It took me a while to recover after reading the story. True words are plain and simple. A short story, yet so powerful, just as I thought I've known it all, it makes me think hard about life from a whole new perspective. "Thus does my heart go out to you...", they may be long gone, but it feels like they are still talking to me.
A lost tale found after 150 years and I am so glad that I have found you.

This spare, tender fairy tale has a calm beauty that touches the heart; add to that the lush, sumptuous illustrations by the truly gifted Maurice Sendak, and you have a book of otherworldly peace and depth. Thoughts that lie too deep for tears indeed ... highly recommended!

I am 13 years old, but I still love this book like I did when I read it when I was 4 years old. It was one of the saddest, yet sweetest books I've ever read. I cry at the end when mother and daughter are reunited and I weep at the daughter's innocence.

There is no way to describe the importance of this tome. Unfortunately, extremely well thought-out and intellectually vibrant books on Tora commentary are few and far between when walking through your local Judaica store today.

Unlike many books of commentary which rely on chain logic, semantical magic tricks, or mathematical spelling tricks to try to elucidate the Biblical text, this book uses an open-minded, but exceptionally well read and researched approach to comment and discuss on the text. The writer hints at a humbling knowledge of sources; TaNaK, Talmudic, Midrashic, and perhaps a myriad of other obscure sources, most of which are completely unknown to most rabbinic scholars. I would be surprised if the writer was not also masterfully familiar with the tenets of Judaism's child relgions as well.

The carefully written text also displays a unique mastery of the English language that few scholars bother to master. Because of the complexity of some of the issues discussed, there is no other style of writing that could be appropriate -- the writer seems to have a knack for tackling immensely difficult topics with a fresh, patient mind.

For any serious Torah study (Hebrew, Aramaic, or English), this book is a necessity. Ignore it at your own peril. Those who have weak vocabularies or do not like to see new approaches need not apply.

Destination Torah: Reflections On The Weekly Torah Readings by Isaac S.D. Sassoon is a "close reading" of biblical verses in a commentary that regards faith and science as symbiotic. A carefully thought out analysis that examines every word of its chosen passages, Destination Torah strives to change self-perception and one's view of the world through its view of the Torah. A singularly thought-provoking commentary, Destination Torah is a welcome and recommended addition to the study of the Torah.

This is an essential book for anyone serious about undertanding the original message of the Pentateuch.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL OLD AGE BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK. THE TIME TO ABSORB IT'S IMMENSELY PRACTICAL & ENCOURAGING MESSAGE IS WHEN YOU STILL HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE THOROUGHLY FOR WHAT IS TO COME.

I THINK IT WAS GEORGE BURNS WHO SAID:" OLD AGE IS NOT FOR SISSIES!" SKINNER APPLIES HIS OWN BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIFIC RESULTS, WHICH SHOULD HAVE GARNERED HIM A NOBEL (AT THE VERY LEAST), TO THE MANAGEMENT OF OLD AGE.

IN A NUTSHELL BFS EXPLAINS HOW OLD AGE IS ANOTHER "PROBLEM TO BE MANAGED" JUST LIKE THE OTHER KEY STAGES OF LIFE & DEATH. EACH CHAPTER TAKES A BEAD ON ONE OR OTHER PROBLEM OF OLD AGE, AND TACKLES IT ROBUSTLY AND UNFLINCHINGLY.

PERHAPS THE BOOK'S GREATEST VIRTUE IS BFS' REFUSAL TO ROMANTICISE OLD AGE - NO NONSENSE ABOUT 'WISDOM' AND 'MENTORING' AND THE OTHER STAPLES OF OLD AGE COMMENTARIES. BFS IS STUNNINGLY HONEST AND BLUNT TOO.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BE JOLLIED ALONG INTO OLD AGE, THIS BOOK WILL NOT HELP YOU. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE EXPERIENCE AND 'MANAGE' IT EFFICIENTLY & EFFECTIVELY, THIS IS A BOOK YOU WILL LAP UP!

BFS TOOK HIS OWN ADVICE, AND LIVED A FINE OLD AGE WITH A PRETTY DECENT DEATH TOO. THIS BOOK IS AN ENDEARING LEGACY. WE OWE HIM A HEARTY VOTE OF THANKS.

Whatever you think of behaviorism, or Skinner's other works, this book is an admirable effort, and his approach to old age can be profitably adapted by those of any age. Skinner takes a clear-eyed look at how to alter one's environment -- one's home, one's habits, developed over a lifetime but often suboptimal for the person one has become -- to minimize inconveniences and maximize enjoyment.

I first read this book in my early 20s, and I was profoundly struck by Skinner's pragmatic assessment of his circumstances and his focus on making positive steps to improve his life.

[Incidentally, I shared an elevator ride with Skinner around the time this book came out (before I had read it) -- we didn't talk, but he scowled at me.]

When he was almost 80 years old Skinner, the creator of behaviourism, decided to share with us his wisdom about old age. This is a very useful book for people approaching old age, or for those who have to deal with old people.

Morgan-Cole's book goes beyond the cliche, and beyond the Biblical narrative. She answers questions I have wondered about. What was life like in an Asian harem? Did Esther really want to be there? She is celebrated every year as a heroine. But who was she? An interesting plot, butressed with historical research and a female perspective, that leads you to admire Morgan-Cole's Esther, and the many women of her era who's names we never learn.

This is historical fiction at it's best. Meticulously researched and accurate where possible while at the same time totally captivating.

It's the story of a young Hebrew girl living in Persia c. 480 B.C.E. after her people had been exiled from Jerusalem. King Xerxes sends his men to find beautiful women for his harem and Esther is taken by force from her family. As the story of royal harem life and firey politics unwinds Esther finds herself more deeply involved in the King's life than she ever dreamed. Her strength and courage as she saves her people from annihilation give the reader cause for contemplation and make you fall in love with her.

Esther herself is enchanting but the whole cast of characters is skillfully developed. Before you know it you are floating along in the story and living in the 5th century B.C.E. The descriptions and history mesh perfectly with the fictional elements to create a spellbinding story of intrigue, mystery, murder, and romance.

The best part of the book for the true historical fiction fan is the part where Trudy Morgan-Cole details how she researched the book. She explains which parts are true, which parts are probably true, and which parts are pure fiction. She touches on the difficulties of researching historical figures from over 2000 years ago and explains her reasoning in using the 'version' of history she chose.

It's truly a splendid book that will delight the reader all the way through!

Thought provoking and truly an amazing story!

As I read this book I kept alternating between being fascinated and appalled. I would ask myself, "Were men really that afraid of women?" Ms. Norris does a wonderful job of tracing through how the story of Eve has been used to create and justify various attitudes toward women in Hebrew and Christian societies with a side trip to look at the Greeks and how they became part of the mix. In many ways it is even more interesting to see what happened as women got access to and were able to leave their own written tradition.

There is the temptation in this sort of work to write about the most extreme views that are floating around rather than the ones that were the most influencial. Ms. Norris is aware of this and I think she avoids it. Many of the most extreme quotes and stories were from people that I already knew something about such as Hesiod, Ben Sira and Tertullian.

Eve is a wonderful book. I expected it to be informative but dry, and instead it was lively and funny and entertaining. Norris offers an eclectic history of not just the figure of Eve, but many of her sisters in crime--Pandora, Delilah, Lilith--and provides a bracing account of these good and bad sisters and mothers through the ages. It's also a gorgeous book, with great color and b+w illustrations throughout.

It's tops on my holiday gift list, especially for friends interested in religion and women's history. What can I say, I loved it.

Like Scorsese's Personal Journey through American Film, this book is an incredibly enlightening journey through religious, historical and literary reactions to stereotypes of female icons and behaviour. I found this book extremely readable, amazingly broad in its coverage, humourous and thoughtful. I look forward to similar works by the author!! Unreservedly recommended to people interested in theories of history and religion and especially literature and art theory.

Noah Smithwick was an old man, blind and near his ninetieth year, when his daughter recorded these words. After his death in 1899, she polished the manuscript and had it published in 1900. He had stayed on in "paradise" Texas from 1827 to 1861, when his opposition to secession took him to California. This book is his story of these "old Texas days." If his memory for facts sometimes fails him, his stories never do.

Noah Smithwick's recollections bring to life the early era of Anglo-Texas history. This book is filled with colorful characters and anecdotes, almost a who's who of people behind the place names of modern Texas. No other account matches this densely-packed narrative as a color commentary of days before - and after - the Alamo. Against the backdrop of history, this book details many personalities and incidents that are unrecorded elsewhere.

Old Noah provides a somewhat biased insight into the early days of anglo Texas and the Texas Revolution. Unfortunately, old Noah's memory was somewhat moldy when he set his recollections down, conflicting with other contemporary reports of various issues. Nevertheless, this book is probably the first place to commence research in this field and is required reading for anyone who wishes to understand the attitudes and impressions of the period.

As with all of the other fine commentaries in this series it breaks each section of Scripture into 3 sections: 1)an "original meaning" section which gives a thoughful interpretation of the passage. 2) a "bridging contents" section which draws forth timeless theological principles that are applicable for God's people in any place, time, and era and 3) The "contemporary significance" section which is intended to give the modern reader a "bonifide" (not moralistic i.e., "do this...don't do that...be like him...don't be like them..) application based on what it meant to the original readers. Although the author doesn't deal with interpretive issues in-depth (because this isn't the aim of the series), he does do a fine job of getting to the "interpretive" heart of the matter (although, at times, I felt he overdid the "re-creation" motiff). Along the way He shows how the book of Exodus written so long ago is of vital significance to God's people today.

This work fills a great gap in evangelical literature on the book of Exodus and gives relevent application for readers of all theological persuations. In all, this book and the series of which it is a part, is a tremendous resource for the Pastor/teacher/layman!

Intermediate level of study from an evangelical position. Don't think that the NIV Application series is fluff...this is a great title to continue your study through the book of Exodus.

Peter Enns has contributed a wonderful addition to the literature on the book of Exodus with this latest commentary. His book is a fine blend of theology, scholarship, and practicality. Some very helpful insights are brought up throughout the text. Add to that a very readable style of writing and you have an excellent reference work for pastors and teachers!

One of the best books I've read in a long time! I used the book as a daily devotional and really enjoyed the indepth look into Genesis. I encourage more readers to read the remarkable works of this new author.

I've read a lot of books about the Old Testament, but this one has got to be one of the best. The author, a pastor from Illinois, really brings Genesis alive. I didn't think Genesis could be so relevant to my daily life! I think this is the only book by this author, hope he writes more.

Faith Lessons is not meant to be a commentary. Instead I tried to write this book more like you a were having a relaxing conversation with some friends from the Bible. The book is good for all ages.

There are thirty chapters covering topics such as: Lessons in Repeated Sin, Lessons in Forgiveness, Lessons about Integrity, Lessons on Temptation and more. Each lesson is drawn from a "case study" in the book of Genesis.

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I loved this book. It moved me like no book has in a long time. I gained new insight and a new perspective on the importance of the little things in life, and on the brevity of it too. Can't wait to read the sequel!

This book, written from the perspective of a 71 year-old man,was very enlightening. Senior citizens still have a life--they can still contribute to society. As this man reminisces, it can help anyone younger than him choose more wisely, savor life a little fuller, slow down and appreciate life for what it is--a precious gift. Although this book covers one night, its impact can last a lifetime. Smurthwaite captured the emotions, the hopes, the fears, the dreams, the disappointments of this seasoned man to perfection. Whether you relate to this older main character or to his children, this book is excellent reading.

I was uplifted afer reading this book. I felt as though I had made friends with the characters, and enjoyed the insights of these "Fine Old High Priests". A definite gift for a loved one or oneself.

After thoroughly enjoying the romance novel, All For A Good Cause, by R. Barri Flowers, I thought I would try this romance and I was not disappointed! This is a beautifully done contemporary novel that will certainly leave you in tears of happiness at the end. Great job, Mr. Flowers!

In For Old Times Sake, author Barri Flowers sets up an interesting scenario that captures our imagination from the onset: suppose you had a chance to meet an ex-fiancé you had not seen for 25 years and who had broken your heart by breaking off the engagement without explanation. And suppose that meeting with your first true love was set to take place on a national TV talk show. Would you go? That's the question for Elaine Monroe Webster, a 45 year women's studies professor and breast cancer survivor, when she gets the call from the show's producer. As she struggles with her decision, she wonders what her ex's expectations are after all this time. And what are hers? Although her 15 year marriage to Glen is less than completely satisfying, she isn't ready to give up on it.. On the other hand, she has never resolved her feelings of rejection nor really understood why Glen called the engagement off. Isn't she entitled to some answers? The reader can't help but wonder how he/she would react in the same situation which is what helps to propel the story along. Well-written with characters we care about, For Old Times Sake deals with destiny, lost love and second chances. It should be recommended reading for anyone partial to romance.

And I used to say I don't like love stories! Have to take that one back! This one was something sooo beautiful! Elaine and Glen, young and madly in love and then he suddenly leaves her...what will happen after the reunion after 25 years, is -the love- still there??? The author sure can write about emotions, feelings and love in such a way that it's almost incredible! Read it, you won't regret!