Canada Books

Ridderbos does an excelent job at interpreting Jesus' preaching of the kingdom in the synoptic gospels. This book is redemptive-historical at its finest and when understood gives the reader a good grasp of the whole Bible.

Herman Ridderbos does in biblical theology what Cornelius Van Til does in apologetics: he takes the New Testament self-revelation of God as a given and defends it against all (mainly European) comers in a thorough and scholarly (in the best sense of that word) manner. In fact, he says in the Introduction that the fierce controversy over the kingdom of heaven in the past hundred years is actually "a rich source of instruction to the attentive observer. It is above all the confirmation that the power of divine truth which finds its sublime and most variegated expression in the gospel of the kingdom of heaven again and again triumphs over all human limitations and commitments."Ridderbos puts the kingdom of God in its rightful place at the very center of the gospel preached by Jesus: "the whole of the preaching of Jesus Christ and his apostles is concerned with the kingdom of God, and...in Jesus Christ's proclamation of the kingdom we are face to face with the specific form of expression of the whole of his revelation of God."

If reading this book attentively does not bring you into a quietly intense frame of worship and thanksgiving, you're just not paying attention. It's not pop theology. But it does amply reward the effort it requires.

'The history of salvation is the heart of the New Testament kerygma.'
pg xxiii

German liberal theology had shown an upsurge in eschatological analyses when Ridderbos re-stated the authenticity of Scripture. Especially the Gospel narratives had come under intense scrutiny and criticism by anti-supernaturalists. Of course, as the obvious title (and quote above) to this present volume implies, they have to be rejected. The claims of Jesus, Ridderbos will show, take precedence over everything else.

'The kingdom of God is not a state or condition, not a society created and promoted by men. It will not come through an immanent earthly evolution, nor through human moral action; it is not men who prepare it for God. The kingdom of heaven is, therefore, absolutely transcendent in its origin, it is the revelation of God's glory. Viewed from the human standpoint, therefore, the kingdom of heaven is in the first place something to keep praying and waiting for with perseverance.' pg 24

In opposition to every kind of metaphysics, Ridderbos believes the revelation of the kingdom is the revelation of Christ, thereby emphasizing the christological character of the evangelical message. The incarnation led to the proclamation which will lead to the realization. 'The manifestation of the kingdom of heaven cannot be conceived as an impersonal metaphysical event, but the coming of God Himself as King. This conception is borne out by a whole series of parables about the kingdom of God.' pg 25 The stage is set for a redemptive-historical supremacy in hermeneutics by doing justice to both the eschatological view and the present character of the kingdom. 'On the other hand, the parables indicate the special veiled way in which the kingdom has come. The wisdom offered in it, the mysteries revealed in it, are only knowable to those who have been privileged to understand the fundamental truth: the coming of the kingdom in Christ.' pg 127

Much modern exegesis equates Israel's rejection of their Messiah as a postponement of the coming of the kingdom, yet both John the Baptist and then Jesus Himself proclaimed that the kingdom of God was at hand in the person of Christ the Messiah. To be sure, New Testament writers linked the coming of the kingdom with the first advent of our Messiah. 'We have seen that the Old Testament most often speaks of its coming as the coming of a person. The same observations hold for Jesus' use of the word basileia. Until now we have translated it as kingdom, but in Greek it may mean kingship, kingly dominion, and kingdom. There is no doubt that the former sense, especially that of dominion as the exercise of royal dignity, is the most prominent usage of the word in various central pronouncements.' pg 24-25 'Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!' exclaimed Nathanael.

Moreover, Ridderbos cautions us not to forcibly narrow the meaning of the kingdom by absolutizing only a certain aspect, at the expense of others. 'It may not for a moment be doubted that John saw the Messiah in Him. Nor is there any doubt possible that John's description of the Messiah's importance passes far beyond the nationalistic Messiah-ideal, and is entirely dominated by the thought of the transcendent and universal judgment which will attend the appearance of the coming king.' pg 29 It is not to be exclusively restricted to the perspective of the restoration of Israel and the subjugation of her enemies.

In another such example, Ridderbos cautions 'Yet it should not be conceived of as exclusively future. Again and again it appears that the salvation of the kingdom is assigned to the disciples and the faithful in general as a present reality. To Zacchaeus of Jericho Jesus says with great emphasis: 'This day is salvation come to this house.' (Luke 19:9) The 'receiving' of the kingdom must needs be understood as something that precedes the 'entry' into it.' pg 79 An illuminating portion on the provisional character of the kingdom follows.

The reader evokes much comfort from the fact that Ridderbos, who was highly familiar with Scripture, did not impose his own theory or ideas, but remained conscious of letting the Word speak for itself, as if he were determined to fix his mind, heart and strength exclusively on the Lord Jesus Christ. Only this can account for why Ridderbos invests in this monumental study so much attention to the testimony of the synoptic gospels.

'There can be no doubt that in Jesus' preaching the great future perspective has been maintained. So every conception that the kingdom of heaven is an exclusively religious-ethical good, a spiritual community or a social order within the limits of this world is in open conflict with the gospel.' pg 43

I bought this book hoping to obtain a deeper understanding and appreciation for what the Kingdom of God as understood biblically. Ridderbos' work is of the highest caliber and exhaustive in its scope. The only reason I gave it four stars is beacause it is a very challenging read. It's not a book you can simply pick up and read, you have to really work at understanding it and following it. Mainly I think because of the abruptness due to it being a translation. (Doesn't flow as fluently as a native English book would).
For someone completely unfamiliar with the Kingdom of God idea and/or not needing a seminary-level discussion of the idea, I would strongly recommend looking at George Eldon Ladd's Book on the same topic. Much less dense. Probably not as scholarly in terms of dealing with liberal lines of thinking (Such as Culmann, Barth, Bultmann, Schweitzer, etc.) but my guess a good start for someone not adept at liberal theology and the historical debates raging around the gospels and the nature of the kingdom.

Jacques Condor is a spellbinding weaver of tales. Condor Tales brings to life a time long-past when Native American Storytellers sat beneath a star-filled sky, with the warmth a fire to chase way the evening chill, and young child seated waiting for a story--Welcome the Magic this novel brings.
--Connie Vines, AKA Addison Murrary, award-winner author of "Whisper upon the Water," "After the Rain," and "Rachel and the Texan."....

I am a Native American and I was just thrilled to read Condor's book. Not only did the author make me feel like I was sitting with Elders and hearing the stories. But, he "drew me in" and I felt like I was experiencing the story first hand. His command in being able to translate the different cultural's analogies into something that all people can read and understand is exceptional. The phrase " it looses something in the translation" dose not apply to these stories. All ages and all people will find this book entertaining, enlightening, and exceptional!I have recommended this book to everyone that has asked me how I can better understand the Native American people.I have recommmended this book to my local library and Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations. It was the best birthday present I have ever recieved.

Condor has written a wonderful book of Native American stories that are very hard to put down until you have finished each individual story. The stories are written with great clarity so that you can experience the sights and smells of the Alaska and Canadian area in which they take place as though you are actually there around a campfire or in long-house, at their FIRST telling! Each story has an illustration of a character from the story that brings the story to life, some stories have several illustrations. The stories contain an introduction to help set the background for the story. Condor, a Native American, has lived for many years in the area he writes so well about. I highly recommend this book as a very enjoyable read and anxiously await to hear more from this author!

Wow! This book is a page turner! I could not put it down. It is a wonderful collection of Native American short stories dealing with super natural legends and ghost stories. I found myself reading on and on after planning to stop pages earlier. I just had to find out what happened next. The stories are well written. The author describes the scene and characters clearly and sets the stage for you. What unfolds as you read are tales so memorable and haunting you keep thinking of them even after you have put the book down. I also liked the fact that there are illustrations in the book so you can see the characters exactly as the author pictured them himself. One of the best books I have read and truly enjoyed in a long time.

this is a really great consumer behavior textbook for those who are interested in understanding the how marketing is applied in the ever-changing environment. highly recommended by marketing professors too!

The product was in a reasonable condition and for the price it was a good option!

Useful book, includes thinking on both consumer behavior and relevant market strategies. Good read for marketing beginners.

As a marketing major, this consumer behavior textbook has been an asset to my learning so far. Very descriptive with many graphic examples. Uses outside knowledge from today that help the reader to stay alert and interested.

Peter Dalglish is a visionary...there are no two ways about it. He has seen and experienced more in his lifetime than many of us ever will, and his story is one which every young person should read.

He has touched the lives of children from war-torn North Africa to the corrupt shanty towns of Bangkok--and in each he has made a fundamental difference in those children's lives. His contribution to social development is as far-reaching as any of the great figures in international affairs that may spring to mind, except he has achieved it on a small-scale, personal level.

I believe Mr. Dalglish has touched on a point that we should all take to heart: that those of us who have been fortunate enough to have the resources we do, have an OBLIGATION to give more to the lives of these impoverished children.

I commend Mr. Dalglish and think his book a fantastic reflection of a distinguished career of service.

This book is touching and encouraging on all levels. It teaches the true meaning of many things, touching on the soul and heart. Definetly a must read.

Peter Dalgish's book is one of the fantastic I have ever read. It is an emotional and touching story, no matter how sad or heart wrenching. But it also lets us believe in freedom and truth. Read this books!

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did; I was interested to read it after hearing Peter Dalgleish speak. He is a charismatic, brilliant speaker and this book is equally riveting. A lawyer by training, Dalgleish was heading for the big salary, the luxury life. The book charts how he turned himself around and ended up using his characteristic drive and energy to help some of the world's poorest children. It will make you question the values of western society and it will make you realise that with energy and a determination, many things are indeed possible.

What sets this book apart from most books on Prohibition, is that the author is using mostly Canadian sources of information. That makes perfect sense as that is where the bootleg whiskey was originating. Steinke's stated intent is to explore the connections between Canadians and the American Underworld during Prohibition. He succeeds brilliantly with colorful stories of Al Capone's visit to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and Ontario residents recollections of the Purple Gang. Other chapters deal with Dutch Schultz, Whiskey producers, and rumrunning ships. Unusual anecdotes that other authors missed. Good stuff.

In his introduction to Mobsters & Rumrunners of Canada: Crossing the Line Gord Steinke points out that "probation was a miserable failure. The so called `Noble Experiment,' which was meant to reduce crime and poverty and improve people's health" turned out to be a complete disaster. In fact, prohibition spawned a whole new crew of criminals who specialized in bootlegging and much of these illegal activities originated in Canada.

The movement for prohibition began when some Americans were troubled about the harmful effects of drinking and they began forming temperance organizations. As these groups became influential, the U. S. government on the 16th of January, 1919 ratified the National Prohibition Act commonly known as the Volstead Act. A year later it was prohibited to manufacture, sale, or transport intoxicating liquors in the US. It would take another thirteen years until the Act was repealed, however, in the meantime, the era of bootleg booze created a class of very wealthy criminals who were able to turn huge profits. However, the cost was very high, as it also meant considerable rivalry among gangs and by the time Prohibition ended there was at least 800 gangsters who were killed in bootleg-related shootings in Chicago alone.

Mobsters & Rumrunners of Canada: Crossing the Line recounts the many stories pertaining to the Canadian connection to the American underworld during the era of Prohibition. It should be pointed out that in Canada prohibition had a very short life span and when it ended, each of the provinces was given the option to control the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Some did regulate the sale and manufacture, however, for the most part much of it was a farce.
As an example and as Steinke mentions, The Liquor Control Act of Ontario only banned public or hotel drinking but did not prohibit the manufacture and export of liquor. Consequently, it was not illegal to export liquor to countries that did have Prohibition. This meant that anyone from the USA, who was fearless, could motor over to Ontario or anywhere in Canada, buy all the liquor he or she could carry and smuggle it across the border.

Moreover, as Steinke points out, mobsters such as the illustrious Al Capone seized upon the opportunity to make a fortune in bootlegging and he immediately forged a business alliance with Sam and Harry Bronfman who were manufacturing liquor in Saskatchewan where Prohibition had ended in 1924.
As mentioned in Mobsters & Rumrunners of Canada: Crossing the Line, Capone between 1925 and 1932 controlled all the distilleries, nightclubs, bookie joints, gambling houses, brothels and race tracks in the Chicago area at a reported income of $100 million per year. No doubt, Capone would not have succeeded to such an extent if it were not for Prohibition.

Violence was not only restricted to the USA as it was quite prevalent along the coastline of Canada's Atlantic provinces from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia and even included the French islands of St. Pierre, a group of French-owned islands 16 miles off the southwest coast of Newfoundland. Together these venues constituted Rum Row and were the principal jumping off points in bootlegging activities. From any of these harbors it was a short jaunt into the USA.

The depiction of the many colorful characters that played an important role during this era is very well done. As Steinke mentions in his introduction, mobsters and smugglers and their greedy lives filled with murder, mystery and mayhem are usually not part of a Canadian history course. However, how real is the history of a country if you decide to pick and choose what to include particularly where many Canadian families can trace back their ancestry to bootleggers and gangsters?

Steinke's research is the result of gleaning through a variety of newspaper articles, government archives and other publications and as he states: "one undeniable common denominator emerged from our country's past-the cruel and greedy era of Mobsters and Rumrunners of Canada is very real and important part of Canadian heritage."

Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures

Gord has written a superb book on the history of Rum Running, and the gangsters and outlaws involved. The research and information contained within the pages of this book far outway any other book I have read on this subject. As well he adds a lighter side throughout which makes this book a very easy and enjoyable read. You will not want to put it down.

Thank you Gord for a great read, looking forward to any future works. To everyone else looking for a great book, you will not be dissapointed with this one. I highly recommend.
Doug Winkleman

Crossing The Line: Mobsters And Rumrunners by journalist and broadcaster Gord Steinke is an entertaining account of the most famous exploits of rum-running mobsters who dealt in the illegal booze trade during the Prohibition era of the roaring 20's, written especially for lay readers. Crime sprees, ruthlessness, clashes with the law, and the overwhelming drive of human greed that kept mobsters in business permeates this collection of true stories, researched and deftly told with a flair for modern legend. An accurate and amazing survey of a colorful and sometimes bloody aspect of early twentieth century American history.

I would highly reccomend this book, along with any others by this Author. She writes the truth and makes us think. This book is awesome, so real to life that it made me think about my choices and things that I should change. What a GREAT BOOK!!!! Thank you Elizabeth J

Ik nam De Kristal Stap uit van mijn plaatselijke bibliotheek. Zij hebben een onderdeel voor nieuwe vrijlatingen en van de joue binnenkwam slechts. Ik moet zeggen dat ik echt van dit boek hield. Het was veel zoals wat ik hoewel jaren geleden toen mijn moeder werd hertrouwd ging en ik kreeg een nieuwe stap zus en broer die reeped verwoesting op mijn het leven ik wist voor hen. Dit boek indien geweldig voor enig kind door deze soort van dilema gaand. En ik genoot echt van het lezen van dit boek en zal nu uit je andere boeken ook gaan en nemen. Dit is een echt geweldig boek.

This is a fabulous book for kids going through situations that many kids face today. I highly reccomend this book to teens and young adults alike. This author sure cares about kids, it shows in her writing. The situations Kelley and Crystal face together or real situations, not fake fantasy situations. Real kids have real problems much like these. It is about time someone had the guts to write the truth for the young people of today.

Wow what a great book for kids dealing with peer pressure as well as kids learning to cope with family changes such as a new step parent and step sibling. I have never seens an author so willing to bring the realities to life. Have the courage to include the realities of drugs, alchol teen pregnancy and aids and a story for teens is something to be admired. Way to go Elizabeth, it is about time someone used real life issues in a teen novel. These are issues kids deal with on a daily basis but nobody wants to discuss or deal with. This book gives kids positive ways to handle these problems and it is great to see.

Anyone who has ever done a canoe pack trip in the great north or who has run rapids in a canoe will appreciate the beautiful descriptions of autumn tundra scenery and the harrowing tale told. The story flows beautifully between the physical descriptions of the canoe trip and the invisible bonds forming, dissolving, and reshaping between the paddlers. It is also a cautionary tale for anyone tempted to enter the great north unprepared. Consider buying this as a gift to anyone who is into canoe trips or nature writing / essays.

I read this book years ago and now will order it for my personal library.
An excellent book in my opinion. I am also a wilderness canoeist but have never done a trip as ambitious as this.

I love the far north, can't wait to get back there for another trip next summer.

A a story of tragedy and self-discovery. Haunting and poignant. Grinnell jumps around a bit, and sometimes it is hard to know where he is--on the river or in his head. But all and all, a great read. And the water colors are wonderful.

Bob Muth
Flathead Valley Montana

This book is very well written. It tells about a journey that many men would love to take but do not dare. These men dare, or at least attempt, to conquer nature only to learn that it is nature and the power of God which controls us. Grinnell has a gifted way of telling what will happen yet leaving the reader wondering how it will happen. He also cleverly points out different worldviews and how they can change and be manipulated when humility before God is the only option. If you take this journey along with Grinnell under the leadership of Art Moffat, you may never return as the same person.

I think this book was great. It was so great because it told a true story of courage. I recommend it to anyone who wants adventure.

"Distant Fires" was published in 1990 and is the true account of a summer canoe trip from Duluth Minnesota to Hudson Bay Canada by two men in their early 20's. More than anything else, this book speaks to the modern charisma and abilities of the author, who planned and accomplished the journey, then, wrote such a wonderful and humorous account of it. Chapter by chapter, the reader is taken to the water, along the route, and into the perspective of the adventure. This book is testomony to what's in the future and beyond the horizon. It cannot be over-recommended for young and old. Thank you Scott Anderson for sharing your uncommon knowledge and insight of "Distant Fires" on earth and in our lives.

This is an astonishing book about two young men who want so much to have a great adventure experience before they get too old and can't go. So, they set out in their canoe to recreate an adventure 50 years ago, by Eric Sevareid, to canoe 2000 miles, from Duluth, Minn. to the Hudson's Bay. Every step along the way they encounter adversity, bugs, hardship, danger- yet they press on with a determination and will to complete this task, and win. They do so with much humor and dry wit. I found myself laughing out loud in many places. Where else can you read about two young men moving at the speed of a canoe paddle, going upstream, battling headwinds, eight foot waves that could easily swamp their canoe, rapids, portages through dense growth, beaver dams, and of course, mosquitos, mosquitos and more....?

It seems that they must have never been dry or warm over this journey that took them over three months to complete. But they never lost their sense of humor and never gave up, even though the odds were immense.

I greatly reccommend this book. It reads easily, and will be an excellent choice for young as well as older readers who enjoy a good travel adventure. It is a wonderful inspiration to all who read the book.

This is the book I read when I feel "displaced" from wherever the Air Force has me at the present time. If you are familiar with the outdoors lifestyle of northern Minnesota, this book will refresh any memories you have of trips up "The Shore" (north shore of Lake Superior) or the Boundary Waters. The author is a Duluth, MN native who tells his story of an extended canoe trip that started at his home and ended in Hudson Bay. The reading is light, and is enhanced with a lot of local color humor.

I used this book pretty much all summer. I picked it up for its backpacking section. Most other books about this region that I know cover day hikes only. The book lists day and backpacking trips, and has a special section on shoulder season trips. Each hike is rated with up to four boots.

During the summer I have done number of the trips described in the book with varying company. We did of course aim for the premier hikes. All of them were winners. But don't be put off by lower ratings. The ratings are opinionated. We definitely didn't always share the authors' opinion. (On another end, the reviews of the "Don't do" hikes are an entertaining read.)

The descriptions of the hikes we found to be generally accurate and up-to-date.

Boy were we glad that some people DON'T keep their opinions to themselves. We've hiked several of the trails this book recommends over the past few years and have found them all outstanding. Now some may say, "how can you go wrong anywhere in the Pacific NW?" Well... for the most part that's true, but this book focuses on the cream-of-the-crop. If you want to maximize your fun while visiting British Columbia, use this book and you won't go wrong.

Ask anybody who's hike and backpacked here in the B.C. west coast and they'll tell you that this book is the "bible" when it comes to finding the perfect backpacking or hiking excursion. Very well written and invaluable information on finding the right hike at the right season. This book has saved me precious time and wasted energy. The authors are extremely well informed and the reading is simple and straightforward. I highly recommend this book!!!!

I spent many a fine day frustrated because I couln't find a trailhead or figure out which way the trail was heading or just tromping endlessly on crummy viewless trails. I had one of those 100 hikes in ... books and I had done quite of few of them but finding a rewarding trail had to do more with luck than anything said in that book. With the arrival of the Copeland's book a few years ago all that changed. It makes bold statements about which trails to hike and which to avoid. Having already hiked many of the trails in this book I have to say their descriptions very accurate. My advice don't waste your money on another hiking book because it lists more trails (this book has only 72) they aren't worth it anyway. Instead grab the other two books in this series and get ready for some great hiking!

I needed ideas for dry gardening and pictures of creative approaches...this is it! A definite great read.

More and more people are becoming interested in succulents due to their largely drought tolerant natures and their definite fire prevention advantages. If you are new to succulents and had only one book to choose this should be it. Even if you know quite a bit about succulents this book could still be of value. It's that good.
What the beautiful cover seems to allude to, the book itself totally delivers. The amount of information provided in such a small book is gratifying. It's only 224 pages, but you are unlikey to find this many varieties of succulents pictured in such exquisite detail even in books twice this size. And there aren't simply specimen pictures. Throughout the book there are pictures of the plants arranged in garden settings to give the gardener an idea of how these plants can be combined to create a truly magical garden.
But don't think that DCGWS is just pictures. The written information it provides is every bit as satisfying as the pictures. It is such a complete book on the subject of succulents with respect to their background, the techniques you need to know to handle them safely, their design potential in the garden, and their use in special conditions that unless you want to become an expert on the subject you may never need to buy another book on succulents once you own it.

One of few books dealing with gardening in the dry southwestern climates. Most of the book is devoted to "Plant Selector" which describes the plants, hardiness, cultivation needs, etc. Other sections deal with "Garden Design", "Techniques" (cultivation etc.), and, " Special Conditions." If you have one book on succulent gardening, this should be it.

Plant growth habit and culture notes are all too rare in succulent and cacti volumes. This expertly assembled book captures the succulent plants at their optimum phase and accurately records botanical names and growth requirements. I also utilize to accurately identify plants that I use to create living succulent wreaths. The section of 'Bringing the Desert Indoors' is a welcome invitation to indoor gardeners every where to enjoy these sculptural beauties year around.