This book is very readable. The authors use anecdotes to illustrate many of the points they make, enabling the ordinary person to visualize by thinking, "I've been there!" Although the book is primarily focused on readers in their 40s and 50s, there is much good information for older readers, and this is an excellent resource for those younger readers which the authors don't even seem to know exist (such as myself, at 32). Whatever your age, if you're just starting to look at retirement, this is the book for you.

"Ghosts of the Old West" is a perennial favorite at our library. Earl's Halloween talks here always drew large crowds who listened in fascination as he described hauntings at the Little Bighorn National Monument, Chico Hot Springs Resort, and many other places in the Rockies. His book is a nice mixture of historical research and eyewitness accounts of the hauntings, including some uncanny experiences of his own. Black and white photographs add to the eerie mood.

Giving Myself Permission! The Simplest Path To Successful Living by Pennie Murray (international trainer, ordained minister, and Director of Break Through Seminars) is a compelling and "user friendly" self-help book about taking control of and responsibility for one's life once and for all. Specifically written and recommended for anyone who is tired of feeling their way along the path of least resistance, Giving Myself Permission! is an energizing take-charge emotional boost which will benefit overly self-constrained, irrationally self-restricted readers everywhere.

Having had the privilege of studying the course behind this publication first-hand at Exeter, I would recommend the book to any student who seeks a thorough and well-rounded survey of the contemporary debate between science and religion.

Or is it a debate? The authors posit several models of dialogue between these two - usually separated - spheres, and this forms a core feature of this textbook: the opportunity to explore ways in which the two complement and enrich one another.

Therefore as well as being competently yet simply introduced to complex scientific questions (the Big Bang, the origin of life, quantum theory - to name a few), the author allows scope for the reader to see - for himself, and through the eyes of great thinkers, more and less famous - how it is possible to construct a working hypothesis of the inter-relation between God, humanity and the cosmos.

In the later chapters, which are a particularly unique and enjoyable section, we are introduced to the scientifically-influenced theologies of Jay McDaniel's "pelican heaven", Sallie McFague's "embodied God" and Ruth Page's "Web of Life". The reader can enjoy these models, whilst exercising a critical eye, sensitive to the scientific perceptions and phenomena so effectively outlined towards the beginning of the book.

On top of this, other views are outlined, including a section on Islamic theology and creation.

This is a great book for students and all those interested in understanding more of the world about them. It is refreshing to find a theology book which is so world-affirming, without resorting to religious dogmatism: not just a dry textbook, but a competent handbook AND a "choose you own adventure!"

This is a very sweet book of reflections on everyday life
and on finding Christ in all things. There are questions
to ponder following each chapter, making it an ideal
choice for church study groups and/or personal
lectio divina/spiritual reflection. Well written,
subtle, and graceful. And very inexpensive (another
plus for church study groups)!

Grandmothers Of Greenbush: Recipes And Memories Of The Old Greenbush Neighborhood 1900-1925 by Catherine Tripalin Murray is a blend of anecdotal history and recipes drawn from the women who lived on a 52-acre plate comprising ten blocks which formed a triangular shaped neighborhood called Greenbush, a Madison, Wisconsin ethnic community. A very nice touch is the inclusion of old b/w photographs of the women, along with a brief biographical description including their birthplace, parentage, siblings, spouse, wedding, and children, accompanied by an anecdotal story of their individual lives. This is paired up with these a recipe drawn from their particular culinary expertise. From Nonna Accardo's Bread; Mama C's Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs; Salsa Fresca Di Pomidoro a La Puttancesca; and Conchera's Garlic Sauce; to Italian Roast Loin of Pork with Potatoes; Breaded Sirloin Steak; Ida's Delicious Noodle Pudding; and Grandma Urso's Round Steak, Grandmothers Of Greenbush is a unique and memorable collection, a truly fitting culinary tribute, and simply wonderful just browsing through.

If you are looking for an honest, well done rating of the Presidents, then this book is the one for you. Blessing and Murray look at all the accomplishment of the Presidents and rates them without bias.

Near all books about Ancient Greeks and their great Civilization, since the Italian Renaissance, explain Greek philosophy, art, poetry, architecture etc., but they do not are concerned about how the ancient Greeks lived, their laws, their everyday life, their character, their history, their way of life. The books and their authors "idealize" the greatness of the achievements as born "out of the blue". Jacob Burckardt put the great achievements of the ancient Greeks in relation with their life, so a lot of unresolved and very difficult questions can easily find their right and now obvious answers. A beautiful work, but the original was in five volumes.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paragauy, one of my main objectives was to promote the use of home gardens. I did this by teaching gardens in the local school. I used this book as a resource to give me ideas on how to teach math, reading, and nutrition skills. The book is loaded with experiments, fun games and pictures that make learning fun. It makes it super easy to bring lots of fun and educational hours to the garden. Gardens are a great way to teach kids. And you get to eat all the stuff you grow.

When I was in Library School at UCLA in 1989, one of the first things I did was purchase "Sheehy" (shorthand reference for 10th edition of this work) for what I considered was a bargain at 95 bucks. It singlehandedly paid for itself in the savings in my time - I didn't have to come and use the library copies for research or the extensive bibliographic verification required within the profession. I wondered in 1989, and I still wonder, why there isn't an online version or a CD-ROM version. "Balay" is a unique work so don't bother comparison shopping. Its organized compilation of reference resources is of the utter highest quality. I think of it now as akin to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) - something for which a true bibliophile (or library geek) might pine but would probably purchase only upon receiving a financial windfall. (Yes, I do own a copy of the OED - 1st edition, compact.) At this price "Balay" is pretty much an institutional purchase, rather than a personal one. But, if you're a new library student with 300 bucks burning a hole in your pocket, this would still be a great time saver. Hint, buy it as early in your library career as possible to amortize your savings in time. Then, keep it as an heirloom of a soon to be bygone era - the age of print.