Personal Books

Having perceived Jo to be confident, successful and
calm, I was completely surprised to find in her book
the doubts, search and struggles Jo had gone through
to reach the stage of peacefulness. She was
courageous to reveal the secret of her life and the
deepest emotions. By doing so, she not only helped
herself to reconcile with her past, but also helped
many who may be in the middle of the struggle. I
appreciate her candidness and reflection on life in
this book.

I have formed many business friendships over the last 30 years but none have been more honest or insightful than the one I have with Jo. I met Jo in the late 1980's, not knowing anything about her upbringing, knowing only her reputation as an excellent businesswoman, motivator and teacher.

After reading about her Mom, Dad, the "hood" in Philadelphia, her first marraige, and then the journey to restart her life, I was in awe. These experiences were the DNA of her wisdom and they are powerful and moving.

For those of us boomers, who survived the 60's and our upbringing, Jo brings us candidness and honesty, letting us revisit all the testing, trumoil, and love of finding oneself.

A generation of women will relate to Jo's situation as a woman in the 1960's who was ready to fly but got no clear signal from the air traffic controller. Jo's powers of description enable you to feel what it was really like to grow up in the Philadelphia of the 50's and to be raised by a Mother whose dreams for her resulted in mixed signals and a Father who liberated her...yet kept her back at the same time.

Jo takes you through a panoply of life shaping experiences and many will recognize their own feelings and fears as she describes the dragons that have shown up on her path.

Her experience as a New Yorker who went through 9/11...on site...as it was happening...was the fork in the road that left her unable to go on without facing the choices she can and must make. The only thing lacking in this touching work is...the sequel.

what a wonderful gift this book is to anyone who reads it. I am in awe of Jo's willingness to share so much with her readers...to allow herself to be so vulnerable. In doing so she allows her readers to connect with her in a soul to soul way that is very rare in books or in life. Her description of her " diving moments" reminds of my own - and how critical it is to be conscious and present in my life.

Everyone's life journey is unique. Reading about pivotal moments and life choices of others can provide insights into our own choices and choice points. To read the unsent letters and journal entries that provide glimpses into most private thoughts was amazing. Thank you for sharing these intimate details so that others can learn. Your journey is an inspiration and I look forward to reading about the next evolution in your journey.

I agree with all the reviewers of this book. For me the AMAZING thing about this book from an AIDS - ridden writer is the total absence of hatred, of spitefulness or anger. Specially from someone who is dying at such a young age. This is a book full of PURE and unconditional LOVE and acceptance. A love letter to put it simply, in book form. A Sad, gut-wrenching but WONDERFUL, uplifting read.

I have read this book twice and given it to many people to read. ALL LOVE IT! What an amazing true love story about two young men during their time at school and thier life together in Melbourne, Australia. Thier lives are what many gay men experience. The humour and laughs through the first half of the book will crack you up. The final chapter will bring tears to your eyes. This is such a powerful book....If you know anyone who is interested in the gay community and what happened durung the late 80's and 90's this book is a MUST READ. It was refreshing to read a book that tells it how it was and gives us hope that things have improved for gay community now. PLEASE BUY THIS BOOK...

I just loved this book. It was an honest and beautiful love story. I intend to get my older teenagers to read this autobiography in the hopes of engendering some understanding in them about gay relationships. The book was beautifully written, and it is a shame that the author wasn't able to write anything further.

I can't recommend this true Australian story highly enough, it was the first gay book I ever bought as a teenager back in 1996 and it's still one of my favourites. Read the book, see the play if you can, then do it all again. Straight or gay, if it fails to move you, check your pulse!

Conigrave, Timothy. "Holding the Man", Cuttyhunk Books, 2007.

Beautifully Painful

Amos Lassen

As most of you can tell from my reviews, I love to read and I read a lot. I love the feeling that a good book places within and every once in a while I find a book that deeply affects me and stays with me for a long, long time Timothy Conigrave's "Holding the Man" is a book that I am not likely to ever forget and I feel like a better person having read it. Memoirs about AIDS are nothing new and I have read my share of them and it bothers me that they men that have written such stories have only had the chance to write one book because they were taken from us much too young and filled with talent. On the other hand, we are lucky to have, at least, one book.
"Holding the Man" is not only a wonderful memoir, it is beautifully written. Quite simply it is a love story, a coming-of-age story and a look at the horrible disease that took so many vibrant lives. On one hand it is heartbreaking and painful to read and, on the other hand, it is a celebration of life.
"Holding the Man" is a love story of two Australians, one the captain of a football team who met in the 70's while still in high school. As they came to the seal-realization that they loved each other and that they were gay, the faced the issue of learning how to accept themselves. Here we see the boys' bravery and their love for each other. We learn what the word "love" really connotes in ways that few have been able to explain the term. As we read about the boys, we are filled with the same emotions that they felt and we are left with an empty, drained feeling. We have embarked on a journey, a journey of life that gives us two new friends.
I cannot remember being so affected by a book and when we realize that this is Timothy Conigrave's swan song and that there will be no encore, we are deeply wounded. To read about love that is so deep and so pure shows even the most stern of skeptics that love is here and can be intensely real.
I do not think anyone can read this book without weeping. When the boys reach their mid-20's they are both diagnosed with HIV and they spend their few last years together and living each day knowing they were destined to die shortly. Conigrave wrote this after his partner, John, died when he was 32. He, himself, died soon after he finished the book which was originally published in Australia. His description of the love the two felt is just intensely amazing and when he writes his final farewell letter after John died, I had to stop reading and find my self-control to finish reading his memoir. Tim Conigrave's death in 1994 left us with a hole in our collective consciousness. At least he left this world having truly loved someone and was able to share that with us.

Dr. Reiss is a pioneer in the field of hormone balance for women. THis book is really every women's best friend when trying to understand the complicated effects of hormone imbalance. But even better than that, he tells you exactly what to do to make it better! This book stands the test of time and should be a continous reference and reminder for each one of us.

I found this book to be highly informative and detailed. Most doctors do not go into this kind of detail or they don't know enough about hormones. My doctor is limited to only the what pharmaceutical companies tell them. I highly recommend this book to any female premenopausal, menopausal or postmenopausal.

This book saved my life, that's how bad my hot flashes, insomnia, mood swing & fatige were... made worse by a woman internist who wanted to put me on high blood pressure medicine (my BP is normal) or a male gyn/ob who told me my symptoms were 'normal' and they'd be 'gone in 10 years' & then offered anti-depressants. Instead, I demanded bioidentical hormones, showed him the author's (board certified gyn) chapters on how to tell your MD what blood tests you need, then with the help of my compounding pharmacy, he was able to write a prescription for tri-est gel (which is covered by insurance) & progesterone caps and within 24 hours, my mood swings vanished, the hot flashes stopped, I was able to sleep, the mental fogginess went away & I was my happy self again. OTC DHEA (every AM) also helped. I've recommended this book to many women. Menopause is a hormone deficiency & there's no reason it shouldn't be treated as one... the problem is, US MDs don't study this in AMA run medical schools. Bioidientical hormones have been studied in Europe & Canada for decades & are being studied in Japan. Since Big Pharma controls/funds research in the US, and bioidenticals can't be patented, there's no research in US medical schools because there's no money to be made from it. As someone who was unable to tolerate Fosamax, my bone density scans showed a 3.3% increase in bone density after 3 months on bioidenticals, DHEA, liquid calcium & 1000 IU of vitamin D. The bone density specialist did a dance & asked me for the name of this book.

This book was recommended by my longevity physician, and I can understand why. It is a great guide to anyone using or considering natural hormone replacement therapy (which is a gift from God and Nature by the way...) This publication is not just about menopause, it is about female (and male) hormones across the lifespan. It helps you to self regulate by learning your own symptoms. And at these prices, everyone should have a copy in the family medical library!

I am now a happy, WELL-RESTED 40 yr old due to this book (and another book: What your Dr may not tell you about PreMenopause) Both of these have saved my LIFE, most importantly my SLEEP!

For the past few years (after having a 3rd child) from age 37 onward, I could no longer fall deeply asleep, nor get REM/Delta SLEEP and NOTHING would work! (except Ambien)

Well now I've learned about natural Progesterone cream, and other helpful necessary hormones the body may need (and mine did): DHEA and Melatonin, I now use all three of those nearly every night at bedtime: One tiny dab of a natural progesterone cream, (2 sprays equal to 10 mg) of a DHEA spray called Biosom, and a half of a pill (1 mg or less) of Melatonin Plus by Schiff (Found at Sam's, it also contains Vit B6 and L-Theanine,also very important additions to helping Melatonin work).

NOW, I sleep like a baby, every night!
No more Ambien!:)

THIS regimen works for ME, PLEASE do NOT follow my steps WITHOUT checking with your doctor/Naturopath, FIRST!!!

Buy this book (and the other one I mentioned).

OB/GYN's disappointed me by recommending HRT or even hysterectomy, ALL because I simply had hormone-imbalance-related Insomnia and Adrenal fatigue.

When A Crocodile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa is an exceptionally well-written book of Africa telling three stories simultaneously ... a universal, heartwarming story of caring for aging parents, the stark tragedy of the rendering of Zimbabwe / Southern Rhodesia civilization, and the real-time unfolding history of a reluctant father's long distant past.

Peter is an adult white child of British Africa, a competent reporter, a good observer, a good son, and an excellent writer in a remarkable situation with (at least) three major facets. Imagine being a husband / father of a family in New York trying to take care of aging parents who don't want to leave a country whose functioning society is literally being taken apart daily while your father via email is at long last beginning to clear up the mystery of his own ancestry and experiences as a young Jewish (a surprise) boy in 1939 with a different name (also a surprise) from a different European country than you had always been led to believe (another surprise). All over a 10-year period from the mid-1990's to the early 2000's and, of course, the public part of the story continues today.

A very, very good book, very highly recommended from lots of different viewpoints ... !!

This was one of the most powerful, absorbing, moving and enlightening memoirs I've read in a long time. The way the author weaves his personal narrative in with an expose of the tragedy of life in zimbabwe under mugabe is masterful. His memoir is rich in details that reveal the complexities of his life, but he never loses the thread of his story. I can't read about southern Africa any more without conjuring up images from this book. I couldn't stop reading, and I didn't want the book to end.

Peter Godwin has written a very good follow-up to MUKIWA. His personal account of his family's history in Rhodesia-Zimbabwe is honest and absorbing for a genre that can be self-serving. I hope others will learn from this book that politics are never black or white,just human.

Peter Godwin was born in Rhodesia, and in 1996 he published 'Makiwa', a gripping account of how he grew up in that country. He was conscripted into the Rhodesian army to fight against the independence movement, by which time he felt that he was fighting in an unjust cause. He eventually got to England, became a journalist, and in 1981, now based in the United States, he returned to what in 1980 had become independent Zimbabwe, partly because his parents were still living there and partly because he loved the country and its people. But he now had to record that the new government of Robert Mugabe was more savage than the white government had been and was carrying out bloody suppression in Matabeleland - a sign of things to come. Godwin's reporting at that time made him persona non grata and he had to leave Zimbabwe again, though he was able to return after Mugabe had `stabilized' the country with the so-called Unity Accord in 1987.

This second volume, first published in 2006, is an account of several later visits, beginning with one in 1996. In the chapters relating to 1996, 1997 and 1998, Mugabe's dictatorship is not central to his account, though of course he is aware of it; but he is more concerned with the quite non-political aspects of his family's life. At this time Mugabe had not yet whipped up anti-white agitation. Indeed he had for years encouraged white people to stay and help the Zimbabwean economy. In fact, in the year 2000, "78% of white farmers were on property they had purchased after independence, only when that land had first been offered to -and turned down by - the government, as was required by law" (p.56).

Godwin's next visit was in 2000. That year Mugabe wanted to change the constitution to allow him another 12 years in power; and this change had to be ratified by a referendum. To get the new constitution accepted, he inserted in it a law allowing the seizure of white-owned farm land for redistribution to black peasants (though in fact most of it went to his cronies). His instrument for this were the so-called war veterans, and violence against whites now took off, under such thugs as those calling themselves `Hitler' Hunzvi and `Stalin Mau Mau'. When Mugabe lost the referendum, he unleashed violence also against Tsvangirai's newly created Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

In 2001 there was a total eclipse of the sun over Zimbabwe, and, unusually, there was another one in 2002. The folklore expression for this is that `a crocodile eats the sun', and it is considered the worst of omens. Godwin now chronicles in the most graphic manner the increasing horror of Mugabe's appalling regime and the descent of Zimbabwe into chaos and lawlessness: the ruin of agriculture; the displacement of millions of black farm workers; famine; the government's deliberate withholding of food supplies from areas where the opposition is strong; hyper-inflation; casual murders and robberies, with the police either unwilling to intervene or actually participating in them. Among the many grotesque vignettes: cemeteries plundered, patches of maize planted between the graves, and befouled with excrement; the RSPCA being given permission to evacuate tortured animals from farms - when their white owners are not allowed to leave their besieged homes. Godwin is there during the General Strike of 2003 and its brutal suppression.

But this is not only a journalist's book about Zimbabwe. It is also a touching story of a loving family. The scenes with his gallant and now impoverished, sick and aged parents - who, beleaguered as they are, refuse to leave Zimbabwe - are deeply moving. And there is an unexpected dimension. On a visit in 2001, when he is in his forties, Peter Godwin learns that his father, George, now 77, was not in fact the reserved Anglo-African he had always taken him to be, but was born a Polish Jew. Only now can George bring himself to talk and write about it. The revelation has an immense impact on his son, who inserts a couple of chapters to tell the story of George's Warsaw childhood, how, just before the war, he came to leave Poland as a teenager, without his family. George's mother and sister later perished in Treblinka. Peter Godwin had heard of Auschwitz and Belsen, but (somewhat surprisingly for a journalist) he had never heard of the other extermination camps, which he now researched and whose horrors he then describes.

This beautifully written book is a lament for Zimbabwe, but it is also a tribute to his parents, and it is dedicated to his father's memory.

Peter Godwin's book, titled above, is a very worth while read. In plain dialogue he lets the rest of the world know what is really going on in Zimbabwe in the most sensitive way possible through his own families lives. The book is beautifully written, I couldn't put it down once I started reading it, more especially after following the last fiasco of an election in June 2008. Why the other African nations let Mugabwe get away with what he is doing to his own people, is beyond me. Farms that were productive have now grown wild and uncultivated, and a country that was the bread basket of Africa is now one of the worlds poorest countries, except of course for the government fat cats. Well worth buying and reading

Thank God for good men like Oliver North. I wish we could have more men in power with his faith and his understanding of our military's capabilities and purpose. I am also very thankful for the work being done in Iraq and Afganistan. It is not a finished work nor a perfect work, but it is certainly not a flawed effort as our news outlets lead us to believe.

Brining our troops home before they feel they are finished is not "supporting our troups." We need to let the military decide when it is time to come home and stop letting our brilliant politcians and reporters use their deployment as a political leveraging issue.

I really enjoyed this book and it truly displays the unique mindset and committment that our service men and women possses. If we could have an entire nation of men and women like the ones that fill our armed forces, we could achieve so much more.

This book is inspirational, informative, historical, compelling, and instills pride in our military. My husband is reading it now, and can't stop talking about how moving it is. I recommend it to anyone interested in hearing stories that won't be covered in the main-stream media. These are the types of stories we may have heard about during WWII, when America believed that pride in itself and its ideals -- the ideals for which we were fighting -- was merited. But you'll have to read this book to hear about these heroes today. The alphabet networks won't tell you, and the big newspapers won't tell you, because it is no longer politically correct to feel good about our country or the people who defend it.

Great book. What a real and descent way to tell the public the truth. No lies, no political punches, no smearing, no agenda except to speak the truth. Telling it like it is. Giving these brave men and women fair and honest coverage that earns them more respect than anyone on earth. Revealing the hard life of our soldiers out there making it each day without air conditioning, full course meals, and luxuries we take for granted. But they don't complain, they just do their job and much more. On top of that, the stories and pictures reveal relationships made with the Iraqi people and the progress made, tells such a different story than you will find on most news networks. And these are real and CURRENT pictures. Unlike the ones being shown over and over again from a few years ago and longer on the news. Mr. North and Mr. Holton, you can tell they are true patriots, kind, honest and care very much about the troops. They give them a chance to be heard. They bring your eyes there for just a little while. The troops don't have many ways to do that without certain party members screaming "political influence" which they frown on in the military. I say, tell it like it is! Also I like the way they educate you, explaining some of the history of Iraq and the Muslim people and what's happened over the years. Very informative and heartfelt. Makes you want to just go up to any soldier you see and give 'em a hug. Read the book! Nina Starrin

I have read a lot of military books before, but this one is by far the best one I have ever read. Although I have been out of the Marine Corps for a number of years I felt as though I was right there living it with the best of the best. A very powerful book, not recommended for faint of heart individuals. It is about time an actual first hand account be put out for the people to read, and get the truth about what has been happening over in country.

American Heroes: In the Fight Against Radical Islam (War Stories)Great care in presenting the real case of what is going on and how our troops react to the challenge...GREAT BOOK--

This is an amazing book that made me cry in public a few times - and laugh out loud other times - sometimes embarrassingly close together. The writing is powerful and accessible and loveable... Each chapter reminds you what a dangerous and wonderful place life is for anyone who lives passionately.

Kimberlee Auerbach, The Devil, the Lovers, and Me: My Life in Tarot (Dutton, 2007)

Warning: the phrase "in Tarot" in the title had me thinking that I was going to be reading a memoir about the life and profession of a Tarot reader. That is emphatically not the case (and, in fact, the Tarot reading that provides Auerbach's framework here is, not surprisingly, fabricated). Thus, if that's what you're looking for, move on, folks, nothing to see here.

That said, given my antipathy towards memoirs, I did find myself grudgingly hooked pretty fast. Not that it's different than your run-of-the-mill memoir-- bad childhood memories, abuse, etc. etc. ad nauseam-- but Auerbach has a storyteller's touch and a sharp sense of humor, both of which have been notably absent from any number of memoirs I've read over the years. I hope that at one point she turns her attention to writing a novel; I'd like to see what she can do with the rest of the stuff in her head. Until then, we'll have to make do with this; a shiny presentation on trendy, though quotidian, subject matter. ***

Kimberlee Auerbach is a FUN writer! This book was mentioned to me via a friend, so I picked it up on a whim - and loved it! Engaging and highly entertaining, I literally stayed up half the night to finish it! Based on real life stories from the author's life, the first-person plot revolves around a professional tarot reading meant to enlighten the author along the journey to her future. But in order to find her tomorrow, she must first understand, embrace, and make peace with her past. The story's tone is witty and honest, making one feel as if Ms. Auerbach is speaking one-on-one to the reader, as a best friend and confidante. A very talented writer and storyteller, Ms. Auerbach should definitely write more books. This one was a gem!

The most impressive thing about "The Devil..." is Kimberlee's candor. Her experiences are powerful; there is no denying it. However, it's the biting honesty and the utter vulnerability that carry the truest gift of the book. Most people will relate to the heartbreaks, but every single human being can relate to terror and failure described and then triumphantly overcome. Brava. I will pre-order her next books.

Kimberlee pours her heart onto ever page. From beginning to end, it was an amazing journey of human relation, life, and love. Kimberlee's willingness to share is inspiring and brave to say the least. As each card is turned, with each story, each memory, the author exposes her deepest fears, the fears which we all share, and with each lesson she learns, she teaches the reader how to face those fears. Through it all I was able to see myself, my past, my mistakes and lessons learned. It is not an introduction into Tarot card reading, but rather a story of one's life illustrated by the cards themselves. One may not learn his or her future by reading this book, but it will truly make one pause and reflect on what has brought them to where they are in life thus far.This book is funny, heartbreaking, amazing, inspiring, challenging, entertaining, and simply wonderful.

I gained so much more from reading "Unsent Letters: Writing as a way to resolve and renew" than from reading this book. Compare the two yourself and you'll see what I mean.

Words provide continuity from generation to generation that surpasses our limited life spans to enrich the shared love of friends and family, to bind generations, and to offer hope to the future. Despite the power of words, many people are reluctant writers, uncertain of what to say or how to say it. To that end, authors JacLynn Morris and Paul L. Fair, Ph.D. bring their own writing skills, teaching experience, and research to bear, offering aid to the reluctant writer in FROM ME TO YOU.

Simple, easy to follow steps guide the writer through the process of conveying thoughts and emotions that might else wise remain unanswered and unspoken. Using the five basic elements enumerated in FROM ME TO YOU, writers can add depth and value to their messages. Concise explanations and the generous use of examples accompany each step, clearly illustrating each point. Many of the examples are both poignant and inspiring, aiding the prospective reader in finding their own voices and experiences. Difficult to write messages that reveal secrets or explanations likewise becoming easier to write with the aid of FROM ME TO YOU.

At last, a writing book for everyone! Whether your words are meant as a thank you, as an apology, to offer comfort or advice, or simply to affirm your love, FROM ME TO YOU will aid all writers in expressing themselves. Powerful, personal messages are our legacy to those we love, regardless of the purpose of the note, and can easily be strengthened by following these simple steps. One of the best writing resources I have encountered, FROM ME TO YOU comes very highly recommended.

There are times when conversation cannot convey your deepest feelings. You can hide your true feelings when talking to someone you care about. Written words can be gifts of the heart and the way you present them can make all the difference. The fact that you take the time to find a concrete way of expressing your feelings is what matters!

You might be reluctant to send an e-mail or put pen to paper, however if you follow the steps in this book you will find it is easier than you think. The authors give examples of letters for every situation. These letters go beyond "polite" words and are more honest and genuine. They express goodwill or reveal deep feelings. They also communicate the importance and value of your relationship to the receiver.

"Often, just the fact that a person puts time, effort, thought or originality into something to delight or help us makes a message wonderful." pg. 9

The authors show how you use five basic elements to make a message powerful, intimate, satisfying and meaningful. It doesn't matte if you want to express your feelings, give advice, forgive, answer important questions, thank someone or share a favorite memory. These five elements should be included in your letter.

While this book might sound like it is an emotional roller coaster ride, there are quite a few really funny letters. I loved the story of a mother who writes down the sweet and funny things her children do. She intends to give these memories to her children. I know this was such a delight when my mother showed me her notes of what I said and did when I was very young. It truly will delight any child to know their parents cared enough to find the time to write down these memories. It also helps children remember important details of their lives.

Another idea I really thought was wonderful was a letter an Aunt sent her nephew about all the wonderful books she had read that she thought he would enjoy. Of course she could have just reviewed them, yet she chose to specifically recommend books that had given her enjoyment, knowledge and comfort.

Some of the letters helped bridge the distance between friends and family or helped to heal a hurt. These are real letters people wrote at a time in their lives when hurt, anger or misunderstanding left them feeling as if they were stuck on opposite sides of a tightly closed door.

"Maybe the blur of our lives has left us hungry for tangible ways to hold onto what is and was-even as we move toward what will be." pg. 150

So if you want to connect with the people you care most about, "From Me to You" will show you how to share your memories, thank people who have helped you in life, apologize to those you may have hurt, inspire friends and invite people to think of you with love and a smile.

~The Rebecca Review

This book is a great help for anyone needing to write anything. Your correspondence will forever change to be more meaningful.

This book has been on my shelf to review for several months, but so many events took my time and energy that I am just now beginning to find my way back to words. My dad died January 5, 2002, and I gave the eulogy at his funeral. How do you share the love and life of someone so dear, yet bring comfort to others who are also suffering this loss? This book, this wonderful book, helped me to deliver a speech that gave the joy and humor that was my dad to others.

Rarely does a writer's reference book have the ability to encourage and inspire its readers or those who do not take up the "pen," to find the way to express emotions. Yet this book shows the joy and power of honest communications, and provides an easy to follow plan that helps all of us share our dreams, hopes, fears, and love with the important people in our lives. It also helps us realize that everyone is important, and to never take for granted the gift of friendship.

This book is an adventure through emotions, but it is so much more. Follow the principles, write the way you speak, be yourself, get rid of criticisms, and in doing so, you become the better part of yourself. Imagine, if you could read a letter and know what the reader was feeling; this book will help you see the ways to do so because in revealing ourselves, we gain self-knowledge and confidence.

Five stars are not diminished by the only difficulty I had, which was the very small size of the font.

Victoria Tarrani

This book is incredible! full of such great life changing things, it will change the way you think and the way you view the power of your own thoughts! very remarkable

This book is really wonderful. A definite read. The chapters are short, written in big writing and the message and positive living and her own experiences and her learning makes this an amazing book. Living for Christ and worshiopping and her own beliefs sharing them that has helped her in writing this book and sharing with others how to do and live the same ways for a peaceful and joyous life. I love it and plan on reading this book again.

I am repeatedly blown away by this book! It has been so helpful to me personally, and I share it with those I love. I would read certain sections, and literally, my jaw would drop. This book really put all the pieces together for me; it makes complete sense. I am only 21 and feel I am lucky, not only because my mother gave me this book, but also because I have truly understood it at a relatively young age. "Remembering Wholeness" is eye opening and empowering at the same time. One of my favorite chapters is the one titled, "The Universe is Abundant"...definitely one of those jaw-dropping sections!!
A MUST-READ!!! :)

This book has answered so many long held questions with perfect clarity and understanding.

I've been studing the law of attraction for over 6 years and find this book to fill in the spiritual aspects that seemed to be missing from so many other authors and teachers.

Thank you Carol for your wisdom and gifts.

The concepts of choosing to do things to each other here on earth that would cause us to have to forgive is not a concept of God "brokering" these contracts. That seems a little exaggerated. The idea behind the "little spirit" is simply this. When we choose to see our perpetrators as something other than perpetrators it becomes easier to forgive them.

We choose to do things that require forgiveness all the time, sometimes out of ignorance and regretfully on purpose, but on some level, we CHOSE to do it. Do I believe that we make contracts with each other to inflict pain and suffering before we came to earth? No, but it was a given that we would submit to evil, and do things that would require forgiveness and when we can see our offenders as perfect spirits who have been caught in evil, it is so much easier to forgive and let God handle it.

There is darkness and light in every book written by the hand of man. He who seeks for fault will find it, he who seeks for truth will find it as well. No one should claim this book to be scripture, and ANYTHING written by men is "the philosophies of men mingled with scripture" unless otherwise specified as scripture. Look at the light this book brings. I have had multiple personal experiences of transformational healing for myself my family and my clients as a Rapid Eye Technician and Life Coach. The concepts of this book can bring people to Christ. Carol has a gift in making practical sense out of vague concepts. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water, see the fruits, they are there.

This book is foundational to the Christian faith, yet a great reminder. I always enjoy Psr. MacDonalds teachings and this is the first book I've ever bought from him, and this too has helped me with my walk. My husband and I read through this together and it helped us also talk about areas in our faith that we have struggled. Even if it is foundational, its good to reflect and ponder what you believe and this book will help you make those right choices.

The first chapters were basic for me because I've been a Christian most of my life and I don't have trouble believing that God created the earth or that he is in control. The part I struggle with more is why God loves me and forgiving. So I think every person can take something out of this book. Even if its only one thing..it will change you. And sometimes this is better because realizing you have 10 areas in your life to change would be overwhelming! So for me, only taking 1 or 2 things out of this is God speaking to me in His gentle and quiet way. He doesn't harshly remove the layers and leave me in agony. Instead he slowly peels away one layer at a time and I feel like this book will help others dealing with these same issues.

This book is so helpful - I highly recommend it to the new Christian or someone who has walked with the Lord for years.

I was part way through James' book "Lord, change my attitude", when this one came out. I was learning about the CHOICE to be THANKFUL and how that was the promised land I so desperately wanted in my discipleship. This new book took all that to another, greater level. Praise God for Pastor James. I am so very THANKFUL for his faithfulness to teaching God's Word.

10 Choices delivers! Whether you're a new believer, been walking in faith for some time now, or sitting on the fence undecided, this book is for you. While the concept of personal accountability has fallen on tough times in our western culture, the fact remains that we are a product of our choices. James MacDonald breaks down 10 life changing, life impacting choices into easy-to-understand terms. James is a very dynamic speaker, with his "Walk in the Word" daily radio program, and is every bit as inspiring in his writing style. I've already purchased seven copies and will be buying more very soon. I've already given two away and plan to give more away for Christmas this year. I would strongly urge the reading of this book. Read this book and then make the only choice you'll ever make that has eternal implications and consequences!!

I purchased this book a few weeks ago to use as part of a study. I worried that the first few chapters would be less than challenging, but in true James Mcdonald style, it is direct and just what I needed.

I would recommend this book to read independently or as part of a discussion group/Bible Study. The scripture references included at the end have been very helpful and a good resource to others in the group.

I think this would be a great book to give as a gift as well!

I purchased this book for my husband and he had written me several times quoting passages from it and told me he wished I had a copy so we could discuss it together. With that said, I purchased an additional copy and read it in one day. My son walked by and saw and me tearing up and asked what I was reading and I read him the except. We continued reading them together out loud. He too cried. It is an awesome and inspirational book that will make you laugh and cry. It created some bonding time with my son and opened up topics of conversation between my husband and me. Worth every penny and so much more!

I was searching to find a inspirational book for my dad whom recently was sent to prison. He said right away he loved the book and now it is being shared by all his friends in his unit. He cant get enough Chicken Soup books and wants more of them right away !!! 5 stars for sure

prisioners need to have something possitive to read. A bad attutude will carry to there life after they get out and on the other hand so will a possitive one. Smiles to all

Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul was suggested to me by a prisoner. Having worked in the California State Prison at San Quentin in the late 1960s and at other lockup facilities in California and Arizona, I am usually hesitant about inmate suggestions for my reading list. However, this book far exceeded my expectations. It is so powerful, I read only a few chapters at a time. The effect could be overwhelming. So turn off your speed-reading skills, resist any temptation to use this for bedtime reading and expect to get more than your money's worth

I brought this book for a good friend of mine who is currently in prison and he enjoyed reading the book and found it to be very encouraging.