Collected on this CD-Rom are the four novels of L. M. Montgomery that cover the epic love story of Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe. Of the other three novels in the "Anne" series, two focus more on Anne and Gilbert's children, while "Anne of Windy Poplars," although coming between "Anne of the Island" and "Anne's House of Dreams," was written after and tells of the time Anne spent teaching at a girl's private school while Gilbert was in medical school. So these four novels take your from the first meeting between Anne and Gilbert in "Anne of Green Gables" until she finally accepts his proposal in "Anne of the Island" and they get married in "Anne's House of Dreams." I am impressed that the people who put this together picked those four novels to be includes in the first volume of this collection. It suggests they know a little something about their subject. This format is certainly easy enough to use on your computer and the search function is helpful when you are trying to track down a favorite search (search for "break slate"). However, for younger readers I would certainly think they would better enjoy one of illustrated editions of the beloved classic that starts the series. I have just returned from Prince Edward Island and have been reading through the Anne books again after having seen some of the places that inspired Montgomery's stories. Once you begin reading these books and it is obvious to you and everybody else except Anne that she and Gilbert belong together, it is hard to stop until the two of them are FINALLY married.

...expecting a story of a young little girl in the country side of the old English land, I ended up admiring the great courages that Anne had shown in order to prove herself to Gilbert... that she worth something to this guy. The way the writer potrayed the life of Anne during her childhood was quite detail and it really made Anne as if as I am journeying together with her throughout her story. ... and the life of Marita... at the end turn into a happy mom instead of keeping her face long! Anne had been her motivator! There are lots of humors... well,a nice story shouldn't be serious throughout the pages... I really admired this book and I am looking forward for the rest of the Anne's series.

What with China and all the concern worldwide for human rights and dignity, this book should have a resurgence. Montgomery is adept at pointing out the foibles on both sides, liberalism and conservative Christianity.

He seeks in his exploration of the topic to answer the question: What rights does one have just because he's human?"

Suprising what this respected Christian thinker and author comes up with for his answer, especially since he proclaims: "Theological reflection will in fact turn out to be the only route by which the dilemmas of human rights can be resolved."

Montgomery is a lawyer, theologian and human rights specialist. He has recently retired as Professor of Law & Humanities at the University of Luton (England). He previously taught in theology and jurisprudence in North America, and for three years served as Director of Studies at the International Institute of Human Rights. In this text Montgomery surveys the field of human rights. He examines existing protections, covenants, conventions, and non-government organizations upholding human rights. He then shifts over to an intriguing discussion about the definition of human rights and assesses a number of competing positions. After weighing the existing definitions as inadequate, Montgomery defines 'rights' as 'entitlements' which implies interpersonal relationships. He then examines several major philosophical schools of thought such as legal realism, utilitarianism, Ronald Dworkin, John Finnis, Roscoe Pound, Julius Stone, John Rawls and Alan Gewirth. He assesses Marxist theories of human rights and policy-oriented theories. In this handsome survey Montgomery not only explains the various positions but offers some trenchant criticisms. Montgomery argues that the philosophical apporaches have failed to uphold human dignity and argues for a transcendent perspective. He explores the positions of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish views and highlights inadequacies in their respective approaches. Montgomery then sets forth a case to show that the Christian faith can offer the necessary "grounding" for ultimate standards concerning human rights and human dignity. In a gem of a chapter Montgomery applies the canons of jurisprudential evidence to the New Testament documents and argues persuasively that the portrait of Jesus being God in human flesh is vindicated. The evidence for his bodily resurrection passes the necessary tests for admissability as reliable data in court. From here Jesus' deity is established and the credentials of Biblical revelation are grounded. Montgomery then explores the Christian dimension to human rights. Montgomery underscores weaknesses in Liberal protestant, Catholic and Eastern Orthodox circles in their theories of rights. He also underscores the weaknesses of Christian fundamentalists who identify their faith with right wing politics. Montgomery maintains freedom of religion, whilst commending the Christian answer to the reader. This book serves as an excellent survey of the subject and engages the reader to consider the case for Christianity. Irrespective of whether one agrees with Montgomery or not, the book stands as a solid contribution to the subject and is a good primer for the novice. The book includes as appendices various legal covenants on huma rights. This is a book I highly commend for serious reading and reflection.

This transcribed debate is between John Warwick Montgomery, Lutheran theologian, and Joseph Fletcher, situation ethicist. Fletcher actually founded the particular school of thought of situation ethics, which argues that anything evil a person can do is morally acceptable provided it is done for the "right" reasons and because of love. Obviously, Fletcher does not characterize these acts as evil, but some people who can see that the emperor has no clothes will readily pick up on the subterfuge. Montgomery, on the other hand, is a man who says he was "dragged kicking and screaming to the foot of the cross." As a young adult and an atheist, Montgomery set out to disprove Christianity and ended up being a believer. A brilliant man, he hold eight earned degrees, five of them on the doctoral level. He has also written at least 50 books, many of them very scholarly, is an accomplished French chef and connoisseur of French wines, and speaks French fluently. He has taught at the Sorbonne and more recently, he has been the dean of the Simon Greenleaf School of Law.

With grace, wit, and good humor, Montgomery tears Fletcher's philosophy to smithereens. He shows how ethically bankrupt Fletcher's philosophy is, and the consequences of its acceptance. Its impact on our society has been very destructive; this book couldn't be more timely. Even if you agree with Fletcher, read this book to enjoy a good intellectual dissection. Yet, this book is accessible to the average reader. Too many lives have been destroyed by the likes of Fletcher, and it is a pleasure to meet someone who can show the foolishness of this point of view. Make no mistake: those who support situation ethics will disagree with me and take comfort in what Fletcher has to say. But for those of us with discernment, it will be a pleasure to read Montgomery's treatment. This book needs to be widely circulated and read.

I am a person that believes in the malleability of ethics...this book has permitted me to defend my points of view. i highly recommend it for anyone interested in the topic of ethics and how they change in different situations.

Here is the defense of Christ that will stand in a court of law. The same reasoning that a person uses to cross the street is the same that should be used to weigh the claims of Jesus Christ life, death and resurrection. When done it will be demonstrated to be true. The only man in history to have defeated death, the ultimate reality for all humans, demands that his testimony should be considered very carefully. This book is an outstanding collection of essays demonstrating this clear truth and fact.

Montgomery is one of the foremost exponents of evidential apologetics in evangelical Christian circles. In this collection of essays, Montgomery seeks to explain, defend and commend the use of evidence in Christian apologetics. He contrasts his position particularly with the presuppositionalist camp (Carl Henry, Van Til). Most of the essays are at a technical level. Topics treated include a defence of miracles, how Muslims do apologetics, Dr Samuel Johnson as an apologist, Biblical inerrancy, and Lutheran approaches to apologetics. It should be required reading in tertiary studies on Christian apologetics.

Astute as a researcher, writer and theologian, Montgomery here tackles the hot topic of demonology. A passage from his intro says something excellent about this topic and book: "If you are as the felicitours phrase puts it so narrow-minded that you can see through a keyhole with both eyes simultaneously, this book is not for you, for in the world of the occult you need stereoscopic vision to avoid being a blind man leading the blind. The closeminded occultist will boggle at the theology of this volume and the close-minded religionist will be offended by its recognition of legitimate and positive occult domains."

Read on if you want to get informed by this master informer.

Most Christian books on the occult comprise a mixture of debunking and denunciation. This book offers an intriguing alternative interpretation. Montgomery's interest in the occult goes back to his own childhood in the 1930s. Montgomery's purpose in this book is to offer an interpretation of the occult as opposed to the mere recounting of phenomena. He begins with a consideration of how to define the occult, and looks at supernatural, paranormal and naturalistic levels of meaning. Montgomery underscores how one's own world-view can colour the way the occult is interpreted - is it real, humbug or devilish. In this complex web Montgomery steers a course that takes the phenomena seriously with paranormal and supernatural explanations being within his thesis. He then offers a brief historical overview of the occult from ancient times up to the 1970s (which is when the book was originally released). From here Montgomery then devotes chapters to the Cabala and Alchemy, astrology and prophecy, spiritism, tarot cards, fairies and so on. As a Christian theologian Montgomery avers that the occult represents a spiritual quest for meaning. He acknowledges the reality of the Devil and the demonic, but does not claim that all things occult originate with His Infernal Majesty. To further tease out issues he includes his own "ghost story" to make a theological point. This book engages the reader (whether Christian or occultist) to wrestle with the deeper interpretative issues of meaning. Thus unlike those works that totally demonize or totally debunk the occult, Montgomery offers Christians a more provocative, scholarly understanding. He also points an unwavering finger for the occultist through the labyrinth of phenomena to the fulfillment of their quest as found in Christ. The book will challenge readers' assumptions on the subject. It is therefore commended for a wide readership as occult, new age, neo-pagan and paranormal topics are once more in season in the late 1990s. A most engaging text worth taking the time to read.

Ever since I was eleven, when I first discovered Anne of Green Gables, I have always loved L.M. Montgomery. I've read all of the Anne books, I have all three Emily books, and have read most of her others-- but The Blue Castle is my favorite.

Valancy is the most convincing heroine Montgomery ever created. Only 29, she sees the rest of her life stretching out in front of her, and doesn't believe she can change it anymore-- until a doctor tells her she has a short time left to live.

Valancy no longer cares about her oppressive family, or her own reputation. She leaves them and starts to live for herself.

This is not a children's book. Not to say there is any crudity, just that Valancy is very much a woman, leaving her girlhood behind. Her relationship with Barney Snaith is far more memorable than any conventional romance. This is an astoundingly good book.

I am a great fan of L M Montgomery and read this book several times in my teens. While I haven't seen it for several years, I would love to buy it and enjoy it again as an adult. "The Blue Castle" is definitely not a children's book. It is a beautiful novel, very funny and romantic, in an understated way. I love the character of Valancy and the transformation she goes through, and Barney Snaith is great too. This book shows a side of early 20th century life which isn't really shown in other L M Montgomery books. I didn't know anyone else who had read "The Blue Castle", it's cool to find out that so many others have.

I have to admit I have a L.M. Montgomery bias. Since I was a little girl (not really so long ago), I devoured any and every title of hers. However, of all her books, I have to say that Blue Castle is far and away my favorite. I read it several years ago, and only recently saw it in a bookstore. I'm so glad I now own this book and can read it often.

There are many reasons I love this book. Valency is one of the best female characters in literature... she's real and flawed and someone I could relate to and would even want to know. Her decisions to change her life is surprising and inspiring. And her relationships with the other characters are complex and certainly relatable to my life. Despite the fact that this book was written many years ago, it still spoke to me in a very real way. I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially to those who are dissatisfied with their lives or who don't believe there is happiness for them to come.

I started the Anne of Greene Gables series when I was 10 or so and could not stop reading it. This book is one of the best classics and one of my all time childhood favorites (Ramona Quimby being the other)! I read all the series that followed as well and they were equally excellent. Lucy Montgomery has created characters that are so endearing and heartwarming that you feel as if they are real and that you can identify with them. The story is a beautiful story with so much imagination, depth, and heart, and even subtle sweet romance...stories that are very rare to come by these days. It truly touched my heart and has continued to warm my heart even to this day at the age of 24 when I am down or just need some inspiration and good fun reading! Girls and women alike should all read this as this series should never fail to inspire you and make you see the world in a more beautiful and different light. Truly touching, inspiring, romantic, and humorous all at once!

The ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series is one of the most unforgettable, and one of the most enjoyable, series of all children's literature. This series chronicles the life and times of Anne Shirley.

Anne Shirley is the plucky, imaginative, red-haired orphan. Her parents die when she is baby, and so she spends the first 11 years of her life going between homes and orphanages, with no one really wanting to keep or to love her. By a mistake, she is brought to Avonlea--instead of a boy--to be adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a pair of farmers who never thought they would be raising a girl in their old age.

You may want to skip this next part of my review, because I am going to sum up each book briefly. No plot spoilers will be revealed, but some of the contents will, and if you haven't read all the books, then maybe you don't want the content revealed ahead of time.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES covers a span of Anne's first 5 years in Avonlea. She will age from 11 to 16. Her immortal antics that have made this book so beloved include her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, dyeing her hair, and falling off of Mrs. Barry's roof...

ANNE OF AVONLEA spans two years. Anne is 18 at the novel's finish. She has become a teacher. Marilla adopts twins. Also, Anne has some more humorous and immortal moments.

ANNE OF THE ISLAND spans 4 years--Anne college years at Redmond. She will be 22 at the end of the novel. Anne discovers the real meaning of romance and love and courtship in this novel.

ANNE OF WINDY POPLARS also known as ANNE OF WINDY WILLOWS covers the 3 years of Anne's engagement to Gilbert. She is a Principle at Summerside High School where she has to deal with the Pringle clan, Katherine Brooke, and plenty of other interesting folks.

ANNE'S HOUSE OF DREAMS covers the first two years of Anne's married life. She and Gilbert now live in Four Winds Point, 60 miles east of Avonlea. Gilbert is making a living as a doctor, and the Blythes have new and interesting neighbors. **My favorite book of the series.**

Note: there is about a 6 year break between AHoD and AoI.

ANNE OF INGLESIDE covers about 6 years. Anne and Gilbert have moved to Glen St. Mary, near Four Winds Point, and now have children. This novel covers the birth of Rilla to the 15th wedding anniversary of Anne and Gilbert. More about Anne's children's adventures than Anne herself.

RAINBOW VALLEY takes place in 1 year. It is about Anne's children, and more specifically their neighbors, the Merediths--Faith, Una, Jerry, and Carl--and Mary Vance, but Anne does come in at important points within the novel. Faith is reminiscent in many ways of the young Anne.

Note: there is about a 9 year break between RV and RoI.

RILLA OF INGLESIDE is a heroine in her right. She ages from 15 to 19 during World War 1, the setting of this novel's time period. Anne is by now in her 50s and is a background character, but Rilla is a delightful and outgoing heroine with or without her mother.

This series was meant to be loved and reread and reread. Read the books in chronological order, or read them out-of-order but you'll still find them as fresh and enjoyable and as humorous as the first time you read them.

***Montgomery wrote some books about Anne's neighbors in Avonlea (CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA, FURTHER CHRONICLES OF AVONELEA) and in Glen St. Mary (THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY). And so if you enjoy the Anne books you might enjoy those books as well---although any Montgomery book is a reccommended read.***

I first loved the "Anne-girl" books at 12 or 13. Since then, whenever I am feeling glum, I re-read the detail-filled tales of an orphan girl from PEI with a vivid imagination and an enviable, wholly positive outlook on life. I recently realized that I skipped volumes #5 and 6 so it was a real treat to go back to read them (I could relate better at 25 and a newlywed to "Anne's House of Dreams.") It's hard not to see the beauty and romance in these books. Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote charming tales--I imagine it's the sort of thing that Anne wrote during her B.A. days at Redmond.

I'm back online to buy the boxed set for my sister, age 10. I hope she learns to love Anne, Diana, Gilbert and the host of other kindred spirits Lucy Maud Montgomery created as much as I do.

Rilla of Ingleside is without contest the best book I've ever read. LM Montgomery's talents include being able to describe emotions so vividly that the reader *feels* it. In this case, she shows us how Rilla, a frivolous, vain girl, transforms, through many hardships, into a patient, kind, humourous young woman. Also woven in are little details about the war that you will never find in a history textbook - mostly how the people back home felt about it.
Although she isn't one of the main characters, Faith Meredith is one of my favourites. She is brave enough to go off as a nurse, and stays strong even when her finacee is captured by the Germans. I'd love to actually BE Faith.
Another of the best characters are Susan and her cousin Sophia. Susan is so optimistic and Sophia is so pessimistic that their clashes are just plain funny.
Gertrude Oliver is the most intriguing. Her dreams tell the future and she has lots of superstitions.
The most lovable of the characters is Jims. He is a really sweet little baby and his role in Kenneth Ford's farewell call is cute.
From all points of view, Rilla of Ingleside is an engaging novel, a must-read for LM Montgomery fans, historical romance freaks, and WWI nuts alike. Also for those who enjoy a good story.

Bertha Marilla Blythe, or Rilla, has grown from the plump, roly-poly, red-headed little girl to a beautiful young woman in her teens. Tragedy strikes as a far off war takes away the sons and daughters of thousands, including the Blythe family. Jem leaves for the war, then Walter feels cowardy because he hasn't gone to war yet so he goes, then Shirley, because he feels the excitement. Diana and Anne, the twins, become part of the Red Cross and leave for Kingsport. While all of this happens Rilla just waits. She becomes part of the Junior Red Cross at Ingleside and takes in an abandoned baby. The Meredith clan is also affected as Jerry and Carl leave. In this book we learn that Rainbow Valley friendship has blossomed into love for some. Rilla takes all of this without breaking down. It tests the courage that she has and the endurance and strength. Rilla also is caught in the web of love as she receives a kiss from the man she loves. Now learning this, I can understand why Rilla despises being called a little girl because she really has grown up. Bertha Marilla Blythe is a very good role model for all who read this book, male or female. It shows that though tragedy may go on in your life, life does go on. And it did for her.

I grew up reading about Anne Shirley and I always loved her. This 8th and final book in the "Anne" series is by far my favorite though. Rilla is a fun spiritd young girl faced with the horrors of growing up in an uncertianand terrifying time. This book had me shedding buckets of tears for all the lives lost during WWI not just the lives of the beloved characters in the book. I make sure that I read this book every couple of months and it never gets dull or "old"!!! I highly recomened it with all of the other "Anne" books. I also liked the fact that we were able to see how all of Anne and Gilbert's children turned out. Rilla of Ingleside is a treasure. I started reading the "Anne" series when I was 8 or 9 and I still enjoy them to this day!!!

Anne of Green Gables is about a skinny red haired girl who has both a short temper and a very colorful imagination. She really loves the little farmhouse but the Cuthberts might send her back to the orphanage because Matthew needed a boy about 11 or 12 to help him on the farm.

Sometimes her imagination gets her in trouble. For instance when Marilla asks her to get a pattern from Mrs. Barry she doesn't want to because she imagined the woods between the houses were haunted! The book tells about her life growing up in the 1930's. As she grows, she learns many lessons and meets many friends who help her to become Anne of Green Gables.

This book is wonderful. It is a great book for girls to read. I loved it because the character was funny, spunky, and could talk forever. She reminded me of my sister. Anne never gave up trying to reach her goals. She will keep you interested throughout the whole book!

This is one of the best books ever written and the credit goes to spirited Anne (make sure it's spelled with an "e"!) Shirley. It's not often you find such a charming heroine as Anne. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is the first of a series on this lovable orphan, and it begins with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a respectable brother and sister, living at Green Gables. They are both growing old and need a boy to help out on the farm. But they got a talkative redhead girl instead. Before they can send her back to the orphanage, Anne has managed to win the hearts of Prince Edward Island with her wit and imagination. She seems to affect everyone around her - from busybody Mrs. Rachel Lynde to handsome Gilbert Blythe. And now, Green Gables will never be the same! . . .

It's not often you find such a spirited and lovable heroine as Anne. Captivating and captivatED, Anne is full of enthusiasm and fun, which gets her into all sorts of scrapes. This book is one that you are guaranteed to laugh over, cry over, and never want to put down! It is an ideal novel that you won't want to pass up! (Even if you don't read the rest of the Anne books, read this!)

A few weeks ago, I got really sick of today's children's literature. I had read enough mysteries and trashy books about romance to last me a lifetime. So I wanted something else to read, something well-written with a good plot and lifelike characters. I had to look no further than the first book I picked up- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

Anne of Green Gables is the first book in the Anne of Green Gables series. It takes place, as most of L. M. Montgomery's books do, on Prince Edward Island in Canada. This particular story takes place in the town of Avonlea. It follows young Anne Shirley, an orphan brought to Green Gables to help Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm. Much to Anne's dismay, Marilla tells her that they wanted a boy to help around the farm, not a girl. However, Marilla changes her mind and decides to keep the dynamic young girl who would become Anne of Green Gables.

This novel is incredibly written, with well-developed characters and an intricate plot. I absolutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great example of children's literature at its height.