History Books

This book falls far short of her early efforts that romance readers have come to love. The story set in the Borders of Scotland feels more like a story set in the Highlands: there were no clans (these were riding families, their culture wasn't Gael) nor were there family tartans in the Borders of the 15th century Scotland. She also has problems of consistency in her story: the hero telling his heroine his father and mother's marriage was one of anger and his mother being distant and cruel and then later telling her of his mother's love. What?

The real crime is the ending of the book, the final events were not needed to make this a better than average read. The actions of the once likable hero made this reader feel the author was deceptive and "the" event was so unnecessary made worse by the quick way the h/h recovered from the devastating sadness in just two pages. Then she expects the last paragraph of the book make up for it all, talk about short changing the reader. Shame on you MS Small for such an unnecessary ending. This was historical romance not historical fiction, and her loyal romance readers were cheated.

Also this offering is considered part of her Border series, yet it appears to be an earlier period than her last book that was part of this series, which was a disappointment to this reader. Additionally, I haven't really found the connection to her A DANGEROUS LOVE, which by the way is a far better book and should be read if you enjoy this period of Scottish/Anglo intrigues. Usually a series will have a connecting element and it appears in this book that element is location, which this reader feels her knowledge fell far short of the actual culture of the area. For those of us who read historical romance for the history we want more than just knowing the history of the events we want our characters to reflect the history/culture of the period/people. She fell short on this one, it read like so many other average books.

Disheartening to readers is this wasn't a mass market offering but a trade size book with the added cost. Ms Small has many fine offerings with her Skye O'Malley books as well as many books set in Scotland such SPITFIRE, which is a full bodied story of intrigue, angst and love. If you have to read this one wait for it to come out in mass market or buy it used.

In 1461 the war seems to impact everyone even the court of King Henry VI and Queen Margaret. With her dad the royal physician to the queen dying, Alix Givet needs a home for herself and her father Alexander. Margaret arranges for her to marry an abusive Northumbrian aristocrat, Hayle Wattison, son of a baron.

With the death of her beloved dad, Alix considers running away from her odious brutish husband. She feels euphorically free when the beast kills himself. That lasts a nanosecond as her father-in-law informs her he will marry her. Rather than being wed to another abuser, Alix flees on foot heading towards wintry Scotland. Laird Malcolm Scott saves her life and though he vowed never to marry after his wife betrayed him, they fall in love and wed. However, her former father-in-law is coming to claim his bride.

This heated fifteenth century historical romance emits enough steam to melt the snow that nearly kills the courageous heroine. Die hard fans of Bertrice Small will enjoy the torrid romance between Malcolm and Alix. However, other readers need to consider the extremes of the prime cast; whereas the led duet is 100% good and honorable, the psychopathic baron is 200 proof amoral evil.

Harriet Klausner

1461
The war in England has forced Henry VI, his family and all their loyal retainers to become fugitives. They've traveled from place to place seeking shelter from anyone still loyal enough to aid them. Alix Givet is the daughter of Queen Margaret's physician and she's also the Queen's goddaughter.

With the weather getting colder it's become obvious that Alix's father is very ill and can't continue traveling. Alix is willing to do whatever must be done in order to make her father's final days comfortable but the marriage arranged by her father and the queen is more than a little worrisome.

Hayle's disdain for Alix is immediately apparent. He has a mistress whom he would like to marry but because she's of low birth and he's a future baron such a union would never be accepted. Despite Alix's misgivings and Hayle's abusive attitude, they go through with the wedding and bedding but it's definitely not the love match Alix's parents shared. Alix vows to do her best to make her marriage bearable for as long as her father lives.

When Alix's father passes away she's devastated, but even more stunning is the fact that Hayle's mistress and child died in childbirth. When Alix could have used some support instead she is faced with a surly child-man who blames her for everything that's gone wrong in his life and attempts to kill her. Hayle commits suicide to `be with his true love' and Hayle's father proposes a shocking idea. He believes that since his only son is dead, Alix should marry him and he's willing to buy the church's agreement.

Alix's only hope is to leave England for Scotland where she hopes to find Queen Margaret. Before reaching her destination or even a suitable shelter a winter storm sets in and she falls asleep between a couple of great horned shaggy cattle. The following morning she's found and quickly brought to the attention of Laird Malcolm Scott.

Malcolm's been through a disastrous marriage of his own and has no intention of marrying again. There's no denying he's attracted to Alix and his young daughter certainly becomes attached to the young woman. As time goes on, it's an attraction he's finding it harder to ignore but Alix's experience has her leery of any sort of sexual interaction.

CAPTIVE HEART is the third book in Bertrice Small's series THE BORDER CHRONICLES. Filled with memorable characters, stunning situations and historical facts entwined throughout the storyline this is a book that promises to satisfy readers' desire for a believable storyline that speaks to your heart. I found it extremely easy to empathize with the characters and was completely enchanted by Malcolm's five-year-old daughter Fiona. There are even a few twists to the plot that stunned me and even broke my heart. Bertrice Small has been one of my favorite authors for many years and her books will always have an honorary place on my bookshelves.

While this book is a part of THE BORDER CHRONICLES series, you do not have to read the other books in the series in order to fully enjoy this one.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

This is Bryson at his best, funny, fearless, and factual. He took me back to splendid promise of the 50's when we awaited "Better things through chemistry" and believed they would come.

I really enjoyed this book, remembering the 50s. Brought back some fond memories. We chose this book for our book Club, and will discuss it tomorow. It was an easy read.

Bryson is well-known for his travelogues but here he takes us through his growing up years. All things mundane related to childhood turn interesting and are set aglow when touched by his genial wit. Bryson's companionable style is evident in this very entertaining memoir which is also a tribute to a much safer, much more innocent, and much more personable lifestyle of 1950s America. At times warm, at times wise, at times nostalgic, and always funny, this is a heart-warming chronicle of childhood by a gifted humourist which brings back cherished memories of our own.

If you spent any time in the 50's this will be a laugh out loud perspective that will not disappoint. Bryson is smart, funny and just has a gift for narrative.
The humor may be more appealing to males but I am not really sure.
Enjoy this treat.

It's a historical text book wrapped in a delightful tale of a "regular" kid from the 1950s. And I will say, funny, funny, funny. I was reading it on an airplane and I was laughing out loud almost to the point of my embarrassment. Bryson is very sharp. He supplements his childhood anecdotes with (sometimes shocking) historical facts. He successfully juxtaposes the good and the bad. Every time I turned the page, I wished America could return to a "simpler" time and then I'd turn another page and count my blessings that we have moved on. It made me long for the smell of grammar school coat closets and thank goodness we weren't all blown to pieces with a nuclear holocaust.

If you like TV, toys, kids, adults, baseball, movies, state fairs, underage drinking, family vacations, teenage pranks or anything relating to history at all, I would recommend this book as a must read.

You have to check out this book if you can appreciate the art that is graffiti. Banksy also inspires you with his political satire.

there isn't much to read. the art speaks for itself.
6 sections to this book:
monkeys, cops, rats, cows, art, and street furniture.
there are a few pages that contain several paragraphs of writing. banksy provides captions for maybe.. approximately half or less than half of his art. towards the back there's one page with "advice on painting with stencils". if you were looking for graffiti instruction, look elsewhere... unless you really want to look at that one page haha. some of his famous quotes are in there.
what a funny guy. funny book. it was worth the money :)

Couldn't put it down. Images are mezmerizing. Everyone I show it to wants to buy it to. No profanity or sexually oriented photos make it a hip gift choice for young people.

Banksy is a great artist. This book is 240 pages of both his graffiti and his "gallery" or more "Piece" art. I think he is an innovator and inspiration to all artists. We could all learn something from Banksy. If you like this book you might also like some Shepard Fairey work. Also check out Banksy's website at http://www.Banksy.co.uk its really great.

If you haven't read or seen much from BANKSY - trust me, just buy the sweet book. Otherwise... make a quick stop at your favorite video search engine, type BANKSY and watch a documentary about the man...

This is one of my favorite art books. Without a doubt.

I must say that this book turned what I believe about the economy on its head, but it also enlightened me about how the economy is connected to fairness and equality. I used to think that our biggest problem was deficit spending, but now I see the biggest problem is fairness. Galbraith, who is the son of the famous John K. Galbraith who wrote The Modern Industrial State, which I read 40 years ago and gave me my first insights into how the economy works, describes how inequity in wages has distorted the market and created an environment not unlike Alice in Wonderland where people disenfranchise themselves by believing that free markets are somehow all-seeing and lead to the greatest possible good. Galbraith makes a case against this hands-off approach to markets and argues that unregulated markets will lurch from one bubble to the next. Crises like global warming will never be dealth with because there is no financial incentive to do so. Planning is the only thing that can save us and will have to involve a serious political battle because the corporations have saturated the media with the belief that the markets work best when left alone, which prescription leaves most of us on the bottom level of the next pyramid scheme while the corporate executives accumulate vast fortunes for themselves at our expense. The writing isn't bad, but it can be a bit hard to see what he's driving at at times. The resolutions he offers at the end make the read worth while. This book came out in Spring of 2008. Given the financial meltdown here in the Fall, the warnings in this book are eerily prescient.

There is a fundamental problem with this book.The problem is that Galbraith is unable to correctly categorize the political and economic affiliations of the numeroous economists and politicians mentioned in his book.For instance, Galbraith confuses two different Ronald Reagans(RR).The first RR was the conservative governor of the state of California from 1966-1974.He implemented fundamental conservative economic policies that can be traced directly back to Adam Smith(see below).The first RR always attained a balanced budget for California on time ,even if it required the largest percentage increase in income and sales taxes at the state level in American history through 1968.The first RR recognized the importance of education.He made sure that it was properly funded so that it could continue to generate the positive spillover and externality effects that result from a well educated work force.The second RR dated from 1976.Unfortunately,due to his great desire to become President,the second RR,as did George H W Bush, turned to the dark side libertarianism of A Laffer ,J Wanniski,G Gilder,etc. These libertarians camouflaged their libertarian ideas by calling themselves " supply side economists ".The second RR attempted to take the Republican nomination away from a solid,true conservative president named Gerald Ford in 1976.The second RR worked to sabotage Gerald Ford's 1976 election campaign against Carter so that he could run in 1980.He succeeded.The second RR was no longer a conservative but had changed into a libertarian opportunist promising supply side nostrums that were based on fanciful claims that one could cut taxes,increase spending ,and balance the budget by 1984.David Stockman demonstrated that this was a fairy tale policy that could only lead to 300 billion dollar deficits per fiscal year .

This example is repeated again and again by Galbraith in this book.The strange notion that conservatives believe in free trade is another unsupported claim made by Galbraith.The Federalist founders of the American Republic(Hamilton,Washington,Franklin,Madison,Monroe,Jay,and the Adams Brothers) defeated the intellectual balderdash of the libertarian, Anti -Federalists supporters of a weak central government,as was exemplified by the Articles of Confederation,and created a strong Federal government and central bank,as well as instituting the highest revenue tariffs in world history .Hamilton broke the record for implementing the largest revenue tariff in world history.The record he broke had been held by a Customs official of Scotland.This individual,a real conservative like his father and grandfather of the same name ,was called Adam Smith.
Smith gave the following summary of the conservative position on trade on pp.437-438 of the Wealth of Nations,after having given an excellent argument for the resort to retaliatory tariffs if the probability was greater than 0 that the retaliatory tariff would result in the elimination or modification of the original tariff.Smith's exposition(see pp.434-439 of the Modern Library(Cannan) edition of WN) represents the first explicit application of an intuitive approach to mixed strategies game theory in history.Smith states : " To expect,indeed,that the freedom of trade should be entirely restored in Great Britain,is as absurd as to expect that an Oceana or Utopia should ever be established in it.Not only the prejudice of the public,but what is more unconquerable,the private interests of many individuals,irresistibly oppose it ".(Smith,1776,pp.437-438).The Invisible Hand of the Market does not lead to " free trade ".

Galbraith,as do all of the previous reviewers of this book,demonstrate an appalling lack of knowledge of basic economic history and thought.The United States of America was build on the revenue and retaliatory tariffs first implemented by Alexander Hamilton in 1794.These highly successful,growth creating tariffs were what American import export policy was built on from 1794-1946.Hamilton,as did Washington,had cut copies of WN in their libraries.Washington and Hamilton read the wisdom of Adam Smith and applied it .It was a resounding success.My advice to Galbraith,and other assorted economists who claim that they are economic historians, is to actually read Smith's book.Galbraith should seriously consider revising his book accordingly.

With The Predator State James K. Galbraith brings the insightful analysis of The New Industrial State and The Affluent Society to bear on the shambles of the 21st century US economy. In part one Galbraith demolishes the standard arguments about deficits, free trade, shopping, interest rates, tax cuts, and inflation.The rest of the book builds an alternative ... a long needed alternative. I called this review The Approved Contradiction in homage to the classic The New Industrial State; in the 21st century economic freedom (the freedom to shop) is actually it's opposite. It is unfreedom. But no one dares admit it. Great book Jamie!

Galbraith began the book after Hurricane Katrina, which he called the "Chernobyl of the American System" - a disaster that exposed and laid bare the fallacies of an entire governing creed.

Galbraith's first objective is to describe the Republican myth and its consequent set of rules for policy. Katrina exposed first an erosion of capability, and more seriously, predation (the systematic abuse of public institutions for private profit, turning regulatory agencies over to business lobbies, privatization of Social Security, and creating initiatives in Medicare to benefit drug companies and trade agreements to benefit corporate agriculture at the expense of subsistence farmers in the Third World).

Reaganites offered a reduction of taxes on wealth to increase savings and investment, tight money to end inflation, and an assault on government, regulation, and unions to let market forces (private capitalists) rule. They promised an end to redistribution and catering to the needs of minorities and the poor - compassion would be redundant.

Free market devotees prefer to avoid discussions of the fate of airlines, and the S&L industry under deregulation. They have no realistic alternative to our oil addiction, imperial commitment, global warming, New Orleans recovery, fall in confidence in the dollar, or health care - merely opposition to others.

"Freedom" has become "freedom to shop" (cheap goods from China, cheap fuel), "freedom of election" (those who have money are free to buy them), "market freedom" is for business alone to command labor, price products, manage the environment.

Practically all gross investment is accounted for by depreciation and retained earnings of corporations, and by the savings of those who sell to us from overseas. Ergo, personal tax rate cuts don't matter. The main effect of tax cuts on capital income encourages firms to pay out a larger share of net income.

On Free Trade, Galbraith takes a mixed position - recognizing that great technological industries such as aviation and telecommunications require global markets for efficient operation (internal markets are too small and insufficiently demanding); however, he also sees the potential for damage from too much free trade, and offers no guidelines on where to draw the line.

This is one of clearest explanations of the fallacies of right-wing economics. Most importantly Galbraith shows the empirical evidence that most of theories of neoclassical economics have not actually worked in real life. The predator capitalism that currently runs our country needs to be destroyed. Some things are not best left to the market. Markets do not exists for all types of commodities and services.

First of all, for the record, I am LDS, but the fact of being LDS does not necessarily makes me an apologist for this work of research, from which I expected much more, being a work that tries to clarify what really happened in Mountain Meadows and specially considering the fact that the authors had so much access, at least, as they state, to Church archives and other records.

This book is well researched, very well written, at the surface it appears to take an unbiased approach to the Mountain Meadows events, but when it comes to describe the responsability of the Church in the context that lead to this massacre, the authors are quite shallow.

In the begining of the book, the authors spend some time describing the persecutions suffered by the early
Latter-Day Saints, how they were driven out of NY, Pensilvannia, Missouri, Illinois, etc. He describes how the prophet Joseph Smith was covered in tar and feathered, and later killed in Carthage, Ill, etc. The authors use a discourse that seems to show the prophet Joseph Smith as an innocent marthyr, but is that completely true? Why was the prophet feathered? Why was he killed? The authors do not provide this detail and that makes them quite biased. they fail to describe that the Prophet was covered in tar and feathers because of his earlier rants on Poligamy, and although they explain that what took the prophet to jail in Carthage and ultimately to his death (I would not call it martyrdom because for that, he would need to be completely innocent and free of any responsability), was related to the shutdown and destruction of a newspaper in Nauvoo, what the authors fail to explain is that Joseph Smith did so because an article published in the previous issue of that newspaper denounced his Poligamyst practices, which apparently, didn't seat well with Joseph Smith.

This is not a book about the persecutions of the Saints, but these facts are quite important to understand the historical context of all this persecutions, killings, and hatred towards Latter-Day Saints.

Other authors do a better job in describing this background in an unbiased manner. In my personal opinion, the book looses it's credibility due to this fact.

My Impression and Thoughts:

* It is a good book, a real page turner
* I liked it better than Will Bagley's book. It does not preach. Bagley's request that I "repent" of my ancestors violent past was offensive
* Those times were definitely more violent. I'm sure that the large mobs that expelled the Mormons from the east were made up of otherwise good people. Why did they join the mob and do those things? Different times different people.
* "Over Landers" were tough people. When the Indians rustled cattle the men of the wagon trains chased after the Indians.
* The Mormons had a cozy relationship with the Indians. "Allies"? Maybe not. The Mormons exerted control over them.
* The book tries to move beyond religiosity. I remember reading in a psychology book about Kitty Genovese (go to Wikipedia). She was brutally murdered while several people did nothing (bystander effect). The MMM belongs in the same book right after that story. This book calls it "Group think"
* You can argue that this was a "Fatwa" issued by Haight. I disagree.
* The Indians were upset about perceived poisoning of an animal that resulted in the deaths of several Braves. In this case perception is reality. It contributed to the massacre. I like the anthrax theory. I think this explains the Indian's deaths.
* The train was not destroyed for its plunder. The Mormons rescued from the Indians that freight train coming right behind the ill-fated train 2 times. Why wouldn't they plunder that train
* No wonder the men thought they had to go along with the massacre. The leaders were 3 things
o Ecclesiastical leaders
o Civic leaders
o Militia leaders

My Criticisms:

* I thought they built up Lee too much as a straw man and softened others like Haight. This was a crime with many criminals.
* They needed to give more details in certain parts. They say they were worried about the page count. The references were too long. Make the book longer and put the extended references on the internet.
* The visuals were not good. A more detailed map of Southern Utah and the MMM site would have been helpful
* The writing at times was choppy. The reasons: 3 authors and Oxford's peer review process
* They say they could follow events day by day. So why not write it like Robert Graysmith did in the "Zodiac".

Bottom Line Conclusions

* Wherever that wagon train went in Utah, for lots of reasons, settlers and Indians were upset.
* Mormons riled up the Indians and participated in and led the massacre
* The Indians were there at the beginning, middle and end
* Brigham Young had no knowledge of the attacks or massacre. His part was in the cover up. The evidence is very clear and believable.

Additional Thoughts which I have edited in

* I marvel at how much interest there is in this massacre. When there have been many massacres.
* I remember what Walsh of America's Most Wanted said about murder mysteries and what determines which stories he profiles. He said it has to have a good beginning, middle and end or unresolved end. The MMM has 2 beginnings (the wagon train and the Mormon persecution). Then there is the middle as the wagon trail travels through Utah. There is of course the massacre which is actually the beginning of the unresolved end. Throw antipathy for the Mormon Church and a endless desire to prove Brigham Young a false prophet for having ordered the massacre and you have quite a story. Does this book provide an end? It should be obvious that Brigham Young did not order the massacre. Is there an end?
* This book got me interested in the Haun's Mill Massacre. There is a good write up on Wikipedia. This help you understand the Mormon mindset as the settlers interacted with the wagon train. You can also imagine what Haight thought when several men came to his house in Cedar City to protest their treatment. He thought they were a mob and ran out the back door. He then plotted to kill them.
* The parallels for MMM and Haun's Mill Massacre are interesting. It is not remembered that much because there is no beginning middle or end.
o The massacre was carried out by Missouri militia
o Men, women, and children were fair game
o The perpetrators were all known by name and never brought to justice, not even one scapegoat
o The bodies were hurriedly buried
o The site is maintained (owned?) by a church
o There is film made of the massacre
* This book talks about the prevalence of massacres 1800's. When the women saw the militia at Haun's Mill, they ran for the forest. They instantly knew what was going to happen. Afterwards nearby cities made plans to flee--they feared a Mormon counter massacre.
* I reviewed the motivations of several massacres. Many of them started out with a desire to punish not massacre. The MMM, Bear River Massacre, Centerville, and even the My Lai Massacre started out like this. Haight, et al initially wanted to kill but not wipe out everyone at the Santa Clara Narrows.
* This is from a report on the My Lai Massacre. I got it from Wikipedia. It will help to understand how aggressors behave in a massacre.
o Soldiers went berserk, gunning down unarmed men, women, children and babies. Families which huddled together for safety in huts or bunkers were shown no mercy. Those who emerged with hands held high were murdered. ... Elsewhere in the village, other atrocities were in progress.
o This is "group think"

I found the book unflinching and brutally honest. It is too easy to discount historical evidence when presented with an outsider, dissident, or publicity-seeker's agenda, but what this book lacks in color, it more than makes up for in cold, documented, details.

As a latter-day saint, this book made me look at a group of brave, noble people I identify with and have long admired as a group--Mormon pioneers--and showed how even they could choose to perform unspeakable evil. I only hope that non-mormons who read this book overcome their natural desire to separate themselves from the atrocity by blaming it on the faith of the murderers. This two hundred page tour through the heart of darkness is much more enlightening and educational in the context of our shared humanity. However, I am sure that, like me, almost all readers will strain every mental muscle they can to convince themselves that they would have sided with those few who stood up to the mob mentality and machinations of the time. There were, obviously, too few at the time to make a difference.

For this reason, I would have liked to have seen more detail about the rank-and-file who, whether they chose to take shovels or rifles to Mountain Meadow that day, are now condemned to have their names listed in appendices like this book's for all history. There is probably little about these less prominent men in the historical records, but what exists would be interesting to know: If only to recognize the no doubt common lives they led up to that point.

I used to think that, if I could have a fantastical wish fulfilled to participate in and change one event in history, I would succor the handcart-toting Saints facing starvation on the Great Plains in the Winter of 1856. This book made me wish instead I could have had a voice in Cedar City in September 1857.

A brilliant book concerning one of the most horrible atrocities recorded in American history. This book is extemely well documented, unbiased and written in novel form to keep the reader glued to each page. This book is a must for anyone interested in the history of the Morman infulence in Utah, the truth about the massacre, and the Morman and Indian involment in the death of more than 120 Arkansas emigrants.

In a recent radio interview one of the authors of Massacre at Mountain Meadows remarked that the book was written more like a textbook than many of the recent histories marketed for mass appeal. Ronald W. Walker, Richard E. Turley Jr., and Glen M. Leonard have taken a scholarly approach to the most shameful chapter in Mormon history and have carefully sifted through mountains of materials to back their findings. The authors had complete access to church archives (Turley and Leonard have worked for the church as historians) and available records from the era. In a quiet methodical fashion the timeline is set and the contributing factors are outlined, given context and attributed to persons involved. Massacre at Mountain Meadows lacks the overwrought prose of some recently published books and the authors have no agenda other than presenting the information gleaned from these sources. That is the strength of this book.

The facts as presented...and understandably, they are more than a century after the fact, often obscured by finger pointing and slanted to shift the blame from self to another, are more horrific than fiction can possibly portray. In the year 1857 a large wagon train of emigrants were slaughtered by a group of perfectly ordinary Mormon men and Indians they has recruited, acting on their fears, and trying to shield themselves with their religion. It was a evil and inexcusable act that took the lives of innocent men, women , and children, and allowed their murderers to claim their belongings and to take their young children to raise as their own. No behaviour by the wagon party could justify this slaughter and the participants tried the rest of their lives to justify, excuse, or deny their crimes. The horrors of that September 11th are that much more horrific because they were carried out by ordinary men. Only one man was actually tried, found guilty and executed. All other participants carried their shame to the grave. For too many years, the facts have been clouded by anger and shame and fear. Opening them to examination and reflection is to hopefully recognize the chain of events that allowed this to happen and reconcile the present with the past.

As we enter into another heated political season, it is important to remember our history, to recall where we came from and to reflect on the sacrifices our forefathers made in order for us to sling mud at one another. Mrs. Cheney's new book, "We the People, The Story of our Constitution" gives us the opportunity to explain to our children and refresh our memories on how special our nation is and respect the determination of Washington, Madison and Franklin.

Beautifully written and illustrated -- a truly wonderful book for children, parents and all citizens of our nation!

THIS BOOK IS A TRUE TREASURE OF GREAT HISTORY . AN EXCELLENT STORY TO READ FOR HISTORY PURPOSES ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON IN 1776 AND TO READ ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT. A STORY FOR ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ENJOY DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND THROUGH THE YEAR... FOR ANY YOUNG PATRIOTS AND FAMILIES THAT LIVE WHERE GEORGE WASHINGTON'S HISTORY TOOK PLACE YOU WILL JUST LOVE THIS STORY..........AN EXCELLENT CHRISTMAS GIFT............

A great story told! A very inspiring book for young ones, even older young ones and adults!!!

about George Washington! Would be great for a Revolutionary War unit study. My children and I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Nicely written teachig our children about their heritage and how they can influence their country positively. After they read this book, they will be a proud American.

I consider that nowadays Pope Benedict XVI is currently "an universal moral reference" for mankind, the Catholic Church is all over the world the only one of churches growing vigorously among the young and the intellectuals .. The message of Jesus is as fresh as always !!!

Although I am a Protestant, I found the Pope's book enlightening and interesting. The first two chapters are rich in wisdom, pointing out our blessing of the Lord's very presence as we minister, and the living tradition which the Apostles and subsequent ministers have passed on to us. Throughout this book, the Pope pointed out the greater symbolism of various events in which the Apostles participated. For example, the theological significance of the great catch of fish. He also summarized the theological importance of his points, emphasizing key matters such as what constitutes a good witness: those that compel us to "come and see." His command of the first century evangelistic campaign and the order of events was revealed in an easy to follow manner. He identifies various characteristics of the Apostles and relates them to Christ's overall ministry. Furthermore, he draws from early church writings. Most importantly, the Pope supported his teachings with scripture and flatly stated that we are saved by faith alone. This should be appreciated by both Catholics and Protestants.

Curtis Mosley
Houston, Texas
May 25, 2008

"They are blind and their leaders are blind. And when the blind follow the blind they all fall into the pit." Jesus the Messiah and Lord from the Gospels

Unfortunately and tragically Pope Benedict XVI has done it again. His deception has no limits, which is fitting for a modernist. Joseph Ratzinger has continually denied and still denies the Christological Doctrines of the Catholic Christian faith as defined by the Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church. He does not assent to the Doctrines of the Catholic faith as defined by the Ecumenical Council of Trent against the Protestant heresy and he describes Martin Luther as one of his theological mentors. Finally, on the Vatican website gives approval to biblical modernism which teaches that the Apostles invented the Christian religion from their subjective experiences. His religious subjectivism ends up denying the objectivity of the public Divine revelation of the Christian religion. Deniars of these facts, please research them for yourself and this won't be the end to Ratzinger's heresies but just the beginning. Yet how is he able to deceive people into thinking that he is a Catholic Christian. The answer is that he is a modernist and in fact a moderate modernist as described by Pope St. Pius X's encyclical On Modernism(Pascendi Dominici Gregis) for which on one page they will read "... as a Catholic and on the next page as a rationalist(which includes in contemporary times religious subjectivism)." Unfortunately, the consequences of this grave deception is great as it is a matter of human salvation. "They are blind and their leaders are blind. And when the blind follow the blind they all fall into the pit."Jesus of Nazareth Tragically it is only true traditional Catholics who recognize that we have had only modernist popes starting with Pope John XXIII and consequently refuses to be blind and thereby fall into the pit of a modernist Novus Ordo Construct outside the Historical Catholic Church and which ultimately leads to hell. The only way this situation will change is when a traditional Catholic pope is elected and yes every traditional Catholic is praying and working for this day to come. The day of deception will be over modernists, religious necoconservatives(Our Sunday Visitor), and indultarians. Yes, laus tibi Christe, when the day of deception will be over!Then History will not judge lightly the modernists and appeasers of modernists, the reliogious neocons and indultarians. History and the Lord of history will vindicate their faithful servants who passed on what they have received: the traditional Catholic remnant and the truth about modernism and this great apostasy led by modernist popes will be known and accepted by all. Ratzinger has done it again but not for long! The truth can not be held back!

This book is well-written but its title is deceptive. The early chapters front-load what follows with the theological premises of the Roman Catholic Church so it is less about the Apostles than we might hope. BXVI is known as a scholar, and certainly his scholarly bent shows in what he writes, leaving many people who haven't personally dug into the current scholarship feeling impressed. If one believes in apostolic succession and Christ's entrusting the apostles with maintaining fidelity and truth (and this reviewer does accept this concept), then there are those of us who feel that the mandate for truth has failed. I have to assume that the Bishop of Rome believes what he has written, but the world has changed in that the world of scholarship is open to those of us in the pews. We don't have to accept a distorted and incomplete scholarship. We're no longer illiterates who are dependent upon the Church to tell us what to believe. We can dig it out and weigh its efficacy for ourselves. It cannot be that the Bishop of Rome is unaware of the extensive scholarship, as he has the unfathomable riches of the Roman Catholic Church that would make it easy.

I will only briefly address two overwhelmingly glaring areas. We note that women disciples are discussed in the very back of the book. BXVI lists many of the women, but he is only able to magnify the works of those who are coupled, such as Priscilla and Aquila. He makes no note of the importance that in scripture, Priscilla is listed first. And he manages to get through chapters on St. Paul's co-workers and the chapter on women without mentioning the Apostle Junia (Romans 16:7). The scholarship here is clear: There was one named female Apostle. See Eldon Jay Epp (2005). Junia: The First Woman Apostle. Minneapolis: Fortress Press (available on Amazon).

Then, the gospel material on St. Peter is, as would be expected, seriously selective, reinterpreted and reworked. What is lost is that the meaning of "Apostle" was being fought in the first century, and we know who won out in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Luke carves out a view that the 12 are the only trustworthy witnesses of the Resurrection.

Luke's "twelve" is a select group and it is ONLY in Luke they are specifically chosen FROM a larger group of followers, a group not present in Mark and Matthew [see Luke 6:13]. Matthew uses the term, "apostolic" only once [10:2-5]. Mark uses it only once [6:30]. Luke uses the term 6 times in the Gospel, and 34 times in Luke-Acts. The author of Luke and Acts writes several decades after Paul and adds new requirements for apostleship, limiting it to the Twelve, excluding Paul, James the brother of Jesus, who rose to head the Jerusalem Church, and all female apostles. The restriction of "Apostle" seen in Luke-Acts is not seen in Paul. Luke downplays the functionality of the role or mission of Apostleship and makes it more symbolic.

The preeminence of Peter is not uniform across the Gospels so we can see the struggle for authority that was going on. In 4G, Jesus never specifically chooses Peter as a member of a subgroup of disciples. He does not have any special resurrection appearance until Chapter 21, which is a later add-on redaction.

Contrary to BXVI, Peter is not depicted as the first to see the Risen Christ across the Gospels. Matthew, Mark and John give prominence to Mary Magdalene. It is only in Luke that Peter is gifted with an individual appearance of the Lord [Luke 24:33-34]. In the other three Gospels, Jesus or angelic messengers send Mary Magdalene alone or with other women to proclaim the Resurrection. This is such an inconvenience to Rome that it must be obscured. So, at a minimum, the history as recounted in the canonical Gospels shows that the conflict for authority was going on in the 1st century.

If you want to see some of the available scholarship for yourself, read Ann Graham Brock (2003). Mary Magdalene, The First Apostle: The Struggle for Authority. Harvard University Press (available on Amazon). Based on her PhD dissertation at Harvard, she has very effectively demonstrated in the canonical Gospels, with supplementary non-canonical sources including the Acts of Peter and Acts of Paul, that where Peter is made prominent in the Gospels, Mary Magdalene and the other women are diminished, and vice versa.

The Apostles reads easily if you accept the underlying premises, and if you don't, the book well captures official Roman Catholic views. It is not an unbiased account of the early history of the church. There is good information in this book, but it should not be read in isolation or as an accurate picture of the first century of Christianity.

This book reprints a year's worth of Pope Benedict XVI's weekly addresses at his public audiences where he meditates on the stories of the twelve apostles, St. Paul and other early disciples of Christ. He draws lessons from these that apply to all of us. An excellent and easy read with short chapters that can be read independently.

Caveat emptor: This is the same exact content as "Jesus, The Apostles and The Early Church" published by Ignatius Press. The Ignatius Press version is printed on heavier paper and is a more well produced book for the same price. Buy that one instead! Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church: General Audiences, 15 March 2006-14 February 2007

Insightful, as always, by Pastor Rick Renner! Every Christian needs to have their armor on 24/7 in this day & age!

If you're looking for a book on spiritual warfare that gives practical explanation and application but doesn't get flaky, this is the book for you.

I do not know what I had gotten my hands on, then I realized how blessed to be able to read this information. It is such valued information, that anyone that desires to live rightous and to prayer for the out pouring of the holy spirit, we need this applied to our lives........the armour of God, yes, put it on now!

Jonathan "SCREAMING BOY" Bell, demanded you read this book in his infamous short-lived televangelist show. Screaming and hollering, at the top of his lungs (literally). DRESSED TO KILL, is THE 'Full armour of God', of books to read. Jonathan Bell (whom is currently serving time for sexual molestation charges) highly recommends, this book. If you desire to watch the infamous Dallas Cable Access shows where Mr. Bell goes through a myriad of psychotic mental breakdowns (on the air), you can find it at your finer obscure video rental stores. Look for "THE INCREDIBLE SCREAMING BOY" Bucko!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels they are under attack by Saten. It makes alot of sense and gets right down to the heart of the issue with solutions. This is a vary intense read but well worth the time.

This is a truly invaluable book. Fleckenstein shows,beyond any doubt, that Alan Greenspan has been a disaster for the country and the economy. Even before becoming Fed chairman, Greenspan had demonstrated his incompetence (Read the beginning where Greenspan's predictions as one of President Ford's advisers would drastically miss the mark). Unfortunately, Greenspan would be confirmed as Fed chairman and begin a nearly twenty year career of gross mismanagement.

Fleckenstein quotes Greenspan repeatedly, demonstrating the Fed Chairman's inability to predict the stock market or housing bubble (or anything else for that matter). Greenspan comes off as completely incompetent in Greenspan's Bubbles. Perhaps some day the Federal Reserve will be abolished and the economy will not be subject to the whims of mediocre men like Greenspan and Bernanke. If that day comes, it will be because of thoughtful experts like this book's author. I also recommend Ron Paul's analysis of Greenspan in his recent book--Paul points out that Greenspan once supported sound money but changed his views as the lure of great power as a central planner seduced him.

Greenspan will be forever linked to the global financial meltdown of 2008. History will not be kind to the Bubble Boy.

The author attacks Alan Greenspan for setting interest rates too low and thus causing all out economic problems. Why did Greenspan do this? He did not see the bubbles (that he himself created) because he was blinded by the "concept of technological driven productivity miracles." The author repeats this idea many many times. But from reading the first five pages you might wonder if Mr. Fleckenstein is the best person to launch a bubble attack like this. On page 3 the author leads you to note 2 (page 189) where he writes: "Determining that a bubble exists is somewhat subjective, though not terribly difficult." A couple of pages later on page 5, the author admits: "I saw the stock market bubble building and concluded it would end in disaster -- about four years too soon!" Should Fleckenstein not have disqualified himself from documenting forecasting failures at the Fed at this point? Taking strong action to stop a bubble based on the author's forecast could have driven us into a deep recession. In these first pages Fleckenstein proves with personal experience the validity of Greenspan's statement on page 99: "I don't think we can know there's a bubble until after the fact. To assume we know it presupposes that we have the capacity to forecast a imminent decline in prices." On page 162 in a confusing paragraph Fleckenstein seems to agree with this by writing: "What would be correct to say is that one can't exactly know what action might be required to stop a bubble." This not say that Mr. Greenspan is blameless.
The author quotes his column from 1999 to judge Greenspan without the benefit of hindsight. In this column he writes that the increases in stock prices are "breathtaking" but never uses the word, bubble, before it burst. He uses the word, bubble, in column on September 17, 2001 after it is bust. Even I did better than that. In my book, "How to Invest in Condominiums" I use bubble twice and tell my readers how to to avoid them (I finished writing the book in 1999). Yet Fleckenstein is the one who has the nerve to attack the FOMC for not using the word often enough. This book is all about criticism with the benefit of hindsight. There are no lessons learned. We have to take it on faith that tighter money applied here and there would have been better. He does not attempt to demonstrate his forecasting ability and help Chairman Ben Bernanke by telling him how big the bursting real estate bubble is and when it will hit bottom, so that the Fed can set the "correct" rate. But no, on page 184 the author indicates that Ben Bernanke would make the same decisions as Greenspan. When we finally know how big and bad the real estate bubble was, say in 2013, Ben Bernanke (if he is still there) and the FOMC are sure to get flack from Fleckenstein for allowing the bubble to end so badly. The FOMC will be unaware of this incoming flack or wisely ignore it. This negative evaluvation (or well documented rant) deserves three stars for providing an insight into how difficult the task the FOMC has is and why in the long run the value of our paper money will always erode.

A friend at work turned me on to Fleckenstien's articles during the peaks of the housing bubble, and all along he predicted the housing market crash. The only thing he had wrong was the timing as thought it would happen sooner. This book sheds light on Greenspans role in two ecenomic bubbles and does so with Felckenstien's unique sense of humor. It is tough to make subjects like this interesting, but this book is a good read. Felckenstien predicted both "bubble bursts" in his columns when everyone else was screaming about the next tech stock that was going to take over the world or talking about how "real estate never goes down." If he says the sh-t is going to hit the fan and you are standing in front of the fan, you should probably move.

In this fascinating book, financial journalist William Fleckenstein studies the record of Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006.

Between 1937 and 1987 there were no bubbles, but Greenspan helped to create two bubbles in ten years - in stocks and then in real estate - by holding interest rates too low, punishing savers. He helped to make the American people worse off by redistributing wealth to the rich, the bubbles' boosters and sponsors.

Greenspan viewed new technology expenses as assets. So he thought that productivity and profits were higher than they really were, that inflation was overstated and that stocks were understated. In 1998 firms spent $95 billion on computers. After Greenspan's `hedonic adjustment', this came out as $352 billion, adding 2% to US GDP.

Governments want to understate inflation and overstate growth, productivity and incomes. So now, most price rises seem to be way above the rate of inflation.

Greenspan's rate cut of 15 October 1998 triggered the stock market bubble. By 1999 the stock market was valued at 180% of US GDP. (In the last bubble, in 1929, it was 85% of GDP.) In 2000-01 this bubble burst - the new technology miracle proved to be a mirage. In 1992-99 there was zero productivity growth in 99% of the US economy, and growth only in 1%, computer hardware.

In 2001-03, housing `saved' the US economy from the aftershock of the stock bubble. De-regulation led to lower lending standards with more `creative' financial instruments, like the $500 trillion worth of derivatives, which Warren Buffett described as `financial instruments of mass destruction'.

So from 2003 to 2007 there was a real estate bubble, based on huge debts. Mortgage-equity withdrawals created half US GDP growth between 2001 and 2007. By 2006, household debt was 97% of GDP: mortgage debt was $13.3 trillion. Total US debt in 2007 was 325% of GDP.

This ocean of debts rested on a falling real estate market, a sinking economy and a weak currency. Where could the next economic rebound come from? Capitalism has destroyed production and destroyed the housing market: it is running out of options.

I had to read this book for my management course and I thought it was going to be yet another boring business book, but IT IS AMAZING!! The authors made me completely rethink how I think companies achieve success and had some of the most in depth research I've come across.

It doesn't matter if you're in business or not, no matter who you are, you'll enjoy getting a fresh perspective that applies to business and our personal lives too. The book slows down towards the end, but overall it's a must read!

Let me just say, I have read two books by Jim Collins and his research team and I have not been at all disappointed. All chapters were explained without complex sentence writings and without all the extra stuff. For example, "Resiliency (not perfection) is the signature of greatness, be it in a person, an organization, or a nation." Jim Collins provided within each chapter insights on how to achieve at any position within a corporate company such as an employee, manager, senior executive, board member,and CEO. The book does mainly talk about people at the "top" but, the research information speaks for itself. Comparing companies such as Procter and Gamble, Walt Disney, Merck, Johnson and Johnson, Wal-Mart to Colgate, Columbia Pictures, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Ames, respectively. The researchers group and Jim Collins provided and proved what facts can represent to a reader. If you are willing to take your time and read with a understanding that anyone can create a "visionary company" of tomorrow. Highly Recommended to all future leaders with the pursue of how to develop what works and what doesn't.

Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant

This is one of my favorite book!!

Finally, a book that includes ideas that are based on research, not just someone's good ideas and stories. If this doesn't change what you are doing in your business, you'd better stop reading, start writing and tell us all your secrets.
Jim Collins is a great, inspiring author wh will engage you the whole way through.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. It seems the company and the organization as an organic system within a larger system, and which purpose is not simply to make money (although, companies managed this way always do). It brings also the importance of the human side into management and how important it is to have a solid system of core values, beliefs, principles and mission. I highly recommended together with Good To Great, even in spite of the fact that some of the covered companies (like Ford, Sony, and Motorola) not being able to keep their greatness consistently.