Following my mother's death, my faith in the afterlife was sorely challenged until I read "When the Dying Speak". This book provided a reaffirmation of my beliefs. The myriad of messages shared with Mr. Wooten-Green by dying patients and by their families provided VALUABLE insights and understanding of what the dying may be experiencing, what they may be needing, and what the families may be needing. A most significant message shared by the author is that when we are with the dying, we are on holy ground! I will be forever grateful that this author took the time to "put to paper" such an inspirational review and commentary. GET THIS BOOK FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS!

My mother (Rosemarie Twomey - see review above) gave me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed it so much and it has given me such a different way to approach my fear of death of loved ones that I'm here at Amazon.com to buy copies for friends of mine who have recently lost loved ones and also one who ministers to the dying and bereaved. I'm so glad to have the opportunity to read this while my parents, spouse and siblings are still alive and healthy. Thank you Ron!
- Teresa Twomey

This is an easy-to-read book that, I believe, would be extremely useful to anyone facing the imminent death of a loved one or friend, or (as will happen to most of us) will face that at some time in the future. For me, it takes away the feeling of helplessness I have felt in the past when dealing with such a situation. The author gives some practical and edifying guidance as to how to "be there" for the dying person. Beyond that, it is an uplifting and spiritual rendering of the experiences that the author has had in his ministry as a Hospice chaplain, including some painful, but beautiful, accounts from his personal life. Anyone in the hospice or caring industry would be well-served by a reading of this book.

After graduation from the Naval Academy, Champlin (Academy nickname "Micky") served in two ships, the battleship TEXAS and the oil tanker BRA- ZOS. The transfer to BRAZOS came upon the information of Champlin's intention to resign. With eyes not the best and a love for the law, Champ resigned and began the study of law.
And so, he completed law school, obtaining the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence, and got a job in a big law office. There was one problem. His starting pay was $100.00 per month and living expenses $105.00 per month. -
Then he learned the FBI paid the magnificent wage of $275.00 per month. He applied, was investigated and accepted.. Knowing the San Francisco Bay area intimately, he was sent to Baltimore, Maryland. At least it was a seaport and his work was substantial- ly with ships and the sea. It couldn't last. With that Reserve commission on the books, came a sudden
change.
In July 1941 he was ordered to active duty as Aide to the Commandant of the Sixteenth Naval District at Cavite Navy Yard, Manila, Philippine Islands.
In an unusual twist of fate, Micky, who opted for a civilian law career after a year or so of sea duty, found himself in the very thickest of fighting in WW II long before most of his classmates who remained in the service had come near their baptism of fire.
After a few moQths at Cavite Navy Yard came De- cember 10, 1941 and the total destruction of the Navy Yard by massive Japanese bombing virtually unopposed. There were over 500 killed in the first 40 minutes. Then burning of all petroleum products tn Manila on Christmas Day 1941. Then Bataan, the motor torpedo boats, Corregidor, the submarine operations, etc. etc. Most important was the total abandonment of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor.

Then came orders to Australia in the submarine USS PERMIT and 37 hours of depth charge attacks enroute.

The Navy Cross (destruction of oil in Manila! after departure of all u.s. forces-it burned 3-1/2 days) and the Army Silver Star (reconnaissance at and be- hind enemy lines while attached as Aide to General Wainwright) were awarded to Champlin. This part of Champlin's life is covered in "Corregidor the End of the line" by Eric Morris and "Hero of Bataan,. Gen- eral Jonathan Wainwright" by Duane Schultz.

After the war, Champ returned to the practice of law in Oakland, Catifornia. His outstanding record of 20 years before the bench resulted in his being appointed by Governor Reagan to the Municipal Court, Oakland-Piedmont Judicial District, September 21, 1967. On November 3, 1970, he was then elected by the people, without opposition, to that office. In 1974 Judge Champlin was unanimously elected by his fellow judges, and served, as Presiding Judge of that Court. On November 2, 1976, he was again elected by the people, without opposition, to the office of Judge of the Municipal Court.
After more than 20 years in the practice of law in Oakland and 13 years on the bench, Judge Champlin retired September 30, 1980.

"Champ" died in 1998, a few months after his book was finally published. He called it "His last battle to be won!"

One of the best, authentic to the core, great writing, characters, you're really "there"...FABULOUS! Sidenote: Kudos to the smart Hawaiian publisher that brought this book out, I can't believe some "major" NY publisher missed this book...and what a terrific mass market paperback this was born to be. What idiots!

Fabulously written, authentic to the core, really first-class novel!

Fr. Champlin provides a very well-written guide to the celebration of the Mass (also called the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper, by others).

Fr. Champlin's presentation reads well straight through, but a detailed table of contents makes it easy to find answers to specific questions, as well. A very basic theology and/or history of many of the actions and symbols of the priest are offered, and no lay person should have any trouble understanding the explanations given. Also helpful is an exploration of which elements of the Mass are changeable and which are not, and the changes from the pre- to post-Vatican II Mass.

Although written by a Roman Catholic priest, and addressing the RC Mass, this is a wonderful reference for any Christian in a liturgical church (Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran) -- or for anyone else interested in the meaning of the celebration of the Mass.

As a Protestant pastor, I am not very familar with the Mass. Father Champlin clearly explains all aspects of the Eucharist celebration He likens the Mass to two mountains. The prayer that begins the celebration begins the first ascent. The worshipers speak to God. The Scripture that is read is the descent as God speaks to His church. The second mountain is climbed as the priest prays over the bread and wine and is descended as God makes these to be the body of Christ. Particularly helpful was Father Champlim's explination of the changes from the pre-Vatican II to the post-Vatican II Mass. He shows the reader why the changes were made and how they have effected the worship experience for today's Catholic. This book is well suited for those wanting a greater understanding of the Mass. Father Champlin's book will help anyone - Catholic or Protestant - to a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist.

In 1849, the news the gold had been discovered in California swept the country and launched a mass migration of men seeking their fortunes in the goldfields of the west. There were three routes to California. The first was by sailing ship around Cape Horn. Fleeing prison and a duel in Charleston, Rob Merriman and Clayburn Collins booked passage on the Inverness to Boston, only to have the ship's crew mutiny and take the ship to the new gold fields. A second route was by stern-wheeler through the Gulf of Mexico, and then go overland to the Pacif. This was the choice of Trevor Sloan, father of the man Merriman killed in the duel took in his mission to even the score. The third way was overland by wagon train, horse and on foot. Lisa Sizemore's parents sold their inn to finance the family's trek. Lisa felt she would never see Clay Collins again. Those who survived their arduous and dangerous journeys come together in California with very unexpected results in Tim Champlin's highly recommended Wayfaring Strangers. Champlin is a superb storytelling with a masterful ability to seize his reader's total attention with a vivid narrative, memorable characters, and unexpected plot twists.

In 1849, the news the gold had been discovered in California swept the country and launched a mass migration of men seeking their fortunes in the goldfields of the west. There were three routes to California. The first was by sailing ship around Cape Horn. Fleeing prison and a duel in Charleston, Rob Merriman and Clayburn Collins booked passage on the Inverness to Boston, only to have the ship's crew mutiny and take the ship to the new gold fields. A second route was by stern-wheeler through the Gulf of Mexico, and then go overland to the Pacif. This was the choice of Trevor Sloan, father of the man Merriman killed in the duel took in his mission to even the score. The third way was overland by wagon train, horse and on foot. Lisa Sizemore's parents sold their inn to finance the family's trek. Lisa felt she would never see Clay Collins again. Those who survived their arduous and dangerous journeys come together in California with very unexpected results in Tim Champlin's highly recommended Wayfaring Strangers. Champlin is a superb storytelling with a masterful ability to seize his reader's total attention with a vivid narrative, memorable characters, and unexpected plot twists.

As a protestant pastor frustrated by the lack of material from my own church for the use in lay Communion ministry and convinced of the Roman church's high standards of liturgy and sacrament I ordered this book. IT IS FANTASTIC! Order a copy for each Lay Minister of Communion. The book in pamphlet form will transform both clergy and lay Communion to the sick, hospital, and homebound from passing them a piece of bread into a time of worship where those receiving the sacrament are made a part of the congregation and the Eucharistic celebration. For the protestant, a few minor editorial changes may be desirable. For the Roman Catholic...I am jealous of your resources and pray that one day the church will once again serve our God with one name. If the ministry of the laity will extend beyond Eucharist an extended resource called "A Ritual For Laypersons" is also available.

One of the best books of my childhood. This is great stuff. Find it. Read it.

Heidi Joyce's Comedy Stand Up Against Domestic Violence showcases the comedic stylings and talents of sixteen female comedians drawn from the comedy clubs and theatres of Los Angeles. Featured in two superbly produced CDs are Heidi Joyce; Hellura Lyle; Lisa Goich; Robin Roberts; Jackie Wollner; Page Hurwitz; Hilda Vincent; Jill Turnbow; Maura Kennedy; Bonnie Brennan; Carol Ann Lief; Jenica Bergere & Brooke Berdis; Poppy Champlin; Stephanie Hodge; and Kathleen Madigan. Heidi Joyce's Comedy Stand Up Against Domestic Violence is two full hours of some of the best comedy for grown-ups you will ever hear.

I have borrowed this book from friends to look at and now have one from my church as I plan my wedding. The one I have I can't keep so I decided to get my own copy! I love the information and readings in it and the "comments for couples" are great to read with your future spouse to discuss things.

John Gardner wrote many good works, the Sunlight Dialogues being by far the best. In it he captures the range of hope and anxiety that made the 1960s such a thrilling and tormenting time to be alive. Using the small town of Batavia, New York, Gardner plunges the reader into the life of a prodigal son of the most prestigious family in town and that of the dedicated police chief. And do the intellectural sparks fly! The illustrations by John Napper are reminescent of those from the Yellow Book in the 1890s, by Aubrey Beardsley. There is a lot of subtle humor ("take a gun of, say, x caliber...") as well as dead-on observation of what makes people do outrageous things for perfectly logical reasons.
It's a roller coaster of a novel, so hang on and enjoy the ride. You might even want to go back for a second trip. I did.

I recently met a recent graduate of the State University of New York: Binghamton, an English major. He had never heard of John Gardner, author of the one American post WWII novel that stands comparision in scope and quality, if not import, with Middlemarch.

The social music of this novel was instantly clear, quickly catching me up in the world of Fred Clumly, the police chief of Batavia, New York. Clumly's encounters with "The Sunlight Man" (a prodigal son with the look of a goatlike drifter) comprise the main action of this story. Unlike the word-spewing outcasts of Gardner's other novels, Clumly stands at the center of orderly small-town American life and its whitebread restraint -- which Gardner gladly turns topsy-turvy. The Sunlight Man sits in jail for spray-painting LOVE on a highway abutment outside of town, but Liberation is the business of this man, who has studied the mysteries of the East and the tricks of the magician's trade. Is he a small-town madman on the skids or a Merlinlike scapegoat? To find out, Clumly listens to their taped dialogues for clues. The Sunlight Man, not to give up his mysteries easily, toys with the imagination of the town while Gardner once again proves himself a Shaper-poet whose fiction is as fecund as Grendel's bog.

I have read one other of John Gardner's books, Grendel, and was very impressed by it. "Freddy's Book" is alright, but I wouldn't put it on the same level as Grendel. One of the reasons I would not put it on the same level as Grendel is because the voice of the narrator is not as interesting, but many of the ideas are the same. That being said, Gardner does have an interesting way of including treatises on nihilism compactly into the characters of Swedish clergy. The world Gardner creates is flawless, and, particularly if you haven't read anything else by Gardner, I would recommend this book.

I've now read seven of Gardner's novels, culminating with Freddy's Book. Gardner possesses the innate ability to so exquisitely frame his narravtives (as per Conrad, et al) that the reader is forced (and willingly complies) with the need to operate on dual planes of understanding, constantly reevaluating and connecting the minutiae of the periphery to bulk of the text with stirring results.

Freddy's Book is at the same time a sweet tale and one of great consternation for the reader. Certainly, the consternation is not directed at the tale but the truth that lies within. The most difficult face to gaze upon is that of our own as reflected within our souls. Freddy's Book grabs us, indirectly, by the hair and bids us look away from the creative genius of Freddy and at its oafish, reflective cage, highlighting the Freddyism in all of us, the seeker of truth and fairness in world long bereft of both, in the higly-polished bars.

Freddy is a martyr. We are the flames that consume him at the stake of innocence. Read this book.

I bought a copy of Freddy's Book in a second-hand bookstore when I was 15 and I have been working on understanding it ever since. I will be accused of hyperbole, but Freddy's Book reminds me of Plato: one plot framed within another, and terribly profound ideas couched in a deceptively simple story. Freddy's book (if you haven't read it) is a novel within a novel containing 1: a picture of modernity and 2: an allegory of modernity's advent. I suggest anyone interested in the history of Western thought mull over this book a few times (if you can find it).