I was deeply moved by this incredible historical account of explorers and exploiters of the South Pacific. Learn more about the fabulous voyages of Captain Cook, Magellan and others. Learn about the tragic loss of the Polynesian culture. Also read: Rascals In Paradise by James Michener

"I am the way, the truth and the life," Jesus says in John 14:6. That is what I expect to find in any Catholic catechism: the way - the how of being Catholic, the truth - the set of beliefs that the catechumen or candidate will ascribe to, the life - the promises that will belong to the baptized person as a result of belief and practice. And I am not disappointed in finding it in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. What the surprise is in the Catechism is that Jesus shows us the love of God. How reassuring to read the focus of the Catechism as "love that never ends."

However, though the Catechism begins with that statement in #25, it is easy to overlook it in the press of understanding the doctrines and the rules and the rituals. An interested non-Christian, concerned with the infrastructure of the church where he or she is considering membership, might easily miss the centrality to everything Catholic of the love that God has for His creatures. Most non-Christian religions do not have this emphasis or focus of love. Even the table of contents and titles of the sections of the Catechism itself move quickly to the creed, cult, and codes of Catholicism.

A catechist, instructing other Christians in the differences and similarities between Catholicism and various Protestant creeds and practices, might easily state this fundamental truth of God's love and then move quickly into the teaching of the faith, the handing down of specifically Catholic theology, practice, information, etc. A focus or emphasis on the personal love that God has for each of us is important and needs to be maintained in the presentation of all doctrine, all aspects of the Catholic practice. And that is what this little book reminds its reader.

It is pleasant, reassuring and uplifting to read on the dust cover of this book "The key to the Catechism is the mystery of the triune God - 'the love that never ends.'" As a focused and well-prepared instructor, even as a prayer warrior concerned about my students, interested in providing the right environment and content for conversion, I find it tempting to divert from catechesis on God's love in each of the pillars of the Catechism. Will the baptism or profession of faith of the new Catholic-to-be be properly supported by understanding of doctrine and rituals; will there be enough practice in prayer, sufficient support by intercessor and sponsor and godparent? However, it is not this re-presentation of the catechetical truths and codes that will save, nor even the support the faith of, the potential Catholic.

This book reminded me of the great need to echo the voice of Christ as He has spoken to His Church. The inner comparison, taking place within the inquirer, between Christ's voice and grace within himself or herself and the catechesis of Christ's voice within the setting of the Church, is the process of conversion. Recognizing the Shepherd's voice as the voice of love as well as way-truth-life will empower the inquirer toward conversion and prepare the soul for the joy of communion.

What indeed can a catechism offer for Catholics if not the universality of love of God? Surely, other creeds are easier to live, there are less codes to follow, less difficulties in being what that church might call "holy." The very love of God in calling us to live His very life is distinct and different from every other faith. It is, after all, union with Christ in His Church, in a common union with all the holy human saints of history, that is being offered in a Catholic conversion. Not a lifestyle, not a set of beliefs, not a set of practices. Nothing less than union in love with Love itself. That changes the focus of presenting Catholicism to an inquirer to "courting the catechumen" - we are proposing a marriage to the inquirer, through the truth, the way and the life outlined in the Catechism. That reminder throughout the book is what moved me as I read it.

The late Barbara Cameron was an American woman wed to a U.S. Foreign Service officer who spent a number of years living with her spouse on assignment in Burma (the country we today know as Myammar). Whilst there, she gained the friendship of a Burmese astrologer, who instructed Ms. Cameron in her craft - a most unusual thing given the insularity of Burmese culture and the belief widely-held by Burmese that westerners, being "asleep," could neither learn nor apply the teachings of Burmese astrology (known alternately as 'Mahabote,' or the 'Little Key.')

Not only did Ms. Cameron learn Burmese astrology, she practiced it masterfully, she taught it well to a generation of students, and she wrote about it in a superbly clear and engaging fashion. Ms. Cameron's "Mahabote: The Little Key" is indeed a little book of well under a couple of hundred pages. Published by the American Federation of Astrologers in 1980, long out of print, and much sought after, the possessor of this work holds a treasure in his or her hands . It is a volume that belongs in the library of every professional astrologer, and in the library of those with an avocational or scholarly interest in the disciplines of astrology, South Asian area studies or cultural anthropology.

Burmese astrology will come as something of a shock to the astrologer whose education and practice has been wholly within the realms of the western tradition. It will also come as a shock - albeit a somewhat lesser one - to the astrologer practicing in the vedic tradition of 'Jyotisha.'

Utilizing the seven planets known in ancient times assigned to seven spatial houses, with no reference whatever to a zodiac of any sort, and emphasizing cycles of seven days, seven years and 108 years, it becomes immediately apparent to the reader of this little book that Mahabote is a system of astrology that evolved in complete (or near complete) isolation, the invention of a cultural enclave.

While not providing as detailed a corpus of information as a complete Western or Vedic natal reading, the information provided through the informed contemplation of a subject's Burmese birth-chart is staggering for it's completeness and accuracy.

Ms. Cameron's book deals in some detail with horary, or electional astrology as it is practiced in Burma and the employment of remedial measures intended to counteract the action of inauspicious energies present in the subject's chart, two areas of practice emphasized within the Burmese tradition.
The later topic, remedial measures, is dealt with in great detail in her later book, "Turning the Tables" which I also recommend to any serious student.

This is an author whose work should be very much more widely read and appreciated. As I have learned over a very short time spent studying "Mahabote: The Little Key," to know it is to love it.

Making Bent Willow Furniture has terrific projects and is very easy to follow. The illustrations and step-by-step instructions made it easy to build the chair on the front cover during a weekend family camping trip. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes to complete building projects in the same decade they started them!

The 'Little Britches' series is every bit as exciting, historical, and fascinating as the 'Little House on the Prarie' series, and Moody has even outdone Laura Wilder in his characterization of great American values like hard work, independence, and respect.

Continuing on after the death of father in 'Little Britches', the second book in the series tells how the Moody family pulled together to survive in turn-of-the century Littleton, Colorado. From using stilts to become the best fruit pickers in town, to outsmarting the manager of the finest hotel in Denver, to trading free coal for a Christmas goose, Moody brings the reader right into this frontier family.

My children, ages 4 to 14, all sat in rapt attention as I read from this book, and every chapter was ended with cries of "just one more, Dad, please!"

Readers have written to tell me how much they love my novella, MALONE'S VOW, in the MARRIED IN SPRING anthology.

Liam Malone is the kind of man women fall for, even when they know better. Liam is as dangerous as he is handsome. He doesn't believe in love or commitment; he lives for the moment.

Jessica knows all of that. She also knows that it's wrong to be attracted to her groom's best man, but she is. Jessie tries to deny the attraction. So does Liam... until they come together in one fateful moment, right before the wedding ceremony.

Jessie knows there's only one way out of her dilemma. She runs away. Liam goes after her. It's the right thing to do. He vows to bring her back to her groom. At least, that's his intention...

These clasical tales will help the young martial artist understand the philosophical foundations of the martial arts and will therefore put them into their proper context. At must for all martial artists of all ages. Onia Book Review

What a fun (simple) idea! It's a little photo album that looks like a purse. So you can take it with you on all your bad girl adventures. (Thanks to the cool handle.) I loved all the stickers at the back! "Nice Face" "Booty Call" "Bad Influences!" etc. I Bad-Girl-ized all my bachelorette party photos. And I'm giving it to my Bad Girl bridesmaids!

A thoroughly entertaining book about "home" and fishing.

It's hard for me to believe Cameron Judd is not read and reviewed by more people. He is an excellant story teller. In this one he tells of two lost souls who find each other. A story to kindle your heart. The main character Penn finds two other great friends and lives on. You will find this story hard to break from.