Parley P. Pratt was one of the central early LDS (Mormon) theologians. His writings on God, philosophy, and theology were some of the first published by any Mormon author. In this work, Pratt explores the 'Science' of Theology, and attempts to reconcile the idea and image of God with a 'pure' science (he argues that some scientific theories are not true--hence his name 'pure,' or true). He has some very interesting ideas about Divine authority (called the Priesthood), creation, dreams, miracles, and the like.

It should be noted that this is a work specifically for an LDS audience, or at least an audience with a basic understanding of Mormon beliefs. This is not a basic summary of LDS doctrine, but rather a very philosophically-minded work with Mormonism at its core. It should also be noted that Pratt's views are not the 'official' Mormon stance, but rather his personal opinions.

This is a great book, very thought provoking. I recommend it to anyone who would like to broaden his or her theological horizons.

I was surprised to see this Mormon Classic still in print. The Church of Jesu sChrist of Latter-day Saints was organized on 6 April 1830, so we are old enough to have theological classics, such as "Mediation and Atonement," "Jesus the Christ," and "Articles of Faith.," which stand up to any sectarian Christian classic, such as "Pilgrim's Progress," or "Pensees." C. S. Lewis once observed that we need to read both old and new books, since the old books have stood the test of time, and that we should read an old book after reading a new one, just to keep our perspective clear. "Key to the Science of Theology" is a wonderful old book.

This book is dynamite! This sweet poet has a mind as iron as his brother Orson had, but also had the advantage of being a better writer. Parley's prose is powerful! Savor the title of the book: Keys, Science, Theology. Don't these words electrify you? Don't you feel that there is a power out there that Elder Pratt has accessed, and now he is comparing notes with you?

This book is a mini hurricane. He covers several topics, beginning with the Apostasy, then goes on to discuss the nature of God, and the creation, and the restoration. He has section 76, the Vision of the degrees of glory, complete in chapter 15.

I think his most interesting chapters are the ones nearly off-center in the index, but not off-center in doctrine. Chapter 11 discusses the nature of miracles, which discusses the energizing effect of the Holy Ghost. Chapter 12 is a discussion of angels and spirits, most likely based on his missionary experiences recounted in his Autobiography. Chapter 13 surveys the history and the power of dreams. These three chapters are worth the price of the book.

After the Lectures on Faith, this is really the second systematized book on general Latter-day theology. Therefore, it is of great historical value in seeing what the concerns of the post-Nauvoo Church were, and what issues people thought were important enough to write about. I'm not sure if this book is for members or non-members: the tone seems to indicate this as a type of missionary tract, but the subject matter definitely is not for a novice. But intellectual giants always have larger eyes and broader views. Thomas Aquinas saw his "Summa Theologica," which covers 512 questions, 2669 articles, and 10,000 objections and replies and takes up 3000 pages, as being an introduction to Catholicism.

This book is also a wonderful companion to his Autobiography, since you see how some of his doctrines are based in his life's experience.

Growing numbers of K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and businesses have begun offering online instruction, taking advantage of computer and Internet technologies to deliver instruction once confined to the realm of physical classrooms. Indeed, the Internet, so-to-speak, has become a virtual classroom and community where all kinds of instruction can take place - anytime day or night, anywhere around the world.

Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom offers readers a broad treatment of the issues involved in planning, creating, and carrying out distance education via the Internet. In a concise manner the book introduces the issues, raises many serious questions, and provides many solutions to help meet the educational goals of instructors, their learning institutions, and their students.

The real beauty of the book lies in its effort to motivate instructors and learning institutions to think through the issues for themselves - to evaluate the unique circumstances they face and to encourage them to seek more effective ways of accomplishing their goals. Because each virtual learning experience will be unique, a number of important considerations should be weighed to determine course structure, content, and delivery, such as:

What technologies should be used?
Who will create the course?
Who will own the course material(s)?
How will the course be delivered?
How will assignments, projects, and exams be administered?
How will instructors and students be prepared?
How will student participation be controlled?
How will student behavior be controlled?

Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom does a superb job of fostering community among educators and their students. The authors express the importance of creating learning communities were serious dialogue takes place - dialogue that enhances the learning process and leads to achieving specific educational goals. This book is must reading for online educational course development.

If "the devil is in the details" of online learning, Paloff and Pratt have done an excellent job exploring the promise and pitfalls of distance learning programs. Anyone in the process of designing online courses or programs in higher education should read both this book and their earlier book before they launch a new course or program. Personally, this book helped me avoid several mistakes I otherwise would have made in my first distance learning adventure.

The book looks at both teacher and administrator perpsectives, and understands that both insitutional support and instructor skill are key elements for success. While the authors are genuine advocates for the medium, they understand that interactivity does not equal mouse clicks, and that building learning communities takes skill, practice, and structures. The book is full of very helpful examples, learning constructs, and realistic assessments of distance learning successes and failures.

This Study Bible is the best study bible in the market today! I have several study bibles, including the NIV Study Bible, the Interpreters Study Bible, the Nelson Study Bible but this one is scholarly, thorough, and provides the background information that is so necessary to properly understand the scriptures. The study notes are written by scholars who believe the written Word and when you read the introductory articles, you are left with lots of reasons to study it!!!
Although this study bible is edited by scholars who are largely from the reformed tradition of the Christian faith, the notes do not go beyond that which is allowed by the text itself. They do however provide references for several historic documents of the faith including the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Synod of Dort.

I recommend this Study bible for all persons. It is excellent for lay people like me, it does not require knowledge of Greek or Hebrew but opens up the Word for the modern reader. The only problem with this Bible is that it is only available for the NIV.

I am glad to see this new and improved edition of the New Geneva Study Bible (aka, the Reformation Study Bible). The most significant update is the use of the NIV text over the NKJV, which is a vast improvement because of the better manuscripts used for the former (in fact, the first revision of this study bible didn't use the NIV only because Zondervan wouldn't permit it at the time). Some will complain about the faults in the NIV's "dynamically equivalent" translation, but the study notes bridge the gap by frequently supplying a more literal translation and more detailed explanation of the original languages and the translation when necessary. (In general, I think the NIV is far more comprehensible prima facie -- especially to laymen -- than, say, the NAS or ESV, but at the same time, it's less interpreted and closer to the original text than, say, the CEV.)

As to the other improvements, the theological articles have been completely redone and seek simultaneously to teach biblical truth and answer questions a reader might ask, rather than giving what were often rather dull explanations of theological concepts in the first revision. For instance, at 1 Samuel 8, there is an article on whether or not Israel was wrong to want a human king, at Matthew 1 one asking "Was Mary really a Virgin?", and at Matthew 4 one on the Kingdom of God which answers the question, "Is God's Kingdom Now or Later?" Additionally, the articles introducing each section of books (the Pentateuch, the OT Historical Books, the prophets, NT Letters, etc.) are rewritten and expanded, providing much utile information about the background, development, and formation of the canon, and the introductions to each book are expanded to help guide the reader to see the themes and purpose of the book in the context of the whole of the God's Word.

The notes have also made use of helpful interpretive tools such as literary criticism that have greatly improved our understanding of the original intent of the Scriptures and thus the proper application for our day. Consequently, although there are some passages on which the notes are almost identical to the first revision, there has been much added and much redone, and the notes are more comprehensive and more consciously Reformed than before - not least because of the many in-text citations of the traditional Reformed confessions and catechisms included as an appendix. Additionally, the notes include a reverse lookup feature for these documents, which give citations of the confessions and catechisms whenever the verse in question was used as a proof text.

My main criticism is that I have found several typographical errors in the notes and diagrams, but some of these don't show up on the 22 sample pages on Zondervan's website. Perhaps they've already corrected them.

I recommend this bible/commentary for personal study to any elders or laymen who would like to take advantage of the wisdom of the Reformed tradition and appreciate and understand the Bible more fully.

When I first beheld this newest publication (yet another new bible!!), I immediately turned to the preface and discovered that instead of its precursor (the New Geneva Study Bible/Reformation Study Bible---NKJV, Nelson Publishers), R.C. Sproul is no longer the general editor, but Richard Pratt, a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. In turn he brought on board fellow RTS prof. and much respected theologian John Frame to be the theological editor (along with a guy named Packer!). So lest you think this recent edition is simply a minor revision of its precursor, consider the following:

1. The text has shifted from the NKJV to the NIV. While I prefer to see the ESV in its place, the NIV is still a better overall translation than the NKJV.

2. Frame and Packer took all of the original study notes and fully revised them--no small task. Overall, they seem to be a bit more precise. The notes are not regurgitated from the previous editions.

3. The text is still single column, but red letter editions are not available. This is a good thing indeed, lest you begin equating the "red letters" as the ones that really count!

4. The book introductions are at least twice as long as the other editions, with greater breadth, focus and clarity. One of the most laudible additions is a special feature of the OT introductions titled "Christ in ___________" (e.g. Isaiah, Genesis, Malachai, etc). Every OT book is considered in this light, i.e. where is Christ seen in this particular OT book? This is a noteworthy inclusion, for it helps the Christian realize that Christ is not relegated merely to the New Testament. Rather, everything in the OT serves as a pointer to Jesus.

5. At the book's end, between the concordance and maps, is something to behold--all five of the major Reformed confessions, i.e. Belgic, Canons of Dort, Heidelberg, Westminster (larger and Shorter). Additionally, each of these confessions/catechisms are fully cross referenced with the bible. Also, the study notes of the biblical texts cross reference these confessions, providing the reader with a more wholistic Reformed perspective as one studies God's word.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a study bible and are of Reformed/Calvinistic persuasion, this one is absolutely tops--bar none--even though it is NIV. Study with the ESV or NAS text if you must, but keep this bible at hand for its many fantastic unparalled features. Again, as a whole, the NIV is still great to read (although not the best from which to preach!).

Furthermore, if you are not of Reformed/Calvinist persuasion, give this bible a try! It is not merely heady or intellectual, but warm. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! Go ahead--take and read!!

Michael L. Johnson

This resource provides an overview of many conditions found in pediatric treatment. The reviews of developmental progressions of all ADLs, pre-writing, fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, and other skills are presented both in concise, outline form and in paragraph form for more details. All chapters are well-organized, and focused on OT practice, while the section by Exner on the Development of Hand Skills is exceptional. This is a MUST HAVE resource for OT working in pediatrics.

As a Paediatric Occupational Therapist I find this book a valuable resource in my department.

There a tons of motivational books in the marketplace that use star athletes and winning teams as exemplars. A few inspire but few offer genuine insight. Peak Performance does.The examples come from all parts of the globe.

If you are looking to motivate your team at sport or at the office you should read this book.

These authors prove the greats are great because they have purpose, potency, performance skills, and they practice powerfully. You will love reading the inside stories of sports team achievements.

You'll come to understand that the New York Yankees are great, because they demand greatness of themselves decade after decade. (Some trivia, Yankees' Phil Rizzuto's brother was my shoemaker. He was as competent a shoemaker as his brother was a baseball star.)

Again in the stories, you'll see stars focus their talents by stepping up to the bar of challenges they must overcome to achieve their dreams. They practice to create the future they desire and share their dream within a support system. Their potency comes from harmony within, passion within and without,and achievement of the flow state, individually and as a team. And, they perform beyond their endurance, creatively, continually besting themselves.

Bottom line, success is an organized and consistent effort. The great teams constantly ask themselves, "If we can do this today, what can we do tomorrow?"

Marita Kim is eight when her mother dies. As the eldest she is in charge of her four half brothers and sisters. The father works long and hard days at the plantation and has little patience with his children when he comes home. Through the eyes of each child we learn about different aspects of growing up in a Korean camp in Hawai'i decades ago. While financially not much is possible, thrift and hard work make ends meet. The stories are entertaining with the children's adventures and Marita's coming of age. There is something in this collection of stories for every age group. In the last chapter the long-widowed father (who now lives with his married daughter Marita) reminisces about his life; his coming to Hawai'i, the loss of his wife in childbirth, having to give up their last baby and finally the reunion with this son. While each story can be read as a separate entity, the whole adds up and comes around like a chapter book. The scratch board illustrations are delightful and imaginative.

This book has been passed around our family and from friend to friend. It's a beautiful story that inspires readers to examine their own relationships with their parents and to reconsider what they know of their parents' lives.

Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini began writing her fabulous books at age 14. In her fifth book, Kristin has taken her journaling habits and transformed them into interesting and educational masterpiece.

Saguaro Moon takes you on a journey through the Sonoran desert (and through the seasons) while educating you about deserts, the plant life, insects, birds, reptiles and other animals. Obscure facts are included along with references to other books, web references, and an invitation to become a Planet Scout. This is a great book for any child, teacher or home educator!

This is a fun book that is interesting for anyone to read. It is well designed because there are journal entries as well as informative articles written by the author on every page. The illustrations are full of color and I enjoy the attention to detail that fills this book.

Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini has a talent in writing books that are fun and informative. This book details the changing of the seasons (month to month) in the desert environment as seen by a young girl and her friend.

I have an embarassingly extensive library on Tea and Coffee, this is the top shelf. As good as it gets, thank you Mr. Pratt.

This book introduced me to the wonders of the tea leaf! Because of Norwood's book I am now an avid tea drinker. This book is ideal for the beginning tea drinker as well for the refined. You will use this book throughout your tea drinking adventures---it will not sit on your bookshelf collecting dust. Included is tea history, descriptions of each type of tea, methods of brewing, tea utensils, health aspects, tea rooms, and a big list of tea vendors (including my favorite: Upton Tea Imports).

I have not seen a better book out there on tea than this one. highly reccommended.

this book offered lessons in horticulture, language, culture, history,and quilting, with dazzling illustrations. children and adults are immersed in hawaiian culture. this is also a wonderful hands-on guide for teachers and homeschoolers. the author includes recipes, crafts, quilt patterns, and a complete bibliography. can't wait to read the whole series.

beautifully illustrated, wonderfully writtten. children are immersed in hawaiian culture from page one. they learn about the language, crafts, cooking...with botanical and historical lessons thrown in. can't wait to take a look at the other books in the series. also great as a reference source for other books on topics of hawaiian fauna, quilting and oceanic history- the author provides a complete bibliography

Olaf and Venus point out common items and things in the home and have lots of fun doing so; the colorful artwork is simple but with enough charming details to keep a little one amused. The basic concept of this book works well: a word on one side is illustrated and then shown again in a full-color scene with Olaf and Venus interacting with it. I like the art very much--Olaf and Venus are winning in their simplicity.

All four books in this series are wonderful mini-excursions to a commonly visited place and should keep a young one busy for a while. Highly recommended.

Another in the Very Busy Life of Olaf and Venus series and no less adorable than the others. Venus visits Olaf at home and we get to read about what they do together - including taking a bath and eating cheese. The story is told in pictured words on one page and a scene containing the word on the opposite. Great book for toddlers to practice early reading skills of picture matching and picture-word matching. The vibrantly coloured drawings seem to give life and personality to Olaf and Venus and they are also interesting enough to hold the attention of our 1-year old daughter.