3 comments about God, Country, Notre Dame: The Autobiography of Theodore M. Hesburgh.

1. Outstanding Book! Well written! Very insightful history of an amazing person and a fine institution.



2. I "read" this book for the first time on audio cassette and quickly ran out and bought it" Years later, I still think of it and am still amazed at what a tremendous person Father Hesburgh is. If I did not know its true, I would not believe that a person could accomplish so much in a lifetime. Knowing that this country and faith produces such great men, makes me proud to be Catholic and an American. This book would make a great, great gift!



3. God, Country, Notre Dame is a book that once again proves what an amazing man Father Hesburgh is. This book is inspiring. If you've never read or heard about Father Hesburgh, this is a must. He has got to be one of the top 10 most influntial people of the 21st century.

5 comments about I Told the Mountain to Move: Learning to Pray So Things Change.

1. This is a terrific book. Her writing style makes it easy to read. The author is brutally honest about her shortcomings. I could relate to many situations in the book. This is a must read book for the Christian reader.



2. If you are not serious about the power of prayer, please don't play around and read this wonderfully written testimony of a sister I feel I know. Pat Raybon, has captured the simplicity of prayer and illustrated the super natural implications prayer has always had in a believers life/ walk. A must read for any Pastor's wife, sunday school teacher and/or any sister searching for a deeper relationship with the Father.
   
   Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting pen 2 paper Pat!



3. This is a must read for anyone who wants to be encouraged in their walk with God



4. It's the most moving book I've read in a long time. The author was so honest about her feelings, her life, her faith. I really appreciated that about her. And, I learned so much! I look forward to reading her other book, I hope its, "BOOKS"...............



5. This book revealed a very personal side of prayer in the life of a believer. It gave the reader insight into the power of fervent, consistent and continuous praying. It is a wonderful lesson and experience in "learning how to pray". I would recommend this book to all persons interested in learning how to pray, especially those who are struggling in their prayer life.

2 comments about The Esoteric World of Madame Blavatsky: Insights into the Life of a Modern Sphinx.

1. In The Esoteric World Of Madame Blavatsky: Insights Into The Life Of A Modern Sphinx, Daniel Caldwell has collected a wealth of biographical information on one of the most influential metaphysical thinkers and writers of her day. Arranged in chronological order, we are treated to Madame Blavatsky's travels beginning in Russia and spanning the entire world including her years in New York, and sojourns to London, Bombay, Allahabad, Sri Lanka, Lahore, Adyar, France, Germany, and Italy. A "must" for students of Madame Blavatsky's writings and metaphysics, Caldwell's informative text is wonderfully enhanced with a number of illustrations and photographs.



2. Here for the first time is the story of H. P. Blavatsky's life in the words of her contemporaries. Although not a biography per se, this collection tells the story of Madame Blavatsky's eventful career with a special look at the "Esoteric World" in which she lived. These reminiscences by her relatives, acquaintances, friends, co-workers, critics and enemies allow the reader to enter into the historical milieu of HPB's time and give a vivid portrayal of Madame Blavatsky's personality. The narratives are arranged in chronological order and include (1) striking word portraits of HPB; (2) reminiscences giving insight into HPB's enigmatic character; (3) incidents that are sometimes humorous and witty; (4) accounts of psychic phenomena performed by Madame Blavatsky; and (5) descriptions of encounters with HPB's Masters. These personal reminiscences of HPB by more than seventy of her contemporaries give a vivid portrayal of one of the most extraordinary and controversial figures of modern times. Here is a sourcebook of rare original material on HPB illustrated with forty-four photographs and drawings.

5 comments about The Blood.

1. No one has time for teaching this bad.
   
   Good teaching comes directly from Scripture, and while "Pastor" Hinn considers many individual verses, he has no sense of context and usually misses the point of each passage. In reality, this book is taken from the author's imagination and personal experience, varnished with a thin coat of Bible.
   
   Sometimes, it can be worthwhile to tolerate bad teaching if the writing is good - but this is also not present. Hinn's writing is vague, clichéd, and recklessly meandering.
   
   This book actually distracts readers from Christ's blood, the very thing it claims to explain. I insistently un-recommend it.



2. What can I say, this is the third book of Brother Benny's I have read... absolutely fantastic! It clearly relates scripture to today and how we can move forward in our daily life by putting our past at the foot of the cross.
   
   When you fully appreciate what The Blood of Christ has given you already and how important it is to remember the Blood shed at Golgotha, you will receive a new leash of life, wonderfully anointed.
   
   Imagine a life with no bondage, no condemnation, no fight all because you realise what God has done for YOU... the cross of shame took away any blame from ALL... embrace it and you will be blessed, truly! Thats not my promise it is Gods ;-)



3. This is an outstanding book. Benny Hinn's ministry has done nothing but help the Body of Christ. If you choose to hate him, then keep your ungodly thoughts to yourself. Benny Hinn is not perfect and neither are you. Jesus was persecuted for healing the sick in His day and Benny Hinn is condemned today by modern day Pharisees for doing the same. Should we expect anything different? Jesus said that we would experience persecution.
   
   Thank you Brother Benny for taking the Good News to a sinful, angry, sick, poor, and defeated world.



4. The book is powerful and marvelous. Benny Hinn is a man of God who directs people to a more intimate relationship with God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit; and he understands the applications of the Blood and the covenants God has made over time. It's not about Benny! His works are always love filled. I pity "hermie boy" who wrote a previous review. After looking at his (hermie boy's) other reviews in "see more about hermie boy," I realize that he or she is completely obsessed with Benny Hinn. If he/she hates his books so much, why read each and every one and then print hate filled messages about them? Hermie, I will be praying for you, because you seem to need help. I mean that sincerely, whether or not you believe that...



5. Benny Hinn fans will love it !! Christians who read their bible and understand scripture will hate it. Typical Benny Hinn twisted scripture and bad bible interpretation. For self consumed, greedy, wicked 21st century so called christians who look for signs and wonders, this book is for you. For humble Christ seeking followers of Jesus...this book will make you sick...and to think that Jesus died for people like Benny Hinn and his sickening books....How AWESOME JESUS IS...how pathetic this book is....Follow Jesus or follow Benny Hinn, but you cant follow BOTH, believe in Jesus or believe in Benny Hinn, but you cant believe in both !! AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD....AND PRAY FOR BENNY HINNS REPENTANCE AND SALVATION.

3 comments about Things in Heaven and Earth: The Life and Times of Wilford Woodruff, a Mormon Prophet.

1. Thomas G. Alexander, professor of history at Brigham Young University and one of the leaders of what has been called the "New Mormon History" that tries to approach the subject with functional objectivity, has written a good biography of the Mormon Church's fourth president. Alexander asserts that Woodruff was "arguably the third most important figure in all of LDS Church history after Joseph Smith...and Brigham Young" (p. 331). While perhaps an overstatement, there is no question but that Woodruff was a central leader of nineteenth century Mormonism. He was a member of the church's council of twelve apostles between 1835 and 1889. Then he became president and headed the Mormon movement until his death in 1898 at age 91.

   Alexander presents Woodruff as a true believer in the message of Joseph Smith and the Mormon religion. That meant, for Woodruff, the acceptance of "a world view that unified the temporal and spiritual realms in God's kingdom and in the lives of church members" (p. xiii). That holistic view of the temporal and spiritual found expression in the Mormon theocratic state of early Utah. Ironically, Woodruff began the dismantling of that theocracy in response to the challenges of federal authority. He, for instance, was responsible for the 1890 manifesto ending the performance of plural marriages and he set the course for Utah's statehood in 1896 by working to remove the church from politics.

   Although there is much to admire in "Things in Heaven and Earth," there are some imperfections. One of them is occasional demonstrations of pro-Mormon bias and the too-easy acceptance of the court position. For example, Alexander argues that the "intermingling of church and state [in pioneer Utah] would have generated little opposition in a Protestant-dominated community" (p. 176), but there is little reason to accept that conclusion. The quest for empire that early Rocky Mountain Mormonism mandated always ran against the grain of the American mainstream and the nation asserted itself to defend against a perceived threat to liberty. There are numerous examples in American history of other religious groups, in similar instances being handled roughly by the larger community.

   Even so, "Things in Heaven and Earth" is a fine biography. It is sympathetic without being hagiographic, and Alexander's conclusions are usually well measured. It can be profitably read by anyone interested in the development of Mormonism, new religions of the nineteenth century, and the American West.




2. Things In Heaven And Earth: The Life And Times Of Wilford Woodruff, A Mormon Prophet is a fascinating, detailed, meticulously researched and comprehensive biography of a remarkable man, his life, work, thought, philosophy, and contributions. Biographer Thomas G. Alexander (Lemuel Redd Professor of Western History, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah) has made an important and seminal contribution to the study of Wilford Woodruff's personal life and contributions to the development and expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Things In Heaven And Earth is important reading for student of Mormon history in general, and the lives of the influential men who lead and shaped its activities, theology, expansion, and organization. Also very highly recommended is Thomas Alexander's Mormonism In Transition: A History Of The Latter-Day Saints, 1890-1930.



3. I'm afraid this was rather tedious reading. While I can appreciate that a scholarly biographer may choose to merely stick to the facts as they are known regarding the life of their subject, still it is my personal feeling that someone's life is far more important than the facts: what did that life MEAN to others? The biographer is, in my opinion, on safe ground when they interpret the life of their subject and write the story that has meaning for the author, not just a compilation of detailed facts. That is essentially all that Alexander has done with his treatment of the life of Wilford Woodruff.

   The tragedy is that the story that occurred in the Mormon "kingdom" during the life span of the 4th President of the Church was anything but dry! While I disagree with the author's assertion that "Woodruff was probably the 3rd most important Mormon after Joseph Smith and Brigham Young," (I don't know how you could possibly quantify the value of a man, and then rank them in some sort of Letterman's Top Ten List...especially when you consider the incredible contributions of other Mormons, including Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, the Pratt Brothers, as well as some of the more notorious, such as John Bennett,) still, so very much changed in Utah during his presidency that radically shaped the future of the West, that the feel and meaning of the story should be TOLD, not merely documented. It was during the leadership era of Wilford Woodruff that the Mormons finally joined the United States, which was in reality an incredible shift in the paradigm of the Mormon hierarchy. Plural Marriage, one of two keystones to Mormon segregation, (the other being the notion of theocratic inheritence of whatever land they happened to occupy), was eliminated...more or less...during his leadership. And the millenialism of the Saints became considerably tempered. Instead, Alexander chose to focus on the breakup of the People's Party and the importance of the tension then between Mormon Democrats and Mormon Republicans. To read this book, you would think that was the biggest story in Woodruff's life. I don't disagree that it was important in shaping policy, but it wasn't the real story. Furthermore, you practically know nothing about his families as a result of reading this book, only that he had four, plus a few divorced wives, which you would think in the family orientation of this church that these people would be a more significant subject of this book.

   The fact of the matter is, Alexander has chosen to focus on the History of Utah and the Church during the life of Wilford Woodruff, while mentioning Woodruff's involvment, rather than focus on his life, while mentioning what was going on in the church. We know the history already, but tell us about the Man!

   Read the book, but don't expect to be kept on the edge of your seat, shed any tears, or experience vicariously the joy and satisfaction of a full life, well lived in the service of his fellow men, his country, and his God.

2 comments about St. Monica: The Power of a Mother's Love.

1. I was delighted to find this book about St. Monica. What little I knew about St. Monica I have learned by reading about St. Augustine, her son. Their lives were so closely united that you cannot read about one without the other being mentioned.
   
   St. Monica's life was not easy but her patience and her persistence is an example for all us. Her arranged marriage to Patricius,a pagan was certainly not ideal. He had a violent temper and was a womanizer. Yet through her patience and prayers, he was converted.
   
   The woman of her town often sought her out for advice because they respected her. Monica never repeated anything she may have heard one of her friends say against another, aware that when the spirit is disturbed because of injured pride, anger, or evny, one often gives vent to exxagerated and rash words. She shared with the person in question only what might encourage reconciliation.
   
   Her son, Augustine had accepted the Manichean heresy and was living a very immoral life and yet Monica never ceased praying for him for many years. He, of course, was converted and became a great saint and church leader.
   
   A great many of our women saints are virgins and/or nuns. One thing I love about St. Monica is that she was married and had children, and I believe (after 38 years of marriage) that this is the more challenging of lives. I recommend this book to all mothers as an inspiration. God could not resist Monica's prayers and tears, and He will not resist ours. Never cease praying for your spouse,children, and grandchildren.



2. This is a well written "life of a Saint". It gives an historical background that is not "weird". Saint Monica is portrayed as a women who truly lived a life that anyone from a "dysfunctional" marriage can relate to. She worked and prayed for her husband in a manner that is difficult but not impossible with God's grace. She suffered for the souls of her children, not by whining or nagging but by truly working with God for their salvation. This book gives great hope.
   As the mother of five adult children, I will now pray to St. Monica for the grace to follow her example of prayer and sacrifice and hope so that they may seek God's will in their lives.

No comments about Pedro Arrupe: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series).

5 comments about The River of Grace: The Story of John Calvin.

1. We read a great many books for our homeschool history program. I enjoyed this book and think my 7th grade son will as well, because it is such an easy and pleasant reader. This is a pleasant change from some of the very technical and detailed history books we read. Although it is an easy read, it quite adequately gives a summary of Calvin's life and well expresses many of his beliefs.



2. My 8 year old read the book in two days lots of great history of the Reformed Faith. Highly recommend it.



3. I was delighted with this sensitive biography of John Calvin. McPherson writes simply to children, not down to children. She begins in John's childhood, and touches on the events and issues of his life. She shows his thoughts with frequent quotes him from his letters and other writings. This book is a great introduction to the life and heart of a great reformer, and an excellent work.



4. Like most protestants of my generation (at least the ones that I know), my knowledge of church history is...dismal. Anything that happened between the book of Acts and 1980 is a fuzzy area for me.
   
   So although The River of Grace: The Story of John Calvin is written for young readers, I still learned a lot.
   
   The River of Grace traces Calvin's life from his boyhood to his death in Geneva in 1564, from his early studies for the Catholic priesthood to his conversion and his eventual leadership in the Reformation.
   
   Calvin's beliefs and his objections to Catholicism are incorporated into the story but not belabored. I'm sure this was to keep younger readers from getting bogged down. Readers will still walk away with a better understanding of the peril Calvin and his friends were under in their work to teach and make the Scriptures available to the people.
   
   Learning about church history gives me a greater appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made by others to advance the Kingdom of God. My faith is strengthened as I am reminded to never take my freedom to worship for granted.



5. After reading two of Joyce McPherson's other books, I knew I was in for a treat when I picked up River of Grace, the biography of John Calvin. While the language is easily understandable for a child, it holds the interest of the adult. I have even seen my husband, who rarely picks up a book, reading this one. John Calvin is famous as a theologian, but I found out lots of things that I didn't know about him. It made his life come alive for me.

4 comments about Exiled: The Story of John Lathrop.

1. I loved this book, As a decendant of John Lathrop I enjoyed reading what much of his life was like. It made me proud to be his family.



2. This book was so insightful, inspirational, and uplifting. Despite loss, tragedy, heartache, and persecution, John Lathrop is a man of honor and key in American History and the right to worship freely.



3. Very well researched and written. Done in a novel format, but kept to accurate historical information.



4. This book is the story of John Lathrop, an early English non-conformist, and his fight for religious freedom.

   Accounts of people like William Tyndale, John Wycliff and other similar champions of Christianity and freedom are hard to come by these days. Foxe's Book of Martyrs and other similar works contain thumbnail sketches of these champions of religious liberty that had so much to do with the establishment of America. There are extensive scholarly works on some of these figures. But it is difficult to find a popular work that has sufficient depth to really understand the struggles that these people went through to establish religious liberty as a tenet of Western Civilization.

   This book fills in this gap. It is the story of an English Minister who is forced into exile because his conscience will not allow him to agree completely with his church.

   It is historical and derived from primary sources, but is told in a conversational style much like that of Alan Eckert in his early American historical works. This form of writing flows smoother and is more appealing to someone looking for a good story in addition to learning more information on historical figures and periods.

   As an American, I found it particularly interesting as it documented the history of a representative figure who fled the Old World for the New to find religious liberty.

   I recommend it for adolescents and adults who would appreciate learning more of this early American immigrant and the causes that led to so many similar immigrants coming to America. The genealogy list of descendants of John Lathrop notes that over half of the 43 Presidents of the United States were (and are since GWB is also related) related to this man.

5 comments about Vestal!: "Lord, I Wouldn't Take Nothin' for My Journey Now".

1. This is such a delightful, inspirational book that I chose to review it for a couple of the Round Table groups in our church. [These are groups of Christian women who meet monthly at a member's home for a book review, prayer-and-share time, food and fun.] I included a couple of video clips of her singing and praying. Vestal and her husband Howard (both recently deceased)led amazing lives full of faith and miracles as well as hardships and disappointments. They trusted God to meet their needs and he always did. They experienced miracles of all types, including physical healings. I "met" the Goodmans years ago on television and became "reacquainted" when they began appearing on the Gaither Gospel Concerts (live, video, tv) in 1991. Like the rest of Vestal's fans, I was attracted to her clear, strong, one-of-a-kind voice, and the sweet spirit that showed on her face with a special glow when she sang. I'm thankful to have been able to see and hear her in person in Dallas in 2003 just ten months before she died. Vestal always gave glory to God and Jesus when she sang. She was a spiritual advisor to hundreds of people including celebrities such as George Jones, and was known as a great Prayer Warrior. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and I laughed out loud at some of her stories. The book includes pictures of the Goodmans (and others) through the years. It's a special book that stays with you. I keep telling my friends about different stories from it!



2. This is an awsome book. IT had great detail and kept your mind on the book. It was like Vestal was your best friend sitting next to you telling you her life story. I read it as a Vestal fan but, it's great forany reader of any age Christian or not this book will show you Vestal's life(much like ours)hasn't been filled with mountian top expierances it will make you look at her in a totally differnt way weather you love Vestal or just love to read you will enjoy this book.Happy Reading!



3. I have admired Vestal Goodman for years, especially because of her former hairstyles. I read this book and could not put it down. I understood how her life had come up from bootstraps and how time and time again they were desolate and had nothing but the Goodman Family and faith. Vestal was honest and frank about several relationships and theology. She did not mince words on anything. Vestal wrote this book not to impress anyone but to honor God.



4. This is one of the best books I have ever read.It is very hard to put down.



5. I have read Vestal! three times now, and find more things each time I read it. This book can uplift you when you are at your lowest point. Vestal's experiences and the things that she has gone through was enough to bring even the strongest man down without the faith and belief in God that she possesses. She is not afraid to let the readers know that without God and strong faith and belief she would have survived her journey. She is an inspiration to everyone in her book and in person.