Anyone interested in OT theology should start here. As a beginner-level book it should give seminary students and laypeople no problems while it is still academic enough for the scholar as reference. Martens uses Exodous 5:22-6:8 as the center of OT theology (or "God's design" in redemptive history). He argues that the OT and the story of Israel are to show God as the Saviour and Redeemer of mankind and creation. He uses four themes to argue his thesis: deliverance, community, knowledge of God, and land. Martens shows that God's design goes through the three major periods of OT history (the Pre-Monarchy era, the Monarchy era, and the Post-Monarchy era) and up to the New Testament period (God's design being fulfilled in Christ for Jews and Gentiles). The structure of the book is well organized and each theme is discussed in each period of Biblical history. With so many OT theology books written by liberal/criticalist/modernist scholars it is very refreshing to see an OT theology book written from an evangelical and conservative viewpoint. This book is a must read and will give peace of mind to many who are looking for an OT theology book that sees the Bible as God's divinely inspired Word.

Great basic OT book which looks at themes, such as land, covenant, prophet, etc.

I especially like his treatment of Yahweh as warrior, which is often so misunderstood due to translation of "sabaoth" as "hosts."

Excellent sections on deliverance, salvation, promise, etc. Serious students and seminarians will profit from reading this as well as keeping it in their libraries where they will turn and find valuable inputs for their ministries.

Recommended reading on the Old Testament sacrificial system. I stumbled across this in a syllabus and decided to read the footnotes at the library---once I started reading, it was tough to put down. In a concise (though sometimes rather too concise) manner, he addresses a number of difficult-to-abstract topics and digs out helpful observations from the OT text. I liked it enough that I decided to get my own copy.

This is the best outdoor writing I've ever read. Awesome storie

This trilogy is probably the best rendition of hunting fishing adventures that I have ever read. These stories contain no grandiose panoramic gushing descriptions of landscape or sunsets, just simple, clarity. A great read.

Most outdoor writing is a bit boring: ". . . and then he hit my Royal Coachman like a freight train,[etc.]. . . ." Not these stories! MacQuarrie puts you right in the stream or field with him, without effort and with great, subtle humor. Only when he mentions an automobile do you realize these were written in the 20's and 30's. He wrote with the parsimonious beauty of Hemmingway. Read only one story per night, lest you get through the three volumns too fast.

Dick Dobbins does the job right in "The Grand Minor League", a retrospective of the old Pacific Coast League (PCL).

The PCL still exists today as a AAA league - one step below the majors - but it is purely an adjunct minor league system to the two major leagues.

However, this book is about the PCL's glory days, largely originating during the Depression and spanning the second world war and the first twelve years of the post-war era until the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to the West Coast.

The PCL financed operations by charging admission for its own games and by selling contracts of its more promising stars to the established major league teams. But some visionaries had dreams of attaining major league status for the PCL, and it could have happened. A disproportionate amount of major-league level talent could be found on the West Coast, and PCL scouts were busy signing it up.

While one PCL owner was dryly reputed to have the reputation of throwing dollars around as though they were manhole covers, the pay could be more generous (the players whose contracts were sold to the majors even received a percentage of the sales price) and the opportunities for stardom could be GREATER than that which was available in the majors; moreover, the Pacific Coast was "home" to many of its players. Hence, some major leaguers sought to return there.

And when the majors reluctantly granted the PCL "open classification" status, players drafted by the majors were accorded the option of waiving the draft and remaining with their respective PCL teams and were often rewarded with bonuses for doing so. The PCL could have evolved into a third major league, but the opposition from the established major league owners, who saw the potential for expansion or relocation to the West Coast long before moving the Giants and Dodgers there, was too great to overcome. The moves themselves sounded the death knell for the traditional conception of the league.

Its legacy includes the players who became stars or near-stars in the big leagues, such as Lefty O'Doul, Dolph Camilli, Maury Wills (amazingly enough, he was only an adequate shortstop and a sometime base-stealer during his PCL days, who didn't reach stardom until he went to the Dodgers), and of course, Joe DiMaggio.

Startlingly, Dobbins fails to remind his readers that years before he electrified the country with his 56-game hitting streak, DiMaggio was thrilling West Coast fans with a 61 game hitting streak in the PCL. Both records are among the few that have withstood the test of time.

One can observe other ironies. Long before Tommy Lasorda and Sparky Anderson did battle, in their respective roles as managers of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine", for Western Division supremacy during the 1970's, they were teammates on the Los Angeles Angels, working together to establish geographical supremacy against the arch-rival Hollywood Stars.

And speaking of managers, debate rages among baseball historians about Casey Stengel's managerial acumen. Was he an adept, if incomprehensible, managerial genius or a bum who failed miserably in Boston and who only attained success by piggy-backing on the vast talent of some super Yankee teams? The story of Stengel's stewardship of the 1948 PCL Champion Oakland Oaks is a huge point in his favor.

Dobbins draws some of his history from the records but most of it from the recollections of the old-time players who consented to be interviewed. My only real criticism is that it took someone too long to undertake this project. The passage of time limits the sources from which Dobbins could draw.

And how trustworthy is human memory? There is a reference in one of the narratives supplied to Dobbins about a player named Johnny Lindell who alternated between pitcher and outfielder and who "would have been in the big leagues" if he could have only hit more consistently.

Who would dare observe, in response, that the record book shows that during the 1940's, an outfielder-pitcher named Johnny Lindell played in the majors, chiefly for the Yankees (this included several World Series appearances), on a part-time basis for 12 years and that he retired in 1954 with a respectable lifetime batting average of .273, having twice led the league in triples?

He couldn't hit well enough for the major leagues. Or could he? Were there two Johnny Lindells answering to the same description?

My favorite chapter was about the old ballparks. If you are a displaced and discouraged Giant fan who lives in the Los Angeles area, you can carry the book and its pictures of the ballparks to the corners of Beverly, Fairfax and Genessee and try to envision the Hollywood Stars' Gilmore Field having once stood there. The intersections now are home to a little company known as CBS - Television City, and there isn't even a marker anywhere to show that Gilmore Field ever existed.

And you can drive to 42nd and Avalon and marvel at the human and urban sprawl that has overtaken the area. Wrigley Field, home to the ORIGINAL Los Angeles Angels and named and constructed after its more famous Chicago namesake, has been torn down, and a community center named after a politician has been erected in its place. Again, no marker commemorates Wrigley Field. Soccer, not baseball, is the recreation of choice for the locals, and the excited cries of the players and spectators are not being delivered in English.

Is there any marker on the corner of 16th and Bryant in San Francisco to memorialize Seals Stadium?

"The Grand Minor League" is a fitting tribute to the REAL baseball giants of the West Coast and to a time when baseball was a "melting pot" language, when the game was played, not by overpaid egotistical prima donnas, but by men with working-class ethics, and when teams were managed by men and not "Dustys". Where have you gone, Rugger Ardizoia?

In this book, Dick Dobbins took a cue from the book, "The Glory of Their Times," interviewing numerous ex-PCL players and umpires about the league. This oral history of the league is an excellent look back. Reading this book takes you back to a different era of baseball and shows why the PCL deserved to be called the "Grand Minor League."

The book has chapters on the league's various ballparks over the years, the league's great teams and rivalries. There are numerous pictures of various players, managers, umpires and team owners throughout the book. There are also pictures of various teams' uniforms, hats and other assorted memorabilia.

Dick Dobbins put a lot of hard work and dedication into this book and it shows. Any baseball history fan will love this book.

This ia an absolute must for anyone who enjoyed the old PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE.The photographs of the old P.C.L.ballparks are worth the price of admission.This is an excellent companion piece to Dobbins other book on the P.C.L. Nuggets on the Diamond.

I've never read a romance before. A friend loaned me this book and now I'm hooked. I can't wait for Donna Clayton's next book.

I believe this is one of the best stories by a fantastic writer, Donna Clayton. I couldn't put this book down. The characters came alive. This is an author who knows what romance truly is.

I thought this book was excellent. I was impressed with the Author's style and imagination. This was a great story, my only complaint- not long enough, I didn't want it to end. Seriously, I'm currently ordering more of her books because I just can't get enough. Thanks Donna for sharing your talent with us.

A History of The Old Time Farm Implement Companies and the Wrenches they Issued in my opinion is the Bible for both serious and novice Wrench Collectors. It is the standard being used by collectors and buyers and sellers. Wrenches being sold on the Internet are often advertised with reference to page and items listed in Rathbone's Book. This is the only book that covers all of the Farm Equipment Companies, and it includes photo's of the wrench as well as history of the Company the issued it.

The supplement wich includeds a Price Guide, Company Names and Part Number is extremely valuable. Wrenches that include only a number but no Manufacturer's name can be quickly and accurately identified from the information in this supplement.

There was a tremendous amount of Research Time and travel put into this book. No collector of wrenches or old iron should be without it.

P.T. Rathbone drew upon his own collection, the collections of many other people, and extensive research to compile this listing of implement manufacturer's wrenches. It is the most complete and comprehensive listing available.

Collectors and dealers already have come to rely on the book as a common reference for sales and swaps. The separate part number indexes, and compilation of auction prices realized are an added bonus.

Historians of mechanized agriculture will also find this book useful because it is an extensive list of implement makers -- even the short-lived and obscure-- and because Rathbone's notes on information sources can be starting points for additional research.

--Stan Schulz, Editor. Missouri Valley Wrench Club Newsletter

I highly recommend this book to anyone that collects farm wrenchs or farm equipment. It is the bible for implement wrench collectors and as I am an auctioneer that handles tool collections and estates, I use this book as reference in all my auction catalogues. ...

I have been homeschooling for 11 years now and I must say this has been one of the most useful publications I have come across. I have already struggled through two teens with little help and not knowing where to turn for resources. There is a great deal of information for the younger years, but very little for teens. This book not only give you insightful information to make your teens education well rounded and interesting, but it also provides a wealth resources to turn for further information. No homeschool should be without it.

I just finished reading "Homeschooling the Teen Years." I've highlighted over half of the book, and now I'm reading through it for the second time. I'm checking out all of the web links listed etc. Thank you so very much for writing this terrific book. I am new to the homeschooling scene and would have been quite lost without it. You have pointed me in the right direction.

Two weeks ago I pulled my 12 year old, seventh grade student from public school on basically what was a spur of the moment, desperation move. Long story short, he has been on Ritalin for 4 years, has never enjoyed even one day of school (including kindergarten), had a 504 plan for passive A.D.D and writing/processing problems. I was tired of trying to get the teachers to cooperate, my son to do his homework after school, tears, low self-esteem and failing grades. I just knew there had to be a better way to help my son receive the education he deserves.

In just two short weeks, my son's behavior and personality are undergoing major changes. He is happier, less stressed, and for the first time -- willing to sit down and learn without the fear of failure. The greatest part of all is that he's no longer taking the Ritalin. I threw that away the day I pulled him from public school. Guess what? He's fine without it. I feel in my heart that this was the best decision I have ever made for my son.

I was scared, doubting myself and wondering why in the world did I think I could do this. Now I know I can do this, and do it better then the schools. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you most. Your book has become my inspiration and will continue to guide me through the high school years.

Thank you, Cafie Cohen, from the bottom of my heart!

This is Just what I have been needing. Especially the chapters on "The Joy of Learning with Teens" and "Learning Assets of the Teen Years". I've needed this wake-up call to focus on the positives of the teen years instead of the negatives.

This is the best homeschool book I've read in years! Cafi manages to give a broad picture, explaning the many different routes homeschoolers take, while giving you baby steps of how to get moving in positive directions, find great curriculum, and money saving tips. She addresses the specifics of the 3R's and the Extras, addresses tailoring your school to your family's needs, keeping records and much more. I loved the fact that she writes with a national perspective. These are not just her ideas, but come from a large pool of home educators across the continent. The book is packed with resources, not an indiscriminating barage, but only the best.

I'm a veterinarian, very involved in behavior training, because that's what keeps my canine patients alive. I've found that if I can get clients involved in teaching a dog who has found out that learning is fun, that dog stands a much better chance of staying alive of becoming an indispensable member of their family. I've checked out numerous trick training books, and this is hands down the best. It's focused, breaks the tricks down into easy, understandable steps, and is written by someone who knows and loves dogs. Bravo!

This is a very clearly written book that shows step by step how to make your dog impress people with how "smart" it is. The best thing about training your dog to do some of these tricks is that the basics sit, stand and stay also get transmitted. If you have a dog with behavior problems, once you start them out with this book everything else will follow. The book itself shows this with it's cross-reference at the end of each trick letting you know which tricks will be easy to teach in the future based on the foundation of just one trick!

This book would be great for puppies as well.

I taught my field spaniel to shake, speak, rollover, beg, bow, crawl on her belly, climb ladders, open and close doors, etc. Also, using the techneques in the book, I made-up other tricks. Now she can slp-you-five and jump and twist in midair.

Cecil Murphey gets to the heart of the matter. You know that when he talks earnestly about a God who pursues, he's talking from experience. He also gets to the heart of Bible stories and uses contemporary illustrations to flesh out some really essential principles about life and spirituality.
This would be a wonderfully healing experience for anyone who's been burned out, or browned out by unhealthy religion.

Cec Murphey has personalized the stories of Old Testament Characters in a way that will make you reconsider your thoughts about God, His grace, and His unending love. Murphey uses real-life experiences that illustrate God's never-give-up attitude towards us. Time and time again I've mulled Murphey's lessons on Gopd and life over in my mind, only to see them in a new light each time. This is a must-read for anyone who's looking for a life changing book.

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, but can't get it out of my mind. Never have I read a book that so clearly describes God's longing for a relationship with me. I think Cecil Murphey has made that so clear by his use of stories. He weaves in stories from his personal experiences, yes, but he also tells the story of various Bible figures.

Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Job, Moses, Samson, David, Jonah--and even Baalam--all their stories are told from the viewpoint of a God who was crazy about them. Some of them embraced the God who loved them, and some of them didn't. But with each story comes another layer of the story--the story of a God who cares and who relentlessly pursues.

This is a book I will read again.

I thought this book was better than the highly praised 'Motherless Brooklyn' by Jonathan Lethem (I make the comparison because they have many similarities -- Brooklyn car service setting, fringe mob characters, coming-of-age subplot, etc.). McLaughlin certainly knows his South Brooklyn setting inside-out. And his writing is a lot less cutesy and gimmicky than Lethem's. My only complaint is that the dramatic payoff to the story -- the climax, if we can call it that -- really isn't very satisfying. By the time it arrives the stakes aren't really very high, all of the tension has already been resolved by then, so the ending falls flat. But I still think the characters are very well observed throughout the book. McLaughlin shows a lot of promise as a writer. I hope he has the staying power to follow this up with even more interesting work (a la Richard Price).

I am 52 years old and actually grew up on 68th and 12th, right across the street from the school yard where Nicky Shades was Namath everyday (I'm sure he was also a great stick ball player). I found Tim's book to be an accurate portrayal of many of the people from the neighborhood, conversely we did have doctors, lawyers, politicians and successfull business people graduate from 69th street and the schoolyard. I found the book's characters very life like and enjoyed mentions of New Corners and Regina Pacis(can you believe the schools closing). I've read several Jim Leher novels and if you enjoy reading Jim Leher, you will enjoy this book. May be it means more to someone who actually lived there that I enjoyed the book so much.

Heart of the Old Country by Tim McLoughlin resonates with the sights and sounds of south-west Brooklyn, the apparent result of Mr. McLoughlin's creative talents and knowledge of his subject. Like many excellent books, Heart of the Old Country can be read on more than one level. I have just finished my second reading and can report that I found it more enjoyable than the first. The book is remisinscent of "Carlito's Way" by Edwin Torres - and just as good. I would not be surprised to see in the near future a film version and a mass paperback edition of this truly remarkable work.

This is the real MCoy. The authors appear to know their subect well and have done their homework. I thank you for that because this is my first read on the subject of real cowboy clothing and I wanted facts. The detail was very good and in some cases too good as in the section on horse bits. What cowboys acually wore and why is fascinating. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the Hollywood costumes but it's nice to know the real story and this is it.

A friend shoved this book in front of me during research for a historical novel, and I found it fascinating! It is a comprehensive guide to the real garb and tack of real cowboys in a real frontier, not a Technicolored Hollywood wardrober's fantasy. I found it expertly written and illustrated, detailed and enormously helpful. This isn't the kind of amateur historical pap you see so often in this category, it's the Real McCoy. Anyone who wants or needs to know how cowboys and frontiersmen dressed needs to pick up "I See By Your Outfit."

I thought this book would be about what you can tell about people from what kind of truck they drive. But it turned out to be a very good reference on historic Western garb.