Senter provides one of the few treatments of Youth Ministry that is can serve as an college/seminary textbook and still provides practical insights for practicing clergy. Unlike several other popular titles, Senter takes the time to develop a biblical, sociological, and historical framework for youth ministry. He also provides the best overview of the various models for youth ministry that have been popular among evangelicals for the past half-century. Some may find the depth of the book overwhelming in places. It also suffers from weaknesses typical of using a variety of authors to contribude individual chapters, in that not all chapters are equally valuable. Overall the book should serve as a standard text well beyond the turn of the century for those serious about understanding and practicing effective youth ministry.

Senter and Dunn have done a fabulous job compiling data from a number of key youth pastors. The insights I gained from this book were fantastic. Dunn's explanation of the millennial generation's needs, and how to reach them is fantastic. Great reading. This book is a must for youth pastor's everywhere.

I ran across this book in the campus bookstore when picking up some other books for class. After glancing through it I was intrigued. Practical advice, theory that was useful, models laid out so you could see how they worked out on a day to day basis. I found myself taking notes and getting ideas for things I could put into practice.

In 1923 London, a desperate Lord John Frobisher visits his sister-in-law Daisy Dalrymple to ask for her help. Someone has sent John an ugly unsigned letter filled with profanity, that accuses the aristocrat of having an affair with a widow, Mrs. LeBeau. John acknowledges that he in deed did have a dalliance with the woman, but that it ended. John wants Daisy, who has had success with solving mysteries, to come to his hometown of Kent to uncover the identity of the perpetrator. Even knowing that Daisy's fiancé works for Scotland Yard and fears for her safety, John refuses to go to the police because he does not want to hurt his family.

Daisy, accompanied by her fiancé's daughter, travels to Kent where she quickly learns that the anonymous author has written similar letters to many of the local citizens. However, before she can determine who the culprit behind the crippling correspondence is, Daisy finds the murdered corpse of the Vicar's brother.

The seventh Dalrymple amateur sleuth historical mystery is an entertaining entry in a well-written series. The cozy-like story line moves forward though the motive for the letters seems too stretched for such a campaign. Still Daisy retains her freshness and the support cast makes readers feel they are visiting the decade following WW I in England. Though far from Carola Dunn's best entry in an overall wonderful series, STYX AND STONES remains an enjoyable novel.

Harriet Klausner

Daisy's brother in law Johnny has a major problem. Some years ago, when he was recovering from an horrific injury incurred in WW I, he had a one night affair with a local woman. He is now getting poison pen letters and fears that his wife Violet will find out. Apparently he isn't the only victim, and when the local vicar's brother is killed by a falling statue, all of them are suspects.

As usual, this is a really entertaining mystery. Daisy and Alec solve the mystery with a few twists and turns and arguments. A quick read as usual!

I have enjoyed this series ever since I read the first book, "Death at Wentwater Court". I really think that Ms. Dunn has the Dorothy Say- ers, Marjorie Allingham, Agatha Christie thing down pat. She gets my vote as the bst choice for being heir to the abovesaid Ladies.

This Book is suitable for Christmas. It explains step-by-step project and kids will love it. It's not too difficult to make it. Kids at age 5-7 years old will love it.

I run a daycare in Darlington WI and we loved this book. I found crafts that 3 year olds could do and crafts that my older kids could do to. I also purchased the Thanksgiving craft book. Both books are wonderful and would recomend them to everyone,every age.The book uses usual household items so it is also cost effective.

[from the back of book] SHE WAS A WISTFUL WIDOW WITH A BABE ON THE WAY ......It wasn't all that shocking when Lady Laura Chamberlain's ne'er-do-well husband met his untimely end. Far more scandalous was Laura's precarious predicament: She was left without a spouse, without means.....and with child! Her unlikely savior was the dashing Lord Wyckham, who deemed it his duty to protect the young widow. Soon Laura found her esconced in his magnificent ancestral manor surrounded by his delightfully eccentic relatives. But Wyckham himslf was the oddest of all: He was a confirmed bachelor, yet he treated Laura as anything but an unwanted relation!
HE WAS HER HANDSOME PROTECTOR....... Lord Wyckham could not, simply would not, fail in his duty! His cousin's widow needed a home, and he intended to provide it. Especially when he took note of Laura's winsome charms, including her puzzling but not altogether displeasing plumpness. Then he discovered the truth! Now, the usually unflappable Wyckham was at sixes and sevens. He began experiencing the most tender feelings for Laura and Her imminent arrival. Was it at long last love? ******
The Baron, Gareth, Lord Wyckham upsets many because of his personal fears. Yet he collects a number of relatives to take care of as his duty. He also has a number of brothers who turn out to be quite lovable. There is Cornelius, who has the parish living -- then Captian the honorable Rupert Wyckham -- Lance, is still in school and the youngest Perry, who is fifteen, all attrictive blondes.
Being put up also is Maria, an unhappy cousin and her three children - 2 sons and a daughter.
There is great uncle Julius, an inventor and quite a character.
And Aunt Antonia, who helped raise Wyckham and his brothers on the death of their mother. A thoroughly enjoyable tale.

It is hard to write a good romance where the heroine is pregnant with another man's child, but Dunn pulled it off. Laura, the heroine, was married to a charming but unstable drifter. He dies in a foolish accident and she is left alone and pregnant. Enter the hero, Gareth, who is a very honorable lord, and offers to take her into the family since he was related to her husband. He has concerns about her pregnancy, and deep-rooted fears about the dangers of caring too much for anyone, dating back to his childhood. The heaviness related to these issues is tempered by some great moments of humor. The eccentric inventor uncle, who eventually invents a carriage, stroller, and play pen, adds a light touch. While the story may not be totally historically accurate(I doubt that the hero would have been allowed to be in the room during the delivery), I don't read my romances for strict historic accuracy, and I didn't see any glaring errors that detracted from the story. It was a touching and fun book, and one that I will definitely re-read over and over again. The hero's brothers are wonderful, and I would like to see books about their future romances. The secondary characters are part of what makes the book so charming.

I wonder who this book is for? The writing styles of the essays are strictly academic -- except for Caetano's which is more of a reminiscence and similar in tone to his New York Times stuff -- and the price certainly reflects academic rather than mainstream press standards. On the other hand, the flashy jacket, numerous photos, and subject matter seem to indicate an appeal to non-academic Brazilian music fans. Like me.

In any case, the 2 dozen or so essays span the time period between the Tropicalistas of the 60s, like Caetano, and recent phenoms like Chico Science and the "funk balls" of Rio and Salvador. I may not be qualified to judge it as an academic collection, but I noticed that almost all the scholarship is sociological in nature rather than musicological. For instance, there is only one page with any musical notation whatsoever, but there are very long essays on such themes as the pan-africanism, cultural "canibalism", and the themes of carnaval groups.

The highlights of the book are small nuggets that fall out along the way. For instance, evocations of the cultural richness amid fetid swamps and massive poverty, the ironies of heavy metal in Belo Horizonte, or the offhanded anecdote of Caetano decrying the evil of a corrupt career politician at a show.

The main lowlight is surely the tedious academic style of some of the writers and the endless repetition of certain themes. Some editing of this and a little less fawning over some of the performers would have made it an easier read. And inevitably with a collection of essays there is a feeling of randomness about the subject matter selections. (Compare it to the sassy and completely nonacademic "Bossa Nova" by Ruy Castro -- great fun.)

Bottom line: there are very few books about Brazilian music in English and most of those are for complete novices. This is therefore essential reading for anyone interested in Tropicalia and more recent developments in the most musical place on earth.

A must-read for anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the cultural forces shaping Brazilian music. Various contributors tackle the complexities of selling hybridized "world" music in a voracious, globalized world economy, and examine the ongoing stylistic, philosophical and generational tensions between different groups in Brazilian popular music. Particular emphasis is given to the "tropicalia" scene, including several chapters on Os Mutantes and an excellent essay by Caetano Veloso regarding the mixed meaning of Carmen Miranda's legacy to the '60s generation. Working upwards from a standard-issue Marscusian, colonial/postcolonial cultural critique, this book takes its cues from the Brazilian philosopher Osvaldo de Andrade, whose theories on "cultural cannibalism" were a key influence on the tropicalistas, and explains how the inclusive guerilla surrealism of the tropicalistas bypassed the stormy ideological divide between the left-wing cultural nationalism of the early MPB crowd and the vacant, prefab commercialism of the "jovem guarda" rock scene. Not content to lionize the tropicalistas, the book also shows how the '60s radicals later entered the status quo, and how their lofty superstardom has been rejected (or resented) by younger Brazilians, who came to see them as a fusty cultural aristocracy. A bit dense and mildly over-academic at times, but deeply fascinating and insightful, this is an invaluable resource for understanding the history of Brazilian pop, and for examining the metamorphoses of "local" music in a global market. Highly recommended!!

Are you looking for the perfect look in an empty space or corner of your yard? Why not add a cottage touch! Terri Dunn does a wonderful job showing various cottage gardens and how to create them. What I learned most is that you don't have to have a large space to create a welcoming cottage look. I live in Upstate New York and her chapter "A Cottage Garden For All Seasons" is perfect for me; I never knew a flower garden can look so beautiful in Winter! The photographs are colorful and very detailed. A great buy for a beginning cottage gardener or a veteran!

Shy 80 pages for the price this is a small book that is fun to read on cold winter days when one is planning what to plant once the weather warms up. The photographs are wonderful as is the dialogue that discusses the pros and cons of certain flowers and herbs in certain garden settings. Pages 28 and 29 are the only two that suggest any hint of the garden in winter.

Since we live in the Sierras we know as do our relatives in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire the joys of berry bushes and other plants that attract winter birds as well as add a bit of colour when cold and snow appear.

This is a book that I think most cottage gardeners will appreciate. And will want in their home library.

David Coultard, whilst not the most fascinating character on the F1 circuit, is fully exposed in what turns out to be an excellent book. The author gets deep into his subject, and, it would seem, Mr Coultard enjoyed the probing. His mixed performance at McLaren is interesting to read, and David is, at last, given a chance to air his excuses for performing poorly compared to the well-loved Mika Hakkinen.

I would recommend this book to anybody with an interest in F1, whether they are particularly interested in the sport's "Mr Grey" or not. A great chance to get inside F1!

How refreshing it is to read a book about Formula 1 that isn't just about being macho. Most books in this genre are only too keen to promote their subjects as out and out hard men. Jim Dunn really penetrates David Coulthard. Thanks to much intimate probing from the author we get to know David Coulturd the man as opposed to the image. Formula One fans will get a real treat as the relationship between Coulthard and Ron Dennis is exposed, along with other behind the scenes glimpses into the workings of the McLaren team. We also accompany David away from the race track to visit people and places from his past who have had a bearing on him as a person as well as a driver - his school games teacher, his favourite uncle to name but two. When back at home in Scotland David takes the author to his hometown nite-spot, The Blue Oyster bar. It is here that David tells us how in this building he got his nickname, which also forms the book's subtitle. I wont spoil the story - buy the book and read it yourself! I thoroughly recommend this book as a breath of fresh air in the sometimes stale canon of sports-biography.

This is one of the most intelligently written thrillers I've read in ages. The action is exciting, the techno-talk satisfying and not overdone, and the general writing and play of mind mean you don't have to put your own wits entirely to sleep to enjoy the book, as you do with many thrillers. True, it gets a touch preachy towards the end, but only a little. The book is o.p. but worth looking for!

Though I like the idea that we keep close tabs on the world, I hope sane people are in charge. Good story with underlying menace. It is well written.

Charles Dunn gives a very detailed book on the traditional way of life of Tokugawa Japan. From the lowly peasant to the nobles Mr. Dunn extensively explains what they did, why they did, & how they did everything. For the casual reader this book might be a little too detailed; but for the historical interested - it is a must. I have yet to find the kind of information that Charles Dunn presents in this book anywhere else.

I've just started to read this book for research of a novel in the planning, and it has been very useful, even within the first few pages! It goes thru all the classes from the samurai class to the outcasts. I would highly reccommend this book to anyone that needs to know how the Japanese lived during the reign of the Tokugawa shoguns!

The authors have immense experience consulting with accounting firms. Every accountant in the United States should read this book and apply its concepts. Then, and only then, will accountants redeem themselves from the scandals that the "Final Four" and "Andersen androids" delivered to us. Accounting has dealt with irrelevant matters for decades now. How telling it was when the authors point out that the last service innovation promulgated by the accounting professional body, the AICPA, occurred back in 1974-29 years and ticking.

So, what's the problem with accounting firms anyway? The list is endless. I can summarize the problem with a simple statement-no guts. An old joke describes accountants as insurance actuaries without the sense of humor. It goes deeper than that. Too many prefer to review the game and announce the winners rather than actually roll up their sleeves and help their selected clients win. Sure, that's sort of messy but that is where true professional satisfaction lies. Also, it involves making real judgments too, helping clients who deserve our help because we really care about them and want to help make them more successful. Sure, that requires making choices. If you don't like a client, why in the heck are you working for them anyway?

Too many accounting firms operate on this principle. An old joke says that accountants are the sort of people who after the battle, bayonet the wounded. I can add another corollary to this. Not only do accountants bayonet the wounded, they also strip the corpses naked with fees not tied to real value but to a rate per hour tied to what they want to make, rather than what the client really got. If you believe you deserve to be paid no matter what you really did to help, this book isn't for you. But, if you believe your fees should relate to what you've really done to help somebody, these folks not only support your point of view, they prove it beyond all doubt.

I didn't give this book five stars because the author's really don't make their case as well for project based professionals like certain lawyers. Should lawyers be more upfront about their charges? Absolutely. But, I sympathize with the struggles they face pricing services without adequate experience with a particular client. Lawyers will find Baker's prior works on value pricing more applicable to their practice situations than this work.

Expanding on the principles discussed in Value Pricing, Ron Baker has teamed up with Paul Dunn to share their theories, insights and ideas on how professionals (in particular CPAs) view and price their services. The Firm of the Future is written around major themes and includes individual commentary from Ron and Paul.

Are you creating value for your clients and charging for the value you provide, or are you charging your clients based on the time you spend? If you are not thinking about the value you are creating for your clients, watch out! Every professional who reads this book will be thinking about the value they can add not only to their clients, but yours. What about fees? Do you think that you can match or beat my price? "Any firm can compete on price; it is truly a fool's game. In contrast, competing based on Total Quality Service, positive customer experiences, and transformations requires more thought, creativity and investment." This book could be your first investment in achieving Total Quality Service and differentiating yourself from the competition.