To request this type of therapy from a Doctor without being informed, without something to back it up would be like... standing in front of a wall and hearing...fire!. "Built to Survive", gave me the knowledge to tackle the prejudice and stigma attached to the medical use of Anabolic Steroids to treat HIV. It gave me the necessary information to argument successfully. It's easy to read and it's very, very well researched. I liked the impresive reference bibliography that adds a scientific approach to it. This book taught me how to do this therapy and how to do it right, with nutrition and exercise, to maximize all the potential medical benefits of the use of Anabolics Steroids to treat HIV. Excellent job!.

Having followed Michael Mooneys work for some time in MM2K and Medibolics, I was more than interested when I heard about 'Built To Survive'. I wrote to Michael asking him if he felt that the information in the book would be of use to a non-HIV person interested in improving their health and longevity - he assured me that it would. On receiving my copy I sat down to one of the most informative books that I have ever read. The first few chapters opened my eyes to HIV and related issues, as embarrassingly these were things which I had never really researched. These chapters gave me a new understanding which were worth ten times the cost of the book. But there was much more..... Moving through the chapters on lipodystrophy, steroid therapy and nutrition I became even more impressed. The discussion of insulin resistance (the major cause of lipodystrophy) and how diet and supplementation can reduce this and many other health concerns to a minimum, contained practical information which one would have trouble finding elsewhere. The chapter explaining the 'real' risk associated with anabolic steroid therapy and the one which covers the safe cycling of steroids and how to quickly recover natural testicular function again contains factual information - not hype. Finally, the discussion on micro-nutrients gives sensible values for vitamin and mineral intake - I for one have always taken extra vitC and E but never really known where to go from there - this changes that. In closing, don't be put off by the title. I feel that while the information contained within the book will definitely improve and save the lives of HIV+ people, it will undoubtedly improve longevity and quality of life for anyone prepared to impliment its suggestions. A book for LIFE. K.G.

PS. The book is referenced throughout for those who like to delve a little more deeply.

Co-author Nelson Vergel was diagnosed with HIV in 1984. He's still around, blooming with health sixteen years later, and together with Michael Mooney he's written "Built to Survive: A Comprehensive Guide to the Medical Use of Anabolic Steroids, Nutrition and Exercise for HIV(+) Men and Women. Weight loss is real in HIV and so are the life-saving effects of anabolic steroids. Much research here in the judicious use of anabolic compounds, and plenty of information on optimal nutrition, exercise and other methods of treatment. Sensible articles on the wasting disease, appetite stimulation, how anabolic steroids work, scientific studies, steroid legality and the physician, complementary approaches to treat lipodysthrophy, switching antiretroviral drugs, the effects of anabolic hormones, steroids. A smart, no-nonsense guide on what to do before you start the PoWeR (Program for Wellness Restoration) program. The amount of knowledge here could, literally, save lives. A huge reference section in back on the many organizations and paths to follow. Medibolics is the name to follow, and its on the internet. Weight-lifting suggestions. An immensely significant book that addresses HIV in a positive fashion. Mooney and Vergel write with verve and urgency, and their knowledge is nothing short of miraculous. Important - and far too critical to be ignored.

This book had great illustrations, as well as a great story. Will Smith conveys a great message, talking about his son. I once had a book called, "Mom and I," that my mom would read to me everynight. Just like that book, I think I am going to read this book to my kids when they are young. This book gave me a different perspective into the feelings of Will Smith. Will Smith showed that he has a very deep caring side towards his son. This was an overall good book with a good message.

Will Smith bases Just the Two of Us on his rap song of the same title. The book shows a father giving advice on growing up and sharing his experiences with his son. The book instills good morals and values while showing love, support, and encouragement. The pictures by Kadir Nelson are simply breathtaking and show the life stages of a baby growing into a young man. This highly recommended book gives testimony to the unique relationship between father and son.

I have always been a fan of Will Smith and I really loved the song...I love the idea of the song in book form. It gives parent the opportunity to explain some of the basic things in life in language that is popular to kids and easily explained. I also enjoy the fact that my son, who is 5 yrs. old, is able to identify many of the words and he can read the story himself. It encourages positive images, good morals, reading, and it's fun. Bravo Will...

This book i would recommed to anyone thinking of getting into racing or a rookie in racing. Ernie Irvan shows how hard it is to do well in racing and always have a smile on your face , its not easy. The family life is not easy as well, familys take the brunt of all racers anger and frustrations. Not only does Ernie talk about racing he talks about the good old days as well , when he was a child growing up and how hard it was for his family to survive. He seems to really care for his family but all in all he seems to keep racing a #1 in his life , his family seem to come second. Ernie had a huge scare when he crashed his car but in the end of the book he states that he knows what it takes to win, but does he or did he really learn what you can loose by racing and having such a terrible near death accident, im not convinced he did. This is why i would recommend this to the new racers so they realize just what they are getting into and how dangerous it can be , not only to them but to all others on that track with them. Its my wish to all whom have thought about getting into racing that they read this book and take every aspect into concideration before you get hurt or someone you love gets hurt.

As an avid race fan, I was immediately hooked from the first page and in fact, read the entire book in one evening. I was particularly pleased that it was written in easy to understand, everyday language, thereby making it a book, many people of all education levels would enjoy. The recovery of the driver was a miracle and his recovery remarkable. I enjoyed reading of the business conflicts because too many of us envision the drivers as living a life of Utopia. I was glad to hear that even Nascar drivers worry about house payments. I was too busy reading to care about misspelled words.

Once I started reading this book it was painful to put it down. It reads as if Ernie was right there talking to you.

Ernie's writing comes straight from the heart. His insights into the racing world are wonderful. But what will really capture your heart are his inspiring views of family, friends, and just life in general!

If you are looking for a book with great insight into one driver's experiences with sponsors, teams, and fellow racers, without all the sugar coating and pre-written victory speeches, then READ THIS BOOK! I plan on reading it again soon!

For anyone interested in building a tree house - this book provides great inspiration. The central section detailing a very special tree house in British Columbia is especially fascinating. I built a tree house for my son this summer.

I loved this book! When I was a kid, my best friend Kathy and I shared a tree/club with her brother and his friends, called the Monkey Club. Of course, it was quickly determined that the boys and girls could not co-exist in the Monkey Club, so Kathy and I formed a rival club(the Foxy Lady Club-hey, these were the 70's!) in a huge oak not far from the boys. Kathy and I would leave secret messages for each other, stuffed inside one leg of pantyhose and tied to a limb, so it swayed in the breeze. I can't remember how many times we had to defend our treehouse from marauding bandits(a.k.a. her brother and his no-good friends). This rivalry, sometimes friendly and sometimes not, lasted until it was determined by our parents that the original Monkey Club was off limits, due to the fact that the tree had grown into some power lines. Since, we had grown a bit older, and also because there were no more viable trees in the area, our collective interest in treehouses waned. Reading! ! this book helped me realize that those were some of the most magical times of my life. I haven't been to my old neighborhood in years, but I think I might take a little drive and see if our treehouses are still there... Thanks for the memories!

This book is full of high quality photographs and drawings of many types of treehouses; whimsical, built-for-kids, a house in a tree, and even above-ground gazeebo types. This is an attractive book, suited for parusing and dreaming.

This book advocates a new force structure for the US Army. Current US forces are composed of heavy 2D mechanized forces, and light Airborne and Air Assault capable infantry units. The heavy forces have great tactical mobility, but no strategic or operational mobility. The light forces are opposite, with great operational and strategic mobility, but are foot mounted upon arrival on the battlefield.

This book proposes a helicopter transportable light mechanized force for the US Army. This force would give the Air-Mech troops much greater firepower and mobility than the current airborne/air-assault units have. It would also remain air transportable for vertical (3D) envelopment (impossible with heavy mechanized units), as well as having a much smaller logistics requirement than the current heavy mechanized force.

The concept is significant for the US, but is already employed (in a modified form) by Russia. The book is a bit heavy on specific details such as vehicle modifications, and weapons configurations rather than the theories or concepts showing how such a unit will be employed tactically (it covers operational deployment well).It also has little coverage of the USSR/Russian experience with this type of organization.

This is a multi-authored book, and takes the form of a series of chapters rather than an integrated work by one man. As a result many issues are covered in duplicate. As a side note, the book constantly assigns made up names to armored vehicles such as the M-113 or the German Wiesel. These are not officially assigned or recognized names. This ametuerish touch only confuses readers who might not be familiar with gimmicky renaming.

Had the book spent more time explaining the potential tactical employment of the ideas, along with how it will fit in with the new 4th Generation Warfare models now being explored I would have rated it higher. Coming up with a good military theory is only half the battle. Effectively conveying these ideas and why they are important is the other half. This book achieves the first requirement, but fails on the second.

Overall this is an important book in that it proposes significant and valid changes to US Army structure. It is a diamond in the rough, and if the reader can tolerate the various issues mentioned above it is worthwhile.

Yes. I am currently one of them. I understand your criticisms and your accolades. Therefore, not being one of the original authors, I can play "Devil's Acvocate" with both the reviews and the book.

For the Reviewers: Air Mech Strike is a book by individual authors that bring their long years of experience and study into the mix. There is some duplication and the layout does "hurt the eyes" somewhat. The emphasis on the names, while appropriate, does not add anything to the singular basic argument that 2D and 3D warfare need to compliment each other. While not everyone will be able to readily understand all of the new the concepts , the book is well documented with references to websites, studies, books, and articles. Finally, speaking to the Wing In Ground Effect vehicle points up the problem of strategic airlift. We cannot fight if we can't get there, no matter how light the force may be.

For the Book: The book takes up where the Howze Board, the 11th Air Assault, the 1st Cavalary and 101st Airborne Divisions, left off. Placing troops in the rear or on the flank of an attacking or withdrawing enemy force is the best way to divide the enemy's effort, make him fight two battles on two or more fronts at once, resulting in his piecemeal destruction. It is a follow on to the mission of air assault and air cavalary forces. The difference is that light equipment, beyond the vision of General Gavin's light arms, are also a part of the assault. M113s and the Germany Weasels can be flown across the FLOT to deliver both dragoon infantry and ground cavalry to rip up the attack or withdrawing enemy's C3, artillery, and logistical force. The book emphasizes this type of mission to compliment the 2D maneuver of heavy forces.

Airborne, Air Assault and Light Divisions should be the next units to be moved to the IBCT structure, whether that be an air mech strike capable IBCT or remain a 2D capable IBCT. The air mech strike concept, as theorized in the book, is capable of being carried in the C-130 while the other is not.

Air Mech Strike is lighter and can get there faster. With the limited air lift available, air mech strike gives the Army the ability to get the units there in C-130s and sling them on helicopters once on the battlefield. The book is very clean in this regard and both are required.

Attention readers!

Remember March 15, 2002 well!

This was the day the U.S. Army conducted its first helicopter-based Air-Mech-Strike combat assault in Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda...just like described in the book. Co-author Major Charles Jarnot is in Aghanistan NOW and he emailed me the following description:

Air-Mech-Strike in Afghanistan!

The war in Afghanistan has seen several combat firsts for the U.S. Military, first use of an armed un-manned aerial vehicle and the first use of the B-1B Bombers in a close air support role to name just a few. Now in Operation Anaconda another first for the U.S. Army, the first employment of helo-based airmechanized forces by a U.S. field commander in combat, complements of the 3rd Battalion of the famed Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group.

On March 15, 2002, the Canadians attached to the U.S. Army's 2nd Brigade 10th Mountain Division, used U.S. Army CH-47D Chinooks to air assault their armored tracked BV-206 airmechanized vehicles into the operation Anaconda fight.

Airmechanization is a relatively new maneuver warfare doctrine extensively developed by numerous European armies. First theorized in the 1930s by Soviet Field Marshall Tuchachevskiy, today the Russian, British and German armies have fielded airmechanized brigade and division sized units. The concept involves the vertical insertion of tracked combat vehicles via helicopter and fixed wing para-drops. The idea is to use aircraft to break friction with the ground and cross vast treks of terrain and obstacles to quickly gain positional advantage. Once inserted, the mechanized vehicles provide the vertically inserted force with tracked terrain mobility, protection against small-arms and shrapnel and significant increase in firepower via the heavier weapons carried on the vehicles vice foot mobile troops inserted by parachute or helicopter.

The technical challenge to airmechanization is how to build a tracked combat vehicle that has sufficient protection and weapon capacity yet light enough to transported by helicopter or parachute. Advances in information/reconnaissance technology, weapon lethality versus weight and the increases in aircraft
lift performance have all contributed to the boom in airmechanization. Today five other countries beside Russia, Britain and Germany, are in the process of fielding airmechanized brigades, including China. The most expensive part of this concept is the fielding of large numbers of heavy lift helicopters and short field cargo airplanes. The vehicles themselves are relatively inexpensive. In the U.S. Military, the critical air component is already in place with over 600 heavy lift CH-47D Chinook and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and 500 plus C-130 Hercules aircraft in the inventory.

But what about the risk posed by ultra-light combat vehicles? Isnt massive armor needed to survive? Lightweight Airmechanized vehicles (AMVs), like those employed by the Canadians in Anaconda, might seem on the surface to be extremely vulnerable. But surviving on the battlefields of Afghanistan may demonstrate a shift in this traditional paradigm. For example, the greatest risk to vehicle movement in Afghanistan is not Taliban/Al-Quedas Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), but rather the millions of land mines laid throughout the country. The Canadian BV-206 AMV used in Anaconda mitigates this risk by virtue of the very light weight and tracked suspension that results in extremely light
ground pressure. This not only contributes to its excellent terrain agility but makes anti-tank mine detonation a very small probability since the BV-206 ground pressure is far below the minimum necessary to set off a typical anti-tank mine.

Wheeled combat vehicles on the other hand, are extremely vulnerable to land mines due to the high ground pressure characteristic of typical wheeled vehicles. The separate cabs of the BV-206 also lessens the potential casualty effects of RPGs by compartmentalizing the blast areas. The lightweight also means that it can approach the enemy from terrain deemed non-useable by heavier armor and thus lessens the chances of moving into a planned vehicular kill zone. These features combined with the lethality of high tech weapons like the Javelin anti-tank guided missile (50 pounds and 2,500 meters range) and light weight auto cannons and grenade launchers like the M-230 or ASP-30 30-mm and the Mark-19 40-mm make AMVs a deadly package for their size.

Airmechanization, a competitor for the Armys planned transformation based on the Striker wheeled armored vehicle? Intuitively all new ideas are intellectually competitive with older concepts and the same is true of the 3-Deminsional airmechanization idea versus the 2-Diminsional Striker program. But in practical application there is no conflict. As most professional Soldiers know, combat is a combined-arms affair where different weapons, platforms and the specialties of different organizations combine to have a collective greater effect than any one part. The Armys Striker transformation is slated for the light infantry divisions and some of the heavier formations. Airmechanization would be more applicable to the Armys Airborne and Air Assault units where the Striker is not scheduled for fielding. As the European armies who have fielded airmechanized formations will tell you. These agile forced-entry units are battlefield enablers to heavier forces and
not necessarily their future replacement.

Like the use of the armed predator UAV in Afghanistan, this first modest employment of airmechanized forces in Anaconda will undoubtedly generate heated debate on the utility of this new and controversial maneuver doctrine. This historical event may be the catalyst for the U.S. Army to convert its own airborne and air assault divisions along the European Airmechanized models or like the ill-fated Pentomic Divisions of the 1950s, be simply a flash in the pan. Still the question that this event will pose for the U.S. Army as whole is the continued validity of parachuting or helo-insertion of dismounted troops close to the enemys crucible of anti-aircraft fire, shoulder-fired missiles and RPGs. The American public and our enemies, should know that the U.S. Armys leadership in Afghanistan is not tied doggedly to any written doctrine. The first use of airmechanized forces in combat by an American commander demonstrates the mental agility and creative prowess of a unified effort that will "leave no stone unturned" in its effort
to defeat the Al Queda and Taliban, to include employing a Canadian airmechanized force!

Major Chuck Jarnot, 101st Airborne Division Liaison
Officer in Afghanistan

This book is required reading for anyone who dreads the thought of conformity and working in a traditional office setting. I've always felt smothered - and a bit depressed - working conventional jobs. Reading this book helped me understand my problem, and provided me with a new outlook on my life and career; it can do the same for you. The book is a cross between a career guide and a psychological assessment, but it never gets boring. Carol Eikleberry offers insight into the six personality types, and the kinds of jobs they usually enjoy. Emphasis is on the "Artistic" type, which is the most psychologically difficult personality of the six. Eikleberry explains how artistic types are uncomfortable in positions that are rigid and devoid of creative expression. Being forced into such environments often leads to depression, physical ailments, and low-self esteem. In the book, you'll find suggestions for overcoming these problems, and finding out what your heart "really" desire in a career. There are also tests and checklists to help you discover your niche; and after doing so, you'll find tips to motivate and inspire.

I highly recommend this book to any person who has even a sliver of creativity and feels that there must be something else out there besides the typical 9 to 5 drugery. Good news, there is! Carol Eikleberry's book is not a "Follow these 5 steps to obtain your perfect job" guidebook. What is does offer, however, is an overwhelming amount of promising insight, advice, and support for creative people uncertain of their career future. From an analysis of the creative personality in the workplace to real life examples of those who have made it, this book delivers hope to the weary and gives us the tools to begin on our career journey. It is The Career "Bible" for unconventional people!

Dr. Eikleberry's book, "The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People" is simply a must buy book for career changers and those who have become unhappy with their current career status. Dr. Eikleberry provides the reader with some very practical, down to earth tips, on how to discover, channel and use your talents for positive personal and social outcomes. The author answers her e-mail and has a supplemental web site for this publication. You may have read other books and said to yourself, "Not another career book!" But give this book a try. You'll be glad you did. This book is five stars (plus)!

This is Mike Nelson's (of MST3K fame) first novel, after releasing two books full of hilarious essays. I approached reading this with some trepidation, as i rarely find novels that attempt humor to be at all enjoyable (with the exception of the first few books of the Hitchhikers Guide.. series). However, the fact that Nelson has never dissapointed me in the past gave me some hope. Well, upon reading it, i can say that Nelson's first foray into the world of novels was pretty successful.

The basic plot revolves around a 60-year writer of exceedingly boring history books named Pontius Feeb, who decides, after being fired from his job and being forced to move in with 4 college aged roommates after hitting a cop with his car (the roomates weren't direct punishment for hitting the cop... it was just a byproduct... just read it, ok), to write a thriller. He comes up with an idea about a rugged adventurer who goes to desolate northern Minnesota and has a run-in with a 6-foot tall (or would that be 'long') killer rat.

Pontius attempts to sell his novel to a publisher, but since he is a short, feeble-looking elderly man who loks nothing like an actual adventurer the publisher refuses him. After taking a job at a local chain fast food joint, he meets a tall, handsome, rugged-looking co-worker named Jack Ryback, and after becoming friends, convinces him to pretend HE wrote the book to sell it. Well, it works, and it (without giving away too much of the plot) leads to many strange experiences including ones with a funk superstar named King Leo, an eccentric bunch of northern Minnesotan townspeople and a best selling author who always wears a Greek fisherman's hat.

The book is pretty funny throughout and anyone who has read Nelson's other books will recognize the style of humor immediatley. His essay books consist largely of a combination of self-deprecating humor and bizarre observations about others, and he uses very similar style in this novel; the observations about others' bizarre behavior is still there, and while there is no true self-deprecating humor (as this is not an autobiograpy) the main character of Pontius is used by Nelson in place of himself.

I found the plot interesting, although it is thriller or even particularly plot-based by no means, and most of the humor was right up my alley. However, there were things that kind of annoyed me about the book, which is why i knocked a star off of my rating. Like Douglas Adams, Nelson seems to have an obsession with bizarre names. Adams used goofy nonsense names for aliens in the Hitchhikers series (such as Zaphod Bebblebrox, Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz, etc.) and Nelson uses a similar style with every person in Death Rat. Just take a look at the names: Pontius Feeb, Jack Ryback, Bart Herzog, and numerous people at the Danish Cultural Institute (Den Dansk Institut). It is okay in small doses, but Nelson also extended this practice into the naming of Feeb's numerous history books. Again, one or two would have been fine, put there are so many in here that it is definitely overkill.

Still, if those are my only complaints about Mike Nelson's first novel, than I should be happy, because this was a bit of a departure and risk for him to take. It's overall an enjoyable read and fans of Nelson's humor wil certainly enjoy it. However, if you look for humor books that are wildy and wacky and lacking in intelligence, than you may want to steer clear, as this is pretty laid back and dry. By the way, the funniest parts are definitely Pontius' interactions with his college aged roommates, which occur mostly in the first third of the book.

I was skeptical at first of Mike Nelson's plan to delve into fiction. But I am happy to announce that I was more than blown away by this book. I now hope that Mike writes another humor novel.

Death Rat reminds me a lot of the books by P.G. Wodehouse. There is a certain eccentricity to all of the different characters, but still a realization that these people could exist. My favorite chapter out of the whole book is when Jack, Ponty's front man, meets with the Prince simulacrum King Leo. I thought for sure that I was going to need an iron lung I was laughing so hard. It really is amazing how much this book can make a person laugh, snort, or just giggle idiotically; and still have a realistic twist to it (six foot giant rats aside).

Also, being a Midwesterner I especially enjoyed the part where the Governor of Minnesota yells at the weatherman on the TV. Sounds like just about any Nebraskan dealing with the constantly changing weather.

I'd just like to end by saying, get this book, get your friends to buy this book...

Death Rat is a fun, intelligent look at a group of well-drawn characters who struggle with fame and failure. The book's main foils, Pontius Feeb, Gus Bromstad and King Leo all handle being in the public's eye differently . Ponty, a good-natured history writer, comes across to the public as "a picture of someone's crazy uncle", while Gus BromstadÑ who is inwardly a mean-spirited, selfish authorÑworks hard to maintain his loveable, homespun facade. Also in the mix is King Leo, funk superstar, who has immersed himself so deeply in his public persona that his sanity is now in question. Mike Nelson hilarously and cleverly guides these characters through a bizzare series of events as they struggle to keep up appearances and what's hidden in them struggles to come out. Mike Nelson is like an unjaded, more sympathetic Kurt Vonnegut and his first novel is more than just a great, funny read. It's a also a heart-warming look at the struggle to be a successful artist and a real person at the same time.

I was reading the reviews of this Bible and found two which troubled me. You see, I believe that this is an excellent study Bible, I own one and am contemplating the purchase of another. The study aids and references are easily found and easy to read. It increased my understanding of God's word quite a lot. In fact my 12 year old sister likes this Bible because she understands the language better than in a KJV, however the changing of a few words seems to offend some of the readers of this Bible. In later reviews they refer to the changing of the word black in Song of Solomon 1:5 to dark. This is a perfectly acceptable translation of the word when one considers the translation from Hebrew to english can be dusky which is dark while not necessarily black. And in the second complaint from Song of Solomon 5:11 which is about being bushy headed. The original Hebrew word is translated as vibrating and pendulous meaning wavy and long. I see no problem with either translation. Please check your references before you slam an excellent and helpful translation of God's word. (I checked mine in the Strong's Concordance. It translates from the original Hebrew and Greek which our Bible was written in.)

I have used a lot of study Bibles over the last 25 years and this is one of the best. I love the cyclopedic index which is over 200 pages long. It defines a term, such as "peace" and then shows key incidences of it in the Bible. The type face is easy to read and there are in-text charts, maps and word studies. The New Living Translation is a good translation for personal devotional reading and public reading as well. This Bible also shows good workmanship and you will be pleased with it. I use this study Bible along with the New American Standard Ryrie Study Bible.

The Open Bible has served me for years now. I have gone through three copies and updates. The book outlines and historical information are unmatched in other study Bibles. The charts of history are exceptionally easy to follow. As stated above, the study information does not get in the way of reading God's Word as He gave it. I highly recommend this study Bible to anyone who wants to go a little further than casual reading of the Bible.

Wonderful story about artist/school custodian/aging hippie mom Godiva Blue, her fifteen-year old daughter Dylan, and Dylan's act of mom-defying teenage rebellion, her quest to discover the identity of and meet her father. The mother/daughter relationship themes are well-developed in the text; as much as Godiva wants to be unique and raise her child to be questioning & independent, she learns that she is no different than every other mom out there -- she wants her daughter to accept her values; she wants her daughter to be safe and loved & cared for (rather than striking off on risky adventures.) The book was definitely a page turner, but it left me hanging in the end. I wanted more -- I felt that the issues with Dylan's father were unresolved, and I was disappointed that the book ended when it did. Nonetheless, a very good novel.

The book is a fast read, and it has interesting, insightful characters. The author captures both perspectives of the mother and daughter realistically. Very well written and you feel like you're right along with these characters on their journey. I would love to see a book that features what Dylan and Godiva Blue are up to 10 or 15 years down the road.

Godiva Blue is one of the most successful "unlikeable narrators" in contemporary fiction. She's strong, funny and full of herself, and she knows it and we know it. Her daughter Dylan is the perfect evocation of a teenage girl. I feel like I know these people. Thank you, Ms. Nelson, for writing such a wise book. I enjoyed it as if it were a birthday gift.

Sinners in the hands of an angry God, by Jonathan Edwards.

Who would chose this title for a best seller today? Yet this is probably one of the best-known American sermons ever preached! This sermon had three main sections: ' The state of mankind'; 'Sinner, beware'; and 'A warning to all'. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1785) was pastor at First Church of Northampton, Massachusetts. His aim in ministry was to transform his congregation from mere believers who understood the logic of Christian doctrine to converted Christians who were generally moved by the principles of their belief.

On July 8th 1741 Edwards preached his most famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" to a Church in Enfield, Connecticut, USA. It was a word of light imparted to darkened souls and many came to faith experiencing true 'heart religion'. It was based on Deuteronomy 32:35 "Their foot shall slide in due time". Jonathan Edwards gave a clear picture of the predicament of every unbeliever and lukewarm Christian. Edwards used compelling words and images to describe the shaky position of those who do not follow Christ and God's urgent call to receive His love and forgiveness.

Edwards spoke graphically, for example, "As the heart is now a cesspool of sin so if sin were not restrained it would immediately turn the soul into a fiery oven, or a furnace of fire and brimstone". He warned his hearers that, "Whatever pains a natural man take in religion, whatever prayers he makes, until he believes in Christ, God is under no manner of obligation to keep him from eternal destruction for even a moment." This book gives an interesting insight into a revival sermon - used by God to help change America. Read it ... if you dare.

This particular sermon from Edwards has been trumpeted by some as the greatest sermon given on American soil, while being vehemently attacked by others as puritanical fire and brimstone of a backwards age. Oddly enough, there are elements of truth in both sentiments, more the former than the latter however. While unquestionably hitting on many timeless truths that are relevant in any period of time, the genius of the sermon really comes out when one considers the historical context in which the sermon was given.

Contrary to many negative reflex and often revisionist reactions we tend to hear today about puritanism and Edwards, Edwards was not a constant fire and brimstone preacher. The writings of Edwards reveal a man who spoke much more on the grace and mercy of God then of His wrath. But really, the two go hand in hand. There's no need for God to be merciful if there's no eternal wrath to fear. There's no need for God to show grace to human beings if there's nothing bad enough in human beings to warrant divine punishment. It is impossible to adequately discuss God's mercy and grace without also dwelling very intently on the wretchedness of man and the divine justice that must be exacted if we believe that God is perfectly holy. This is the context in which this sermon by Edwards was given. He was invited to preach at a church that was spiritually dead and dominated by a spirit of skepticism and a deeply entrenched disbelief in the need for radical personal conversion. Such is the attitude that can be found in many churches today. Yet contrary to what happens each Sunday in these kind of churches all across America, the preacher at this particular church found such comfortable skepticism not to be a virtue of an enlightened congregation, but as a cancer that ensured that many in his church would go unsaved if things didn't change. Enter Jonathan Edwards, and his sermon to this church on that day changed the people in that church and made a lasting impact on American Christianity that is felt to this day.

The main purpose of the sermon, contextually speaking, was to abruptly dislodge and disrupt the culture of apathetic skepticism that reigned in this church. Edwards attempted to do this by drawing haunting imagery of God's mercy in all things, ensuring the congregation that the only reason they are even breathing is because of God's grace. He paints a picture of man dangling over an eternal fire, and stressing that this is where man finds himself right now, and that the only reason he doesn't fall in is because God (and a very angry God at that) has a hold of him and hasn't yet let go. For Edwards, it was clear that by holding on to sinful and unrepentant man and not allowing him to fall at any moment, God was being infinitely more merciful than we deserve, but that such mercy is not indefinite or inexhaustible, but instead serves either to keep an elect person alive long enough for him to reach a point of faith and repentence, or serves to harden the sinner's heart to the point where eternal damnation is a completely just punishment for having denied and defied the authority of their Maker for so long.

Some have commented that this kind of imagery is backwards because Christians shouldn't be in the business of trying to scare people into personal faith. While such a sentiment sounds good and tends to appeal to our modern sensitivities, such a view is decidedly unfaithful to the entire earthly ministry of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospels. Jesus talked about hell and punishment more than anyone else, and certainly far more than Edwards. If one accepts that Jesus is God and can therefore be considered a pretty reliable authority on the supernatural and the afterlife, then one must conclude that Christ's continual warnings about eternal punishment are authoritative, accurate, and should be heeded with deep seriousness. I found this sermon by Edwards to be very faithful to the uncomfortable and even scary warnings given by Jesus throughout the four Gospels of the New Testament. Edwards is not scaring people for the sake of scaring people. He is doing exactly what Christ did 2,000 years ago - out of a spirit of deep love and concern, he is warning people of the very real and terrifying consequences of deliberately walking away from Jesus Christ.

In the end, the basic question one has to ask when reading either Edwards or Scripture is whether the eternal punishment described by both is truthful or not. If it is, then how can it possibly be an act of love not to tell people about it? Better to offend with the truth and call people to faith in the one true God and personal repentance than try to make people feel comfortable believing a lie and not seeing a need for people to change anything about their beliefs, wrong and negatively consequential though they may be. If someone believes that eternal punishment is false, then that person has bigger fish to fry then Edwards, they must also patently reject the sayings of Jesus and adopt completely by blind faith a different view of the afterlife. Many have taken this latter road, just as Christ predicted would happen. But truth does not depend on whether our ears are sufficiently tickled. Those who sincerely want to know the truth will give Edwards a fair hearing here and put his views to the test.

The danger in understanding Edwards is that all too few know anything about him except for this sermon. He spoke about the excellency of Christ more than any other topic.

The editor was wise in noting that Edwards gave this sermon to a church that was playing around with God. Jesus' example is that He was very harsh with the religious hypocrites, and He was gentle and sweet with the "sinners."

It should be noted that without law there can be no concept of grace. When the doctrines of grace were recovered in the Reformation, respect for God's law was likewise recovered. If someone is coming to Jesus not based on because they need forgiveness and atonement with a Holy God, they are coming on false grounds. That is why this sermon is needed today. There is too much felt-needs sermons. Come to Jesus because He will make you better. No, come to Jesus and escape the wrath of God. If you come on other grounds than that, you are endanger of not being a true disciple. That last sentence may sound weird. If it does, I would read "The Gospel According to Jesus" by John MacArthur.