W Books

Having studied Biblical Prophecy for well over thirty years, and read just about every contemporary work on the subject (and many pre 20th century ones as well), it seems unlikely that anyone could (or would) have the ability and insight to rethink the well established and widely held position of traditional Biblical eschatology.

There is no shortage of available material for insight or interest of the end times. "Last days" novels and nonfiction have been a hot topic since the publication of Hal Lindsey's "Late Great Planet Earth," a book that introduced an entire generation to the veracity of Biblical prophecy.
It had been said, "If you can't understand the correlation between Biblical prophecy and the every day news by chapter eleven, you most likely never will." Hal was right back in 1970, and the New York Time recognized "Late Great" as the No. 1 non-fiction bestseller of the decade."

Biblical prophecy uniquely sets its own standard: 100% accuracy and nothing less. The evangelical community has essentially followed a similar linear summary with division in minor areas of technical detail.

David Lowe demonstrates an exceptional familiarity and facility with both historic and prophetic Scripture with meticulous attention to the significance of every detail in every sense. The compilation of accumulated examples is a remarkable and intensive effort in and of itself.

With impressive documentation and parallelism, obscure references are captured for use in comparative text and developed using the standard that pattern characterizes prediction and the future finds its definition in the past.

With the use of these comparisons and measurements, Mr. Lowe then assembles these elements and astoundingly produces a comprehensive and fascinating model, while never compromising the integrity of the text.

18 months after my first reading of "Earthquake Resurrection" it seems to be becoming apparent that prophetic events are escalating and the tenets of David Lowe's presentation increasingly realistic and logical.

"Earthquake Resurrection" has boldly provided fresh and intriguing insight and is exceptionally intriguing and compelling.

How about an audio version? It would be of such benefit for so many otherwise unable to appreciate the insights on the pages of "Earthquake Resurrection."

Thank you and great job, David!

Upside: Prophetically there were some very fresh and new insights that were well laid out scripturally. I have been studying biblical prophecy for many years...this book put some pieces in place, for example, who are the 144,000, the 24 elders, the rider on the white horse. All explanations were more insightful and more easily understood than anything I have read anywhere else.

Downside: Theology of man's salvation in the book is somewhat Arminian/Charismatic with dogmatic assumptions concerning the sovereign power of man's free will without any scriptural context. Explanation of the Olive Tree was less than edifying, implying that we Gentiles in Christ have Jewish Roots. The mystery of the Church is better understood by reading earlier authors such as William R. Newell.

At a time when the most influential books on end times prophecy are found in the fiction aisle of your local bookstore, and those books spawn a mini-industry of spinoffs, movies, and, soon, video games, it is telling that the most original thinking and writing on interpreting biblical prophecy comes from authors who are publishing independently. Whether this is because they prefer to retain control over their ideas or because they weren't able to interest Tyndale House, Zondervan, or Nelson, I don't know. I strongly suggest, however, that anyone interested in putting the theology of Left Behind to the test look up Red Moon Rising by Peter D. Goodgame, The Nephilim and the Pyramid of the Apocalypse by Patrick Heron, or--if fiction is your preference--The Facade by Dr. Michael S. Heiser.

To this list, let me add Earthquake Resurrection by David W. Lowe.

In Earthquake Resurrection, Lowe presents a thoughtful study of the timeline of the apocalypse--with a twist. Choosing to build his thesis on a new foundation rather than choosing from the traditional pre-, mid-, or post-tribulation models, or even the newer "pre-wrath" construct, Lowe offers a well-reasoned argument for what he calls a "Pre-70th Week" rapture of believers in Jesus Christ.

Lowe makes a case for the first five seals of the book of Revelation being open today and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse already loose upon the Earth. Interestingly, he identifies the rider on the white horse not as the Antichrist, as do many students of eschatology, but as the spirit of conquering in the name of Christ; i.e., the Roman Catholic Church throughout most of the last 1,600 years (and, I would add, the streak of Dominionism or "Kingdom Now" theology that appears to have gripped modern American Christianity).

The twist Lowe presents is this: He suggests, based on the account of Jesus' resurrection preserved in the gospel of Matthew and the prophecy of the two witnesses in the Book of Revelation, that the energy released by the prophesied resurrection of millions into immortal, "glorified" bodies will be the catalyst that triggers the global cataclysm prophets said would accompany the "great and terrible Day of the Lord". Among his evidence is an interesting side trip through the history of and debate surrounding the Shroud of Turin.

Earthquake Resurrection is well organized and economically written, and Lowe presents a helpful timeline chart at the beginning of each chapter to help the reader assemble the narrative into a cohesive picture of the coming apocalypse. He doesn't try to speculate, avoiding the temptation to tie political predictions to specific prophecies. He simply lays out the evidence and draws logical conclusions.

All in all, Earthquake Resurrection is a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in a serious study of end times prophecy.

The back cover of a new book by David Lowe says that a model for future events that could challenge the traditional interpretation of Biblical prophecy exists. Earthquake Resurrection presents this thesis by looking at "natural" catastrophe in a way not seen before in prophecy books.

But let me back up.

Doesn't it feel sometimes like catastrophe has a mind of its own, intentionally saving itself for the most inopportune time? Take for instance the other day. There I was, enjoying a little CHRISTmas time with the family, bouncing the grandbaby on my knee and heading into the new year feeling just fine, when out of the blue the manager of the conference grounds where I'd been conducting charity reconstruction over the last seven years calls to let me know that the side of the mountain [not too far from Three Sisters mountain range in Oregon where an ancient volcano is awakening] had fallen onto the property, burying some of the assets, vehicles, and a building.

So... just like that, the vacation was over, time to go back to work, raise some more money, build morale among the troops, forget the holidays.

But as I was preparing to make my way back to the camp, I received an email from author David Lowe, wanting to know if I had reviewed his book, Earthquake Resurrection. I explained to David that his title--together with a pile of others I was supposed to be reviewing--was sitting on a "review" counter back at the office and that the Jefferson County Sheriff--a BIG country boy you don't mess with, a guy we refer to around here as Robocop--wasn't letting anybody near the building, given the instability of the slope.

David understood the situation, and emailed me a PDF version of the book so that in my spare time [ha!] I could began reading it.

I agreed, but soon after, was not sure I had made the right decision. The little burp on the side of my mountain was feeling small in comparison to what Lowe was forecasting, and the earth changes along the Three Sisters volcanic range nearby was taking on a portentous feel in light of his research. My thoughts drifted to the ominous Yellowstone supervolcano system, ruptures of the New Madrid and San Andreas fault zones, Mount St. Helen's behaving erratically, Mauna Loa growling, Cumbre Vieja shaking off the coast of Africa, Mount Belinda erupting on one side of the world while simultaneously Mount Augustine was going off at the other pole, and I wondered, what's up?

David had an answer, and It troubled me. The earth is reacting to, or perhaps preparing for, the opening of the Sixth Seal of the Book of Revelation, following the first five seals, which, according to Lowe, have already opened. Thus earthquakes, such as have never been seen before, or ever will again, are about to transpire.

This is where Lowe really gets going. And I have to admit, as a twenty-five year veteran of theological review, I had never contemplated the interesting premise Lowe eventually puts forth. Frankly, I wish I had invented the hypothesis. I'm tempted to steal it anyway, to report it as my own, it's that creative.

The "Rapture of the Church," Lowe says--an advent that some people believe will mark the disappearance of a large group of Christians worldwide during a single and unexpected harpazo--will unleash global earthquake activity and related catastrophic weather events as were prophesied in the Bible. This will compliment scientific reasoning because when humans are "resurrected" or changed from mortal to immortal, the restructuring metamorphoses of the body at the atomic and subatomic level unleashes nuclear power. The explanation for such phenomenon is understood within science, whereas the biblical pattern for the theory is redundantly recorded in the scriptures during such times as the resurrection of Matthew 27:51-52, again when Christ Himself arose, and during the resurrection of the two witnesses of Revelation 11.

Other equally thought-provoking and original ideas continue throughout Lowe's excellently researched book, and the author's writing style is clever and easy to follow--a truly insightful argument that in the end possesses broad eschatological and historical significance.

Even if you disagree with Lowe's "rapture" theme, you'll find persuasive reasons to prepare for an imminent event, one that is certain to bring down much more than the side of the mountain behind my campground.

Thomas Horn, Senior Raiders News Update.com reviewer

To make a long story short, I loved this book!

I've been studying Bible prophecy regarding the end times for a while, and there were always loose ends that would leave more questions than answers. I believe this author was given a word of knowledge to clearly describe what could happen at the time of the rapture of the church.

Max Lucado is an artist! He paints pictures with his words. All his books are like that, but this one is superb!

We are using it as a women's group study. It lends itself wonderfully and quite easily to this venue. I have never seen the excitment and participation in a small group that this book has generated. But most exciting is the growth of the each women's understanding of Who God is to her (and who she is to HIM) presented in a unusual perspective. The result has been a steadily increasing sense of awe and trust and surrender ~ and a very obvious deepening of each woman's relationship with Him. I would highly recommend this book as a wonderful small group study.

Thanks, Max, you have blessed us ~ again!

With this book, I was lead through the Lord's Prayer and the House of God and understood more of what it means to live in "God's House." Max Lucado is a WONDERFUL author and such an inspiration! Thank you a lot. This book is a great devotional book, or a great book to just read for enjoyment.
~Kristen

Each Chapter has its very own message, and each really opened my heart with great understanding to God's love. I plan to purchase this book for my family members as a Christmas gift.

Lucado takes the Lord's Prayer (our Father, who is in heaven...) and breaks it down into many little parts - giving each part a "room" in the "great house" of God. It shed new light on the Lord's Prayer and I haven't looked at it the same.

Absolutely terrific writing. Classic Lucado - descriptive, prescriptive, and very emotionally connected to the reader. It is written in such a way that Max is the tour guide showing you all the rooms and how we can have a place there.

If you're looking to reconnect with God or for a breath of fresh air in looking at Scripture, this is a great book.

I have just finished this book and it was wonderful! Rev. Lucado has a delightful, conversational style that makes for easy reading. It's almost like having your own personal Bible teacher.
How often we take the Lord's Prayer for granted! We repeat the words mechanically with little thought to their meaning. Rev. Lucado puts these timeless words in a new perspective, bringing fresh meaning that will touch your heart. His description of Heaven brings both comfort and longing to the soul. A must read for all Christians whose view of God's Heavenly Kingdom is somewhat blurred!

This book is an excellent study of the first world war as it played out in Africa. Its from a very British point of view, but the author excells in making history into an interesting series of stories rather than a recetation of events and facts.

Africa was a sideshow in the war, but sideshows always provide fields for the individual and the exccentric to do interesting things. And part of the story of the book is how some germans managed to fight in Africa all way to the end of the war in 1918.

If the book has faults, its that its treatment of the postwar settlement is too short and it is too much from a British perspective. But still the best book on the subject with no serious rival.

The titanic battles of the Great War on the Western front are probably well known to most readers of this review. Much has been written (and rewritten) and analyzed (and overanalyzed) about the Somme, Verdun, Ypres. Given the relative numbers of troops and the distance from the main action, the events in Africa can seem to be of little importance. The story of the fighting in Africa during the Great War contains no less heroism or bravery shown by many participants, and the actions of General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck are still mentioned amongst the greatest campaigns fought by any general at any time. Throw in a few harrowing and humorous anecdotes plus some unusual aspects to campaigning (like big game hunting), and you have a great read.

Byron Farwell has written a detailed, entertaining account of the events of the Great War in Africa. It is part military history and part adventure story. There were essentially four (largely) independent campaigns fought against the Germans in Africa: Togoland, the Cameroons, German Southwest Africa, and German East Africa. Farwell covers each of these in detail, the last of course taking up most of the book, as a succession of generals chase Gen. Lettow-Vorbeck and his native askaris through modern Kenya and Tanzania. From a purely military perspective, there is quite a bit of interest here. For the Germans, how do they defend a central position we surrounded by much stronger forces. For the British, how do they use their military and logistical superiority to advance into hostile (to say the least) terrain against a disciplined and motivated enemy?

One of the great aspects of this book is that Farwell occasionally takes detours from the narrative about the purely military aspects of the campaign to present accounts of many of the quirky events and people and the role they played in Africa. For example, Farwell discusses in detail the dragging of several ships over several thousand kilometers to Lake Tanganyika to contest naval control of the lake with the Germans. This expedition was probably unique in the annals of military campaigns, but it leader was particularly unusual. Farwell also discusses an attempt to resupply the Germans with zeppelins, some of the confuse naval actions along east Africa (the German cruiser Konigsberg sailed up the Rufiji river and it was quite difficult for the Royal Navy to get at it, to say the least). Finally, Farwell discusses some of the nasty diseases present in Africa that were often more of a scourge to the average soldier than combat. One type of parasite that infected the body and slowly ate the infected person from the inside out was particularly nasty. It is also annoying that Farwell tries to explain away every British defeat as the result of unreliable and poorly motivated natives, poor leadership, etc. To be fair though, he does give the natives (particularly the askaris fighting for the Germans) their due.

There are two reasons that I only give this book four stars (most reviewers to date have given it 5). First, while both detailed and highly readable, this book is not uniquely outstanding. Farwell is not David Chandler or Shelby Foote, and while anjoyable to read, this is not something that most readers may read 3-4 times in their lives. Second, this book is definitely written from the British perspective by someone who is obviously sympathetic to (and enamoured with) the Golden Age of the British empire. I certainly respect this view, but I think there is much more to the events in Africa during the Great War than what can be gleaned from General Smuts headquarters or in London. Working through Gen. Lettow-Vorbeck's memoirs after reading this book would give you a somewhat different perspective.

The bottom line is that this is a great (and easy) read for anyone (either casually or professionally) interested in one of the most unusual military campaigns in history. Definitely recommended.

Informative, insightful, & readable.
At last! A writer who both:
A)Knows his material
and
B) Can write in an absorbing & engaging fashion.
L. Sprague De Camp fans take note--you will like this book.

Also, try--
Mimi and Toutou's Big Adventure: The Bizarre Battle of Lake Tanganyika

Joseph Conrad would have loved and respected Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, and any woman would have been proud to have been his African Queen. This book is really three vignettes and one great story of courage and endurance.

At the outbreak of World War I, Germany had four African colonies, Togoland, Cameroon, South West Africa (now Namibia) and German East Africa (now mainland Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi). The stories about the conquering of the first three are very straight forward and give a very good idea of how the fighting in Africa differed from that in Europe. Of course the British made major mistakes of bringing in untried Indian troops who were totally unfit to fight in the 'Bush' but everyone kept a 'stiff upper lip' and died from disease and malnutrition.

The major story is how the commander of the "Schutztruppe" (local militia that were made up of European Officer and NCOs, African levies called Askaries, porters who were the most numerous and their wives and children) Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, managed to fight a four year war against over- whelming odds, and never lose a major engagement to the British. Throughout the war he was the consummate Guerrilla fighter, never facing the British head on but using hit and run tactics and always being one step ahead.

(There is a great side story that is better documented in "Mimi and Toutou's Big Adventure by Brian Garfield", about the bringing of some British naval ships to fight on Lake Tanganyika; but Farwell does a good job of telling the story in a succinct manner.)

In the end, the British, mostly made up of South African Whites,Nigerians, Kenyans and Indian troops, spend four years chasing Lettow around Tanganyika, into Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique), Northern Rhodesia and back into Tanganyika. During all this time he would leave his sick and wounded behind to be tended by the British, and would release his European prisoners if they would give their parole (agree not to rejoin the war). At the end of WWI, he was leading four to five thousand troops and keeping 87,000 British Commonwealth troops tied down protecting ports and railroads that could have been shipped to France. (He didn't surrender until November 15, 1918.)

For any history buff who enjoys a story that is almost Kipling-esque, this is the book to read.

This book was ok, no way near how good you might think it was by reading all the glowing reviews. To me it read more like a university text book than an exciting story. If you read the other reviews and see them mention all the really interesting "forgotten" stories of WW1 in Africa you may be suprised when you actually read the book. Several reviews mention the "Battle of the bee's" - you may be suprised when you read the book & see that the "battle of the bee's" is one short paragraph in the book. The reviews mention an amazing story of zeppelin L59 - in the book this takes up about 2 pages of text & a picture. So if you have read some of the glowing reviews you know almost as much about the bee's & the Zeppelin journey as if you had read the whole 400 page book. I found most of the book of some interest but I wouldn't really recommend this book to someone unless they are really looking for info on a certain battle in WW1 Africa at this time - but even then the info isn't very in depth.

I had read this story decades ago when I was young, and revisiting again as I am older, it was amazing to see how William Sleator writes so many science fiction / thriller type stories for young readers without dumbing down the story for the sake of the reader. This was the first of his books that I found, and I have been reading his short stories ever since. I hope to pass them along to my kids once they are old enough.

Writing for young adults, Sleator is a master of twisted and subtly terrifying sci-fi/horror. I read this many years ago and the story of Tycho and his demented future self has been lodged in the back of my mind ever since then. If your tastes run towards left field like mine do, you'll find a kindred spirit here.

I first read this book when I was in forth grade. It made a great impression on me. During a move a year later the book was lost. I recently found it on auction and read it again. I am amazed at how wonderfully complex the story is for both young and old readers. Certainly a story for all. Happy reading.

My dad read this book to me and my little brother twenty years ago when I was [...]. I remember being so enthralled by the story. It wasn't until yesterday that I finally remembered the name of the main character and found the book here on Amazon. I just ordered it and I can't wait to read it!

When I read the book "The Green Futuers Of Tycho", I was amazed at how well William Sleater( The author) Put together this Science Fiction book. My teacher read it to the class, and right after she finished the book, every one wanted to read it once more. I was trying to get my hands on one of the copys, to unfortunatly find that the book was out of print. I defenetly reccomend this book for anyone, and esspecialy those who like Science Fiction.

The young Hal and his instructor in the art of living the good life , Falstaff cavort through the first half of Henry IV as if life were going to be one long , irresponsible entertainment. The dramatic transformation of all of this , and Hal's casting off of Falstaff, and moving to kingly responsibility will come in the Henry IV Part II.
What is present here throughout is the tremendous richness of Shakespeare's imagination in his creation of character, and inventiveness in language , in his ability to create so many different moods and feelings.
'Falstaff' is one of Shakespeare's most beloved characters, and one of the great figures in the Comedy of world literature.
Enjoy.

This is the play where the Percy rebellion begins and centers around the Achilles-like Hotspur. Eventually, Hotspur (Henry Percy) and Prince Hal (Henry Monmouth - later Henry V) battle in single combat.

We also get to see the contrast between these young men in temperament and character. King Henry wishes his son were more like Hotspur. Prince Hal realizes his own weaknesses and seems to try to assure himself (and us) that when the time comes he will change and all his youthful foolishness will be forgotten. Wouldn't that be a luxury we wish we could all have afforded when we were young?

Of course, Prince Hal's guide through the world of the cutpurse and highwayman is the Lord of Misrule, the incomparable Falstaff. His wit and gut are featured in full. When Prince Hal and Poins double-cross Falstaff & company, the follow on scenes are funny, but full of consequence even into the next play.

But, you certainly don't need me to tell you anything about Shakespeare. Like millions of other folks, I am in love with the writing. However, as all of us who read Shakespeare know, it isn't a simple issue. Most of us need help in understanding the text. There are many plays on words, many words no longer current in English and, besides, Shakespeare's vocabulary is richer than almost everyone else's who ever lived. There is also the issue of historical context, and the variations of text since the plays were never published in their author's lifetime.

For those of us who need that help and want to dig a bit deeper, the Arden editions of Shakespeare are just wonderful.

-Before the text of the play we get very readable and helpful essays discussing the sources and themes and other important issues about the play.

-In the text of the play we get as authoritative a text as exists with helpful notes about textual variations in other sources. We also get many many footnotes explaining unusual words or word plays or thematic points that would likely not be known by us reading in the 21st century.

-After the text we get excerpts from likely source materials used by Shakespeare and more background material to help us enrich our understanding and enjoyment of the play.

However, these extras are only available in the individual editions. If you buy the "Complete Plays" you get text and notes, but not the before and after material which add so much! Plus, the individual editions are easier to read from and handier to carry around.

I am actually reviewing both Parts One and Two with this since they should be read together.The reason why I enjoyed these plays so much is because we see Falstaff in both of them. He is my favourite Shakespearean character - big, bawdy, rough, a liar and a cheat, but again we know what he is right from the beginning, and Shakespeare keeps him so true to character. These plays are a bit different from some of the other histories. There are more comedic parts in them for one thing. The plays are certainly used as a medium for introducing young Hal (who will become King Henry V). We see him as a young man, and watch him grow and see the influences that his society and the people in it have on his development. He doesn't appear to be growing up well according to his father because he is so irresponsible. King Henry IV was not England's strongest ruler. He was haunted by his guilt over the death of his predecessor, King Richard II. In Part Two, comedy still plays a big role, and we still see Falstaff's influence on young Hal until the shocking moment of Falstaff's death. The best part about Part Two though is the deathbed scene between old King Henry IV and his son Prince Henry. The play leads us to "King Henry V". Prince Hal does finally grow up and he becomes a very strong leader. Actually King Henry Iv, Parts one and two should be read before King Henry V. It is the correct sequence and we see Prince Hal grow and mature.

Henry IV remains one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, even though the tragedies and comedies get far more attention and seeming appreciation than do the histories. As an English major, I examined Henry's (Hal's) character, and I focused on his development from a somewhat foolhardy young man into a self-assured, even manipulative prince. It is hard to say which of these Hal truly is, or if he is a little bit of both.

At the beginning of the play, Hal spends his free time cavorting around with his friend Falstaff (who provides all of the laughs in the play and is cited as one of the best comic characters in all literature). In the first act we already see hints in Hal's sololiquy that he may not be as carefree as we are led to believe, and that he might betray friends like Falstaff to be the prince that he is expected to be. Read on in "Henry V" to see just how much of a polished politician Hal becomes--his battle cries and his "once more unto the breech, dear friends" is masterful in its persuasiveness and ability to induce his countrymen to fight.

Hotspur serves as a nice counterpoint to Hal in "Henry IV." Hotspur is the hothead and Hal makes his decisions calmly and rationally. This almost inhuman rationality comes into play again in "Henry V" and makes you long for the seemingly carefree Hal.

All in all, "Henry IV" is a great read and quite an interesting character study--I highly recommend it!

In Part One of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," the titular king tries to defend his throne from a rebel army led by the hotheaded Hotspur, who has a long list of grievances about the king's treatment of his family, the Percys. Hotspur has allied himself with several principal figures including his uncle the Earl of Worcester, his brother-in-law Mortimer the Earl of March, Lord Douglas the Scot, and Owen Glendower, a Welsh chieftain with a vivid mystical imagination -- he is so egotistical that he insists an earthquake that occurred the day of his birth was a divine proclamation of his importance -- and a desire to usurp all of Wales from the king.

While he is preparing for war against the rebels, Henry IV laments that his own son Henry (Hal), the Prince of Wales, is a shameful libertine living the high life in London and consorting with a gang of scurrilous miscreants. Indeed, Prince Hal's idea of fun is robbing people, and his best friend and accomplice in this activity is Sir John Falstaff, who turns out to be not Hal's peer but a middle-aged man. In a character transformation of an abruptness that can only be described as magical, Hal becomes a serious young man determined loyally to defend his father's kingship from Hotspur's assault after he receives an earnest lecture from his father about the dangers of acting irresponsibly as a public figure.

Not enough can be said about Falstaff, who is undoubtedly one of the most richly realized characters in literature. He is fat, lazy, cowardly, yet boastful, but not in the same way Owen Glendower is -- Owen really believes what he says; Falstaff is just trying to make himself look better than he actually is, but fools nobody because he prevaricates and embellishes without bothering to remember his previous lies for the sake of consistency. You probably know somebody like this in real life -- especially if you're ten years old. Falstaff's piquancy, in fact, so outweighs the stature of the other characters that his absence is sorely felt in the scenes in which he does not appear.

Most of all, Part One of "Henry IV" is a play of contrasts personified by Prince Hal and Hotspur, who incidentally is also named Henry. In their confrontation on the battlefield, it seems unlikely that Hal, who wasted many of his best days living as a rake, could conquer a seasoned warrior like Hotspur in a swordfight. But there wouldn't be much of a tale to tell if not to show Hal triumphing after his resolution to change his weak habits, and the play ends with the conviction that, despite his past mistakes, he would make a noble king himself.

If you are looking for a solid book, theologically, then look no further. Ryle is an excellent theologian and practical as well. He wants his readers to understand the work of Christ and salvation in the life of a believer. It is great for Bible studies or personal growth.

I would recommend this work to any true believer "working out their own salvation in fear and trembling". It is sound, very comforting and at times very sharp. It is worth every penny and it pays for itself after the first page. Buy it now!!!

The author believes man is Justified byu Faith alone, but believes a Christian Faith is identified by its fruits. This is good, though I do think at times it may seem he believes otherwise. The book sometimes explains something in a thousand words that some may explain in two hundred. It is interesting read considering the book was written some hundred twenty years ago. He complains about easy conversersion without counting the cost of departing from your oldways (sins). That giving life to Christ is not a simple prayer but athoughtful process where you stand before God. He expresses the difference between having more Christians and having less Christians but more devoted. He also disdusses the visible and invisible Church. Those who are members of a local body of Christ but have not truly repented for sins and seek Jesus as God, Savior, and Lord. I found the exposition very interesting at times. A few times I wish he get to the point.

Excellent treatise on holiness and the Christian life. I would highly recommend it.

This book is very detailed and covers the subject very well. It is not written in the easy to read style of modern books and demands concentration. Ryle backs up his thoughts with plenty of references to scripture. His thoughts would be in line with the Puritans. The book is both challenging and encouraging.

The information provided in the study book is very good reading, especially for women's bible study groups. We currently are using this
for our church's circle group. We also purchased the study guide. I recommend it to anyone who hasn't read any of Beth Moore's books.

This book is great. It has really helped me focus on Jesus life here on earth. It has made me dig deeper to discover and wonder about the details. Beth Moore's applications of the passages have brought it to life.

So far this is my favorite Beth Moore book. I've already read it twice and am sure to read it again. She tackles a very familiar story with fresh insights just about every chapter. It's not a "preachy" book. Rather she makes you feel like you're a fellow learner with a good friend. Unlike some of her other books, this does not require looking up many references which makes it ideal to read when you're reading somewhere other than your desk at home.

I have been in numerous Beth Moore Bible studies and this is one of my favorites! This is the study of Christ's life in the form of a daily, personal study. It is 53 short chapter messages.

You can never go wrong with a Beth Moore study. She has a gift for opening the Word and revealing Truth!
I would not buy from this seller, however. It took almost an entire month for it to arrive.

Laura Schenone's book-length essay is an expertly crafted exposition of her search for family history, for barely-surviving traditions, for connections to immigrant ancestors who were strangers to her. She is, by her own admission, "obsessed" with replicating the ravioli of her great-grandmother. She longs for authenticity, for real nourishment in a world of "silver wrapped", mass produced cream cheese. She longs to know who they were, this Genovese couple who came to New Jersey from the isolated, breathtakingly beautiful mountains of Italy so many years ago.

Immersed in the demanding cycles of domesticity, raising two young sons, it is in the chores and delights of the kitchen that she recognizes her mission and begins her quest.

This book speaks to the the mystery of generation, the families who spring forth, the gathering around the table on feast days, and on ordinary days as well. The mothers nourish so that the families may flourish. Schenone's masterful prose absorbed me. I could not put this book down.

I ate this book up and still wanted more. I am 1/2 Italian as well, the same age as the author, have 2 boys as does the author, and have what I thought was the only mixed up crazy family. I chose education and career over learning how to cook, so I loved hearing about her search. Laura write a sequel! More pictures!

This is one of the oddest books I have ever read and I recommend it to anyone -not just food lovers. It kept me facinated until the end. One of those books which enlightens one to the small but exciting adventures people can find themselves caught up with. You don't have to be a movie star or run for president to find some exciting things in your own life. Laura Schenone did this and brought the reader along with her. I don't know this lady but it would be fun having her for a neighbor - especially for Christmas ravioli.

Schenone has written a mesmerizing meditation on food that is a mystery, a memoir and a love letter to ravioli all at once. The book made me wish I had Italian ancestors, so I could go hop a plane and explore the mountains of Italy to track down secret recipes, and hidden family lore, too. Instead I made the walnut sauce--which was delicious. This book is a beautiful and honest memoir about a woman's search to understand her family and herself. Honestly, I didn't want the journey to end.

I love this book! It is a little bit cooking, a little bit history, a little bit travel, a little bit genealogy, a little bit family drama. I had borrowed a copy from my local library, and I enjoyed it so much that I had to buy it.
I am intending to try some of the recipes and make my own ravioli.(My all time favorite food)

I recently finished reading "Capital" by Karl Marx as part of my goal of reading all Encylopaedia Brittanica's "The Great Books of The Western World" (it's Volume 50). I found Marx to be an absolutely wonderful writer - reminded me of Charles Dickens' descriptions of the hardship of the early factory workers in Great Brittain in the middle of the 19th century. It was thus a natural progression to move onto "The Marx-Engels Reader". I have not been disappointed! In his Preface to the 2nd Edition the Editor, Robert C. Tucker stated, "A knowledge of the writings of Marx and Engels is virtually indespensable to an educated person in our time, whatever his political position or philosophy." Prophetic words indeed considering the current economic crisis facing us all and considering that the solution may be found using Marxist priciples!


Capital: Volume 1: A Critique of Political Economy (Penguin Classics)Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, Vol. 3 (Penguin Classics)

Very in depth reader about the works of Marx and Engels. Gives some historic information on the life Karl Marx and the order in which he wrote most of his works. If all you have read by Marx is the Communist Manifesto then do yourself a favor and pick this book up.

The other reviews cover the content, but as for the format (at least in the elder edition this reviewer has), the pages are stubby and short given the length of the binding. Increasing the width by another 1.5'' would have reduced the somewhat crammed text, but Norton must have needed the paper to print other books at the time.

Works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Includes Capital (Das Kapital) and Communist Manifesto. FREE Authors' biographies and essays in the trial version.

This ebook contains essential works of Marx & Engels. Great digital item!

then this is really the volume to get. Besides it's Norton: headnotes, footnotes, delicious paper, quality binding, good selections, a good look at Marx as far I can see.

I have been a fan of historical novels since I read Gone with the Wind as a 14 year old. However, I always wished for gay novels written with a historical twist that were long reads. I will always pick a longer novel over a shorter one. And this one has wonderfully developed characters and a wonderful plot. I really have enjoyed watching the madness of Gaston be calmed and somehwat controlled by Will. I am ready for volume III.

This wonderful book continues the story of Will and Gaston... I just love them and I love this book! I highly recommend you read it!!!

I was worried that this book wouldn't live up to my expectations from Brethren. I was sure that I would enjoy reading it, if for no other reason than it was more of Will and Gaston. I don't think it's possible to read Brethren without falling in love with these characters and wanting to read more. However, it seemed like most of the secrets had already been revealed in the first volume, which made me worry what could possibly be left to cover.

I need not have worried. The relationship between Will and Gaston progresses much further than I ever thought it would. The exploration of their love and it's limits (or lack thereof) is a very interesting topic for this book. Additionally, there is more sex in this book, and Will and Gaston find new ways of dealing with their issues. I still felt as though I was living in their world while reading the book, and found it extremely hard to put down.

I am anxiously awaiting book 3. If you have any doubt if you should buy this book, go buy it anyway, and go ahead and preorder book 3 for yourself. You're going to want it.

I am lost for words that would describe just how much I love MATELOTS and the previous BRETHREN and indeed, I'm certain, the entire RAISED BY WOLVES series. I have read countless books and enjoyed many over many decades, but few truly stand out, and I certainly didn't expect a M/M romance series would affect me so greatly--but as those of you who have experienced these books know, they are unique.

The almost day-by-day accounting of life among the 17thC. buccaneers is magical in its depth and detail all on its own. These books are wonderfully long and expansive and as I said in my review of the first book, one can sink completely into another world and live fabulous adventures without danger or discomfort and yet see and feel everything. It's the ultimate experience for a reader of adventure tales, particularly if they enjoy experiences far from the mundane.

And for those of us who also enjoy character-driven tales, Will and Gaston's tale is fascinating. Will is someone who lives and loves passionately--and also thoughtfully. He's an observer of the human condition with his thoughts about wolves and sheep and centaurs. He seeks to understand the complexities of human nature, particularly when it comes to Gaston, who is not just damaged by his past, but has a kind of madness that was a part of him from birth. The ruminations on society and morality and other philosophies can sometimes seem anachronistically modern, but just as Hoffman's world is convincing and detailed, so are her characters, and Will's revolutionary thinking is organic and explained... and realistically portrayed, as he's no constant crusader for reform. Mostly, he just wishes to live honestly as a lover of men at a time when this was difficult--and this may seem modern too, but not really; people are not so different in their hopes and desires whether living centuries ago or currently. But really, do I care? No. Will can want to educate the slaves or not. I'll want to read about him all the same. And Gaston, too. These are characters to fall in love with no matter what your orientation. As with BRETHREN, the secondary characters are fantastic, too. Striker, Pete, Cudro, Otter, Liam, the Bard, Theodore--and introduced in this book, Agnes and Sarah.

In this installment, which opens right after the last book, Will first needs to help Gaston gain control over his madness, which has been gripping him since his torture/treatment at the hands of the crazy doctor. There are also changes coming to the buccaneers. New men arrive on Jamaica every day and many follow the lure of gold that piracy seems to promise, without caring for the traditions of the Brethren of the Coast. Amongst old friends who do hold to traditions, changes are happening, too. Will is instructed by his father to marry--and learns that Gaston desires him to have children some day. Striker lets it be known that he's also wished for children--and a wife, but fears Pete will kill someone rather than let that happen. Much of the first part of this book, the captain and crew of the Virgin Queen are sailing on their own, or in Port Royal, or off on other parts of the islands. There is action in the latter part when Henry Morgan gathers together the buccaneers for his famous action in Panama. But there is not a dull moment in the entire 600 pages of this book.

I am so grateful that the author has written this series. Sometimes books can be magic of the highest order--casting a spell that can transport a reader to other worlds to meet and adventure with people who can be known better than oneself. For me, Hoffman has cast such a magnificent spell that it can make life seem truly magical. I can't wait to read the next book (which fortunately for me, is available as I write this). I will need to wait for the right moment when I can put aside time to immerse myself again in this amazingly vivid world with these incredible characters and adventures. These are among the few books I wish would never end, so I know I will be re-reading them as soon as I can.

I remember falling in love with Treasure Island by R.L. Stevenson as a kid and wishing for an adult version ever since. This series fulfills that nostalgic longing for a well-researched, emotionally complex, and sexually explicit m/m-centric pirate romp. The plot turns are immensely entertaining and the personalities equally engaging. I was riveted by the central love story as the author skillfully relates every nuance of their painful pasts and developing relationship. I especially enjoyed the battle scenes and the generous descriptions of the heroes' and fellow bucaneers' combat prowess. The political subtext of the bucaneers as freeman carving out a life independent of empire is inspiring too. I hope that you enjoy this series as much as I do.