The Passions of Howard Hughes

Book Description

In this new book by former wife and legally recognized widow, Ms. Terry Moore, the private Hughes is finally revealed. Howard Hughes was more than a mysterious tragic character who played out his life before a fascinated world. He was flesh & blood, and perhaps one of the greatest romantics of the 20th Century. For the first time, Howard speaks about his passions, his romantic exploits & his daredevil flying escapades. This is the compelling account of his passions for flying and his love for Hollywood's most famous starlets. Now his best friend and confidante shares every last detail of his love affairs & his life in this steamy true story that reads like a novel. Includes the firt time release of conversations between the billionaire & his starlet wife. You'll hear the mysterious Hughes as very few have, speaking with his wife and gossiping about celebrities.Abridged on two cassettes. Written and Told by Terry Moore. Three Hours.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Book.......2005-12-10

I liked this book. Yes, Howard Hughes did some great things and they are mentioned in the book. But he also had a human side which was also shown in the book. A real page turner and well written.

It should be titled Howard Hughes: Rated X.......2004-12-18

After suffering through this book, I am questioning the credibility of the Author's claim to be married to Howard Hughes. It was not a poignant story of a wife about her husband as I thought it should have been. Instead, it was a sordid expose of his sexual conquests mixed in with his last days on this earth. Although Hughes made many problems, I felt that this book gave a low blow to our memory of the man. In addition, a question kept repeating over and over in my head?

How would she know all of this stuff? She wasn't even there.

Terry Moore should have stuck to acting.......2000-11-20

OK, I didn't read the real book. I got the abridged cassette out of the library because I thought it might be fun. Who isn't interested in learning more about the "real" Howard Hughes, he of the legendary germ phobia and foot long fingernails. His ex-wife, Terry Moore, has teamed up with Jerry Rivers,more than likely a reject from The Star or National Enquirer, to come up with a trashy expose that belongs in the annals of the truly tasteless. Do we really need to hear repeatedly about Howard's throbbing member (I'm using these words because I don't know if reviewers are allowed to use the slang vulgarities used by Moore routinely), or starlets doing things to him that Monica did to Bill behind closed White House doors. Not to mention how she describes the wiles Bette Davis and Katherine Hepburn employed to keep Hughes interested. Thank God Davis is gone, and Hepburn too old to care. All of this squalor is delivered by Moore in a peppy (and loud) harangue reminiscent of a high school cheerleader. What was anyone thinking when they released this lemon? And how does Moore know enough about what went on behind closed doors to quote dialogue? Was she in Bette Davis' bathroom when the great Davis emerged from the bath like Venus on the half shell to unbuckle Hughes pants and ...? You get the idea. Save your money and cling to your own image of Howard Hughes. It has to be less demeaning than the one presented here.

Average customer rating:

Passions of Howard Hughes 2004
Passport Video
Manufacturer: PASSPORT PRODUCTIONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
ASIN: B000WSQH3Y

Average customer rating:

The Passions of Howard Hughes
Rivers, Terry, Jerry Moore
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B0007OB418

Average customer rating:

A Sybol of Excellence.

Arn is solid as usual

Huge Disappointment...

This book is too short considering the length of his career

Not a must

Arn Anderson 4 Ever: A Look Behind the Curtain
Arn Anderson
Manufacturer: Kayfabe Pub Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Biographies | Sports | Subjects | Books
Wrestling | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0966324609

Book Description

My autobiography is about the wrestling business and my 15 years in it. I will discuss the Horseman days, WWF and my career before Ole & I became a tag team. The book will have other interesting pieces from my time on the road, and my relationships with other wrestlers and promoters. The book will also be forewarded by Ric Flair. I encourage you to read it if you want to know the "real" story about the "Enforcer" and look behind the curtain at a day in the life of a professional wrestler...

Customer Reviews:

A Sybol of Excellence........2006-07-10

Arn Anderson's career spanned over fifteen years and although he never made it to the status of a Flair or a Hogan, he was always in the thick of things. Arn was known as the "Enforcer" of arguably the greatest faction in wrestling history -- the Four Horsemen. Arn Anderson is also known as one of the all-time greatest tag team wrestlers ever, and a master of ring psychology. There is something to be said for books that describe what it was like back then, when wrestlers really paid their dues and became masters of their profession through hard work and dedication. All of the books like this should be required reading for any trainee trying to break into the wrestling industy.

As a self-proclaimed 'insider' of professional wrestling, I found this book partially insulting due to Arn's refusal to 'break kayfabe' while talking about storylines in the ring. I can't say I blame him however, the idea was grinded into his heart and soul for fifteen years, and this book was published before 'telling secrets' became cool. I found the best parts of this book were near the end, when Arn talked about dealing a career ending injury and his struggle to leave the wrestling ring. It gives you a reality check that the injuries wrestlers suffer are very REAL and they are human, just like us.

Rating: Since this was one of the first books of this kind, I have to give credit for Arn taking the risk in writing a book like this. I give it a 7 out of 10. Very short book, at 163 pages, but worth every penny. I'd like to see Arn reprint the book with a few extra chapters to cover the last few years of his in-ring retirement. Since he remained an active member of the backstage crew within the WCW, and later the WWE, I'm sure there are more stories to be told.

Arn is solid as usual.......2006-01-29

Arn Anderson was a very good wrestler for a long time. At times, he was even great. He gave his all in the ring. On one level, he gives his all in this book and it delivers. He tells the story of his career with great clarity. Unfortunately, he only tells the story in terms of the wrestling storyline version. On that end, the book falls a bit flat. Even the most ardent wrestling fan knows that wrestling is scripted. Arn seems to leave out that fact as he discusses the ups and downs of his legendary career. Arn is viewed as a wrestling lifer, and obviously he chose to write this book a certain way. I just would have liked to learn more about the man himself and his contemporaries, like Ric Flair, Roddy Piper and Dusty Rhodes.

Huge Disappointment..........2005-10-23

When I buy a wrestler's autobiography, I expect a few things, namely an honest, true-to-life portrayal of said performer's time in the business. I didn't get any of that here and that disappointed me greatly because I am and always will be a fan of Arn Anderson.

This book is one big kayfabe (aka "in-character") mess. If this were twenty years ago, I'd understand Mr. Anderson's reluctance to expose the business, but this is a different day and age. Everybody, even fans, has been exposed to the truths behind professional wrestling. Heck, there has even been a reality show focused primarily on the training that goes into learning these basics.

I find it silly that Anderson went the kayfabe route with his book, knowing what he does about the modern state of the business.

This book is too short considering the length of his career.......2003-11-25

This book deals chronogically with how he broke into
pro wrestling, met his wife, and other topics, like his
close relationship with his grandmother, who raised him.
The problem with this book, as someone previously mentioned,
is that he writes the book in a style as if the pro wrestling
matches were not predetermined, but on the level.
Another problem with this book is it is under 300 pages.
For a man who spent over 15 years in the profession as a pro
wrestler or in some other capacity, he doesn't have very much
to say. The Rock and Kurt Angle had hardcover books that were
much broader in scope and depth, even though they were in the business a shorter period of time.
He does talk about his Horsemen days, his relationships
with Ole, Tully, Ric, and others. He talks about various
bookers, and doesn't hold back on what he thinks about
Bill Watts, Vince McMahon Jr., and others. Arn Anderson is
probably one of the most underrated pro wrestlers,
considering his technical proficieny. The book mostly
centers on his life outside the ring, especially his
family, like his deceased grandmother, his wife, and his
kids, and also his life on the road as a pro wrestler.
I had to deduct one star for the fact it is under 200
pages, and another star because he talked to the readers
as if they were marks. I'm not saying don't buy it, but
this should be a lower priority in terms of books, when
compared to such books like Sex, Lies & Headlocks, Bobby

Heenan's book, Fred Blassie's book, Owen Hart's book,
Stu Hart's book and Roddy Piper's book. These books are
a few examples that give more bang for the buck in my
opinion. It's not a bad book by any means, but not an
outstanding must-read, which is a shame, considering
the great career the man had as a pro wrestler.

Not a must.......2003-09-10

I knew what to expect when I bought this book, but I still wanted to have it in my collection. It's that kind of book, good to have, but not a must. It's all written in kayfabe, and that's uncomfortable to read after all the great books that came shortly after. To give you an idea, he never even said was his real last name is. There are some interesting stories, but Arn protects everyone with cover-up stories and that becomes fast uninteresting. The cover shows tons of great pictures in small print, but unfortunatly you won't find any good picture inside. At least you get a grasp of his passion for wrestling. The title says it all:that's just a small, very small look behind the curtain, by a man who had obviously so much more to tell.

Book Description

This is the story of six men, five English and one from America, who, in the space of forty-five half-hour television shows, transmitted on the UK's BBC 2 (pretty near commercial suicide at the beginning) from the late '60s till the early '70s; four full length feature films; a bunch of albums; the odd single; and some pretty impressive books, transformed everything we know about comedy today. They were translated into German twice (Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus), banned on the big screen (Life of Brian) and played sold out shows at The Hollywood Bowl-yeah, just like The Beatles!

The impact that the members of Monty Python have had around the world is incredible. Now, Python associate Alan Parker has compiled the definitive guide to all "Monty Python" CDs and DVDs.

A must-have for all Python devotees
All Monty Python CDs are being re-mastered and reissued from fall 2005 to spring 2006
Includes previously unavailable material from the brand new Monty Python CD (released April 2006) and will be tied-in with the new CD

Alan Parker is a freelance journalist who contributes to a number of periodicals including Mojo and Record Collector. He is the author of Vicious: Too Fast to Live: The Authorized Biography of Sid Vicious (Creation, 2003), as well as Sex Pistols: Satellite (Abstract Sounds, 2002), John Lennon: The FBI Files (With Phil Strongman) (Sanctuary, 2003), and Stiff Little Fingers Song By Song (With Jake Burns) (Sanctuary, 2003).

Mick O'Shea has two books in print: Zootopia Tree (Abstract Sounds Books)-a story for children, based loosely on the lives of Mick's own cats-and The Early Days of the Sex Pistols (Helter Skelter Publishing), a brand-new take on the old Sex Pistols story. He has contributed to many magazines, including Record Collector, The Zone, and Amped.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent guide to collecting all of the Monty Python television and movie comedy routines and performances .......2006-07-05

Collectively authored by Alan Parker and Mick O'Shea, And Now For Something Completely Digital: The Complete Illustrated Guide To Monty Python CDs And DVDs is a trivia worthy collection of intriguing facts, background information and entertaining insights into the timeless and enduringly popular television, movie, book, and album series by the British comedy troupe known world wide as Monty Python. Deftly compiling a wealth of fun and useless information from the diverse Monty Python productions, And Now For Something Completely Digital immediately captivates readers total attention through the zany wit and improbable wisdom of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. And Now For Something Completely Digital is a "must" for the legions of Monty Python fans and will serve as an excellent guide to collecting all of the Monty Python television and movie comedy routines and performances (including the Flying Circus and chart singles) now available on CD and DVD.

Maybe not the Holy Grail, but no ex-parrot either.......2006-06-16

It's sobering to think that an entire generation has grown up viewing Monty Python from -- let's say -- a cultural/historical perspective; at the time they were still performing together, they were regarded as ""omedy rock stars." That pop-culture fact is pointed out in a delightful new book about the Python troupe.

A man named Alan Parker (who has come into contact with the remaining members of the group by way of updating their record albums to the CD format), with his partner Mick O'Shea, has written "And Now for Something Completely Digital: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Monty Python CDs and DVDs" (The Disinformation Co. Ltd., $17.95). That unwieldly title notwithstanding, the book is a very enjoyable history of the Pythons, from their origins with varied British comedy groups and TV shows right up to the present day, covering Eric Idle's Tony-winning Broadway show "Monty Python's Spamalot" and the aforementioned CDs that are to be issued with bonus Python material this year.

Parker is very much the starry-eyed fan -- he confesses to having a wealth of Python dolls and other memorabilia -- and that perspective serves him perfectly well here. He reverently but breezily covers every aspect of the Pythons' careers and provides what could almost be considered the final word on the availability of their audio and video works. (One startling fact is that their legendary TV series is available in its entirety on DVD -- but only in America. Thus far, Britons have had to make do with a "Best of..." compilation DVD. No doubt the team appreciates the Pythonesque nature of that irony.)

I have but two (admittedly subjective) quibbles with the book. Parker goes into great detail about the Python TV shows and movies but gives very short shrift to their record albums, which in their own way were as groundbreaking as their other work. And when describing the plotlines of Python movies, Parker falls into that terrible trap that entraps far too many Python fans: he does elaborately cutesy Pythonesque non-sequitors in the belief that some of the group's wit will rub off on his work. This is doubly disheartening because the rest of Parker's writing, when he's not trying to come off as "the seventh Python," is nicely done.

But that's hardly enough to discourage any Python buff or newcomer-fan from reading "And Now for Something Completely Digital," a nicely comprehensive round-up of the vast Monty Python canon that's also just plain fun to read.

Average customer rating:
The Golden Rules for Rubber Bridge Players (Master Bridge Series)
Julian Pottage
Manufacturer: Cassell P L C
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Bridge | Card Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0304368040

Book Description

Rubber bridge is the world’s most widely played social game. This book shows, in a series of clearly expressed rules, how bidding and play in rubber bridge differs from duplicate bridge. Whether you want to win more often or simply enjoy your playing more, this is the book for you.

Average customer rating:

Great Guide Book

A terrific book for both beginners and experts.

A "Must Read" from a Leading Coach

Coaching Leaders: Guiding People Who Guide Others (Jossey Bass Business and Management Series)
Daniel White
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Coaching for Leadership: The Practice of Leadership Coaching from the World's Greatest Coaches

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The Art and Practice of Leadership Coaching: 50 Top Executive Coaches Reveal Their Secrets

Adaptive Coaching: The Art and Practice of a Client-Centered Approach to Performance Improvement

Executive Coaching: Practices and Perspectives

ASIN: 0787977144

Book Description

Coaching Leaders is written for coaches who are in the challenging position of working with leaders and helping them excel as the top executives and managers in their organizations. The book is filled with illustrative examples from Daniel White’s practice as a successful executive coach. His clients’ stories reveal the human drama of becoming a leader and explore the courageous and fascinating accomplishments these individuals have achieved in order to grow professionally. These stories also clearly show how a skilled coach adjusts to meet an individual client’s personality and targeted challenge. Coaching Leaders includes a wide variety of effective coaching concepts and the information needed to guide leaders and help them maintain the motivation to change; battle anxiety, fear, and resistance; and achieve emotional intelligence.

Download Description

Coaching Leaders is written for coaches who are in the challenging position of working with leaders and helping them excel as the top executives and managers in their organizations. The book is filled with illustrative examples from Daniel White's practice as a successful executive coach. His clients stories reveal the human drama of becoming a leader and explore the courageous and fascinating accomplishments these individuals have achieved in order to grow professionally. These stories also clearly show how a skilled coach adjusts to meet an individual client's personality and targeted challenge. Coaching Leaders includes a wide variety of effective coaching concepts and the information needed to guide leaders and help them maintain the motivation to change; battle anxiety, fear, and resistance; and achieve emotional intelligence.

Customer Reviews:

Great Guide Book.......2007-02-15

I found this book very helpful for understanding the coaching process. The book is easy to follow and good for anyone considering getting into the field or for someone who wants to understand how the process works and effects clients.

A terrific book for both beginners and experts........2006-05-09

In an engaging, accessible style, Dan White communicates a sophisticated, true-to-life understanding of the coaching process that comes from his immersion in the field. In my favorite chapter, "The Nature of Coaching," Dan restores thinking to a primary position as the necessary ingredient in behavior change. He connects the dots so that we recognize the centrality of thinking - discovery, capture, recognition, refinement, repetition - and dialogue - listening, questioning, investigating - as the bedrock of both leading and coaching. We gain an appreciation for something as simple as leaders making a conscious decision to set aside time for thinking, and as complex as seeing learning to think as the ultimate take-away from a coaching experience.

Because Dan is very clear and passionate about what he thinks, and because he provides us with cogent examples from his coaching experiences, he offers us a terrific education in the many facets of coaching leaders in today's corporate environment. Because Dan is obviously well read, he brings the perspectives of a wide array of disciplines to the discussion. And yet, true to his credo, he presents his thinking - always fresh and alive, in ways that stimulate and provoke the reader to think freely and creatively about the issues at hand, inviting us to participate in the dialogue. Thank you, Dan.

A "Must Read" from a Leading Coach.......2006-01-13

Dan White has written a terrific book that gets inside the "black box" of executive coaching to describe how behavior change and growth can occur at work. This book is informed by a mastery of the literature on leadership and by the author's own savvy about organizational life. His book is worth buying just for the summary chapter on "What is Leadership." From that excellent starting point the author goes on to describe the practice of coaching in detailed, but highly accessible terms. While other books have extolled the virtues of coaching and the results it can bring, none, in my experience, give as good a feel to the reader for how a coach actually goes about facilitating behavior change and growth. Through many case examples, Dan White shows how a coach's skills and techniques impact the dynamics of behavior. He offers a valuable window into how a skilled coach uses questioning, listening, pattern recognition, and reframing to challenge the client to grow as a manager and leader. His chapter on coaching themes gives a very valuable overview of typical coaching assignments and helps the reader understand the broad applicability of executive coaching. I highly recommend this book for both beginning and experienced coaches and for organizational sponsors of coaching who want to gain an in-depth understanding of how the process really works.

Book Description

President Bill Clinton’s My Life is the strikingly candid portrait of a global leader who decided early in life to devote his intellectual and political gifts, and his extraordinary capacity for hard work, to serving the public.

It shows us the progress of a remarkable American, who, through his own enormous energies and efforts, made the unlikely journey from Hope, Arkansas, to the White House—a journey fueled by an impassioned interest in the political process which manifested itself at every stage of his life: in college, working as an intern for Senator William Fulbright; at Oxford, becoming part of the Vietnam War protest movement; at Yale Law School, campaigning on the grassroots level for Democratic candidates; back in Arkansas, running for Congress, attorney general, and governor.

We see his career shaped by his resolute determination to improve the life of his fellow citizens, an unfaltering commitment to civil rights, and an exceptional understanding of the practicalities of political life.

We come to understand the emotional pressures of his youth—born after his father’s death; caught in the dysfunctional relationship between his feisty, nurturing mother and his abusive stepfather, whom he never ceased to love and whose name he took; drawn to the brilliant, compelling Hillary Rodham, whom he was determined to marry; passionately devoted, from her infancy, to their daughter, Chelsea, and to the entire experience of fatherhood; slowly and painfully beginning to comprehend how his early denial of pain led him at times into damaging patterns of behavior.

President Clinton’s book is also the fullest, most concretely detailed, most nuanced account of a presidency ever written—encompassing not only the high points and crises but the way the presidency actually works: the day-to-day bombardment of problems, personalities, conflicts, setbacks, achievements.

It is a testament to the positive impact on America and on the world of his work and his ideals.

It is the gripping account of a president under concerted and unrelenting assault orchestrated by his enemies on the Far Right, and how he survived and prevailed.

It is a treasury of moments caught alive, among them:

• The ten-year-old boy watching the national political conventions on his family’s new (and first) television set.

• The young candidate looking for votes in the Arkansas hills and the local seer who tells him, “Anybody who would campaign at a beer joint in Joiner at midnight on Saturday night deserves to carry one box. . . . You’ll win here. But it’ll be the only damn place you win in this county.” (He was right on both counts.)

• The roller-coaster ride of the 1992 campaign.

• The extraordinarily frank exchanges with Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole.

• The delicate manipulation needed to convince Rabin and Arafat to shake hands for the camera while keeping Arafat from kissing Rabin.

• The cost, both public and private, of the scandal that threatened the presidency.

Here is the life of a great national and international figure, revealed with all his talents and contradictions, told openly, directly, in his own completely recognizable voice. A unique book by a unique American.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Review by Nan Kilar and Bob Miller.......2007-01-18

A homecoming of sorts, as much for Clinton as his readers---it's a weaving together of philosophy, religion, sex, and a deep love of country. Book was not what I expected, but in a word it was, compelling. Mr. Clinton explains the stress in those years in a manner that leaves the Clinton gang, I'm sure, wanting less compassion for those who tried their best to destroy him and his family. That's the difference between a politician, any politician, and a human being.

I too felt stress in those years. It was impossible to find employees--everyone who wanted a job had one. Even more stressful was what to do with the huge surplus of money in our national treasury. Then there was that fulltime worry about Bill's sex life. That wouldn't have been an issue for me had I had a sex life. Then there was all that training and money we were spending on our armed forces who were not out there earning their keep invading oil rich countries so the likes of Exxon-Mobil and Halliburton could exploit their natural resources.

Life has been worry free for me during the Bush years. It's the minorities and middle income whites who are doing the worrying now--about things like where to bury their war dead, employment and paying the bills. I confess, I'm not sure how these people are going to handle the national debt with me getting a tax cut and them without a job. But Mr. Bush said not to worry. What a relief! I'm Bob Miller, a registered Republican.

I would have liked to see him actually comment on the issues instead of list them.......2006-12-17

As someone who has written a lot about Bill Clinton over the years I was disappointed by his book. This was a chance for him to set the record straight on both the good and bad in his administration and he did neither. He talks about a lot of the issues but not how he approached them. He talks about what his administration looked at but not what he did and did not solve. He allows Yassir Arafat to get off completely free for his rejection of the Clinton plan the book is very well written and is still worth reading if nothing else to understand Clinton's perspective on what happened but overall it could have been far more enlightening.

A great book from a great president.......2005-07-28

As a Clinton Democrat, I grew up with issues like Social Security and welfare in my mind. I found out more about Clinton from this book then watching him for the last 14 years on TV. Clinton uses easy to understand words yet at some points he uses more complicated rhetoric. A fun book to read and will test what you know about Clinton's term in office.

My Life Volumes I and II Set (The Early Years AND The Presidential Years) (Volumes I and II)

Average customer rating:

My Life Volumes I and II Set (The Early Years AND The Presidential Years) (Volumes I and II)
Bill Clinton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000QHAURK

Product Description

MY LIFE: THE EARLY YEARS shows us the progress of a remarkable American who, through his own enormous energies and efforts - fueled by an impassioned interest in the political process - made the unlikely journey from his birth in Hope, Arkansas, to his election as the 42nd President of the United States. MY LIFE: THE PRESIDENTIAL YEARS offers the fullest, most concretely detailed, most nuanced account of a presidency ever written - encompassing not only the high points and crises but the way the presidency actually works: the day-to-day bombardments of problems, personalities, conflicts, setbacks, and achievements.

Customer Reviews:

excellent study of Edward and why he failed.......2002-10-20

Edward Plantagenet was one of the most effective and ruthless Kings England has ever seen. He conquered Wales and Ireland, so why was he unable to beat Scotland and maintain the success of Victory? Under the Hammer, present interesting aspects of this question, by examining Edward and his campaigns against the Scots and the political manoeuvring from the death of Alexander to Longshanks' death. Watson a lecturer in the Department of History at University of Sterling, examines the process of conquest of one medieval country at the hands of another, concentrating on one of the most vital aspects: the military garrisons. She presents the case that Scotland, though lacking a national sense, divided severely by Clan loyalties between Bruces and Comyns, never the less were able to marshal its resources, use of terrain and valiant spirit to deal with a better equipped, more battle-hardened army, lead by a warrior-king.

Excellent work for people trying to understand to period of Wallace's and Bruce's risings.

Customer Reviews:

Scholarship, please.......2006-03-30

One of the first things I look for in a book such as this is fair treatment from all perspectives. The bibliography should contain works from a broad spectrum of writers, i.e., those who on one hand hold to the infallible inerrancy and inspiration of the Scriptures, those who take a reconstructive and demythological approach, and folks somewhere inbetween. I get the impression that the author had something terrible happen to him in his life, such as an aweful confrontation with a Christian, or perhaps a terrible tragedy which he was not able to deal with, and wrote a book to debunk Christianity because, as some have penned, "How could a good God do [this or that terrible thing]?" If that is the case, that is poor history-doing and skewed "scholarship." I am more readily convinced by reasons that I have come to on my own, as Pascal wrote, than by reasons given to me by others. For me, fundamental to my being persuaded, is solid scholarship that reflects a genuine understanding of tenets and beliefs other than the author's, and a willingness to allow his/her own views to be examined by others in light of objective research. The one star is generous; two stars would have been for reason and good research over...passion.

Beginner's Guide to..........2005-04-05

I gave this three stars only because it was a bit fluffy. Though a more substancial book would've been almost as long as the NT itself, this is sufficint for the uninitiated, for it shows how contradictory and unfair the "Good Book" can be. The bible's underbelly is divided into six sections: 1. people and their place in society, 2. power of the church, 3. behavior (pretty sick one here!), 4. guilt, crime, and punishment (this section is even sicker!), 5. way things ought to be, and 6. science, medicine, and the world. The only section they left out is faith and belief!

I couldn't help but feel some better biblical quotes had been left out in this edition. This is especially true of topics that are a red flag for me (science, women roles, etc. - I am a female engineer). But this basic book is a good one add to your bookcase because it will remind you never to take the bible too literally.

For what it is, it's wonderful.......2004-11-17

This book isn't meant to be a scholarly, detailed account of all of the various ways the Bible has been "used and abused" to justify various activities. It's really not fair to criticize it for not being such. What this book is is a solid, well-researched basic overview of the most common ways the Bible has been used in various social causes. It's presented in a fun, easy-to-read layout, with some really great historical illustrations that help bring home the messages.

Reading this relatively small book will give you as much "fuel" in arguing scripture as most fundamentalist Christians -- "The Bible Tells Me So" gives you all the various passages that these folks have conveniently forgotten or never been taught. It will probably whet your appetite for more detailed books (I know it did for me).

But if you are a Christian, don't be intimidated by this book, don't think it's something you shouldn't read, and don't think it's an attack on Christianity. While this book will bring to your attention Bible passages that might make you very uncomfortable, and ways these passages have been used to oppress people, it will also bring to your attention many verses of the Bible that may give you a lot of comfort and increased strength in your faith, and some verses that may surprise you, such as the verses that support homosexual marriage (yes, that SUPPORT such).

Quick and Dirty.......2003-03-03

This book is a quick, shallow look at how the Bible has been used (actually misused) across the centuries. Ought to be required reading for every fundamentalist. Regrettably, it does not introduce ideas for how academics have studied and understood the Bible. In that sense the book doesn't really provide a completely accurate picture. A good, quick reminder of how positive things get twisted.

Horrible logic.........2002-10-16

This book is chalked full of horrible logic. He intends to discredit the entire Judeo-Christian scriptures because of those in the past who have abused them out of context to justify whatever they desire to justify. Any document can be taken out its own sitz im leben (social context) and used improperly to justify one's own ills. He further tries to show contradictions by taking specific passages outside of their context... any by choosing translations that seem to fit his end. A basic understanding of the original languages is enough to refute the majority of his arguments. This is little more than a guy who hates Christianity, hates Christ, and hates the Gospel.. and is willing to forsake all logic in his attempts to discredit it.

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