Because of the title I almost bypassed this remarkable book. After all of these years you would think that I would have learned not to judge a book by either it's title or it's cover. I am glad that I looked inside, for this book represents one of the best expositions of the "golden thread" that runs through all the works of the truly great minds and souls. I noted this some years ago, how the same mystic truths kept surfacing in the works of men from so many different times and cultures. In fact, most of my favorite ideas, quotes, and epigrams from my favorite philosophers are contained between these covers- it was rather like an incredible string of synchronicities. I am awed by the author's ability to assemble all of this wisdom (as opposed to mere knowlege and facts) into a satisfying question and answer format that reads rather like the socratic method.

In this beautiful book, I have met countless Masters from all Ages, all speaking in the same vein, All about self responsibility, Learning how to be " A part of this world, but not of it." AS is spoken in the New testement.
To be truely amazed at the accumulation of Wisdom, that Vernon Howard included in this Masterpiece, is beyond imagination.
I have loved this book from the day I opened the cover and read the beginning of a 'journey into myself'.It has changed my life and started a new direction for me toward a New Life...Thank You, Vernon Howard !!

Vernon Howard's books are the clearest modern presentation of the timeless spiritual teachings that I know of -- by far. They are also the most challenging, because every page is a call to total self-honesty. For this reason his books are of tremendous value to those who truly want a changed life. This volume takes the question-and-answer format which Howard frequently employed. What makes it unique is that the answers are all quotations -- quotations drawn from an amazing variety of spiritual and philosophical writers.

We have all heard the statement, "All religions teach the same truth." As an academic, I was trained to dismiss this kind of thing (with a snort!) as an ignorant cliche. But Vernon Howard's books are about something much higher than specialized intellectual knowledge: the truth itself. If your background is anything like mine, that may sound strange to you. How can one speak of "the truth"? Haven't we learned that everything is a fiction -- a construction based on self-interest and historical conditioning? Well, yes and no. The human mind does indeed produce such fictions; but there is something much higher than the human mind, which can be contacted by those who sincerely desire it. This "something higher," and the way to contact it, is the great theme of both Western and Eastern spiritual teachings.

In Vernon Howard's books you encounter such a clear distillation of these teachings, it begins to dawn on you that they really *are* all saying the exact same thing. (Of course, this applies only to the original authentic teachers, not those who organize divisive factions in their names.) When you start to see for yourself how Jesus, Buddha, Spinoza (!), Emerson, the Tao Te Ching, the Upanishads, the Sufis, the Zen masters and others really are expressing the same core teaching, the question invariably arises: how can it not be the truth?

If you're interested in that possibility, you'll find this book fascinating. It's a tour de force of erudition, yet not a scholarly work. Rather, it's one man's personal synthesis based on what clearly were many long years of study and search for truth. It's also encouraging testimony that the search can succeed! -- because no mere collector of these quotations could possibly have brought them together in such a living, illuminating way.

This book is a treasure trove of beautiful and inspiring pearls from many great writers, many of which will live on in your mind.

an exhaustive study in everything pink and useful for the whole range of fans from those just just enjoy the music, to those who are obsessed. you'll learn something new everytime you pick up, and written by some of the most famous pf fans online.

Vernon Fitch has compiled one of the best books regarding Pink Floyd. There is hardly any subject not covered in this book. It is a Pink Floyd, Syd Barret, & Roger Waters fan "must have" book. Mr. Fitch KNOWS his Floyd! There are one or two errors (for example, Roger Waters' birthday is given as 9 Sept. 1943, It really is 6 Sept. "REG" can verify that for you). This book really has it all, and, in light of the recent Roger Waters' tours and the release of "The Wall" DVD/VHS releases and the hopefully soon to be released "Is There Anybody Out There" CD, I would venture to say Mr. Fitch is at work on a supplemental book

In short, pretty much EVERYTHING about Pink Floyd is here, in encyclopedia format (not "in depth", of course, because Mr. Fitch is a very concise writer. I find myself looking up all kinds of things in this book. The appendices are great! Live appearances, what equipment and instruments are used by all the members, alternative Gilmour guitar tunings, and the good old "Publius Enigma" Plenty of hours of great reading!

Thank You

I've learned much about Pink Floyd from many other books about them and a bit from my own research, but Vernon Fitch managed to include heaps of previously unpublished information. His book has an alphabetical section that's easy to use for quick reference and fun to just browse at random. Musicians will drool over the rare info about the equipment and tunings used over the years. Many fans will be surprised to hear of the enigma of The Division Bell, which hasn't been covered by a Pink Floyd book before this. What shall we do to fill the empty spaces in our knowledge of Pink Floyd's music? Get this book!

A thoughtful summary of how a family member with a debilitating illness can change the lives of the whole family, and community as well. Invaluable insights for family and friends; how to deal with a disease that can be all consuming, how to find support and peace for the primary caregiver, and how to negotiate some of the legal and financial pit falls. A real eye opener!

Alzheimer's disease is a terrible disease that robs the essence of a person, and leaves families in turmoil. In the book, SHE NEVER SAID GOODBYE, Vern Ellison tells his story. The story is about his love for his wife Sara and his family, and the tradedy of watching Sara fall into the Alzheimer's abyss, knowing there would be no return.

To be diagnosed with Alzheimer's at any age is tragic, with most of the burden resting on elderly spouses or children who care. But early-onset Alzheimer's is even more cruel, robbing the victim of prodtive twilight years when they should be watching their children marry and blossom and enjoying their grandchildren.

This book brings a story together of love, life and what is ahead for millions, if there is no cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.

A necessary read for everyone, particularly those in their 50's.

A 'must-read' for anyone caring for a loved one with AD As many books as I have read about this devastating disease, I must say this one rates among the very best. It takes you through the complete journey and gives the reader every opportunity to anticipate the inevitable, yet throws educating surprises along the way. It is not a mystery, but a true account of one very devoted man's caregiving journey. I highly recommend She Never Said Goodbye and extend my heartfelt "thanks" to George Ellison for writing it.

First things first. "Summa Contra Gentiles: Providence" has been published in two volumes: "Summa Contra Gentiles: Providence, Part 1", and "Summa Contra Gentiles: Providence, Part II", which must be purchased separately. The two volumes absolutely go together - the first volume has the introduction for both volumes, and the second volume has the index for both volumes.

With questions of how to get it out of the way, it remains to be said what "Providence" is about and why it is worth reading.

If you are familiar with Aristotle, the easiest way to describe "Providence" is that it covered much the same ground as Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics". This is true in the same sense that the first book of "Summa Contra Gentiles", "God" covered the same ground as Aristotle's "Physics" and that the second book, "Creation", covered the same ground as Aristotle's "De Anima". That is, it dealt with the same topics, but from a thoroughly Christian perspective.

Of course, if you are not familiar with Aristotle, the above description of "Providence" is not going to be that helpful. In fact, reading that it is about "ethics" can even be misleading. In ordinary modern usage, "ethics" is taken as some set of rules regarding how to treat other people, implicitly dealing with balancing your interests against the interests of others. In traditional philosophy, however, "ethics" is much broader in scope - it covers the entire subject of how a man should live his life. "Providence" concerned ethics in this much broader, traditional sense.

Within the overall framework of "Summa Contra Gentiles", "Providence" was the bridge between the first two volumes ("God" and "Creation"), which were almost entirely philosophical in character, and the last volume ("Salvation"), which was almost entirely theological.

Thomas began "Providence" with a general discussion of the nature of "end", "good", and "evil". His immediate problem was to explain how evil could exist within God's creation, but in spite of the book's title, "Providence" deals with this problem in only general philosophical terms - there is nothing resembling, for example, Augustine's long exposition in his "City of God Against the Pagans" of God's plan as enacted through specific historical events. Thomas's real purpose was not to attempt to explain or justify God's plan in His creation, but to frame the central topic of the book - the problem of the achievement of human happiness.

To this end, Thomas began by considering the things in which people often attempt to find happiness in this life (fame, power, wealth, the pleasures of the body, virtue), and analyzed the inadequacy of those ends, even to the extent that they could be achieved. In contrast, Thomas held up the contemplation of God as an end worthy of human striving, but also held that - through man's own power at least - that it could not be adequately attained. From this, Thomas concluded that it is only through God's grace - that is, as a gift of God - that it could be had and even then not in this life; but only be in a life to come.

Having dealt with the end towards which human beings should strive, and having said that man unaided could not reach it, Thomas in the middle section of "Providence" considered in more detail the respective parts played by God and man in man's life. This discussion largely revolved around the question of human freedom vs. various concepts of fate and predestination. The major concern was a proper delineation between the divine will and human freedom, one that neither assigned so much power to man as to claim for him the ability to do good without God's help, nor so little as to make God responsible for man's sin.

The final section of "Providence" dealt with the question of how this life should be lived. This section drew on the traditions of classical philosophy scarcely at all; it instead drew almost entirely from scripture and Christian theology. Temperance, Courage, Wisdom, and Justice (the pillars of classical ethics) scarcely put in an appearance, but The Law, God's Grace, and Sin were front and center, each receiving an extended discussion.

Because covered the same ground, but drew on it so little, it might be tempting to read Thomas's "Providence" as a rejection of Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics", but this would be an oversimplification. The ethics of Arisotle and classical philosophy were not being rejected per se (Thomas certainly wasn't recommending profilgacy, cowardice, foolishness, and injustice), but instead held as insufficient, both in the end to which they aimed and the means by which they sought to attain that end. Thomas's argument was that while classical ethics were good, Christian ethics were in every way better, indeed that not only better but perfect, in that they aimed at God as the perfect end, and through God had the perfect means for the achievement of that end.

Thomas Aquinas was an extraordinarily systematic thinker and writer. Because of this, one of the best ways to comprehend "Summa Contra Gentiles" is through consideration of its structure. At the highest level, it consists of 4 books, with the third book in two parts, on account of its length.

The titles of the five volumes are as follows:

Summa Contra Gentiles: God

Summa Contra Gentiles: Creation

Summa Contra Gentiles: Providence, Part I

Summa Contra Gentiles: Providence, Part II*

Summa Contra Gentiles: Salvation

Each volume is formally divided into about 100 short chapters. A typical chapter gets its title from some proposition that is to be affirmed, or in some cases refuted. Each paragraph is an argument in support (or denial) of that proposition. The chapters are themselves ordered so that the later chapters build on what the arguments in the earlier chapters have established, and it is this arrangement of chapters that constitutes the real structure of "Summa Contra Gentiles".

Although in his later "Summa Theologica", Thomas formalized the higher-level structure of his writing, he did not do so here, which somewhat complicates any presentation of this structure - the book titles are so high level that they give little feel of the work, and the chapter titles so numerous that the reader is easily overwhelmed by a list of them.

In order to give the reader some sense of the overall work, I've prepared an outline of the work that (hopefully) is short enough to be readily comprehensible and long enough to give the reader an understanding of what topics are covered and in what order. This outline is presented below:

1.0 Summa Contra Gentiles: God

1.1 Intention of the Work (1 - 2)

1.2 Truths of Reason and Revelation (3 - 9)

1.3 That God Exists (10 - 13)

1.4 That God is Eternal (14 - 20)

1.5 God's Essence (21 - 28)

1.6 That God is Known (29 - 36)

1.7 That God is Good, One and Infinite (37 - 44)

1.8 God's Intellect and Knowledge (44 - 71)

1.9 God's Will (72 - 96)

1.10 God's Life and Beatitude (97 - 102)

2.0 Summa Contra Gentiles: Creation

2.1 Purpose of the Work (1 - 5)

2.2 That God is the Creator of All Things (6)

2.3 God's Power Over His Creation (7 - 29)

2.4 For and Against the Eternity of the World (30 - 38)

2.5 The Distinction of Things (39 - 45)

2.6 Intellectual Substances (46 - 55)

2.7 The Intellect, the Soul and the Body (57 - 78)

2.8 Immortality of Man's Soul (79 - 82)

2.9 Origin of Man's Soul (83 - 89)

2.10 On Non-human (Angelic) Intellects (90 - 101)

3.0 Summa Contra Gentiles: Providence (Parts I and II)

3.1 Prologue (1)

3.2 Good, Evil, and God as the End of All Things (2 - 25)

3.3 Human Felicity (26 - 63)

3.4 How God's Providence Works (64 - 94)

3.5 Prayer and Miracles, Magic and Demons (95 - 110)

3.6 Rational Creatures and Divine Law (111 - 130)

3.7 Voluntary Poverty and Continence (131 - 138)

3.9 Rewards and Punishments (139 - 147)

3.10 Sin, Grace, and Predestination (148 - 163)

4.0 Salvation

4.1 Forward (1)

4.2 The Trinity (2 - 16)

4.3 The Incarnation (27 - 55)

4.4 The Sacraments (56 - 78)

4.5 The Resurrection (79 - 97)

-

* in searching for Part II of "Providence" in Amazon's book catalog, be sure to search by the full title, or the search results may just return part I.

Bourke has provided a helpful and elucidating translation of this all-important text of Aquinas. A must for those interested in the thought of this great philosopher.

For people just developing ringing in the ears or who have had it for a while and don't have a clue what to do about it, this is an enormously useful volume that explains theories of what causes the problem, analyzes various treatment approaches, answers many practical questions, and generally tries to put a positive focus on coping with the psychological aspects. Also contains a very very helpful appendix of resources, support groups, etc. An excellent place to start.

I was browsing the bookstore for books on Tinnitus and found 3 to compare. This one was the most expensive but by far the most informative, laid out in Q&A style in so many categories like hypnosis, drugs, music, etc. What I really liked was that it didn't contain all this "deal with it and relax" ... that you see en masse in other books. The binding and print quality is really nice so you can go back to it and not worry about your investment -- it's a book I'll keep on my bookshelf. It's about 240 pages and is a must read, in my opinion, because you are probably like me and want to know everything you can about something you are reminded about all too often. Here you can pick your topic and read it one area at a time.

Quite possibly the best book ever written for the tinnitus patient. If there's one better, I haven't encountered it since my introduction to tinnitus 32 years ago. It's just that this one covers so much ground, and breaks it all down into such clear, manageable chunks. There's no lost time here: Quickly find and read what applies to you and skip the rest. But be forewarned: Tinnitus Today editor Tabachnick-Sanders writing is so conversational, so informative, that I found myself reading about many topics that did not apply at all to my experience of tinnitus. More importantly, I found answers to questions no G.P., E.N.T. or audiologist has ever been able to answer for me. I also found hope, coming away with the sense that, finally, the research community is seriously pursuing effective tinnitus treatments. That alone was worth the cost. In short, Tinnitus Questions & Answers is well worth punching in that credit card number and clicking "submit."

Poythress provides a very thoughtful, honest look at dispensationalism from a reformed perspective. It is a short and easy to read book, and should be required for all dispensationalist (or anyone who has fallen in love the Left Behind series). Before I read this book I read Keith Mathison's book Dispensationalism: Rightly Dividing the Word of God? and couldn't help but think that he used huge over-generalizations and was more content to attack dispensationalist that open a dialog with them. Poythress avoids this trap with a fair interpretation. He points out that dispensationalism has a very high degree of internal coherence. While many reformed theologians point out the problems with dispensationalism, they do so from within the reformed mindset. As Poythress points out, dispensationalism makes complete sense when viewed within a dispensationalist theology. He does, however, point out why the dispensational theology is flawed and, ultimately, incorrect. Finally, he is careful to observe the distinction between classic and progressive dispensationalism. Since there are, as Poythress points out, many areas of agreement between reformed and progressive dispensationalists, he directs most of his critique towards to more radical classic dispensationalism.

With dispensationalism being popularized by the Left Behind series, you'll want a handy and peaceable book to give to the duped: Poythress provides such a book. It's short and easy to read. Not all covenant theologians will agree with Poythress on all points, but he does a fine job illuminating the issues--he does not attack, he explains. This is an irenic book.

There is no doubt that Dispensationalism is fatally flawed, but Poythress manages to avoid any nasty confontational language and attitudes towards those who hold this belief.

Giving credence to his thesis is the fact that he spent time at Dallas Theological Seminary doing research for the book. In fact, he thanks the staff and students for their help! Given the often dogmatic and unloving attitudes that persist on both sides of the interpretive divide, Poythress is very effective and genuine in his style.

Poythress has a number of arguments against Dispensationalism that can't all be summarised here. He does, however, point out that Dispensationalists often paint themselves into corners - they believe the Bible is the literal word of God (which Poythress believes as well), but are unable to cope with basic exegetical problems that contradict their theology. Rather than allow their theology to be changed by the Bible, they interpret the Bible via their theology - thus removing a central part of their belief system that the Bible determines theology.

I challenge any Dispensationalist to read Poythress' work and still remain committed to their theology. But, like Poythress, I do this in the spirit of love, recognizing their faith and love of Christ.

Dr. Sylvest has captured the essence of healing in this timeless book. He speaks not only from the authority of a man of letters but from the heart of one who is humble to his Soul. He clearly shows you how the more down and out you have been, the more up and in you can finally rise. Read this book and be inspired as you use it on your journey.

The Formula was an intriguing and thought-provoking book that captured the essence of "A Course in Miracles" (ACIM) . The Formula explains in detail some of the basic concepts of ACIM that we can start applying to our life now to achieve peace and love. Dr. Sylvest descibes a process he developed for undoing guilt, anger, and fear that will allow us finally to heal old wounds, achieve forgiveness of ourselves and others, and break the cycle of repeatedly accumulating guilt and fear. In his book, Dr. Sylvest describes the many people who have returned themselves to health (including himself) regardless of their illness by using the Formula. (I won't tell you what the formula is, you have to buy the book!) The Formula was hard to put down and several times while reading this book it seemed that certain passages were directed specifically to myself about things that had happened that day or to questions that were in my mind which were subsequently answered in the text. The Formula is the kind of book I will keep handy and keep coming back to. I look forward to more books by Dr. Sylvest.

Dr. Sylvest shares his personal journey from the point of no belief in a higher source, crippling arthritis, and divorce, to the experience of a healing other doctors told him was not possible, and learning the joy and peace that comes with forgiveness. In The Formula, he tells us how we, too, may achieve such results. As a medical doctor, he is well-informed of the scientific aspects of disease, but as a deeply spiritual person he has come to know the far greater healing power of Love. Well worth sharing Dr. Sylvest's story and teachings as he has has told them in The Formula.

INCREDIBLE! As a relatively new fan to NASCAR I feel like I have been brought up to speed! This book is a must buy. I love the stories. They made me laugh and get a little choked up at times. It's a very easy read and the cd that comes with it is amazing. Dale Jr.'s tribute to his dad is incredible and the Petty's are amazing. I want more!

This book is great and the CD on the Petty's is just awesome. It will make you cry all the way through it. I loved it and would recommend it to all. God Bless the Petty family and Adam.

This is an excellent book, with stories from various drivers, fans, writers, and other motorsports personalities! Many will make you think, laugh, or even cry. Inspiring images of faith along with a true look at the NASCAR personalities you thought you knew, make this a must-buy!

The symphonies of Gustav Mahler can be listened to on more than one level. As complex and forward-looking as they are, they nonetheless can connect at an elemental, "visceral" level for many listeners.

However, for a fuller appreciation of both the details and the profundity which are in these works, as well as for insight into Mahler's creative processes, some outside help is required, and this help is usually not forthcoming from the liner or booklet notes that accompany recordings, or from the program notes that accompany performances. This is precisely where this excellent book by Constantin Floros fits in.

First, a few words on what this book is not, and does not purport to be. It is not a comparative discography of available performances; in fact, it neither lists nor recommends recordings. Second, it is not a critical biography of Mahler; the interested reader is referred to the outstanding (but much more expensive) volumes by Henry-Louis de la Grange, available elsewhere at Amazon.com. Third, it is not a psychological study of Mahler, relating, as such a study might, such connections between the man and the music; an excellent small volume by Theodor Adorno, "Mahler: A Musical Physiognomy" covers that territory very well, and is also available elsewhere at Amazon.com. Fourth, and finally, it is not a set of musical scores of the symphonies; those as well, published by Dover in inexpensive paperback editions, can be found at Amazon.com

So, just what is this Floros book? It is the perfect companion for the serious Mahlerite in understanding the genesis and the thematic, harmonic and interpretational details of each of Mahler's ten symphonies, and the interrelationships and comparisons among them. It has just enough of the material covered in the references noted above, along with detailed analyses of the symphonies, for each of them to be better understood and placed in historical and musical context by the listener. Its greatest insight into these symphonies comes largely from Floros' remarkable scholarship in tracking down all of the score notes that Mahler provided in his sketches, short scores and long scores, his correspondences with his wife, friends and interpreters, and their comments and observations as well. By piecing all of this research together, relying particularly heavily on Mahler's own notes, Floros has come up with a near-definitive look into Mahler's creative and interpretational processes (a term for such a look based on scholarship that Floros describes as "hermeneutics").

The book's publication date (1985 in the original German) means that it is the beneficiary of a series of events in the 1960's that opened the door to greatly improved accuracy in the study of this complex man and his equally complex music. First was the passage into the public domain of much of Mahler's own private writings, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Second was the agreement on the part of his widow, Alma Mahler-Werfel, to release other materials, particularly related to his unfinished 10th Symphony, for public scrutiny. Third was the availability of this material to the Englishman Deryck Cooke, and others, who provided performing versions of this final 10th Symphony so that the public at large could better judge the direction in which Mahler had been heading when his work was cut short by premature death. Floros pays great respect to, and provides excellent insight into, the work of Cooke in his (Floros') plan to describe the full symphonic output of Mahler.

This book is very liberally annotated, with briefly-scored examples as reference marks for understanding the interrelationships among the various musical themes, as well as end notes for each symphony and a detailed bibliography for further reading. While it helps to be able to read these brief bars of music, even those who cannot will benefit immensely from Floros' scholarship and fine, but nonetheless dense, writing in providing extramusical background and values for a better understanding of these remarkable symphonies which moves so many of us.

Without question, the single most valuable reference source for a fuller understanding of the Mahler symphonies. And a compact and inexpensive companion for the Mahlerite.

If you want to know how a Mahler symphony is put together and why it works, this is the only book that does it. Reading it with a score at hand is useful, but not necessary. Technical but worth it.

The book was translated very well. It broke each symphony down by movement and gave its history, as well as a breif analysis. I definite must for Mahler fans!

If you buy only one book before venturing to Alaska, buy the Milepost. For the budget traveller who is driving the Alaska highway or sailing on the Alaska Marine Highway, the book is absolutely essential. It gives detailed information about lodgings, ferry schedules, attractions, history and any other information the traveller needs including the location of gas stations on remote highways (very important if the nearest station is 90 miles away). It is updated yearly so the information is always current. The only problem with the Milepost is that it is phone book sized so it is not very portable. In fact, when I backpacked on the marine highway, I bought two copies of the milepost -- one to disassemble so I could take the relevant pages with me and one that I used to plan the trip and to enjoy reading when I returned home. If I travel to Alaska again, this is the only book I will buy.

This was our first trip on the Alaska Highway and the Milepost was a great help, not only did it give a complete description of road conditions, but it helped pass the time as we drove. Reading about the historicial happenings was great. I would recommend to anyone taking this trip to purchase the Milepost and enjoy a wonderful trip.

Wow! This book does it all, mile by mile up the Alcan Highway not to mention even on the ferry system. At first the advertising bothered us, but after awhile we found that fun and valuable as well. This is a real good travel book. Wish they had something like this in other remote places, like the Baja.