General Practice Books

Excellent book. Interesting read. Inspiring call to action.

I read a lot, but I almost never pin my husband down to read him sections of a book. When I was reading Totem Salmon, I couldn't help it. I kept saying, "Listen to this one." I owned a home in the Mattole River Watershed in the late 70's and early 80's. I was amazed at how well Freeman House captures the essence of the area and the people without caricaturing either. Over and over he writes a few sentences which really "get it right" in explaining the landscape, the weather or the people of the area. This is not an easy "how-to" book on bringing back the salmon, but it brings out why it is worth the effort for as long as it takes.

Briefly...as an environmentalist from both the non-profit, agency and barefoot,dreadlocked worlds I really appreciated this book. The author brings out the complexity and poetry of the technical, natural and spiritual mosaic involved in watershed work in the northwest (and eveywhere for that matter). For anyone who has ever (or even never) been through similar experiences that the author describes, it brings shivers up the spine with the descriptive imagery and his obvious intimacy with the Mattole. I highly recommend this book.

The book is a first-person account telling the story of a group of people who have dedicated themselves to rehabbing a river, a watershed, and saving some special strains of wild Pacific salmon stock. They decided to use salmon-hatchery technology (and other procedures) as a way to learn from the native salmon, rather than to introduce non-native species to their river. Freeman House is a truly impressive thinker and writer. His engaging intelligence is not just wide and deep, like a rockclimber his awareness gets into some unfamiliar and little-explored crevices of life - nature and human nature. House and his cohorts are questers who may ultimately discover something as important as did William Harvey or Sir Albert Howard. I'm tempted to call the book a riveting read, but the experience is warmer than that metaphor implies. It's hopeful. A strangely wise book.

From "Totem Salmon - Life Lessons from Another Species" by Freeman House -

"My straining senses slow down the sound so that each of its parts can be heard separately. A hiss, barely perceptible, as the fish muscles itself right out of its living medium; silence like a dozen monks pausing too long between the strophes of a chant as the creature arcs through the dangerous air; a crash as of a basketball going through a plate glass window as he or she returns to the velvet embrace of the water; and then a thousand tiny bells struck once only as the shards of water fall and the surface of the stream regains its viscous integrity."

"I flick on my headlamp and the whole backwater pool seems to leap toward me. The silver streak that crosses the enclosure in an instant is a flash of lightning within my skull, one which heals the wound that has separated me from this moment -- from any moment. The encounter is so perfectly complex, timeless, and reciprocal that it takes on an objective reality of its own. I am able to walk around it as if it were a block of carved stone. If my feelings could be reduced to a chemical formula, the experience would be a clear solution made up of equal parts of dumb wonder and clean exhilaration, colored through with a sense of abiding dread. I could write a book about it."

And here it is.

The Mattole River, where this story takes place, flows from the northwestern tip of California's Mendocino County, first a dozen miles northeast and then about sixty miles northwest through remote rural Humboldt County to its mouth at Petrolia. What keeps the river from reaching the Pacific Ocean any sooner is the King Range rising precipitously from the "Lost Coast", a stretch of beach frequented only by hikers and the occasional small plane.

Getting to the Mattole from the freeway is at least an hour's drive on winding country roads. This area, like much of Humboldt County, was logged in the fifties and sixties, and in the late sixties and seventies a substantial portion of it was sold to urban refugees, "reinhabitants". Over the next three decades, quite a few of them committed to the task of restoring the watershed to health. Two of these were David Simpson and Freeman House who together conceived and founded the Mattole Watershed Salmon Support Group. "Totem Salmon" tells the story of this work.

Salmon are an indicator species. Their health, as a population, closely tracks the health of the watershed to which they return. If you want to know how well a river valley is doing in the Pacific Northwest, look at the salmon runs, if there are any left. The principal enemy of the salmon is silt, produced by erosion usually from badly built roads and culverts, and from logging. Salmon need clean gravel in the streambed for eggs to survive and hatch. Well forested valleys with little erosion provide the best stream habitat for hatching and rearing salmon.

In 1950, before logging, it is recalled by the older Mattole valley residents, that, when they were running, "you could walk across the river on the backs of the salmon". In 1980, before restoration work began, the runs were down to perhaps 200 fish. More, those fish were the last wild salmon run in the state.

Looking back after reading the book, one could see the first phrase, "I am alone...", as a key to the work. Rooted in an explicit sense of self, spiraling out through sensory subtleties of immediate nature, to the larger cultural complexities, Mr. House melds what are usually seen as distinct worlds into a coherent portrait of a personal and multi-species reality. Like the salmon traversing the several worlds of ocean, river, air and creek, the personal, philosophical, cultural, historical, administrative, ecological, and cosmic threads are finely woven into a narrative yielding a shimmering presence of spirit and nature.

The book is a deeply enjoyable memoir of a long personal relationship with salmon. Along the way we see the history of the Euro-American relationship with this species, and that of the Native-American people who were here managing these watersheds long before. We learn of the state and federal administrative context of salmon management and the history of our, first, ignorance, and then, study of the anadromous species and their rivers. In clear and moving images, and with affection and humor, we see the people on the Mattole River who have joined hands for eighteen years to rescue this last wild run of salmon from extinction. Lastly we see the hopeful results and the tenuous circumstances of their work.

We might expect it to be a text for salmon restoration, and while the specifics are there they are widely scattered throughout the book. More attention is given to the wider question of how we got here, and how we can get through this to a more wholesome, rooted, and appreciative life in our particular place. If it is a text -- and Mr. House would say it is not -- it is a meta-instructional one, showing a way to become a people who will do the right thing for the watershed and thus for the salmon. The personal explorations in the book demonstrate by example the message beneath the text: by immersing ourselves in the reality of our local valley we can rescue both the health of our watersheds and our sense of ourselves. In the end, we see that they are the same journey; the salmon reflect to us our understanding of self and place.

The epilogue quotes Paul Schell, Mayor of Seattle, "Ironically, as we work to save the salmon, it may turn out that the salmon save us."

The teachings in this book are timeless. The Dalai Lama has a wonderfully peaceful way of sharing this wisdom and reminding us how we can free ourselves from the suffering we create with our attachments. Whether you are Buddhist, or not, the information and wisdom teachings in this book transcend religion -- all humans with a mind would benefit from reading this book. I'm not a Buddhist; but I greatly admire and deeply appreciate the wisdom, compassion, and peace at the core of these teachings.

The examples and remedies provided in this book are applicable in most lives; and the advice for transforming your mind by transforming your thoughts is critical to any path of self-realization or self-actualization. It is always refreshing to hear wise words; and this is another one of those books you can open to any page for as much wisdom as you can stand...

This is a great book for anyone who wants to look inside the heart and mind of Tibetan Buddhism as it teaches compassion and release from suffering.

I absolutely love this book! There is also a little companion book called "The Book of Transformation," which breaks "Transforming the Mind" down to its most integral ideas. I keep the little one at work (it's a blessing there) and the other at home.

The Dalai Lama is so completely clear in his ideas here, it is impossible not to come away with something after reading this book. He talks about learning how to generate compassion, which he feels is absolutely necessary to leading a happy life. If only the entire world could see this wisdom and put it into action. What an amazing place this would be. HH does it again (and again, and again, and again...)

The most inspiring book by the Dalai Lama that I've read. The Dalai Lama is at his best when he talks about transforming ourselves through altruism, and the importance of following a spiritual teaching because of one's own personal investigation and analysis rather than simply following because a person is famous (blind faith). The most wonderful section was his discussion on having compassion for others and for ourselves - and his analogy that human beings (like seeds) need a lot of nurturing to truly transform.

Although I am not a Buddhist, I highly recommend this for anyone interested in cultivating a deeper understanding of the power of compassion. My favorite section was the discussion of altruism -- a powerful concept for people of all faiths.

This book is based upon a series of lectures given by H.H. the Dali Lama in London in 1999. The theme of the book is the attainment of human happiness through self-understanding, introspection and, as the title states, "Trasnforming the Mind."

The theme of this book is similar to a book called "The Art of Happiness" that recounts an American psychiatrist's conversations with the Dali Lama. The analysis in this book, however, is deeper and more difficult. The Dali Lama discusses Buddhist beliefs amd doctrines as well as Tibetan texts. He presents a considerable treatment of a difficult, and fundamental Buddhist principle called "Dependent Origination." He discusses the nature of human selfhood and compares differences in various schools on this difficult topic.

The purpose of the book is humanistic and pragmatic at its core: it is to encourage the reader on a path to overcome suffering through self-understanding and reflection. He offers two broad, interlocked paths towards inner transformation: altruism, or the attempt to bring benefits and good to other people rather than thinking solely of oneself and insight into the nature of reality, to be gained by introspection.

The means by which the Dali Lama presents his teaching are at least as significant as the substance of his message. Difficult teachings are presented with the simplicity that comes only from knowledge. The Dali Lama is candid and self-effacing: he reiterates many times that he has himself no personal experience of the state of emptiness that that constitutes full realization of insight meditation. Again and again he points out that religious people of whatever denomination can find their way to peace through following their own traditions. Futher, those individuals with a secular outlook can also find peace by understanding themselves. One of the most interesting parts of the book is the question and answer sessions where the Dali Lama offers succinct and insightful answers to good questions.

I enjoyed learning about the different schools of thought within Mahayana Buddhism. The Dali Lama discusses early Buddhist thinkers of the Mahayana school, particularly Nagarjuna and Shantideva and I was pleased to learn something of what he had to say about specifically Buddhist thinkers. Also, the book includes a short Tibetan text called "Eight Verses on Transforming the Mind" and a commentary by the Dali Lama.

Some of this book is presented in a deceptively simple manner. The Dali Lama observes that "personal experience" (p.24) rather than mere book reading is required to understand the nature of consciousness and of awareness. He also encourages the reader to press on, not to become discouraged and to realize that the growth of wisdom takes lifetimes to develop, not minutes, hours, or months.

I found this book valuable both for its teachings on Buddhism and for its more general advice on attaining peace and happiness in one's life. There is much in the book of healing and hope, for secular people, for followers of non-Buddhist religions, and for people who are students of the Buddha.

The book is exquisitely detailed as a guide.Additionally historical and religious considerations of the meaning of the celebration are intertwined in the text.The authors have been involved in food and catering and include recipes.

What an unbelievable resource for the bar/bat mitzvah planner. I am so lucky to have this book 2 years in advance of my daughter's big day. This book is so much more than an organization tool; it helps frame the occasion, with ideas for personalizing and bringing meaning to this incredibly joyous day. The book gives detailed ideas for mitzvah projects, decor and themes that reflect your family's values, and more. This book will allow me to create a one-of-a-kind, deeply meaningful bar or bat mitzvah -- and not one of those cookie-cutter events.

Having just finished the ordeal of another Bar Mitzvah, I couldn't help but pick this book up to take a look. Boy, do I wish someone had told me to buy the book before the Bar MItzvah. After this last nerve-splitting experience, it's really refreshing to read a book by someone who really seems to understand not only the true essence of Bar and Bat Mitzvah, but how to make it a truly joyful experience. If you are planning a Bar Mitzvah or you will be doing so any time in the not-too-distant future, this book is a MUST buy!

We're an interfaith couple with children now 9 and 11 so we have two bar mitzvah's coming up. We've been to many bar/bat mitzvahs we've found uninspiring from a spiritual perspective, although certainly not lacking in glitz and expense.
This "guide" brings a refreshingly thoughtful and inspiring approach to creating a truly authentic celebration for one's family and friends.
It has helped us focus on what's important and reduced the anxiety level around the planning tremendously. Visit the website: http://ultimatebarbatmitzvah.com/

My parents were kind enough to send me this wonderful book on Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations! I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate the book -- in particular, it's ability to retain a focus on what the event is all about. My husband and I have always believed that this is an event that comes with its own theme and we've been working very hard on planning a day that celebrates our daughter and her accomplishments, and that feels grounded in Judaism. My copy of the book is already tabbed on many pages with ideas that will help us to do just that.

The Via Crucis is a fantastic journey through the passion of Christ, theologically sound and riveting. Shawn is a deeply gifted storyteller and the illustrations are amazing throughout. Each chapter takes the reader alongside of Jesus and lays them bare before the Lord in prayer.
This is a must read book for anyone wishing to better understand the road that Jesus took for the redemption of our sin.

The Via Crucis has added an entirely new outlook on the 40 days of Lent. I once found these 40 days as dark and drawn out. Through The Via Crucis I find a spirtual satisfaction. As I meditate each day, on the steps of Christ to the crucifixion, the amazing short story added to the daily reading and the humble prayer, I find an odd since of excitement wanting to read on to the next day. I pace myself, however, and know a true blessng from our God.

Read the "How to Use This Book" and study each charcoal drawing prior to reading the text and your soul becomes ignited. I found this book to provide illusion and passion for the sacrifice through the eyes of those who lived the period. It was personalized after each devotional by the prayers Shawn included. This is a must SEE and read!

This is a very inspiring book both written and visual. I love the different takes on each scene as we follow Christ to his crucifixion. It takes the story I have heard many times and adds a new aspect to what Christ has done for us. The artwork is also amazing and helps to capture each chapter in a unique way.

I have been reading Via Crucis daily during Lent, and have found it enriching, yet heart wrenching at times (in a good way - the Passion of Christ IS heart wrenching). The writer's use of each individual and his or her own personal experiences of the Passion was very unusual - like nothing I've ever read. The reader is placed in the experience from the vantage point of our Lord, as well as those around Him. I strongly recommend this book for those that are not fully aware of the Passion, and for those that are - you will be inspired.

I'm generally wary of books dealing with religion as I find the writing too obtuse or the books themselves nothing more than thinly-veiled polemics. Yet I was drawn to Ms. Moezzi's book by the clever title and beautiful cover art and I'm glad I took the time to read it.

War on Error is a collection of 12 interviews with a variety of Muslims - from the non-practicing "cultural" Muslim to the hijab-wearing convert. The premise is simple - Islam is not a monolith - but yet unfortunately it's one that garners very little attention. As a Muslim myself, it saddens me that there exists a vast majority of people that need Ms. Moezzi's book to realize what to me is self-evident : Muslim-Americans are just like any other Americans. We do not think uniformly, we have varied experiences, sometimes we are nothing if not banal but ultimately (like the reviewer below me pointed out) we all share the same essential humanity and wish to lead peaceful lives. Ms. Moezzi elucidates this idea beautifully in her book. Her writing draws you in immediately - it's clear, engaging, and often witty. War on Error was a pleasure to read and I cannot recommend this book enough.

This book is written by a courageous author with her own distinctive voice. It is unabashedly strong and assured as she unfolds a narrative of the lives of Muslims that are rarely ever told. Yet despite Moezzi's fiery commitment to her mission, she is also humble, quirky, funny, and endearingly flawed, making her storytelling more human and her dedication to activism more admirable. The stories she unravels so delicately all remain close to our hearts as the people she has interviewed each have unique stories of struggles, reconciliations, and battles. This book is a fantastic read and I can't recommend it enough.

War On Error, what an excellent and clever title. The book opens eyes to the reality that people are first of all human beings, and religion does not and should not contradict with their abilities, interests, qualifications, relationships, and culture. To me, the book stems from the author's heart. The misconceptions that she, and many other Muslims living in Western societies, have sought to speak out and disprove for years. I believe it is a very intelligent idea to write a book on true stories of twelve special and incredible Muslims. People who are American in many ways, but could be stigmatized by the society because of their religion. I see this book as a thesis that promotes inclusion in the multicultural society of America.

I can only speak for non-Muslims, but speak to you I will: you need to read this book. Although I like to keep abreast of current affairs, I tend to shy away from lengthy, dry nonfiction titles crammed with facts, which is why i loved this read.

The premise of this book is simple: it is a series of short, biographical vignettes that showcase an incredibly diverse and interesting collection of Muslim-Americans. The purpose? The vignettes show us that the vast majority of Muslim-Americans are not terrorists but normal people, normal Americans, just like the vast majority of Christians are not snake-handlers (and I am not equating snake handlers to terrorists). The author does it, however, in a much more effective manner than the preaching I have seen before on this issue: through example, she shows us. She makes us feel. The purpose of the book is also to remind everyone that no matter what race, group, religion, gender, culture or ethnicity to which one belongs, we are all possessed of the same elemental humanity, and should be treated as such -- and should treat others as such.

I can't say enough to recommend this book. The writing is simple yet elegant, easy to read yet resonant. It moved me. Read it.

I don't think I was able to breathe the whole time I read this book, which was okay, because I was able to read it all in almost just one sitting. The book was very involving and interesting, but I was nervous about reading another book claiming it was breaking stereotypes of American Muslims. Quite often, books of this sort only manage to hold onto the accepted "norm" of what both "typical" Muslims and non-Muslims think Islam should be and never begin to approach "outside of the box" writing. War on Error went inside, outside and around the proverbial box.

Melody Moezzi takes the reader on an unapologetic journey into an amalgamation of individual Muslims' spiritual and personal journeys and the author's experiences with those individuals. The result easily moves into the readers' conscious and drives one to consider how each story connects to one's own reality.

At the end, I kept having fantasies of War on Error as just Volume I of a series of profiles I could keep on reading for days. I expect this book to be just the beginning of a longer journey both for the author and the reader.

What is the difference between Opinion and feeling? Contradiction and Expectancy? Emotion and desire? All of the answers and more are in this powerful little book. Highly recommended.

Why am I just learning of this amazing author? I have never been disappointed by any of his books which have all been chock full of powerful life lessons. This book is no exception of his excellent works. If you want to lose the negatives in your life and replace with a positive new world, then buy this book.

Wow, Stuart Wilde is a gift from God! He really answers some of my questions I have about life. At this point in my life (late 30's, wish I had this knowledge in my 20's), I want more answers to why I'm here on earth, what I'm supposed to be doing, why I have encountered so many conflicts in life with myself and others etc... When I heard his theory about 'opinions' it really made sense! Got to get 'Weight Loss for the Mind' - It really opens your mind to reality without emotions. Co-incidently, it goes hand in hand with a book I am working through 'Yes or No - The guide to better Decisions' by Spencer Johnson M.D. (Also author of 'Who Moved My Cheese').

Stuart opens your eyes to a different way of looking at things. You'll love his books on audio because his sense of humor gets your attention to what you need to know. Each time I listen to it again, I learn more. Thank you Stuart!

I have most of Stuart Wilde's information but this book is by far the best---I give copies of it to all my friends and relatives.

"Weight Loss for the Mind" is not a book for those who'd like to lose pounds or inches from their bodies, instead it's about losing the weight/anguish within your mind.

Although this book is really small in size, it provides a "powerful punch" - lots of great ideas, thoughts, insights & concepts to help people alleviate weighty minds - therefore creating a happy, wonderful existence instead.

The types of things discussed include:

*Perceptions, psychology & metaphysics

*Mental weight as being the interaction of 2 or more forces within your mind

*What's behind, & how to deal with, such emotions as fear, confusion, frustration, guilt, & anger

*How & why emotions get in our way

*Using visualization to create what you'd like/enjoy

*How we actually push away that which we truly want in life & how we can begin to move towards that which we'd like to experience

*Eliminating confusion & making decisions based on feelings (not emotions)

*Learning to accept the contradictions of life

*Traning your mind to be less dogmatic & rigid

*It's our expectations that create contradictions, and it's these contradictions that make life feel difficult

*Instead of fighting against what's happening, go with it - enjoying everything life has to give

*By taking the emotions out of it, we no longer automatically react

*Events/circumstances are neither positive or negative, they only become that way by how we view them - and we can choose how we view them.


Overall, I found this to be a wonderful, insightful, easy read. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking to create change within their lives - it has much to offer!

A quiet gem of a book which not only shows families how to prepare for the conception and arrival of each new soul but also encourages them to stay spiritually bonded to each other and to a loving universe. Hopkins gently reminds us of all that is to be gained by dancing together in the precious garden of life.

Jill Hopkins' wonderful, simple prose is like a gentle laserbeam to what's important. This is not only a beautiful guide for raising our children, it's also a fine allegory of how we can nuture ourselves and our communities. My wife and I cried happily in almost every chapter.

An outstanding resource for anyone who cares about children. Highly recommended by the Family Health Institute. An ideal book for parents, grandparents, family members, and friends. Whether you're welcoming a biological or adopted child -- no matter their age -- you should have this book. -- Ari Cowan, Executive Director, the Family Health Institute.

Great for expectant grandparents too

My wife and I are expecting a baby in August and there haven't been too many suggestions for what I can do to prepare--this book was suggested by friends and I think I liked it even more than my wife did. There are a lot of things you can do to really get ready for your baby, and really feel like you're preparing the way

Thanks alot for this review. Up till this moment I have not gotten my book which I have been eager to read. I could not find any contact number to call. I will really appreciate if you can trace my book for me!

There are 6 chapters, with subchapters under each,
on the following subjects. Each subchapter gives
several Bible verses quoted directly explaining it's
theme.

Chapters:
1. 12 attributes of GOD the father, such as omnipresent etc.
2. 8 fundamentals about Jesus
3. 9 things about the Holy Spirit
4. 18 items on man, e.g prayer
5. 2 items on angels
6. 4 items on the devil

The section on prayer was the most helpful to
me personally. It's so confusing trying to
figure out what the requirements for "successful"
prayer are.

This is THE book that taught me the BASICS and the advanced concepts of Christian theology -- in plain, simple (albeit somewhat archaic) language -- WITH FULL SUPPORTING BIBLE TEXT (King James Version).

It presents Christian theology, from introductory to fairly advance concepts, as simple straightforward points, with full Bible text, rather than a list of "go look this up" cites.

Torrey was the first dean of Moody Bible Institute and founder Bible Institute of Los Angeles, now BIOLA University. The book is actually a re-worked version of the lecture notes he used in teaching university-level classes such as Introduction to Christian Theology.

Because of the archaic language, most people under the age of about 18 will find it hard to read.

The format is somewhat confusing. Modern readers expect Section Heading, Point, Supporting Text, Next Point, Next Supporting Text, etc., in that order. Torrey has the material in Section Heading, Supporting Text, Summary (Point) format.

I HIGHLY recommend this book. By itself it can take you from novice to advanced level. Even if you already are advanced, it is an excellent reference because the material is well organized AND includes full Bible text.

I run a set of about 15 Christian and Messianic Jewish websites totaling about 4,000 pages of text and I teach at my church. I have not found ANY other book like this -- and I have searched EXTENSIVELY. Modern authors DESCRIBE their view rather than stating it simply and directly supporting it with Bible quotes. Virtually ALL other "What the Bible Teaches"-type books only use cites or are denomination-specific.

To summarize it, the difference between Torrey's book and ALL the others on this subject is like the difference between a video that says "To do this on your computer, press these keys ...." and the typical computer manual that DESCRIBES something and then leaves you to guess how to ACTUALLY do it.

This book covers basic doctrines of Christianity for the non theologian. I have not found any book on this subject today that surpasses this work. The best part about it is that Mr. Torrey gives you Scripture on top of Scriptural in it's contextual setting. He brings out wonderful practical insights from these teachings. After studying this book you will truly know "What the Bible Teaches" on many subjects essential to the Christian faith and walk. GET IT NOW!

R.A. Torrey wrote this book to teach the foundations of the Christian faith. This book will launch you on a journey of a lifetime as the reader begins to explore the riches of God's word.

The scriptures listed before the propositions are not exhaustive of the topic. They do represent the Bible on the subject and the reader should have a topical Bible (i.e. Nave's or other topical text) that would allow the reader to fully explore the topic presented.

This book is well worth your time and money.

Pastor Hyde has provided a helpful primer on biblical worship. In this concise booklet he carefully explains the structure and organization of a typical worship service--not for the sake of dry intellectual knowledge, but as a means of priming our hearts and minds for the worship of the living God. A good reference for believers and for unbelievers seeking to understanding what is happening in Christian worship.

This is a wonderful explanation of the liturgy in a Reformed service! This guide provides meaning to the elements of worship and clearly details the "call-response" format. A must for visitors to a Reformed church!

From the perspective of a member of the URC this is an informative resource. As to the content of the 47 page book author Hyde goes into answering the why, what, and when questions of the Reformed worship service, defines terms, goes into the specific areas of the worship liturgy and gives Scripture references explaining why the service looks and sounds the way it does. As to the writing it is clear, organized, and a joy to read.

As more and more people today are discovering the riches of the Reformed faith, a clear and pastoral explanation of Reformed worship is desperately needed. While there are many excellent resources that instruct the Christian on why we do what we do in Reformed worship, I have not read anything that is so beautifully geared to the newcomer and the uninitiated. As a pastor of a Reformed church, I plan to use this timely tool in great quantity!

Hyde, a minister in the URCNA, has done something that all Reformed pastors need to do. He has prepared a booklet to be given to visitors which explains why we worship the way we do. Unless your worship service is identical to the services at Hyde's church, you will need to modify his work in order to make it available to your church's visitors. Even so, Hyde's booklet serves as an excellent model for how a visitor guide should look. Undoubtedly, visitors to a Reformed worship service will ask questions about the order and style of worship. Being able to offer a visitor a booklet like this one would be a boon to your outreach efforts. Reformed worship is a beautiful thing, and Hyde explains it in a most winsome fashion.

Rabbi Comin's book is indeed inspirational. He has a way of conveying his passionate love of Judaism and nature that is contagious. I invited him to Colorado to help lead an Adventure Rabbi trip and my students loved learning from him on the trail. If you can't hike with Rabbi Comins, this book will do (almost) as well.
- Rabbi Jamie Korngold, the Adventure Rabbi, author God in the Wilderness: Rediscovering the Spirituality of the Great Outdoors with the Adventure Rabbi

Rabbi Mike Comins' A Wild Faith offers Jews (and other spiritually-minded folk) a thoughtful, intelligent guide to a deeper understanding the Divine (God, Hashem, the universe, etc.) in nature. His book might be particularly welcome by those who feel themselves to be "spiritual-but-not-religious." Rabbi Comins' draws on his comprehensive knowledge of Judiasm & and Jewish practice along with his substantial experience as an outdoorsman. He writes with real humility, humor, and compassion.

Rabbi Comins' book is both theologically stimulating and well grounded (pun intended). It is a great resource for making that essential link between Judaism and the natural world, between our prayer life and our outdoors experiences.

When exploring the wilderness, it is vital to be prepared and carry the proper gear. Rabbi Comin's guide is a full backpack complete with trail maps, a soul directing compass, and just enough guiding to empower us to create and realize an intimate and personal adventure. I particularly appreciate the trek's preparation that conveys in succinct terms relevant Jewish resources that combines moral, spiritual, modern and environmental ideals so that we have the proper tools to traverse the untamed mountaintops (and cityscapes?) and find there nourishment for worn souls. Rabbi Comins is also an exceptional translator who reveals the essential vibrant aroma and intentions of the Hebrew terms for the English reader. This book is a significant addition to our Permaculture, Ecovillage Design and Jewish resource library.
Alex Cicelsky, Educator, Center for Creative Ecology, www.kibbutzlotan.com

A Wild Faith is a highly inspiring yet extremely practical guide to connecting with Judaism through the wilderness. My husband and I just returned from a week of hiking in the Rockies and our trip was very much enhanced by practices such as 25-25-50 walking that Rabbi Comins outlines in this timely book. For anyone who is a fan of the outdoors, I highly recommend Rabbi Comins' lucid, good-humored, well-informed, and profound perspective on Judaism.