, independent, and driven by her desire to help the people of Alaska during the early 1900s. This book is well-written, interesting, and informative. If you love reading about early Alaska, you will love this book! You might also check out a new release, When the Water Runs: Growing Up With Alaska.

When the Water Runs: Growing Up with Alaska

This book is a great read. I was swept along by this story of a single woman working in the Alaskan back country. She takes a matter-of-fact approach to all sorts of alarming situations (e.g. being buried in a snowdrift and having a bear and her cub wandering about outside her tent).

A great adventure story. Fascinating snapshots of turn of the century Alaska. Many of the most interesting parts of this book are those which talk about Alaska's relationship with Russia, particularly the power of the Czar and the Russian Orthodox church. Reading about this, Alaska seems more like a colony than a part of Russia. Maybe the Alaska America purchased wasn't Russia's to sell.

The book presents attitudes as they were without varnishing or apology. Some are decidedly racist. Hannah definitely saw her job as 'civilizing' the natives (nobody seems to have asked them if they wanted to be civilized). She talks about communities who lived underground - this was dying out as the US government didn't approve - the story of colonization the world over...

An excellent story with plenty of meat. Hannah Breece is a woman both of her time and ahead of her time. This book, although covering the early 1900's, really tells of a time when the balance and control of Alaska was switching from Russian influenced culture to American influenced culture. It is interesting to see that what was "correct" then is now "incorrect" and reminds the reader that values and judgements are culturally bound.

The action of the book takes place over most of the major regions of the state including the gulf coast, the interior and the southeast.

Jane Jacobs the editor did an excellent job of organizing and illuminating Hannah Breece's story. Without her careful introductions the story would have not had quite the same postive impact.

This book is largely alone in covering the topic of teaching in the early 1900's. For those of you interested in the early history of teaching in English in Alaska then this is your book.

In 1904, Hannah Breece (1859-1940), was recruited by the Department of the Interior to teach in Alaska. Alaska at that time was quite different than today. Preferring to work in poorer, more backward areas, she saw a side of Alaska that does not normally appear in the history books. This is Hannah stories, as told by her, and edited by Jane Jacobs.

This is a really great story. I found its depiction of life in 1904+ Alaska to be quite enthralling; Hannah certainly found her way into many fascinating adventures. The book shows life in 1904+ Alaska, as lived by the common people, including dealing with wild animals, sled dogs, fish famines, earthquakes, racism at many levels, and so much more.

All I can say is that Hannah Breece must have been a formidable woman. I have never said this before of a book, but I actually felt honored to be able to look in at Hannah's life. I highly recommend this book!

I fell in love with Alaska as described by Hannah Breece. She told an amazing story of a time that is long gone. She also showed great restraint in not "telling tales" on those who were her contemporaries. Her niece, Jane Jacobs, who compiled and edited her memoirs, fills in the "gaps," after Miss Breece's personal story is complete. I recommend this book to lovers of history, Alaskan history, early American history, education history and those with a romantic notion of how the "good old days," really were.

This book was the second book I got. I thought it was a very good book. I read in like 3 days. I liked the part when Ruthie was trying to act like a guy by doing those gross guy things!! I read over and over again until I got a new 7th Heaven Book. I love to watch the show. I watch it every night when I can or when I'm not doing anything else..... I really hope that you 7th Heaven fans will read this book if you already didn't. If you do I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!!

i thought this was a good book i mean it was very interesting (for me anyway) this is the only book i will read unless i have to like in school but that is the ONLY book i will read out of school, but i can't read them all as fast as you can make them can you make them. can you make some for the older age levels please because those would probebly be just as good.

I have read alot of 7th Heaven books, and Secrets was my 2ed favorit. I would recomend this book to kids 5-10 no younger because they will start to keep secrets.

Mary and her basketball team get there season cut shore because there grades drop. So Mayr and her team trash the schools gym and the get arressted will the camdens clear her name? read to find out! I would reccomend this book to anybody ages birth to death it has a great moral.

BOOK REVIEW

In this book Lucy one of the sisters. Is on her high school student court team.
Her sister Mary is in her signor year of high school and on the varsity basketball team. The girl's grades dropped so they can't play anymore. So they go out to eat and think about trashing the school gym. Then they sneak in and start to T.P everything and then they graffiti every thing and than they get caught by the police and the school principal and they get in a lot of trouble.

I do recommend this book if they like the T.V show 7th heaven an like to read. I would recommend this book because it is interesting and funny. It was a page turner because at the end of a page it did not tell enough information so it was a cliff hanger . So I kept on reading the book. I did enjoy this genre because I love this T.V show and this was about a show I had never seen. There were surprises in the story like when Mary and her friends got caught and when they decided to trash the school gym and when Simon got suspended for a whole week.

I am finding this book to be inspirational and insighful. I feel called to reach out to seekers and this is giving me confidence that I can do it in a way consistent with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, our mother father God.

This is THE manual for seeker small group leaders, or, potential leaders. It's clearly written by someone that has done it. Alot. Some books are written from a theoretical point of view, and that can be good, but this book is written by someone right off the front lines. It's obvious throughout the book. This should be required reading for anyone, or any church, starting a seeker small group program.

I cannot recommend this book more highly - it is the definitive text on how to run one of the world's most important ministries: seeker small groups. Garry has developed an approach to seeker small groups that is counter-intuitive, insightful, and most importantly, proven effective in his 25+ years of leading groups.

Not only does the book offer well-thought-out concepts for approaching seeker small groups, but it gets painstakingly practical in how to apply them. It even offers step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for and run the first few meetings, questions to ask, and logistical tips. Anyone that reads the book will be prepared and inspired to lead a seeker small group, regardless of his/her level of evangelical "giftedness" or experience.

Finally, the book is an engaging and enjoyable read, peppered with captivating stories of individuals whose lives have been changed by the very groups Garry has led or inspired.

If you are considering starting a seeker small group, this is a must-read before launching. If you are not, you owe it to yourself to read this book to understand the immense impact these groups can have on the lives of people far from God.

Not a fan of forming a group just to talk about spiritual things in hopes of being able to share the gospel.

I know for a fact, the majority of people love talking to strangers about spiritual things almost immediately.

Its a lie to think you have to arrange a time and place and to build relationships with people to share the gospel or to get them to a point where they are open to spiritual truths.

The good: This book is written by a great guy with a heart for God. I just don't agree with everything but thats ok. I like the chapters on how to facilitate a small group, keep interest, ask questions, etc. They are valuable insight into the psychology of group management and how people think.

I need to make clear: This book is good. Set up a seeker small group. Its great to do this. I've done it. But 1on1 evangelism is crucial too, even if you don't have the "skills". Just start spiritual conversations with strangers or friends and watch how far they go. The gospel can be shared easily and without force. These seeker small groups are good too, but should not be a major time taker like this book promotes.

Check out thewayofthemaster.com and especially Mark Cahills "One Thing You Can't do in Heaven" for some great evangelism literature that anyone can follow and be encouraged with.

Not sure of how, exactly, my glowing review of Garry's book would be conveyed, I surveyed some other reviews already posted. The most negative stated:

"Its a lie to think you have to arrange a time and place and to build relationships with people to share the gospel or to get them to a point where they are open to spiritual truths."

I would like to thank the author of this review for giving me the words with which to praise Garry's book. If I may paraphrase the line, above, it says that "you don't need to spend so much time in relationship-building in order to accomplish your agenda of sharing the Gospel."

The point of Garry's book, I believe, is that building a relationship IS sharing the Gospel!!! Loving people and creating a safe environment for them isn't a means to sharing the Gospel, it IS the Gospel!!!

As someone involved in vocational ministry, I would like to thank Garry for teaching me how to leave my hidden agenda aside, so that I may accomplish God's agenda. This book breaks the mold of our thinking, where evangelism is relegated to doing anything possible to force the Gospel down a person's throat at any time.

By putting into practice the philosophy of this book, we are able to BE the Good News in a person's life while, at the same time, providing a forum where a seeker may be comfortably introduced to fellowship and accountability as they take their first steps on a path which will eventually lead them to an intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior.

The author has excellent suggestions for becoming a good teacher but the book starts slow. At times the material seems to be in the most complicated form and could be better understood in plain, every day terms.

I really devoured this book. I found myself highlighting every paragraph and I even took notes. This is a wonderful look at teaching and how to utilize your skills to change lives, not just fill a young person's mind with information. Several of the quotes in the book have now become bold printed pages in my teaching notebook.

Este libro contiene los principios básicos de los diferentes elementos de la enseñanza. Me abrió la mente para mejorar mi manera de trabajar con mis alumnos y comenzar nuevos desarrollos y relaciones con ellos. Excelente libro.

This author not only spoke from the perspective of an educator, but from the experience of a learner. Without that vital connection between the teacher and student, there indeed is little learning taking place. John Milton Gregory gave a wonderful description of the dynamics, the give and take, that must exist between the teacher and learner to ensure a real education. He explored the necessary efforts of both the learner and the educator and laid on them both the responsibility to engage. Wonderful book.

I have been teaching in the public schools for 19 years. I train other teachers. I am a mentor to new teachers. And yet, I learned so much from this book. I can't express how much I loved it other than to say, from this point forward, every teacher I meet will hear about this book. Every teacher in every institution should be required to read this before placing one foot in the classroom. My favorite quote from the book: It is only the unskilled teacher who prefers to hear his own voice in endless talk rather than watch and direct the course of the thoughts of his pupils. If you teach, read it!

Shelby and the Shifting Rings is the first book in the Defenders of Time Series. In this introductory book, the reader is introduced to Shelby Shodworth, a curious girl with a talent for mischief. Since her mother's death two years earlier, twelve year old Shelby has been living with her uncle, Leviticus Pottsmore (the Colonel). Now, as per her mother's explicit orders before she died, Shelby is now going to attend Ms. Peabonnet's Academy. Shelby is conflicted. She is glad to be away from her strict, uncaring uncle but knows she will miss her best friend. Shelby need not worry, she is going to find quite a number of new and interesting friends at Ms. Peabonnet's Academy. She will also find a good deal of mischief and maybe even a few answers to her some of her most difficult and mysterious questions.

Shelby and the Shifting Rings is a fun adventure filled story. Shelby is a normal twelve year old girl who in seeking answers to her questions finds a little more trouble and adventure than even she could have imagined. Readers will fall in love with Shelby, wish they had a friend like Newton, and long for the next adventure of Shelby and her friends.

A good mystery keeps your mind active with questions, surprises, and takes you on an adventure throughout the book. Mysteries are good for children -- just perfect for their growing, creative minds :).

The book, "Shelby and the Shifting Rings," by A. M. Veillon, is one such mystery. This compelling story follows the adventures of 12-year-old Shelby, whose life is filled with mysterious situations when she is sent to live with her uncle after her mother dies. After attending boarding school, Shelby takes off on a mysterious journey. Throughout her adventure, she discovers missing pieces to her own life's puzzle, and learns her true identity. Shelby didn't consider herself to be anyone special, but after unlocking many secrets she learned that she was destined to save the world. The book ends with a lead in for the next book in the series.

MyParenTime.com highly recommends this book -- the story is so enjoyable and captivating...be warned: you may not be able to put the book down :). Shelby is very courageous and very likeable, and is a true heroine. Because of these traits, Shelby is destined to become a children's favorite. Readers will also get a chuckle from some of the names in the story (ie: Mr. Primprop, Mr. Lobnob, and Chef Porkpoke). We highly recommend this wonderful book and are sure it will be enjoyed by all who read it.

This was a refreshing story that shows girls being smart and adventurous without trying to hide it. Taking place in a girls school eliminates the problems of competition between the sexes and lets us focus on the story. Shelby goes through many of the same things all girls do and how she handles it should be an example to them.
Thanks A.M. Veillon and when is the next book coming out?

A quick and easy read full of page turning excitement. It is so easy to get involved in Shelby's life and feel the mounting questions she seeks answers for.
A great book to engulf young growing readers.

Not since the days of Nancy Drew have I seen such a strong role model for young women portrayed in literature. My daughter and I read each page together and could hardly wait for the fun and excitement each chapter would bring. Shelby's courage and positive attitude, despite the hardships she faced, were inspiring. We can't wait for Shelby's next adventure. Thank you A.M. Veillon for showing our girls they can be kind, yet strong and independent.

This is a great little book. It is written in a light style that makes it easy to read and digest the principles that Jim spells out. If you have ever tried to make a change and been unsuccessful in accomplishing your goal this little book will help you to understand why you failed and how you can increase your chance of success. I found it to be helpful both with my own personal goals and in better understanding what may help to motivate my clients to achieve their stated goals.

This is a great book for anyone to learn about how to motivate yourself or others. It's in a very simple story format without a lot of exercises like other self-help books. Very good book - I highly recommend it to anyone that needs to know more about motivation.

I read this short book within a space of an hour. It is straight to the point, and is written in the style of a story. The author is a Physical Therapist and tells the story of when he was a student and he visited a senior Physical Therapist in a hospital as part of his training. He learned how to motivate someone within 60 seconds to undertake therapy by increasing importance + confidence in the patient. Although this book was essentially about how someone was able to increase his patients' motivation, this can also be applied to other areas of your life - for any goal. It is an easily understandable read and if you are looking for a way to increase motivation quick then look no further than this book.

Like any book in this genre this book will not actually help you unless your "motivated" to change your own behavior. It's simple, easy to read, and practical. It shows you the keys to changing your perspective on on how motivation actually works in yourself and others. I enjoyed it.

Being a cardiac rehab nurse and spending a lot of time each day trying to get people to change their lifestyles to create better health, this book caught my eye. After reading it, I found the principles instantly useful for me to use at work. They can help anyone get motivated to get past the barriers that keep them from making changes to improve their health. Additionally, the book is short and to the point which is good for a busy Mom like myself.

A real hit with our six year old. The illustrations are wonderful and the educational aspect is not totally obvious. A very entertaining book that's he took to share with his class at school.

Once upon a time many years ago I watched my daughter Emma play with her cousin Brian, whom Emma lovingly referred to as Meatball, and I wondered how long it would take before he began to cry. At eight years old Meatball looked like a smaller version of Rhett Butler, he talked with a squeaky voice that was struggling to mature, and his blondish hair oddly matched the color of his skin. Every game between the two kids eventually turned sour--a bump of the head, a twisted arm or even harsh words would send the boy reeling into the kitchen looking for comfort. While I admired his theatrics, I did not acknowledge them. Emma, on the other hand, like to pretend he was her plaything, a doll she collected. Take, for example, the afternoon she dressed him up like a pirate and sent him out into the yard with a steak knife searching for the neighborhood tabby cat. Florence, the woman that lived across the street and spent most of her days with her nose between the blinds of her front window, knocked on my door and demanded that I do something. I invited her in for coffee but she ranted and raved, cluck-clucking about manners and responsibilities and child-rearing, none of which I particularly cared to hear about. Meatball ran inside and tugged at Florence's blue polyester pants. "Don't worry," he said. "I buried the knife in the backyard." Florence grabbed his wrist and told him that he needed to dig it back up. He sighed heavily, stared at the ground and then began to cry. I pulled the cigarettes from the pocket of my robe, lit it, and waved him inside.

Charlotte, Meatball's mother, picked him up every day at 5 o'clock. She sat on the couch with Meatball on her lap and listened as he recounted his day. She disregarded any of Emma's attempts to defend herself when Meatball claimed she had harmed him. But who would believe an eight-year-old boy that said his cousin had instructed him to hunt for prey and bring back souvenirs?

I am a student at the University of Arizona South, majoring in elementary education. I recently read this book to a class of 3rd grade students. The children anjoyed watching as the guests arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Comfort and re-arranged the tables and chairs each time someone else showed up. They also enjoyed the fact that only Mr. and Mrs. Comfort's names were given and everyone else was referred to by their relation to the hosts, "Mrs. Comfort's brother's daughter's twin sons". The children loved the chaos as more and more people arrived and fewer and fewer place settings were left available, while "extra" chairs piled up in the periphery. Every student was engaged in the book because each and every one of them knew what Mrs. Comfort knew, that without a seating arrangement of eight seperate tables each seating four people, there would not be enough room for everyone to sit down. And by the end of the book, they found out they were right! The extensions available at the end of the story increase the possible learning to be attained, illustrating how to actively engage the children in hands-on activities to learn about area, perimeter, multiplication and division. Children can find out how many seats are available for each table formation in the book. They can also determine how many meatballs everyone can eat. This is a lively and interesting tale that evolves into spirited and animated discussions involving mathematical concepts. The children had a wonderful time listening to the story, then engaging and actively participating with their eight squares and 32 paper clips (tables and chairs) as we went through the story page by page with them arranging and re-arranging the seating. It was fantastic to see them so happily involved with LEARNING MATH!

Cute way of having students know how they use math in their everyday lives. Great explanation of the mathmatical idea behind the book.

I read this book to my sister's kids (ages 4-8) and they all really enjoyed it. They had a lot of fun with the story (and didn't even know they were learning). This book is great for kids.

It is a difficult read, no doubt, but this is one book which each and every educated person must read; doesn't matter if it takes a lifetime. If one reads three pages a day, it'll take one year to finish the book; that is the kind of patience the book demands, but it's worth it and extremely rewarding. Logistics overcome, comes the barrier of prejudice; several of them: India, Hindu, Ashram, Philosophy, Spirituality, New-Age etc. But what is needed is an absolutely open mind and the book becomes a pure Life's User Manual.

The book itself is a Univeresity that breathes universality. During the course of reading, one gets attuned to many related areas and ideas by way of allusions and comparisions. It also solves progressively one's long-held doubts and discords. Besides, in whichever profession one is, it helps to improve on the practical aspects. Further, the poetic beauty of the text enhances the sheer pleasure of reading even while the insights gained expands one's sense of mundane existence. Two other booklets, "The Mother" and "The Mind of Light" or "The Supramental Manifestation upon Earth" are essential supplements, lest one's understanding of the author is prone to be lopsided.

Rating this book is like rating god for his creation-a joke of first order. This book is an eternal book, its language ancient, contemporary, futuristic and transcendant. the only way one can approach this book is in quiet contemplation and deep introspection. every thought, doubt and question that might have crossed the minds of humankind is addressed, explained. understanding this book is the puny first step. it needs to realised, acted, lived and revisited. that would be rare human who does not find this book has changed his/her life. one feels like annihilating oneself to greatness of this being.

This book is the greatest achievement of Mankind!It is the greatest philosophical book ever written and in the best English Language ever written too.It is the Ultimate culmination of a 3,000 year Indian Philosophic Thought.

Sri Aurobindo examines deeper than anybody ever did the Human Condition and treats with the utmost profundity,clarity,linguistic beauty,logical acuity,originality and imagination all the major questions of Life:Why is there something rather than nothing,what is the meaning of life,why are we here,where did we come from,what is our relationship to the ultimate ground of Being,what is the function of ignorance,suffering,pain,what is the Nature of the Ultimate Being.He surpasses Shankara,incorporating in his philosophy the Tantric idea of the meaningfulness and purposefulness of the Becoming,as well as all central elements of Buddhist Philosophy.In relating all these to modern man (Western and Eastern) and connecting everything together through the most plastic,expressive,exquisite language ever written,he achieves the Ultimate Synthesis of all philosophical and spiritual thought of Mankind.

Although one needs to become accustomed to his unique language and expression ,as well as to spend initially some time in understanding the way he uses certain terms (some of his own creation,so that the Inexpressible could at least be hinted at),this initial investment of time will more than reward the serious reader in the end.

Some,with whom I agree,suggest that one start reading the book from the chapter "The evolution of the spiritual man"(Book 2,chapter 24) and,after moving on to read the next two chapters too,to go back and start reading it from the beginning.These last chapters give an overview of his philosophy and are written in an easier language.

"THE LIFE DIVINE" is itself one of the most pure EMBODIMENTS of the DIVINE

This is a difficult book to read. Let us be under no illusions about that. It is verbose, repetitive and massive in its scope: tackling virtually the entire gamut of issues that philosophy traditionally deals with. But by the time you have finished reading the book (it took me three months to finish)it would have transformed the way you live your life. You may not agree with Aurobindo, and in fact, he probably does not want you to blindly agree with him, he would much rather that you think things out for yourself; but one thing that he certainly does is to question the 'commonsense' view of the world: the view of the world that we build up using bits of unexamined,untested, received, 'truths'. Take just one such 'truth': We believe--or at least we have done so ever since Descartes--that Matter and Consciousness are two separate things. Aurobindo puts forward the suggestion that the two are actually one and the same entity, only they are in different states being: somewhat like Ice and Steam being different states of water. If we concede that matter may be a form of consciousness, only in an inert state, all sorts of consequences would follow: especially with regard to our attitudes towards the environment.
As I had said earlier, the scope of the book is massive. Its three parts can be roughly divided into Ontology (where he discusses the Nature of the Cosmos), Epistemology (where he discusses the nature of Knowledge (&Ignorance), and the problem of Evil--which he attributes to Ignorance: a consequence of Ahamkara or ego-centricism) and finally, in the last part, he provides a broad, general direction for living our lives in accordance with our revised view of the world (Ethics). However, the book is not tightly structured (If you are looking for a book like Wittgenstein's Tractatus you will find yourself truly frustrated) it is loose, repetitive, and disjointed. Possibly because it was originally written as a series of essays and published monthly in a magazine called the Arya (between 1914 to 1919). He must have had to repeat himself because his original audience would have forgotten a point that he would have made five years ago. But the cumulative effect of the repetitions is that his ideas have a tendency to gradually seep in and sink into your mind, rather than strike you as a sort of brilliant epiphany.
Aurobindo's philosphy is ultimately rooted in ancient Hindu Vedic thought. In the course of the book, Aurobindo tackles Marx, Darwin, Nietzche, Freud, Hegel, Feurbach, (plus a whole range of European philosophers) and his idea is to adapt their philosophy to the 'Truth' as expressed by the Seers of the ancient Vedas. Does he succeed in doing so? I don't know. That is for professional philosophers to decide. For me, the book has been a revelation, the scales have dropped from my eyes: I see things differently now. Hopefully, I will continue to do so for a while before the snares of living in a modern city finally engulf me once again. Haven't they said that we can't stand to face the truth for too long?

There are very few great spiritual classics that each century produces. The Life Divine is one of these great spiritual classics, one of the key spiritual studies of the twentieth center, perhaps of all time. There are few great mystics and enlightened masters who are able to express themselves in extensive philosophy and profound poetry. Sri Aurobindo was one of these, and the Life Divine is probably his magnum opus.
The Life Divine is no mere call to a life of piety, asceticism or outward religious fervor. It is a call to bring the Divine as a force of higher consciousness into all that we are and do, both individually and as a species. The Life Divine unfolds a panoramic exploration of consciousness from the Absolute (Brahman), to the Cosmic Creator (Ishvara), to the individual soul (Jivatman), and all the realms of existence, manifest and unmanifest, known and unknown. There are few books that cover such an expanse and with such depth, direct knowledge and clarity. For those who want to widen their horizons and extend their awareness into the realms of higher consciousness, there is perhaps no other book that is as complete, comprehensive and challenging. Reading it requires both concentration and meditation of a very high order, but brings great riches of inner insight in return.
As someone who has studied the main religious traditions of the world, and has written extensively on the traditions of India, this book has remained with me as life time companion. I recommend it to all those who are looking at the spiritual life as a quest for a higher consciousness and grace that can transform all that we do. One can continue to delve into the book for new wisdom and insight year after year. The Life Divine teaches us in depth about the great spiritual traditions of India, Veda, Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Tantra and Buddhism, but from a view of practice and realization, and a seeking for the universal truth behind all these great teachings.
Most notably, the Life Divine outlines the spiritual purpose of the soul and of our human lives. It charts a way to a future in which we can go beyond our current mentality of ego and strife to a world of Divine peace, bliss and knowledge. It charts the transformation of our species from a confused adolescence to the maturity of wisdom and grace. Sri Aurobindo shows how the Divine Shakti can descend into our minds and lift us to a higher level of intelligence as our natural state of existence. The book is perhaps the best study of the spiritual evolution of humanity, the evolution of consciousness in man and nature, which is available.