Kakaku:
InterVarsity Press
Usually ships in 24 hours 『Do you look around you and see nothing but trouble?Or are you experiencing firsthand a time of suffering?Do you wonder how any good can come out of the world you live in?In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, you'll discover that trouble and suffering are nothing new to God's people. But the prophet Isaiah raises a loud cry for revival in this midst of a rotting society. Isaiah firmly believes that God can triumph even in the worst of times. As Howard Peskett guides you through these studies on Isaiah, you'll dig deep into the prophet's revolutionary message of repentance, forgiveness and hope. And you'll find comfort for coping with your own troubled times.This LifeGuide Bible Study in IVP's revised format features questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, as well as a new "Now or Later" section following each session to help you act on what you learn.』
Kakaku:
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (A great gift to give for anyone approaching that magic age) 『From experience I can say that as a 22 year old, uncertainty is your only certainty especially in today's manic reality. But this book did help bring out the fact that even your failures can play a part in your success. Although it would have been nice of the author to condense his list a bit (how about only 22 for the age)it was interesting to learn facts about well known figures. I was most impressed with the decisions of Johnny Cash, Dr. Seuss&heck even Pam Anderson. A few choices felt stretched but overall I would recommend this book to the twenty-something crowed in need of a moral boost and those in their post twenties as a way to reflect. 』
(A nice, enjoyable read) 『Brad Dunn's new book, "When They Were 22" is a breezy read concerning people we know and some whom we might not know as well. Highlights range from Stephen Hawking.....(his best entry) to Jerry Falwell (read it if you must). It's a great idea for a book and one that will click if you're past the ripe old age of 22, or even approaching it! I highly recommend it.』
(Love biographies? You'll love this book.) 『If you love biographies, you'll love this book. An incredible idea which proves that this critical year in any persons life, can alter their future in such a significant way. I highly recommend this book to all. It is not only interesting to young people but Brad Dunn has selected to capture a moment in the lives of such a unique group of people.』
(Refreshing and effective) 『After I did something really stupid when I was 22, a friend's mother calmed me down by telling me that "youth is for making mistakes, just don't keep making them when you're 40." In this book, B.Dunn points out that many of the people we know, celebrate and even revere were also once 22. Not in the obvious chronological sense, but in the terrrible, wonderful, frightening and enlightening way we all were. It's well written, creative and constantly surprising. Keep it up, big guy.』 『Brad Dunn's When They Were 22 tells the stories of famous people and the fateful events and choices they faced at the all-important age of 22. From writers, actors, and musicians to politicians, hip-hop moguls, criminals, and porn stars, When They Were 22 chronicles some of the most legendary, influential, and controversial celebrities during the most pivotal year of their lives. Just a few examples:
" Oprah Winfrey dropped out of college to become a newsreader in Nashville, and at 22 moved to Baltimore to work at another station where she landed her own talk show.
" Jack White had his own upholstery business at age 22, but while practicing the guitar he asked his wife, Meg, to try the drums-he liked her playing so much they began performing as a two-piece band, the White Stripes.
" When Karl Rove was 22, he was accused of espionage and deceitful campaign tactics by the College Republicans and wound up meeting future president George W. Bush.
With an eclectic lineup that includes Bill Murray, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Marilyn Monroe, Stephen Hawking, Pamela Anderson, Malcolm X, Stanley Kubrick, Andy Warhol, Larry Flynt, Jane Goodall, Harvey Weinstein, and many more, When They Were 22 is perfect for graduates, job searchers, celebrity watchers, biography lovers, or anyone who doubts that in life anything is possible.』
Kakaku:
Thomas Nelson
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Much too brief) 『The major part of Proverbs consists of (quite) independent maxims, many covering only one verse. The only way to comment them is to expound the full mening of each one of them, or at least write longer treatments on all of the themes. The reader wants to know fully that the single proverb implies. Any commentary achieving less that this can hardly be called good. Most commentaries do fail in this way (often due to the series' format), and are thus deficient. This goes for Murphy's commentary too. Commenting Proverbs in this way would demand many pages, but the book is 31 chapters long, you know.』
(Great scholarship, but disappointing commentary) 『Of all the books of the Bible, Proverbs is probably the one book I turn to most frequently (there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, no more than 31 days in a month--perfect devotional reading). However, while I read Proverbs with frequency, this is my first commentary on the book, and I must express my disappointment in Murphy's treatment of it.
To be sure, Roland Murphy, a professor of Biblical Studies at Duke University, had a tremendously difficult task in preparing a commentary on such a Biblical book: not only are most of the chapters disjoined and unconnected, but many of the verses seem unrelated to the surrounding verses; context is nearly impossible to ascertain, etc. Murphy is to be commended for researching and presenting the connections and threads which are woven throughout the Biblical book, frequently having to reach both forward and backward to make connections. He effectively argues that the person who put the final form of Proverbs together didn't do it as haphazzardly as modern man often thinks. Furthermore, Murphy's translation and explanation of the individual proverbs were found beneficial for this reader. The final 50 pages of excursuses also provided a helpful, holistic treatment of various topics.
However, I tend to disagree with many of the theological assumptions that Murphy brings to Proverbs and as a result, have found much in the commentary that I disagree with. (1) On pages 276-277, Murphy argues for religious pluralism in the book of Proverbs; (2) throughout the book, he argues that Israelite wisdom is dependant upon Egyptian wisdom (as opposed to a high view of Scripture which does not deny the connection but at the same time tends not to elevate the Egyptian worldview); (3)Murphy holds on to the belief that Ancient Israelites did not believe in an afterlife(making the theology of many proverbs suspect); (4)and Jesus Christ is kept to a minimum in this commentary (mentioned only three times in passing to dismiss the idea that "Woman Wisdom" in Proverbs 8 and the "Son of God" in Proverbs 30 referrs to Christ). While Murphy is definately not a theological liberal (he argues against some liberal arguments), his moderate attitude does tend to lead to many doubtful conclusions.
While there is much to commend in Murphy's well-researched, scholarly, thorough commentary. Furthermore, he is to be doubly commended because of the difficult nature of the book of Proverbs. However, I cannot recommend this book because Murphy approaches the text with a lower view of Scripture than is helpful, and holds on to too many ideas which run counter to Orthodox Christianity.』
(Among the Best in Print for Proverbs) 『This reviewer is no expert; neither is he knowledgeable in ancient Hebrew. So this make his review more suited for the layperson instead of the pastor. He has, nonetheless, decided to write a review because he likes this commentary.
The author, Roland Murphy, is a scholar in his own right and is well known, having published a commentary on Ecclesiastes.
This commentary provides its own translation, which makes comparing the text to known Bible versions interesting and helpful. Murphy's translation is at times wooden: Murphy tried to follow the form of the text more than other translations. Thus, his translation does add value and makes reading the text strikingly new. Not only is the feel closer to the original tongue (from what I can gather) but it also has more assonance and alliteration of the ancient Hebrew.
Concerning his commentary, Murphy's detailed discussions are remarkable and his comments are most helpful and filled with insight.
To give you a taste of his translation style, below are two well-known Proverbs in the traditional text followed by Murphy's translation. For Proverbs 16:18, Murphy's beliefs on translation come through are quite clearly.
Proverbs 15:1
Traditional: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Murphy: A soft answer turns back wrath, but a sharp tongue stirs up anger.
Proverbs 16:18
Traditional: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Murphy: Before a collapse, pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.』
『
The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.
IPhone 3G used's review (Qabalah, Tarot&the Western Mystery) 『What a disappointment! The author provides lots of information in terms of lists and names but does very little to explain their purpose or relationships. The information he provides is found most anywhere. I have read a number of books on the Kabbalah over the past 25 years, however, this is the worst one to date.』
(Crazy Attributions) 『His attributions for the Qabalistic paths are way out there. I have not come across anything like it. For those who are just starting to study the paths, please do not read this book. Every other resource I have come across for Qabalah has had the same attributions for the most part. This book is COMPLETELY different from every other thing I have seen. I would recommend Madonna Compton's "Archetypes on the Tree of Life" if you are looking for a good pathworking book - though it is a little hard to find.』 『The late spiritualist minister Clifford Bias has given readers a fresh approach to exploring the 22 paths on the Tree of Life by using the Tarot and the symbolism for the journey. This text is rich in self-exploration that leads us out of our limited circles of awareness and shows us how we fit into the greater reality of the cosmos. Previously published as THE WAY BACK. Illustrated .』
Kakaku:
Catholic Book Publishing Company
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Rite of Baptism) 『While this book presents the official text for the Roman Catholic rite of Baptism, the presentation of the text and the binding leave much to be desired. Unfortunately, only one other publisher that I know of publishes this rite as approved for the Dioceses of the USA, therefore one is left with little choice. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone would produce a beautifully bound ritual edition of this text!』
Kakaku:
Moody Publishers
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Thomas on Revelation) 『Too often, those holding to a particular theology merely pick verses to fit into their doctrinal framework. This is one of those books where you have to dig deeply in order to prove your conclusions, because the results will be so controversial. I encourage readers to compare and contrast with works from the other perspectives. Unfortunately, with all these works at this level, it is not too hard to become lost in the wealth of detail.
Robert L. Thomas' work in the Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary series is based upon his methodical study of the Book of Revelation for years. It was the subject of his doctoral dissertation at Dallas Theological Seminary, and he makes us feel his intense lifelong interest. This is easily the best, most detailed commentary from the pre-tribulational, dispensational perspective. In fact, most of the rest in this school are shallow enough I would suggest avoiding them. While upon reflection I disagree with Thomas' conclusions, he certainly engages the text exegetically. Even when I disagree with Thomas, I respect his effort to defend and systematize his conclusion. If I had a serious interpretational question, Thomas' work is one of the few resources I would reach for. Unfortunately, this work has not gotten the attention it deserves as Moody dropped the series after he finished (and while Doug Moo was halfway done with his Romans commentary.) Note: The second volume has the indices for both volumes one and two!
The works from other perspectives that I recommend examining are Greg Beale's in the NIGTC series, David Aune's in the WBC, and Robert Mounce's in the NIC series. 』
(A benchmark of literal/grammatical interpretation.) 『Thomas has written one of the most thorough commentaries on the book of Revelation. This volume not only concentrates on the various facets of literal/grammatical interpretation but also delivers on the main discussions of each and every verse in the Apocalypse. Arguments of each discussion are logical and contain concrete citations. I highly recomend this volume to pastors, students, teachers, and ALL who are interested in understanding what Revelation says and why it says it!』 『
This detailed commentary on the Greek text takes some of the mystery out of the Bible's most confusing book. Here is a strong case of a 'premillennial' reading-the same view held by the earliest Christians.
Kakaku:
Thomas Nelson
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Fast and funny!) 『My 10 year old son ADORES this series. He grabs these books and reads them front to back, cracking up! When he is done, he asks for another. If you want your child to really LOVE reading, buy any one in this series! Ellen Treanor』
(Bill Myers is a Genius!) 『Preteens and teens love Bill Myers! Whether it's a Wally McDoogle tale, a Bloodhounds mystery, a Forbidden Doors story, or an adult fiction book, every library ought to be well stocked in Bill Myers' books. He writes inspirational fiction that is addictive enough to want every book in any series he puts together. If you have extra money, donate some of his books to the community library--our kids need his humorous and insightful perspective!』 『Boy-genius Wally McDoogle makes one very minor mistake…and decides to hide the truth from his parents. What harm could come from hiding onetinymistake? Much more than Wally bargained for! Junior Genius (the spoiled, super-inventor fromMy Life As a Sky Surfing Skateboarder) turns Wally into a human guinea pig for his latest creation--the Mind Magnifier. And something goes terribly wrong. Instead of a dramatically increased brain size, Wally ends up with ears big enough to use for hang-gliding!
When you mix in giant flying snails and Tina, a giggling tarantula the size of a small house, you've got problems of major proportions. Now, our boy blunder must save Tina, his life, and the entire city! In this life-and-death struggle, Wally learns the importance of admitting mistakes and not hiding the truth from his parents.
Kakaku:
MacMillan Reference Books
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Very spotty "update", basically a reprint of the 1973 edition) 『This supposedly revised edition of the 1973 first edition is unacceptably sloppy. One example: it informs us under the entry "Russia" that the Russian city of Nizhni Novgorod is "now called Gorki". Well, two minutes on Google yield that Gorki went back to being Nizhni Novgorod in 1990 (!) But nobody bothered to update the 1973 text. Another example: the bibliography on Odessa doesn't contain a single title by Steven Zipperstein, one of the most prolific scholars on precisely the Jews of Odessa. Too bad for him that he was still in school in 1973... But that's not even the worst part since anybody can quickly fill in those gaps. The really unacceptable part is that more often than not, no new scholarship is included, no revision of earlier beliefs and viewpoints in research: compare e.g. the entry on Russia with the text by Michael Stanislawski in the YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe, a text that REALLY reflects the current scholarship. That gives you a good idea just how far off the mark this "revised" EJ really is. On the bright side: more about women, although of course (we're being sloppy here, after all) they're just add-ons, not an integral part of the entries as state-of-the-art scholarship would demand. But that's in line with all of the above: it's basically a reprint with precious few, patchy updates, no more. If your main interest is Eastern Europe, go with the YIVO Encyclopedia. It is really up-to-date and state-of-the-art instead of simply pretending to be.』
(A New Encyclopedia Judaica - Modern Judaic Scholarship advances...) 『The Encyclopaedia Judaica is a 22-volume English-language encyclopedia of the Jewish people, their faith, Judaism, History and Culture. It's a cumulative result of over three decades of prodigious study and research by about 2,200 contributors and 250 editors around the world and includes approximately 21,000 entries with 2,700 new entries by 1,200 new contributors. Its Scholarship, comprehensive scope, authority, and widespread availability make it a great first and often indispensable resource for Rabbis, Scholars and laypeople.
Three valid critiques of the new edition are 1. prominent scholars decry the wholesale reprinting of many outdated entries. Current scholarship is shortchanged... 2. Minor and marginal Jewish figures and events, are still included, while major figures and movements are absent or minimized. 3. A difference between the first edition of the 72' Encyclopaedia Judaica and the second edition of the New Encyclopaedia Judaica is the paucity of visual images though the new editions are in color.
Nevertheless, it is recommended by the Library of Congress and by the Association of Jewish Libraries for use in determining the authoritative romanization of names of Jewish authors. Furthermore it's guidelines for transliterating Hebrew into English are followed by many academic books and journals. Additionally there are many improvements such a separate category of Jewish Law, reducing Legendary material, Scholem's classic essay on Kabbalah, greater material on Hasidim, Many new findings in Archeology, Israel and Post-Holocaust material, etc. In sum, it is an indispensable reference purchase for Universities, colleges, seminaries, Libraries and all who care about Modern Judaic scholarship. Highly Recommended and still indispensable.』
(A Series of Disappointments) 『My first disappointment: The wealth of illustration of the first edition is virtually gone. You can still find a treatment of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, of course, but you will not see the great picture of him with his wife Hemdah, taken in 1912. Nor will you find the many other similar pictorial treasures of the first edition. If you must buy this edition, be sure to find a place on your shelves for the old one as well.
My second disappointment: The shoddy treatment of bibliographies. There are, to be sure, lists of books that are appended to the various articles. But there is no annotation. A bibliography without annotation, as it has been said so well, is like a body without a soul. These lists of books will not make it easy for anyone in search of knowledge to find the more helpful sources. But here the new editors have an excuse, if that is what you would call it: the first edition was just as bad in this regard.
My third disappointment: The new knowledge of the last 35 years, insofar as it finds its way into this new work, is often just appended as additions to the old articles. Even where new knowledge revolutionizes the old, the old is still accorded honor of precedent. What was obviously called for is a complete reworking, but this is not what the editors have done.
My fourth disappointment: At least some of the newer material is so superficial that it is useless for any scholarly purpose. I looked up "Exodus," hoping to find what archaeologists and historians have to say about the Biblical account. The article says, flatly, that it is the scholarly consensus that the Biblical Exodus is "unhistorical," meaning, I suppose, that it never happened. The article gives no reference to any archaeologist or historian, nor to any book or other article that would throw light on the subject. What can a student make of this ? Simply take on faith the word of the EJ II ? This is no way to write a work of reference. The writer of this article would receive a failing grade, easily, if he presented it for credit at a university.
There are of course many good things in this new work, and I am sure that with more time and perhaps more inclination I could have found many more than I did.
One good set of articles is about the Ethiopian Jews, even though it is not easy to find it unless you happen to know that the group is now called Beta Israel. The articles are by Steven Kaplan and his associates. Kaplan undoubtedly knows more about the subject than almost anyone else. But even here the EJ II's sloppy method of documentation gets in the way. As it happens, there is a small number of other scholars who have made seminal contributions to this subject, notably Kay Shelemay and James Quirin. Neither of these is mentioned by EJ II.
This work is serious enough - just - to constitute a required purchase for any general research library. If it was the aim of the editors to achieve this minimum, they have succeeded. But it does not seem that they will win any warm admiration of scholars. That, in my book, makes the work a failure, a squandered opportunity.』
(UNIQUE AND MONUMENTAL WITH ONE CAVEAT) 『I bought EJ #1 when it was published about 30 years ago, and have now already bought #2.
My problem with giving away (which I will probably soon donate to a large local university which just recently formed a Jewish Studies program), is the reason for witholding the last star:
IT HAS NO ILLUSTRATIONS! The brochure for EJ 1 stated 'over 2000 photos, maps, diagrams and illustrations', while the description of EJ 2 states '600 maps and diagrams'. This is a tremendous loss -- just look up 'illustrated manuscripts' or 'incunabula' in the older and see what you are missing in the newer. [Even Pinsk (now Belarus), my father's birthplace, has four photos (two showing the interior and exterior of its [previously] largest synagogue while #2 shows none.
The project is better organized and has its basis in three parts: (1) Exact duplication from #2 where no update is needed; (2) Reproduction of #1 plus updates (even the bibligraphy makes the distinction between the older and newer references; and (3) Totally new subject matter.
Each of these three types of entries are clearly indicated.
I paid almost $500 for the older one in the late 70s, and if you look hard you can find this set for $1850 plus $8 (!!) shipping.
Contrary, for what is worth, the present edition took four years, not two as mentioned in the earlier ?analysis. However, it is as thorough as if it was written yesterday, which can be evidenced by its very current bibliography.
It is an outstanding contribution in all aspects relative to Jews/Judaism, and at a reasonable price.
Buy it, by all means, if this degree of information interests you and if you can afford its reasonable price.』
(A preliminary report on a vital reference work for all those who take interest in the Jewish world) 『I am writing this preliminary review of 'Judaica' in the hope that it can be of some help to potential purchasers and future readers of the work. No one asked me to write this review but the readers of it should know that I wrote five relatively small entries for the Encyclopedia, and am not thus a wholly unbiased reviewer. Primarily though I do not so much intend to present my opinion but rather to report on one of the Encyclopedia's principal editors, Michael Berenbaum has to say about the Encyclopedia. I will I hope accurately paraphrase remarks he made about the 'Encyclopedia' in a talk given at the 'Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs' on February 19, 2007. Michael Berenbaum says that the editors aimed to preserve the quality of the original Judaica while accurately reflecting the major changes that have taken place in the past thirty- five years in the Jewish world. In this regard one full- volume of the Encyclopedia is dedicated solely to dynamic and rapidly developing Israel. Berenbaum stressed that the Encyclopedia strongly reflects the changes that Feminism have brought in the past thirty- five years. There are three hundred new entries devoted to Jewish women. Many major entries such as the Gershom Scholem entry on 'Jewish Mysticism' were republished but augmented by a report on the work that has occurred since. In the 'Jewish Mysticism ' area Scholem's work was complemented by the work of a leading figure in the field. Prof. Moshe Idel. Berenbaum said that the world of Jewish learning has vastly expanded in the past thirty - five years. In 1972 there were only a few universities which had Jewish Studies programs. Now there are hundreds of scholars in the area. This means new work is being done in many different areas. Berenbaum stresses the vastness of the world of Jewish learning, the impossibilty of any single scholar comprehending it. He is however filled with admiration for the creativity in all areas of life displayed by the Jewish people and believes this is reflected within the 'Encyclopedia' itself. Berenbaum compliments the chief - editor of the work Fred Skolnik who he calls a Renaissance Man of Jewish studies. He notes that this update was done in two years but that it could have taken twenty. The relative speed is in part attributable to the new technologies ( Internet, E-mail, Fax) which did not exist thirty- five years ago I cannot at this point honestly vouch for the quality of the work which has been done.I expect however that in months and years ahead I will be turning to the New Judaica. As one interested in the 'Jewish world' I cannot count the number of times the 1972 Edition provided vital information for my own work. I expect the new Judaica will do the same for many thousands of researchers, and readers. 』
Kakaku:
Princeton University Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Probably the place to start in reading Kierkegaard) 『The greatest challenge for any newcomer to Kierkegaard is finding the best place to gain an overview. In my opinion, this is the finest place to start. In the main work in this collection, THE POINT OF VIEW (the book also contains some smaller pieces on his Authorship), Kierkegaard sets out to explain his purposes and strategy in writing the books constituting what he calls his Authorship. Students of Kierkegaard generally refer to these books as his Pseudonymous Authorship, because in all of these he writes none of them under his own name, but employs a variety of fictionalized authors, who represent a particular point of view that is not that of Kierkegaard himself. The Pseudonymous works are contrasted with what has become to be known as Kierkegaard's Second Literature (a descriptions attributed to Kierkegaard scholar Robert L. Perkins), which comprises his edifying works and his later religious works, most of which were published under Kierkegaard's own name, though with a couple of his greatest later works published under the pseudonym Anti-Climacus.
Some of these works, such as EITHER/OR I, contain writings on a variety of aesthetic topics. Many of the books deal with either ethical or religious topics, though the latter never from within a religious perspective. Kierkegaard's main argument in the POINT OF VIEW is that from first to last he was, even when writing on aesthetic topics, a religious author. The Pseudonymous works all presuppose a theory of stages, which Kierkegaard describes as moving from the aesthetic to the ethical and into the religious (the precise prepositions, according to SK, being of the utmost importance).
It is not clear that Kierkegaard had a precise understanding of all this at the moment he was writing the first of his Pseudonymous works, but it is unquestionable that he moved to this point of view fairly early on. This little volume is, therefore, a wonderful introduction to Kierkegaard's most famous works, and remains one of the most fascinating reflections by a great writer on the nature of his own work ever written.』
『As a spiritual autobiography, Kierkegaard'sThe Point of View for My Work as an Authorstands with such great works as Augustine'sConfessionsand Newman'sApologia pro vita sua--but with a difference. It is neither a confessional autobiography nor a defense. It is an author's story of a lifetime of writing, his understanding of the common aim and comprehensive coherence of the maze of his greatly varied pseudonymous and signed works.
In an earlier work,Concluding Unscientific Postscript,Kierkegaard acknowledged his authorship of the series of pseudonymous works that began withEither/Or. With the imminent publication of the second edition ofEither/Or,the pseudonymous series would come full circle, and Kierkegaard again intended to cease writing. Now was the time for a direct "report to history" on the authorship as a whole. In addition to the resultingPoint of View, which was published posthumously, the present volume also contains the companion piecesArmed NeutralityandOn My Work as an Author, a contemporary substitute for the postponedPoint of View.
Supplementary entries taken fromKierkegaard's Journals and Papersdocument the context and the development of the writings on the authorship as a whole. In addition, they disclose Kierkegaard's considerations as he wrestled with decisions about publishing the three works and other works that were the "fruit of the year 1848 ... the year of my richest productivity."』