Jesse Hurlbut has done us a great service by producing what is in reality a condensed bible with lots of little illustrations.

I bought 365 Read Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories to read to my 4 year old, but the language in the book is not simplified enough for very young children. It is at the level of, say, The Good News Bible.

However, I'm really enjoying reading this one myself now! The author has given us a 365 page "Best Of The Bible", which moves from Genesis right through to Revelations, and does so with clarity and faithfulness as a new, highly readable, very condensed translation-in-its-own-right.

I really feel that this book really fills a need as a legitimate Bible primer, for all ages. It certainly doesn't insult the adult, but children from 10 years can also enjoy it on their own. And I have not seen any better introduction to all the main storylines of both Old and New Testaments.

This book is a bargain, and mine now has its own place amongst my various Bibles, but I do think there is an opportunity for the book to be re-titled as a unique Bible primer for all ages, with the world's easiest 365 day reading plan!

Very highly recommended, but not for the advertised purpose - unless your kids are a bit older than mine. Cheers Ross Kelly

I am a non-Christian trying to learn more about Christianity, and I have found that these Bedtime Bible Stories are a great place to start. Although they were written for younger kids, the language is not too simple as to be annoying for me, a college student, to read as I have found with other Christian books aimed at kids. I had been flipping through several of those books. Since I don't know much about Christianity, I wanted basic information presented in a clear, simple manner that went into at least some detail, and it had to be something that would keep my attention. I like how this book cites the corresponding Bible verses for each story (as any decent book of this kind should) so that I can also easily go to the original source. I'm still only on the first few stories from Genesis, but this book has already proven to be invaluable as one of the tools I'm using to learn more about Christianity.

A great way to introduce preschoolers to more than just the most popular Bible stories. This book goes straight through the Bible in short 2-3 minute stories, with two simple questions at the end of each. My 4-year-old begs me to read it to her each night. I let her pick out a few from anywhere in the book (usually chosen because of the pictures), which I read. Then I read 2 or 3, going through the book in order. This way, she gets to satisfy her curiosity about some of the pictures that have intrigued her, and I get the satisfaction of knowing that she's getting the full picture of the Bible, by reading straight through. Very highly recommended!

These Cognoscenti things have done to maps what cooking did to food. They are highly palatable (readable) and edible (don't make me dizzy). I used to get into auto accidents using giant maps that would cover the whole windshield while I tried to drive, so you can imagine how skeptical I was when my friend told me about Cognoscenti "Map" Guides. Turns out these things are so clear ANYONE can use them. With my Cognoscenti Map Guide in hand I felt like I could help people around New York! It truly made New York accesible to people like me. Thanks Cognoscenti Map Guides.

After causing several car accidents due to large fold-out maps covering my windhsield as I attempted to roar down interstates I was a tad skeptical when my friend Joey told me Cognoscenti Map Guides were the best guides he'd seen. I was used to large guide books which would weigh me down and take up space in my pack I could have used for skotch. But this guide has it all. Tons of info AND a slim and sleak design. Thank you COgnscenti!

Who are the people of Cognoscenti and how have they suddenly come to be making such wonderful map guides? It is as if they have plummed the depths of every wayfarer's knowledge of the great city and are out to tell all. I am an old man, wary of travel, easily confused, hesitant of adventure. But this guide has taken care of everything - well-labeled maps, distinctive descriptions of sites, a concise history of the area, suggestions for a memorable evening. Well worth it.

I have read LAMB several times and the story is one that sticks with me, and continues to comfort and inspire. I love the authority with which the author exposes and condemns the evil and clearly upholds the meek and God fearing, whether they be rejected in society or functioning within a world which continues to startle them until they hear the call of the Lord.
I think this book can be helpful to many lost on all spectrums, from the highest to the lowest, showing God's merciful love and His protection of His own and also informing many lost what they are connected with if they do not serve the Living God, and also that they too can turn to the Lord for forgiveness and salvation, and escape the wrath of judgement.
The story has such delightful good guys and such despicable bad guys, that you absolutely love the victorious overcoming by the "lambs". The actual style of the writer is very refreshing in it's depth and poetry, treating all manner of spiritual insights with great dexterity and insight. I hope that the author writes a followup, such as LAMB II or something, the further adventures of our remnant. A must read, this one will hopefully wake up alot of the fence sitters. I'm sure that Satan hates this book, and the fact that it is published...it shows how evil evil is, and it also shows how impotent the evil is against God's sovereign plan.

Great read. This would make an awesome movie. The characters are real people, not pablum. God raises up the meek, the unlikely, and the poor to do His Will--angels exact God's judgment against a hateful, evil world. The characters are simply unforgettable. Each very different, as the author weaves a story of hope in God and not in man. Real angels, not fairies. The only book I've read that exposes satanism for what it really is and puts all hope in God's victory. The lambs are like David to Goliath, the little guys win! You really root for them. Excellent.

This is a ficitonal book with very plausible scenarios and characters showing how we do not battle against flesh but against principalities. (Eph. 6)

It's so easy to live in this world and be a part of it; but christians are told not to be a part of it. This book shows us why. This book makes very real the ways that the "spirit" of the world can be operating in our everyday lives - especially in our churches. (1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.)

The book in grounded in the truths of Scripture without being another dead Sunday morning sermon. I wish the sermons I hear would have me sitting on the edge of my seat as this book did. I wish the sermons I hear would be such a call to action as this book is. It's a wake up call - I've got to go put on the "whole armour of God", now.

Michelle

Offshore Sailing: 200 Essential Passagemaking Tips by yachting expert Bill Seifert is a highly practical guidebook, written by a veteran sailor with 30 years of experience and 100,000 offshore miles to his credit. From boat design and safety, including electrical components and mechanical systems, to navigation to at-sea cooking tips, Offshore Sailing has tips, tricks, and techniques for sailors of all skill levels. Written in a warm, friendly, personable manner yet packed with critical and professional know-how, and with the assistance of Daniel Spurr (editor of "Practical Sailor" for twelve years), Seifert's Offshore Sailing is truly a first-rate, "user friendly", core reference for any sailing person's library.

When dealing with the myriad systems and materials on a sailboat, there's no substitute for experience. And no one has more experience than Bill Seifert. His generosity with his knowledge combined with his humor and writing ability make this book essential reading for anyone who sails. Any passage will be more fun and safe if you take Seifert along with you.

Ever slap your head and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, there's a good chance Bill Seifert has figured it out and the answer is in this book. But don't misunderstand - this book is not just clever, it's practical, and although the title says "offshore" don't be fooled. The advise here is for all of us, from day sailor to coastal cruiser to offshore explorer. These tips will not only make you a better, safer sailor, they will increase your enjoyment. For example, by following Bill's advise on spring lines and docking I have substantially reduced frustration and tension. And don't leave this book at home! There are 10 pages of recipes from one of the world's best offshore gastronomes.

Growing up in Montara just a few minutes north of Mavericks, no one I knew even talked about surfing there. The surfers from the coast surfed the Jetty, and the stronger surfers went to Montara. There were many places around that one could surf, but no one considered Mavericks a surf mecca. No one mentioned it's name.

Seeing is believing. If you have NEVER seen big wave surfing except in pictures you are missing out!...

Enjoy the book. It is a great piece of history about the location and surfing in general!

Look for DVD's and Videos of Mavericks at [their website], taken by locals Eric and Kurt at Powerline Productions.

This book captures the unique world of big wave surfing better than any I've ever read. It's really cool the way it goes back and forth between the relatively recent discovery of Maverick's and the general history of big wave surfing over the last 50 or so years. The research that must have gone into portraying the various characters that make up the strange world of big wave riding is really impressive. It's got some really great photos too, although not just the typical big wave wipe-out shots. It's good looking enough to sit on your coffee table, but unlike most coffee table books, its full of great writing.

The book "Maverick's The Big Story of Big-Wave Surfing" by Matt Warskaw is one of my favorite books. This book is about surfing and its mishaps and adventures. The title of the book is Maverick's, this relates to the book countless times because it is a gigantic storm of waves in California that come every year. There are many different stories, some that are good and some that are sad or not that interesting. This book talks about how surfing has changed over the years. Also how far it has come since 1914. It has some very fascinating stories from surfing a 25-foot wave to drowning and having your last ride. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 because of how interesting it was. I would also recomend this book to all ages because it is such a good book.

When our book club chose this book as part of its new author day, I thought "what kind of trash is this." But like a good shot of moonshine, it was revolting enough to leave its mark and tasty enough to make me want more. HOnestly, why hasn't this guy gotten his due? There is more slick writing, quirky characters and raunchy adventure i nthis book then many books twice its length. And with the lead character a sort of hillbilly writer/philosopher (that is not a contradiction in terms!) one has a narrator throughout the book who never fails to make you laugh. THe book centers around the adventures of Redmond Doyle, a hack writer who returns home to the Ozarks from a more "high falutin" environment, only to find out that you cannot escape your past or your roots. As he gets pulled into the inevitable feuds and violence that is part of Ozark lore, he wonders why he ever left in the first place.With plenty of fights, sex, hillbilly weirdness and the ramblings of the main character, the book is liike a canoe ride down the river in Deliverance. It will make you squeal like a pig!

With this novel Woodrell, author of the Shade detective books and a fantastic historical novel called WOE TO LIVE ON, really moved into a great, seldom explored terrain. Doyle and the rest of his clan are what some would call [bad people]. Hillbillies. Rednecks. Whatever. Any such simplistic term could be easily applied, but what these characteres really are is human beings. And this is certainlyu to Woodrell's credit.

If you've never read Woodrell before, I'd say start here. This book is a kind of half-way mark between his older crime novels and his more recent and absolutely amazing TOMATO RED and THE DEATH OF SWEET MISTER. Imagine if Jim Thompson had written more books like POP. 1280, HEED THE THUNDER, and NOW AND ON EARTH and you might be hitting close to what Woodrell's up to.

Doyle is a writer who, after ditchinghis old life, stealing his ex-wife's car (complete with bad makeshift paintjob), ends up in the Ozarks working on a cash crop scheme...with his brother Smoke and Smoke's lady friend Big Annie and, I wouldn't dare forget, Big Annie's daughter, Niagra. What ensues is lust, blood, and more than a few good twists to keep you hooked in right up to the end.

Now, this is not Woodrell's best. Since I'm not Woodrell I can only guess that with this novel he was still testing out this new territory. By the time TOMATO RED came along, hellfire, the guy was smokin'! Read this, then go on and read everything that's come along since, but also be sure to go back and check out WOE TO LIVE ON for a take on the Civil War that those history teachers would've hated to relate.

One last night, for just a plain old good time, check out the three Rene Shade novels. It's fun to see a writer develope from just good to downright spectacular.

Why do truly creative writers like Woodrell get overshadowed by the mass market pap and hack writers? Woodrell tells great stories with original spins on what some might call stock pulp fiction characters in neat, compact books that his best selling contemporaries attempt to tell with less entertaining and often outright dull results and they do so in 300, 400+ pages! I read this book based on its subtitle and the slick jacket blurb. Holt knows to publish and package a good crime novel. I'm starting on Woodrell's earlier stuff now. He and John Straley are the two writers who deserve a lot more attention and a lot more readers.

THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE. AS DON KING WOULD SAY, "FANTABULOUS." I AM A SCREENWRITER (STILL STRUGGLING), BUT FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE SO INFORMATIVE. I AM SURE I READ AN ARTICLE BY THESE SAME TWO, DAN YANKELEVITS AND DINA APPLETON, IN [a] MAGAZINE!! I REALLY FEEL LIKE I COULD NEGOTIATE MY OWN DEAL NOW - OR THAT IF I DIDN'T WANT TO, I'D UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HECK MY AGENT AND LAWYER WERE DOING. NET PROFITS EXPLANATION IS AWESOME. ANYWAY, I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER AMAZON FOLKS.
-JEN

ENTERTAINMENT EXECUTIVES (OR THOSE RISING THROUGH THE RANKS), LOOK NO FURTHER! THIS BOOK GIVES YOU THE INSIDE SCOOP ON EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DEALS. WHO THE PLAYERS ARE, HOW IT WORKS, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY - WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL DEAL ISSUES TO BE AWARE OF. I TELL ALL MY ASSOCIATES TO READ THIS BOOK.

THIS IS THE MOST USEFUL BOOK I HAVE SEEN ON THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. BEST DEAL-MAKING BOOK ON THE MARKET. 5 STARS!

Kittens In The Kitchen is the first title in the Animal Ark series. It is great for cat and kitten lovers everywhere. I have read a number of books in this series and have found each one enjoyable.

A stray cat is found and it gives birth in Mr William's (the school caretaker) kitchen. He is absolutely furious, he hates cats and especially when their in the laundry basket on his clothes in the kitchen.

The race is on to find homes for the four kittens and in just one week.

This story is an adventure story with some animals added in. All in all, a fantastic read - 5 stars-

Walton, a stray cat who lives by mandy's school has kittens in Mr. Williams laundry basket, on his best blue shirt. If Mandy and James move the kittens Walton might abandon them. But Mr. Williams says "one week!" What can Mandy do? Will one week be enough time to find four wonderful homes for her precious kitten pals; Eric, Amy, Patches, and Smokey? If you love animals I really think you should read Kittens in the kitchen.

 ~This is a wonderful book... I thought that there were many trials and heartwarming parts in
this book! This book was the first book I read out of the series when I was 11 years old. After
starting this book I was hooked and I still read them every chance I get even today and I am 13!!

~This was a marvelous book about two kids, Mandy Hope and her best friend James Hunter...who
care for an abandoned mother cat. The cat, named Walton (after their school), ends up having her
kittens in Mr. William's (the school janitor) house. Mr. Williams gives Mandy and James one
week to get the kittens out of his house because he hates cats. Along the way, Mandy and James
make friends in this touching tale of the perseverance of life, promises, and trust!

I am SSG Eric Bitzer I was there during this battle I was the Point Man for Bco 1/327inf when we hit the opfor the problem is not army doctrine but was in a decision that was made by the company commander of Bco 1/327 inf to stay on the objective after taking it instead of moving off the objective that all light units do. If we would have moved off the objective this battle would have been a total success. Remember that this book is from a Battialion commanders veiw not from a soldier that fought the battle Col. Bolger makes some great points and was also a great commander but the fault is not his it was with one of his company commanders.

If Col. Bolger is a member of the US Army's brain trust, we're in pretty good shape. As an officer in a Light Infantry battalion, I have taken the Colonel's lessons to heart, and those lessons have enhanced my knowledge of Low Intensity Conflict. All officers assigned to light units, no matter their branch of assignment, should read his books, Hunger Hill especially.

The Battle for Hunger Hill should force the US Army Infantry School as well as the gurus at Ft Leavenworth to seriously consider re-writing current doctrine for light infantry units (especially with regard to Low Intensity Conflict and OOTW). The 1-327 Infantry proves again and again throughout the text that the "cookbook solution" (i.e. doctrine applied as dogma) is often the surest way to ensure one's own defeat. Rather, HOW to think instead of WHAT to think is the surest way to secure victory.

Any soldier or leader concerned with mission accomplishment and force protection through the artistic application of Maneuver Warfare (Auftragstaktik) simply MUST read this book. It is highly entertaining as well as informative. Indeed, any commander whose unit is scheduled for a rotation to JRTC should require every officer and NCO to read this book no later than twelve months out (thirty-six months out for RC units). You may go without it...but only at your own peril.

... should make this book available again now that the movie HARDBALL has hit the screens. I read this book about three years ago or so when it first came out and thought it was a great read. I gave it to a fellow baseball fan, who is a supervising probation officer in our county. For those who feel that youth baseball (and youth sports) can often be more than just a game, this book is for you. Watching the movie last week brought back thoughts of this book. The movie does some Hollywood license on the story line (they win the title in the film) but essentially is well done and gives the essential message the author sought to convey.

This book and the film should be required viewing for suburban Little League teams which have as "must have" items the latest version $250 bats, batting gloves and all the new fangled gear that passes for "essential" baseball equipment these days.

In the film one of the kids is asked by the coach character as the kid returns to his housing project home full of problems and malingerers "What do you do for fun?" The kid responds: "I plaky baseball for you....." Ain't baseball great. This book plus the a little too sappy film shows us all why.

I enjoyed this excellent piece of writing to the utmost degree. The insight, intensity, and development of characters submerses one in the tragic surroundings of the inner city of Chicago and depicts the valiant efforts of indefatigueable volunteers to lift young boys from the throes of poverty. The writing style is almost poetic; this writer has a unique talent for making characters come alive --- he's one to keep an eye on in the future. I can't wait for his next book.

Quite a piece of work we have here. Anyone who appreciates a story about characters, whether they like baseball or hate it, will appreciate this book. It's terrific.