5 comments about Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia.

1. Eat Pray Love is one of those semi-biographies about hard-done by individuals finding meaning and healing by doing whatever it is the book is about.
   
   If that sounds cynical, this novel is actually pretty good. Perhaps what I enjoyed the most was insight into each of the different countries that Gilbert visited (which I realise wasn't necessarily the main intent of the book but whatever).
   
   The book isn't too long and not paticularly melodramtic or grandiose, the 'Pray' section meandered for me, but I found Gilbert's insights genuinely interesting towards the end of the section.
   
   Definately worth a read, it won't take much out of your day.



2. So you are in your thirties, recently divorced and just out of a tumultuous rebound relationship ending in a crippling depression, the first thing you do is head abroad for a year, right? Sound a little crazy? Well that is just what Elizabeth Gilbert did, and she chronicles her journey in her spiritual memoir "Eat Pray Love: One Women's search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia." The book was engaging and easy to read and enjoy. It is something that would be a great book to read on the beach. However it also ended up being quite superficial and hard to believe.
   
   In the midst of her divorce Gilbert takes a journalism assignment in Indonesia that will prove to change her life forever. While in Bali she met Krueit Lieyer a ninth generation Balinese medicine man who told her minutes after meeting "You will come back her to Bali and live here and teach me English. And I will teach you everything I know" (28). She decided she would spend 4 months in Italy, India and Indonesia, specifically Bali.
   
   After her divorce is finalized she heads first to Italy and rents an apartment in the City of Love, Rome. There is one stipulation of her trip that defies "the word of Rome, SEX" (103) she vows to be celibate for the trip. Instead of having sex she chooses to satisfy herself by eating decadent and fattening food. While the events of this section are believable the names of people are a little out there. She has a friend for example named Luca Spaghetti. The name seems a little too ironic to me.
   
   I found the third of the book describing her time in Rome to be by far the most interesting. She spends her time eating, traveling, and learning Italian. However she did not dedicate time in this country to her spiritual and faith journey, which is of course the entire purpose of the book and her travels. The only serious part of this section was the process of overcoming loneliness and stopping her usage of anti depressants. Elizabeth is an over exaggerator of sorts, but her description of depression and loneliness is incredibly believable and the reader is able to really see how she is feeling. These are feelings that are easy to relate to.
   
   The next part of the book was much duller. The events seemed unrealistic and the way in which it is written is hard to follow. While in India she spends her time at the Ashram of her Guru. Her Guru is her spiritual leader, yet she has seen her only once while she was speaking in New York. She is not in actual contact with her at all; the guru is traveling abroad and doesn't communicate with the students at the ashram. How can someone who you have never even had a conversation with guide you on how you should live your life? This path is completely about her spirituality and the journey she makes. She spends almost all of her time there meditating and trying to get closer to god.
   
   This section was the least believable to me. Some of the events just don't seem realistic. At one point her roommate forgot and padlocks her into their room. She jumped out her window two stories to get to morning prayer on time, a prayer which she in fact hated and was always trying to avoid, and skipped on many occasions.
   
   Bali came next and was also a more exciting part of her trip; however, it also showed Gilbert in an obnoxious way putting herself on a pedestal. While in Bali, Gilbert was able to show a balance between her spiritual journey and also her ability to enjoy herself in other ways. She was able to study meditation, with the same medicine man from over two years earlier who told her she would return. He teaches her more about spirituality and happiness, telling her to just sit and smile while meditating (231).
   
   At one point she got into an accident and scraped up her knee. The medicine man for some reason could not help her, so she had to find someone else who, surprise, became her best friend. This seems almost scripted to me; why wouldn't her friend who is a medicine man help her? She wants to make a point of how great a person she is with her donation to Wayan her new friend, and how she is trying to help her. Wayan is slow to be a house with the donated money so Gilbert lies and says she will take the money if a home is not bought, she then wants pity and reinforcement that she is doing the right thing and is not a bad person.
   
   Elizabeth Gilbert's book chronicling a year of soul searching is clearly a spiritual memoir. The purpose of her trip was to become closer to God and to have a greater understanding of that voice that speaks to her. She seems to start off as a Christian but her spirituality takes many unconventional twists and turns in her path to "enlightenment."
   
   As this is a spiritual memoir of it is course all about Elizabeth Gilbert. Her writing however is a little to self absorbed for my taste. When she has conversations with people it is always about her and her problems, never the other person. This at times turned me off from Gilbert. I started out reading this book very excited. I was quite disappointed, while I like the book; I wanted to like it more. As someone who is only twenty and still in college it should be no surprise that I did not connect well with the book. Gilbert is not writing to the twenty-somethings, but rather to women in their thirties and older. I believe that if I was in that age group I would have enjoyed it more and been able to connect and relate to what she went through.



3. I have never taken the time to do a review of any book online... but I absolutely think this book is crap and boring that I had to go to Amazon's website to write a review. I think the author is so self-absorbed that she has not really done any justice to researching and thinking what search for self and life's meaning really is. Granted that it's her book so she can talk about herself all she wants, and for some reason, a lot of people have bought her book that it has become a bestseller, there are so many more books that are more insightful on the same topic! I will be more wary next time when I see a New York Times Book Review that says a book is irresistible. Her book's a New York Times Notable Book... and I suddenly had this thought on whether author's can pay to get such accolade.



4. I enjoyed this book at the time of reading. I had been going through a similar process myself, and it was wonderful to follow Elizabeth's journey of self-deprecating wit and humor amidst a rather turbulent mental breakdown.



5. Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love chronicles Gilbert's yearlong sabbatical in hopes of healing from her recent divorce, discovering herself, and achieving the balance between pleasure and spirituality. In lieu of her recent messy divorce from her husband, Gilbert begins to look for a meaning beyond her superficial life in her little personal 14-mile wide world, known as Manhattan. She journeys to three very different countries in the pursuit of three equally different aspects of life: pleasure, spirituality and the balance between the two. Gilbert's talent as a writer is undeniable. She has a witty and refreshing writing style that makes Eat, Pray, Love a very entertaining read and what makes her book so entertaining are Gilbert's mini-adventures throughout the book. However, Gilbert develops story lines leave the reader questioning the authenticity and truth behind her story.
   In the first stop of her journey, Italy, Gilbert discovers the art of pleasure. In Rome, she develops a steamy, passionate love affair with gelato and pizza. She learns the language, meets new friends and immerses herself in the Italian culture. She embraces the romanticism that makes Italy one of the most unforgettable places on earth, and leaves Italy free of the chains of depression she was bound to in Manhattan.
   In India, Gilbert studies the art of devotion. She works with a Guru to guide her spiritual journey. Gilbert sets out to separate herself from the luxuries and chaos that she has padded her life with and separate herself from materialism in order to reach spiritual understanding. Gilbert, frustrated with the difficulty of meditation, spends endless hours in her cluttered mind trying to reach the divine state of cognitive peace. Finally, after weeks of silent meditation, she has a spiritual breakthrough. Gilbert writes, "To know God, you need only to renounce one thing, your division from God" (192). This quote illustrates her realization that in order to be at peace with your spirituality, your must realize that God is not your superior, but a part of your spirit.
   Gilbert's last stop is in Bali, Indonesia. In Bali, Gilbert reconnects with an elderly medicine man that teaches her the importance of balance between the art of pleasure, and the art of devotion. In her quest for this balance, she finds herself living out a spiritual love story of her own.
   Eat, Pray, Love is a book that could easily be found in the travel or self-help section of a bookstore, however it is considered a spiritual memoir. From the beginning of Gilbert's journey she makes it clear that she is seeking spirituality beyond the Christian belief of one sole and singular God. Instead, she is looking for a more personal and self-reliant god, one who is within Gilbert and accepts her for who she is. She is searching for a God who loves and appreciates her positive traits and accepts and embraces her negative flaws, all at once. Gilbert writes that she, "always responded with breathless excitement to anyone who has ever said that God does not live in a dogmatic scripture or in a distant throne in the sky," (14).
   I enjoyed reading about Gilbert's understanding in the Buddhist and Hindu faith, however I felt myself constantly waiting for more insight. While reading Eat, Pray, Love I prayed (no pun intended) that Gilbert would tear down her walls of narcissism and superficiality. Yet despite her spiritual awakening in India, she never reaches this resolution, this aspect made it difficult for me to like and relate to Gilbert as a person and the heroine of her novel.
   Gilbert's writing style, riddled with her clever humor and vibrant attention to detail, make for entertaining storylines. I felt like I was walking the crowded streets of Rome with her or perched seaside in India, deep in meditation. I often found myself laughing out loud at her witty commentary. Her unique and witty metaphors/similes such as "Having a baby is like getting a tattoo on your face. You really need to be certain it's what you want before you commit," (67) made her book enjoyable. I found it refreshing that the author of a spiritual memoir could interject borderline cynical and self-deprecating humor without steering too far off the spiritual path.
   Despite Gilbert's humor and wit, it is Gilbert's lack of authenticity that made me dislike the book. Every event seems to be prepackaged and wrapped in a bow, leading to a realization and stepping stone for the next event to come. Everything seems to fall in Gilbert's favor. As an avid traveler, I have found this to be true: when travelling, not everything, if ANYTHING, goes according to plan. Gilbert writes "...to travel is worth any cost or sacrifice," however I did not see any sacrifice in Gilbert's journey in between drinking wine on the sea in Italy and meeting her soul mate. It was all a little too Hollywood for me, as if Gilbert wrote her memoir with a future screenplay adaptation in mind.
   A memoir clearly geared for women in their mid 30's to early 40's, at times it felt as though I was reading recycled Sex and the City plots. Gilbert's stories were complete with the same rising action, climax and resolution that is expected in a 30 minute television show. Trite quotes such as, "In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely," (147) made me roll my eyes and made me at how obviously she was preying on middle-aged women on the cusp of a mid-life crisis, looking for a spiritual guru to lean on.
   For a reader looking for a spiritual memoir, I would not recommend Eat, Pray, Love. Gilbert's book has an entertaining plot and story, but Gilbert's book as a whole is just that: a story. Her lack of authenticity and superficiality make this book just another New York Times Bestseller, not a staple for bookshelves or a tool for spiritual enlightenment.

3 comments about My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey.

1. Its a good book, informative and fun. Don`t watch her talk at TED talks conference, it was a spoiler for me.



2. This is a very well written book to help everyone understand better what a stroke victim feels and how they want to be treated both physically and emotionally.There is quite a bit of medical information that is hard for the ordinary reader to understand but its worth struggling through.
   I think everyone working in hospitals, care centers, nursing homes and families of stroke victims should read this.



3. I ordered this book for my mother, who is a stroke survivor and it TRULY lifted her spirits and gave her a new insight into her continuous recovery.

5 comments about Going Rogue LP: An American Life.

1. Reveals the details of her life and the reasons for her actions. Answers the many questions I had about her goals and ambitions.



2. If you want to read about the real Palin read Going Rouge: Sarah Palin An American Nightmare edited by Kim & Betsy Reed. This book will really open your eyes to the real Sarah Palin, you betcha'.



3. After reading this book I learned a lot about the nasty politics that are present. Sarah did a great job explaining the behind scene look in politics in the most professional way without throwing mud or feel sorry for me. This book is not only educational, it is inspirational for every day life. If you want to learn what it's like to be in a presidential campaign or governor of a state with a touch of inspiration; buy this book.



4. Sarah Palin, Joe McCain, Plumber Joe, former President Double-Dumb-Dumb, Hillary Clinton, (mo)Joe Biden, Michael Skeletor Chertoff, Mad(cow) Albright, Janet BurnBabiesBurn Reno et all - this and thus is the menagerie or rather the bestiary of American politics. And we didn't even add the assembly of blowhard talking heads (think Blitz and Rush and Hannity-Fannity and Dr. Olbie plus penologists Friedman, Krakenheimer and hordes of 'former' you name it - now still delusional generals, disgraced politicians, heroic draft dodgers, financial schemers.
   
   'Oh... life', my husband sometimes states because they've lost their religion and they're now worshiping at the altars of Tweedle-Dee and Double-Dumber and pop, pops Sarah out of seemingly nowhere - she can see Russia and she's therefore an expert and sometimes she can see the Moon, that possibly making her an accomplished lunatic.
   
   But here she is now - the new literary talent and best-selling powerhouse, son Trig in a duffel bag and full of ideas like... I forgot but she's got many. And she tweets and she googles.
   
   So... yeah. I want the cartoon edition soonest.



5. I had formed an opinion of Palin during the election and was curious as to whether I might have been too harsh, so I read a biography of her written by an author who is independent of the Palin campaign and found my opinion softening. The final step was to read the authors autobiography and make a final determination about my feelings toward her with the knowledge that autobiographies are almost always written to put the author in the best possible light.
   
   The autobiography begins with Palin growing up in Alaska and her time in school and at college. At times reading like a travel brochure for the state, it paints the picture of a fairly normal teenager in a normal household with normal teenage desires and difficulties.
   
   The next portion of the book is dedicated to her election as mayor and to the Governor's office. It details her opinions about a number of things from how to run government to her feelings about the typical politician and how they conduct business. At times she intentionally misleads the reader slightly with statements that she is the governor of the largest state in the US (which is true geographically, but not by any other measure) and that seems to be her trying to puff up her resume. She does deal with some of the rumors from when she was governor and her opinion of the press during that time.
   
   The final section deals with her being chosen for the position of Vice President by John McCain and is, by far, the most interesting section of the book. She gives her opinion of how the campaign was run and what mistakes were made by the campaign. In fact, she gives the impression that if the campaign staff had listened to her they would have won handily. I am sure there is some difference of opinion on things that happen on the trail, but what I found most interesting was her sniping at a senior McCain advisor who has helped elect a number of Republicans to national office. His only response (he lives near where I live) was that the section of the book dealing with the campaign was misfiled as non-fiction and should be reclassified as fiction.
   
   What comes across most strongly is that Palin is thin skinned and cannot stand to be criticized. Anyone who does criticize her is wrong and biased against her despite what the criticism may be. In addition, she doesn't know how to handle criticism other than to lash out at those who do criticize her. Sadly politics, especially at that level, is a blood sport and you need a very thick skin to be able to survive. The other quality that surfaced about her is that she tends to speak first and then think. This creates misstatements on her part, which she then criticizes the media for covering.
   
   I think it is an important book to read, as it allows the reader to see some of the real candidate. And that is important to discovering the character of a candidate.

5 comments about Tuesdays With Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Lifes Greatest Lesson.

1. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
   Review by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD.
   
   Mitch Albom's very popular 192-page book, Tuesdays with Morrie, can be enjoyed on a variety of levels. First, if you've ever had a great teacher, it is a wonderful and touching dialog between teacher and student. Second, the philosophical insights, wisdom, and simple life lessons Morrie Schwartz, a sociology professor at Brandies University, dispenses throughout the book are excellent, basic lessons on how to live. Third, you experience, along with Albom, Morrie's declining health (he's dying from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)), and it is an honest and straightforward lesson in how to die. Fourth, you learn from this experience that human relationships and health are more important than all the gadgets, modern conveniences, and the other trivialities that occupy our lives. Fifth, you enjoy the special connection that can take place between a spiritual mentor and a pupil. Sixth, you will be reading a book that will touch your heart in a deep and meaningful way. This is a short, inspirational book (It takes 2-4 hours to read), with the most important truth being: you learn to live by learning to die. The other truths include the necessity of devoting yourself to loving others, devoting yourself to your community, and devoting yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. What's interesting about this book --- a type I tend to avoid, for the most part (it was recommended to me by my wife) --- is that "it lives up to all the hype!" It is a classic, and it will continue to be a bestseller for a long time. I highly recommend it.



2. This is a great book, it will get you thinking and remind you about how we all should be living. The author does a great job of making you feel as though you where there with them. I even had my 13 year old watch the movie of it, although the book is so much better, I just knew he would'nt read it.
   Thanks Morrie for sharing this with me and thanks to Mitch for bringing it to me.......



3. This book became one of my favorites ever. The story is not just about death but about life. As soon as you start reading this "Tuesdays with Morrie" you will start comparing Morrie's, Mitch's, and your life. Very inspiring. I recommended this book to many of my friends and they just fell in love. There are also YouTube videos showing real Morrie's interviews and DVD so check them out, too. Enjoy!



4. Read it, you will understand why it was on the best sellers list. Great book to read again. I always enjoy it. I love all of Mitch Albom's Books.



5. A very heartwarming read that will make you want to be there in the story. That makes you want to have experienced the story first hand and to have also met Morrie.
   It is not the happiest story in the world and is generally sad, though it is in the best way. Morrie talks about his lessons and hopefully you take time to think about what he says.

5 comments about A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity: A Memoir (Random House Large Print).

1. I am almost to the end of this book, whitch I have not been able to put down! It draws you in. Best buy!



2. Bill and I have similar backgrounds if 8 years apart. It was nice to remenisce about the Catholic school system from years ago. I appreciate his style as he explains his reasoning. Many on the left can't or won't. I have only one other man that I hold in higher regard and that is Mr. Charles Krauthammer. I have read his book "The O'Reilly Factor" and am currently reading "The No Spin Zone". You will enjoy this book if you enjoy The Factor.



3. After reading this book you can see how the character of Bill O'Reilly was being developed and molded throughout his growing up producing His no beating around the bush style He exhibits with his guests and opinions today!



4. Listening to Mr. O'Reilly's book was a rela treat. I hope he keeps up the good work.



5. THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK... I LAUGHED AND CRIED AT THE SAME TIME.. IT REMINDED ME OF MY YOUTH, ONLY FROM A GIRLS SIDE OF IT... (WE WERE JUST A FUN LOVING AND DARING AS THE BOYS WERE) I WILL PASS THIS BOOK ON TO MY FAMILY TO READ. NOW I LOOK AT O'REILLY AND CAN SEE THE SAME MISCHIEVE IN HIS EYES, AS I PICTURED HIM GROWING UP IN THE BOOK..... WILL READ THIS AGAIN. SO MUCH WONDERFUL LIFE LESSONS IN IT...I WOULD HAVE LIKED MORE TO HEAR OF HIS LIFE AND FAMILY NOW. HE BARLEY TOUCHED ON THAT.

5 comments about True Compass: A Memoir (Large Print).

1. The guy i ordered it from was great. He followed up to see when i received the product, plus it was in excellent condition. I wouldn't hesitate to order from him again. Judy



2. I can't help but note what a wonderful gift to his family this memoir must be. It is also a valuable piece of history as it details Edward Kennedy's life in the senate and beyond. It's a story about the good times, the bad times and all those in between.
   Even though he was in his deathbed - he died at age 77 from a brain tumour - he was writing this book. One gets the feeling that there was so much more for Kennedy to accomplish. He lived life to the fullest and now has passed on the torch. Well done!
   I definitely recommend this book.



3. Very candid, amusing, personal ... revealing the good and the bad .... a very good read.



4. I have been struck by what I perceive as a man's struggle to to do his best amidst some difficult and unusual circumstances. Few if any of us were dealt the cards Ted Kennedy was dealt, some heartbreaking, some wonderful opportunities,others I can not even imagine. But what I came away with was his admirable love of family, his strong faith,his great intelligence and a sense of humor that occasionally made me laugh out loud. I thought he came across as gentlemanly and a man who tried to do his best with each day. That said, he; as all of had some horrific regrets and made some choices,the consequences of which he carried with him all of his life. I felt he tried to do what he could to make life better for all. He could not change or undo some of the sadness in his world, he could only move forward and try and learn from life and do better with each day.
   Personally, I think that is what we all need to do. He lived life large and he had large sadness and crosses to bear, he was after all;only human. If you want to focus on one or two of his greater regrets, that would be a shame and missing an extraordinary life. Yes, he did make some huge errors and while I was never a big Kennedy fan I found much to admire,respect and I truly felt sad for many of the burdens he carried.



5. The beginning chapters of this book are quite engaging, so much so I couldn't
   put it down. Here Ted shares much of his family story growing up as a Kennedy.
   Allowing the reader to grasp an understanding of the larger than life figure
   and influence his father,Joe, ruled within their lives and his personal quest
   for his son(s) to become the first Irish Catholic President. His
   mother Rose and her many extended trips to Paris. As
   well as his adoration for older brothers; Joe, John, and Bobby. Within the threads
   of his story earlier in the book the shaping of our countries most recognized
   political family are made clear. My disappointment is as the story travels
   midway it becomes page after page of his political career without the continued
   depth of his surrounding family story in relation to such events. His marriage
   to Joan amounted to maybe a page. One of the codes of conduct within the family
   is to protect the family privacy and loyalty always to one another. This personal
   oath is maintained in the latter part of the book, as Ted is clearly not comfortable
   sharing the family stories during his adult life as he was throughout his childhood.
   So for me it became a matter of record of his senate history with added details minus
   the personal which could have made this a great book instead of a good one.
   After reading True Compass,I was given the biography of Jackie Kennedy, American's Queen by Sarah
   Bradford. A book I could not put down, deserving of 5 stars. After reading Bradford's book and
   its parallel of history to Ted Kennedy's bio both politically and personal I rated his the 3 stars.
   I highly recommend America's Queen as a follow up read.

5 comments about Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time (Wheeler Large Print Book Series).

1. This book is a must read for everyone. Not only does it highlight the need for education in all communities, but it provides insight into the current area conflicts thereby adding another dimension to our understanding of current events. Greg Mortenson outlines the struggles and motivations of the people involved in conflict in a clear, consise way - - much better than any journalist I have read. Only my opinion, but if you have any interest in building a better world this is the book to read.



2. I am enjoying "Three Cups of Tea" THOROUGHLY, mostly because I am a pacifist. I also believe seriously in providing an education to the children, so that they can make a difference (social, political) in their country....



3. I've read many climbing books, but none of them really captured the culture of the communities surrounding the mountain like Three Cups of Tea. As noted by many other reviewers, this book is not about climbing, but rather one man's quest to build schools in remote areas of Pakistan. Regardless of your political beliefs about what is going on in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Three Cups of Tea is a well written book and definitely worth the read.



4. This is a well-written story about an amazing individual.
   
   But it is much more. Every American needs to understand more about the cultures on the other side of the world that have shaped our history since 9/11.
   
   Buy several copies, you will want to share them with friends and family!



5. I liked this book - I will confess I prefer reading fiction but for a non-fiction book this one was one of the better ones I have read. There were chapters here and there that sort of lagged but some chapters I was racing through with great interest. I have written another review else where on this book and it is as follows:
   
   Three Cups of Tea is the true story of mountaineer Greg Mortenson and his impact in Pakistan (and later Afghanistan) by going into remote villages and building schools to educate boys and girls. There is so much more to this story ... It is an amazing and inspiring story. I admire the courage of Mortenson and the men and women who work alongside him to accomplish these feats. You will see that Mortenson and others with him know what it means to be selflessness, to sacrifice. Beyond that it is also a story of honor, courage, hope, joy, sorrow, love and commitment.
   
   The story begins in 1993 when Mortenson fails on his attempt to climb K2 and stumbles into an impoverished Pakistan village. The people there care for him and embrace him. While he is there he sees a need and he makes a promise... to come back and build a school for these people. However, this is not an easy feat as he is not a man with the means to do this. He does not let that stop him from trying and succeeding in his effort. Upon his return however he sees the greater need of the area far and wide ... and so continues the story of the years after that first school was built, through the 9/11 era and after... Hardship, trials, perseverance and success are all part of the journey. This is a story of bringing about change through love and service, overcoming ignorance and hates to minister to those in need.
   
   I do highly recommend this book to be read and hope that others might contribute to this worthy cause.

No comments about Oprah: A Biography.

5 comments about David A Man Of Passion And Destiny.

1. I've always admired Dr. Chuck Swindoll's radio ministry, as I believe he preaches the unadulterated Word of God. His Insights For Living are lessons I have carefully listened to and tried to apply to my own life. A while back, I recall him doing a series of radio programs on the life of King David, and I believe those programs resulted in him writing this book.
   
   I heartily recommend this book to those who desire a study of King David and his life and times. Swindoll takes his information directly from Kings and Chronicles, and considers the life of David from when he was a young boy tending his father's sheep, to an old man of 70, about to die. Swindoll tells King David's story and the lessons Christians can learn from the most written about person in the entire Old Testament. Swindoll is a list-maker, and in each chapter he provides a list of key ideas or lessons to be learned by King David's attitude or actions that are applicable to believers today. For example, what kind of mindset is required to face down a giant challenge, such as a Goliath? What does it mean to be "A man after God's own heart?" How can a man of faith commit adultery and then have a man murdered in order to steal his wife? What should our response be with our children rebel against us? These and many more questions are asked and answered in Swindoll's book.
   
   I am using this book as a nightly Bible study and I can hardly wait to get to bed to read another chapter. I have enjoyed this book so much that I will likely purchase the next book in his series on Biblical characters.
   
   I knew very little about King David before beginning this study, and as I come to the conlcusion of the book, I feel I know the general outlicne of David's life so much better, and have improved insights into his personality, his struggles, his moral failings, and his faith in his God. David's life is one of great contrasts. Since he is the most written about person in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit must want us to learn about this Man of God, and learn how he failed and how he suceeded in his walk of faith.
   
   This is not a difficult book to read. Swindoll writes for the average reader, yet has insights and clarity that will benefit the church deacon or pastor. I most highly recommend this book as a great starting point to learn about the greatest King of Israel.
   
   konedog



2. I would buy from this vendor again! I received the book just a few days after I ordered it!! And, it was in better condition than they had stated!



3. Worthy of the reading and study whether this is by itself or part of the series.



4. What I do like about Chuck Swindoll's is that he brings that Old Testament to life for Born Again Christians and makes it relevant to adult lives and problems. This book on David as well as his study guide did give me much food for life when I was having non-legal problems with the government after I had applied for the Federal Civil Service in 1985. I heard on TV that Reagan had to approve in signature even applications for GS-9 position and I was on the list for considerations for such jobs when I was in grad school. I think they just wanted to teach young men like ma a lesson in life the hard way!
   David had become a national hero by killing the Philistine Giant Goliath. Then the prophet Samuel had annointed David to be Israel's future king since Saul had committed an act of disobedience against him. Saul became paranoid how David become a military hero where "Saul has slain his thousands; David his ten thousands"! So, Saul in his madness set out to kill David.
   What I found so some food for thought was that when David was losing heart about Saul persuing him to kill him and he had to live underground and off the land, that David decided to defect to the pagan Phillistine army-kind of like seeking Political Assylum with the Soviets or the North Koreans! When I was being persecuted on Park Street in North Toledo, I did seek assylum with several foreing nations. But nothing happened. I told myself who is "America's Philistines"-Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. I even sent them all resumes through my shortwave radio hobby. I had a big foreign address book called THE WORLD RADIO TV HANDBOOK! Plenty of people to complain to there!
   Other things I liked about David was that he had a thing for the ladies; and I also like pretty girls, but never seem to make it with any of them. David had an entire Harem of seven wives. You cannot find the definition of the word "Harem" in my Bible Dictionary; so sexless and loveless is America's Christianity! He was such an opportunist that he picked up the wife Abagial from a dead enemy Nabal who denied him and his men food when they were on the run from Saul. God stuck Nabal dead with a heart attack for his stinginess. I used to say that my former father in law was liewise a hard man like Nabal-yet God did not strike him dead. And of course David was a Prophet and a Man of God. He wrote about 50 of the Old Testament Psalms, some of which prophesy of Christ;s crucifion on the cross and the coming Millennial Kingdom of God. God had taken David from tending the sheep to becoming Sheperd of Israel! David was a man after God's heart as David did what God had wanted him to do during his reign as King. I found that defining verse in Acts.
   I liked the folk guitar in high school and in the Army. I read that David played the small harp, which was a forerunner of the modern folk guitar. Me and David liked music and pretty ladies. I was just thinking the other day that when I die and go to Heaven I will really like to meet this man, as though he was my friend!



5. Yet another great book in the series. Well worth the reading and study. I have ordered additional copies to give as gifts.

4 comments about Santa Biblia - NVI Letra Gigante Tela Negro (Spanish Edition).

1. 
   In many Christian bookstores and even some of the large chain outlets, there are plenty of Reina-Valera Bibles to be found (the 1569 version that had its current revision in 1960), but new translations are few to come by, and this one, the Spanish equivalent of the English NIV, is excellent and very readable. The Reina-Valera, like the King James Version, is a good primary Bible to start with and refer to, but this NVI makes a terrific alternate, and a must for anyone who wants to get the most out of their understanding of the Word. I am thrilled with this Bible, and for the price it is a great value.
   This edition has:
   Wonderful large font size that is so easy on the eyes. The pages are very thin and one can see an outline of the print on the other side, but the print on the page one is reading is so good this is not a problem.
   A nice layout with headlines that highlight the main subject of the verses that follow.
   A glossary (words with asterisks in the text are explained in this glossary).
   Table of weights, measures and coins used in biblical times.
   Index of titles.
   10 maps.
   A much larger concordance than is usually found at the back of most Bibles.
   Ribbon marker.
   Some will miss these features:
   The words of Jesus are not in red.
   Though it has footnotes, it does not have references, so won't be considered a "study Bible."
   
   Comparison translation of Matthew 6:1:
   Reina-Valera:
   "Guardaos de hacer vuestra justicia delante de los hombres, para ser vistos de ellos; de otra manera no tendreis recompensa de vuestro Padre que esta en los cielos."
   NVI:
   "Cuidense de no hacer sus obras de justicia delante de la gente para llamar la atencion. Si actuan asi, su Padre que esta en el cielo no les dara ninguna recompensa."



2. THIS IS A GREAT BIBLE I GAVE IT AS A GIFT TO MY SISTER, SHE SAID IT EVEN HAS DICTIONARY. IT IS SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND. SHE LOVES THE GIANT LETTERS TOO. However they are not black as other giant letter bibles like Reina Valera, but you can read it fine if you dont have major vision problems. My mom prefer reina valera giant letter because is darker and she can read it better. My sister loves the NIV more than Reina Valera because is easy to understand.
   
   Esta biblia es excelente. Incluye diccionario biblico. Mi hermana prefiere NIV pues la entiende mejor pero la reina valera en letra grande tiene la impresion en tinta mas oscura. Mi mama la prefiere en reina valera pues la puede leer mejor pues ella tiene un poco de problema de vision. Pero la explicacion en NIV es mejor que la de reina Valera, mas facil de entender de acuerdo a mi hermana a quien se la regale. Es excelente, yo recomendaria compren las dos.



3. When I received this bible I thought it had normal size fonts as it just didn't look that big, but when I opened it not only did it have large type but the pages have a white background which make it easier to read.



4. This is great for young and old, for people with impaired vision or for dimly lit situations. Do not have to use my reading glasses when I read with this large print. Easy to carry and not heavy to handle. A plus for any one with eye problems.