Kit Carson is one of my favorite historical figures and this is my favorite book about him. Carter republishes and annotates Carson's laconic autobiography of adventures as a fur trapper, mountain man, indian fighter, soldier, and explorer. Carson went from being an illiterate saddlers's apprentice in 1825 to one of the famous men in America by the end of his life in 1868. A small, unprepossessing man, he never learned to read or write, never made any money, and was modest, even ashamed of his fame. Arguably, Carson lived through more adventures than anyone else in American history.

Carter admires his subject which is good because Kit Carson is sometimes portrayed these days as a monstrous genocidiare because of his role in defeating the Navajos and forcing them to move to a reservation on which many of them died. In reality, Carson was a relatively humane soldier who often defended the rights of the Indians and who became a good agent on their behalf. But, unlettered and overly impressed by the authority, judgments, and education of his superiors, Carson didn't possess the moral courage and confidence to challenge his orders to suppress the Navajos.

Carter's research into Carson's life is thorough. He employs the unusual technique of publishing Carson's autobiography as written and commenting on it in extensive footnotes. Some might find this irritating as your eyes must move from text to footnote constantly. Carter also publishes a large collection of photographs of Carson, examines his fame, and extolls his virtues.

To my mind, Kit Carson is the premier hero of the western expansion of the U.S. Carter's book is one of the most accurate and well-researched accounts of Carson's remarkable life.

This is a readable and scholarly work that should be part ofthe library of anyone who is an aficionado of the Old West. This bookexplained to me not only who Kit Carson was, but why he was significant. Although the author makes a good case for why Carson can be considered a hero, he also doesn't shy away from commenting on the man's mistakes. The biography seemed thoughtful, balanced, clear, concise, and thoroughly researched. Moreover, this book is particularly special because, in addition to the author's biography, it contains the complete text of Kit Carson's own autobiography, along with biographer Carter's helpful annotations to it. There are also some photos giving the biography and autobiography an added dimension. Two more points: Carson's life is exciting-- he was a mountain man, an explorer, a scout, a cavalry officer, and more! Also, this biography is only about ten years old, so you know that Carter is basing his inferences on fairly reliable, up-to-date research! All in all, I'd say that whether you're a novice or an expert on the subject, if you had to read or own just one book about Kit Carson, this should be it.

In this book (based on his dissertation) Carson surveys the literature from the time of Moses through the apostles and into the Christian era, examining attitudes toward these two topics frequently posited against each other in Christian thought: divine sovereignty, through which God ordains what will come to pass, and humans' responsibility for what they choose to do. This survey helpfully includes old and new testament biblical sources, but also deuterocanonical and other apocryphal sources, contrasting the development of rabbinic and christian thought over that period. (Carson writes with a protestant christian pressuposition). He closes his book with an honest assessment of the tension between these two axiomatic points of doctrine.

The book is divided into 5 sections:
- Introduction - chapter 1
- Tracing the issue in the hebrew canon - ch. 2 - 3
- Tracing the issue in 'intertestamental' works (including deuterocanonical and other works from that period proper, and rabbinic literature into the christian era) - ch. 4 - 10
- Analysis of the issue in the writings of John - ch. 11 - 12
- Theological reflections given all of the above - ch. 13

Each section is undoubtedly immanently accessible to people familiar with the subject domain. I found the second section very eye-opening, as other works I have read have exclusively focussed on biblical (non-deuterocanonical) sources: it was "tough slogging" to follow the academically oriented text, but rewarding to do so. The review of the new testament works of John, in contrast, is more accessible to any Christian who has thought about this subject, and it also is rewarding for its well-reasoned interpretation. I would heartily recommend chapters 12 and 13 as being well worth the value of the book to anyone not willing to endure the more challenging first 11 chapters.

Intellectual honesty characterizes the work. Carson's conclusions are well argued, dispatching various simplistic "answers" to the tension between the two doctrines (from "hyper-pelagian" to "hyper-calvinist" and many in between) by demonstrating how they reshape rather than resolve the apparent conflict; typically, they address the issue at one point but fail to follow through the logical implications. Carson himself does not end with a tidy, simple resolution to the tension; rather, he:
* clarifies what the bible clearly teaches about these two doctrines (remember my comment above about Christian Protestant perspective), and
* clarifies what presuppositions this apparent conflict challenges.
The reader is left with a renewed appreciation for how one should be humble about the conceptual frameworks we on all have on which we try to structure our understanding of such teachings.

Carson focusses on God's sovereignty from a "purpose", contrasted with a "directly causal", perspective. The only point in the book I find weakly supported is that he defends an asymetry in divine sovereignty between election and reprobation, and generaly causality of good vs. evil. He includes minimal argument; here's hoping he will might explain that position (Dr. Carson, if you reading this, how about an article in 'Modern Reformation' magazine?)

To challenge Carson's work, anyone that wants to take him on must demonstrate how an alternate understanding is more compatible with the biblical texts, rather than demonstrate how it is more compatible with one's presuppositions or how it leaves one with a more "comfortable" answer.

Note, for an easier read that includes an over-view of the conclusions reached here without many of the supporting arguments, consider reading Carson's also excellent book "A Call To Spiritual Reformation" - chapter 9 in particular.

Wow. This book is amazing, it is actually his dissertation, so it is extremely hard going, but if you can make it through, your whole view on the tensions between God's divine sovreignty co-existing with the absolute responsibility of man for his actions will be changed.

I can't say enough good things about these lectures, which mesh Celan, Simonides and Karl Marx with a grace that makes their union seem inevitable. The way Carson folds together money, language and memory reminds me of Ezra Pound without the shouting. Her insights have a math-like clarity ("Eureka! I've got it!") that brings two extreme ends of our history under the same light. You'll never mistake negation and loss for modern inventions after reading this book. The coins have changed since Simonides's time but the economy's remarkably the same. The funny thing is, after Carson's dazzling treatment, lament never looked so good.

Like _Eros the Bittersweet_, this is a fine example of Carson's scrupulous and beautifully- written scholarship. And like all of her work, the strangeness of her intensity and consideration is charming and virtuosic. The juxtaposition of Simonides and Celan *works* in spite of the centuries separating their oeuvres; even as she's making connections within the text, one wonders how she's going to pull it off--and then she does. Carson's discussion of poetic economy (both monetary and linguistic)--a topic not often discussed in criticism--illuminates the coinages and clipped syntax of Celan, providing leverage on reading a difficult poet, and will most likely prove to be a useful critical tool for reading other modern poets. Carson couples intellectual density with warm, lyrical prose, yielding a text of intricate research and rewarding insight--a rare and real pleasure for readers of poetry and/or criticism.

The Greeks did not cover everything but they made a pretty good start. Anne Carson has always been the queen of fitting classical allusions to the evident. The book could be described as an extended exploration of 'Odi et amo: quare id faciam, fortase requiris/ nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.'- Catullus. (I hate and I love/ Why do I, you ask ?/ I don't know, but it's happening/ and it hurts.)A splendid place to mine for obscure quotes: 'We aren't shutting you out of the revel, but we aren't inviting you either/ For you're a pain when you're present, and beloved when you are away'- Theognis

Eros contains a series of short essays on the ancient Greek notion of desire. Using Sappho's poetry as a touchstone, Carson explores Sappho's term "glukupikron"(literally, "sweetbitter"). She touches upon a myriad of ancient texts; the second half of the book draws largely from Plato's Phaedrus. Most exciting for me was her explanation of the similarities between the edges of erotic desire and the edges of the alphabet. This culminates in a wonderful series of chapters in which she relates erotic desire with the desire for knowledge. It was exhilarating!! What's more, I found the book extremely accessible. A must read!

Guide to Divorce provides an honest look at what it means to be a grandparent caught up in the reality of divorce. It recognizes what the courts have failed to recognize: that there are some parents who must be removed from their children's life because of their toxic influence. The book re-emphasizes Dr. Carson's assertion in The Essential Grandparent that grandparents must provide the stabilizing influence that often is missing in their grandchildren's life. Even though divorce never ends, Dr. Carson submits, at times it is a new beginning for those affected, another chance at happiness under different circumstances, within new environments. Dr. Carson's observations, examples, tips--interspersed among quotes and borrowed cartoons--are definitely a reality check in a changing society.

TEG:Guide to Divorce deals with very contemporary situations and problems with wisdom, sensitivity and very practical advice! Extremely easy to read and approaches topic from all relevant angles! My thanks to the author.

This is an amazing book - a mixture of Fables, Folk Tales, Greek Myths, Dutch history, and Lives of Saints.
26 chapters, one for each letter of the Alphabet, "Antipodes" to "Zoetrope".
There are so many stories here, going off on so many seeming tangents, that you can hardly believe it will hold together, but it does so brilliantly

"Fishing for Amber" is one of those enchanting books one secretly hopes to acquire every time one purchases a book. It is a treasure-box filled with wonders, each more delightful than the last. Part James Burke's Connections, part Umberto Eco, part Chet Raymo and all delightful, the book is a melding of poetry, fact, and all the stops between. The text meanders through ancient mythologies of the Greek Gods and their progeny, ghastly Irish yarns of bizarre encounters with the Fae, baroque histories from when the Netherlands were the cultural and intellectual center of Europe, and reflections on the author's own father, an Irish storyteller himself. Magical and haunting, it is a wild ride on horseback at midnight not to be missed.

Carson understands that spiritual growth requires more than selecting various texts from around the Bible and applying them to daily personal issues of Christian living, important though that may be. He understands that the Christian believer benefits enormously by seeing how the entire Bible fits together in the flow of salvation-history. Recognizing that linear historical analysis validates the biblical materials is not just an academic exercise, but strengthens faith in the God of the Bible. But, Carson then returns to the issue of application, both at personal and societal levels.

Carson helps Christians to properly interpret OT texts in light of New Covenant fulfillment. He also performs admirably in his notes on passages in the NT pertaining to soteriology. That in itself makes the book worth much more than its purchase price.

I highly recommend these books for any person who wants to grow in her/his understanding and application of the Bible. In addition, these books are of inestimable value for teachers and preachers in that the readings consistently show how to make even rather obscure passages accessible for students and parishoners.

This is volume two of Dr. Carson's attempt to help Christians grow in their relationship with God. In the process the reader's biblical literacy will be raised dramatically. Reading this devotion daily with the four assigned readings, (usually a chapter each in length), you will read the New Testament and Psalms twice and the rest of the Bible once. This was true with volume one as well. Dr. Carson's comments on one of the readings each day will reveal things in Scripture you may have never seen before. He will also give applications to the reader's life from the devotion. This is true as well in volume one. I suggest to the publisher to make volumes one and two a boxed set. It will save the reader another order for a devotion he or she will want after purchasing the first volume. Out of all the devotions I have read, volume two along with its predecessor leads one back to reading the Bible. I highly recommed this volume as well as the first. If your devotional life with God has grown stale, or you want your relationship with God to grow stronger, you could not do better than buying both volumes of Dr. Carson's devotionals

This is a fantastic commentary. I'm not usually the motivated type who takes the time to review a book but, I've so enjoyed Mr. Edwards work that I wanted to share my sentiments. Anyone wanting to swim into the deeper waters of Mark's Gospel will enjoy the journey. "Here's to an ever increasing faith!"

I was surprised to see this commentary hasn't been reviewed, since it is of such high quality. I suspect it is because Edwards, unlike Carson or Blomberg or Bock, isn't a well-known scholarly name. Nevertheless, I rate this commentary "up there" with my favorite NT commentaries: Carson on John, Fee on I Corinthians, O'Brien on Ephesians. If you read and appreciated any of those, you will not be disappointed by this commentary.

This is a beautiful book and gives us the words and music to 18 popular Christmas Carols. The arrangements are for piano, guitar and recorder. I personally had less than a year of piano, but can slowly pick out a few of these pieces. I'm sure that someone with just a little more training would be able to play everything.

My friend Jan, gave me this as a Christmas gift because I love to sing and it reminded us of a time when a group of friends spent time around the piano singing carols together. One of the nice points about this book is that in many cases up to 6 verses of the songs are given so that you can spend as much time as you like on your favorite carols without repeating the words.

What really makes this book exceptional are the wonderful illustrations that accompany each composition. These are of paintings that are in the National Gallery in London. A few of the pieces are: Christ Glorified in Heaven by Fra Angelico; The Madonna of Humility by Lippo di Dalmasio; and A Winter Scene by Isack van Ostade. The index of the book gives the artist, and a bit of information on each of the paintings.

I highly recommend this book to musicians and anyone interested in art.

If you love sitting down at the piano and playing Christmas Carols, this book is a wonderful change of pace. The arrangements are quite unusual, with jazz influences, but quite recognizable, and singable. Since I love to sight read, these were challenging, but not difficult. Usually, by the third verse, I had all the notes right. The photos are beautiful, and all the major carols are included. In addition, there were a few unfamiliar carols. The words to all the verses are on the facing page if anyone wants to sing along. A real pleasure to the eyes and ears!

I spy books are fun to read. In i spy funhouse it is very good. They are very good at hideing things. I like all of the i spy books. They are all good books.

This is a funhouse book, It is worth a second look. Read it and you'll see, It does splendidly.

Kids love it, Moms love it, Neither throw a fit, And gladly they will sit, To read this book a bit.

The pictures are great! Can YOU find its mate?