I have to agree with the other reviewer! This book is truly a gem! Not only is it thorough in its presentation, but it is easy to understand and it's interesting. This book makes an excellent apologetics text as well with topics on the supremacy of the Pope and an in depth discussion on the sacraments, complete with all relevant scriptural references. There are also some special chapters on the devotional life of a Catholic, the reformation, and Catholic social principles. The appendix includes a run-down of the Church through the ages, and the principle heresies. Every person inquiring about the Catholic faith should own this book! 5 stars!

My wife saw this book and said, "Here's a book even I can read!" -- she has a VERY short attention span. She browsed through the book for hours.

I have YET to pick it up and not find something that I'm learning about my Catholic Faith. It's not only a page-turner, but VERY INSTRUCTIVE.

Amazon.com has a great price, too (at $12.95). Direct from the publisher is $21.00.

Here's what Tan says, (and I AGREE):

"A priest friend brought us a copy of This Is the Faith with the endorsement that this is the best book he had ever seen for instructing people in the Faith - whether converts or those whose education in the Faith has not been complete, or who just want a review. Once we read it, we had to agree! This book is at once complete and thorough, but also easy to read and very intelligible. Here is a book you can confidently give to friends and relatives inquiring about what the Church teaches and know it is excellent and will not be dry, long-winded or over their heads.

Originally published in 1951, the book covers the nature of God, the nature of man, the meaning of life, the nature of religion, the sources of Faith, the necessity of prayer, the duty of belief, the consequences of sin, the Commandments of God, the Holy Trinity, belief in Christ, the Redemption, the nature of the Church, the supremacy of the Pope, his infallibility, the Commandments of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, the Sacraments, the Mass, the priesthood, devotion to Mary and the Saints, what happens after death, the devotional life of a Catholic, etc.

This Is the Faith covers everything the convert or inquirer needs to know about the Catholic faith, and does so with a thoroughness that is at once completely satisfying, but never trying. Moreover, its approach is always dignified, reverent and commanding of respect. The result is that the reader will garner a true picture of the reasonableness, thoroughness and beauty of the Catholic religion that - with grace - will all but guarantee the assent of his will if he approaches the book with honesty and integrity. This book belongs in every Catholic home. It is unparalleled as a review, as a catch-up course, or as an introduction to the truth of the Catholic Faith for converts. Great, sadly needed and destined to do great good in our time! "

I agree that it was a fun book, but I also suspect that I would not enjoy it as much now, as I did then, but would find it dated.

But I also crawl around looking for a copy so that I have the opportunity to read it reflectively.

I read this novel some years ago and have been trying to buy my own copy of it ever since. It is not only hysterically funny but right to the point, now more than ever. This president is a woman after everyone's own heart--someone who puts the red phone on hold (this was written in the Cold War days) because it's time to rinse the dye out of her hair. Someone who says to rowdy demonstrators disrupting work in the nation's capital for a less-than-noble cause: "I won't let you act this way in my country!" as she has them anesthetized and then quietly removed to holding cells. She's a high school teacher who doesn't take guff from ANYBODY. I'd really like to see this book back in print and on the bestseller list. Here's to you, B. K. Ripley!

In a wavering economy, freelance writers have managed to hold their own, and with encouragement from authors like Kimberly Ripley---it's no wonder. She defines the how's, what's, where's, and why's of freelance writing and insists that writers get on their feet and do it! When she says "Write Now!" she means business.

This is a must-read for those seeking advice for starting a freelance writing career.

If you're a writer -- and these days, who isn't -- there's no better "friend" to have than Kimberly Ripley! Her writing is fresh and nurturing and, in a business that's plagued by depressing statistics, doom and gloomers, and naysayers who'd rather see you fail than succeed, Mrs. Ripley's timely and professional advice is a breath of fresh air we could all do well to breathe in deep!

The late Dr. Malcolm McMillan, Head of the History Department of Auburn University, offers the only thoroughly-researched documentary of Alabama's role in the Confederacy. Utilizing the painstaking research for which he was well-known, Dr. McMillan manages to assemble a multitude of primary documents in a highly readable and valuable history. Providing his own short narratives as a segue, he produced the most comprehensive work on Alabama as a Confederate State. Just as his "Constitutional Development In Alabama" remains the most authoritative work on Alabama's six constititutions, his "Confederate Reader" is of such value that its mere existence has warded off foolhardy attempts by modern historians to duplicate or enhance it. This reviewer would also recommend Dr. McMillan's last work, concerning Alabama's three Civil War governors. Together with the "Confederate Reader", Dr. McMillan managed in his lifetime to achieve that level of pre-eminence occupied by Thomas Owen and A.B. Moore. Today's historians would do well to emulate the devotion of Dr. McMillan to research, the fundamental element of quality in historical writing.

The stories are full of action. The author makes you feel for the characters. I found myself self unable to put her books down. I was always eager to get back to my reading.

Dr. Hann continues to generate impressive works on colonial Florida. This account focuses on the native province of Apalachee (near modern day Tallahassee) and details their story from Prehistory to the present. In the book, Dr. Hann incorporates transcriptions and translations of original Spanish documents as well as modern archaeological research. This book is the standard for Apalachee history.

First written as a report for the National Park Service in 1988, Archaeology of the Everglades by Florida archaeologist John W. Griffin is an extensive documentation of the pre-Columbus human occupation of the interior portion of the region. Portraying the Everglades' climate, landscape, and the culture and social organizations of its inhabitants, Archaeology Of The Everglades is an authoritative and scholarly survey and analysis of the profound influence human settlement had on the Everglades environment and a legacy left to future generations. Deftly edited by Jerald T. Milanich (Curator of Archaeology, Florida Museum of Natural History) and James J. Miller (State Archaeologist and Chief of Florida's Bureau of Archaeological Research), Archaeology Of The Everglades is a welcome and recommended addition to professional and academic Archaeological Studies collections.

This volume is a visual reference, showing 670 buttons. There is a brief introduction and then the pictures follow with samples from every regiment, corps and department in the army. Even militia units are included. Multiple buttons are shown for each regiment. A must have reference for the serious collector.

This is an excellent book. I would definitly recomend it to anyone who loves the Ripleys museums. This book features pictures of amazing feats attempted by people Ripley encountered during his travells. I found some of the pictures to be amazing, I didn't believe my eyes!

This book, as well as it's companion "Why Do Stars Twinkle?" make great reads for kids and parents. The short explanations of questions keeps kids interested and leaves the door open for demonstrations and discussion. I highly recommend it!