General Practice Books

Actually, I picked this book up at my local library because it was just sitting there and it didn't cost anything. But to my surprise it was a very informative book.

Like all books and readers, no shoe fits all but the author did try and was successful as far as I'm concerned.

After this reading, I definitely see my broker in a different light. As an options trader, I've learned things that were right there in front of me and just didn't see it. Great info regarding industry tricks.

There was too much detail in certain areas but you can speed read those and continue to you find the gems that appeal to you. Very good read.

Best wishes

So, you think you broker is honest, maybe not!

The book explains that yes brokers are concerned about making you money, but they are more concered about making money off of you first.

The book explains how investment firms pressure their
stock brokers (aka financial analysts, money managers)
into creating as many "hidden" charges off your account as possible.

One big think the book points out is to watch for excessive
trading and the "hidden" cost of spreads and mark ups and mark downs.

One really good point was about the use of margin.
Most brokers do not explain to their clients the costs and
risks associated with the use of magin( borrowing money to buy
more stocks.)

One hidden cost of margin involves Flat Fee accounts where the money you borrow (and pay a good rate of intrest on) increases
the amount of assets in you flat fee acount, so you pay that
1 or 2% flat fee on the margin too.

Another key point in the book is ask you broker to tell you
what all you expenses total to as a percent of your assets.
You may be suprised how much they reall charge you.

You may not be so happy with your broker when you realize, yes
they made you a 15% return this year, but the market average(at same risk at you assets) returned 25% for the year.

And your broker only got your broker did not have you invested
in those assets that would have given you higher return becuasse
he got a bigger commission ( or hidden costs) on the assets that made you less money.

Many many games revealed about your "honest" broker.

The book has a little fluff so it could be a bit shorter, but the book is full of the many tricks your broker maybe using on you.

So for starters:
Stop your broker from usng high risk high commision product
(lke futures).
Stop your broker from using margin ( borrowed money).
Stop your borker from trading too much with too little reutrn.

Books gives a current and accurate picture of brokers,
on Jan 13,2004 a story on the front of the NY Times and
the Wall Street Journal stated Morgan Stanley was finded
for getting kick backs from sell certain mutual funds.
And in Sept 2003 Morgan Stanley was fined for holding
contests to see who sold the most of Morgan Stanley Products.

Tracy Pride Stoneman and Douglas Schulz were way out ahead of the Wall Street fraud/conflict of interest cases at the big brokerage firms. This book basically tells you what you should look for in brokers (and in most cases, the brokers don't want you to know). It really goes back to the old credo "buyer beware". As in selecting any service, you must perform due dillegence in researching and selecting a good broker and the products that are right for your investment goals and strategies. This book tells you how to do this in simple straightforward langauge. Great information here! Excellent on-line trading information and what to do and expect if you do have problems. Information is power and this book is definitley a POWER BOOSTER!

In many things it is better to say "Know thyself" but if you have a brokerage account it is best to say "Know others before thyself." This is a wonderfully concise and insightful book. The authors are able to convey their in-depth knowledge in an understandable and direct manner. They describe what to look for, how to detect it, and what action to take if you suspect brokerage misconduct. This book will educate as well as hold your interest.

I was disappointed to find several errors I believe would not be made by people with real expertise in the brokerage industry. On page 34 the authors contend that analysts "work in the investment banking departments of such large firms as Merrill Lynch, Prudential, and Bear Stearns." Actually, the analysts work in the Equity Research Departments of those firms, which are separate (although they interact with Investment Banking Departments at Merrill and Bear). Prudential advertises today that it does not do any investment banking and therefore has no conflict with research.

Page 41 says "Analysts hold no brokerage licenses. Therefore, no securities rule or regulation applies to them." These statements could not be more wrong. I do not know any analyst that does not hold series 7 and 63 licenses. I do not know of any brokerage firm that allows its analysts to publish research without first having passed the series 7 and 63 exams. There could be small, regional firms that permit this, but the major firms require their analysts to be registered representatives. The authors repeat their mistake on page 74.

The math on page 176 does not work for the "spread" issue. The authors obviously did not proof the offer price, which should have been $10.50, not $10.00.

After spotting these errors, I skimmed through the rest of the book. Although the issues the authors address may aggregate information for the investing public, nothing they say is earth-shattering. The book seems more to ride the tide of dumping on the investment community and offers little in the way of a position on fixing what is wrong. I am the first to agree that the system could be improved, but so could this book.

It is too bad that way too many managers, supervisors and leaders in the secular world will not follow the timely and true advise Mr. Sanders lays out in this book.

This is the first book I have read that has the correct way to view the secular world with a biblical reference. With that said, I dare you to read this book AND try some of the points in it and see if your work will not succeed!

An Important Book written by
Dan J. Sanders
CEO United Supermarkets

Reviewed by M. Joyce McMenamin

CALL IT THE CLEVERLY PACKAGED LITTLE BOOK
THAT CAPTURED MY ATTENTION & INSPIRED US TO
CREATE A NEW SECTION IN OUR
LITTLE MAGAZINE!

CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL, WE THINK THAT MR. SANDERS HAS DONE A SUPERB JOB OF POSITIONING THE IDEA THAT "BUYER & SELLER'S INTUITION", COMBINED WITH EMPIRICAL DATA, CREATES A BLENDED SUCCESS MODEL OF THOUGHTFUL & INTELLIGENT PROFITABLITY & LONGEVITY.

SANDER'S GOES BEYOND MERELY MIMICKING PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED MODELS AND
WE WERE ACTUALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE DOWN-TO-EARTH MODELS PRESENTED IN
THIS NEW BOOK BY THE CEO OF UNITED SUPERMARKETS. NO SMALL FEAT. THE CAREER,THE BOOK, NOR THE SUCCESS OF THE ORGANIZATION. ASIDE FROM THE
"INSIDE THE BOOK" ADMIRATION BESTOWED BY BEST SELLING BUSINESS AUTHORS,
STEPHEN R. COVEY & KEN BLANCHARD, THIS BOOK DELIVERS ON IDEAS THAT NEED
TO BE DISCUSSED MORE IN THE FUTURE. IDEAS THAT NEED TO BE TAUGHT IN BUSINESS SCHOOLS & NEED TO BE PUT INTO PRACTICE BY ANY ORGANIZATION THAT
WANTS TO GROW AND THRIVE, LET ALONE SURVIVE, INTO THE NEXT DECADE.
THIS IS A MESSAGE THAT ALL LEADERS NEED TO HEAR, BELIEVE & PUT INTO ACTION.

SANDERS SHOULD GET A TEAM OF FACILITATORS TOGETHER TO BUILD WORKSHOPS
AROUND HIS PRINCIPLES & TAKE IT TO THE MILLIONS OF MANAGERS OUT THERE THAT
STILL DON'T "GEDDIT". BACK WHEN I WAS CONSULTING & FACILITATING CORPORATE GROUP SESSIONS, I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE HAD MATERIAL LIKE THIS TO DRAW FROM. SANDERS GETS IT!

WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?

IN A WORLD WHERE TOO MANY, WHO "SHOULD KNOW BETTER",MERELY SPEAK TO THE METRIC-MODEL, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT SANDERS & UNITED LEARNED HOW TO WALK BEFORE THEY TRIED TALKING. SOMETHING MANY PROFESSIONALS SHOULD EMULATE. IN LIFE LEARNING HOW TO WALK, STUMBLE, FALL AND GET BACK UP AGAIN, IS THE NATURAL PROGRESSION TO GROWTH. WHO KNOWS? IF THIS BOOK HAD BEEN AROUND 20 YEARS AGO MAYBE WE'D STILL HAVE A STRONG AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY! BY THE LOOKS OF THINGS, UNITED SUPERMARKETS AND THE GROCERY INDUSTRY IN GENERAL ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE... AFTERALL, WE ALL GOTTA EAT, RIGHT?

BRAVO!
UNITED, WE STAND & APPLAUD.

Reviewed by: M. Joyce McMenamin
Publisher, Producer and author of The Integrity Channel [m.j.m. estrada]
Network Abundance sponsored by Sensitive Pie Productions

This review originally appeared in NoNiche Magazine November 2007 Issue

This is a beautiful business book. It really teaches you that your business vision and mission must serve a higher purpose in this life. Your mission should not be money, but instead of servitude to humans. All businesses must serve, lead and help their employees and customers attain a higher purpose in this life, and you as a business leader must do just that instead of focusing on profits. Read it, you will have a different view of business after you are done with it.

United Supermarkets, the company Dan Sanders runs, has long been a strong presence in the community I live in...a very strong and a very positive influence.

The environment and culture Mr. Sanders talks about in his book are evident, from a customer's view point, so it was great reading what was going on behind the scenes of this corporation to help create this atmosphere. He does practice what he preaches.

The most difficult thing a person can achieve naturally is a requirement and achievable in Christ, and that is to serve another human being.

We try and do things our way only to end up pursuing wealth, power, status, stuff and things. All along we miss out on the one thing that will bring fulfillment into our lives.

There are many books written on Management and Leadership; most prescribing tools and processes that when implemented over time the companies eventually retreat to nothing but empty warehouses and broken livelihoods, placing cities and towns under a burden of unemployment and families and governmental structures in a deficit. Built to Serve hits the nail on the head by providing practical steps on how to operate in a process that is proven to work.

Serve the people and they will spend more money just to be served; serve them well and they will drive great distances to spend their money because of how being served by your company made them feel. The three keys that I feel made this book so outstanding is that it deals with the reality of a current business mindset which operates in most businesses today which is that you the customer should be glad we are here to take your money and treat you like the ignorant customer that we you and believe you are. Go into businesses and organizations right where you live and you will surely come across this mindset and current prevailing attitude. Serving, the value of people (internal/external customers), and keeping the faith, are all keys that this book really addresses. Combine all of these together and you find yourself in relationship with your customers. Greater is the fact that you can actually begin to reproduce quality leaders.

This book touches my heart for people and helping them to employ daily their talents to assist people and bless their employers. I look forward to the day when more businesses, PNP's, companies, and organizations begin to apply the right tools for today's business problems. This is well written and contains many great truths...good job.

This book is just an "okay" introductory text on capoeira. A major draw back is the centeral focus on capoeira regional, a better text would be "Ring of Liberation" because it more comprehensivly covers capoeira.

The book Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form was not only well-written but was interesting as well. This book educates you about the history of capoeira, capoeira practitioners, and even a short summary of how Mestre Acordeon was introduced to the art of capoeira. I would highly reccomend this book to capoeiristas, as it was very helpful to me. Axé.

Amazing book, absolutely amazing. It is not for the person wanting to learn how to do capoeira, but for anyone, beginner or master, who wants to read a great history and personal journey.
It even travels into the spiritual, deeper significance of capoeira.
GREAT BOOK.

Mestre Acordeon takes you on a journey through capoeira, sharing his experiences and inviting the reader to use his imagination.
A truely inspirational piece from a truely inspirational master.

Mestre Acordeon's book has long been praised for its clear writing, for his thoughtful coverage of the history, philosophy, and artistic traditions surrounding this art-form. Other reviewers (see below) have noted that the book was among the first in English to introduce readers to these aspects of Capoeira, while also offering a glimpse into this one mestre's personal and life-long journey. Having assigned his book to students (both graduate and undergraduate alike), I have had ample opportunity to hear students' glowing reviews: most of these students had never heard of Capoeira, nor even seen it played, before having read his work. In retrospect, they (and I, too) consider this book an excellent way to delve into the topic. While there's recently been a flurry of new scholarship on Capoeira (at least 3 books in English have come out in 2005) that matches Capoeira's growing influence around the globe, Acordeon's book remains one of the best places to start one's exploration. Axe ASCAB!

What an inspiring musical rendition of The Divine Chaplet!

Thank you for the prompt delivery of this fine CD.

This rendition of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, recorded live
at the Marian Helpers centre in Massachusetts, is simply amazing.
The voices are as beautiful and clear as crystal and it is an
all-around lovely piece. It is a joy to sing along with this
prayer in this version. Touching, lovely. 5 Stars.

This is a wonderful CD. At times when you are driving or when at home, the prayer (Chaplet of the Divine Mercy) in song can be played. Beautiful voices so you can sing along.

I really like this version of the divine mercy chaplet better than the older version. This has a real melodic quality to it and for me it is easier to fully participate in this version. The older version is more of a chant but the voices were not as polished and it was really distracting. Prayer is not good if it is distracting from the intent of the prayer. So for me this is the best version I have ever heard. I forst heard this on Sacred Heart radio.

I was introduced to this music at a recent ACTS retreat in South Texas. The musicians for the retreat had learned this particular arrangement and taught it to the retreat members. Singing it daily with 60 other retreatants in a small chapel became a highlight of the retreat. I have sent copies to my best friends.

This book is awesome! McManus really inspires you to look at every second that goes by in life, and seize those divine moments because they can really impact someone's life, as well as your own. I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!

Chasing Daylight is the kick in the rear a lot of us need. Go after your passions with confidence and don't look back.

McManus is an inspiration and by telling the story of Jonathan he gives us an example of someone living boldly because they can not live any other way. That is the life I want to lead.

I loved this book. I would read it in the mornings while eating breakfast and it was a great start to the day. Erwin McManus is very passionate about his faith and he is very effective in trying to convey that passion. So many of his personal stories that he tells made just say "Wow." And then I realized how so many small things we do, the little leaps of faith that we take, can have such huge rewards and make so many differences in people's lives that do not know Christ. This book is definitely a call to action for the individual and also for the church as a whole. Let's be a generation that seeks to help the lost, the poor, the broken. Let's be a generation that puts other needs before our own. Great message!

I would agree with another reviewer that things get repeated a lot throughout, probably because the whole book was based around the story of Jonathan and the Philistines. Could have been shorter, but still, an excellent read and highly recommended.

A good read, motivational. It is a little rambling for my preference, the author seems to say the same thing many different ways ie take action, just do something for the kingdom of God etc. It gives overall good advice for believers in Jesus Christ but I wouldn't treat the book as a book on theology. The personal stories the author gives are excellent and are the most motivating part of the book.

McManus has an easy to read style that draws you in. Though carpe diem (seize the day) is the main theme this does not reflect a frantic pace but rather developing a discipline of making deliberate choices that give life to your dreams and what God has called you to do. Using a moment in Johnathan's life when he did seize the day by taking the initiative in the face of uncertainty. I will warn you that this is a battle story and was difficult for some church members to find value in studying. Jonathan used his influence inspite of the risks, to advance and leave a mark that served God's will. McMannus writes that all of Jonathan's choices required action and a willingness to awaken those who are in many ways just sleep walking through life. Our church bought the book for our small group leaders as well as the companion DVD and study guide. They were generally well received.

An excellecnt book on the subject of worship and worship leading. It covers everything from theology of worship and becoming a leader to practicle warm-up and rehearsal tips. It really covered a lot in a way that kept you wanting to turn every page and read the next one!!!
Joe O' Donovan, Eire.

I bought this as a fairly new worship leader and it provided several details and information that was needed as I began the journey.

Kevin Navarro draws on personal experience and a solid biblical foundation to create this truly complete guide for anyone interested in becoming a worship leader of excellence. His writing style is never high handed yet it is impossible to read this book without being thoroughly aware of the fact that this is the work of a scholar. The only way to be successful as a worship leader is to put God first in all you do and this idea is wholeheartedly endorsed by the author, but God also expects you to use your talents in an excellent way. This is where this practical handbook really comes into it's own. Follow the principles and suggestions in this book and you will experience a new level of worship.

I am an Iranian, My name is Roozbeh, and I am a Christian Composer, and conductor of a Christian Music band named "Messiah". I am serving the Lord Jesus Christ through Worship and Music in Iran. It was a grace to study the book written by my brother Kevin J. Navarro "The Complete Worship Leader". I have learned many deep lessons and I taught it to others as a worship course. This book really helps us to be Complete Worship Leaders in His service. My dear brother Kevin, I thank God for you and say God bless you for this wonderful book!

A truly successful Worship Leader needs to be a theologian(to know why we worship God), disciple(to guide people, we ourselves must be guided by God), artist(know the ins/outs of music and performance) and leader(to guide people successfully)
I have read so many Worship books that only address one of these areas. The Complete Worship Leader addresses all of these areas in a comprehensive yet straightforward manner. Trust me, when the author said "Complete" he REALLY meant it. This is a "must" for Worship Leaders of any level.

Book is in perfect condition and arrived promptly. I have only read a little of the book, however it has been referenced by many of my graduate classmates.

The textbook was received in perfect condition and in a timely manner.

Patricia Benner started taking a common-sense approach to nursing research, when everyone else was out there in the clouds. She actually did something no one else was doing at the time- she asked nurses what they thought, and observed real working nurses to describe her learning model. She aptly describes how nurses learn at the bedside, and why they make the decisions they do, based on what stage of learning they're in. I recommend this book for new and experienced nurses, preceptors, and nurse educators. A must-read for anyone in the profession.

this book is excellent for any nurse who wants to understand Patricia Benner's theory on how we learn and develop our skills as nurses caring for others needs moving from the task oriented to seeing the big picture of care.

This book should be required reading for all nurses in all nursing programs. It is an unspoken nursing student idea that when you graduate from your nursing program that you should, "know it all." This is unrealistic for the new/novice nurse. This book explains the process and gives comfort the the new nurse that expecting you to "know it all" is unreasonable and is not an expectation of the profession.

This book is excellent. Easy to read and full of great gems. It is in a story fashion that is very entertaining with lots of reminders about being successful and generous.

You can read this book on a two-hour flight, even if you stop to mark up the pages and underline key quotes --- which you will! This well-told tale by Ken Blanchard and Truett Cathy is one of the most inspiring books you'll read this year or any future year. A fictional parallel to the recent "Why Good Things Happen to Good People" this book shows you why giving matters --- and then motivates you to become a giver --- for life. Extremely well done!

Dr. David & Lisa Frisbie
The Center for Marriage & Family Studies
Authors of Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide and Companion for Every Single Parent

This book has the potential to change the world as we know it by changing how we treat each other. I loved it, and my entire company is now dedicated to changing the world by doing the right thing.

This book is a delightful tale that can easily be read in one sitting. It is written by Ken Blanchard and takes the format of a parable, though it is based on the life of S. Truett Cathy who founded Chick-Fil-A. It is written in a similar style to many of Patrick Lencioni's leadership books, and I have found this format to be quite engaging.

The basic premise revolves around the imagined life of a young, driven, materialistic broker and a relationship that he develops with an older, successful, generous executive. Throughout the story, the executive takes great pains to teach the general life principle to the broker that significance is infitely more worthwhile than success, and he suggests that the only way to truly achieve significance is to generously give away time, talent, treasure, and touch. It is hard to argue with this notion, especially when presented so effectively.

One aspect of the book that was particularly appealing to me is its insistence on giving God priority and primary ownership over all of our things. Both Blanchard and Cathy are committed Christians, and this reality bleeds right into the text of the book. However, they were not overbearing with this theme, to the extent that some key principles would probably ring true to those outside the Christian community. Still, I appreciated their reference to God as the creator and owner of all, and they seem to suggest, quite compellingly, that it is ultimately impossible to embrace the generosity factor without an appropriate view and reference of God.

Ultimately, the "conversion" of the broker by the end of the story was a bit contrived and saccharine, but such can easily be the nature of parables. This book isn't particularly profound or earthshattering, but it is certainly accessible and helpful. Blanchard and Cathy offer some great ideas, a few that will probably shake some readers who come to the book without a heart of generosity. I have certainly been impacted, and I would recommend this book to anyone with a willingness to more fully understand the generous lives to which God has called us.

This book inspired me so much I did my commencement speech for our local Catholic school on this book. It can change your whole attitude on life. I bought one for each graduating senior & asked S. Truett Cathy to sign each one, which he graciously did. A great present for any occasion.

It's in the knowing of someone that we can develop trust in who that person truly is. This is precisely what our Creator means for us to do concerning Him. Purpose to know Him, believe Him, understand Him, trust Him. As we come close to God through His written word and prayer, we know Him as our Comforter! This book leads us in that direction.

To me the title makes it sound like a book for those of us in need of sympathetic, "touchy-feely" encouragement. Instead I would say it is a book encouraging us to take God at His word, in spite of how we would want to wallow in our own ways, and thereby finding in Him true "rest for our souls."

To understand Scripture and God in a new light is powerful! For example, the chapter that has recently hit me is on Self-Examination. Too often we in the Church are urged to regularly examine ourselves, a practice that often leads to inward, self-centered and myopic, if not discouraging, spiritual vision. Yet in actuality the Bible tells us only to do this in two different passages: prior to Communion and once said to a church to check if "one is in the faith" - a Yes or No question. From that point, Smith writes that we instead read in Scripture to invite GOD to examine US (not we ourselves), asking HIM to reveal in our lives HIS ways and plans; in other words, we are to focus on HIM, learning of Him, growing toward HIM as a result of it being He who we chose to spend time with, about, and for. Taking our eyes off of ourselves, even when looking inward appears a pious undertaking, and turning our examination toward Him gives freedom from self-focus, inherently grows our relationship with our Lord God, and allows our hearts to be changed not from our own working but from God working in us! This was an incredible change of perspective for me!

Excellent, excellent book!

My wife has read this book off and on for years. She decided it was so good that she wanted to give it to a close friend who has cancer. Our friend said he really appreciated and loved the book.
E. T. Owens

Another WOW, just the depth and richness of her writing, and understanding of God, His words, and His LOVE will encourage, and enlighten you, you will be amazed at the simpleness, as well as the profoundness of her words, and more impressive, as it was written in the middle 1800's, and addresses anything that is relevant today.

The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life ( Complete and Unabridged)

I have been teaching this book for nearly a year to my ladies Bible class on Wednesday nights. The class consists of 25 women, who, in varying ways, need to be comforted. Even though this book was written in 1906, and these women range in age from 20 to 60, it is the best book I have found to address each of their needs. This book has taught me that God can and does meet all our needs and even though each of our needs are very different, His way of meeting them, individually, is very similar. Hannah Whitall Smith has a way of simplifying and explaining how God can and will comfort us. Chapter eight, The Lord our Dwelling Place, has been particularly helpful to those of us who have had wayward children. She has a way of convicting us that God is there and He really is Our Father. Even though I thought discussing 17 chapters would be long and redundant, the class has proven to be one of the best I have ever led and the women have recommended it to more people than any class I have ever taught. I highly recommend it.

Keenan explores the realm of the soul in this pleasant, enlightening discussion. A problem I had is that he never (that I can remember) defines the soul or discusses the spirit. So, much of the language about the soul is somewhat ambiguous. I think at times he referred to what I consider the spirit as the soul. I never grasped exactly what he means by "soul," which is frustrating when that is the focus of the book.

Much of the book lacked the passion that really moves a reader to wake up to the sense of soul and spirituality and the need to address the unseen world. The book is told/read without much drama.

Keenan does share insights about life that will probably cause you to examine your priorities and direction in life. He shares stories that are relevant but that didn't seem to strike a loud enough chord to me. I think he could have gone deeper into his spiritual well to offer the reader more living water that what is here.

I think there is a lack of specificity about what he truly believes regarding the soul. He doesn't share much of his Catholic belief system but more of a watered down spirituality that ignores much of what one would expect a Catholic priest to believe.

There were some nuggets that I can take with me such as looking for the miracle in everyday life, expecting gifts from God and from life, and trusting in the guidance of providence when least suspected.

I would encourage him to be more earnest about what he believes in the future.

I thought this was a good book. Because it was about football. It was'ent just one team it has different players and some of the best players from the 80's to the 90's. Some players are still playing till this day.Thats what this books about good professional players ;about their good days and their bad days.

I didn't finish the book yet because I keep going over some chapters that apply to my own spiritual journey. I can relate to so many things Fr. Pauls says. He is truly a gifted author and buying this book was no "coincidence." I was looking for another book, but this came into my hand because God wanted me to read Fr. Paul's words. Thank you Father Paul for sharing your insights with us. We are on this journey together.

This is a truly helpful book. Father Keenan's compassion comes alive on these pages. You can feel his hand in yours as you read. It's been a fad for quite some time now to say that one is "into spirituality" or is "a spiritual person." But to completely understand spirituality, one must first realize the function of the soul in life. Soulfulness is the basis of all things spiritual, emotional, and physical. It is our very essence. And this guide will help you in your quest to make your life a soulful one. On a personal note: My family sustained the loss of my dear sister just weeks before the release of this book. It served as a comforting tool to all the members of my family during this difficult time. But whether you are hurting, searching, happy, or sad, Father Keenan's words will lead you to a better understanding of the very thing that gives us the vitality and strength that we so need to survive: the soul. Father Keenan taught me so much through this book that I have actually been able to use what I've learned to help others through loneliness, loss, and frustration. And it's been an absolute delight to share what I've learned with all of God's souls who have come into my life.

GIST: A spiritual advisor seeks to comfort. HAMMOCK-TIME: Thisslim volume takes very little time to finish, perhaps one weekend inyour hammock or beach chair. PACE: Fast-paced. STYLE: Clear, concise. SUBSTANCE: Raised as a Roman Catholic, I've always felt a bit guilty in my ongoing interest in New Thought theories and techniques. I was more than pleasantly surprised to learn that Fr. Keenan recommends several New Thought type ideas and methods. Because of my Catholic background, it also meant a great deal to me that Fr. Keenan has a sense of balance, an openness tempered by intelligence and caution. So many New Thought authors, some recommended by Oprah, have lost compassion or even a sense of integrity as they steal quotes from each other and from long-dead philosophers. Worse, they promote each other's ideas as if they alone hold the monopoly on knowing how the Universe precisely operates. Fr. Keenan seems to rise above this good ole guru network, and truly to come from an authentic place of love and truth. His humility is refreshing, and comforting. QUIBBLES: Because he is so humble, he never stated what radio stations air his programs. It took some research. . COMPLEMENTARY BOOKS: Any book by the late great Fr. Henri Nouwen, whose work, The Wounded Healer is a classic. His insight and compassion are endearing and inspiring. ### END