St. Athansius gives us the Orthodox understanding of the Incarnation of the Word and our redemption in Him. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the Fathers of the Church or the Orthodox understanding of salvation.

This is a true treasure of Christian literature. For the modern reader, names like "Athanasius" can be a bit daunting. Surely his book would be too deep and complicated to understand fully. How relavent is it to our own day anyhow?
Like C.S. Lewis points out in his introduction to the work, often the men of ancient times put things more clearly and without the bothersome "-isms" of modern thinking.
This book is encouraging to the Christian and welcoming to those who do not yet know Christ. Athanasius' sense of God's love for man, and his logic that explains how God showed that love is quite breathtaking.

In this day, when a Christian classic is often considered to be a book written 50 or 100 years ago, such as one of my favorites, "Mere Christianity," by C.S. Lewis, it may be a little intimidating for modern readers to consider a volume written during the 4th century by one of the acknowledged leaders of the ancient Christian Church. This is one such work that I've ashamedly ignored for over 30 years--until recently--despite the fact that I've been a huge fan of C.S. Lewis, who wrote the Introduction for this fine translation in about 1944.In both the introduction, and in the words of St. Athanasius, one can quickly see where Lewis developed many of his ideas for "Mere Christianity." Lewis writes here: "Measured against the ages "mere Christianity" turns out to be no insipid interdenominational transparency, but something positive, self-consistent, and inexhaustible."Another reviewer here refers to this book as Catholic, which, unfortunately, may possibly scare away some Protestant readers. However, one could also call it Orthodox (or orthodox), in the sense that St. Athanasius wrote at a time in history when there was only One Undivided Church, whether one calls it Catholic or Orthodox. He was responding to the heresies of his day (and I might add that many of those heresies are still around in one form or another). In doing so, St. Athanasius helped to codify what all Christians everywhere believed about the Incarnation of Christ in those days. As Lewis says in his introduction, some of the best devotional reading is in doctrinal books. This is one such book, but don't let it scare you away, like it did me for 30 years. It's well worth the read, and not as challenging as one would assume.An additional bonus to the St. Vladimir's Press 1996 edition is the appendix: "The Letter of St. Athanasius to Marcellinus on the Interpretation of the Psalms." In this gem, St. Athanasius provides delightful devotional and theological background to the Book of Psalms, which many call the Prayer Book of the Bible. This appendix alone is worth the purchase price of the book (but be sure you get the right edition).

Prof. Dzielska unravels the real life and murder of Hypatia.
Instead of the legendary young virgin martyr for paganism, she sketches a, for the period, remarkable older woman and teacher of neoplatonism and tolerance.
Her murder was instigated by the vicious ploys of a jealous catholic archbishop and executed by his ignorant mob. It was a political murder.

This book should be read because it treats of an age-old conflict that still rages in the world today: the power struggle between the civil (secular) and religious authorities.

This small work is a difficult (based on very few original sources), but very convincing reconstitution of the life of one of the very few known remarkable women of that age. A revealing work.

Socrates was executed by the state of Athens as a scapegoat for its defeat by the Spartans. His crime was being a free thinker in a short age of turmoil. He was however fondly remembered and documented. Hypatia was first brought to my attention by Carl Sagan in his television series Cosmos. She has often been represented as a pillar of wisdom in an age of growing dogma. Unlike with Socrates we know much less about her life and teachings. She is remembered precisely as a martyr who was sacrificed rather than executed by a literalist Christian mob inspired by "St" Cyril, apparently as she was regarded as a threat to Christendom and theology by certain regio-political figures. Enough material on her survived not least owing to the strong memories evoked at the manner of her despatch which turned her into a historical icon.

This excellent short well sourced book is a biographic scenography in the best sense of the word. It does not sadly cover the destruction of the great library or go into great length about the history and politics of 4th century Alexandria but it blows the cobwebs and embelishments that are associated with this enigmatic figure leaving a strong, uncompromising educated presence who would have been of extreme high standing to have obtained the death she received at the hands of bigots.

The importance of Hypatia is that she represents a phase in history where Greek religion was being destroyed by the then politicised Roman state religion. Hypatia represents a tragic victim of this dark phase when a great deal of knowledge was irrevocably lost (e.g.Gandy and Freke, the Jesus Mysteries etc.,).

To know the real Hypatia, and that phase of history, this is one of the best places to begin.

Those who have an interest in the Fourth Century are familiar with the name Hypatia of Alexandria. Unfortunately she has become a figure of legend and myth. Maria Dzielska's small, short book (106 pages, each about 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" ) first examines the various persons that made her a myth, as well as their motivations. It then goes to the source documents, sorts through the credibility of each, and then redraws our picture of Hypatia. (For example, most encyclopedias give Hypatia's date of birth as about 370. Dzielska builds a strong case that she was born about 15 years earlier than that, and was in her 60's when she was murdered). This book excels in distinguishing fact from fiction - in other words it is a work of historical research. Dzielska also points out where her knowledge ends and her inferences begin. This virtue - once known as humility - also contributes to the value of this book. As one would expect, it has an annotated bibliography ("Sources"), is fully footnoted, and includes a good index. Those whose interest in Hypatia involves "her meaning" may be disappointed; those who want the truth about her will find this a useful piece of research and analysis. Maria Dzielska's book could be used as a sourcebook on HOW historical figures are appropriated for the political or religious agendas of persons less interested in "the facts" than "making a point". This alone makes it of wider interest than it might otherwise appear.

First of all, I love the last section of the Introduction by the Translator--"Neither Catholic nor Protestant." As an Orthodox Christian, it made complete sense to me, but I had to laugh at the translator's ignorance of the Orthodox fairh, ro which Clement subscribed to. This book is very helpful to those who wish to lead a Christian life the way our Lord mapped it out for us.

It is full of exegetical insights and more importantly, challenges to the reader to live according to the example of Christ, as passed onto us by the Apostles. The translation is faithful to the Greek, and the translator did an excellent job of presenting the material much as Clement originally did. So I feel very comfortable suggesting and giving this book to my friends who want to better understand what Christianity is all about.

This book was written by a guy who lived the Bible's teachings! His writings are fascinating and are explained in a clear, concise manner. The book basically contains excerpts from some of Clement's writings (mostly the Rich Man's Salvation and the Miscellanies book 7) put into modern language. I have highlighted virtually every line in my copy!

I love this little book. I go to it often. It brings me back to the basic teaching of the bible. This book seems like it uncomplicates things for me, in what is real and seems real about christianity. I read the bible a lot and belong to a church that teaches like Clement. It is exciting to see how close we are to the 2nd century teacher here, in our church. Because that is what we strive for. Clement teaches the truth and it is very easy to understand. I recomend it for anyone who already has a good knowledge of the scriptures, because you will see the scriptures come alive in his lessons.

The second in Durrell,s Alexandria Quartet, Balthazar further develops this story of infidelity, jealousy, and murder. Balthazar, the foppish little Alexandrian, reveals secrets that further add to the story started in Justine. Balthazar introduces us to the beautiful and sensitive Clea but the story centers around the sensous and bi-sexual Justine.

As I read the second of Durrell's Alexandria Quartet, I first looked for another focus. (I had been so impressed with the watercolor decriptions of the first.) In the beginning of the novel, I thought Durrell had decided to be more desciptive in the area of sounds and thought he had impishly personified this goal with a focus on a strange talking parrot.

However, I was soon drawn into the story. I forget my efforts at intellectualizing and found that the characters had broadened for me. I wanted to read about what was happening to them and what had happened to them. I found myself changed from a distant observer into one who empathized with the characters. I noticed that I had been jealous of Justine in the first novel and found myself happy that she was no longer worshipped in the second novel.

Durrell's desciptions went past lush and ripe into fascinating, fermenting, and magnetic. Intrigue is introduced. Other sides of incidents are shown. I loved this book and intend to read the other two in the series.

Sometimes I get the impression that Durrell had a life time stash of pithy quotes he just had to get worked in somewhere. In this book he has an addendum titled "Consequential Data." Don't miss these. For example, "Gamblers and lovers always play to lose."

The second book of the Alexandrian Quartet mirrors all the happenings in the first, only this time from Balthazar's perspective. Beautifully written, this books gives the characters more depth than the naive and intellectual Darley first perceived. Here the complexities of love and obsession are seen in the light of curiosity, not rationalism.

Durrell further explores not only another love for Darley, but what art is and what it ought to be. Of course, descriptions are lush. One can almost hear hear the music of the closing festival and the beating of its drums.

Clea and Darley's relationship is embroidered over a wartime background. Durrell uses their beautiful private island experiences to echo and foreshadow the rise and fall of this relationship.

And we see how Clea develops as an artist. We are given Pursewarden's posthumous discourse on the philosophy of art. He gives is a lot to think about.

Sometimes I think that Durrell is Pursewarden, and then I wonder if he is making fun of himself in the Darley character. And in reality I find that I wish I could meet and know Durrell.

Clea is another must read.

What can one say about perfection? One does not just look at the ceiling of the Cistine Chapel as a great work of art but rather as perfection personified, merely mediated by paints and gilt. This book is exactly the same, its perfection is personified not by pigments and gold, but by ink and prose.

It is indeed rare that an artist pours their all into their work,but when it does occur, be it in the 9th Symphony of Beethoven or Kubrick's 2001, it is unilaterally hailed as a magnum opus.

Clea, in my opinion is just such a work. The way in which Durrell contrasts the blunt style of description with the uncompairable beauty of the subject matter pushes the book deeper into the sanctum sanctorum of literary perfection.

In thinking about this review, perfection seems too cold and metallic a word to be applied to such a beautiful work of art. There seems to be no word that accurately describes the flawless beauty of this book, but these are the limitations of language. Perhaps if I spoke Italian.

heey, this is CLEA. I was named after this excellent book. I've read it thrice...it's cool!! I love it!

I really liked reading this book. I have read Alexandria Altman's first book "John Carpenter Speaks Out", also a very good book. Easy to read and to the point. I look forward to reading "Mission Possible" #2 and on. Also I look froward to any other of Ms. Altman's books. I feel we will be seeing her as a bestseller in the near future.

It is an amazing book. I really like the way that each of the 12 authors shared how they achieved success. It is easy to read and filled with lots of useful information. You can pick it up and read a chapter in 30 minutes and have practical ideas to apply now! It really motivated me to become more successful. Anyone wishing to be more successful should buy this book and apply the principles. I am and it is paying dividends!

... This is the book for you. Fast-paced interviews with successful individuals can be a great encouragement. Such is the information contained in Mission Possible! Barry Banther's inspirational chapter is worth the price of the book alone. You will have your favorite chapter I am sure. This is truly "on-the-job-training" for living.

I read this book before reading the other 3 in the quartet, and I absolutely loved it. It made reading the others irresistible, and yet I believe this third edition is the best. The love stories are incredibly deep and diverse, and Durrell's writing is both beautiful and inspiring.
Mountolive is an Englishman working with the Foreign Service who comes to know his Dionysian self in the humidity and turmoil of early 20th century Egypt. He falls in love with his married hostess, and this relationship leaves him capable of loving only one woman and one place. The other notable couples portray a stunning array of what drives people toward love. A desire for power drives Justine and Nessim together as it does much more subtlely in the vignette about Amaril and Semira. This book stands out on its own but leaves you dying to find out more about these rich characters.

Poor Mountolive. This is a tale of his rise to success and his parallel loss of being able to respond humanely, and his ultimate debasement. In addtion, Durrell continues to remove layers of the Alexandrian social web: Justine's motivations are different again. I worry that they will change again in the last of the series. Motivations for love continue to be explored. I wish I had started a list when I started reading these books of all the different nuances of love and various motivations. It really has made me think.

If you read the first two of the quartet, you cannot afford to miss this installment. It really helps you understand the mysteries. Of course, Durrell continues in his mastery of the language. Descriptions continue to be lush.

Mountolive is a welcome new point of view on the events, after Justine and Balthazar. It helped me put things together before I read Clea. I can even say that I found it 'refreshing'. Next time I read The Quartet (and I surely will), I might begin with this book.

Alexander, The Old Town Mouse is one of my sons' and my favorite books! My 3 & 6 year old boys (and I) adore the detailed illustrations and the fun-filled story of Alexander's "mousequerade ball". Alexander's creativity is second only to that of the author & illustrator of this book.

This is just on of the Barnes' FABULOUS children's books!

I bought my 3 nieces a book and they love it when I read it to them -- very colorful and easy to follow along. It's a fun way to teach history about a very historic city.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I often found Anne's pretend games of being poor hilarious, as this was something I did quite frequently when I was twelve. I have a few books which I make a point of reading each year, and this is one of them.

I'm the same age as the main character, and I'm so glad I read this book. It made me laugh and cry. The ending is what make this book worth reading.

The writing skills of Mr. Alexandria can only be described as having been "Touched By An Angel". He has really outdone himself with this to-die-for book-POSTAL BLUES. The characters of Detectives Joe Johnson and Vernon Brown are still very vibrant, witty and seriously taking care of Police business as the story take you from a Post Office Massacre to the Missouri River as they track down a serial killer. Vincent's writing visually takes you into the story and the personalities of all the characters. Pretty Kevin's character deserves an A+. The humor, romance and intrigue captivates all your senses right to the climax. Mr. Alexandria has really made his mark on the "GREAT WRITERS" page of WHODUNITS! Can't wait for the next book!

Until recently mystery wasn't on my list to read. Now that I've discovered the detectives of Postal Blues and If Walls Could Talk I'm hooked. The characters in Postal Blues were so easy to relate to. Not only were they your everyday hard working men, they possessed wit and charm. I love the laughs and tears that I experienced while reading this book. Vincent Alexandria is a great writer and I can't wait until the next one is published.

I just finished reading Postal Blues. Vincent Alexandria did it again. His descriptive phrases are exceptional and his surprise ending was a surprise! I am anxious to read the third book of the trilogy.