History Books

Good story, Dekker rights well. Not what I call a 'page burner', but close to it. I enjoyed it, over all. At times I was frustrated with the characters because they didn't do what I considered to be logical things, but maybe Dekker meant it to be that way. I found myself drawn into the story and interested in what happened next. The book reads as if it is for late teens. It may be advertised as such, but I'm older and enjoyed it just the same. I would recommend the book. I read the Black, Red, White series and there a tie ins. I like that series more, but not a by a large margin. If you read the B-R-W series you would proabably enjoy The Lost Books series.

I preread this book for my son. It is a great adventure. Poopoo to all the nitpickers. I got behind the characters and enjoyed the adventures.

Ted Dekker is a master story teller that will wow you with the twist and turns through! He builds the characters in his books to a depth that you love every one!

Sometime after the year 4000 AD, history appears to be repeating itself as Teeleh, enemy of Elyon, overruns the once lush green forests. Those who are faithful to Teeleh, the desert Horde, have multiplied in number, and those loyal to Elyon, the Forest Dwellers, must recruit a new army as theirs dwindles. Thomas of Hunter, the Forest Dweller commander, carefully selects 1,000 worthy young men and women to replenish his diminishing troops.

Heading up this unseasoned army are teenagers Johnis, Silvie, Billos and Darsal, who, unknown to Thomas, have been similarly handpicked by the white Roush (bat-like guardians of all that is good) for a larger mission than Thomas can imagine. The four are instructed to find the seven Books of History, which hold such supernatural power as to destroy all of mankind. With three in their possession, the foursome must search out their lands and that of the Horde to retrieve the other four...or so they think.

When Billos experiences a rush of power unlike anything he's ever known after touching the Book with his bleeding hand, he then schemes and steals the three books and escapes to the desert. Once alone, Billos repeats the process; a vortex opens to another reality and he steps into it. What he discovers is an alternate world where a mysterious stranger, Marsuvees Black, offers him unlimited power in exchange for the books. At his fingertips Billos receives what seems to be endless power to command weaponry to appear at will, and he ruthlessly uses it to kill off innocents in Paradise. Succumbing to the temptation despite inner misgivings, he turns traitor to Elyon and agrees to Black's plan.

Meanwhile, Billos's comrades discover him missing, search for him and the books, and must face Thomas with the truth. Thomas orders them to find Billos and stay out of trouble. Instead, more complications arise when Darsal sets off on her own to find Billos. Thinking herself alone, she is startled to see Karas, the former Horde girl, following her. Together they enter into enemy territory, and Darsal makes a deal with Alucard, the Shataiki, under command of Teeleh, to use his Book in order to rescue Billos. It works...sort of.

Johnis and Silvie, now in more trouble with Thomas for losing Darsal as well, search for her. Despite the danger and their separation, all four continue to play into destiny's hands as they brave their enemies and end up using the books to escape certain death. With one world and another colliding, each of the leaders discovers how Elyon is present with them throughout, using each decision, each circumstance, for a bigger purpose. Even so, not everyone in the group will survive.

This third installment in The Lost Books series is Ted Dekker's best by far. Fans will be eager for the final chapters where the battle for the seven Books of History will find their culmination. Fast-paced and multileveled, Dekker's prose shines in RENEGADE.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

This 3rd in the Lost Books of History series is the best yet. Unexpected reverses and entrance into new worlds holds the reader's attention. Dekker never fails to give constant action and characters who touch the heart. Better buy 3 & 4 together, because you won't be able to wait for 4 after finishing 3!

I highly recommend this book. I bought it because of the Band of Brothers TV series. I got hooked with the story. I enjoy reading novels and documentaries about WWII, but this book is different than a novel. It is plain record of events that took place in real life. Amazingly told and related. Greatly structured and written in a fashion that is pretty easy to read. The story evolves like the best of the novels. You really get attached to the characters and get to know them prety well. Great job by Ambrose.
This is a must if you like army stories, want to read a good book, and by the way learn some history about one of the greatest soldier group and events of the greatest of wars in history.

Band of Brothers is the kind of stories I used to hear from my father and uncles of their experiences in World War Two. Stephen Ambrose has a particular talent for making the reader feel all the emotions these very brave men went through. I read the book before I saw the HBO mini-series, and I bought the autdo book for when I am traveling. I never want to forget, and I hope the country never forgets what these citizen soldiers did to change the world we live in.

This book defines what it means to be an American Soldier. It's a story of victory, defeat, good times and hellish times. It's not just a war story; it's a story of the human spirit. I recommend those of you who typically distance yourselves away from war stories to make an exception. This story is at times exciting, at times heart warming and at times tear jerking. I love it and I can't wait to read Major Winter's memoirs when the book arrives.

One of those books; I can't seem to put down. I'm thankful I have watched the movie, Band of Brothers, for I could "picture" everything that was happening though all these pages. This Regiment was truly remarkably determined and proud to be a participant in this long relentless war. How do you understand anything, unless you were there and have gone through all the circumstances? There are so many things we don't realize or understand and this book almost took you there to see what they had to experience. To be so proud and honored is an understatement for men like these and for all of our Military.

Anthony Bates couldn't have said it better. It's shocking that so many readers out there just gobble up Ambrose's "feel good history" as unquestionable fact, when in reality what Ambrose writes little more than entertainment for ignorant readers. Everything Bate's mentions is true...the fact that other less fabled, yet equally brave and crucial formations that served in Bastogne get ignored by Ambrose is shameful. Also, his knowledge of the German Army in all of his writings is down right pathetic and revolves more around old 'folk lore' than any type of dedicated research. Ambrose does know how write an compelling story, I'll give him that...although there is a lot of better academic history out there, and it is not very hard to find.

This is a great read for understanding how a man of true values takes a political stance to improve (or atleast try to improve) politics.

Gov. Ventura has a way with words and an ability to make you think by saying what we all think but rarely have the courage to say. Outstanding book!

This book was a refreshing look into the political process and the hinderances of being a third party candidate. Has quite a few misspellings and grammatical errors but is an interesting book over all.

Very easy quick read.Great for plane trips. Jesse is a very interesting person. A fine patriot. The book describes his entire life very well. I hope there are more people thinking like he does. A third party is a must for this country. The country needs some serious reform. A person like Jesse Ventura can do it.

What can I say, Jesse Ventura calls a spade a spade and tells it like it is (through his eyes). I don't disagree with a lot of what Jesse says in this book but some of his views are oversimplified which shows he doesn't always think through exactly what is coming out of his mouth.

But if you watch all the videos of Jesse on the internet - one thing always comes to my mind. This is a man who loves to hear himself talk. Regardless of his views - right or wrong. He loves to just go on and on and conquer every hot topic out there. Very often with little to no support for the basis of his opinion or solution to fix it. This book is identical to all the little videos of him circulating. I like him - sometimes because I agree with him and respect his clarity. Sometimes purely because he is entertaining - right, wrong or overly simplified. His book is fits this mold. The most appealing thing about him to his fans is that he was a politicians and we all dream that our other elected officials behaved with the morality and simplicity Jesse does.

This book is about the trip Jesse and his Wife make out of the US to live in Mexico. Along that trip he recalls many memories as governor of Minnesota and volunteers his current views in political issues of the day. The thing that is so damn compelling about Jesse is he cuts through the semantics and says it exactly how he sees it. And 90% of the time it jives with everyone else. And I like that, especially from a politician. Jesse said America has become very boring - same chain restaurants, same chain stores - he's right. His view and remedies on our two party politics and term limits is on mark.

His view on immigration - "just throw them out" is not practice. Illegals are so intertwined in our economy that to do so would cripple it. And there is a "human" side to the story. His view on Castro leans more like he was so impressed by him that his emotional connection triggers his response to open relations with this country, But, it's not that simple.

Jesse really wet my whistle with the 9/11 "conspiracy" and very important unanswered questions by our government. I have done a lot more reading as a result of his views.

Just is a great book if you're a fan. If you know little of him as a politician - I recommend this book. Easy read, interesting read - he's a fascinating man.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave a really honest view of the us-Saudi relationship. My only problem was the third chapter, the background, which was pretty useless in affecting the rest of the book.

I like how this books was non-partisan. Much better than "house of bush, house of saud." i would recommend this book. Though it could of been a little longer.

This book so fasinated me that as I was finishing the last chapter, I was already on my way to pick up Baer's previous book, "See no Evil". I found Baer's story ringing true throughout and neither Republican or Democrate slanted. Moreover, if any negative is to be gleaned, it would likely be the reality of what has come with the need for fuel oil. See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism

* It's all about the oil. Obviously, were there no oil in the Saudi Peninsula, the have-nothings would have no reason to resent the billionaire princes. The Royal family pays off the radicals to avoid massive revolts. 'Let them eat cake,' as Marie Antoinette once said. Without these petrol-dollar pay-offs from Royalty, the extremists would have no money to arm and indoctrinate their young. Without petrol-financing, the fundamentalists would have hardly any means to carry out coordinated operations.

* Several factions within Saudi Arabia--the Wahhabis, the Shi'as, the Muslim Brothers, among others--pursue the formable goal to bring down the West--including the Al Sa'ud royalty because of its U.S. alliance.

* The House of Sa'ud is corrupt, decadent, incompetent, and perhaps far beyond redemption after more than forty years of its tyrannie royale , making Louis XIV seem like a nice guy.

* The truth is often a tough pill to swallow. U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East has resulted in terrorist attacks like 9/11.
o The White House's policy to support the Al Sa'ud regime has contributed directly to the various terrorist attacks over the last fifteen years with bombings: starting in 1995 with the National Guard barracks, and less than a year later, al-Khobar, the U.S.S. Cole, the World Trade Tower basement, among others.
o The Petroleum industry has bought up so much of Washington that elected officials don't see any alternatives to--energy or foreign--policies further than their own wallets fattened by Middle Eastern bribes.

... and one more reason to be angry an the gas pump. This book was much better. or should I say revealing than I thought it was going to be. Mr. Baer's knowledge of the subjects and the way he weaves the reader through this tangled web of money. oil. backroom deals, blind eyes turned against the actions of our so-called "allies", and the way Washington politics works is a true wake-up call. The book is jammed with information and is kind of like a tell-all, revealing many of our leaders as just more powerful people who are looking out for their own interests while everyone else is getting bent over. The book would probably need to be read a couple of times to truly understand all the information.

I am giving it 5 stars even though the book really pissed me off. What I don't know is what I am most angry at? That part of my gas money will find its way over to the Middle East, or that we Americans are truly trapped by our dependence on foriegn oil, or that just about every politician who is someone (and many of the high ranking employees of the government) are in the pockets of the Saudi's and/or Big Oil, or that other than a few cars sold, many manufacturers still refuse to develop cars with better mpg. Hey Ford, GMC and Chevy, you know why you keep having losses year after year and are losing out to Toyota? It is because you have not designed a dependable, efficient fleet of cars most people want.

Back to the book. Everyone interested in Washington politics, the energy crisis, etc. should read this book. It may just make you mad, but getting mad may just be the first step to action. By the way, I just sold my gas guzzling SUV.

Easy 1-2 day read...a book you CAN'T put down! Excellent and exciting writing style with occasional humorous comments by Baer...an informative, entertaining book!

The only negative aspect in reading many reviews here, is the failures of many reviewers to recognize the deeper implications of this publication being ONLY ONE example of internal causes and weaknesses of the US government and corporate powers that Baer points out, has led to potentially serious current and future economic concerns and failures in US foreign and domestic policy. Baer's narrative voice parallels a "Fall of Rome" syndrome. Readers MUST remember that this relates to the deterioration of our nation's infrastructure, however Baer does blatantly reveal and address failures of State Department policy and other contributing factors of governmental policy weaknesses and failures of policy cohesion, adherence and logistics.

Baer does an EXCEPTIONAL job in exemplifying the weaknesses that DO currently exist within US Foreign and domestic policies, especially in regards to lack of policy cohesion between agencies, professionals, and related administrations that are failing the "American Public."

It is awesome to see Baer's recognition of HUMAN GREED (not just "WESTERN GREED") that exists in ALL administrations of the world, as presented by Baer, as he relates these to direct causes of "radical religious extremism" and "terrorism" as related to the Saud family's greed and contributing lifestyles that compel and contribute to extremist agendas in many Saudi subjects, as well as other extremist groups.

Baer's book teaches American citizens valuable lessons about "American Complacency" towards our own government. I am glad to see Baer address the aspect of UNIVERSAL HUMAN NATURE in his book as a recognition that it's NOT the RACE, RELIGION or CULTURE, but it's the PERSONAL INTEGRITY within EACH OF US that REALLY matters, as well as in world administrations and policies. Baer makes it clear how and why the PEOPLE of the world are suffering, while governments and corporation are flourishing at the expense of the common citizen. Baer explains "WHY" and "HOW" terrorists have become so violent, acting out with extremist behaviors through their own frustrations of inept and greedy entities that have thrown basic principles of "good government" out the window!

Baer also reveals how the power struggle within the Saudis monarchy causes even more abuses of power and wealth that seems to generally care relatively little about (paraphrasing) "efficiently running a country for its own best interests" vs. "personal greed and luxurious lifestyle." For Americans, Baer reveals aspects of our own country's administration and corporate sectors who do not exemplify concern for "AMERICA'S best interests" either, but simply their own "private" agendas! Baer is brilliant in bringing this to light on such a large scale, and connecting the barrels!

The 'political' implications of a national struggle for control of "National Security" vs. "invasions of privacy" becomes quite evident in Baer's book! Take a deeper look! You will NOT regret buying this book, unless you can't handle the truth!

This workbook is helpful and helps generate creative teaching ideas. However, I didn't find it as helpful as the actual history book itself. Good for people who needs ideas on how to make history fun and fresh for little kids.

I am a home school mom of elementary aged children and this book is great. I do suggest you get the book that goes with it or you will be a little lost. This set together has been a wonderful asset to our school experience. It is an easy approach to teaching more than one age. Everyone is enjoying it - even me! There are maps that go along with each lesson which really give the kids a picture of where things took place, fun coloring pages and some word puzzles. The projects that go with each lesson have also been helpful. I find that there is enough info to choose from that I can easily pick what will work for us that lesson and leave out what won't and things still come together well. The kids are picking up tons of information and even more importantly, this book paints the big picture of ancient times and my kids are loving it!

This is a must-have for going through the Story of the World series. My favorite part is the "continued reading" recommendations. I'd suggest not trying to do all the activities. We started out that way and it was taking forever.

I do have her do the map exercises for every chapter and try to read at least one of the recommended books (often a fairy tale/myth/legend picture book about that time/culture). When she's very interested in a chapter, we'll spend more time and do a project or two and read more of the books.

This book series is the perfect balance between a scripted, rigid history program and a completely unstructured approach to teaching history. I use it in a homeschooling history coop group with 6 girls, age 5-8. We have a great time. I use the study questions, we fill out the map, and then we do a craft. We enjoyed forming the Nile river with dirt and rocks, building an "ancient home" structure in the back yard, and creating hieroglyphics in clay. I like a lot of the books she recommends as supplements. We use the coloring pictures to add to our timeline we are creating that encircles our homeschooling room.
The coloring pictures are simple, but I think thats better for boys who sometimes are not into detailed coloring. I purchased some extra coloring books for my daughter who loves to color.
Finally, I am a devoted Christian who appreciates the flexibilty to add biblical content as I see fit.

We have tried several hs history curricula and this is the first one that has captivated my children. I would highly recommend this!

This work deserves monumental status in the realm of Christian devotional literature. It challenges and redefines the popular notions of equating Christianity with being an adherent or church-goer. Bonhoeffer presents a very real, daunting picture of what a true Christian looks like. There are several haunting, powerful phrases and images in this book. The author's credibility is heightened by his own story of sacrifice, risk, danger and death (the introduction gives a beautiful summary). This book is sure to have a profound impact on all who take its words to heart. Highly recommended.

It is enlightening and encouraging that such a book could be penned by one of the great Lutherans of the 20th century. It goes counter to the common understanding of what is meant by "faith alone" among many Christians from Protestant traditions. Faith alone cannot be confused with what Bonhoeffer called "easy believism." If it is, then it is really no faith at all. The apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, uses the words obedience and faith as if synonymous (see Romans 1:5 and 16:26) . Faith alone that does not necessarily involve obedience is no faith at all - and so even the great Catholic theologian now Pope, Josef Ratzinger, can admire and quote the great Lutheran, Bonhoeffer as an example for all Christians. One is also reminded of a like mind in the American Evangelical, A. W. Tozer and his great work, I Call It Heresy. Given the works of Protestants such as Bonhoeffer and Tozer, one has to beg the question, why do we remain divided over "faith alone?" The differences are likely not so great as we might think. By the definition of "faith" provided by St. Paul, Bonhoeffer, and Tozer, one might include that Catholics and these Protestants agree that salvation is indeed by such "faith alone." Anything less is simply the same old heresy.

If Bonhoeffer were alive today and commenting on the American Church of 2008 instead of the German Church of the 1930s, all he would have to add is an appendix on the ascendancy of entertainment. Nothing -- nothing -- else would have to change. His scathing review of the complacency and spiritual poverty of the average Christian points a relevant finger at all of us, especially evangelicals who call themselves followers of The Way and live like followers of their appetites.

A Christian classic, The Cost of Discipleship is filled with countless gems of wisdom that run counter to the prevailing winds today that market the Christian life as one of ease and comfort. The book is not an easy read, but it is an encouraging and is probably more valuable for Christians today than even during Bonhoeffer's own time. The book is more than a call to costly discipleship, Bonhoeffer also dives into the Sermon on the Mount giving incredible insight in to the teachings of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew and also various aspects of the Christian life and the role of the Church. But the first couple of chapters of the book are worth the entire read. Bonhoeffer's radical discipleship can probably best be summarized in his famous line, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." We see far too little of Bonhoeffer's commitment and dedication to the denial of self, taking up one's cross and following Christ...The Cost of Discipleship reminds those who follow Christ that sharing in His sufferings is the mark of a believer!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship" is the kind of book so fundamental to the daily challenges of our lives as followers of Christ that one might compare it to cold water in the long, winding desert of 21st century civilization.

Bonhoeffer knew that very few Christians actually knew what it meant to claim allegiance to God, or to Christian values: how unforgivingly opposed the world has been and always will be to true Christianity.
After all, it rejects social mores and the tenets of the world for selfless love, which seems unnatural on the face of it. His distinction between Cheap Grace and Costly Grace is perhaps the most vital part of the book, though the whole text is necessary down to the last letter. Being a Christian means sharing in Christ's life, not attending Church once or twice a week: it means opposing institutional evil--as Bonhoeffer did at the cost of his own basic human needs and eventually his own life in Nazi Germany--right down to one's last breath. This does not mean that the Christian can never have joy or relaxation, of course; it simply means that Christ's edict of love takes place over all else. The person new to theology may want to start with something else, however, as Bonhoeffer is speaking to those who have reached the point of Christ being pretty much the center of their lives. There's nothing that can be said about Bonhoeffer or this book which would match what it holds between it's covers. A must, must read!

If you'd like to see more of where Taylor is coming from in this book, check out his interview over at The Other Journal. It's a great read and is specifically relating to this book.

[..]

I'd love to review this item, but I've not yet received it, though Amazon promised it by now. What's the holdup?

Robin

I am struggling with how best to articulate my complete disappointment and utter frustration with this text. It is quite obvious that there are some readers who are very much in favor of this text's assertions, presuppositions, and somewhat bizarre method of rationale. Clearly, I am not one of them.

Perhaps then, given the peculiarly hostile nature of some reviewers (or review commentators), an articulation of what this book does NOT do is necessary. In the author's own words:

"What I am trying to describe here is not a theory. Rather my target is out contemporary lived understanding: that is, the way we naively take things to be. We might say: the construal we just live in, without ever being aware of it as a construal, or-for most of us-without ever even formulating it. This means that I am not taking on board the various philosophical theories which have been offered to explain and articulate the "mind" and its relation to the "body." I am not attributing to our lived understanding some kind of Cartesian dualism, or its monist materialist rivals, identity theory, or whatever; or even a more sophisticated and adequate theory of embodied agency. I am trying to capture the level of understanding prior to philosophical puzzlement. And while this modern understanding of the mind certainly opens itself to Cartesian type theories in a why that the earlier "enchanted" understanding does not, it isn't itself such a theory. Put another way, the modern idea of mind makes something like the "mind-body problem" conceivable, indeed, in a way inescapable, where on the earlier understanding it didn't really make sense. But by itself it doesn't offer an answer to that problem" (30).

Conversely, what the author is interested in is "the naive understanding, because my claim will be that a fundamental shift has occurred in naive understanding to move to the disenchantment" (30).

There are several immediately obvious problems in this passage, and these problems persist throughout the text. For the sake of time and space however, I will only briefly highlight a few of the most overt.

Perhaps most importantly, Taylor's argument is premised on the notion that there is in fact discontinuity between "the religious" and "the secular"; that these things are separate and irreconcilable. Simultaneously, Taylor tries to make the case that secularism has grown out of the religious, or what is his "enchanted" and "naive" version of the past. In this way, he presupposes a history that is both linear and progressive.

Taylor also attempts to append to the notion of secularism an ethical notion of "exclusive" humanism, asserting that it is one of many "alternative[s] to religion." He simultaneously undermines the viability of religion as an option in two ways. First, he asserts that three conditions for belief are necessary for the survival of the historically religious. Notwithstanding his questionable premise, Taylor states that those conditions no longer exist (vanished is one of the words he uses). He likewise asserts that naivete is no longer available to anyone, believer and unbeliever alike. Second, Taylor asserts that secularism (and again the absence of condition for belief) have put an end to "transcendence," a word Taylor designates to mean the naive religion of the past, concerned as it was beyond "human flourishing." Essentially (and ironically), Taylor is collapsing the religious into the secular, conveniently disposing of those conditions for belief that characterize his "enchanted" past. And all of this with shockingly little support....

If Taylor's arguments lack support, it should not be surprising. Taylor wants to argue "a fundamental shift" in "naive understanding" but likewise desires an abandonment of contemporary theory. Unfortunately, Taylor frequently attempts to utilize the authority of several European early modern and modern theoriticians, including Kant, Rousseau, Wittgenstein, Foucault, etc. The end result of which is masticated political theory, circular logic, and a self-defeating rationale. How can one after all, understand the "naive," if that is in fact what it is to be called, if it a) no longer exits and b) the theoretical basis that might allow for at least the conception of such a notion is rejected? Taylor is " trying to capture the level of understanding prior to philosophical puzzlement," as paradoxically articulated in this very modern and rational way. The attempt to balance the reality of this paradox only serves to further confound his own argument.

Perhaps the most ironic aspect of this text is that Taylor admits that his attempt to "understand" this shift will be constrained to the "modern West." Certainly, this is at least consistent with the theories upon which he unwillingly draws, but given the nature of his presuppositions, what does this say about those civilizations which may or may not conform to the "set of forms and changes" that characterize "Latin Christiendom" and which have, according to Taylor, produced the magnanimous "self-sufficient humanism"? What kind of moral (and political) absolutism does this imply?

I have no doubt that Taylor is a well-respected man in his profession, and that he has made important contributions to his professional community. This text however, is not one of them. It is more closely related to a bad memoir than a scholarly masterpiece.

This is a wonderful 200 page book. The problem is that it takes Taylor many more hundreds of pages of repetition to finish it. I normally read a couple of books each week, but i had to put this down many times over several months to get to the end. There are some brilliant observations in this haystack, like needles, but you are so exhausted in reading the same observations so many times that it becomes a tiresome book.
I can see why there was no editor for this book since a real editor would have spent years getting him to realize that a compendium of lectures (which is what this book is according to Taylor) does not lend itself to a good book.
If you want to spend a lot of time getting to how we live in a "Secular Age" which of course we do not if looking at the world as a whole, you may find a few nuggets in here, but you won't find a vein of gold that makes the effort worthwhile. Sadly this book could have been great. Sadly, it is an example of what a poor writer can do with an interesting topic.
I pity any of his students who had to suffer through these lectures without the benefit of lots of caffeine. I am sure Taylor is a very smart and engaging man, as long as you don't have to spend more time with him than the usual checkout line takes at the grocery store.

An exhaustive, very learned string of reviews on Taylor's study can be found at "The Immanent Frame" ([...]), a blog maintained by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC).

After all that has been said, I will only add that Taylor's book is work of synthetic and imaginative genius. It offers very comprehensive insight into the condition and history of modernity without subscribing to a unilinear, "subtractionist" notion of secularization. This book will be permanently useful in many disciplines. It is worthy of comparison with Blumenberg's The Legitimacy of the Modern Age and John Milbank's Theology and Social Theory: Beyond Secular Reason, but with the huge added advantage that it canvases popular experience as well as the experience of the intellectual elite.

The authors examine all aspects of the amazing grace demonstrated by the Amish people in tiny West Nickel Mines, PA after the ghastly killing of five school-age girls by a distraught "Englishman". The Amish's version of Christianity, focused sharply on the Lord's Prayer and the Sermon on the Mount, tells them to forgive others, lest they be forgiven by God for their sins. Centuries of thinking and living this way make other reactions to tragedy almost unthinkable within the Amish community, though forgiveness does not erase grief. Christians may think differently about their interpretation of Christ's teachings after reading this book. Description of the killings themselves are mercifully brief, though still poignant.

Very highly recommended to all readers.

Sometimes kindness comes from the least expected of places. "Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy" is a look back at the shocking kindness shown by the Amish after a horrible tragedy in the Nickel Mines of Pennsylvania claimed the lives of ten schoolgirls. Shattering the stereotype of the Amish as a backwards people who condemn the outside world for their heretical ways, it's a refreshing look at a good, albeit unique type of people. "Amish Grace" is a refreshing tale of the good side of religion.

The mix of Amish background and history with the present gave me a much better understanding of the Amish,why they believe, and who they are.
I wish I could have a commitment and devotion as strong as theirs. This book not only shows their strengths, but also their weaknesses, and how they cope with both. Anyone whether religious,or a non-believer should read this book so they can strengthen their own personal beliefs.

Highly recommend for everyone interested in improving their own life.

EJ

This book is a moving portrait of the tragic shootings of Amish school children in Nickel Mines, PA. Above all, however, it an insightful view of Amish culture and faith, especially with regard to forgiveness. The book's spare and elegant prose was perfectly suited to the subject. I bought 2 additional copies as gifts for friends.

This book is a grace note in an age of religiously fuelled hate crimes and suicide bombings. It is not only about how the Old Order Amish found it within themselves to forgive the killer of their young girls, it is also one of the best books on religion and ethics that I have ever read.

If the reader learns one thing from the Nickel Mines school shooting, it is this: "the Amish commitment to forgive is not a small patch tacked onto their fabric of faithfulness. Rather, their commitment to forgive is intricately woven into their lives and their communities."

The Amish take the Lord's Prayer to heart. If they themselves wish to be forgiven, they must forgive.

"Amish Grace" gives an account of Charles Carl Roberts IV and the instruments of cruelty and death that he brought to the small Nickel Mines schoolhouse on October 2, 2006. But as the authors put it, the biggest surprise "was not the intrusion of evil but the Amish response." How and why the Amish forgave the killer in their midst is the main focus of this book.

One of the contrasts I couldn't help drawing from this story was the Amish response to the murder of their children, versus the way John Walsh, dedicated host of "America's Most Wanted" reacted to the murder of his six-year-old son, Adam. Since that horrible day in 1981, Walsh has devoted himself to bringing criminals to justice, and has been instrumental in rescuing abducted children. In 2006 President Bush signed a new bill into law that changed how Americans protect their children against sexual predators such as Charles Carl Roberts IV. The law is called "The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act."

If John Walsh had been Amish, would any of these good and necessary deeds have been accomplished? On a more personal level, were the stricken Amish parents better able than Mr. Walsh to live with their grief because they forgave their children's killer?

In the course of writing this book, the authors develop answers to questions such as the above, from the Amish and non-Amish point-of-view. They don't preach. They don't resort to sociological mumbo-jumbo. They tell the stories of good people, who are also fallible human beings. They conclude that "Amish-style forgiveness can't be strip-mined from southern Lancaster County and transported wholesale to other settings. Rather, the lessons of grace that the rest of us take from Nickel Mines must be extracted with care and applied to other circumstances with humility."

This is a thoughtful, well-written book.

Well written and horrifying account of the Essex. I am from Boston and I was not aware of the story. Found the book in a store on Nantucket a over the summer. I am glad I remembered to order it when I came home from vaca. If your looking for an adventure story, without a Disney ending,,,,then this book is for you.

this is one of the finest books i've ever read. the story is fabulous and the author's delivery is perfect. however, it is VERY graphic. the content can be extremely disturbing if you are not interested in the worst events any human can experience. it is told from the perspective of the survivors.

Philbrick is a good writer. Sometimes I felt pulled between the history of Nantucket, an inside look into whaling and the story of the Essex. Each is interesting and deserves its own book. The story of the Essex is incredibly powerful, and I feel that Philbrick treated the terrible survival struggles of the crew at an arm's length. The details were there, just not the emotion. He came close, but this story - with the struggle, errors of judgment, tragedy and cannibalism, had the potential to stand with the classic tales of Bly or Shackleton, but this telling didn't quite deliver.

A very good story, but as the whalers were slaughtering every whale in sight and dragging the giant Galapagos turtles into their mess halls for dinner, I was cheering for the whales.

This harrowing, hair-raising adventure story and testament to American ingenuity and resourcefulness is a thrill to read. Philbrick recounts the disaster of the Whaleship Essex largely relying on a careful selection of accounts from the memoirs of First Mate Owen Chase and Boatsteerer Thomas Nickerson that are peppered with interesting and informative annotations from a wealth of other sources.

Clearly the author has an advantage in writing about such an exciting and well documented story, but Philbrick sets himself apart in that he lacks the pretension and glibness of many contemporary historians. For example, nautical terms are used throughout, but not in way that is mired in the nitty-gritty (although the notes provide additional depth) and a clearly labeled illustration is quite enabling for the "coof" (off-islander) or layman reader. Furthermore, the numerous asides do not disrupt the story, but enhance it due to the thoughtfulness and subtly of the author.

This is an excellent and enthralling book from a most perspicacious author. Like the piece of twine weaved together and preserved by Essex survivor Benjamin Lawrence to remind Lawrence of his experience, Philbrick creates quite a yarn that will ensure the survival of the story of the Whaleship Essex for generations to come.

Great story would make a terrific film. Jaw-dropping exploits combined with a cluelessness that's very engaging. A great read. I see Clive Owen as Agent ZigZag, 'cause he's a ladies' man, a funny guy (who thinks he's suave) and hysterical as a spy.

First: what a character! Eddie Chapman, common criminal, daredevil, ladies' man, double agent extraordinaire recipient of the Iron Cross from Hitler, hob-nobbing with London elite...a blue-collar "To Catch a Thief" spy story.

Second: a gripping can't-put-it-down tale, written like a great novel, chock-full of larger than life characters in larger than life circumstances.

And, as it ended, I was sad that they're all gone...but enriched for having, through Ben Macintyre, known them.

A great book waiting for the film that will do it justice.

This book doesn't just cover the technical aspects of Eddie Chapman's double agent adventures; it uncovers the man behind the story. And he's quite a character. The author has done extensive research on all the people behind the scenes who represented the brains (and the humanity) behind Chapman's work - on both the German and the English sides. It also touches on the amazing contribution of the folks at Bletchley Park who deciphered the Enigma code. Enjoy!

A suposedly true story, but frankly it did not have much of a ring of truth about it. Certainly parts are true, but as much of the story relied on the writings of a con man, how much can one believe. It has that, after the fact ring, of the victors did nothing wrong and the vanquished did nothing right. The con man, if the story is to be trusted lived like a prince in both France, Norway, Germany and England fetted by all sides. Hmmm, Doesn't pass my litmus test.

Ah, the story of Eddie Chapman; long awaited and finally produced (actually two of them on the same day, but the thrust of "Zigzag" by Booth ruled it out for me.) I had read Masterman's "The Double-Cross System in the War from 1939 to 1945" which gave Chapman six pages, seen the movie "Triple-Cross", and wondered what the story really was. The movie bore no resemblance to the truth as usual, but finding out the truth in spy stories is always a realm where educated guess and conjecture must fill in the frustrating blanks. Chapman's story rings true in every respect and well worth the read over the 2-4 nights it provides.

Earlier reviewers have exalted or condemned Chapman, so allow me to state that essentially all spies/agents have a screw loose and a yen for danger, excitement and feeling special. They operate with governmental assistance well above the law -- a heady role that must in itself be its own reward. Few if any spies for western democracies have been justly rewarded for their endeavors, as such rewards are generally denied under the rubric of maintaining security. Most ex-agents are relegated to obscurity and penury while some are "terminated with extreme prejudice" (killed) if they are considered as security risks. In this respect, working for a totalitarian government like that in the old USSR has its rewards, as they tend to resettle ex-agents in government positions. There is something about a democracy that makes a spy untrustworthy to the public and unworthy of its respect. As such, Chapman was no exception.

Agent handlers or case officers are usually like Ryde, Chapman's last British handler -- bureaucrats playing it safe and willing to sacrifice their agents. The agents themselves are often despised for their courage and exciting lives -- things well beyond the capabilities of their handlers. In order to be successful, an agent must outwit the enemy and fend off bungled, misguided and often hostile actions by his "friendly" handlers. In Chapman's case he was under suspicion from both sides and faced dangerous situations that would have been insurmountable for a man with less larceny in his heart. That's what makes his case so extraordinary and improbable. But true.

Yes, Chapman was a cad and a career criminal, but many agents feature a dark side. So do many heroes. The difference is that the agent operates outside the law to be successful, and the best training for such activity is survival in a criminal world. Ask any under-cover police officer.

Other reviewers have made an issue about what Chapman accomplished. Few spies other than Burgess, Philby, Hollis, Alger Hiss, Ted Hall, the Rosenbergs, or Penkovskiy make a lasting difference -- even Richard Sorge's impact is disputed from the Soviet archives. Intelligence is made up from a number of small fragments or information, often obtained at great personal cost by unknown sources. And I'm not talking about a case officer like Valerie Plame who becomes a media darling without taking risks. Chapman was an real agent who risked his life repeatedly, made some contributions, and that should be enough. If the reader wants a story with great successes, he will have to look to stories of those traitors listed above who had unusual positions of access to information of particular value to another country. Not every agent saves the world, but many taken together just might. FYI, I was disappointed to see the author use the trendy term "mole", coined by John Le Carre, instead of the proper term "resident agent" that was in use until the 1970s.

With respect to the danger Chapman faced in Germany, it should be remembered that a number of individuals were constantly seeking to discredit or expose him, and if any single one of them had been successful, his life would have been forfeit after a period of torture. I suspect that none of the complaining reviewers would be willing to undertake such risks. Perhaps this is the "Mission Impossible" syndrome whereby we have become conditioned to expect truly impossible feats as requirements to hold our attention.

The author takes great pains to limit his presentation to facts that are confirmed through multiple sources rather than relying on Chapman. No doubt we all would have wanted more of the story, but with the available sources exhausted by this book, we will have to fall back on our own educated guesses and conjecture.

Read the book -- you'll learn a lot about how human intelligence is obtained or not obtained. The author does a good job of research and writing, and if the outcomes are not what we would want -- well, then, that is our problem.