I commend Diana Butler Bass for sharing the story of her own transformation and growth in the context of growth and change in the Episcopal Church. My sense is that the hearts of many will sing as they read words that they feel they might themselves have written.

My purpose is to set the record straight for I was there in relationships and in places where she was not. I took this book from the shelf at our local bookstore because of the title, Strength for the Journey. I first heard and then used those words as curate and then associate at All Saints, Pasadena where every Sunday without fail George Regas would proclaim, "Wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, you are welcome." George Regas was carrying on the long standing tradition of welcoming and empowering a diverse and gifted household of faith. Ed Bacon has gracefully and effectively continued to do so. So also, did Gethin Hughes carry on according to his gifts the ministry of nourishing and empowering the household of faith called All Saints by the Sea after the retirement of George Hall. But the changes Diana describes did not come out of the air. They came from seeds planted in those very eras which Diana criticizes. The eras when George Regas and George Hall served.
Diana never met "George and Sally" and has no idea of the breadth of their ministry to others not only those who attended All Saints but those in the community beyond who simply were in need. I know because I am blessed to be their daughter as well as an Episcopal priest. A recent obituary of George Hall features a photograph in which he is holding one of the more than 1,000 babies he baptized. Not one of those babies was baptized on one of the "tony" estates the author describes. I quote from that same obituary, "Although (the Reverend George Hall) was officially rector at All Saints by the Sea for 32 years, his ministry, community involvement and love for his fellow men and women led him into many other activities and organizations in Santa Barbara and the surrounding area. The list is staggering: He was on the founding boards of the Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation, the Children's Home Society, the Alcohol Information Services...Casa Nuestra, etc..He always worked to help the homeless and those who battled drug and alcohol abuse, and he supported education at all levels..." He and his wife, Sally, walked the walk. I remember George Hall proclaiming at the end of services, "Go forth and be the Church."
The more than 400 people who gathered to celebrate George Hall's life were far more diverse in age, economic status, race and religion than one might expect if one only read about him through Diana Butler Bass's book. But she never knew him. I pray that we all might continue to be blessed by the God who teaches and transforms us from generation to generation.
The Reverend Frances Hall Kieschnick
Palo Alto, California
May 2002

As a late twenty-something student of both counseling and religion, I have often found books on spirituality--especially first person accounts--to hover precipitously on the boundary between vacuous platitude and careless self-indulgence. This book is different. Its pages are both insightful and engaging, and its story about the potential of mainline religion is one that hopefully more will feel called to share.

Bass manages to embed a keen analysis of the state of mainline religion in the engrossing story of her own faith journey--a journey that was never just her own, but one always linked to those of others. To mainline believers struggling to find their place in contemporary society, Bass shows that serious faith need not be dogmatic and that critical faith can be nutured within communities grounded in the richness of the Christian tradition.

To those looking for strength for their journey, Bass is a spiritual friend worth getting to know.

Having journeyed thorugh my own myriad religious background and experiences, I found this book in a way reflecting my own story. But more than that, the author sets the personal story in the context of a community of faith's story - and further extends the story into the context of American culture and political system. She exhibits a breath of knowledge of the various tensions at work within in the church, which is never far away from being what it is:"in the world."
I was facinated with her personal story of moving from an evangelical - fairly rigid religious orientation as a teenager and college student - to confronting the questions and paradoxes that life brings. In the midst of that honesty with her own life she allows us to listen to her own struggle with faith questions, which are truly interwoven into life decisions and choices.
There seems to be a dialogue that forms with the reader as the author becomes open to her changing religious reference points: where the rites, riuals, forms, textures, tastes, smells and sounds of spiritual life become alive within a community of people. The hunger for spiritual nurishment is never quite satiated...but as the author indicates in her title: she is given strength for the journey.

Ms. Butler has said that she's sorry this book was ever released. She knows what she's doing. This is a great story for any other SF writer. But it's mediocre coming from Ms. Butler. It's more shallow than her other stuff. Since it was out-of-print, I thought it would be the only story of hers that I would never read. I felt tortured until I found a library with a copy. I feel better now. But if you can't find one, don't torture yourself wishing you could.

Survivour is my vavorite book written by Octavia E. Butler. And I hope, some day, it will be possible for me to read the original and not only a translated version.

I first read Survivor after seeing Octavia Butler speak at a Sci Fi conference not long after the book came out. I was impressed with the woman in person and I was amazed by her writing. Not only was Survivor a great science fiction story, it spoke to me in ways most science fiction could not. Being black/white/native american and female, I didn't find many characters in novels (science fiction or otherwise) who resembled me or the people in my family. But, more than that, Butler writes with sensitivity and skill on behalf of all of her characters, male or female, black white or asian, human or other-wordly. In this book, I found my own sense of the world mirrored back to me and treated with gentleness and love. That was a very new experience for me and one I will never forget. I have loved Butler's work since and much of it is even more fascinating and innovative than Survivor but this book will always remind me of how acknowledged I felt when I first read it. I have always meant to write to Butler about this so that she could know one of the reasons why so many people think highly of this book and wish it were still in print.

I really enjoyed the Warriors and the Bankers by Alan Butler and Stephen Dafoe. As someone interested in the history of the Knights Templar but not a history nut, I found the books approach to be very easy to follow. So many books on history are dry. The Warriors and the Bankers presents some of the more popular and recent theories involving the order as an overview and goes on to explain why some of them simply do not hold in relation to what the Templars were.

for example, so much has been written about the supposed Templar Treasure. The authors are the first to explode the myth by stating that as Bankers the Templar wealth would have been in the field earning interest. The authors present the order for what they truly were, Medieval capatalists to the nth degree.

I find this a much more acceptable presentation of the order than a group of covert monks burrying artifacts under church floors as so manty books of the genre are apt to do. Likewise it wasn't page after page of geneologies and military accounts. A great middle path between speculative / alternative history and Harder Historical text.

My only complaint is that the book left me wanting more, but then a good book should and I've heard the authors have a sequel due out in the New year.

In responce to an earlier review, I have read other Templar books and found many to be sluggish dry tomes.

This book is a must-have for those interested in The Templars. In a sea of Nonsense and ancient falsehoods, regarding the order of Knights Templar, this book is a shining gem of common-sense. The authors strive to use Logic, instead of silly fake documents and other ludicrous garbage to speculate about the known and suspected history of the Templars. Instead of quoting long sections of other recent books, the authors simply refer you to the other works, assuming you have probably already read them, anyway (and...they are most-likely correct). If you have read the other works about the Templars--esp., Robinson's "Born in Blood," you will find this book a concise, easy read with some new thoughts on the subject of the Templar's history. If not, this book gives you ample research suggestions.... So, either way, you can't lose. Another benefit of this book is that it is thin-enough (because the authors get directly to the point, instead-of heavy quoting and such) to place it in your jacket or pants pocket. This would be a great book to loan to your friends, if you practice my own method of using clear contact paper (slowly and carefully) over the cover of the book, to prevent it's destruction in transit. Look for their other books, as-well! I loved "Unholy Worship? The Myth of the Baphomet, Templar, Freemason Connection," by Stephen Dafoe. If you enjoy thinking for yourself, you will enjoy their books....if you do not like thinking for yourself read Kah!

As an ardent freemason and avid reader, I found this book extremely riveting. Hard to believe that from a book on medieval history, but believe it. I opened the package from Amazon and immediately started reading. With my wife yelling for me to come to bed two hours later, I answered with the usual, "just a minute!" I couldn't put it down. I finished it that night and finished Unholy Worship the next night. Great books!! I will buy more books from these guys in the near future. If you are in the least bit interested in Templar history or it's ties to modern freemasonary, get this and any of Dafoe's books!!

Yeats is, quite simply, the greatest master of the English language since Shakespeare. His command, range, and intelligence are remarkable. From his smallest poems to the lengthier ones such as "Under Ben Bulben", he weilds a pen with the mark of the truest artist whose work I have engaged deeply. As wily as Joyce, as visionary as the Romantics, and with a silvery ear for the language that can only be compared with the likes of Donne, Milton and Shakespeare, Yeats is the greatest poet of the 20th Century, to say the least. His influence is broad, and the scope of his work--from effete Romanticism to violent realism--is even broader.

There isn't much question whether Yeats was a great poet, just where on the all time great list he falls. Whether you call him the greatest poet of the 20th century, or the greatest since Wordsworth, Milton or Shakespeare, his accomplishments are clear.

Beyond that, why should anyone buy this edition as opposed to any of the other available? First, the collected poems gives you a sense of his development and interests, not just the highlights of his greates poems. Second, and more importantly, this edition is well-annotated. The notes are thorough without being unduly interpretive--they tell you what an allusion refers to, not how it affects the meaning of the poem. The notes aim to be useful to any reader, regardless of background. As a result, western readers will come across odd sounding notes such as "Jesus Christ is the founder of Christianity" or "Hamlet is the hero of William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name." Still, you'll be thankful for such prosaic entries as they explain Irish myth and locate historical allusions. All in all, it's an edition that belongs on any poetry lover's shelf.

"Art has, I beleive, always gained in intensity by limitation."

Yeats was the great poet of the 20th century... For what makes Yeats a great poet is how alive he is at every moment, how vital and unpronouncement-like his poetry is.

He tried to write a "dyed and figured mystery" into each of his poems, and he captured the colors and people of life more vividly than any poet since Shakespeare...

It could have been written yesterday - and would have captured our world exactly.

Yeats speaks to each us anew, every time we read him. He knows that the world we live in, no matter what the time and place, is always filled with evil doers who are filled with passionate intensity, and that the world seems about to slip into a chaotic nightmare...

This contains most of Octavia Butler's published short work, and it's a small book. But that does not mean that you should pass it up. At least two of the stories, I believe, are must-reads for anyone interested in science fiction.

* "Bloodchild" -- This is likely my favorite SF story. The situation is horrifying, yet believable, and, within context, entirely rational. Humans on a far away planet are forced to enter into a relationship with the native alien race that is strangely reminiscent of both slavery and concubinage, yet Butler actually was working from insect natural history. This is a powerful story, one that wakes up your mind.

* "The Evening and the Morning and the Night" -- This is the other fabulous story in this collection, another case of believable SF that comes near to horror. A disease that incites people to unthinkable crimes and the solution to the disease--as well as a close study on the type of people who administer the solution. You really can't do much better than this in SF.

* "Near of Kin" -- Not SF, and not a fantasy, yet not horror either. The subject matter is taboo in most fiction, so maybe that's how it ended up in an SF anthology. Well done. Enjoyable.

* "Speech Sounds" -- Really good story about a plague that affects the speech centers of the brain. Fast, but compelling, with an economy of plot--just enough to present the worse and the best of the situation.

* "Crossover" -- Boring, although not bad for a first published story. You can see how her background infused her stories early on.

* "Positive Obsession" and "Furor Scribendi" -- Reprinted essays on writing that should provide quite inspiring for burgeoning writers. Economical and smart.

In the introduction to this small collection, Octavia Butler tells us why it is so short: she doesn't like writing short stories and her ideas are too big for the short story format. I understand completely. The five short stories she does share (two of which are not science fiction in nature) are excellent and demonstrate the high level and intense emotional content we expect from Butler. Two of these, "Bloodchild" and "Speech Sounds" I read in sci fi magazines years ago and they are what made me search for more of her work. The two essays also included are good insights to Butler's philosophy and experiences as a writer. She may not be a "short story writer" but I am glad that she has shared these five pieces with us.

Contains 5 short stories, each a gem. Both the title story "Blood Child", and "Speech Sounds" deservedly won Hugos. A 3rd "The Evening, the Morning, and the Sun" is equally moving and thought-provoking. Two shorter stories, "Near of Kin" and "Crossover" are closer to main-stream fiction, and give us still another look into Butler's heart and mind. There are also two essays on writing, which are wonderful for any beginning writer, but also provide still another window into Butler's soul, since she is above all else a Writer with a capial W. Octavia Butler is slowly creating the most distinguished body of science fiction of anyone of her generation. Though she's been honored with the Hugo twice, her work is still under-appreciated because it deals with issues more complex than science fiction readers are yet comfortable with, especially male science fiction readers. But, speaking as a male S/F reader, I recommend her to all.

I am continuing to catch up on Nancy Butler's back-list. Lord Monteith's Gift (a cabin/road romance) is an entertaining story with characters who are, in the main, well rounded and satisfactory.

Lord Monteith, a dour Scot and former military man, is now a politician working on reform matters. The heroine, Evelynne Marriott, is a young woman somewhat down on her luck. In a plot which combines intrigue with comedic misunderstanding, the author gives us a satisfying read.

However, I felt somewhat disappointed that the author resorts to allowing the hero behaving in a somewhat incredulous in order to facilitate the climax of the story. I felt she could have found another way rather than allowing him what was, by that point in the relationship with the heroine, caddish behaviour. This, for me, was a weakness in the plotting.

I was enchanted by one of the secondary characters, Arkady, Marquess of Mitford, a half Russian man of mystery and many facets. I can't see evidence that Nancy Butler has given him his own story; shame, that - he was great fun and very attractive!

Although perhaps not a keeper, I do recommend Lord Monteith's gift as a good read, peopled by three dimensional characters and a satisfying love story. I do feel, however, that the plot was perhaps the weakest point here although not overly so.

I think this is the best of Nancy Butler's books so far, although I've enjoyed some of the others. She seems to focus on heroines who are considerably below her heroes in social standing - though not impossibly so - and who have fallen on hard times; this is certainly the case with Eveline here.

Robbie - or the Earl of Monteith - is a wonderful hero. Outwardly dour and conscious of his image, he has a loving heart just wanting to escape. Eveline, struggling to support her younger siblings, is a courageous young woman who disguises herself as a man in order to get a job. They are thrown together in unusual circumstances... and fall in love.

Many of the scenes between Eveline and Robbie, especially after she's saved his life, are marvellously entertaining while at the same time touching the heart; you won't easily forget these. However, I did - like another reviewer - find Robbie's complete volte-face later hard to take. Despite the circumstances, it was just difficult to accept that he would change so completely.

Despite that, I still love this book and have already re-read it.

This is the first Nancy Butler romance I have read - and enjoyed the humor and fun of it.

Black, white, whatever - if you're bored by your job and have ever dreamed of doing what you really want - this book is for you. The stories of these selfmade millionaires is pure inspiration. Even if you don't plan on starting your own business any time soon, this book is about living life to the fullest on your own terms. If you want a great read and a kick in the pants, The New Color of Success will give you both. What are you waiting for?

Niki Butler Mitchell reveals how a diverse, dynamic group of go-getters has crafted a new color and definition of success and she does it in a way that will inspire everyone who reads the book to reach for their dreams. Full of examples, advice and wisdom, THE NEW COLOR OF SUCCESS is a must-read for all young Black people and anyone who wants to appreciate African American vision, brilliance and determination.

A unique business book describing the successes of young African-American entrepreneurs with poignant reflections on the costs, rewards and responsibilities of being successful. This book lays outs the blueprint of twenty select black millionaires who had the tenacity and business savvy to compete in arenas where the majority competition never expected to have deal with black businesspeople as equals. Niki Mitchell has a written a provocative, illuminating and motivation book that espouses more than wealth and individual success but character in the true sense of American business.

I was first attracted to this book because of the title--simple and direct, no flashy titles to make up for lack of content. That was about two years ago. Since, I have read other materials related to the topic as well as Protestant comments about the book. I just read it again and am thankful for the opportunity.( I just had to order another, I gave my first away) The authors--Deacon David Hess, Norman Dahlgren and Scott Butler have done a fine job in presenting the historical truth regarding the Papacy. I have met two of the authors and look forward to more of their work. I recommend reading this book twice, and read some works that try to refute this one between readings. You will soon find how sound this book really is, it is ALL meat.

So you think the Papacy is an institution founded out of the growth of the Church as a state religion, through the urging of the Emperor of Rome, centuries after Christ? You think the Bible refers only to Jesus as the Rock, and not Peter? Do you think Peter was never in Rome as Bishop?

If you think any of these things, get ready for a surprise. This very scholarly work is praised by Catholic and Protestant alike, and is a significant step forward in the understanding of the roots of the Papacy and the foundations of the Christian Faith.

I recommend this book highly, especially to those in the Catholic Church who do not know how to counter false protestant arguments against the Papacy and for serious protestants and others of good will wishing to learn more about the Faith.

This book is well worth the read if you are looking for a cogent explanation on the issue of the Petrine Office, the Papacy.

Butler, Dahlgren & Hess divide their book into two halves. The first half is a comprehensive look at the scriptural support for the papacy and doctrines that devolve from it (i.e., papal infallibility, the role of the Church).

The second half of the book is a sampling of many Early Church Fathers and how they perceived the Petrine Office. In short, it is a quite compelling presentation in that the view of the Early Church Fathers, as presented, is the same view the Church promotes today.

This is the best book that I have found on the issue of the Papacy. If anyone is struggling with the issue of authority in the Church, this is the first book I would recommend not just because of its content but also because it is written in a very easy style.

You won't be disappointed in this book. Buy it now.

The world is full of books that claim to teach you how to make millions starting with nothing, in only a few minutes a day. Unfortunately, these books skip over the basics that everyone needs to know about buying stocks. Where can you get those basics? How to Buy Stocks is the source you need.

I would suggest that you first read John Bogle's book, Common Sense on Mutual Funds, to determine whether or not you will even want to buy individual stocks. For most people, indexed mutual funds are a much better alternative. If you've read that book, and want to have a small portion of your money in directly purchased stocks, then you are ready for this book.

I have read dozens of books on how the basics of how to invest in stocks, and think that this is the most valuable and objective one around.

I had an amusing experience a few years ago. I attended a "sophisticated" seminar on stock market investing that was very expensive, and found that main speaker drew all of his material from this book. So you can save a lot of money, and simply buy, read, and use this book in the first place.

Another benefit of this book is that is dispels a lot of myths about stock market investing that most people have when they first start to invest. I routinely give this book to family and friends who want to know more about investing. By the way, I consult with large companies who want to improve their stock price, so I have a useful perspective on this issue from my work.

After you finish enjoying this book, I suggest that you pay particular attention to the section on writing covered calls. That is a very good way to increase your returns if you plan to hold your stocks for a long period of time. You will find this approach works best after you have passed the capital gains holding period, or for IRA money (or any other tax-deferred accounts).

Compound your wealth appropriately!

This book is an excellent primer on the stock market. If I could only have one book on investing in the stock market, this would be it.

As a beginner in investing, I had a hard time understanding the market terminologies. I did not know how the market works until I found this book. In this book, you will learn the basics of investing; how the stock market works, mutual funds, common stocks, preferred stocks, bonds, options, trading on margin, selling short, how to deal with brokers, and a lot of other topics. One thing that I found confusing is that the author talks a lot about the rules of investing in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's, to an extent that you got confused and don't know what is the current investing rules. You have to dig between the lines until you get the information you are looking for. I think it is not important for us to know the investing rules back in the 60's. Other than that, the book is excellent and definetly should be in your library, at least as a reference.

After reading many books on Bodybuilding I rank this at the top. I have never read such a complete book,nor such a easy to follow book. I am quit pleased to see how the is broken down into mini books and then chapters. I would recomend this book to any male or female advanced to beginning bodybuilder it has been a great help to me !

The new generation Bodybuilder!!

:Miguel

An easy to follow guide for excellent gains in the gym. This book provides an extensive reference for any beginner looking to improve their muscle mass. If you are new to bodybuilding, I would definitely recommend this book.

Gerard Thorne's MuscleMag Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding is a fantastic book for those who are advanced in the sport of bodybuilding, or for those who are just beginning. This book gives you the history of bodybuilding, the who's who of the bodybuilding world, diet and exercises to maximize your muscle growth. Everything you ever needed to know about bodybuilding is in this book. I give it 5 out of 5. With the constant change in the bodybuilding world, in diet and exercise, I hope they come out with a new (updated) edition soon.