A friend at church loaned me this book. This book has left me feeling so small and unworthy of such a wonderful God. Since I became a Christian,two years ago in August 1997, God has performed several miracles in my life, one being healing my lungs to the extent that I no longer require supplemental oxygen twenty four hours a day. I had been oxygen dependant for over eleven years and now only require it in emergencies. I praise the Lord for this miracle and all the others He continues to show me. I literally shook as I read Maxs' book, because I am a living testament to the healing powers Max refers to of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to bless Max Lucado with word to touch other souls so they too may know, God IS still with us. We need only to seek Him. HE WILL ANSWER!

The portraits of the people who have encountered the Lord Jesus were so vividly described by Max Lucado that I felt I travelled back in time to witness the change in these people's lives. I was reminded that the stories I so often read in the Bible were not just fairy tales but these were stories of real people in real life situations -- people just like you and me. This is one of the best books I've ever read.

I first read "He Still Moves Stones" several years ago when a friend loaned it to me. I've purchased several copies since. Max Lucado captures the wonder of God's grace. I read it again a month ago and cried again during the same passages. The book is layed out in a series of vignettes with common theme. I just gave a copy to a couple who are going through a tough time with a teenage child. He hasn't had a chance to read it, yet, but his wife is reading it. She told him today that she likes it very much and finds it motivational and uplifting.

I have worn out two sets of these atlases. Every time I read a book of history, historical fiction, alternative history, or one with historical references, or watch the history channel, this set of books has allowed me to envision the geographical aspects of what I was seeing or reading. It has satisfied my curiosity on countless occasions. No other historical atlas has been up to this standard. It reports the facts, ma'am, just the facts. Others have included politically correct opinions. I wish I could find another set. It is disappointing to find that they are out of print.

Its the best study partner I've ever had. I used vol I during High school and College and was always disappointed that I couldn't find vol II. Now my son is in High School and found vol I indespensable for History, as well as English Literature and wanted vol II for his AP History courses. After spending much time looking for it I was told by Barnes and Noble that there is a vol II, by Gary Kinder (must be Herman's brother or son), ISBN # 0385133553 - published in 1978. Its on order and I can't wait to get it. I remember how many hours I spent just perusing it for history that I didn't know. The maps and illustrations were better than most giant hardbound history reference books. The neat thing about this book is the way that it puts history in perspective with a geographical location or a specific series of events without confusing the reader with too much irrelevant information (and its small enough to carry to class). Would somebody please put this on a CD!

The amount of information in this small book is mind-boggling. The maps are numerous and detailed, and each one is accompanied by a few paragraphs describing what was going on in the world at the time, so in addition to the maps (if you don't mind small print with some abbreviations) you get an outline history of the world. This book makes all of the huge and expensive coffee-table-sized atlases of world history, with such inferior maps and so much less information, look stupid and wasteful.

I think this is an excellent way to present the Titanic story to children. The story is told from Polar's point of view which helps to hold the children's attention. I am an elementary education major and I just read this book in one of my classes at my university for a project. I read it with the Titanic Suite playing in the background. I do not think one classmate of mine blinked during my entire presentation. This book is also wonderful for children because it does not focus on the devastation of the Titanic voyage, but rather the joyous times between a bear, his master, and his family.

Having read virtually dozens of books on the RMS Titanic, I figured a children's book on the topic to be entertaining at best, but certainly not informative. Polar the Titanic Bear was written by Daisy Corning Stone Spedden as a Christmas gift to her son, Douglas. The book chronicles a period of approximately two years in the life of the family's 6 year old son from the point of view of his new teddy bear, Polar. The story begins with Polar's assembly in one of the finer toy stores in North America. Polar is placed on display in a store and purchased as a Christmas gift for Douglas. The reader is then sent on various journeys throughout the world with the Spedden family, culminating with their voyage on and subsequent rescue from the Titanic. What makes this book most appealing is the real life glance into the lifestyle of the affluent family prior to the Depression. Because it was written by a mother to her child with no intention to publish, there is no fluff or marketing appeal added. This book is, in effect, a true-life diary of Pre World War I America complete with pictures from the author's own collection. The book is a touching display of motherly affection for her child. It ends with an epilogue (added for publication) detailing the years following the book's creation. The ending is emotional and sadly tragic. Though written for children, Polar the Titanic Bear is a touching story for readers of all ages and interests.

To me, "Polar, The Titanic Bear" is a precious book because it has so many fascinating dimensions to it. On the one hand, it is a charmingly written children's story about a child's stuffed polar bear and the journeys it takes with it's master around the world, culminating ultimately aboard the Titanic. Second, it is a must have for Titanic scholars as it provides us with insight into the Spedden family that traveled in First Class and survived the disaster by getting into Boat #3. The father, Frederic Spedden, was one of the few First Class male passengers who was so fortunate as so many other men that night died.

But finally, there is the extra poignance that this story takes on because of what it ultimately represents, and that is the love of a mother for her son in writing this book and presenting it to him as a Christmas gift, as Daisy Spedden did for eight year old Douglas. The closing narration of Polar reflects the hopes and wishes all parents have for their children, "I hope he will be blessed with a long and happy life" and then you find out that Douglas, after surviving the Titanic, lost his life just a year later at age nine when he was struck by a car while at his parents summer home. Only the hardest of hard-hearted people could not be moved to tears by learning that. In the end, as we read ultimately of how the Speddens were able to move on from this tragedy in their lives, this helps make "Polar" filled with more insights for adults than the average children's book might have. No Titanic enthusiast can afford to be without this book.

This book was recommended to me by a millionaire friend. He used these principles to go from zero to 2 1/2 Million IN 18 MONTHS! That should tell you how good the principles are! Easy to read. You'll read and succeed with this one.

I have been a fan of Hill's since reading Think and Grow Rich over 15 years ago.When I ask successful people the books that shaped their life, Think & Grow Rich is always mentioned first. Success through a positive Mental Attitude is also mentioned.The mind books definitely enhance your success and SUCCESS THROUGH A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE IS ONE OF THE VERY BEST.I also recommend Financial Self Defense and More Wealth without Risk. These books are to personal finance what Hill's books are to personal development.

I bought this book a while ago, am 21 years old, and have to say, what a book!

At first I didn't really agree with most of the stuff, (and I am a Dr. Hill enthusiast), then the more I read, the later the truth sunk in that W. Clement Stone was a Think and Grow Rich guy and that he was more than qualified to talk about a philosophy of success alongside Napoleon Hill.

There is some good benefit to this book, one being the fact that the advice to kill procrastination is very sound, and I now employ the techniques. Also, it's PACKED with Modern stories of success which will make you quite faithful in the teachings.

The best part of all: This book (and the other ones by Dr. Hill) is my "Reality Check" book... so whenever I feel like I may be incorrect or misguided by clouded emotions, etc etc, I read this book and it clears my thoughts and sets my goals high.

Enjoy!

Definitely if you're a Rolling Stones fan, it is essential to read this book. As someone who has read quite a few supposed "biographies" of the Stones, I can tell you that I have not yet found one as genuine, funny, heart-warming and well-written as the story James Phelge relates of those early struggles at Edith Grove.

If you're not a Stones fan, read this book anyway. Because not too far into this book you soon forget that this is about the early years of men who are now known as "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World". This book is simply about four guys sharing a flat in London in the 60's, and the fun and hardships involved in their lives at that time. This is the story of a struggling band, of young men, of lives money poor, but rich in friendship. It is the story of men who follow their hearts. You will laugh out loud, and perhaps even find a tear in your eye.

I only wish I could give this book an extra star.

I read this book last year, when it was called Phelge's Stones (the front cover was a little bit more otrageous, but I liked it) and I had most fun and informations from it than from all the books about the Rolling Stones that I read. Here you can find all the little things that made the Stones so great. It's a real book written by a real person, who lived with them in that dirty flat in Edith Grove, 102 ... and when you read it, you can smell it. I felt like being there with those guys ... what a story! Thank you Phelge for all the fun and other things you shared with the world.

If you're looking for saucy gossip about groupies and drugs, this is not the book for you. If you want to learn about five teenagers from London who had a dream, buy this book. James Phelge, forever known as "Roommate of the Stones," offers priceless insights and hilarious shenanigans of a struggling, unknown band named after a Muddy Waters blues song. After the Stones start touring America, the story seems to drag a bit by focusing on some of the "Swinging London" scene, but it is merely a set-up for the shocking ending -- Phelge walks away from it all and chooses to live a normal life! The crazy man of Edith Grove turns out to be the sanest of them all. A must read for EVERY Stones fan.

Jack has surpassed his own work and then some! Medusa Stone is a fast paced, tightly scripted, thrilling adventure. You will not be able to put this book down!

Jack has taken Mercer and made him a true action adventure hero. We have a new hero to root for and hopefully he will be around for many more adventures! I can't wait for the next one!

Jack is worthy of the comparison with Clive Cussler. You will not be disappointed with this book at all. I only wish it had come out in hardback!

After his adventures and romance in Alaska and Hawaii, mining engineer Dr. Philip Mercer is bored writing reports in DC. He mentions his lethargy to his eighty-year-old drinking buddy Harry White.

Undersecretary of State for African Affairs Prescott Hyde tries to hire Philip to locate a large diamond mine in the dangerous Northern Eritea. In spite of showing pictures taken from the Medusa satellite that crashed a decade ago, neither Prescott nor partner Selome Nagast convince Philip that a lode as large as that in South Africa has gone undetected.

Philip's mind is changed when a group of Mid-eastern terrorists abduct Harry, threatening to kill him if the mining engineer fails to find the mine in six weeks. Philip races to Africa to begin to search for a needle that might not exist in a haystack overrun by terrorists, outlaws, and deadly land mines. Philip quickly realizes that a second group is also interested in obtaining the diamond mine. Both groups share the goal that Philip must die.

With novels like CHARON'S LANDING, VULCAN'S FORGE, and now THE MEDUSA STONE, Jack DuBrul is proving he is one of the leaders of adventurous intrigue novels. The story line of his latest thriller continually ebbs and flows, but each new spurt builds the tension even further until the audience realizes that this is a one sitting novel in spite of its size. Philip is a fabulous lead character and the support cast brings to life Eritea and some questionable activities in the Mediterranean area. However, in hindsight what makes Mr. DuBrul's novel a strong candidate for adventure book of the year is the brilliant infusion of Eritea, its people and customs woven into a dramatic plot.

Harriet Klausner

From the moment I started listening to the audio cassette of Jack DuBrul's new story "The Medusa Stone," I knew that I would have several hours of constant and rapt reading adventure. His novel reads like the best action adventures of such authors as Clive Cussler et al. Mercer is a hero in the same vein as Indiana Jones, and even when accomplishing the almost impossible makes the reader think that his actions are normal. In this novel, Mercer is called upon to prevent both Israeli terrorists and a meglomanical Italian industrialist from gaining access to one of the world's richest diamond mine deposits. The love scenes in the novel are quite steamy and yet the reader does not feel the voyeur. I would recommend this book and all the other novels by Dubrul for the reader looking for a new hero and an outstanding author.

The Art of painting animals on rocks is a gem! Lin Wellford is brilliant to imagine such portraits on rocks. By following her selection of rocks, to picking the exact paint brushes, I have started my own business of painting peoples' own animals on rocks! I did not know I had the talent until I used photos of my mom's dog that had passed away and Lin's guidelines. My mother thought she saw her little pomeranian curled up under her desk and was so overwhelmed at the likenees. That is what this book will do for you! And the gifts you can make for others. Buy her second book, Painting More Animals on Rocks for mor detailed portraits! A MUST FOR ANIMAL ART LOVERS!

This book is awesome! I am a novice to the world of painting. I first got the book about 3 years ago, and have since painted many, many rocks. My family will often call and request that I paint a certain animal for them. The instructions are easy to follow and are written in such a way that once you have mastered one animal, you can easily see how you could adapt it to another. I am anxious now to try the sequel to this book and indeed start painting more animals on rocks.

This step-to-step guide is the best I've ever seen! I bought this book a year ago, and I knew nothing about painting on rocks. This book turned me into a pro- my first rock was a rabbit, and it turned out wonderful! Ever since then, I've been painting rocks and buying her latest books- they are always great for new ideas and inspiration, even if you are a pro!

This book has instructions on what kinds of rocks are good to use and bad, examples of rocks the author (Lin Wellford) has painted, step-by-step clear instructions on how to paint Ladybugs, Snakes, Turtles, Rabbits, Calico Kittens, Grey Pursians, Yellow-striped Tabby cats, Raccoons, Foxes, Owls, and examples of how to do mother and baby(s) pairs, double animals, and even examples and tips on how to paint other animals! Also, in the back, there are instructions on how to sell your rock art!

You will laugh, cry and be confused when you read this book. This book can teach you that what you think is good is not always good.

There is a boy named Peter Pan. He sprinkles fairy dust in Wendy and her two brothers. Then he shows them how to fly. He takes them to Neverland and shows them to the Lost Boys who live there. Wendy becomes their mother. She makes up rules, like any other mother would do. The boys have to follow these rules. Everything was fine until Captain Hook came with his crew to where the boys and Wendy were. While Wendy and the boys were at the lagoon, where they go every day after dinner, they see a girl named Tiger Lily, princess of her tribe. She was captured by Smee, one of Captain Hook's men. Then Peter saved her. A few days later Wendy and the boys were on their way to Wendy's house when they too were all captured by Captain Hook. Then Peter saves them. Then the lost boys, Wendy and her brothers go home. All except for Peter.

It is mostly about what the people in the book think is right with childhood. The kids in the book think that if you grow up it is bad, but in our case it is actually good.

Peter Pan is a violent book not really made for children under the age of 10 but people 10 and up can read it. It is violent because of the language that is spoken and the idea that killing could be fun. Also, the vocabulary is very difficult for children under 10 to understand. Even if you're older it is difficult to understand.

Overall, it is a good book but watch out for the violent ideas if you are reading it to little children.

When talking of literature, people tend to look solely at books they read today but forget what they used to read, namely the ones we read as children. It is a common misunderstanding that children's literature is to be read by children and children only, but when we come to think of it, which one of us are not children, at least in our hearts?

One of the best books any child, young or old, can read is Barrie's Peter Pan. Although written in the past century, it has something for any generation at any time. Its humorous views at the world from a child's mind left me rolling over the floor, laughing; the exciting storyline kept me busy with reading until the end; and the serious undertone made me think of whether the world wouldn't be a better place if we realised that deep down, however deep, we are in fact all children. So if YOU are a child, which you most certainly are, get yourself a copy and enjoy your ongoing childhood.

This is an utterly charming work. It has been retold myriad times, but nobody else has done it as well as the original teller, J. M. Barrie.

It's difficult to know what to say about a book like this... everybody knows the story. But I guess that unless you've read this book (not just seen a movie or read a retelling), you don't really know the character Peter Pan, and without knowing the character, you don't really know the story. So read it.

By the way, if you enjoy this, you probably would also like "Sentimental Tommy" and its sequel "Tommy and Grizel", both by Barrie. There are differences (for one thing they're not fantasy), but there are also compelling similarities. Anybody who found Peter Pan a deep and slightly bittersweet book would be sure to enjoy them.

-Stephen

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone has to be one of my favorite book ever!I couldn't take my eyes off of it. J.K. Rowlings uses so descriptive words that you feel like your in the book and you are living the adventure right along with Harry Potter! I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure and mystery. Also if you like witchcraft and wizardry this is definitly the right book for you. I read this book in about three days it was so good.

As a little boy Harry is sent to his last living family. But his so called family teats him like a slave. But when Harry gets a letter in the mail his whole life will change forever. HE FINDS OUT HE IS A WIZARD!!!!! (his so called last living family)tried to keep the greatest secert from his life. But Harry's family won't let him go. So when Hagrid the gentle half giant (sometimes)had to come over the family agreed right away.So Harry Potter was going to hogwarts. But he needed supplies thats were diogon alley comes into the book. Thats all i'm going to tell you. I would tell everyone to read this book in a split seconed.
-Alex

In the beginning, as a boy, Harry is sent to his last living family, because his parents were killed. On his eleventh birthday a giant man called Hagrid comes and explains that Harry is a wizard. He soon gets used to living in Hogwarts, and he makes a lot of new friends. Harry and his friends discover that someone is after a magic stone. Harry finds out that one of his teachers is after the stone. Harry makes it through the traps guarding the stone. In the end he stops the person and finally gets to see Voldemort, the dark lord.
I chose to read this book because I love things that concern fairy tales. Also because it sold very good when it came out. When the book first came out I saw on the news that there were already people in line to buy the book the day before. After that I couldn't buy the book for another few weeks. Then one day when I came home my mom came to me and gave the book to me. A few months afterwards one of my relatives from London sent me the British version because she owns a bookstore.
My favorite part was when Harry went to his first Quidditch match. I liked this part because it was my first time I read about a Quidditch match. I liked the excitement of the match. I also liked the part when Harry first learns how to play the game. I liked how they explained the game balls, and how they talked about how the game was played.

This was the first novel featuring Hammett's short story character, The Continental Op, and it's well worth reading. The Op is sent from his home in San Francisco to Personville, Montana on the request of a client. The fact that Personville is pronounced posionville by its residents will tell you the kind of town he enters. The violence is so bad that the Op never actually sees his client alive, but he sticks around to avenge his death. The deep plot is as convoluted as any detective novel, but the basic plot of a man playing two sides against each other proved to be important in the history of film even more so than literature.

The Op was the original Man With No Name. Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western borrows both the stranger concept and the plot from Red Harvest. Though the credit is usually given to Akira Kurosawa for his film Yojimbo, both films actually borrow their essence from Hammett.

It's not necessary to have seen either film to enjoy this story. Overshadowed by the classic Maltese Falcon, Red Harvest deserves more ink than it gets. It's here with Hammett that the noir detective novel was born. The romantic notion of a poor detective who would rather live up to his own standards of justice than take a big payoff is a very American outlook. I can only figure that such a character comes from the many assignments that Hammett got working for the Pinkerton detective agency and the many times that Hammett wasn't allowed to do the right thing. Our detective is so virtuous under the standards of his own ethics that you admire him even when he is creating a bloodbath.

The most surprising thing is how well the whole book flows and quickly I read it. Hammett has a great way of leaving each chapter with enough questions that you want to immediately read the next one. He'll leave you with the conclusion of a boxing match and with a fighter that falls over with a knife in his back. How can you go to sleep on a chapter like that?

Any fan of detective novels and film noir should do themselves the justice of reading all the Hammett they can get. Red Harvest is a good start to that goal.

Of all the books written by the chronological trio of Hammett, Chandler, and MacDonald, only Red Harvest seems as honest and truthful now as I am sure it did in 1939. Although Hammett lacks Chandler's writing flare and sarcasm, his style makes for fast-paced, edge of the seat reading. As his Continental Op escapes harrowing situation after another, I was left with a disbelief, but this novel is not about whether the Op could ruin an entire town with merely a scratch. It is instead a commentary on society, and on the cutthroat nature still evident in us all. In so many ways, this novel reminds me of Shirley Jackson's haunting story "The Lottery" because the evil in our world is within the system, and in each person. Just as the Op confesses to wanting to join the killing spree, Hammett has made us want to read about more killing. He dupes us into playing the Op's game. This novel is so much deeper than what can be read in the text. In his own way, he tells us to look out for a system corrupted by greed and a quest for power. Much like Chandler, Hammett always has a message. Heed this one readers, but enjoy the enchantment of this amazing novel.

Hammett's Red Harvest is probably the most devastatingly brutal good novel you'll ever read. It's not like slasher movies -- all blood and gore and no content. It's a book about brutal people, both gangsters and politicians, who will do anything to keep their hands on the power that they've managed to get hold of. The Continental Op, Hamett's anonymous detective, finds that the only way to clean up Personville is to join the fray, and though his conscience bothers him, he fights fire with fire and matches the scummy crooks machiavellian move to machiavellian move. What makes the book tick is precisely the bleak, realistic, nihilism of its main characters, who remind one so much of real politicians and crooks, but without any of the spin-doctor sheen that covers their tracks in the media. Red Harvest is a book I read every couple of years to marvel again at fantastic writing and the no-nonsense view of humanity's common, unadorned, ugliness.