This is an excellent book on the healing power inherent in healthy, intimate relationships. But this is not just another flaky "positive thinking" "how-to" book. Written by a noted therapist and researcher, it summarizes extensive research done at the Timberlawn Research Foundation, in Dallas, Texas, and presents the results, along with interesting and insightful case studies, in a clear, easy-to-read style for a general audience. It is thorough and informative enough to be useful to professionals in this area, and includes the Timberlawn Couple and Family Evaluation Scale, which can be used to rate couple and family relationships in terms of healthy functioning.

An excelent resource, likely to become a classic.

Discovering the Old Testament: Story and Faith is a colourful college textbook introducing the Old Testament. The layout is similar to Encountering the Old Testament (by Bill T. Arnold et al). Each chapter begins with learning objectives, questions to consider, and key words to understand. Coded side bars cover topics such as "The Apocrypha" and "Modern Translations of the Bible." Each side bar is coded as Interpretive, Theological, Historical, Cultural, or Archaeological. Chapters end with summary statements, questions for reflection, and resources for further study. Numerous photographs are included with a large number drawn from modern Judaism. There is a brief appendix on Jewish history from 331 to 63 B.C.

This 382 page book is very readable and probably appropriate in depth for a college textbook, although in this space cannot go as deep as, say, LaSor, Hubbard and Bush (Old Testament Survey). It is written from a conservative perspective but critical scholarship is presented in abbreviated form. For example, the standard dates for Second and Third Isaiah are presented in a paragraph. There is a general failure to engage such critical issues and the authors present "scholarly opinion" alongside "conservative evangelical" scholarship without always committing to a particular view. So on the authorship of Isaiah they write "There is no unanimous opinion on this issue among conservative evangelical scholars. Some prefer the multiple authorship view. Others view the entire book as the work of Isaiah of the eighth century B.C." (p 293).

Much of the content of the book summarizes the biblical content. New Testament interpretation is mentioned in theological sidebars where relevant and the reader is encouraged to apply theological insights to personal faith.

The majority of the book was written by Alex Varughese who also edited the work as a whole. Varughese and the other three authors are department heads of Christian liberal arts colleges (I do not know who Robert L. Lewis is [named in the ...description]. He is not listed on my copy).

This book will prove a colourful and readable introduction to the Old Testament, especially in terms of biblical content and life application. The numerous illustrations allow the reader to visualise Israel and modern Judaism.

This review is based on a galley proof.

James R. Lewis' Doomsday Prophecies provides a 'complete guide to the end of the world': a collection of beliefs from tribal roots, prophets, and those who have predicted doom from the beginnings of mankind to modern times. This examination of underlying questions and issues is intriguing.

Down The Columbia by outdoor enthusiast and river expert Lewis Freeman is a wild and exciting memoir of a bold journey down the Columbia river, before the Grand Coulee and other dams somewhat calmed its rushing flows. Filled with respect for the majesty and savagery of Nature, Down The Columbia is a vividly presented adventure highly recommended for armchair travelers who aren't afraid to get their feet wet!

After ten years of college, Alec Masterson is working on his fifth choice of a major and paying the bills by working as chauffer. Little does he suspect that his favorite client, Molly Drake, has him starring both in her fantasies and in her latest novel. Then Alec's actions as a Good Samaritan result in his being late to pick Molly up for an extremely important train ride into the city. Consequently, he offers to drive her from her home in Connecticut to her appointment in New York City. Anticipating good news regarding her latest literary venture, Molly says she hopes they will have something to celebrate on the way home.

A successful career ghostwriting cozy mysteries has Molly longing to have her own name on a book spine. Shifting genres, Molly pens a sensual romance. Unfortunately, her editor rejects her effort, suggesting she needs to get beyond her contrived and stilted sex scenes. Stunned and more than a little disappointed, Molly decides she needs practical experience. Soon Alec offers to help her "research" and they begin what believe to be a fling. It does not take long for them to drive each other wild!

Once again Vicki Lewis Thompson pens an absolutely sizzling romance in DRIVE ME WILD. Thompson's gift for bringing together opposites who refuse to compromise their intrinsic identities allows her characters to embrace their differences and revel in their individuality in a story where everyone wins. Moreover, Thompson breaks new ground as Molly and Alec daringly indulge their wildest fantasies, which could easily result in her fans rushing to the local video camera department. Indeed, Molly and Alec's naughty escapades will certainly inspire the most jaded of readers! This amusing romantic romp is filled with sensuality and sexuality while still providing a marvelous plot that really keeps the pages turning. DRIVE ME WILD earns the WordWeaving Award for Excellence.

In 1638 Newbury Bay in the American Colonies, the British Army massacres the Pequot Indians. The Governor drowns the few surviving captives except for their leader Massaquoit. The widow Catherine Williams, using the influence of the loan her late spouse provided the British, saves the Indian leader's life. Massaquoit objects because he wants to die with his tribesmen rather than be a slave, but has no say in his fate. The brief war leads to greater mistrust between the settlers and the natives.

Catherine learns that a baby died a few days after she helped deliver the child. The father accuses their Irish serving girl of committing murder while the mother remains in muted shock. Catherine thinks this is another case of prejudice, but needs to obtain proof that the serving girl is innocent. With the help of Massaquoit, Catherine begins her own investigation into the death of an infant.

Fans of colonial mysteries will gain much pleasure from Stephen Lewis' THE DUMB SHALL SING. The who-done-it aspects of the tale are entertaining while the novel depicts early seventeenth century Puritan life in the Massachusetts Colony. The fifty-year old Catherine is an intrepid character whose fight against prejudice of all types rings loud and true throughout the tale. The nearly silent, but extremely intelligent Massaquoit serves as a superb partner to the boisterous Catherine. The support cast adds the feel of the austerity of life in that era. Stephen Lewis provides historical mystery buffs with an arousing novel that deserves sequels.

Harriet Klausner

An Early Encounter with Tomorrow won the 1998 Jacques Barzun Prize in Cultural History from the American Philosophical Society. From the Society's press release, this book meets "the highest standards of imaginative scholarship", "makes available much new information", and "interpretations cross disciplinary lines and point the way to new approaches." "Arnold Lewis demonstrates and analyzes the cultural importance of the Columbian Exposition and of the skyscrapers in Chicago's Loop....The major theme is Chicago's international importance in the transformation of Western culture at the end of the 19th century. Europeans who endtered the Loop walked int a real future, not a vision of one. Exhilarated or disquieted, they acknowledged Chicago's central district as the 'Museum of the present.' The minor theme is the usefulness for historians to study the encounter between the established and the new, the collision between old world assumptions and new world realities, not only in the Loop but also in the Columbian Exposition." From Meredith Clausen's April 1998 review in the American Historical Review, "Carefully researched, well-documented, clearly organized, and beautifully written, Lewis's book should be required reading for anyone in the field of American history, cultural studies, and women's studies as well as architectural history. It is cultural history at its best."

Expertly compiled by Laurie Lewis (twice named Female Vocalist Of The Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association, winner of the Song Of The Year and recipient of a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album), Earth & Sky: The Laurie Lewis Songbook is an impressive sheet music collection in a trade paperback format of classic and emotional songs. Earth & Sky is enhanced with 74 black-and-white photographs underscoring the presentation of warmhearted lyrics and moving melodies. Highly recommended for country music enthusiasts in general, and Laurie Lewis fans in particular, Earth & Sky is also available in a hardcover edition with accompanying music CD...

I cannot emphasize what an incredible book this is. I have owned three copies: given one as a present, and have kept two (I couldn't find one when I wanted to re-read it, so had to purchase another). I am very pleased to see that this is still in print after 20 years.

If you are interested in how we, as Americans, have inherited our fondness for sweets; or ever wondered why the Pilgrims almost starved, but the Indians didn't; or the fascinating history of refrigerated shipping of foodstuffs, such as bringing lobster from Maine to the midwest during the 19th century; or the background of Heinz, Kellogg, Graham (Crackers) and other 21st century household names; or the unbelievable decadent dinners served during the Gilded Age in the 1890's, like the one that was only for the pet dogs of the rich. This book is a fabulous source book and entertaining history of American taste (and lack of). Highly recommended. A+++

Waverly Root was a journalist and lived as an ex-pat between the wars in Paris. He did NOT hang out with Stein, Hemmingway, or the other more well known types and wrote a rather amusing autobiography which is no longer in print. However, when he retired from journalism, he began a new career as a food writer. Another book that you may enjoy is FOOD, a dictionary. I haven't checked to see if this too is Out of Print, but it is an incredible collection of short descriptions of what we eat. One of my favorites is the tomato, which even up to this century was considered poisonous in many households.

Gripping Stuff!

Along with her good friend Henry James, Edith Wharton was an expert at studying the stiff social fabric of New York in the 1800's. In this collection of some of her best work, the reader is invited into the lives of characters who struggle against the confines of society, for love and/or their own sanity. The House of Mirth is one of the best novels I've ever read, with the thoroughly captivating character of Lily Bart taking center stage. Wharton proved that she could see love and all of its tribulations through the eyes of a man when she wrote The Age of Innocence. No matter what she wrote, she did so with unerring detail and an almost uncanny knack for "the right phrase" for every situation. This collection is an interesting study not only of "old New York" but of characters who stay with you long after the last sentence is savored.