General Practice Books

Dear fellow mediators or anyone looking into the mediation profession:

Mosten's book, Mediation Career Guide, is just the book I was looking for to strategically guide me through deciding whether to go into mediation as a profession. The book is well organized and can be read cover to cover or as a reference guide. Some of the key parts of the book are 1) Deciding if Mediation is Right for You and 2) Building Your Career as a Mediator.

The chapter on deciding whether to get your law degree or not for mediation was an especially important chapter for me. I completed one year of law school and then decided to re-evaluate my J.D. path. I enrolled in SMU's Dispute Resolution program to help with my decision. Mosten's book is the only mediation book that directly dealt with the J.D. dilemma. The chapter did not tell me what to do or what Mosten thinks is best. Instead, the chapter asked certain questions about my background to see whether a J.D. is a good choice or not.

Mosten's book is a MUST HAVE if you are deciding whether the mediation profession is right for you and how to build a mediation practice.

Thank you Forrest (Woody) Mosten for this book and all of your contributions to the peace-making profession!

Roseanne Pierre

I am just beginning my mediation practice. This book stays with me all day. It gives practical advice, plus deals with the emotional issues attached with such a leap of faith that is required for entering this field. I highy recommend this to everyone!

This book is one of the most helpful and insightful books that I have read. If you are thinking of, or already are, a mediator, this book is full of great information, ideas, and helpful hints.
This book is an easy read, you could read it in one evening and then be on your way to implement the things that you have learned.

Forrest Mosten has written what must be the definitive book for those who are considering or might consider a career in mediation.

I have known the author since 1970, when he was a law student working part time for me in the foreign student office at UCLA. Even then he was thinking about how he might incorporate his strong social conscience into the practice of law. Ten years later he found his answer when he committed himself to becoming a professional mediator. For Mosten, mediation is more than an efficient means of resolving disputes, it is a way to work as a peacemaker at the person-to-person level. It provides its practitioners who are attorneys with an alternative to the adversarial nature of the legal system, which weighs heavily on many lawyers. Of course it provides the same benefit for clients. He makes his point about mediation as a peace effort dramatically in chapter one, where he states "...don't jump into a growing but still uncertain field like mediation unless you eat, breath and dream about creating peace and resolving conflict and are willing to risk everything to make it happen".

In addition to maintaining a highly successful mediation practice in Los Angeles, Mosten trains future mediators and he has established a nation-wide network of mediation centers. He also is the author of three previous books on mediation.

The author's purpose in writing the book is stated in the first paragraph of the preface, where he says "It was an uphill climb to build my mediation practice. This book is my effort to help you avoid many of the costly mistakes I made along the way".

The book is organized into three parts, each with several chapters, followed by nine appendices. In the first part, "Is Mediation right for You?", he covers the question of what it takes to be a mediator, such as being a good listener, patient, tolerant and neutral, flexible, and empathic, among other traits. In the chapter on "Education and Training", he discusses the question of non-lawyers as mediators. Mosten admits that lawyers have certain advantages, but he lists other fields which often provide a good background, such as therapists, business persons, teachers and clergy. Whether they come from the law or other fields, he states, extensive training in mediation will be required. Here Mosten goes into some depth on this subject which is dear to his heart because he wants "...mediation to be the first stop on the conflict resolution highway", which means having "...enough trained and experienced mediators available to meet this need".

Part Two, "Building Your Career as a Mediator" deals with the creation of a mediation signature, which includes advice on writing vision and mission statements to distinguish your particular practice. He also advocates having a board of directors to help with these tasks and to provide a sounding board along the way which he had earlier described as an informal group of persons whose judgment you trust. (He might more accurately have called them a "board of advisors). Another chapter, "Creating a Mediation-Friendly Environment", gets down to reading materials and arrangement of the reception room. Most important, he introduces the idea of the client library, described as a consumer-friendly collection of books, video tapes and other resources which will help clients learn what they need to help solve their own problems. This concept is related to Mosten's preference for informed client consent, and he reports that his library is well used by his clients.

Part Three is "The Nuts and Bolts of Private Practice", which covers topics such as finding a place to practice, naming your practice, forming strategic partnerships and networks. With respect to networks, he uses his own Mosten Mediation Centers as an illustrative model, in which he has established local mediators around the country as subcontractors. In the chapter entitled "Strategic Planning and Investing in Yourself", he gets very specific about the time and money required to establish a mediation practice, including a breakdown of out -of-pocket costs which add up to $57,000 over a five-year period.

Even though he has stated his desire to see a great increase in the number of practicing mediators, Mosten in no way sugarcoats the obstacles and challenges facing anyone who plans to enter the field. His candor, at times, would almost seem to discourage, but at least anyone who has read the book would enter the field fully warned. More important they will have read a well integrated combination of philosophy and nuts and bolts, each supporting the other.

This is a critical book for those contemplating a career in mediation, it is a useful book for anyone contemplating using the services of a mediator, and it is an interesting book for those who are attracted by the concept of mediation as a force for more peaceful interpersonal relations.

It is one thing to learn how to mediate, it is another to learn how to start your business as a mediator. This book focuses on the second task. I found that this book contains good, practical advice for analyzing your own abilities as a mediator and setting up your practice. It even talks about how to establish the physical environment of your office. Combine this with Allan H. Goodman's new, second edition of Basic Skills for the New Mediator, and you should be ready to hang out your shingle.

Written by a Catholic nun and a Jesuit priest, the structure of this book is based loosely on the "Weeks" as found in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. However, all Christians (non-Catholics included) could well use the exercises in this book for his own spiritual growth. Both authors are well experienced in the ministry of spiritual direction and the book came into focus, as they wrote in the Introduction, "because we wanted to help men and women to find God in their busy and complex lives."

The book is divided into Moments, all 32 of them (equivalent to a 32-weeks retreat in daily life in Ignatian Spirituality), and for each Moment the authors give pointers to reflect and to pray with Scripture. Each Moment draws on a parallel of the notes as found in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Then the author suggests a Desire (or a Grace if you'd like to call it) for the Moment. Scripture passages provide the ground for reflection and then Questions posed by the authors help a pray-er to stay focus on God and God's presence in daily life.

The author further provide more pointers in Suggestion and the Examen Prayer for one to keep growing in his spiritual life outside of formal prayer time. The Examen is one exercise that St. Ignatius advocate strongly because it is in looking over the day, a week, a month or months, and years that one takes stock of what has happened and how one has responded to the things around him that in the first instance were God's creation. So during the Examen one gets a chance to review his relationship with God's other creatures, which often slips by because of inattention.

Each Moment opens with a photograph, albeit in mono-color. The authors' idea is that visual people might find a possibility to reflect on the pictures and see if the picture/s conjure up feelings and/or emotions. After all, Ignatian prayer is about using all our five senses.

The Moments in this book is do-able for anyone who is serious to grow spiritually in prayer life. Unlike the rigid 30-day Spiritual Exercises that is conducted in a stay-in retreat setting, the 32 Moments provide a way to meditate and to reflect on Scripture every day in the comfort and pace of one's daily living. According to the authors, "each Moment may be used for a day, for a week, or for a random hour of reflection when seeking perspective on your life." For example, if one is serious to use this book as a 32-weeks retreat in daily life, then he should use each Moment for a week before moving on (one Moment for one week). The authors give ample Scripture passages for a pray-er to stay with one Moment for a week.

In my opinion it would be ideal to get a spiritual friend to journey through these exercises. Share insights, thoughts and feelings about what come up during prayer with that spiritual companion. It pays to listen to ourselves and to get support as we allow God to touch our lives.

I recommend this book for busy people who cannot retreat formally to a silent place to pray and to listen to God. This book is definitely not bedtime reading material. It asks of you to DO and if you are ready to spend time daily in prayer as detailed in each Moment, then this book is a good resource to settle you into a habit of listening to God and finding self through Scripture.

Moment by Moment is just what I needed to give me some focus, balance and perspective in my busy life. It is very attractive, challenging in its probing questions, and reader-friendly. The authors have taken the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, a 450 year old classic, and skillfully adapted it to the hunger and needs of busy people. I bought the book as gift for family and friends. They loved it!

Having completed the Spiritual Exercises, I was interested in a book which would help me continue in the Ignatian tradition. I find this book very helpful for continued reflection and prayer.

I am currently using this book as a guide for church group sharing and we are discovering how wonderful it really is. The structure is easy to follow and filled with options to explore.
It incorporates the traditional Spiritual Exercises and adds quotes from sacred scripture, the Vatican II documents, and practical suggestions for prayer.

This book is a retreat in everyday life, which I found very encouraging and inspired me to grow in my faith.
I would recommend this book to ones who are looking for a way to examine themselves and searching for a deeper meaning to their lives.

What an irony! A contemplative mystic, who lives in Mystic Connecticut, writes a book of prose and poetry about a year in the life of her garden. What other name could a book like this have? This is a charming little book. It probably will not catch the fancy of more pragmatic people, but then again it doesn't try to. If you are into theology, philosophy, or "how to" books, leave this one alone. If you enjoy romance and poetic thought, take time to smell the roses in this mystic garden. Some things are better enjoyed than dissected. This is one of them.

Gunilla has a way of relating the simple, ordinary, mundane tasks of life to the profound. Her metaphor, in this case gardening, gives honor to the repetitive, unrewarding tasks which ultimately, hopefully, result in beauty and creative expression. She goes a step further by embracing the hard, disappointing and, in some cases, ugly into the landscape both of our literal gardens and of our ultimate garden: the soul.

Gunilla Norris' work is wonderful. The way she writes in mystical and wonderful. She weaves spirtuality into everyday things. I love her work. She is an amazing author.

Gunilla Norris is a truly gifted writer. She has a unique way of understranding the world and an equally unique way of communicating that understanding in her books. She savors everyday events and turns them into poetry. She asks us to take the time to appreciate the process of cultivating and nurturing a garden while being mindful of the kind of hard work that goes into creating its beautiful bounty. The parallel to life is clear. This book is a real treasure!

In our increasingly fast-paced, outwardly focussed culture of immediate gratification, Norris' book calms and refreshes like a drink of water for the soul. She reminds us that every visible blossom has deep and hidden roots that followed their own natural rhythms to produce the splendor that we call Spring. She calms the anxiety by reminding us that all good things take time. Her writing touches the universal heart and is as exquisite in its focus and simplicity as it is profound in depth. A must read for anyone ready to marry intention with action to create a meaningful life.

I definitely recommend this book to worship leaders and pastors. It's a smooth read, interesting, and very useful. It's not very expensive and the author himself is very qualified and has a great humble heart. I think this book could help a lot of churches with some problems they face weekly between worship leaders, pastors, and their congregations. Read it.

This book is a real treasure trove of information. Great insight on many different styles of worship without any favoritism towards any one style. I recommend this book to anyone whose plans, or assists in planning worship.

This is the author, Barry Liesch, writing. Just a note on the changes in the expanded edition. Chapters 1, 2, 6, 10, and 11 are new or virtually new. All the other chapters (16 in all) are enhanced too. This version is much stronger, both theologically and practically.

It has a greater appeal to college-age worship leaders. It's more incisive. It also links up with the web site I've partnered, offering many supplemental materials with ongoing updates--see worshipinfo.com. Baker Books has done an exemplary job with the layout--lots of diagrams, tables, illustrative drawings for the eye. In short, I'm pleased with the result and hope you will be too.

This book is timely. Carifying of my own opinions and experience while offering new insights and practical application. Obviously established on experience and observation as well as Biblical principles (I also read the author's other book, People in the Presence of God, for more theological background). An insightful resource, easy to read and understand.

Barry has now written 2 good books on worship. The heart he has for worship, and his attempt not to alienate anyone truly seeking God are outstanding. It is a shame he has to bend over backwards to keep some from getting upset, but he is willing to do it for God's sake and he is good at it.

There are many practical helps here as well as a good basis for trying new forms and methods. I find his style honest and inviting. I can also personally testify to many of the recommendations given on contemporary, flowing worship styles.

Get this book and have fun exploring God's greatness is worship!

In this pioneering work Herbert Weiner recounts his meetings with a number of Jewish teachers in Jerusalem. He reveals a world or worlds which at the time were little known outside the Holy Land . This book has about it the feeling of discovery, of new promise in the world of Jewish learning. It is inspiring and still very much worth reading today.

This is another one of those 20th century classics that I am delighted to see back in print. First published in 1969, it remains an excellent and very readable introduction to Jewish mysticism as practiced by Jews in modern times. I discovered it in the early 1970's and literally wore out my first copy. It was one of the pivotal books in my own personal quest, and remains a favorite today.

The "half mystic" in the title is Rabbi Herbert Weiner (Reform), who describes his personal interactions with various Jewish mystics and schools of thought, ranging from the highly academic university professor, Gershom Scholem, to the Breslover Hasidim in Israel, to an eccentric old scholar living in obscurity on East Broadway. There's a fascinating interview with the late Lubovitcher Rebbe (Menachem M. Schneerson) back in the days when he still met with seekers one-to-one, a personal invitation to a Belzer Hasidic wedding celebration, and a dip in the holy mikveh used by 16th-century Rabbi Isaac Luria. Especially interesting are Weiner's experiences among various Hasidic groups in Jerusalem, in a more spiritual time before the "ultra-Orthodox" became so highly politicized. In short, the book is a sort of travelogue through two critical decades, bridging the kabbalah from the last generation to remember the pre-Holocaust world, and into the modern era. For this reason alone, it's a very valuable testimony.

But don't get me wrong --- this book is not just history. Weiner's quest is as valid today as it was over 30 years ago. Interwoven with his personal experiences are clear explanations of the teachings, given in the context where he first received them. His quest to unravel the secrets is your quest also. Little by little, the book teaches you about kabbalah in a very practical, down-to-earth way. Highly recommended!

A lucid introduction to Jewish mysticism as it exists in the modern era. I've read quite a lot on the topic, yet the book taught me things I honestly did not know previously. Also, I appreciate the fact that Weiner generally avoids the syncretism that is common in works that attempt to relate Jewish mysticism to the contemporary spiritual quest.

Review of several related streams in the Hassidic tradition of mystic practice. Not a "How to" but does whet one's appetite for the experience.

Rabbi Herbert Weiner writes in an engaging manner about a personal journey, almost like a travelogue, into the historical, social and spiritual concepts underlying Kabbalistic thought. What I love most about the book is how he intersperses a great deal of historical knowledge in each chapter which makes the ideas come alive. The beauty of the writing is how the sparks of knowledge burn even into these modern times. They can light a fire in today's world. A sound spiritual base is a prerequiste to the building of a meaningful life in a most confusing and chaotic world. The historical basis of the ideas are presented along with the most current expressions of this practice, 1969 at the time it, although the book was updated in 1992.

Rabbi Weiner visits synogogues in New York and Israel. The Rabbi visited one of the last living legends of Kabbalistic thinking, an old scholar, S. Setzer, whose specialty was the Zohar. Setzer published articles in a newsletter of old world beliefs and practices from an apartment in New York. The reader is introduced to the unique historical roots and perspectives of the Zohar and its practice in the old world. Proper terminology is used within the spiritual practice to introduce those unfamiliar with the meaning. Rabbi Weiner takes a physical and spiritual journey to Israel where he speaks to eminent authors or their relatives in this field of study. He discusses the perspectives of Martin Buber, Gershom Scholem, and the Bratzlaver and Lubavitcher movements. He shares with us the modern use of the Kabbala in spiritural nonsecular circles that are seeking "self-knowledge". Overall this book brings the subject of the Kabbala to a wider audience. It shows how the concepts and spiritual practices of the past can bring meaning to life and perhaps, personal peace and understanding, to individuals living in a chaotic and confusing world. Most highly recommended. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

I first heard a part of this story from my Mother when I was young. I found it again later in life, read the whole story, and fell in love with Blaine's story all over again.

Miracles are all around us if we just open our eyes and SEE all that God has revealed to make man's life better!

One Tattered angel is a very great witness that miracles do happen and God is the God of all..... even the little ones.

This awesomely well-written little book is one of the most inspiring and humbling books I have read in a long time. I have given several as gifts and will give more. My sister's comments were that it "should be required reading for everyone." That pretty well sums it up. Highly recommended.

This book is truly touching. I finished reading it today for the 10th time within the year I have gotten it I believe. It is a true story of how even though times get rough, our Lord Jesus is always by us and so are his tattered angels.

i was on the island of st. martin recently, staying at a small hotel on the beach; to pass some time, i'd noticed they had "used" books on the shelf in the lobby to borrow and saw this little book called "one tattered angel". i started reading it and couldn't put it down. it affected the rest of my trip & my outlook on things, especially the power of prayer. i wanted to take the book with me - i was going to ask the hotel if i could buy it, just in case i couldn't find it anywhere. however, i noticed that it was signed by the author! i realized that the book needed to be left right there, so someone else could have the pleasure of reading it, like i did.

This book touched and inspired me so much that we named our daughter Charity after the subject of this book. This book helps us to better understand what our Heavenly Father expects of us, how very much he loves us and how he compensates for the weaknesses we have been given. There are blessings, even in the toughest of trials. Don't hesitate to buy this book. It may (and should) change your life.

Everything I have read by Watchman Nee has blessed me including this book. I highly recommend it.

The Overcoming Life is a collection of messages given by Watchman Nee in 1935. The key verse is Galatians 2:20: "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

The book concerns how believers can obtain God's full salvation - that is, more than salvation from sin and eternal life, but also salvation from the issues we have in this life, such as temper, pride, and other things we do that are not pleasing to God. Nee explains how we can overcome these things.

The main point is that we can't overcome on our own. Even if we are saved, we can't do anything to change by our own strength. Instead, we must have our flesh nature exchanged for Christ's nature. It is an issue of replacement versus improvement.

Again, we are crucified with Christ. To overcome with Christ's victory, we must admit that we are not able to change on our own, and we must stop trying to change ourselves. This, I think, is the hardest part. Most of us feel like we have to try, to strive, to be good people, even though every one of us keeps failing. Nee gives this kind of example: say you can pick up 100 pounds. There is a load that weighs 200 pounds. You know you can't pick it up. Why even try?

Nee focuses a lot on Luke 18:22, where Jesus tells the rich young ruler who has kept all the commandments "There is still one thing lacking" for salvation. Each person, Nee says, has "one thing lacking", and many more than one. These things that are lacking are the things that we are hung up on, things that God must do for us.

Necessary for living the overcoming life is surrender and belief. Nee's is a very hands-off approach to faith - let God do everything! At first, this seems a little too hands-off. But the more one thinks about it, the more one thinks, well, who better to do these things than God? How far has all our striving gotten us. Real victory though Christ isn't about teeth-clenched endurance. When God overcomes, it's amazing, and you know about it.

RECOMMENDED

Watchman Nee had the ability to bring forth truth from scripture in simple and practical ways. This book had a huge impact on my life and my walk with Jesus Christ. It moved me through the threshold of a natural life to a spiritual life! This book and the Normal Christian Life by the same author has impacted my life more profoundly than any other books I have read, with the exception of the bible. Nee expounds the truth of the overcoming life from many different angles and by giving many of his own experiences with others, giving real life examples of how he helped others enter into the overcoming life in Christ. I highly recommend this one....its one that you will return to again and again!

Watchman Nee is very clear and simple in the points he makes in this book. The points he makes are absosutely astounding, they will blow you away. Every Christian needs to read this book!

I am a Christian and I enjoy reading Watchman Nee's publications. I just read chapter 3 and it gave me whole new light of overcoming.

You see I've been troubled by one thing/person for the last 5 years. Being a Christian for 4 years, I still see this obsticle as an overcome-mission-impossible. I seek the Lord's words and prayed a lot for the sitution. However I came to a conclusion that I could experience the Lord in a lot of aspects except this one. Obviously it is contradictory to what God and His overcoming life should be, so I was troubled and frustrated.

After I read chapter 3, I came to the understanding that I have nothing to do with overcoming. No matter what I do or what I make up my mind not to do, overcoming doesn't belong to me. It is God, the Lord, who is THE overcome. Overcome is a "person"!! It is not a built-up effort. Now I have the new life inside me. As long as the new life lives out instead of my old life, it's the overcoming! It is that easy. What a breakthrough!!

I have to praise the Lord that He has prepared these spiritual material for us in the world. They are full of life and truth. As a true seekers, we can really benefited by reading them so that we move forward on our Christian lives.

~Your karmic colors are added to your essence for all to see and honor for all time~. The care bear imagery gave me a hearty laugh.

The book contains a dozen or so unrelated stories that are intended to inspire and enlighten the reader. I found most of the parables quite inspiring, but as a jaded new age reader of 20 years, I found very little in the way of new ideas to ponder.

Overall the book is a bit preachy in it's tone, but it tends to preach up to you rather than down to you. As such it comes off like a children's book, but some of the stories are really not appropriate for young children.

Some of the parables have very little in the way of story, and the message conveyed seemed trivially obvious. "The Bridge" in particular shows that even entities from another plane can be subject to writers block.

Some of the stories moved me deeply, and overall I enjoyed the book. As an inspirational tool to raise your energy, I would recommend the cassette or mp3 version instead of the printed book. At the time of this writing the mp3 is available for free on the Kryon website.

Entertainment: 2 stars
Enlightenment: 4 stars
Inspiration: 5 stars
Overall: 4 stars

Kryon is a loving entity currently on earth to help us move into the next phase of a new era. These parables are stories told by Kryon and translated by Lee Carroll to show how many persons are reacting to special circumstances as we move deeper into this century and begin to receive the new gifts of God. You will not find the negativity or cynicism of some channeled entities, and no hard lessons here. This is truly an inspired and inspiring book helping you discover how to come closer to the Great Reality, which seems to some to be a fairy tale like "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." I hope you have an opportunity to read and share this book with those you love.

Kryon helped save my life about seven years ago. I was in a very unhealthy abusive marriage, very negative and angry, and just flat-out wanted to die. I somehow was blessed with finding a Kryon article in Sedona Journal of Emergence and His words inspired me to change my life 500% for the better. This is an excellent book to start with if you are unfamiliar with Kryon. He gives very relative examples of how we "make ourselves" unhappy living the monotony in our everyday lives, and he gives very easy-to-follow directions on how to be loving and happy, therefore leading others to love and happiness by mere example. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!!!

This book is wonderful. It is not the first Kryon book, but I would recommended to anyone first than the others. It is an introduction to the overall Kryon message and it is just easy to read, and leaves you completely satisfied. You can relate to the stories and put then to practice easily. Highly recommended for anyone on the path to their own self ascension and our planet's and univeese!

I was just amazed at what I was reading and couldn't put it down. And neither will I part with the book. I plan to read it again. Don't miss this one. A Must read.

I am a paralegal student, and the guide that Chere has written is VERY helpful! I feel that I'll hit the ground running when I complete my certificate, and will have an "edge" that my fellow students won't have (unless they read this book). In particular, I love the interviews with real-life paralegals. I've only read half of this book, but it really is a winner!

This is a fantastic book for entry-level and experienced paralegals alike. It helps get you through some tough situations. Chere Estrin is a pro and well-known for sound advice and this book is full of excellent ideas and suggestions. I highly recommend it!

If you've ever had those middle of the night terrors wondering if you've made a mistake by choosing a paralegal career, you should pick up a copy of the Paralegal Career Guide. This book packs a lot of information about career pathways for paralegals.

Written clearly, this book is chock full of information covering trends, career options, how to create value, salary negotiations, tips on getting along with co-workers, and other career resources. There is practical advice on topics such as job sharing to deciding whether or not to temp. The chapter I'm now focusing on - "Paralegal Careers in the New Millennium" - provides more far more career options for paralegals than anything I've ever seen. One comes away from the book with a sense of what's possible with a paralegal background.

Ms. Estrin has provided a list of valuable resources at the end of the book. It includes staffing agencies, online resources, relevant books and periodicals and even a "Systems, Services, and Software Guide." After reading this book, I would issue this label: Caution: Reading this book will make you giddy with optimism.

I loved this book. The author obviously knows her subject. Any paralegal will find it invaluable in charting the course of his or her carrer. This is real insider stuff so if you want to know how others have made a go of a tough career, pick this book up.

Chere Estrin really knows this field! Here is an insightful, powerfully written book that gives solid advice to experienced and entry-level paralegals. I found the book to be direct, helpful and very funny! I actually laughed out loud in parts. The book spells out how to succeed in this field. It captures the nuances you need to know. It has checklists and creative forms that will help you on the job. It even has very interesting profiles of other paralegals. Chere Estrin can help you get ahead in your career. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

This is a MUST READ book for anyone interested in the Baal Shem Tov and Chassidism. Beautifully edited!

I know Dovid Siers personally and in him you'll find the case when the author lives every bit of his wrighting in deeds and spirit. Thanx G-d

Whether you're new to Chassidus or have been on the path for a long time, this book will enhance your journey. Once you've entered the Baal Shem Tov's world through these teachings, you'll want to return there again and again. This is a book you'll treasure!

I read David Sear's book on the Baal Shem Tov from cover to cover in one long night's sitting. The author covers virtually every area of thought of the creator of Chassidism. The book is a meticulously edited collection of the Baal Shem Tov's sayings in all areas of life and in service to G-d. I was left inspired and awed by the mind of this great thinker. I still go back to the book as a constant reference to the Baal Shem Tov. The introduction provides a useful historical and religious context to the Founder of Chassidus and the Chassidic movement. I would be comfortable recommending this book to anyone.

For anyone interested in the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov this is a must read book!! The BESHT the founder of Chassidus is one of the most important figures in Jewish history. However, most of his teaching were recorded by his students. Most of these works are not in English. Rabbi Sears does a magnificent job of taking different teaching from different works of the many of the BESHT's student and puts it into an easy to read and understand format. This book brings your knowledge of the BESHT's works to a whole different level. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!!! There is nothing else like it on the market today.