Campbell Books

First and foremost, Will Campbell presents the reader with a simple, wonderful story of three men and their interactions with one another. If you allow it, The Glad River will begin to show its many layers and expose themes the casual reader may not have expected to find within the current setting. The search for a "real baptist" by the main character, Doops Momber, allows the reader to define his or her own theological views of what a real Christian may be, and to define (and find) oneself as Doops does. If the glimpes at Doops' book make you curious for more, I highly recommend Wil Campbell's novella Cecelia's Sin which may offer some insight to the themes of the Glad River. In any case, Cecelia's Sin makes a wonderful companion book.

I was first introduced to this book more than ten years ago. I have read it again almost annually. Campbell, one of the best storytellers of our time, with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek and his words planted deep within your soul, brings you along with Doops on his journey. A journey with destinations in the midst of search, water, baptism and life. A journey deeper into your faith and soul than you will first expect. I would strongly suggest reading Campbell's "Cecila's Sin" upon completion of "The Glad River."

Janet Lewis became a war-widow with three kids to support at the age of thirty. Her husband, Jason was killed during the invasion of France, leaving Janet no option but to return to her parents home in Pittsburgh, takes a teaching position, and attempts to raise their children alone. Financially, emotionally, and mentally Janet is exhausted. Two years later, Janet's taking her kids for a vacation to see her friends, Ron and Katie at Fort Jackson for a month. Along the way she finds herself wishing for love again.

Paul "Straight and Narrow" Adams is thirty five years old and married to the military. He's had a crush on Janet Lewis since seeing her at the Fort Bragg Newcomers Dance years earlier, however, she was married and obviously very much in love with her husband, so all Paul could do is fantasize about the woman he couldn't have, until Ron lets it slip in conversation that Janet will be visiting for a month. Now suddenly, he's almost giddy at the thought of seeing her again.

Janet's oldest son, Jason, Jr has become sulky, withdrawn, and doesn't want to go to Fort Jackson for a month. Janet knows he's upset about something but he refuses to talk about it with her so there's no way she can help him get through whatever the problem is, she's just hopeful that he'll be nice to their friends. After arriving and greeting Ron and Katie and their two boys, Jason, Jr coldly snubs Ron's greeting, luckily, Janet took part of the sting from Jason, Jr.'s words by hugging and congratulating Ron on his promotion. Before Ron could get emotional, he decided to go get their luggage. While waiting for Ron to return, Janet admires the night sky and picks out a star to make a wish on. The following morning, Katie mentions to Janet that they'd be having dinner at the Officer's Club with Ben and Carol. The three women were all friends and had been through a lot together over the years. With Ben getting a new job at the Pentagon and moving to Washington, D.C., it would be a treat to see everybody. Ron smoothly interjects that he'd like to invite another person to dinner, Paul Adams, who'd recently returned from Germany. Katie catches on that Ron is trying to get Paul and Janet together and tells him that he made a good choice for their friend. After visiting with everyone at the O-Club and dancing with Paul, Janet has to admit to herself that she is interested in Paul. Just before going back to Ron and Katie's house, Paul asks Janet if she'd be willing to go out with him. She tells him that she'll think about it and to call Ron's house the following afternoon. After watching her leave, Paul looks up at the sky and picks out a bright star to make a wish on. Will Janet be able to find love again with Paul, a career military man? What about the kids, will they accept a new man in their mom's life?

As the wife of an ex-Army soldier myself, I loved being swept into the lives of the wives of yesteryears military men. The camaraderie between the families is something I've always treasured and GOLD STAR WIFE depicts that special bond beautifully. The reasoning behind Jason, Jr.'s anger is emotionally painful to witness but at the same time, is dealt with in such a caring way by people that knew and loved his father and share in his heartache. Janet and Paul's rediscovery of each other is an amazing tribute to the human spirit, and Janet's consideration of her children's feelings about her dating Paul will speak to mothers' everywhere. L. K. Campbell has truly captured what makes the military seem like one big family - love and acceptance. GOLD STAR WIFE is a book I'd highly recommend and has earned a place on my keeper shelf!

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

This book took me back in time to a place where people still cared about others. The time period and cover of Gold Star Wife pulled me in, but the writing and characters are what kept me entertained until the very end. L.K. Campbell has outdone herself with this story. In these troubled times we all need to know that hope is alive, this story personifies the idea of a new beginning. I will definitely be back for more!
P. Robinson

Mr. Campbell is myteacher at school and I didn't know he was so funny! Gordon is kinda a shy kid, and when he gets a job, his summer gets pretty weird. Even though some parts of the book were pretty strange, it seemed like Gordon was a real person--you got into his head and could understand his feelings and thoughts as the story unfolded. Ruthie, Dewey, Flip, the twins, Big Timmy, and Gordon's parents are all cool characters, too.

This is one of the most fast paced, gut wrenching books i've ever grasped in my hands. Normally i can't read a book for an extend period of time, but i was up until 2am finishing this book, i could not put it down. There are so many realateble topics, like; girls, familys and jobs, but then there are also many moments when you are just laughing at what this boy does to himself.
This is most definatly a two thumbs up book. I myself am older than the recomended age for this book, but i gaurentee it was no less funny to me than to any 13 year old boy or girl.
Thanks for the entertainment C.C.
Keep on rockin'

This book is sci-fi thriller, romantic/travel adventure, all rolled into one.
As the plot twists and turns through changing time sequences
and differnent countries, the reader is treated to rich descriptions of gourmet
meals, beautiful scenery... and then it all changes.

Within the different layers of the story there is something for everyone to enjoy.
I felt as if I had visited Hong Kong, Japan, New Orleans and enjoyed the
surprise grand finale. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a good,
and unusual, adventure.

Interesting combination of action adventure, virtual (un)reality, introspection, and time jumping. En route to China for a much needed vacation, Doug and Chris Scott arrive in Hong Kong. But their vacation becomes a bizarre nightmare as they are kidnapped, escape, are chased through the underbelly of Hong Kong, and are befriended by an ancient Chinese man who leaves an indelible impression on Doug. They slowly realize that they are trapped in a sinister virtual reality program. As they are chased across China, through New Orleans and San Franscisco, and finally through time and their own childhoods, and on to Japan, Doug becomes convinced that their only chance of escape is inextricably linked to the old man in Hong Kong. The journey stretches their sanity and their love to the limit and ultimately leads them to an unimaginable fate. And leaves the reader wondering what was real and what was in the program and where did the adventure end???

This is an out-of-print book with a timeless message: Jesus loves and heals the individual individually. This truth is conveyed by vignettes of 50 Bible characters' unique encounters with Jesus. 'The Great Physician' not only increases our understanding of God's ways with men, but suggests the personalization of evangelistic approaches that we ourselves would be wise to follow. It is rare to find a copy of 'The Great Physician' for sale as living people do not seem to part with it, and though I already possess 2 copies, I (and perhaps others) am presently using much restraint to keep from coveting the used copies I see advertised here... something to think about for the interested but hesitant, lest an opportunity for this rare gem be missed.

Morgan shows how Christ's approach to the approx. 50 characters in the New Testament is universal and individualized. Universal in that Christ knew how to approach human nature. Individualized in that He confronted each person with an approach taylored to their character and personality, in order to introduce them to a personal relationship with God. Conclucision: If I can see how Christ approached individuals, I can approach the same personalities in the same way, and introduce them to the same Jesus

Bethany Campbell is such a mermaid, always appearing and disappearing and coming up in another place, and always kind of teasing you. I read all I can find by her because she is not predictable.

The color plates and sidebar data make it a fun, easy to read mango guide. For any mango lover to hold the guide and look at any color plate is to tease the taste buds for one of the best tropical treats imagineable. It's a great gift item. Someone must republish the book.

Edited by some of Florida's leading mango experts, this book offers detailed descriptions, with full-page color photographs, of 80 varieties of mangos grown in Florida. Mango enthusiasts will find the book invaluable in deciding which cultivars to grow. Mangophiles will also be fascinated by the historical information on the mango industry and on important mango varieties. One caveat: the book does not attempt to give detailed information on how to grow mangos, or how to recognize and deal with the diseases and pests that may affect mango trees.

I think this is one of the best items I have bought this year and believe me the competition has been tough! It's not recorded perfectly but it is a fantastic and fun tool - I really recommend it to anyone interested in any or a combination of the following: voice/vocal development (I'm an opera singer and a teacher, and a researcher with interests in healing...!), acting, singing, healing, self-confidence/self-help, teaching with or without connection to music, sound therapy etc etc. Its relevance is far-reaching.
When you practise the exercises they really do work - they're soooooo easy too, which is of course a bonus! It's not a theoretical technical guide but nevertheless it allows you to find a very natural means of self-expression, without interference from your over-critical mind and often limited imagination. It's great for tuning into your body and becoming "whole"!!!! I can't recommend it enough!

I thought this tape was excellent. I listened to it in one sitting and could apply the knowledge. It tells you in plain english why using your voice can heal you. Nobody ever told you why chanting or using vowel sounds could heal you. The tape is fulfilling but leaves you wanting more knowledge of the power of your own voice that we all possess. A hidden jewel.

Dane Campbell's Here Before was an excellent read. Being a candid lover of Romance novels, I had not ever read a book of this genre. Yet, this action-packed suspense thriller kept me at the edge of my seat with each turn of the page. I simply had trouble putting this one down. Not only did this book keep me completely engaged, it helped to create a newfound love and respect for novels of this genre. Campbell's writing has most definately earned a spot on my must read list...I'll surely be the first to purchase his next one!

THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME. IT KEPT YOU GLUED TO THE PAGES TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE COMPLEX PLOT. THE AUTHOR DID A EXCELLENT JOB WITH HIS DESCRIPTIVE WORDS MAKING IT EASY FOR YOU TO VISION IT IN YOUR MIND. I FEEL THIS BOOK WAS A MOVIE ON PAGES, I HOPE DANE LOOKS INTO PERHAPS WRITING A SCREENPLAY BASED ON THIS BOOK.

First of all, I feel inadequate and unworthy to review this book, but since Amazon has given me the chance, all I can say is that this is one of the greatest Books (with a capital "B") of my experience. I suspect that it shall be recognised as one of the single greatest products to come out of 20th century American letters.

No, I'm not setting Campbell up as a prophet or anything like that, indeed, I suspect that this book's greatness lies in the eternal truths that transcend Campbell's individual personality. He just managed to tap into them- thank God.

The entire work deals with the hero's journey. This is the Monomyth shared by all cultures- and indeed seems to be a direct inspiration from the cosmos itself by way of the collective unconscious. Here we have the eternal cycle of 1) the call to adventure; 2) the crossing of the threshold; 3) the tests, trials, and helpers; 4) the sacred marriage, apotheosis (becoming one with god), or elixir theft; 5)the flight 6) recrossing/ressurection; and 7) the return to society with hard won gifts. He examines all of these elements in depth with a wealth of cross-cultural examples. The first half of the book deals with this cycle on a more individual and personal level (the microcosm), while the second half deals with the greater cosmogonic importance (the macrocosm.)

Now, the really amazing part of all this is that virtually all of it comes across as meaningful, interesting, and totally nonacademic. That's why many academic types hate Campbell, and his mentor Jung,- they know that Campbell's and Jung's works will endure and be read a thousand years from now, while their own monographs will be justly forgotten. There are a lot of mediocre Ph.D's out there that can never forget that Campbell never bothered to get a doctorate, because he considered such degrees to be a worthless and meaningless waste of time....

This was required reading for a graduate course in the Humanities. This is a great book written by a very engaging storyteller. Joseph Campbell describes the monomyth in his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces as embodying all the necessary elements of the hero's journey in the many myths in human history. Campbell discovered through extensive research that humankind shares a universal monomyth in its various religions and legends especially pertaining to the creation of the world and humankind. Campbell borrowed the term monomyth from James Joyce's book Finnegan's Wake. Campbell's intuitive insight in human myth proves that for thousands of years these myths display a certain standard structure, which he summarizes beautifully in his book.

A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a
region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there
encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back
from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons
on his fellow man (Campbell 30).

There are at least four major stages that a monomyth has however, in his book, Campbell goes on to describe seventeen stages that some monomyth's posses. The four stages making up the cycle of a monomyth are "passage: separation-initiation-return:" In the passage stage the hero is summoned to journey or embark on an adventure by some kind of event that takes place or from a message, he receives. The hero may embark on this passage willingly or reluctantly. During the separation stage, the hero meets with a mentor or wise man who gives the hero either an amulet or some words of wisdom to be of help to the hero on the adventure. It is during this stage that the hero will go through his first transformation, also known as "crossing the first threshold," as he crosses over to another world or dimension leaving behind the old world. In the initiation stage, the hero goes through several trials or tests. The hero often receives help in these ordeals along the way by allies or from a supernatural force. As the hero completes these ordeals successfully, he proves himself more worthy to continue the adventure. Most importantly, during this stage the hero must pass through a major ordeal that will expand his consciousness, and thereby change his character forever. Often, this ordeal entails the death of an ally or enemy. Once the hero successful accomplishes his ordeal he is rewarded with a gift, it could be intrinsic like the "holy grail, or it can be new found knowledge to better the world with. The last stage the hero travels is that of the return whence he came. Often the hero will undergo further trials on his return before he is permitted to cross the threshold back to the world he left. During his return journey, the hero will use his newfound wisdom or gift to make a safe return home. Once home the gift is used to cure some ill in the hero's home or to impart new wisdom to his neighbors.

Campbell points to the significance of the monomyth in the fact that it describes the cycle that Moses, Jesus, and Buddha had gone through according to their religious adherents. This is not to mention the hundreds of other monomyths told throughout human history. The monomyth proves that humankind shares a common creation DNA in a sense. The monomyth is the perfect vehicle for one to study the Humanities by.

Recommended reading for anyone interested in history, psychology, philosophy.