The Planets is Holst's masterpiece. It was an epic undertaking, both in size and orchestration, and is hugely influencial on many classical pieces today. Perhaps it was his unique and detailed orchestration that made this work stand out the most. It only takes one look at Dover's wonderful release of the full score to fully realize how monumental it was and to better appreciate it. Holst used every instrument in the orchestra effectively and masterfully integrated them into the piece. Even Rimsky-Korsakov, the master of orchestration, lacks the ingenuity and creativity Holst used with the orchestra in this one. This piece was way beyond of its time and, therefore, I strongly recommend it as a staple to any classical music listener's collection. By looking at it, you'll appreciate the piece much more than you did before and for orchestration fanatics like myself, you won't find any better score in terms of orchestral complexity. It's fun just following along with the piece.

This work is incredible - a must-listen for ALL music lovers! If you enjoy score-study, this is a classic piece. I have used it in teaching my Drum Major (conducting) students about time-signature changes and in creating routines for both conducting and mace work. Exhilerating!!!!!!

-Amanda H. Shelburne Drum Major Instructor, MS

This is one of the most beautiful works of Holst. It is just a wonderful piece of art that unleashes the true power and beauty of The Planets. If you want to hear a magnificant piece, purchase this today!

If you have read Oswald Chambers then you know he was a man that had a keen insight into the heart and mind of God. This definitive collection of his works is a must have. If you haven't read Oswald Chambers then save yourself the trouble of buying book after book and buy his complete works for a very reasonable price.

Oswald Chambers is one of this age's greatest Protestant preachers. He has keen insight into the human condition; consequently, his is able to call all our bluffs. His is also one of the greatest Christ-centered preachers ever. These two axes are the reason why this man, though he was an active preacher for only a decade, has such sticking power.

Chambers was an active preacher for only one decade. He died of appendicitis at age in Cairo, due to complications with his appendicitis. Providentially, his wife was a trained stenographer, and she kept copious notes of her husband's sermons and lectures. This book preserves these great sermons for all posterity.

He had a very broad mind. He has studies on the Sermon on the Mount, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and other topics. This book also has his book "Baffled to Fight Better," his very substantive and piercing study on the book of Job, and, of course, his daily devotional "My Utmost For His Highest." Also included are "Biblical Psychology," "Christina Disciplines," and "The Shadow of an Agony."

To think he did all of this in the short space of ten years. If he had lived, we would place him on the level of A. W. Tozer, C. S. Lewis, and Billy Graham. Even as it is, this book is not merely impressive, but absolutely mind and soul-blowing! Oswald Chambers embarrasses everyone: he did more in ten years than most do in their entire life.

The book itself is textbook size, and is printed on thin scripture paper. The font is contemporary and has an impeccable look to it, so it is easy to read. The text is also in double columns, which for some reason always impresses me with importance, probably because the scriptures and Shakespeare are usually in double column format. This also allows for two more margins to write notes and cross-references.

The CD is the perfect companion, and compensates for the rather skimpy index, and absence of illustrations. Personally, I believe the perfect index could only be a CD ROM-instant access to everything. In addition to containing the text of the book, it also has the e-text and pictures of "Abandoned to God," David McCasland's biography of Chambers. I give many brownie points and many tips of the hat to the compilers for including the King James Version of the Bible on the CD, which can only help your study of Chambers thoughts and insights into Christ.

Besides the things you have already heard, which are true, the CD is awesome (the entire bible, cross references, all of oswald's written works, the way it is set up so you can save your workspace...). I really want to encourage any Christian who wants to grow in their walk with Christ to get this book.

Oswald Chambers was a man annointed with the Holy Spirit and the gifts of Paul. This book is not an accessory, it's crucial for every maturing Christian. It will challenge, enlighten, and bring closer to God anyone the Spirit leads to open it's pages.

At least do yourself a favor and purchase "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald without hesitation, it's ... on Amazon and it's a devotional that will challenge you daily. (I use the word challenge because like Paul, Oswald doesn't always inspire happy feelings, the Spirit was using him to inspire growth in Christ). I don't know what else to say, but buy Oswald as soon as you can...

I got the first book - The Sorcerer's Stone - out of the library because I had heard that it was good and I hoped that my 12 year old brother might get into it. As encouragement, I started reading it aloud to him and found that I couldn't put it down! I couldn't wait to read the second and third book, either! I stayed up late every night for a week to finish the third one. And the sacrifice of sleep was worth it. J. K Rowlings is a great story teller and fills her tales with humor, history (check out the character names!)and details enough to make the reader feel like Harry's world is her world! So be prewarned: once you enter Rowling's world, you can't ever go back! Definitely some of the best books that I have ever read! My brother even read ahead one night on his own, something that had never happened with any other book!

ok i was sitting here reading the revews and i relized some people are not relizeing how fantastic harry potter is. I admit when this first came out i didnt want to read it. you know all the hype. but my dad (im 14) works at amazon an he said harry potter sales were coming in pretty good so i said what the heck let me try it out. up till about then i hadn't read anything but Romance novels for about 3 yrs, and im a fast reader so i was reading about 2 or 3 a day(6-10 hours or reading 4 me). When i got the book i was like ok an i put it off for about 2 days, But you should have seen me when i got started. i was up late (abt 3 in the morning) and i couldnt sleep i had school the next day so i figured why not stay up till my parents come to wake me up (5:30) i wanted something i hadnt read and the only thing was harry potter so i said 'why not' not only did i stay up all night but i got in trouble the next day for reading it again in class. this is an absolute must read.i've read one and two and i love them. if you dont like these books you havent read them. and if you think you think some one is gonna get lost in this an think its real and not fantasy you have a real low opinion of them or the're under 5. sides everyone needs a little fantasy and fun in their life why not make it through books?

JK Rowling has exquisite talent using the English language to weave a fabulous tale within the genre of fantasy. As a parent, former elementary teacher and current professor, I recommend this book to all with the reminder that it is not reality - it is fantasy! Take joy and fly on the imaginary flight Rowling offers us as Harry soars above evil characters unwilling to look within themselves. Our hero strives to keep happiness, joy, and unconditional acceptance of others as the norm for his life. My 9 year old son, who is thoroughly bored with the basal reading of one story per week in class, had given up on reading. He said he hated it! Then, I brought home Harry Potter, began reading it aloud and stopped at a particularly climactic point. What happened next? Well, hours later on my way to bed, my son was nose deep in the book! Several nearly sleepless nights later, he finished the first and begged for more. Do I think these books are evil? Absolutely not. And, yes, we are church goers; my husband is in ministry! We are all anxiously awaiting book four. Just hope it comes out after I've graded all of my papers! I predict generations of fame for JK Rowling in these neo classics akin to CS Lewis.

This novel is one man's spiritual journey during Christ's final week on earth. As our main character struggles with his personal problems and guilt, he also interacts with Jesus. Will he see the true freedom that Jesus offers before time runs out for both of them?

I was blown away when I read this book. Sigmund Brouwer weaves a fictitious story around the real events of the Bible seamlessly. And his account of the Bible story is eye opening. While fictitious, it made me look at the people involved in a different light. I have a new understanding of what Jesus did for all of us because of it.

I also read Sigmund Brouwer's THE CARPENTER'S CLOTH at the same time. There are some overlapping passages between the two books, but both are well worth a read and include material not in the other.

The title of my review best describes the impact this book has had on my soul. Sigmund Brouwer confirms that the human heart is the center of spiritual struggle and wholeness. Brouwer touches the depth of human struggle in his story told of two men in parallel frames. While the tragedy of one man is that he plumits into a distructive fight for release from torment and self distruction, unbeknown to him, he encounters in another man who is the Christ, the real meaning of human freedom and liberation.

The story begins with a man who is identified much later as Simon, who is standing in his own perception of what is his own weeping chamber, his own dark burial cave, comtemplating his life and fate. The story ends with the same man standing inside the bright burial chamber of the other man in the story, the Christ. The issues surrounding his own life find resolution through his increasing involvement in the life of the other man. They become linked in a redemptive process, and identify the true weeping chamber to be the soul of man, the house where it is possible for the mind to descend into the heart. Brouwer perhaps captures a core reality in the biblical account of salvation history.

The story strives for biblical and cultural accuracy. It is entertaining in that it is told with hints of the investigative or detective like approach. However, this approach does not diminish the overall purpose of the author, which I feel is to enlighten us in the dynamics of the spiritual work place of the human mind and heart, that is the soul. Congratulations!

This is an excellent book to introduce someone to the historical and spiritual significance of the Easter holiday. The time the author and his wife, singer/songwriter Cindy Morgan, spent in Jerusalem enabled him to provide a cultural perspective of which many reading the biblical account of Christ's last week would be otherwise unaware. This storytelling gently brushed away my biased view of biblical days, and allowed me to see what life was really like for Christ's followers and detractors. I highly recommend this book and Cindy Morgan's album "The Loving Kind" for those interested in learning more about the life and times of Christ. The chapters are short--usually no more than four or five pages, sometimes two or three. The subplot of the narrator is moving with its realistic view of marriage and family. Do not be surprised if you can not put it down! It may take some hunting now that it is out of print, but this book could greatly enhance its readers' spiritual lives.

Like the other two books in Dover's Beethoven Symphonies set, the score to the Eighth and Ninth are wonderful. The print is large and very readable. The best part is the low price. This is a must for the starving (music) student, teachers, listeners, and professionals alike. I highly reccommend it.

These scores (as well as those of the other symphonies) are worth having. Serious students of music can take invaluable lessons from Beethoven's knowledge of counterpoint, orchestration, dynamics, melody, harmony, notation, and form. Additionally these are great listening aids, pointing out "Nebenstimmen" ("secondary voices") that might not be noticed at first listen. This way one can learn to enjoy Beethoven (and other music) as many melodies intertwining into a larger fabric.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony is simply one of the best pieces of music ever written. Never have I seen so many shockingly perfect runs with different instruments and ideas for arranging the orchestra's notation with such perfection. Especially in the 4th movement. This symphony is very beautiful. It all comes in a beautiful score for the money, with easy to read notes and clefs. This score deserves a 10 out of 10. A must.

I have enjoyed the music playing of the Guarneri Quartet as long as I have known about classical music. This book is a treat. Mr. Steinhardt writes a delightful and truthful book about his own life and teaches what quartet playing is really about. He shares its challenges and delights and why he chose the path of chamber music over a career as a solo virtuoso.

This book should be read not only by lovers of chamber music but by everyone who loves the art of music. It reads well. Serious without being heavy and delightful without being silly. Spend a happy night or two reading it and listening to a few CDs of the quartet's music.

If you are intrigued by music and how it's made, by the hearts and minds of those who have devoted their lives to making instruments sing, then this will be one of the most interesting and satisfying books you've ever read.

Arnold Steinhardt, the first violinist of the Guarneri String Quartet, has that rare ability to step outside his discipline and bring it alive for others. Indivisible by Four is the story not only of how the Guarneri String Quartet came to be, but of how four very different musicians have managed to forge a unique musical identity for themselves as well.

Here you will hear how Steinhardt and his colleagues approach a piece - about their differences and how they are resolved, the things that worked and those that didn't, the inevitable surprises and how they got through them. Best of all, from the perspective of someone who is not a professional musician, is Steinhardt's ability to bring the technical as well as the human elements alive for the reader. I came away with a good solid introduction to chamber music in general, and to the music and composers that have shaped it. Steinhardt even manages to toss in some music theory without allowing the pace to slow to a crawl.

An action packed thriller with plenty of twists and turns in the plot this is not. Expect instead to be treated to a very personal and intimate glimpse into the hearts of four very gifted and dedicated musicians.

Ah, leading the glamorous life! Many thanks to Arnold Steinhardt for sharing his fascinating experiences as a member of the Guarneri Quartet. His book is full of marvelous memories and thoughtful insights into a classical musician's art as practiced at the highest levels. Steinhardt is always interesting, often eloquent. This book has given me a renewed appreciation of the string quartet literature, and a deeper understanding of the collaborative art of chamber music.

This little book is full of the common sense that everyone knows but hardly ever think to put into practice. The codes here help us appreciate the day to day niceties that make each partner in a relationship happy and that endear us to each other. After being married for almost 26 years, I can attest to the veracity of each code. The information contained in this book can serve as a guide to all those currently involved in relationships or looking to begin a relationship. It will help to avoid potential pitfalls and hurt feelings due to misunderstandings between the sexes. As we all know by now, men and women are different, and as such see things in a different way. Just reading the gems set down here can allow men and women an opportunity to get a feel for how the other might respond in different situations without having to actually experience it. Take time to peruse this book. Your relationship and/or marriage will be all the better for it!

This book really inspired me. I think is is perfect for newlyweds and engaged couples. We can never get to much information on how to have a loving and lasting marriage. The contents advises us how important our roles are as husbands and wives. I would recommend this book to my family and friends.

I really liked The Do's Romance Codes. My favorite one is: Always create the ambiance and atmosphere for love. This is very important. And always treat your marriage like it's a love affair. The do's finance codes is very important for newlyweds. Always do finances together two heads are better than one. I could go on and on. But you get the idea. This book is great. Buy it. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I found the secret codes of marriage to be extremely powerful and inspiring. Candace shares insights to relationships, love, romance and marriage with passion and common sense. This creative book of affirmations is filled with reminders and agreements for single and married individuals interested in sharing the art of love.

As a Bible teacher, missionary and chaplain, Oswald Chambers' love for God is shared in this book in a way that is both inspirational and challenging. Avoiding "formula" Christianity of the "pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by" genre, Chambers calls his readers to a determined and purposeful abandonment of the things of this world, and to a habitual and concentrated identification with the suffering of Christ for the sake of the world, with a view toward the joy that is set before us.

Having been originally written from about 1910 to 1917, the style of these short talks may necessitate more meditation on the part of the reader than more contemporary books would, but the gems of thought contained therein will more than reward those who will make the effort.

If you want to be called to the next level of discipleship and commitment to the cause of Christ, this book of daily devotionals will certainly be a great source of motivation and encouragement.

If it wasn't for Oswald Chamber's wife, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST would never have been published. After Chamber's death, his wife collected some of his writings together into this devotional book. Praise God for such a woman of noble character.MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST is one of the best daily devotions around. Chambers doesn't mess around with wishy-washy, look-at-the-Jesus-in-my-pocket Christianity. Instead, he delves deep into the essence of what it means to be a Christian. Chambers knew the importance of a moment and this book is full of wisdom in living a life pressed out to the best, giving one's utmost for His highest. There isn't another daily devotion to compare.

This little book has impacted my personal Christian walk more than any other book besides the Bible.

Mr Chambers has managed so well to sublimate his life to the control of the Almighty that I continuously sense God's Holy Spirit speaking through the pages Mr Chambers wrote.

It's as if God reaches through the mere two paragraphs per day and grabs me by the lapels saying "I want YOU! I want ALL of you! Just trust ME to take care of your every need..."

I deeply appreciate this call to a whole hearted Christianity in today's pluralistic society. Oswald Chambers is an author whose work I will read and re-read into the foreseable future.

What positive values can be derived from JK Rowling's second Harry Potter book besides "fun"?

Well, as compared to the first book, the treatment of Muggles by the magical folks were less stereotypical. Arthur Weasley, father of Ron Weasley, best friend to Harry Potter, offered an alternative perspective. The Muggles, unable to do any spells, came up with non-magical solutions to handle problems in life. An example was the development of lock-picking skills - something which apparently never occurred and a source of facsination to wizards who had become accustomed to using spells to overcome obstacles.

The author also showed the prejudice is a prevalent human nature that exists not only by Muggles like Harry Potter's guardian family against the magical folks, and vice versa, but also among magical folks between those whose antecedents were magical and those whose antecedents included Muggles.

For those who had read the first Harry Potter book, they might appreciate that JK Rowling added further development to her characters in the second book. The principal characters showed either they learnt from the experiences from the earlier book, or revealed characteristic weaknesses in failure to wise up.

Plot-wise, unlike other authors who tried to re-use the formula of an earlier success, JK Rowling took the story through a different plot. In reminiscent of good old traditional mysteries, more clues compared to the first book were scattered through the book on the identity of a mysterious adversary who plagues Hogswart, the school of magic.

What is similar to the first book was that the school staff at Hogswart maintaining an official denial to the source of the threat. In the first book, the Philosopher's Stone (renamed the Sorceror's Stone in the movie) was a closely guarded top secret. This time, it was the Chamber of Secrets which was relegated to the classification of myths and legends. Harry Potter and friends must track the mysterious monster released from the horror by a mysterious Heir of Slytherin which threatened to exterminate students whose antecedents included Muggles.

New characters along for the ride was the flamboyant new teacher Lockhart who taught Defence Against the Dark Arts, younger sister of Ron Weasley, Ginny, who adored Harry, and Lucius Malfoy, father of Draco Malfoy who antagonised Harry and friends in the first book.

Harry and friends had a hard time tracking the elusive culprits, and things never looked more bleak when the greatest defender of Hogswart, Dumblemore, was suspended and sent away from the school. Rowling managed to weave dramatic suspense into the finale.

No doubt, impressionable minds (which included more than just children) could be heavily influenced or seduced by lure of the supernatural, as charged by Anti-Harry-Potter activists.

Whether Harry Potter is a brilliantly packaged trap to lure the innocent to ungodly witchcraft is probably a question which JK Rowling knows the answer best.

However, the ultimate responsibility is on the reader to develop his or her own discernment and this is not likely to happen by banning of books and failure to expose or to prepare the mind to face new challenges.

Harry Potter is orphaned as a baby and raised with a mean aunt and uncle and their incredibly spoiled son. However, his parents were a witch and a wizard, and he is destined to be a wizard. Despite the attempts by the aunt and uncle to suppress Harry's magical side, he ends up going to Hogwarts School of Magic. In "The Chamber of Secrets", Harry survives another awful summer and finally gets to return to Hogwart's for his second year. However, evil forces are out to either destroy or vilify Harry, and adventures abound.

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" has the makings of a genuine classic, although it is a little more sinister than the first book in the series. What I found surprising is the fact that I, at age 41, enjoyed it as much as I did. The writing is nearly flawless and, while reading it, the only thing that reminds you that this is a children's book is how quickly the pages fly by. Some of the humor is also definitely aimed at ages 9 to 12, content-wise, but not to a point of being a distraction.

While I would not automatically endorse a book that is widely read by children and has generated as much interest in reading as has the Harry Potter series, I would definitely be predisposed to liking such a book. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" fulfills the hope that started in me when I saw hordes of children lining up to buy books. This is good fiction, and can lay the groundwork for later introduction of more mature mythical reading, like "The Lord of the Rings".

Some adults are concerned about the Harry Potter books because of the magical, supernatural content. This surprises me, as children are routinely bombarded with fictional characters and unreal stories, without adults organizing protests. Parents need to sit down regularly (not once) and discuss what the difference between fiction and reality is, including the much more realistic-appearing but fictional violence children see frequently on television and in movies. If a child reads a Harry Potter book and believes the magical content, then his or her parents have inadequately addressed the fiction-versus-reality issue with them. And, such a child, who believes the fiction he or she sees is real, is going to be harmed much more by other fictional content available to him and her than he or she is by Harry Potter and his very fictional-appearing magic. My recommendation: Relax, explain the concept of fiction to your children, label Harry Potter as clearly fictional, and let your children enjoy good, imaginative writing.

I thoroughly enjoyed Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! There is still a magical charm that lures you in, and keeps you begging for more. Reading this second book has definitely set my determination in reading the remainder of the series. After Goblet of Fire, I will anxiously await the release of the new books.

This book starts with the same scene as in the first book...Harry Potter is staying with his relatives, The Dursleys, over summer break. They treat him the same, while fearing his magic at the same time. During the summer, Harry doesn't receive any letters from Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid, and believes his friends to have deserted him. Then, a little house elf named Dobby comes to Harry and begs him not to return to Hogwarts because he is in danger. Dobby also reveals that he has been intercepting Harry's mail. After Harry stays firm on returning to Hogwarts, Dobby causes havoc with the Dursleys, causing them to lock up Harry. The Weasley boys rescue Harry and they start off the year together.

Right off there are some mishaps, and changes that everybody has to deal with. Some include the flying car that crashes, the arrogant new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Ron's broken wand.

Then, something terrible starts happening. Students (and a cat) have been turning up...petrified; practically turned to stone! People begin suspecting Harry as the Heir of Slytherin, who can open up the Chamber of Secrets and release whatever is attacking the students. Harry finds a diary from 50 years before, and it turns out to explain much more than first appearance.

Truly marvelous tale! Rowling has such a unique and intrigueing imagination, and she shows it through this wonderful, fictatious boy named Harry Potter.

Esta novela me esta gustando aun mejor que la primera. !Que divertida es!

The translators and publisher are Spanish. There is much vocabulary from Spain, just as the English version has much British vocabulary. I really enjoy learning about regional vocabulary differences, whether in English or Spanish, so this was a big plus.

A friend claims the American editions have been Americanized, although I don't know if it's true. (The American editions still have many British words, but do use some American words, like "sweater" instead of "jumper".) It's funny how the Brits understand us from seeing our movies/television, but we don't understand their vocab or accent as well. It's great to be exposed to different forms of languages we already know.

The translation seems very good, but some things seem wrong, such as "?QUE TE TENGO DICHO?" on the second page of text. I think this should be "?QUE TE HE DICHO?" Maybe this is a form with which I'm not familiar, because I can't imagine a native speaker and translator would make such a gringo ("guiri" en Espana) mistake.

Ahora Harry Potter se encuentra en segundo año de la escuela de Magos. Este es un libro que una vez lo comienzes a leer no podras parar como si realmente tuviera un hechizo. Ya he comenzado a leer el Prisionero de Azkaban que es el tercero de la serie y espero ansiosa que el cuarto libro salga en español. Definitivamente la narrativa es increible,la forma en que JK Rowling describe a los personajes es impresionante. Te los puedes inmaginar tal y como son y a la misma vez te transportas a la camara secreta con Harry. Es una serie de libros completamente fascinante, tanto para adultos como para niños.

I just LOVE this book, and all the harry potter books. I wanted to say to Eric J Justice, who wrote a review above, that your review was incorrect. It DIDNT have a mistake; saying QUE TE TENGO DICHO es right. In fact, im pretty sure what you said was right too. But anyway, anyone who hasn't read this should, but read the SORCERER'S STONE first, because it's really best to read them in order.