Angels Books

This is a great introduction to the ideas of Gregory Bateson, one of the most important thinkers of our times. He is able to bridge the gap between our ideas about a materialistic world and concepts of mind. He said that Western science did not explain mind, it explained mind away.

Anyone who feels that there is more to life than logic and science, but who doesn't feel comfortable with every new age quack idea, should read this book. Bateson's thesis is that aesthetics, beauty, and the sacred are as valid as ways of knowing as logic and science are, and he can back that up with real ideas about the real world.

Gregory Bateson is well known, among those with the perseverance to wrestle through his very compact prose, for his highly original synthesis of cybernetics, biology, anthropology and -- above all -- epistemology. Near the end of his one book written with a general audience in mind (Mind and Nature), he mentions his intention to continue his explorations into the realms of the sacred and the aesthetic. By the time of his death in 1980 he had written several drafts and discussed the project in depth with his daughter Mary Catherine Bateson, an investigator of great insight in her own right and a better writer than Gregory's devotion to formal rigor allowed him to be. This book is the end result of that collaboration, which Mary completed in 1986. Those familiar with Gregory's work will find some of his familiar themes explored in somewhat more accessible terms, along with some unexpected new ideas. As with his earlier works, Bateson often has to redefine some familiar words, and introduce new usages for others, which makes reading him a struggle, but a rewarding struggle in the long run. Those familiar with Mary Catherine's work will not be disappointed either. Her summarizing chapter which pulls together the various strands of the book and of her father's thought is a masterpiece of synthesis in its own right. And this book, which is above all about *relationships* at every level from the cellular to the cultural to the religious, is a fascinating record of the very human relationship between father and daughter. Like all of the elder Bateson's work, this one will take some time to digest. How much have I learned from it about "the epistemology of the sacred"? I expect it will take years to find out, and that I'll be revisiting this book many times while its implications work themselves out. As G.B. said, Life is a game whose purpose is discovering the rules. This volume is a voyage of discovery.

ANGELS IN AFRICA: Profiles of Seven Extraordinary Women (2006) by Beth O'Donnell & Kimberley Sevcik, documents seven African women working to overcome devastating problems in their African communities. Organized by country, each chapter of Angels in Africa introduces us to a remarkable woman who is tackling an issue that is particularly prevalent in that country. Ann Wanjiru represents 2,000 grassroots women of GROOTS Kenya; In Tanzania, Edina Yahana helped plant more than one million trees in an effort to save the rainforests from decimation; Celina Cossa, Founder and President of the General Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (UGC) of Mozambique, is one of the most respected women in Africa; In Rwanda, Pascasie Mukamunigo, a Tutsi woman brings together the Hutus and Tutsis through a community weaving project; We learn about the work of Prudence Mwandla of South Africa who has dedicated her life to sheltering AIDS orphans who had been abused, abandoned, sick, and hungry; Aminata Dieye of Senegal created a program that trains young girls in non-traditional jobs. In Senegal, that's not an easy thing to do, and Mme Dembélé Jacqueline Goïta, Directrice Exécutive, CARITAS of Mali, Fighting Poverty, Hunger, and Homelessness.

This is a beautiful book, with sensational stories and wonderful illustrations.
I thoroughly recommend it.

I found this book to be a very interesting accounting of the war in Vietnam through the eyes of airborne advisors and Vietnamese airborne soldiers. Having been there as an advisor to an airborne battalion, the recollections of others reminded me of many events that occurred while performing those duties. I thank Mr. Strode for putting together a book that will preserve some of the history of Americans and Vietnamese.

The best book available in English on the elite of the Republic of Viet Nam Armed Forces. Though it lacks informatio on the last two years of the war like the hard fought battle of Hill 1062 in the First Corp in 1974. Also lacking was the biography of all Airborne Division battalion commanders. Still it deserve high praise for giving credit long overdue to the heroic ARVN paratroop soldiers. The best fighters in the Viet Nam War.

Mary does a great job at holding the attention of all ages and genders. This is a great story of hardships and of love. Great story line and a tender subject.

I have really enjoyed reading Angels in the Dust. The author tells a very authentic view of life in the Depression. She makes you feel as if you are living in the story. The characters are well written, and believable. Being from the South I relate to many of the words and sayings in the story. I recomend this book very highly.

Angels in the Dust is a beautifully written book about life during the Dust Bowl. The story is touching and Margot Theis Raven has a true talent of writing. The illustrations are breathtaking!!!

This is a wonderfully written book. The story is touching. The language is expressive and descriptive. The illustrations are vivid and add much to the story. This was a great book to read aloud. It can give students a taste of life in a different time and place. Wonderful!

I am a fan of biographies and memoirs and this one reminded me of A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer--- only without the graphic abuse. This man as a child went through abandonment by being passed from foster family to foster family, but the great part of the story is how he not only survives, but succeeds in the end. Great show of how our lives are led by purpose and trials make us stronger.

This book is a true story of one's man power to overcome a extraordinary difficult childhood. It demonstrates strength of spirit and shows how one's troubled past does not always have to lead to a troubled future. It also shows that although our earthly lives may be difficult, we are supported from a spiritual realm. This was one of those books I didn't want to put down. It is a well written, inspirational and hopeful book.

This is one of the best books on Angels I've read to date. It is literally jam-packed with amazing, thought provoking stories where angels have intervened in some way to help a human in need.

The author has structured this book such that each chapter discusses several of the same type of story - i.e. angels seen in near-death encounters - and then writes an essay where this type of encounter is discussed in more detail.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in wonderful, real-life angel stories. You probably won't be able to put it down (I know I couldn't).

Short, easy to read collection of true stories of loved ones becoming like guardian angels and protecting those that they love. Each story had something different to talk about. An enjoyable book to own or to make a gift of to someone you love.

Aquilina makes the subject easy to understand without dumbing it down. Altogether an informative and fascinating read about the angels and their relationship to us. It makes a good accompaniment to The Angels and Their Mission. There is some duplication of information but a surprising amount in both books stands as complements to each other. Some of that is due to their different foci in the authors' intentions for their books, naturally. For that matter, it also would be a good complement to The Rite. Although that book is about exorcism it is essentially about angels, albeit fallen angels. Reading Angels of God would be a good counterbalance for too much worrying that could come along with reading about a dark subject.

Although the subhead makes the book sound a bit dry, nothing could be further from the truth. With his customary clarity and thoroughness, Mike Aquilina not only enlightens us about angels but actually makes us realize that our angelic brethren are just that ... our brothers.

I also especially appreciated that the book contains entire excerpts of scripture or other works where it is referenced. Too often the reader is left to seek out another work in order to get the whole picture. In my case, I must admit, I usually skip looking up anything. Aquilina does not leave us stranded in that way and it makes a huge difference.

Highly recommended.

Author and radio host Mike Aquilina introduces Angels of God with his own story of overcoming reluctance to fully accept angels in his spiritual life. After years of holding "remote reservations" on the topic, he saw the role of angels in the "tremendous spiritual struggle" of two friends facing imminent death from cancer. As they drifted in and out of consciousness "invocations of the angels, especially Saint Michael, came more frequently to their lips," he writes. "It became clear to me... that the angels are indeed fighting beside us in these battles." That realization led to an understanding of the role of angels in every phase of life. We are the "spoils of war" in the struggle between good and evil forces. "For us to ignore the angels would be a sign not only of disordered pride, but of colossal stupidity."

Angels of God consists of twelve chapters on angels based largely on stories from the Bible and reflections of the saints. The material covers the definition, description, and history of angels; Michael our defender; Gabriel the great communicator; Raphael friend and guide; and prayers, poems, and hymns to help deepen our relationship with angels.

Aquilina devotes a full chapter to guardian angels, explaining that their main task is to get us to heaven. He explores various aspects of this task including the holy card version of an angel pulling a child back from a precipice. "There's something to this, of course," he writes, but it is secondary. Many possible reasons exist for situations in which angels appear to fail to save their charges. First, they know the mind and will of God better than humans do, and always cooperate with God's plan. In addition, guardian angels also know when "another twenty-four hours on earth will merely get us another day older and deeper in debt." As for the belief that angels can be called upon for mundane chores like finding us a parking space, Aquilina suggests that angels sympathize with our desire and "will likely help--unless the parking space might detour us on the way to heaven.

I have an appreciation for the work that Dr. Freeman has accomplished. His ideas and research have given us all a little insight into something deeper that we can use to enrich our lives.

I have an appreciation for the work that Dr. Freeman has accomplished. His ideas and research have given us all a little insight into something deeper that we can use to enrich our lives.

Give insights to second chances, human nature and Church problems-- and some insights to the author!?

A beautiful love story.

patricia

Anne Reilly is beautiful, successful ... and terribly afraid. Demons from her past have come back to haunt her as her Chicago art gallery exhibits a notorious mad priest's paintings of obsession and horror. Suddenly Anne finds herself slipping into a hell she cannot escape, unable to free herself to the fulfilling love of the man she so desperately needs. Father Blackie Ryan and other "angels" of the faith now join in her struggle against the mystery that threatens her life and her sanity -- against the terror of things seen through a glass darkley, and feelings that lie closest to the heart ..." The Chicago Sun-Times called this book: "Devilishly good!" and the Richmond Times Dispatch called it: "The best this prolific author has produced." Clearly and excellent story!