It's hard to go wrong when a reader picks up a book written by D.A. Carson. His mastery of Biblical exposition and exegesis, coupled with a very keen awareness of contemporary culture, make him one of the most informed evangelical voices on matters of Christianity and the culture. This particular book does not disappoint.

This book's origin was a series of lectures that Carson gave just prior to the attacks of 9/11/01. Initially, the lectures were designed to address the very real and difficult situations that Christians find themselves in relative to exercising Christian love. This book takes much of the core lecture material and expounds upon it, particularly in regards to Christian love towards Bin Laden. It is a book that raises many difficult questions and seeks to find answers in Scripture that are defendable.

Carson begins by demonstrating the falsity of glib definitions of Christian love, and in doing so, demonstrates to the reader that Christian love is not a concept of bumper sticker simplicity, but is in fact a very involved and complex doctrine that a person could spend a lifetime studying and not totally get their arms around it. He then proceeds to take this doctrine of love as laid out most clearly by the two great commandments of Christ, and apply it to difficult real life issues where the church is arguably deficient.

There were many highlights in this book. Carson's examination of the doctrine of love itself is worth the price of the book. It was very refreshing to watch an elite Bible scholar meticulously analyze the doctrine of Christian love and showing what it is, and what it isn't. Carson has long been known for achieving the all too rare balance of taking the whole counsel of Scripture into account, while not stretching Scripture beyond what it says. So many evangelicals, even evangelical scholars, tend to lose their balance either through practicing Biblical reductionism or Biblical expansionism. Carson does neither, and the reader therefore gains confidence that this is a scholar who is truly seeking the truth responsibly within the confines of Scripture.

Carson's discussion of racism and church discipline are very good. But I thought the most provocative section of the book was his discussion on Osama Bin Ladan and the whole area of just war theory and what Christian love looks like in these areas. Carson raises many good questions in this section that both hardened pacifists and hardened advocates for war will find difficult to deal with. But I agree with Carson that these questions need to be asked and thoughtfully explored. Given the current state of international affairs, this section of the book is about as timely and relevant as one could ask for. Christians in particular should read this very carefully.

So in short, this book is thoughtful, practical, insightful, caring, and deeply relevant for our times today. Given that so much of the modern American church is out of step with what Carson says in regards to Christian love, it's hard for me to recommend any other book written in the past year as highly as I recommend this one. It is hoped that this book will achieve a wide readership and that both liberal and conservative Christians will pay attention to Carson here. The church, and therefore the world, will be much better off.

I used many of Dr. Carson's books in college, and found them to be great for getting a good understanding of the issues. He usually had an overview the issues and both sides of the argument explained. I threw out alot of my college textbooks but kept all of his books. Only issue is the argments in the book may become dated so try to get the latest editions.

After reading this second book in the series, feel like the Judge & Judith and their family are part of my family. Winsome characters developing and a good feel for the times of 1880 in Carson City, Nevada. It's refreshing to read of an older married couple and their adventures. Hope there's lot more books in this series.

Norman Zollinger is the master of the historical novel, and Meridian is probably his finest. In it, he presents Kit Carson, as seen through the eyes of a younger and admiring friend. Zollinger's honest and rich portrayal of an American legend does not neglect Carson's darker moments, especially during the conquest of California. But in the end we are treated to the best-drawn Kit Carson in all of literature, both fiction and nonfiction.

This is a richly rewarding historical novel, by one of this country's most gifted novelists

When I picked up The Modern Homestead Manual, and opened the front cover, I read the dedication - the forward - the introduction - chapter 1 ..........all the way to the reference section!

Unlike many books that I pick up, this book held my attention from page one! There is nothing more frustrating than reading through a "how-to" manual, and never really getting to the good stuff! There are volumes of books that tell "what" you should do, it's so refreshing to read a book that actually gives you some "how-to" information.

If you're desire is to be more self sufficient, this book is a great place to start! There are so many opinions as to the real meaning of homesteading. I love the simple meaning that Skip & Cat give:

Homesteaders  =  Homesteaders are worthy stewards of the earth.

The Modern Homestead Manual builds hope and confidence, dispels myths, and tells it like it is. Because Skip & Cat are actually living the homestead life, they are able to give us true insight on what it really takes to live beyond the power lines & sidewalks.

This book is simply the best. It has nature activities in all areas of science. Trees, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, astronomy, animals, etc. A how-to guide for the amateur naturalist.

I am very impressed with this new release of Mary Walker's Diary. I am a direct decendant of Mary and Elkanah Walker and am very proud that there is such a wonderful book with her's and Myra Eells' diary entries. It gives us a view of how women's lives were, how people's views about the Native Americans were at that time, and shows us the hardships of pioneer life. I want to thank the authors for keeping this piece of history alive.

Carrie Walker

I have a dream that my son want be a black slave that he will be free. And saw my whife and my gran chudern

I reviewed this volume for the Southern Communication Journal and found it to be one of the most comprehensive historical compilations to address the American Civil Rights movement. Kudos to Carson for undertaking such an ambitious project. In an age of sensationalism and revisionist histories, Carson and the rest of the King Papers Project have shown that accurate documentation, rather than speculation, yields priceless insight into King and the Montgomery bus protest, a key event in the American Civil Rights movement.

This volume combines letters (to and from King), speeches, newspaper articles, and other texts to illustrate the King's depth. We see his religious upbringing, as evidenced in the influences of Ghandi and Christianity; his talent as a minister and an administrator, suggested by the National Baptist Convention's invitation to serve them as their president; and his intellectual aptitudes, shown in the strategy he employed in the Montgomery protest. His decision to move toward incremental change (with full equality as a long-term end) is a major reason why the Montgomery movement succeeded. Had he opted for an all-or-nothing, now-or-never approach, he would have encountered greater resistance, and the movement might have ended while achieving little or no progress. Instead, he lobbied for minor changes in an effort to gain momentum for the larger movement -- an approach dismissed by more radical members of the African-American community. For its insights into King the preacher, King the scholar, King the strategic activist, this text is a valuable addition to the legacy of arguably the most influential American of the last century -- and likely the most influential one never to serve as U.S. President.

Hot off the football feild press. I think this book is a great book because of all the tackling and fierce players. This book is called Point of Attack Defense Strikes Back. Harry Carson is the main football player of this book. He is a great defensive captain and all time line backer. Harry Carson plays for the New York Giants.