Clubs Books

This was a wedding gift from my Aunt in 1968. And although everyone thought it was a cheap gift, it is probably the only (except Grandma's silver) gift that I have treasured. I use this cookbook over and above any cookbook I own. It is dog eared and the binding is taped and I've actually lost part of the index but it is irreplaceable. I am also looking for a replacement and that's how I ended up here. I would love to get 3, a new one for me and one for each of my daughters. And hopefully it'll be a gift that they will cherish for 37 years! Thanks Aunt Mary.

I appologize for the Nesreddin Hoca pun, but it is fitting. If I had but one cook book, I would save this one. My parents bought theirs in the 70s at a street sale in New York for 3.50. Now they sell for [much more]. If you have one, keep it. If you find one, buy it.

The book covers the standard american fare, but without the cheesy gimmicks of many modern cookbooks. At the beginning of each section, there is an explaination of what to signs the food should give you as they are cooking. This, I feel, as one who is wraped in a world of doubts is extremely valuable. And the recipes are well portioned, easy to follow, and frankly good eating. My figurative lanuage fails me.

My mother gave this book to me more than twenty years ago, and it is still my favorite reference for recipes. Some of the best meals that I am "known" for have come from this book, and I couldn't live without it in the kitchen. It's battered, and covered with food splatters, but I treasure it.

I bought America Cooks over 20 years ago through a book club.
I treasure it for the multitude of good recipes it contains. I am now on my second copy. The first has been "loved into tatters". In fact, it's held together with duct tape. Now I've retired that one for the new one. Fabulous Book.

My Mother first ordered this book when it came out in 1967. Being the family cook, she then gave it to me. I have been through three of these books, and even though I have many cookbooks in my kitchen, this is the one I rely on the most. You can find a recipe for almost everything in there! I absolutely LOVE it.

since we all know what this book is about already I want to take this opportunity to express where I see each of these baby sitters 15-20 years later:

claudia and stacey living sharing a fancy apartment in new york with claudia being an art teacher, jewelry designer or fashion photographer; or stacey and claudia getting into fashion design and starting a line together

kristy coming out of the closet(come on we all know she's gay!) and playing sports in women's teams, or becoming a social worker

Mary Anne becoming an animal doctor

Dawn becoming trailer trash and marrying a rich old yuppie

mallory becoming a book writer of some sort or a journalist

jessi becoming a famous broadway star in local ballets and musicals and also doing some hip hop and becoming a back up dancer for a famous artist

shannon becoming an astronomer or a drama teacher

Logan being in college for 10 or more years and being all pimped out and the ladies man


there you have it, remember THIS

This book is very cool.The baby-sitters are at Kristy's house for a sleepover and they have to think about there mosst vivid memory. All of the baby-sitters tell about there memories, Stacey tells about tough times in New York, Dawn tells about her paents divorce, Jessi tells about her baby brother,and all different times. If you buy this book, you will enjoy it and never put it down. Enjoy!

I remember the day I received this book as a gift from my cousin as an addition to my already huge baby sitters club collection. It was the original copy with the gold cover and the baby sitters club necklace included with it. The baby sitters club are having a sleepover and are remembering their most vivid memories. Kristy talks about her first baby sitting job, Claudia talks about her first art class homework at school, Stacey talks about how badly she was treated when she was diagnosed with diabetes, Dawn talks about the divorce and moving to Stoneybrook, Mallory talks about meeting her favourite book writer, Jessi talks about the birth of squirt, Logan talks about meeting Mary Anne, Mary Anne talks about a fun weekend with her friends, and Shannon talks about a snobby new girl at school. They are all written descriptively and beautifully, my favourite ones to read about were Kristy's, Claudia's, Stacey's, Mallory's and Shannon's. I also like how not long after this book, Ann M Martin started the Portrait Collection BSC books in which each member writes their autobiography, the 8th grade ones anyways.

The teachers at SMS have assigned homewqork to do over the summer. How mean! Plus, the essay topic is so boring: What i Did this Summer. If Kristy were teacher, she'd choose something much more interesting. Like writing about your most vivid memory. Which get the Baby sitters thinking....

I very much enjoyed reading this book. Ms. Martin thought of a wonderful idea-- each member of the BSC remembering something that happened in her/his life. This way the author could tell us about each character, but for once not going by a chronological order like she usually does.

There were some chapters that I liked more and some chapters that I liked less. For example:

I found it strange that when Dawn's parents were getting a divorce, their conversation with Dawn and Jeff was almost identical to the conversation Stacey's parents had with Stacey when they were getting a divorce, back in the book "Welcome Back, Stacey!". It couldn't be (or could it?) that all parents who get divorced say the same thing to their kids, and that all kids whose parents are getting divorced react the same. This is the place for creativity, or else the readers get bored with the same material.

Speaking of the same material, there was another disturbing thing in the book. Logan's chapter. Logan described the time when he just met Mary Anne. I believe this story was frightfully unecessary since it is already described in great detail in book #10: "Logan Likes Mary Anne". The only difference is that this time it's from Logan's point of view instead of Mary Anne's.

I liked Stacey's chapter. In almost every book she explains about her diabetes, and the awful life in New York when she was first diagnosed with the disease, but only in a few words. In this chapter she gave us the story like it was happening in the present, full with emotions and feelings. I was very sad to see how bad her life was.

Kristy had a good chapter, too. She described her first baby-sitting job ever, when she was in the fifth grade. For one thing, she was so adorable as a ten year old! I enjoyed that. Secondly, writing about Kristy's first job is interesting since she's the founder of the club.

I also enjoyed reading Jessi's entry. She describes the time when Squirt was born. I liked reading about her life in Oakley, NJ, since she hardly ever talks about it. The author picked a good topic for Jessi because I, for one, am tired of hearing about ballet. I'm also glad Ms. Martin didn't choose to write about the move from Oakley to Stoneybrook because she'd just stick to how her family was run down by the white neighborhood, and them being black. The author chose something special.

Mary Anne's chapter was also fun to read. It was a simple story, but nice. And not depressing like about her mother's death, or her father's strictness (much).

Mallory's entry was fun , and Claudia's was incredibly touching.

I recommend this book. It is wonderful and deserves five stars.

This was my favorite book as a little girl, so when my sister had her first boy, I was anxiously waiting to buy it for him at the right time. This is a great book that will give both the parent and the child the giggles. The small size is wonderful, too! The one I had was oversized and didn't fit in the overnight bag, but this one is perfect for car trips and diaper bags!

My 1st grade teacher read all of Fred Gwynn's books to my class and I adored them. The eye-catching pictures were strange and fun, incapuslating our inexperienced understanding of the phrases that Mommy and Daddy say. Mrs. L then let us guess what Mommy or Daddy REALLY meant--the guessing was almost as fun as reading the book.

Examples: Mommy says not to interrupt her when she's playing bridge (the family pets walk across her as she bridges the gap between a couch and a chair) while Daddy says next time he paints the house he's going to give it two coats (maybe a tweed and a heavy winter wool one?).

Before I had children, I went back to the children's section of the library to enjoy them again. Now that I have children, I share my copies with them. The large full color pictures show the ridiculous picture that could result from taking a phrase literally--some of them will make you laugh out loud! Meanwhile, you can discuss what it really means and help children develop their analytical skills.

See also The King Who Rained (Stories to Go!) and Fred Gwynne: The Sixteen Hand Horse; The King Who Rained; A Little Pigeon-Toed; A Chocolate Mousse for Dinner

I love this book. I am a kindergarten teacher. The students in my class wanted me to read this book over and over again. I recommend this book to classroom teachers and moms. It is a funny story and the illustrations are amazing! I found it funny that "Herman Munster", Fred Gwynne wrote this story.

I love all Fred Gwynne's books for kids. The drawings are exceptionally well done, and the expressions on some faces are priceless. The book shifts our adult perspective a bit to remember what it was like as a kid to hear grown-ups use certain phrases, and the pictures they conjured up in literalist-child minds-- putting a wing on the house, or playing the piano by ear.

Great book for kids. Some concepts a little difficult to grasp for younger audience.

"Don't judge a book by its cover!" they scream as I hang my head in shame. Once again I have proven to myself how narrow minded and judgmental I can be. This brilliant little book is packed full of surprises especially for those who have developed some preconceived notion as to what it's about. Starting with the title which, now that I know what it means, I think is brilliant. I was picturing two pot heads making out with a sort of latte-esque foam covering their mouths which I'm sure is exactly what the author wanted me to believe. Then turning past the table of contents I came upon the explanation of the title and was immediately transported back to my youth in Florida and my fear of the tall grass. I won't say more about that in order not to ruin this very pleasant little surprise for others.

Then the first story "Some new kind of kick" is pretty much exactly what I was expecting. A very dark and seedy tale of Goth clubs, speed and sex, although one thing I didn't expect was to really like it. Something about the way Clint Catalyst casts his penetrating stare into this so called "Goth" scene is so incredibly revealing of not just the Goth scene, but any scene that's gotten old and tired. And it's in this first story that I began to realize that the scenes and the players are all the same. It doesn't matter what scene you were in, because we all got tired and we all ended up alone. The scenes all lacked something, or as the author so eloquently points out, we ourselves lacked something in ourselves that our "scenes" or distractions could not replace; well, not for long anyway.

So I guess it's clear that I'm not a "Goth". And while I did think they were cute in the mid eighties when they were still known affectionately as "Death Rockers" I've never been into things "Goth". I've also never been into speed of any sort. Of course I've done speed and had so called "Speed Sex" which contrary to the name takes hours, but I've never been into the whole "gak" experience if you know what I mean. So despite hearing the rave reviews of "Cottonmouth Kisses" I put off actually reading it, thinking it was fifty percent Goth and fifty percent homoerotic speed induced sex. Not my cup of tea exactly.

But from that first story Clint Catalyst just blew me away. His insight into moms, wanna-bees, punks, straight boys, art school girls, alleged bisexuals, strippers, bag ladies, in fact everyone he encounters and most importantly himself is nothing short of stunning. This book is crammed with fascinating stories which in and of themselves are great but without which you would still be left with an incredibly insightful book about people and our inner truths and fears.

Stories I particularly like are "Party Favors", "Conversation with what once was a friend", "To Push Away or to Clutch" and "Taking Care of".
Poems I particularly liked are the beautiful and charming "First Person Third Person First", the dark and direct "Guess I should talk about sex", the dark and funny "Truth about Modeling", the grim foreboding "Inky Bloater" and my favorite, "At the Edge" which to me was like an updated and slightly more optimistic take on Langston Hughes' "A Suicide Note".

Overall, I read this book too fast and have had to re-read it twice to catch up with the brilliant and still racing mind and prose of the enigma that is Clint Catalyst.

After reading Cottonmouth Kisses I found myself in awe of the sheer richness of Clint's language. His command of both poetry and prose is astounding and refreshing indeed. His honesty and unpretentious approach to the recording of his own experiences is a gift to his reader. Whether Clint is writing about drug addiction, sex, friendship, or love, the sheer energy of his personality shines through in every piece. The combination of rage, passion, sorrow, and humor that animates this book is something to behold and reading it was like being taken on a ride where every turn promised something new. A truly wonderful collection of writing. Moving, engaging, and always on the mark.

This is a great selection of essays and poetry from Clint Catalyst. They deal with gay relationships, adolescence, and out of control drug addiction. These subjects are dealt with in such an honest, clear and edgy way. The lives of these unconventional characters are brought to the page so intensely with all their flaws clearly exposed. You'll feel their thoughts and feelings. The artistic language used in this book make it a pleasure to read right through to the last page. No matter how dark and trashy these characters get you'll want to read more.

This was my first introduction to the author's writings (thanks,Sheldon) and I truly enjoyed this book. I think what really made this book special was the poetry in-between the essays and fiction. These poems were so easy to read and what I mean by that is they were very understandable. You don't have to spend all day figuring out what the author is trying to say. They are a joy to read. I look forward to this author's future work. Highly recommended.

which I deem:

1) "What is Goth?" by Voltaire
For spelling out the basics to looky-loos, kinderbats, or insiders who aren't afraid to laugh at themselves (for fear of exposing the adhesive-stripes along the gumline of their fake fangs)...

2) "Cottonmouth Kisses" by Clint Catalyst
For its sinister and gorgeous first-person account of life within the nightclub netherworlds. I've known many a Goth girl over the years who's had her share of Clint "pin-ups" and "shrines," and the fact that he's lived a life so far beyond the margins of Hot Topic and mainstream acceptability (and SURVIVED it) is more "Goth" (i.e., barbaric -- i.e., AUTHENTIC) than any paint-by-numbers impostors out there...

3) "21st Century Goth" by Mick Mercer
For its role as an informative compendium of the international scene in all its varied shades of shadow. There is no easy answer, no singular attempt in this book to pigeonhole Goths -- in fact, it does the opposite. Plus, I mean, it's MICK MERCER, who's been reporting on the scene longer than most batpackers these days have been alive. Pay your respects to the grandaddy of Goth!

And ALL HAIL THE TRIUMVIRATE!

Mr. Clint has really let all of us, no matter what stage of life we are in, what planet we are from, or the aumont of zeros on our paycheck, look inside his world and gave us a whole new realm of thought. I loved this book. I read it in two days. AND thats with two kids under the age of 4, a hubby and a big white dog. I couldnt put it down. Its an awesome book. I can not wait for his next wonder in print... keep up the good work clint. This is definately a must read!

very good book, could not put it down, great insite into what goes on the the adoption process

This is a good book for anyone interested in international adoption. It goes through her personal story and the process of adopting from another country.

I loved this book, the writer has a positive outlook on life. She explains things about adoption very well. One of the only books that I have read where the adoptive couple are not infertile but just feel the need to have a child through adoption. Intresting read!

When I read about the author first meeting her baby in China I cried, on the bus. I couldn't believe how emotional this moment must be. I can't wait to be able to adopt a little baby girl.

The author dealt with the issues of adoption with a lot of tact and was honest about some of the negative things that her family went through, from bureaucratic delays to their daughter's health problems. I was fully resigned to the fact that it would be a totally sappy story, but surprisingly it was just sweet but not overly emotional, so that's a plus for me. This book is informative not just for those in the adoptioin process (which I am not) but anyone interested in child welfare in general, or just a nice story about becoming a mother. All of the profits go towards the non-profit organization that the author founded so in addition to enjoying this book I am happy to be helping her cause.

It is rare to find an author who refuses to conform to the cliches of the genre and has the unmitigated gall to blaze a new trail, critics be damned! Gordon Morrow is such an author. His passion for his characters comes through in living color through their very human interactions. A vision of his particular fantasy world comes across to the reader as vibrant, alive, and different. In "Maps" he starts us expertly on a multi-book journey with an unusual combination of classic adventure and surprising twists.

An excellent first novel -- please keep them coming, but much faster! =)

MAPS is an absolute delight! Morrow knows these characters so well that he describes them in expert and loving detail. The story is funny, exciting, and incredibly fun to read. The characters are so real that you have little choice but to fall in love with each of them. They fight, they feel, they make love! Morrow has captured the most important element of story telling: truth.

The truth he captures is the realness of his characters. The story is brilliant, the settings are amazing, the action is gripping, the romance is sweet as nectar, and everything just clicks. But it is the "realness" of Gar and Treva and everyone that makes this a wonderful novel that should be read again and again.

I can't recommend this story enough! If you are a fan of fantasy, a fan of fiction, or even a fan of great art - this book is a must own!

All I can say, Mr. Morrow, is that I hope volume 2 is available for purchase soon. I feel like a junkie who needs a Harebell fix now!

Please let your publisher know that I would be more than happy to preorder DMC volume 2 as soon as possible. Want my credit card number? :o)

This book is filled with action, comedy, and romance from start to finish. I can't get enough of it. I eagerly await book two, and I shall read anything this man writes. This book kept me intrigued long after finishing it. I recommed this book to any who enjoy a good and invigorating novel.

Not since Terry Prachett had a I had a good laugh in a fantasy story. Gordons characters are enjoyable and user friendly (you'll get a new meaning of THAT term after reading this) and don;t hold back on anything. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and as this being the first (of many adventures) for these characters, I look forward to reading more adventures with the Dead Magicians Club.

DMC: Maps is a great book for lovers of humor and fantasy. The characters are very fleshed out and the story is very vivid. You'll feel you're there with the characters the entrie way.

This is a very readable, engaging study of the last two years of the Civil War, in which General Grant is taken from his command in the west, to the "big show" as commander of the Army of the Potomac. He is shown to be a determined, relentless leader willing to fight the war of attrition that ultimately led to the destruction of the Army of Northern Virginia. He proved to be more than a match for General Lee, who was confounded by Grant's steadfast leadership and willingness to stand tough, despite the losses of thousands of men. Grant was a very different kind of leader than his predecessors.

I also liked the way Catton developed the personal side of Grant.

This is a terrific book for those who want a straightforward history of the latter part of the Civil War, without embellishment or political bias.

In the weeks before General David Petraeus - widely regarded as the most operationally and strategically brilliant of today's ground generals -- took command of Multi-National Forces - Iraq, a friend told me he was reading Bruce Catton's classic "Grant Takes Command: 1863-1865" about that earlier US general who took charge of a war at its most critical point. I and several others piled on and eagerly devoured this book. Two weeks later, we met to discuss our observations. Mine are below. I would bet you a paycheck that General Petraeus -- himself a formidable scholar as well as distinguished soldier -- has read this book more than once and probably even perused it before assuming his new post. "Grant Takes Command" offers timeless insights into the art of command and remains relevant for several reasons that should resonate today.

I found that several myths about General Grant were just that: myths. The first that Catton debunks is that Grant was not a political general. In one of his first chapters titled "Political Innocent", Catton lays out clearly that Grant understood that the Civil War was an extension of politics, and that certain personnel decisions in his Army would inevitably be affected by this. Thus, Grant's handling of Generals McClernand, Sigel, Butler, and Banks - all of them troublesome, of dubious competence, but politically useful at different times throughout the war -- was at once skillful, politically deft, and necessary. When they had each imploded after their political usefulness had been expended, they were thus easily discarded. To fire them when they were politically useful would have strained civil-military relations.

Grant also believed in the mission completely. This included the elimination of slavery and the re-election of President Lincoln in 1864. This was no small matter in 1863. The democrats had been making overtures to Grant in 1863, and several recent commanders of the Army of the Potomac -- most famously George McClellan -- had leapt into the political arena. Lincoln felt Grant out through mutual friends before appointing him to command the Union armies. For his part, Grant did his own maneuvering to ensure that Lincoln won re-election in 1864. Grant not only gave Lincoln battlefield victories, but also ensured that soldiers of the Army of the Potomac had the opportunity to vote. One of the most skillful uses of "controlling the message" occurred after Cold Harbor and the bloody siege of Petersburg, when Union soldiers might have become demoralized at their high number of casualties. On the eve of the election, Grant ordered 100-gun salutes to celebrate the victories of Generals Sherman and Sheridan down south and out west. Catton points out that these "salutes" brought home to the Union soldiers the aura of the juggernaut of their armies inexorably closing in on the doomed Confederacy. Grant clearly understood the nature of the war he was involved in and took the action he needed to to get the job done.

Grant further understood that a great team of commanders was better than a team of great commanders. Great teamwork always beats great talent. Grant had worked very well with Generals Thomas and Sherman when he commanded out west, but with the exception of Hancock, he did not have as skilled commanders individually in the Army of the Potomac. But Grant did foster good teamwork in his army, and looked for this quality in his selection of key subordinates. In my opinion, this proved to be decisive. Grant kept and provided the required supervision for generals such as Meade and Burnside, but found little use for the self-seeking and overly critical generals such as Hooker and Smith, despite their comptetence. Most important was the relationship Grant fostered with his Commander-in-Chief, President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was much more involved in the military details of the Civil War than his own statements would indicate, and his oft-quoted remark that: "Grant doesn't tell me his plans, and I don't want to know" belies his own political skill at handling his best general and imposing his political will on the battlefield. It was the "marriage" between Lincoln and Grant, more than anything else, that saved the union. Catton's masterful work shows this quite clearly, and thus retains its great relevance for civil and military leaders.

"Grant Takes Command" is the second of two volumes by Bruce Catton on Grant's Civil War service and the third of a trilogy on Grant's military career (beginning with Lloyd Lewis's "Captain Sam Grant"). However, this volume can easily be read by itself. Catton picks up the story in the fall of 1863 with Grant's successful raising of the siege of Chattanooga, following which President Lincoln picks him for a third star and command of all the Union armies.

Grant is the latest in a long line of Union commanders, most of whom have been badly beaten by General Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia, and none of whom have been able to bring superior Northern resources effectively to bear on a slowly weakening Confederacy. In fact, as Grant takes command, the war has not yet been won and could still be lost.

Grant will be the commander that Lincoln has long sought. Lincoln's telling exchange with an aide, repeated by Catton, lays out why. Grant is the first general to take the supreme command who will work in harness with Lincoln and in full acceptance of Lincoln's constraints as President of a democracy in the midst of a civil war. Grant is prepared to take full responsibility for the conduct of the missions of the armies, and without setting up an alibi in advance for possible failure. And as it becomes apparent in the course of Catton's absolutely superb narrative, Grant understands the terrible math. Lee and his army are too proficient to be easily beaten; great persistance will be called for. Grant grasps the essential truth that Lee's army is the Confederate center of gravity and the corollary that Lee's requirement to protect Richmond ultimately limits his ability to manuever. Further, Grant is able to cause the Union armies to work at a common design, denying Lee the ability to reinforce Virginia from other theaters of war. The result will be a long, grinding, and exceedingly bloody campaign stretching from 1864 into 1865, as Lee's army is slowly bludgeoned to death.

Catton's narrative does not spare Grant his errors; in the 1864 campaign, Grant underestimates both Lee's abilities as a general and the difficulties of conducting campaigns on such a massive scale. Grant has to learn the job of Army commander in chief on the move; the unnecessary casualties of Cold Harbor and the repeatedly failure to flank Lee out of position in Virginia are proof of the learning curve. But Grant's great gift is his refusal to be deterred from his objective. He pins Lee at Petersburg and uses the Union armies of Sherman and Sheridan, among others, to destroy the Confederacy's ability to make war.

"Grant Takes Command" was first published in 1960, and the details of the history of the Civil War have evolved since then. However, Catton's prose has stood the test of time. This is a truly magnificently told story on an epic scale and a highly recommended treat for the Civil War enthusiast and the casual reader alike.

Was Ulysses S. Grant a drunk? Did he win the Civil War simply by burying Robert E. Lee under a wave of superior manpower and resources? Bruce Catton addresses these questions, and many others, in GRANT MOVES SOUTH and its companion volume, GRANT TAKES COMMAND. Taken together, the two books chronicle Grant's Civil War experience.

I've read a lot of history, but I confess to being relatively ignorant about the American Civil War except in a very general sense. I've always been interested, I just never got very far into it. These two books are my first real foray into the subject. Both are very well researched and documented, while at the same time being very readable. Catton demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the facts as well as a genuine insight into Grant's character. The result, for me, was an experience that was at once informative and enjoyable.

What does Catton have to say about Grant's alleged drunkeness? Clearly, Catton is an admirer of Grant, but it's an admiration born of respect for the man as revealed in his personal records and actions, as well as in the record left by people who knew him. To get his take on this and other criticisms of Grant, read these books.

Conventional wisdom has it that GRANT MOVES SOUTH and GRANT TAKES COMMAND are definitive works on the subject of U. S. Grant's Civil War career. I certainly won't argue with that perception. If you have a deep interest in Grant or in the Civil War in general, they are "must haves". Beyond that, though, if you have just a casual interest, this is still great reading material. I highly recommend both volumes.

The second in a two part study of General Ulysses S. Grant's Civil War leadership, Bruce Catton has written a vivid narrative following the enigmatic Commander in Chief of Union forces through the final year and a half of the war.

This work won the Pulitzer Prize. Read it and you will appreciate why. It is a remarkably good book, excellently crafted, clear and precise. This one is truly well worth your time.

While Stephen Charnock was a Puritan, this book is a product of the enlightenment.

For its time, this is a well written and quite thorough work on the attributes and existence of God. Charnock's comment on the existence of God (among others), "I shall further promise this, that the folly of atheism is evidenced by the light of reason" supports that the context of his thinking is the age of enlightenment - the age of reason. This is not necessarily a negative - in fact it is a positive in that it is an answer to the enlightenment providing strong arguments that one can be a person of faith and still be a person of reason - because God is a God of reason. In effect he turns the tables on his detractors and argues that to not believe in the existence of God is, to in fact, lack reason.

The attributes covered are:

God as Spirit; (followed by a chapter on spiritual worship)
The eternity of God;
The immutability of God;
God's omni-presence;
God's knowledge;
The wisdom of God.

On the existence of God he argues against atheism. The approach Charnock takes is to first assert and prove the existence of God, then relate what his his attributes are based on his existence. If he exists then he is spirit, he is omnipresent, he is eternal, immutable, and wise, etc.

Due to the context and age of the work - the reader will need to translate it in to the present and tweak it a bit to make it applicable for the 21st century - not that it is not applicable but that we are not in the enlightenment age anymore. One will need to absorb what is said, turn it over inside and then present it to others in a way they will receive.

This is a rare privilege. To own a Puritan from the 17th Century's work, is really an honor. The author of this book knew nothing of computers, lexicons, cd-roms, - all the modern gadgetry we have at our disposal. Yet he still exceeds in literary excellence, theological consistency and God-honoring exegesis compared to publications that are available from modern wisdom and prudence. He was chaplain to Oliver Cromwell.

'But what if the foreknowledge of God, and the liberty of the will, cannot be fully reconciled by man? Shall we therefore deny a perfection in God to support a liberty in ourselves? Shall we rather fasten ignorance upon God, and accuse Him of blindness, to maintain our liberty?' pg450

The chapter on 'The Goodness of God' is so beautiful. It inspired and reinvigorated me. The Puritans held such a high view of God. Everything they did and said was Theocentric. The fruits of their labor was produced under great trials, and yet this only seemed to spur them on to greater holiness. And so their legacy reaches our day and their spiritual vigor inflames our hearts anew.

A huge book and collosal work.

I have been looking for an excellent book to help me understand and get some insight into the attributes and nature of our God. This book definitely does the trick and make me really satisfactory. I do give it a 5.0 rating because of its excellency and in depth. One thing you should know of is the dated English style of the author. It was written in the 17th century, so it is somewhat difficult for me, especially as a foreigner, to read and understand his writing. From what I have read, the author had done an excellent work. I highly recommend this book for everyone who want to know God better and better.

Mr. Charnok's logic is impeccable, his prose beautiful, his inspiration Godly and the value of his contribution beyond measure. My only regret is that the publisher decided to single space the small type of this large corpus. This generated eye fatigue for my aging optical organs. However, as testamony to the works greatness I found the discomforts were far outweighed by the spiritual rewards. I plan to purchase a copy for my pastor. It will enrich the lives of the layman and set fire to the words from the pulpit.

Words really fail to describe how breathtaking this book is. Not mainly because of the author, but because of the subject - God himself. I can't think of any book I've read that has left me more stunned and awed by God and his majesty. Charnock was a Puritan, so this book may be cumbersome to those unaccustomed to Elizabethan English. But if you can handle the KJV, you can handle this. It is also a comprehensive book - long, despite the fact that the chapters are really just lengthy meditations put in a sermonic form. Characteristically Puritan, Charnock begins each chapter with the exposition of a text, then develops its "doctrine," bridging into a lengthy theological study on one of God's attributes, finally ending on the "use" or application. The application sections are especially helpful and heart-searching, but really all of it is good. Though, I must confess I've not read it all (this book must be 1200 pages long!), I've benefited from the hours I've spent in these pages. No human author will ever write an exhaustive study on the character of God, but I can't imagine anyone coming closer to it than Charnock. This is a powerful, powerful book!

My fiance had seen this book recomended in one of his fishing magazines, so I got it for him for Christmas. He LOVES it. He said it is a great and easy read.

Reading this book has given me a new perspective on fishing; the memories with family, great friends or even the solitude when alone in the quiet of the winding rivers. I marvel at the stories of Bob's closest friends, many of whom are famous through their accomplishments and others including Bob who have demonstrated the importance that fishing with family and friends have on a prominent business man. I enjoyed the stories, the awesome pictures especially that beauty of a 13 pound brown trout "caught" by President George H. W. Bush while fishing with Bob and Mindy Rich. The retrospect of his thoughts in his conclusion conveyed all the feelings we as anglers have when we think of our passions for fishing and sharing those fond memories with our closest friends.

Well done Bob!

This book is a classic, a quick read full of great tales. It's fascinating to read the life of the anglers featured in this book and Bob did a fantastic job keeping the reason for the love of fishing until the very end. Anglers and non-anglers can easily connect to the reason we love sports and other hobbies. This book is inspirational, thought provoking and a lot of fun. A MUST READ!

Not that author Bob Rich asked, but to me fishing is about dreams: the dream of catching a fish, and the dream about it after I do.
"The Fishing Club" set me to dreaming about fishing past and future through his cast of famous (and near famous) anglers. Rich's characterizations of the fisherfolk and their fishing DNA is fresh and thoughtful stuff, hence this new book is a very enjoyable read.
Enjoyable enough, in fact, for me to hope for more.

Really cool book. I was intriqued by the different backgrounds and stories of the fisherman profiled. It really hits home how universally loved fishing really is. Bob seems to be able to capture the essence of each of the anglers. There is hope for us amatuers afterall!

Dan Holthaus

Religion is not something passed on by genetics - it's not unheard of to be at odds with the religion of your ancestors. "Growing Up in Mama's Club: A Childhood Perspective of Jehovah's Witnesses" is Richard E. Kelly's look at growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, a practice that he quickly began to put himself at odds with as his own intellectual status grew - his own objections to their practices. A thought provoking look at family when religion splits them, "Growing Up in Mama's Club: A Childhood Perspective of Jehovah's Witnesses" is highly recommended to both religion and memoir collections.

Richard E.Kelly's novel was an eye opener. After teaching grade school for many years, I now realize how JW children's belief system works. His book has answered many questions that I wondered about over my teaching career. This is a pertinent novel for everyone to read but would really help school staffs. Not only is this true story an educational journey, but it presents real spirit needed to rise above dire circumstances. My book club has chosen Richard's novel to read next year. His study questions will be a great help in discussing this inspiring piece of literature.
Joyce Hodges- preschool and kindergarten teacher for 36 years.

"Who can it be knocking at my door?
Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more.
Can't you see that it's late at night?
I'm very tired, and I'm not feeling right.
All I wish is to be alone;
Stay away, don't you invade my home."

(Lyrics by Men At Work)

Easily recognizable by their tracts and immaculate appearance, Jehovah's Witnesses have been going door to door for decades, spreading religious dogma, doing their bit to share their interpretation of the bible, and looking for converts.

For obvious reasons this isn't the easiest task in the world, and when you consider that this is all done on a voluntary basis, ( in the sense that you don't get paid) it becomes even more remarkable that people would be motivated to rise to the challenge.

To quote British comedian Tommy Cooper:

"The recruitment consultant asked me 'What do you think of voluntary work?' I said 'I wouldn't do it if you paid me.'"

This book offers insights into "The Club" through the eyes of a young man whose mother fully embraced JW doctrine, and found the spiritual guidance that she was desperately seeking at that time of her life. Naturally, his mother expected her family to join her on the path to eternal life in Heaven, and despite early resistance, she succeeded in converting her husband, and together they set the rules for their children.

Young Dickie was an unwilling participant, quickly concluding that something seemed wrong with some of the rules and beliefs, which would sometimes change drastically depending on the Club president at the time. Mainly to please his mother, he remained with the Club for sixteen years, abiding by the strange rules for the most part, participating in the long and frequent Club meetings at the Kingdom Hall and performing his door-to-door duties. At the same time he found himself leading a double life, as he never fully embraced the teachings of the Club and wished to lead a more normal life.

Despite having his parents' religious beliefs forced upon him, he managed to make the best of it, becoming an accomplished public speaker and perfecting his interpersonal skills. He also formed his own opinions on "the truth" as preached by Club members, and observed how some rules seemed not to apply to the upper levels of the hierarchy.

From this book, the reader will have a better understanding of this controversial religious group, the administrative structure and its influence over its members. Well written, easy to read, humorous in places and shocking in others, anyone considering joining JW or any similar group should read this before making a final decision.



Amanda Richards, May 5, 2008

This well-written story of one man's experience growing up as a Jehovah's Witness reads like a novel while informing like a scholarly paper. The work by this former Bethelite has unusually good descriptions of those involved, which bring the story to life and help the reader become involved in the plot.

The most valuable feature of the book is it effectively conveys what it is like to grow up and be an active Jehovah's Witness. Both the good and bad are related with candor--and much of each exists, as Kelly documents. One point made clear is that many good people exist in the Watchtower movement.

An especially revealing section describes how Kelly's father, once an active opposer, became a Witness, effectively showing why and how someone would become involved in an organization that many people consider a deviant cult. It also shows the problem of using untrained persons, such as Kelly's father, as mental health diagnosticians and therapists, a role forced on them as elders. A point that came through in almost every chapter was the Watchtower teaching that the end of this world and the promise of the new was upon us, and we should live like Armageddon will be here tomorrow or sooner. This is the history of every Witness who lived in the 1950s and 1960s.

This story is told with insightful understanding, even compassion, not bitterness as is common among people who were reared as Witnesses. As an ex-Witness, I could relate to Mama's Club as Kelly's experience parallels mine. I too endured the conflicts and tragic effects at school and home over the restrictive treatment of holidays, conflicts that are unnecessary and reminiscent of the prohibitions in the Torah, such as prohibiting cutting fingernails on the Sabbath unless the torn nail is bleeding.

A recent Pew survey of 35,000 Americans found Jehovah's Witnesses "had the lowest retention rate of any religious tradition" in America, lower then Catholics, Jews, and all other religions. Kelly's excellent book helps readers understand why this religion loses so many members, and, on the other hand, what attracts people to it and why they stay in spite of the problems in the organization.

Jerry Bergman, Ph.D., MSBS, L.P.C.C.

I am always interested in reading works where an author shares their lives, and opens their hearts to others. In this book by author, Richard E. Kelly, we travel with him as he grows up in the faith of Jehovah's Witness religion. Richard shares the story of his mother's first encounter with this religion and how she began her quest to bring all of her family members into her faith.
Openly, he tells of the inward struggles he went through as a child, and a young adult. He is frank and honest in his writing, giving respect to his mother, yet freely revealing his own inward battles.
The story is at times sad, other times humorous, but always intriguing as you walk the road with Richard. Often, no matter what faith ones parents maybe, we all must follow our own hearts and make our own decisions. To follow something only to please someone else is never satisfying to one's Spiritual existance. Richard's words, that are definitely from his heart, will bring release to many as they themselves walk towards their own choices of faith.
Very well done, a work I feel will be of value to many.