History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Changes That Heal: How to Understand the Past to Ensure a Healthier Future

Average customer rating:

Changes that Heal
let's get real
Changes that Heal
Changes That Heal more than you'll believe
Excellent

Changes That Heal: How to Understand the Past to Ensure a Healthier Future
Dr. Henry Cloud
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Boundaries: When to say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life (Inspirio/Zondervan Miniature Editions)
Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren't
Hiding from Love
Nine Things You Simply Must Do: To Succeed in Love and Life
How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals About Personal Growth

ASIN: 0310214637

Book Description

This book focuses on four developmental tasks -- bonding to others, separating from others, integrating good and bad in our lives, and taking charge of our lives -- that all of us must accomplish to heal our inner pain and to enable us to function and grow emotionally and spiritually.

Customer Reviews:

Changes that Heal.......2007-09-10

Not only is the delivery quick; product is in excellent condition. Always try Amazon first!!

let's get real.......2007-04-01

I have read many books by Cloud & Townsend prior to this book-- How to Get a Date Worth Keeping, Boundaries, Boundaries in Dating, Safe People, and Nine Things You Simply Must Do: To Succeed in Love and Life. I read Changes that Heal in little bites-- usually no more than 30 minutes worth before bed each night. It touched on things I had never thought before, supported ideas explored in previous books, and brought a lot to the light. I learned a WHOLE lot about myself as I read this and processed it. And the beauty of it all, is that it was very direct, to the point, and calls you out on your issues without a hint of condemnation. I was challenged in areas no one had ever asked me to be accountable in and I was freed from condemnation (my own and others) in other areas. My "symptoms" make sense now because I am beginning to get to the roots of the issues. The wisdom and insight of these two men along with their genuine commitment to see people reconciled in all areas has been a great blessing to me.

Changes that Heal.......2007-03-12

I have passed it out and have been using it for some teaching.
Anyone needed a healing, this is the book to read.

Changes That Heal more than you'll believe.......2007-01-21

All I can say about this book is, "Wow, why didn't I read this 25 years ago. It would have made all the difference in the world!"

If you want real straight-forward answers to why you can's say, 'no' or why you're suffering from depression then you'll find them here. You'll also find solutions and comfort in the fact that your issues can be overcome.

I recommend this to everyone!

Excellent.......2007-01-17

This book is somewhat of a repeat of "Boundaries", by the same authors, but is very good reading if you are interested in what causes people to have problems in life. It would be good for counselors to use.

Average customer rating:

An excellent introduction of complex processes.
A long-awaited textbook......
Not Good Enough!

Earth's Climate: Past and Future
William F. Ruddiman
Manufacturer: W. H. Freeman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Weather | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Outdoors & Nature | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Ice Ages: Solving the Mystery
The Two-Mile Time Machine: Ice Cores, Abrupt Climate Change, and Our Future
Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary (International Geophysics)
Plows, Plagues, and Petroleum: How Humans Took Control of Climate
Global Warming: The Complete Briefing

ASIN: 0716737418

Customer Reviews:

An excellent introduction of complex processes........2006-01-23

This textbook was assigned for a mid-level course on climatic environments of the past, with a focus on the Quaternary Period. As a graduate student with an ecology undergraduate degree currently studying Quaternary vegetation dynamics, I found this to be an excellent introduction for those without a background in climatology while still having a lot to offer more advanced students.

The book itself does not focus merely on the Quaternary, but on the general climatic history of the earth and the dynamic processes that govern it. Ruddiman gives a full treatment of the various scales of variability (tectonic-scale, orbital-scale, millenial, and finally historical and future). He includes a thorough treatment of various paleoclimate proxy methods, the processes of internal and external climate forcing, and gives a geological context for the current trends in climate change.

One of the most valuable aspects of this textbook are the excellent illustrations, which are concise and consistent throughout. These graphics make a variety of potentially confusing or complex processes seem much simpler and more approachable, and are superior to other treatments of the same topics I've seen in other textbooks. Each chapter has suggestions for additional readings, key terms, and review questions, making this an excellent resource for students.

The work is comparatively up-to-date, and includes current issues and debates in paleoclimate studies as well as references to various contemporary projects, groups, and researchers. The writing style is succinct and clear, and follows an intuitive progression. More advanced students will find it easy to find the information they need without slogging through elementary readings. All in all this is an excellent reference for anyone interested in studying climate dynamics in order to understand current trends. Beginning or advanced students, professionals looking to expand their range of knowledge, and the serious inquirer with an advanced high school background in physical science will all find something valuable in this text. My only wish is that the book, now five years old, be updated to include the most recent advanvements in the field.

A long-awaited textbook.............2002-05-17

I read this book twice, and wished I had had something like this available to me a few years ago, when I started venturing out into the unnumbered feedback loops, geochemical vagaries and regional idiosyncracies of Quaternary paleoclimatology, trying to form a general picture of it all. But this text isn't just about the Quaternary, mind you, this is a complete introduction to the main issues in Earth's climatology.
That it's mainly PALEOclimatology is unavoidable, since in my opinion "present climatology" is like a nonsense... Climate is an averaged evaluation of regional or global meteorological parameters through time, and the "present" is always too short for such an evaluation. Insight on climate evolution is only gained looking back in time, and projecting our analyses to an immediate future, so it's a science strictly dependent on timescales and perspectives... What we can tentatively tell about our climatic future is still too uncertain, but what was in the past is still available to inform and inspire us to further research, that's why Ruddiman's work is mainly about understanding what happened in the past...
My cheap philosophy aside, I think the author's aim was to introduce the subject from the basics, at a simplified level, in order to teach what kind of processes and interactions are involved in determining Earth's climate and its variability, without having inexperienced readers bogged down into technicalities of all sorts and all together (the necessary way of scientific articles delving deeper into any one very specific topic!). Hypotheses, problems and events are introduced gradually, with a captivating detective-like style, and the telescopic time-perspective (from longer geotectonic time-scales all the way down to centennial and decadal patterns and phenomena, dutifully lingering upon the Milankovic pacemaker) is just what's needed to have the right feeling brought home to students of how the Earth system evolves..
Details of this and that research threads are omitted to aid understanding of the general picture. Bibliographic references provide other information sources for those interested in more..
My own perplexity is on the second chapter: I doubt that such a quick overview of the workings of atmosphere and oceans is enough for those students that never touched any textbooks of meteorology or oceanography. A chapter twice as long would be more informative, I guess making those processes clearer at the outset of the journey would make several students more confident and help them grasp more of what will follow. I know the book is bulky enough already, but more pages and explanations need to be added to the second chapter for teaching's sake...
I have to disagree with the previous reviewer's negativity.. This is an introductory textbook, if any (paleo)climatologist's views had to be included, an encyclopedia would hardly be enough room for all of them!! The last two chapters, on global warming and future climate variability, are the best example of Ruddiman's balance and caution in explaining hypotheses, alternatives, possible fallacies and biases of sorts. As to the reviewer's question, "Who couldn't get a five-star rating discussing climate change and global warming with such a leitmotif?", I invite him to read my review of W.J.Burroughs' "Climate Change: a Multidisciplinary Approach" on the Amazon.co.uk website...
I really hope to see a second edition of Ruddiman's work in the next years, when times will be ripe for exciting updates and more hypotheses to tell...

Not Good Enough!.......2001-07-12

Here is a very flashy book. Superb illustrations. Nice layout. Important subject.

Who couldn't get a five-star rating discussing climate change and global warming with such a leitmotif? Apparently this author.

When you read through the lines, you find the same old cant. Look, everyone knows that climate changes; however, Ruddiman seems to think he knows WHY more than anyone else. But he does not. By neglect, he dismisses arguments of other climatologists that are equally (if not better) informed. I wish he could explain better why our climate is so variable, without resorting to computer models that everyone knows don't work very well. But alas he did not discuss this in adequate detail.

All of this means that the core of this book, while a noble attempt, is flashy and hollow. I hoped for better on this important topic, and (sigh) I still await the real, objective textbook on this fascinating subject.

All this is too bad, because Mr. Ruddiman is a very "highly rated" scientist. Maybe someone of lesser status will surprise us with a real book about the true complexities of climate change. Maybe someone who isn't a climatologist can explain all this stuff.

Book Description

“With all its defects, with all the failures that we can check up against it, the UN still represents man’s best-organized hope to substitute the conference table for the battlefield.”
–Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961

The signing of the United Nations Charter in 1945 was an unprecedented development in the history of humankind. For the first time, the world’s most powerful sovereign nation states came together to create an autonomous organization designed to, in the Charter’s words, “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war [and] reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.” Sixty years later, the UN still doggedly pursues that mandate, albeit not without difficulty and certainly not without criticism.

In The Parliament of Man, the distinguished scholar Paul Kennedy gives a thorough and timely history of the United Nations that explains the institution’s roots and functions while also casting an objective eye on the UN’s effectiveness as a body and on its prospects for success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead.

Building on expertise he gained in drafting official reports for the UN’s fiftieth anniversary on how to improve the organization’s performance, Kennedy makes sense of the many commissions and committees, and how its six main operating bodies–General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (UNESCO), Trusteeship Council, Secretariat, and International Court–operate and interact. Citing examples from the UN’s history, he shows how the five permanent members of the Security Council–the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and France–on numerous occasions overcame political antagonisms to spearhead military supervision of aid in humanitarian crises, and how lack of cooperation among the great powers has hamstrung such initiatives as the control of greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbated the deleterious effects of globalization on developing nations’ economies.

As a body, the UN emerges here for what it is: fallible, human-based, oftentimes dependent on the whims of powerful national governments or the foibles of individual senior UN administrators, but utterly indispensable. In The Parliament of Man, Kennedy ably proves that “it is difficult to imagine how much more riven and ruinous our world of six billion people would be if there had been no UN social, environmental, and cultural agendas–and no institutions to attempt to put them into practice on the ground.”

Customer Reviews:

a solid but somewhat dry overview of the UN.......2007-09-19

As a reporter who has covered the UN, I read this book around the time I first came here. It is helpful for understanding the basic layout of the organization, its history and purpose, which are things that I was completely in the dark on before I came here and rather suspect most of my countrymen are ill-informed on as well. The chapter on the history of the Security Council is extremely helpful in getting a basic understanding of the UN's role in major foreign affairs in the past 60 years. However, this book is often dry and rambly in its later stages, and just doesn't have that much to say about, say, NGOs and civil society. By contrast, I found James Traub's "The Best Intentions," on the twilight of the Kofi Annan years here, to be a more engaging, if slightly less objectively detached, treatise of the United Nations.

A Tour d'Horizon of the UN's Successes and Failures.......2006-09-12

In 1945, in San Francisco, when the UN Charter was written, the victors of the Second World War were looking to create an international body that would guarantee global security and prevent another conflagration like the one they had just experienced. The lines from the Tennyson poem "Locksley Hall:" "Till the war-drum throbbed no longer, and the battle flags were furl'd / In the Parliament of Man, Federation of the World" were carried by President Truman in his back pocket when he gave his famous address calling for a United Nations.

Paul Kennedy, Yale historian and author of "The Rise and Fall of Great Powers," reminds us that the internal contradictions that exist at the UN today were present at creation, so to speak. The UN was essentially created by the victors of World War II. The General Assembly, which at the time was made up of 49 members, reflected the internationalism of this venture, each member was allowed one vote regardless of size or power. The Security Council, on the other hand, made up of the five permanent members ( the US, China, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union) were the only members allowed the veto reflecting the realism of the founders.

Essentially the UN is no more than what the great powers want it to be. It is disingenuous for the American right to attack the UN for being weak and ineffectual when they need it because it was designed to be so. In the case of Rwanda and Bosnia, the UN stood by helplessly while thousands were massacred; this was because no great power stepped forward in time to stop these atrocities. Likewise, if a great power decides to act unilaterally such as the US in Iraq or China in Tibet, there is nothing the UN can do. In the politcal and military realm the UN is primarily a tool for the great powers.

Any reform of the UN Charter, such as creating a standing army or increasing the number of permanent members of the Security Council, must be approved by all five of the existing permanent members. Over the years there have been endless commissions, reports, and proposals calling for structural reform at the UN, but none have succeeded in persuading the current five to change the status quo. One must concede that if the current five cannot agree on reform, it would be even more difficult for a larger group.

Kennedy points out that "there are in practice many UN's." Most citizens of great power countries think of the UN only in it's peacekeeping and peace-enforcing capacity - a capacity in which in does not have much power. Most of the developing world is more interested in the UN's "soft power," dealing with human rights, poverty alleviation, refugees, and public health. In these areas, UN efforts have met with some success. These people working through the UN and other NGO's have been instrumental in creating an international civil society, which have greatly contributed to global security and well-being.

Only a few years ago during the invasion of Iraq, American conservatives declared the UN useless and irrelevant. Recently, however, with the crisis in Lebanon and the nuclear stand-off with Iran, one great power after another is going to the UN with another resolution. Inspite of all it's shortcomings, it is still the only global forum for conflict resolution and burden-sharing.

In the last part of this book, Kennedy asks whether the UN can remake itself to reflect the realities of the 21st century. The answer lies in how much power the great powers are willing to relinquish. Globalization is rapidly creating a world that is more multilayered and interconnected. Will the UN be able to keep pace with these changes or will the world pass it by? Kennedy is an optimist.

Balanced assessment of the UN.......2006-08-14

There is not much new in this book for those who follow the UN, but it is a balanced assessment. His reform recommendations err on the conservative side, although he does show how the US Congress imposes limits on the organization and then blames it for not doing more. The book is intended for a general readership rather than scholars or those with an in-depth knowledge of the UN.

Moving forward, looking back.......2006-06-27

Analyzing almost sixty years of United Nations history is, to say the least, an ambitious undertaking. Kennedy has tackled the challenge admirably producing a substantive and very readable account of the "evolution of the many UNs since 1945". His previous participation in the review and reform process of the UN system adds to his qualifications. This study is an excellent entry for anybody interested in learning more about this unique institution, its origins, growth and progress into one of the most complex international organizations.

Kennedy anchors his analysis firmly in the Charter of the United Nations, negotiated toward the end of World War II by the "Big Three" (US, Britain and USSR). He often refers back to these early days to remind the reader of the historical context of the UN and the challenges that ensued from these beginnings. The reader is reminded that only 50 states signed the Charter back in 1945, while the UN today has 191 members. Following chapter 1, which provides an overview of the origins of the UN, Kennedy groups the historical analysis by the major themes, reflecting the core responsibilities of the UN bodies, such as security, peace and war; the social and economic spheres; international human rights and finally global governance, democratization and civil society. It is in this context that Kennedy refers to the "many UNs. In the final part the author summarizes current trends in the reform debates of the UN and includes recommendations for future development.

Taking the theme approach engages the reader more easily in the historical perspective on the UN. Kennedy provides many examples of successes and failures in the areas of peacekeeping (or making) and in the social, economic and human rights spheres. He does not shy away from criticism. In particular, he deems the (end-of-war) structure of the Security Council with its veto system too rigid and explains why. During the long years of the Cold War, it often prevented urgent actions to be taken in response to crises. With the Security Council continuing as the primary decision making body of the UN, Kennedy sides with those proposing change that promote an expansion of the Council and restrictive rules in the use of veto. As concerns the Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC) he laments the lack of clarity in its mandate and the resulting weaknesses. The problems here have been compounded, he argues, by the parallel independent development of the Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank and IMF). It is somewhat surprising hat he accords them a rather prominent place in this context. By necessity of scope, generalizations are made about these institutions' impact on developing countries that could be challenged, for example as regards "structural adjustment programs".

An obvious disadvantage of the thematic approach is a certain level of duplication in some cases or omissions in others. The confusing array of committees, commissions etc. dealing with gender and women's issues is raised without questioning the reasons. In the section on international human rights where gender should be treated as an integral part, the linkages are not made. Kennedy treats the increasing involvement of civil society at the UN as a positive development, yet his analysis is less satisfactory. He highlights the contributions of a few international NGOs rather than on the ever-stronger civil society networks, in particular those emerging in the South. Furthermore, while referring to this aspect of UN work as "messy", Kennedy omits a major initiative in the UN to streamline the work with civil society organizations through the establishment of networks and "major groups" representation.

Kennedy clearly places himself on the side of those reformers who want to strengthen the UN system with an emphasis on progressing step by step in the different areas of its complex structure. Enhancing the operations of the major UN bodies in the social, economic and human rights fields, expanding the Security Council, establishing closer coordination with the Bretton Woods institutions and the UN and related intergovernmental agencies, etc. will have a positive impact on the whole organization and lead to a future that can benefit the peoples of the world. He is realist enough to appreciate the challenges ahead in this direction given the current global power structures. [Friederike Knabe]

The Millennium Matrix: Reclaiming the Past, Reframing the Future of the Church (J-B Leadership Network Series)

Average customer rating:

Should be required reading for all leaders
A Communication Chart for all Offices
relevant magazine reveiw
Connections, connections, connections.......
Thriving on change

The Millennium Matrix: Reclaiming the Past, Reframing the Future of the Church (J-B Leadership Network Series)
M. Rex Miller
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Nonfiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

Business & Investing | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

Religion & Spirituality | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Worship is a Verb: Eight Principles for Transforming Worship
The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture: How Media Shapes Faith, the Gospel, and Church
The Spirituality Of Welcoming: How to Transform Your Congregation into a Sacred Community
The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life
Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures

ASIN: 0787962678

Book Description

In this dynamic book, theologian, futurist, and communications expert M. Rex Miller presents the innovative millennium matrix, that explains the way we store and distribute information changes our worldviews. Based on the author’s extensive research, The Millennium Matix explores the major paradigm and worldview shifts over the past two thousand years and maps them into an easily accessible chart summarizing the entire history of culture and church. From the oral culture of Jesus’ time to the print world of Gutenberg’s Bible to the broadcast era of television to the emerging digital culture, readers will see the impact of communication on worship and spirituality. Even more, the book then provides practical suggestions on how Christians can successfully navigate the rapid cultural changes that are occurring and that will continue to occur over the decades to come.

Customer Reviews:

Should be required reading for all leaders.......2006-04-04

Without over-generalizing Rex Miller explains many trends we see around us and helps us consider where they will lead. He helps us understand how we got where we are today in a way that makes me thankful to be alive at this turning point in human history. While it was written with church leaders in mind, thinkers and leaders of all organizations will benefit from this timely work.

A Communication Chart for all Offices.......2005-08-19

What a helpful book on understanding our past, present, and future in communication. M. Rex Miller is clear and precise as to the breakdown of how we have learned from ancient times and how we will learn in the future. If you are worried about postmodern thought then this is the book to read because Miller shows how a new way of thinking and processing information can be very spiritually productive in a rapidly changing society and church.

relevant magazine reveiw.......2005-03-08

Not just another book about postmodernism, "The Millenium Matrix" is an innovative look at human technology and how it influences culture, psychology, and ulimately faith. By exploring the major worldview shifts of the last 2,000 years, Rex Miller looks ahead to the future of Christianity and 21st century culture. Written in an engaging and simple style, "The Millenium Matrix" is quite the enlightening read.

-Eric Hurtgen, Relevant Magazine

Connections, connections, connections..............2005-02-01

Read it! It will do both your mind and soul good.
It isn't often I run across something like this. This is a book I wish I had written. That's the highest compliment a writer can pay to another author. Rex, my hat's off to you.

Seriously, Rex has done an absolutely marvelous job of bringing together a whole lot of complexity and laying it out in an understandable form. While his major focus is on how technology will impact how churches organizae themeselves, the lessons are equally applicable to just about any large formal organization in Western society.

It is certainly a must read for anyone trying to understand the diverse cultural mix we find oursleves living in today.

Thriving on change.......2004-10-09

Rex Miller's excellent work reminds us that we are living in an age of extra-ordinary change. His work points to the challenges we face: what will we salvage from the past (in order to stay grounded in those things which are timeless) and what changes will we embrace (so that the church does not become irrelevant).

Every pastor who is willing to re-assess the effectiveness of his or her church should spend a few days with this book, and then spend a few years working out its implications. Miller asks us to forego programs and methods and think for ourselves--how refreshing!

The Laws of Lifetime Growth: Always Make Your Future Bigger Than Your Past

Average customer rating:

GREAT BOOK BUT
Good Book for Anyone
Powerful principles explained superficially
Ten potent laws of personal growth
Clarity of Vision and Storytelling used adeptly to illuminate Life Lessons

The Laws of Lifetime Growth: Always Make Your Future Bigger Than Your Past
Dan Sullivan , and Catherine Nomura
Manufacturer: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Success | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Health Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Unique Ability: Creating the Life You Want
Aligned Thinking: Make Every Moment Count (Blanchard, Ken)
The Conative Connection : Acting on Instinct
The Difference Maker: Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset
The 21st Century Agent

ASIN: 1576753352

Book Description

Compared to Stephen Covey and Tony Robbins as a visionary thinker, Dan Sullivan brings practical, powerful new approaches to success in life and business. "The Laws of Lifetime Growth outlines ten "laws" that give readers an internal framework for taking charge of their future. All it takes to use each of these laws is a slight shift in thinking, which anyone -- regardless of age, environment, or stage in life -- can instantly accomplish. Based on Sullivan's years of coaching in which he discovered what motivates people and unlocks their greatest abilities, "The Laws of Lifetime Growth explains how to use such timeless wisdom as "Always make your confidence greater than your comfort" and "Always make your contribution bigger than your reward." Sullivan's laws, startling in their simplicity, show readers how to stay focused and firm so that they can continually grow in all areas of life.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT BOOK BUT .......2007-10-08

Great book but the chapter titles are better than the contents for each; However, just memorizing the chapter titles and applying them will accomplish much.

Good Book for Anyone.......2007-09-24

I had to read this book for a school assignment. However, I found the book to be quite helpful and applicable to life, both professional and personal. The laws are pretty straightforward (always make your questions greater than your answers, etc.), but they bring up some intersting stories and applications of these laws and how to apply the laws to life. I'll probably read this again more thoroughly after I write the paper on it.

Powerful principles explained superficially.......2007-08-29

Personal growth is very important to me so I was naturally attracted to the title "The Laws of Lifetime Growth: Always Make Your Future Bigger than Your Past". The book is a very quick read and although some of the ideas in the book may seem like rehashed platitudes to the cynical reader, I always read with the idea of reaffirming information and learning new ways to express old ideas. How else can one read a personal development book, after all most of the information has been written about before and very few ideas are original. The delivery, however, can make the difference. This book's ideas are powerful, even though the examples lack power, if one practices the principles that are referred to as laws in this book, one will definitely continue the process of growth that is vitally important for a happy, significant life. Enjoy!

Ten potent laws of personal growth.......2007-04-16

Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura address the need for continuous personal growth, and show you how to lead a more fulfilling personal and work life. They provide encouragement, buttressed by personal stories about people who have faced the challenges or made the personal discoveries described in each chapter. The authors tell you how to live life with an inquiring mind and a desire to serve others. They offer 10 "laws" you can use to measure your success by assessing the ways you benefit others. If you need help making this constant journey at your own speed, slip this small book into your briefcase and consult it along the way. We recommend this quick read to stimulate your desire to accomplish great things.

Clarity of Vision and Storytelling used adeptly to illuminate Life Lessons .......2007-03-26

Each of the laws in this book invoked a feeling of dejavu for me, and therein lies its value - it was as if somewhere deep within myself I already knew the wisdom that was being offered, but the book shone a light on this tacit knowledge, and in so-doing made it more accessible, meaningful, and applicable.

Each short chapter left me with an "ah - of course" feeling. For, example, chapter one gave a keen sense of how past success can actually become a limit to future growth if one does not "Always make your future bigger than your past," but that by assessing your past achievements and asking "How can I use my past to expand my future horisons in creative ways," you can ensure a lifetime of fulfilment in personal and professional growth.

Somethimes it is not WHAT is said that offers the greatest insight, but HOW it is presented. The many eureka moments I experienced while reading Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura's "Laws of Lifetime Growth," were, I believe, mainly due to the clear and memorable way in which the ideas were presented. The chapter titles serve as a good memory aid for keeping the lessons readily accessible in one's mind. The stories of how these lessons were applied by individuals, add a personal touch that deepens insight and makes the lessons even more memorable. Finally, the summary paragraphs that introduce each chapter can be re-read in a few minutes as a revision of the key concepts.

The book is a short easy read, and is ideal for reading on an aeroplane trip as I did. Its value is well worth the small investment in time and money. I highly recommend it.

Animals and the Afterlife: True Stories of Our Best Friends' Journey Beyond Death

Average customer rating:

EXCELLANT
Animals and the Afterlife
Fantastic Book
Nice Read
an emtional warm blanket

Animals and the Afterlife: True Stories of Our Best Friends' Journey Beyond Death
Kim Sheridan
Manufacturer: Hay House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Death & Grief | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Pet Loss | Death & Grief | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Reincarnation | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Near-Death Experiences | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Health Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Home & Garden Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

There is Eternal Life for Animals
The Soul of Your Pet: Evidence for the Survival of Animals After Death
Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates
Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet
Blessing the Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying, and Beyond

ASIN: 1401908896

Book Description

Kim Sheridan grew up with animals as her constant companions. Each time she faced the death of a beloved pet, along with the pain came the same questions, to which she could find no answers. Then, mysterious things began to happen that she couldn’t explain, which led her on an incredible journey to uncover the truth. Along with her own extraordinary experiences, she compiled heartwarming and meaningful true stories of everyday people around the world, and discovered compelling evidence that forever erased her own doubts about an afterlife for animals.
This book provides enormous comfort and reassurance to anyone who has ever cherished a pet, and food for thought for anyone who has ever questioned the place of these beloved creatures in the larger scheme of things, both here on Earth and beyond.

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLANT.......2007-10-03

Loosing a 'friend' is never easy....for some, as with myself....tramatic..it has been two months.....
but with Kim Sheridan.........and the stories.....it has helped, given me hope and some peace.
I DO NOT recommend Sylvia Browne's book 'Spirit of Animals"..it is a picture book with two minutes of reading time......and you do not feel any better for it.
This book gives you hope, peace, and that just maybe you and your friend will meet again on THIS side.............

Animals and the Afterlife.......2007-09-06

This book was so helpful in easing the pain of losing a beloved pet. Kim
Sheridan's writing is informative, compassionate and insightful. I would recommend this book to anyone who is grieving a companion animal.

Fantastic Book.......2007-09-05

Once I got started reading this book, it was hard to put down. After reading this book I have the comfort of knowing that the 2 pets I just recently lost are still close by. I was touched by the wonderful stories that were shared by other people. I would highly recommend this book.

Nice Read.......2007-08-24

Comforting book for anyone who has lost a beloved pet. I now even have a new outlook on the rat family. It is filled with many wonderful story the writer received from others who have lost there pets. Easy read, would recommend for anyone of any age.

an emtional warm blanket.......2007-03-18

kim's book has been answered prayers for myself and many family members and friends.i cannot imagine how she was able to pick and choose through so many broken hearts to help us. i shed tears while reading this book both from grief and joy and allowed myself a sense of peace and understanding of transition that i had not learned even after a lifetime of critical care nursing. i appreciate the authors' respect for all life, and the different ways it is celebrated,mourned and honoured throughout the world. i appreciate greatly the biblical referances and the beautiful quotations. even though i miss my family greatly, i rejoice in knowing they will meet me at the rainbow bridge....thankyou kim,bless you and your work...looking forward to the next book....hurry!!!

Average customer rating:

pretty good x-men story...
Just plain awesome X-Men story from the Claremont golden age
Kitty Pryde is the parting gift of the Claremont & Bryne team to the X-Men
The world was never the same again
THIS IS NOT THE DARK PHOENIX TPB!!!

X-Men: Days of Future Past
Chris Claremont , and John Byrne
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Superheroes | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Marvel | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga
X-Men: Mutant Massacre
X-Men: Mutant Genesis
X-Men: The Complete Age of Apocalypse Epic, Book 3
X-Men: The Complete Age of Apocalypse Epic, Book 2

ASIN: 0785115609

Customer Reviews:

pretty good x-men story..........2007-01-21

i'm not sure why this collection is so highly rated; maybe it's because it's the end of the claremont/byrne run.
the tpb is a disjointed collection, which goes from the x-men going through the 9 levels of hell a la dante's inferno, to wolverine and nightcrawler in canada fighting the wendigo, to some x-men fighting mystique and the brotherhood trying to kill senator kelly, to kitty pryde and some other x-men trying to change the past and thus the future.
altogether they are solid if somewhat unrelated stories.

ok let me clarify...x-men 141 and 142, the days of future past, is a great classic comics storyline. but this tpb collects some unrelated stories before and after i guess just to be longer, so it kind of throws off the storyline if you think this whole tpb is one long connected story which it isn't.

Just plain awesome X-Men story from the Claremont golden age.......2006-11-17

Though it's really only a two-issue event with more stuff crammed around it in this graphic novel, everything about Days of Future Past is just plain awesome X-Men adventures from the golden age of Chris Claremont's prolific run on the title. Picking up after the Dark Phoenix Saga, Cyclops quits the team and reminisces about all the events that took place up until the death of Jean Grey, Wolverine gets his classic brown costume for the first time (and gets called Logan for the first time too) as he treks to Canada and takes on the Wendigo. Angel rejoins the team, and Kitty Pryde becomes a new member as well, just in time as the X-Men get a visit from the future, and we get a glimpse at the future world ruled by Sentinels and get to see the future versions of Magneto, Wolverine, Storm, and Colossus get slaughtered. This prompts the present day X-Men to stop an assassination plot of Senator Kelly by Mystique and co., and concludes with a demonic Christmas visit. The art by classic X-Men penciler John Byrne and early art by the great John Romita, Jr. has been remastered here and it looks great, as does the revamped cover by Byrne. All in all, Days of Future Past was one of the best stories from the golden age of X-Men comics, and while not as influential or groundbreaking as the Dark Phoenix Saga that came before it, if you missed out on it, then you've missed out on a great deal.

Kitty Pryde is the parting gift of the Claremont & Bryne team to the X-Men.......2005-12-13

"X-Men: Days of Future Past" is the epilogue to the Dark Phoenix saga, the swan song for the team of writer Chris Claremont and penciler Johny Byrne as the co-plotters for "The Uncanny X-Men," and the arrival of Kitty Pryde as the newest and youngest pupil in Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters on Graymalkin Lane outside the Westchester County Township of Salem Center. What you will find in this trade paperback collection are issues #138-143 of "The Uncanny X-Men" and Annual #4, where the artwork is handled by John Romita, Jr. & Bob McLeod.

"Elegy" (#138) begins with Jean Grey's funeral and ends with Scott Summers leaving the X-Men for a while. It really is the true epilogue to the Dark Phoenix saga and most of the issue is a walk down memory lane, recapping the history of the X-Men from when Jean first showed up at the school. Fans of the series will enjoy recognizing issues from the past (remember Grotesk and the Living Pharaoh).

The Annual story, "Nightcrawler's Inferno," has a demon who is fighting Doctor Strange yanking the X-Men off into another dimension, leaving Professor X and Kitty behind. This one involves a more classical interpretation of Hell, what with Minos and Cerberus from Dante coming into play, but like most Annual stories seems a bloated attempt to do something big as opposed to the much bigger impact of a solid multi-part story (see below).

"...Something Wicked This Way Comes!" (#139) has Kitty being introduced to training in the Danger Room, and Wolverine and Nightcrawler head to Canada to meet up with Alpha Flight and an old problem. That would be the Wen-Di-Go, who they fight in "Rage!" (#140), while Ororo takes Kitty to dance lessons with Stevie Hunter. Then we get to the two-part story that gives this collection its title and which remains a classic X-Men story.

"Days of Future Past" (#141) begins with Kate Pryde making her way through a New York City slum in the 21st century (remember, these stories were published in 1980). She is meeting Logan and wearing an inhibitor collar that neutralizes her power to phase through solid objects and an "M" that marks here as a mutant (number 187 in fact). At the South Bronx Mutant Internment Center she walks by graves of the victims of the Sentinels, which includes most of the X-Men and all of the Fantastic Four. Only four X-Men remain: Logan, Ororo, Kate and her husband Peter, and are joined by a wheel-chair bound Magneto, Franklin Richards and his girlfriend, Rachel, a telepath. There last hope is to change the future by changing the past, when the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants murder presidential candidate Robert Kelly and others. To do this, Rachel sends the mind of Kate Pryde back to the present to inhabit her body at age 13.

"Mind Out of Time!" (#142) juxtaposes the battle in the present between the X-Men and the Brotherhood, with the attempt by the few remaining mutants in the future trying to keep Kate's body alive and away from the Sentinels. You know how this one is going to work out in the end, but Claremont and Bryne know how to milk the emotions. This two-parter is the reason that fans of the series would want this one on their shelf.

"Demon" (#143) is basically Kitty Pryde "Home Alone," as the X-Men go out to a Christmas party. While doing a basic gymnastic workout in the Danger Room, an intruder enters the mansion and Kitty finds herself going up against an alien monster. I would say that the alien monster actually looks a bit like the monster in "Alien," but you will find that there are other aspects of that film that come into play as well. Basically this is Kitty's baptism under fire and underscores that "X-Men: Days of Future Past" is ultimately about the littlest X-Man.

The world was never the same again.......2005-06-07

This are the two comic books that thrust just about every encarnation of the X-Men into a whole new ball game. Did you ever watch the old X-Men cartoon in the 90's where politicians were about to mess with mutants? Remember the Sentinels? How about X-Men Evolution? Sound familiar? What about the first X-Men movie? That's right folks. All these shows have this in common: whole story arcs based on Days of Future Past.

These two comics started it all. It launched ideas for numerous future/alternate timeline stories in the X-Men comics as well. The trade paperback reprints issues 141 and 142, but I hear they added more issues with new printings. Doesn't matter which one you get because to me is the focal point is those two issues. Still getting more comic for your money isn't bad. Especially when they are all written by Chris Claremont (whom I consider THE scribe for the X-Men).

Why do these comics hold so much clout? This was something totally new to comicdom. Stan Lee never fled from serious content, and racial profiling is what you have here. The story shows a future where mutants are stripped of their human rights and are regarded as inferior. The parallels between this story and what happened in Nazi Germany are obvious, but it puts a different angle on the issue that makes it something younger audiences can click with.

The artwork is solid and striking without being gaudy and flashy. The background (future) story you get is going to blow you away. And the "modern" activity will give you the classic team you know and love. There is no reason for any X-Fan not to have this TPB... other than if you have the original issues.

THIS IS NOT THE DARK PHOENIX TPB!!!.......2004-10-19

I am in complete agreement with the other reviewer's sentiments regarding the "Dark Phoenix" saga. There's just one problem: THIS IS NOT A REPRINTING OF THE DARK PHOENIX SAGA!!! This is a reprint of the also classic "Day's of Future Past" storyline, which was also penned by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. That storyline actually consists of only two issues, but for this latest edition the good folks at Marvel were kind enough to also include issues 138-140, and issue 143 in addition to issues 141-142. A wonderful collection consisting of the issues that FOLLOWED the "Dark Phoenix Saga". This book also features one of the best comic book battles ever as the X-men face off against the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. So buy this book people, but please Amazon, get your act together.

A History of Knowledge: Past, Present, and Future

Average customer rating:

A Noble Attempt that Falls Flat
a contribution to our civilization
Excellent Overview of the Western Tradition -- Some Sweeping Claims
Mind the gaps?
A History of Knowledge

A History of Knowledge: Past, Present, and Future
Charles Van Doren
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Early Civilization | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

History of Ideas | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Ideas Have Consequences
The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas that Have Shaped Our World View
The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time
Unshakable Foundations: Contemporary Answers to Crucial Questions about the Christian Faith
Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers

ASIN: 0345373162
Release Date: 1992-03-17

Book Description

A one-voume reference to the history of ideas that is a compendium of everything that humankind has thought, invented, created, considered, and perfected from the beginning of civilization into the twenty-first century. Massive in its scope, and yet totally accessible, A HISTORY OF KNOWLEDGE covers not only all the great theories and discoveries of the human race, but also explores the social conditions, political climates, and individual men and women of genius that brought ideas to fruition throughout history.
"Crystal clear and concise...Explains how humankind got to know what it knows."
Clifton Fadiman
Selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club and the History Book Club

Customer Reviews:

A Noble Attempt that Falls Flat.......2007-09-14

Though sweeping in the expanse of its subject, A History of Knowledge looses focus in its final quarter. Charles van Doren begins his history before recorded time and follows the history of ideas up to and beyond the year 1991. As he skips across the peaks of history touching on the major historical events, he keeps his reader's interest with his masterful retelling of history.

He justifies his concentration on western civilization because of the "Greek revolution" of the 4th century B.C. By their interest in the physical world and how it works, the Greeks discovered philosophy, logic, and the scientific method thereby eclipsing the civilizations of the east. He continues with the Greeks laying the foundations for liberal education.

Contrary to other reviews, there is not a Christian bias to this book. The Church inherited the Greek tradition and was a major player in the history of Europe. Truly, Charles van Doren seems impartial at best to Christianity, even scrapping all religions to the dustbin as an enemy of democracy and egalitarianism.

Charles van Doren covers the major thinkers and occurrences up until the end of the 18th century in only 300 pages--definitely reflecting his long career as a writer and editor of the Encyclopedia Britannica. From the time of the French Revolution until his predictions of the possible future, the writing becomes less informative and more editorial, betraying a fondness for egalitarianism, Marxism, and a global government.

Over and over again he lauds the French Revolution as a watershed in history. He speaks highly of that egalitarian dream of Marx; although with the good sense to condemn communism as being a perversion of Marx's ideal, but mostly because of its totalitarian and theocratic tendencies. Towards the end he even begins speaking of the ideal of a one world government based on egalitarianism, a moderate redistribution of wealth, and equality of opportunity.

Tradition is continually seen as anathema to reason and the progress of ideas. At times this is justified, at other times, however, Charles van Doren berates tradition because it is merely tradition. Rightly so he condemns Aristotle's idea of some peoples being "natural slaves," but is not nuanced enough to realize that this does not necessarily negate the idea of a "natural aristocracy" as John Adams termed those men of the young American republic who, through being educated, informed, and persuasive, improve and lead society and culture forward.

The book, though good in the beginning, is overall less than satisfying. The final 100 pages of the 400 page book are unfocused and rife with subjective asides that have controversy and fantasy that distract from the work's noble objective promised by the title.

a contribution to our civilization.......2007-06-22

This is an excellent book...especially the important ideas of our modern times, including the insights of how the success of a democracy rests on the people trusting their government, and of our unfortunate addiction to violence. I am grateful to you, Charles Van Doren, for your important contribution to my understanding of our civilization.

Excellent Overview of the Western Tradition -- Some Sweeping Claims.......2007-06-06

Charles van Doren has written a very readable and thoughtful review of the western cultural tradition that both includes virtually all of the important formative elements and connects them in a sensible way. This book is ideal as a companion to other textbooks for university courses in western history and culture. It is also a worthwhile review for the general public who want to have a better understanding of our debt to the ancient Greeks and Romans, and to trace the developments that led from the Dark Ages to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Age of Reason.

Van Doren is somewhat less helpful in dealing with the 20th century, and his speculation about the 21st century. He does, however, correctly discuss the dangers of adopting a modern theocracy. In that, he anticipates some of the foreign policy problems we have faced recently in the Middle East.

Mind the gaps?.......2007-04-10

I read this book a decade ago and it remains one of the most important books in my library.

Many reviewers have rated this book poorly on the basis it is sketchy, biased, incomplete, full of gaps. These reviewers appear to have read the book as if it were titled "THE History of Knowledge ..." Ironically, Van Doren himself, in his book How to Read a Book points out the importance of clearly understanding a book's title in order to understand its content.

The beauty of "A History of Knowledge ..." for me is that it has given me a framework, a century by century bullet point list if you like, from which to launch into those gaps.

And Van Doren's views and biases are what make the book easy to read and interesting.

A History of Knowledge.......2007-01-05

I love books or TV shows that connect the dots of the great thinkers, events, discoveries, technologies and inventions across history, much like James Burke's "Connections" programs. This book is ideal for anyone with similar interests. Events of the 20 years since publication render the author's predictions in the last chapters moot. Overall, I found it enlightening and a good value.

The Hoffman Process: The World-Famous Technique That Empowers You to Forgive Your Past, Heal Your Present, and Transform Your Future

Average customer rating:

Not great, not terrible
Trippy Read
Life changing information
If you want to FEEL different -then do the Process!
Hoffman Process extracts the psychic scream/root of pain

The Hoffman Process: The World-Famous Technique That Empowers You to Forgive Your Past, Heal Your Present, and Transform Your Future
Tim Laurence
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Healing | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Spiritual | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Psychotherapy, TA & NLP | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Borysenko, Joan | Authors, A-Z | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Journey into Love : Ten Steps to Wholeness
The Ultimate Truth (About Love & Happiness): A Handbook to Life
No Attachments, No Aversions: The Autobiography of a Master
The Power Of Love: Learn How To Be In The Now
The Handbook of the Navigator

Accessories:

RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device
Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)

ASIN: 0553382764
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Book Description

For more than 35 years, the Hoffman Process has been recognized as one of the most potent transformational processes; however, the 8-day residential program is out of reach for most people. Now, Tim Laurence reveals this powerful methodology with warmth and clarity. Using practical exercises, personal stories, case histories, and insightful commentary, Laurence skillfully teaches how to identify and resolve the inherited patterns of behavior that cause emotional and spiritual pain. In this book readers will learn powerful ways to:

Break the compulsive patterns that run your life, exercise your own free will, and regain control of your thoughts and behavior
Free up energy by releasing your pent-up resentments and directly experience your own spirituality
Identify what you really want in life, and finally make the changes you have been putting off for years

The Hoffman Process is endorsed by an extraordinary array of experts and leaders from all walks of life, and it includes the results of a grant research study proving the long-term effectiveness of the Process.

Customer Reviews:

Not great, not terrible.......2007-07-25

I just bought this book a few days ago because of the glowing reccomendation on the front cover by Joan Borysenko, and because it claims to contain "the world-famous technique that empowers you to forgive your past, heal your present and trasform your future." I have been on a healing path for 5 years and I've read many books---and there's nothing new contained in this book. It's a pretty typical primer for basic life healing. If you are brand new to any form of therapy, or self-help techniques you will probably find this book helpful, but if you are already on the path or you have particularly agressive ego defenses in place---this book will feel (and be, because I have already done everything the author suggests) simplistic.

For example, the author described a long-term smoker who wanted to quit, who had lots of reasons and was clear that he hated the habbit, but who just couldn't do it. The author suggested that everytime he had a cigarette, he sit and explore the circumstances that triggered his desire to smoke. After a few days the man realized he wanted to smoke whenever he felt nervous or socially uncomfortable. The smoker then decided to start throwing dinner parties to counter his social discomfort and as a result he soon quit smoking. Just like magic. Does that sound liek something that might help you? If so---this is your book.

The author basically lays out the process like this: Figure out what you want to chang in your life and what your personality defect are (he has a list to choose from if you're coming up short). Analyze where you got the problem to begin with (the book assets point blank, your parents) forgive your parents, forgive yourself, decide what you want for your future, visualize it, give back old habbits to the people who taught them to you via declaration that you don't want them anymore, and you will naturally change. There is nothing more than this.

The author writes, "when we are finally able to come to terms with blocked or unhealthy emotions and to replace them with loving acceptance, the healing process will have worked deep within us. We will be able to love and accept love, the untimate lesson of our lives." --Not what I would call a profound statement, but this is the depth of advice you should expect from reading this book. Lots of feel good, catchy little quotes from other authors (the author is not a therapist or guru) who seemed like their books would be better, and generic advice meant to cover a broad spectrum of issues, and to make you feel better about yourself. But transform your future? I don't know about that. But I do know that if I had not hi-lighted a few sentences in the begining of the book, before I realized it was not going to address my issue with any depth, I would have returned it for my $$ back.

Trippy Read.......2006-11-11

Funny thing is it works. A few simple questions and BOOM! Clarity, honest to God!

Life changing information.......2006-08-19

I recommend this book all to my clients and friends. It is a must read for parents who honestly want to be the best parent to their children and who really want to show up in this life as the best they can be. I always keep a few extra copies on hand to give away.

If you want to FEEL different -then do the Process!.......2006-03-24

I did the Hoffman Process almost three years ago and have referred many people to it since then. I can, with an open heart, honestly say that doing the Process was the biggest gift I could have ever given myself, my parents and all the people I love. If you have a voice within that is searching for something and you just don't know what it is -then consider the Process. The only way I can describe it is as the imperative missing link to the million piece puzzle that made up me and my life. The Process is loving and very powerful and was the key to organic lasting change for me.

Hoffman Process extracts the psychic scream/root of pain.......2005-01-16

Have you ever noticed that no matter how much you know ... it doesn't make a difference? Have you struggled with very long-standing childhood-based hurts that no amount of seminars, workshops, support groups, or counselling has been able to help resolve 100%?

If you find yourself on a seemingly endless search for healing without permanent measureable relief then the Hoffman Process may be for you. The Hoffman Process has been described as the world's best kept secret. Presented in an 8-day residential retreat around the world, the process has been endorsed and advocated by many medical doctors, psychologists, and others in the healing profession. Known for its breakthrough results and ability to gently "crack the hardest nut (no pun intended)", the Hoffman Process helps participants achieve a connection with self by releasing decades of hurt, anger, resentment, vindictiveness, and other destructive negative emotions and behaviors. People from all walks of life have benefited from this remarkable loving program.

I am a graduate of the Hoffman Process and truly believe this is the only method that fully releases people of the roots of pain, anger, and the torture of negativity. The beauty of the process is that it connects the head and the heart while removing destructive self-sabotage patterns that one has believed ingrained in themselves. Hoffman produces a powerful relief. It is not a cure-all, and one has to do the work to get the benefit, but nothing else I have tried has brought to me such a sweet place of serene tranquility and joy. For those of you who have tried all sorts of healing methods and still are plagued with inner struggle ... I highly urge you to consider the Hoffman Process. The Institute in the US offers scholarships and there are financing options in both Canada and the US. There is a fresh air of sincerity, open-hearted, and authentic realism in the Hoffman Institute staff and its teachers.

Unlike some programs of positive thinking or human potential peak performance, there is no hard sales tactics, no manipulation to take more courses, no fostering co-dependancy, no coercion in getting your friends to do courses, or any other uncomfortable tactics.

Hoffman is a a gentle, loving, cleansing, mind-body-soul techniques endorsed by some of the most prominant names in medicine and psychology today. There is a freedom of choice and a freedom to be, that in itself is a journey of gold!

This is a must read for those committed to self-growth and/or are Hoffman graduates.

Isn't it time to be free of unhealthy core issues rather than just successfully coping and palliating them?

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books