My Sister-in-law sent this book to my daughter for her birthday, along with some similarly themed "princess" things. The first time we read it as a bedtime story, I had tears in my eyes. The beautiful illustrations and important message were perfectly interwoven. We will read this book many, many, times over the years, and as my four year-old becomes a young woman, it will be a wonderful tool to use to open discussion about love and the true meaning of purity. Thank you Jennie Bishop for sharing your Mother's heart with all of us!

This book is great. This is what we should be teaching our children. From the littlest of girls to my seven year old boy it's perfect. I used to teach Kindergarten in a private school and if I was still there I would definately add this book to my classroom. Young children need to know that God wants us to "wait" for the person He has for us...not to "be with" just anyone! Which unfortunately is what is taught everywhere. Get this book! It's wonderful!

Recently while at a weekend Peer Education Training event at Harsens Island, Michigan, I was introduced by the trainer to this wonderful book, "The Princess and the Kiss," by Jennie Bishop. I was SO VERY IMPRESSED with its message, I bought it for each of my seven grandchildren, who are all under the age of 12. Our's is a sacred responsibility to help our children learn who they are, where they came from, why they are on this earth, and where they are going when they leave. This outstanding story helps them understand WHO they are, that they are precious to their parents, and that they can understand and live by principles that will preserve their lives. As a registered nurse and adolescent health coordinator in a community health center, I see first hand every day the devastation when parents do not teach their children of their divine nature, and when children make choices that break with family values that have preserved trust throughout time. Thank you Jennie Bishop for conveying this is such a wonderful way. You are my hero! I will be buying this book again and again to give as a gift to new parents.

This is the best Bible format and language I've ever read. It gives a clear interpretation of what the Bible says about important issues surrounding teens today, such as abortion, homosexuality, creation, etc. It also highlights key verses and gives profiles of important biblical figures. The wordage is easy to read and understand, and tells the reader what the Bible is saying in modern English. It is a great study and reading Bible for any teen, and I give it two thumbs up!

When I was a young Christian my youth pastor gave this bible to me. This is such a great bible for young people for so many reasons, too many to name really.

This New Living Translation of the bible is complete with index helps as well as numerous other resources. Maps are clear and easy to read. There are life application notes and well as highlighted memory verses that really stress the important scriptures. The persdonality profiles of major biblical figures is great to those who may not have a clear understanding of why what a person did was so important.

Probably the best aspect of this bible is that it makes reading some parts of the Old Testament, which can be more difficult, interesting and enjoyable to read. The parts of Leviticus and Numbers have charts and other helps to give the reader the little bit of added help it sometimes takes to get through those books.

An excellent portion of the book is the "Life Changer Index" where it gives guides to where certain scriptures talk about issues that directly relate to young people today in our Western culture (AIDS, homosexuality, abortion, gossip, cults, honesty, prayer, etc).

I have bibles in every translation that they come in, and yet this remains my favorite one to read. It is as user friendly as a bible can get. I've hung onto this book from my days as a young Christian to my days as a pastor and beyond. I highly recommend this book to all young people. Even if you are not younger in age, but are a new Christian, this version of the bible would really be a great help to you. It doesn't really matter that it's titled "student" bible, it touches on issues that we all deal with anyway. This not limited to students, by any means.

This is an excellant bible: they didnt call it "Life Application" for no reason! The graphics which display important verses, the guides for study, and the many helpful indexes in the back of the book are excellant! It also has notes on special verses, "Here's what I did" sections, and articles on "Ultimate Issues" such as jesus and morals! That makes it my number one choice bible for any teen...

Yesterday I was having one of those "I need to have an attitude adjustment sort of days". My parents are both deceased, my mother having been buried the week of Christmas in 1988. I get sort of melancholy this time of year, and without meaning to, can slide into a "funk". Anyway, it was that kind of a day. I was looking for something in the bottom, deep drawer of my desk when I came upon Tim Richardson's book, JUMP STARTS. I had actually forgotten I had it. I read the table of contents and knew IMMEDIATELY the place I was to begin reading: Part Seven: Life Teaches Us Lessons in Attitude Adjustment! Yesterday I read "The Sun". This morning I read "Music in the Morning". Thank you, Tim, for the gift of your book. Thank you for writing it for people like me. And I thank God, who always in His timing, knows who or what to put in my path. It was no coincidence that I came across your book yesterday.

Jump Starts is a very inspiring book. It's fun to read and leaves you with the motvation to live each day to it's fullest.

Jump Starts is a rare book that combines modern-day parables and makes them easily digestible. The author is able to see the simplest of events and put thought provoking meaning to them.

Jump Starts is a must read for people who strive to stand above the negativity of the everyday world.

I bought this book for my children, but found myself enjoying it as much, if not more, than they did. The authors made you feel for the characters from the very first paragraph, and by the time they reached the land of Daak, you really believed that you were there with them. The adventure was non-stop, the plot twists unexpected, and the ending exciting. I will be counting the days until Queen Aimee the Wise comes out to continue the Daak trilogy.

One of my greatest concerns, as a mother of two daughters, is that most of the young adult fantasy novels we've purchased recently have been very male oriented. Even books with female authors, like the Harry Potter series, tend to fall into this trap. With two male authors, I was worried that King Fortis would fit into that category as well, but I was surprised to find that there was an excellent balance between the two main characters, Aimee and Rodney. And Aimee isn't the only strong female character in this book. My daughters were particularly fond of Gillian of the Sisterhood of Airia and begged me to reread the chapter that introduced her several times.

King Fortis the Brave was an exciting adventure book with strong characters of both sexes that we found ourselves really rooting for throughout the story. It was Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings while still maintaining 100% originality. I highly recommend it!

When a friend gave me a copy of this book I almost didn't read it. I had never heard of LaMontagne or Snyder and was anxious to read the fourth Harry Potter book which I had just purchased the day before. He made me read the prologue and first couple of chapters, which I did. The book grabbed me from the very first page, and by the time Rodney and Aimee were pulled into the land of Daak I knew that Harry Potter would just have to wait. I was reading something much better.

From the moment they arrived in Daak until their last battle with the evil sorceress Haeron, I was engrossed. The story was action-packed and the characters some of the most believable I've read in a long time. I laughed out loud at the Ward and held my breath during the entire waterfall sequence. LaMontagne and Snyder made me feel emotions like few authors can. I hardly ever re-read a book, but I know I'll be picking this one up again.

I read a lot of books, but this is the best one I've read all year (and 2002 is a couple of weeks from being over). I know it's targeted age group is young adults, but older adults will love it too. King Fortis the Brave offers a terrific blend of fantasy and realism, introducing the reader to characters that are believable and magical situations that you will feel you are actually a part of. The writers do a terrific job of keeping you interested, and they make it very hard to put the book down. Even when you come to the end of a chapter, there is usually some twist that makes you want to keep reading. If I were a contestant on Survivor and could only bring one luxury item with me, that luxury item would be my copy of King Fortis the Brave.

In the top 5 of military sci fic/fantasy books I've ever read! I stumbled across this book years ago and could not believe it was so faithful to the orginal story by H Beam Piper (Lord Kalvin of Otherwhen) Its a fascinating period of Terran history grafted onto a realistic alternate world and done with style and swerve! I have written both Mr Carr & Green about the followup but it seems stalled. Both of them did their research on this one however and it shows. No miracles from the "real" world to help, tons of political intrigue, realistic characters etc etc. For anyone who likes good deep stories and hard realistic fighting will enjoy this read. You can actually smell the gunpowder and hear the thunder crash of steel on steel!

H. Beam Piper's last book was one of his best, Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen, an alternate timeline novel of a PA State Trooper in a land where the formula for gunpowder was the secret of a particularly despicable church.

After his death, John Carr and Roland Green wrote a sequel, Great King's War, that Ace inexplicably let go out of print. Ace also sat on the second book in the series.

I have owned a copy of this book for five years, and reread it at least once every month or so, along with my ancient copy of 'Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen', of which it is a sequel. The book deserves to be reprinted, plus, its two sequels, of which only a hint has been published - a chapter in a Jerry Pournelle anthology indicating that all is not well in Hostigos. The characterisations, military lore and exciting plot make this a stand alone novel to be enjoyed on its own merits. We had to wait many years for this sequel, I hope that the authors of these posthumous tributes to Piper's Paratime Universe will soon find publishers for their next works.

"We can always find another widow for Lenin." So threatened Stalin to Lenin's real widow Krupskaya, whom he hated. So absolute was the Communist Party's hold on all aspects of public life in Russia in Stalin's reign, that famous people, who had been praised to the skies just the week before, could be utterly effaced from the public's mind through sheer terror. Once someone fell from favor with the dictator, his name and picture were erased from the public record--even books critical of the person could be proscribed--and to even mention his name might mean prison or worse. This book is the author's attempt to trace the trail of falsification through Stalin-era photos and artworks.

It is a testament to the censor's thoroughness that the trail is quite incomplete. In many cases, the author hasn't been able to find even the name of the extirpated individual in the before-and-after photos. Some of the examples given here were taken from the folio albums of the Soviet photographer Rodchenko. After the bureaucrats he had photographed were arrested and shot, he went to work inking and scissoring out his own work, the images of the new non-persons.

The heroic photomontages, with the jut-jawed Bolsheviks vanguarding the masses, are appalling when you think of how many would later be arrested, tortured into accusing themselves of the most heinous, yet baseless, crimes, and then shot. The damned were airbrushed out of the picture, replaced with a stripped-in comrade, or a painted-in pillar or staircase, sometimes leaving a shoe or elbow that the retoucher missed. The Western mind shudders at the slavish worship that Stalin had at his command, to cause such colossal lies to be perpetuated. Read this big, lavishly illustrated book, and get the real picture.

There is a secret inside this book. Inside is a collage showing about 200 people. These people were instrumental in getting Russia's October Revolution off the ground. Stalin is not one of these people. Therefore, to maintain the myth that Stalin and Lenin were the "Two Leaders" of the Revolution, Stalin had to kill off three quarters of the people on the collage because they "knew too much." And the great purges are what the rest of the book is about.

Stalin, more than anyone else in history, has altered the past to serve the present. His censors have visibly altered old photographs in order to remove the latest denounced "traitor to the working class" (or whatever) from old group photographs. With the old Soviet archives now open to the public and ex-Soviet citizens now free to view the unaltered archives in the West, we can see today how extensive this process was.

Trotsky, his chief opponent, was systematically removed from thousands of photographs -- those where he stood next to Lenin. With Trotsky gone, the 'Trotskyists' (however Commrade Stalin defined them) were next. The group photos had to be cropped in order to cover up the dwindling number of Revolutionary heroes. The comparison between the 'before' and 'after' pictures is chilling reminder of the immense suffering that Stalin caused to people who were as dedicated to the same ideals as he was -- but not as ruthless.

What would it take to make Hell on earth seem real to you? This profoundly disturbing book had that effect for me.

It might be possible to view this book as humorous. Mr. King's years of patient scholarship have unearthed unmarred originals of photographs that he presents with little or no comment next to what are frequently crudely butchered falsifications of those who fell out of favor with Stalin. Particularly in the age of computer photomanipulation, the alterations are initially comical to twenty-first century eyes.

As one works through the book, however, the comic effect is obliterated by mute evidence of the sheer numbers of people who were expunged year after year from the historical record. Particularly frightening are the official portraits self-censored by relatives of the now-deceased in hopes of forestalling the same fate.

Although not strictly a falsification, of particular interest to me was a picture of the document officially expelling Leon Trotsky from the Communist Party, complete with angry annotations in the margin by Comrade Trotsky himself.

I'd like to believe that the very existence of this book and its photographic record, despite the Soviet attempt of many years to rewrite history, proves that no regime can stifle all unflattering facts about itself for all time. But then I wonder in how many cases, about how many people, they might have been successful. By all means, read this book. Be a witness. Remember the dead. But be warned. The stuff of this history is indeed the stuff of nightmares.

This review refers to the LITV 4th Edition of 2001. It is available in hardback or leather, I have both. Some of the other reviews seem to be referring to the Interliner Bible which contains the Literal Version as a side column of the interlinear. Jay Green's Interlinear Bible is also very helpful as it shows the literal English meaning of each Greek or Hebrew word, along with the side column English (LITV and sometimes KJV/AV depending on edition).

This is the version that I use as a companion in my daily reading of the Authorized Version (see my review of the Cambridge Presentation Edition of the Authorized Version). It is also my normal choice for reference when reading books on Biblical and Theological topics. I also have a copy on my Pocket PC available from OliveTree for free. I have both LITV and AV/KJV on my Pocket PC along with a helpful BibleReader program (free). I believe this also exist in Palm format for free.

The print size is excellent for reading and is pleasing to the eye. All words added for understanding are italicized as in the AV/KJV. The aids are: helpful beginning of chapter outlines, top of page description of notable page content, along with New Testament cross references to quotes from the Old Testament.

I have not found true the "wooden" arguments of the detractors of a literal or word for word translation. Though at times the readings may not be "normal" English, it seems however that understanding is enhanced.

The following is an addition or correction to my earlier review of September 2002:
I wrote this initial review some time ago, however, I have found that it is becoming increasingly rare that I consult the LITV. The AV/KJV and earlier versions with the use of original language helps have been sufficient in my daily reading of both the Bible and other books. In addition, the harsh language contained in the introductory pages have made it difficult for me to give this version or recommend this version to others; even if the actual translation is often helpful to understanding.

What a blessing to have Jay P. Green's Literal Translation of the Bible (LIT). Mr. Green has dedicated his life to translating the Scriptures accurately. This latest edition is a refinement of the LIT that began as a side column of his excellant Hebrew/Greek Interlinear. As my studies grow deeper, I want to know what GOD says, not what man interprets Him saying, as dynamic equivalent versions do. Also importantly, Mr. Green uses the Received Text of the New Testament. When less informed, I thought the NASB was the last Bible I would need, until I learned of the incomplete Critical Texts. How disappointed I was finding out that other "literal translations" used corrupt NT texts and were not as literal as the Literal Translation Bible. To the best of my knowledge, the only Bibles translated from the Received Texts besides the KJV are Young's, NKJV, Jay Green's Modern KJV (an excellant KJ update) and the LIT, which is the most accurate and readable of these translations.

So, I thank the LORD for blessing us with His servant, Jay P. Green. I truly think this will be the last English translation of the Scriptures I will need.

Human understanding of Christian truth rests on the Bible. Unfortunately, the last century has seen a flood of translations by those who believe they have the gift of being better able to express what God intended than God.

This has proven to be the mechanism by which groups of humans insert their interpretations of what they think the Bible should say. Thus thousands of words are added, dropped, changed, or deliberately mistranslated, causing problems and confusion not present in the original language.

The corruption of Bible versions such as the NIV, NASB, RS, NKJV, etc., is analyzed in detail in the book "Unholy Hands on the Bible".

The Literal Version translation's reason for existence is to NOT add or subtract meaning from the original language texts. Of course, Hebrew, a somewhat pictoral language, and Greek, are not 1:1 compatible with modern English; punctation, capitalization, and paragraphing not present in the original are all interpretive.

Thus scholars often say that a literal translation would not make sense. While the Literal Version's exceptionally careful rendering into English sometimes results in awkward or grammatically fractured results, you will find the opposite is true; meaning often is more clear in the literal rendering than in the garbled, interpretative paraphrasings negotiated by self-selected committees of people more inspired by modern humanism or doctrinal agenda than anything else.

Chances are, you will end up preferring the Literal Version above all other translations. At least you should!

Note that the Literal Version DOES NOT include the original Hebrew and Greek. The same publisher has a separate Interlinear Bible which DOES contain the original Hebrew and Greek, a word-for-word translation underneath, Strong's numbers above (so you can look up the word in a concordance or lexicon and follow the translator's decsiions) with the Literal Translation on the side. The Interlinear is a big book, so the Literal Version by itself may be more appropriate for day-to-day usage.

This, like many of the other reviews, is going to compare it to the movie. The movie is one of my all time favorites, and i've watched it many times. i read the book in one sitting, and i was pleased overall. The movie i think is the better of the two because in the novella, King rushed his normally wordy self, and the story feels it. Also, a lot of the details in it seemed extraneous and forced. It does fill in a great deal of the gaps. It is in true literary form, and most of the changes for the movie were made in keeping with what audiences want to see. These are things that the book needs but the movie does not. This is the first book-made-into-a-movie where i have favored the movie greater, but not too much greater, and the book is most definetely worth the read.

This novella is an incredible story. It follows one man through his life at Shawshank State Prison. The story is full of life, vivid characters, a wonderful and original plot, and more. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read. Read the book that inspired an oscar nominated movie!

I first read this book in college. A friend of mine was an avid Stephen King fan and had this book on the shelf. I just picked it up because I was bored, and started to read the Shawshank Redemption. I couldn't stop! I ended up reading the whole story in one sitting. When I later saw the movie, I believe it to be one of those rare movies that is very true to the book. A must read, the movie is a must see.

Having never read anything about Arthurian legend, I was hesitant to pick my first introduction to it. I feel that I chose wisely in Mary Stewart's trilogy. Her writing will draw you into the story, and each book assumes you have little to no knowledge from the previous books (which was great for me, it helped to hear some of it again). I just found myself wishing afterwards there could have been a little more romance! However, I guess these books were more about Merlin, not Arthur or Guinevere. Another confusing aspect is that some of the more familiar names have been changed, and some are repeated. Having no base knowlege of the legend this was slightly confusing for me. Anyway, these books are highly enjoyable and I would definitely recomend them.

This is a great book and concludes a fabulous triology. Stewart finds just the right balance of historical fiction and fantasy, creating a Merlin and King Arthur who are not as they really were but are has they might have been if we indulge a imagination just a little. The characters are real and compelling. And though all three books are accessible to young readers, the books are just as entertaining for adults. I can't say enough about this trilogy.

The Story: "The Last Enchantment" is Book Three of Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy, and focuses on how Merlin meets, trains, and falls in love with Nimue, while helping Arthur solidify his kingdom and deal with the follies of Guinevere and other members of Court. Merlin and Arthur have to decide what to do about Arthur's sister, Morgan, and half-sister, Morgause, who separately plot against Arthur, and as well deciding upon the disposition of Morgause's five sons, one of whom is Mordred, illegitimate son of Arthur.

Technical: The writing of Mary Stewart is highly detailed and takes patience, but nothing is extraneous or irrelevant. Ms. Stewart's writing style reminds me of Sir Walter Scott's writing style in "Ivanhoe".

Overall: A great epic continues, but the reader must be patient and up to the challenge of a long, intricate, and detailed saga. When I first read this trilogy, the fourth book did not yet exist. Because the fourth book, "The Wicked Day", focusing on Mordred, exists, I'm more satisfied with the ending of "The Last Enchantment".

Valley of Fear was a great book! Dang!Mary Stanton can sure bring to life her characters. Unicorns of Balinor is my favorite book no doubt! This book brings to life a vivid image in your head! Hint to all readers-MUST READ ALL BOOKS IN THIS SERIES IN ORDER! I love this book!

Sunchaser the unicorn , Lori , Ari and a unicorn toby are trying to find the Royal scepter and they ask the old mare of the mountain , who tells them they will find in the valley of fear were the black unicorns are. Ari needs it to be the princess of balinor , she just wants to be the ordinary girl she is but she must for Sunchaser the great unicorn and she must for Balinor. So Sunchaser and Toby the unicorns with Lori Sunchasers master and Ari the maid to her go to the valley of fear dressed as soldiers and Ari finds the Royal Secpter but both girls Lori and Ari with Sunchaser fall into the pit and are back at Glacier River Farm.

The Unicorns of Balinor is a very good example of protagonist/antagonist books. Foreshadowing is also displayed very well. I remember when I read it for the first time two years ago, I was kept on the edge of my seat because the story line is very addicting and suspenseful. It's hard not to imagine your self in a woodland watching the old mare of the mountian appear or carefully making your way across the fiery feild (in order to recliam the royal septer from the evil shifter).

True, the book ends very abruptly, but that is why it is in a series. This is not; however, a series you can read out of order. Trust me, I have tried to do that. It doesn't work.