Expansion Books

What a great book! Shecter brings Alexander to life. Who knoew he had a pushy mom? An amazingly fun read that gets all the facts right. I can't wait for the next history lesson from Vicky Alvear Shecter.
Connie Fleming

Atlantan Vicky Alvear Shecter wrote an extraordinary book about Alexander the Great - Terry Naughton illustrated it extraordinarily!
If these 2 don't partner up and do more, I'll be flabbergasted!
This is a history of Alexander the Great - one that really should be read by kids of all ages, those that hate papyrus dry written history, or those of us who love history - This is an irreverent, fun, and most informative view of Alexander, his family, his triumphs, his legacy. And it's a hoot.
I am a student of history and I loved the ease that Ms. Shecter wrote and got it all down on paper -
PLEASE - continue this series - think how many fun historical people and eras need this type of book! We'd all be scooping them up!
Prehistoric series
Ancient series
Cleopatra, that nice Greek girl!
Renaissance series
Shakespeare
English monarchs
American history
Presidents
Vicky and Terry, your time has come!
Highly recommended for adults as well as kids.

Written by Vicky Alvear Schechter and illustrated by Terry Naughton, Alexander The Great Rocks The World is a historical biography of legendary conqueror and emperor Alexander the Great. Written especially for adolescents and teenagers, Alexander The Great Rocks The World chronicles the events of Alexander's life, his military conquests, his ideals of unity, his battle tactics, and much more in detailed yet plain-spoken vernacular language. Black-and-white representations of classic artworks and illustrations add a visual touch to this fascinating, easy-to-follow accounting of how Alexander the Great literally changed world history. Of especial interest are the concluding sections that compare Alexander's heroic and villainous legacies - he spread the Greek ideal (if not practice) of democracy, was committed to tolerance, and respected women more than most of his age; but then, he also crushed the practice of democracy in Greece and instigated bloodshed in the form of war and conquest. Enthusiastically recommended especially for grade school and YA library collections.

This book is for all readers. Not to mention other things, it contains several dozen case studies on global multinationals doing business in China, like Wal-Mart, P&G, Intel, HSBC, Bank of America, Ford, Siemens, BP, Unilever, Sony, GE, GM, Morgan Stanley, and Microsoft. (Amazingly, this revised and updated volume gives most current info on China -- even events happened in May 2006 are contained here.)

It also gives huge info on emerging Chinese multinationals. All the leading Chinese companies such as Haier, Huawei, TCL, Lenovo, China Telecom, Baosteel, China Oil, Sinopec, CNOOC, and Ping An are studied here. Furthermore, comparisons are made between the Chinese companies and their international counterparts. These discussions are straightforward, covering both strengths and weaknesses.

Its scope is rather wide: the author aims to identify key factors behind global development: causes, effects, and consequences. He offers vast info and analysis on a changing global production, investment and trade map, which involves all nations, rich or poor. Interesting comparative studies involve US, Canada, Europe, India, Japan and China. Above all, he pinpoints opportunities and challenges under globalization.

Also it is highly critical of the abusive Chinese bureaucratic power. Gu claims that China's fundamental weakness is with this overextended, self-appointed bureaucratic power. Vast info and facts are presented to support his statement.

He is a high-profile newspaper commentator/consultant that adds much color to his discussions. The book's key strengths come from the fact that the author has vast first-hand experiences, so that he gives countless insider's stories. Its style and presentation is very reader friendly and straightforward, but its analysis is overpowering.

Author Gu is a brave fellow. He offers straightfoward info and analysis on what is really inside Chinese business and political world. He is highly critical of the Communist ills that continue to cause hellish problems for China and foreign operations inside. Other than this abusive bureaucratic power, Chinese people are very diligent and creative. But the key is to get rid of the overextended bureaucratic power, as so claims by Gu.

This book is a must read -- it is a rare book that reveals the inner workings of the Chinese bureaucratic system. This new edition is very nice, which is sharply revised and expanded. (Five stars for his new edition)

Author George Zhibin Gu is a high-profile Chinese journalist whose powerful newspaper pieces are widely read. This book is a must read. The reason for my recommendation is simple: This book summarises the key lessons from a fast-changing China under globalization and capitalism.

These lessons are powerful. First, an open society is a must in order to gain true development. Second, having foreign involvement is a key driving force for China's quick development in this era. Third, a truly meaningful development must depend on individual private initiatives other than government bureaucracy.

This book gives rather straightforward analysis on what is behind China's new development. It gives tremendous information on foreign multinationals and investors doing biz inside. Furthermore, it gives huge info on how this foreign involvement affects China's society, government and economy. In particular, it is extremely open about the ills of the Chinese bureaucracy. To overcome bureaucratic barriers, it emphasizes the need for greater private initiative as well as openness, among other things.

Also, the book talks about the ever-increasing influences of China's surge on global development. It gives very insightful analysis on a changing global production, investment, and trade map, as well as manufacturing and job transfers, among other issues.

The book also offers much practical advice on doing biz in China. Numerous case studies are presented, including both successes and failures.

In the crowd of books about cowboys, this one stands out chiefly for the well-researched photography. Here you will see classic photos from the late 19th century ranging right up to the present. Among the older photos it's refreshing to find many that have rarely, if ever, been published before. Especially useful is the careful identification of each one, with the place, date, and name of the photographer. While some of them have circulated anonymously on the Internet for years, it's illuminating to have their subjects identified (especially the studio group-shot of XIT cowboys that you sometimes see hand tinted, on pp. 142-143). I also had not known that the wonderful bunkhouse shot of a cowboy with a guitar (pp. 154-155) is cowboy-song collector and poet Jack Rhodes.

Richard Slatta's history of the cowboy supports the photo images well but breaks no new ground on his subject. Readers of other cowboy books will find the usual topics, from cowboy gear to trail drives and rodeos, and a repetition of what's generally known already (though for someone who's never researched the material, it's an excellent introduction). If there's an unusual angle, it's that Slatta goes out of his way to comment on the role of women in ranch culture. Altogether, this makes a fine gift book. It is handsomely designed, on nicely finished paper, and the photos are reproduced with satisfying clarity. The book includes recommendations for further reading and a listing of museums and events with their Internet addresses.

I like this book "Cowboy: The Illustrated History" by Richard W. Slatta, as the author presents an exciting and authentic account of cowboy life around the world.

Cowboys of the old west is talking a lot about the life of how cowhand is an American term of how those people are Argentinia's gauchos, France's gardians, Australia's stockmen and Mexico's vaqueros and some of the best four-legged cowboy horses workers are the camargue ponies of France, the Australian stock horses, the criollos of Argentina, and the quarter horses and mustangs of the U.S. and Mexico, talking a lot about the trail with the cowboys of the old West and international figures of independence and bravado, from Argentina's gauchos to France's gardians. Whether it's the types of horses they rode or the clothes they wore, you'll come to understand what made cowboys from every country unique.

In this book by the best author Richard W. Slatta, you'll be interested in today's rodeo cowboys, movie cowboys and the modern working cowboys of the American West.

The best chapters to read and look at in this book for the times are On the Ranch, Cowboy Food & fun and The Cowboy Hero in popular culture.

In the chapter of "On the Ranch", my favorite photo is a rodeo photo on page 90 of "Chester Byers roping, Pendleton, Oregon." Photographed by Ralph R. Doubleday, circa 1935. It's the best rodeo photo of Chester Byers roping a calf as the calf has hit the end of the rope as the calf tricked the horse and rider at going a different direction and the horse is just starting to stop dead in order for the cowboy to dismount. On page 90 of "Chester Byers roping, Pendleton, Oregon." Photographed by Ralph R. Doubleday, circa 1935, you'll want to know that for this photo, here's how this goes:

Rodeos take place where the modern cowboy can compete against his fellow workers to show off his and his mount's skill in the arena. Roping calves and steers (calf roping and team roping), which forms a major part of his everyday work, is one of the many organized events together with cutting-out, saddle bronc riding, team penning and bull riding. Complete co-ordination between horse and rider is essential if a calf is to be roped successfully. As soon as the lasso has found its mark the horse will stop short and take the weight of the calf as the rope is firmly attached to saddle. The cowboy then leaps to the ground and ties the calf securely.

Again for page 90 of "Chester Byers roping, Pendleton, Oregon." Photographed by Ralph R. Doubleday, circa 1935, you'll want to know that for this photo, here's how this goes again the second time:

Another rodeo event is calf roping where the cowhand gallops and speeds after a runaway calf and tries to lasso his rope around it.

In the chapter of "Cowboy Food & Fun", got some of my favorite rodeo photos of team roping on page 170 and another rodeo photo on page 171 and over time, rodeo events were standardized to the best five events to include bareback riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling (bulldogging), and bull riding are the best five standard rodeo events as the second best of the other six events in which as if fifteen cowboys and teams for the Miami, Florida's new rodeo called the "King's International Rodeo" (which will be real someday) compete in the six best events that fifteen of the best cowboys are in six events and they try to be called the best all-around king and represent a combination of the tasks a modern mounted cowboy might perform every day and the events are: saddle bronc riding, cutting competitions, team roping, calf roping, team penning, and most dangerous of all bull riding.

In the chapter of "The Cowboy Hero in Popular Culture", got some of my favorite photos from Western TV shows of Gunsmoke and Bonanza and my real favorite photo is 193 is of the cast of Bonanza on horseback. Lorne Greene (center) played Ben Cartwright, father of three grown sons. Michael Landon (left) and Dan Blocker (right) played Little Joe and Hoss, respectively, two of the Cartwright boys. Photographed between 1962 and 1970. Bonanza was filmed at Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California and Warner Brothers Studios and Bonanza is by Paramount and Warner Brothers Pictures and Paramount is a viacom company for Bonanza. Here's a little Bonanza episode as if for this book that you might be interested in and the episode is:

BREED OF VIOLENCE

In this episode Breed of Violence:

Sheriff Kincaid (Val Avery) is strict with his daughter, Joe's friend Dolly (Myrna Fahey). To escape his tryanny she leaves town with Vince Dagen (John Ericson), unaware that he has robbed a bank.
She learns the truth when he and his companions kill a guide while trying to kidnap the Cartwrights.

Guest Stars: John Ericson, Myrna Fahey, Val Avery

Written by: David Lang

Directed by: Johnny Florea

If the real book just called "Bonanza" was written by authors John Challis and David Lang, this would have been the best talking about some of the American west, Dolly Kincaid learns the truth when he and his companions kill a guide while trying to kidnap the Cartwrights, wrestling, roping and tying up cattle for branding or doctoring, the leprechauns, etc. That would be the best book of Bonanza by authors John Challis and David Lang as if it contained 380 pages and that would be the best book of Bonanza, ever.

This is one of the best cowboy books I ever read because this book sure gives my lots of information and learn a lot about cowboy stuff and I really loved and liked this book!

This book is a GEM, forever and ever and years to come:)

YEEHAA, YAHOO, Happy trails.

So many titles have been written on cowboy history that one might wonder at the need for yet another, but here's an oversized photo tribute which stands out from the crowd, surveying both myths and realities of the cowboy on and off-screen, including assessments of cowboys around the world, ranching roots, cowboy film, and cowboy representation in literature. With such a wide-ranging survey in hand, any with an interest benefits from the lively research of 'cowboy professor' Richard W. Slatta, who has already earned numerous awards for his research.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book represents a major achievement in the annals of western exploration, and deserves a prominent spot on anyone's American history shelf. In 1810, Robert Stuart, a partner with John Jacob Astor, shipped to the mouth of the Columbia River, where he helped establish Astoria. But troubles at the post with the British during the War of 1812 impelled Stuart with six other men to make an overland winter journey over the Rockies to St. Louis. Throughout the journey Stuart kept a journal, in which he recorded everything encountered along the way: the precise route taken, various Indian tribes, flora and fauna, perspective trapping grounds - and their own personal hardships, which included, near starvation, freezing weather, and hostile Indians. He gave the journal to Astor, who sent it to President James Madison. Stuart then wrote a more formal version of the journey, which was published in France. The original journal made its way back to the Stuart family, where it remained forgotten until it was discovered in a cupboard and finally published in 1935.

This book publishes both the original journal and the French rewrite, known as the "Traveling Memoranda." Both are meticulously edited by Philip Ashton Rollins, which is the key that makes this edition not only definitive but a masterwork. With Rollin's notes it's possible to follow Stuart's route precisely. He is especially detailed where the men crossed South Pass, the first known whites to do so, though their "discovery" would go unrecognized (Jedediah Smith is credited with making the first "recorded" crossing of the Pass in 1824.) In addition to these works, there is a 70-page Forward that summarizes events and puts the Narratives into perspective and a detailed Biographical Note on Stuart's family history.

The book indeed is a major accomplishment. Anyone interested in the early exploration of the West must read this book. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent first hand account of the original discovery of what was to be the Oregon Trail (in reverse). Robert Stuart originally left New York on the ship the Tonquin, funded by John Jacob Astor, and sailed around the tip of South America and then eventually up to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon to establish a trading post. Stuart then proceeded to head back east to report to Astor about the state of affairs of the trading fort. With only a handful of men, they went by canoe, horseback and mostly by foot, from the mouth of the Columbia to St. Louis, then eventually to New York. This historical narrative is beyond words. They faced the hardships of hunger, fatigue, Indians, weather, and about everything else one can think of. It is truly a fascinating portrayal of day to day survival in the 1812 wilderness written from the hand of the man who was there. What I also enjoyed about the book was the Appendix on Wilson Price Hunt who, also working for Astor, took an expedition by land from St. Louis to Oregon at about the same time. His written account is also mind-blowing and puts the whole book into perspective. There is also an excellent forward by Rollins which gives you a background on what you are about to read.

Robert Stuart, a partner of John Jacob Astor, was sent by ship to Oregon on company business, and returned cross country by horseback, canoe and foot. Along the way he kept a journal, written in berry juice, which is reprinted here. Washington Irving also wrote "Astoria" based on this journal.

Our whole country should be grateful to Robert Stuart for his discovery of the Oregon Trail and his courage against unbelievable odds in making such a tortuous journey. This book was first printed in 1935 and the original copies are scarce and valuable. So I was thrilled to discover that Amazon not only sold it but that it was now in paperback! When the word gets around to the rest of his descendants, we will have this book on the best seller list, where it belongs. So take that, Lewis & Clark!

... to tell your truth.

This epochal work illustrates the gap between reality and the historical cliches acccepted by most people in these United States, as enshrined for example in San Antonio's Alamo. It de-demonizes the Mexicans (whose laws banned slavery) and their President Santa-Anna (who had every right to try to get rid of "illegal immigrants"--isn't that an irony now that the shoe is on the other foot!) while shedding a corrective light on the Anglo-Texans' goals (exercize their "freedom" to occupy a foreign territory to then illegally introduce therein an otherwise banned "peculiar" practice).

More importantly, Professor Taylor documents in this book, in exemplary and objective fashion, the complex fate of an American minority and its long-standing efforts to regain, at long last, its constitutionally recognized unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Taylor's book represents a monumental achievement. This is a tremendous book that covers the history of Blacks in the West more completely and with greater detail than any previous work. It easily supplants William Katz's "The Black West" and W. Sherman Savage's "Blacks in the West" as the definitive work in the field. This book should be required reading for every student in American history.

What is initially strking about this masterful endeavor is its scope--from its chronological detail to its rich geographic attention to the broader West. An engaging scholarly work that certainly qualifies within the the realm of required reading for any curriculum in U.S. History or African American studies. It is refreshing to find a more recently compiled history of the black experience, one that focuses on the broad range of African American social evolution throughout the American West. I was particularly interested in his narrative on the cultural assimilation of blacks into Native American society. Highly impressive in its bibliographic scope, this work rates as a definitive contribution to more current historiographic material.

As we celebrate the bicentennial, the world of Lewis and Clark books grows by leaps and bounds. There are detailed studies of the flora and fauna, the weapons, the medical aspects, the views of various Indian tribes on the interactions with the Corps of Discovery. You can find cookbooks detailing what they ate, books about what they wore, stories of Seaman (Lewis' dog), and biographies of all involved.

So, what is the average person with a small amount of budding interest to do? Even scholars and historians who "do" Lewis and Clark have a hard time keeping up with all of it, and most people don't want to invest endless money in accumulating a personal Lewis and Clark library.

Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs and Clay Straus Jenkinson have come up with a perfect solution to this dilemma. "The Lewis and Clark Companion - An Encyclopedic Guide to the Voyage of Discovery" is a wonderful reference book on many aspects of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Arranged in alphabetical order, from "air gun" to "York," each article provides just the right amount of information needed to understand each area. Each entry is written in a straightforward style, giving quotes from the journals of the Expedition where they would be enlightening. There is also an extensive bibliography, if you find yourself wanting to know more about any aspect.

Tubbs is a Montana historian and serves on the Lewis and Clark National Trail Interpretive Center?s Foundation Board and is the daughter of the late Stephen Ambrose. She has spent much of her life traveling the Trail. Jenkinson is a well-respected Jefferson and Lewis and Clark historian, and author of several books, including "The Character of Meriwether Lewis," and "Thomas Jefferson, Man of Light." He has traveled the Trail extensively and also does Chautauqua performances around the country as both Thomas Jefferson and Meriwether Lewis. They bring vast knowledge and lively and interesting writing style to this project.

It is the perfect reference work for Lewis and Clark aficionados, as well as those who are just beginning their journey of enchantment with this epic adventure.

A wonderful reference book of terms, food items, boats, geographic locations, tribes, specific Indians, games, politicians and of course the entire cast of explorers down to Seaman the Newfoundland. Biographies can be several pages long and they cover not only an individual's role but what is known of the individual after the journey. Particularly helpful are the definitions in detail and descriptions of the materials utilied on the journey. An example are descriptions of the small flat bottomed boats called a Pirogue, a cake like food made from grease that was an easy to retrieve as a traveling food called Pemmican and a "drink composed of equal parts water and rum used for medically or for celebration" called grog. The definitions, descriptions of geographic locations and biographies are in satisfying detail almost like small books within a book. A book not only handy for sitting near your reading chair for any Lewis and Clark book but for any reading of early American historty.

Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs and Clay Jenkinson have joined forces to produce the definitive text for Lewis and Clark readers to keep in one hand while they read through the many books available on the epic expedition. They cover numerous personalities involved, and the many other aspects of the journey with encyclopedic thoroughness, resulting in the reader coming away, not just with a superficial knowledge of any topic, but a comprehensive understanding of the many facets involved in the greatest adventure in American exploration. There is something for everyone in this book. It makes great reading on its own, or as a reference book. The reader will gain much appreciation of Lewis and Clark, and a depth of knowledge previously only available to those with sufficient time to dig into the journals and sift through the dirt and pull out the gold nuggets...The authors have done the work of pulling out the gold, thus giving the reader the opportunity to enjoy their studies of the Corps of Discovery to a greater extent and not have to spend the effort of "mining" themselves.

A great piece of work. Insightful commentary, exhaustive research and timely topics make this book a must read for anyone interested in state politics and/or the politics of prison building.

This book should be read by everyone who wonders why the U.S. has expanded imprisonment at five times the rate of Western European nations.

This well-researched and elegantly crafted book provides a fascinating insight into how we came to be the most punitive society in the industrialized world . It's politics, stupid ..

This is a sober and sobering work out of the University of Wisconsin. Sober as it matter-of-factly traces the roots and the entrenchment of Anglo-Saxon racism in America. Sobering at a pivotal time in the history of this country as we anticipate the results of our next presidential election. Just how large a part will that entrenched, closet racism play in our choice? Disquieting as it raises its ugly head in discourse over immigration.
Horsman picks up the narrative in the mid-sixteenth century with the English church beginning to cobble together a mythos regarding the origins of Anglo-Saxons to justify a desired break with Rome. The myth begins to take shape as a story of a Teutonic people of Aryan origins with a love of liberty and superior talents for government following the sun westward improving other societies as they went. From humble origins the myth evolves through the centuries into a full-fledged, ardent belief in the superiority of the Caucasian "race" and in the superiority of the Anglo-Saxon "race" over other Caucasians. Jefferson believed it as did Adams. Though the founding fathers' beliefs were tempered by the Enlightenment, the system they founded contemplated equality only for Caucasians.
By the middle of the nineteenth century, in America, the myth had evolved into a rabid, racist belief system worthy of Nazi Germany, stark, unabashed, startling to the modern mind. But, from a strictly rational point of view, who could blame them? The evidence of the superiority of the Caucasion race was worldwide. Colored races were under the boot of the Anglo-Saxon over the entire globe and improving little despite the clear example set for them by the Anglo-Saxon. To the extent that any improvement did occur, it was only by the infusion of Anglo-Saxon blood. Modern "sciences" such as phrenology, the study of the bumps on and the shape of the skull, added weight to the argument.
Plus, the argument had great utility. It could be used both to denigrate Indians who would not adapt and change to the Anglo-Saxon manner and to strip those who did of the lands they had developed. It was useful for keeping the Negro in bondage because without support from the Anglo-Saxon the Negro would sink and die away. It justified stripping a weak neighbor to the south of its northern territories, (Texas, New Mexico (including Arizona) and California), one million square miles of land, to facilitate Anglo-Saxon destiny: to follow the sun westward, back to the locus of origin, improving the world as it went, subjugating, extinguishing if necessary, inferior races along the way.
The primary argument over the taking of these Mexican territories was not over its morality, although this did come up here and there from voices in the wilderness, but instead over what to do with the Mexicans, a mongrel, worthless people, slothful, indolent. Ironically, one of the voices raised loudly then in concern over the assimilability of this mongrel people, was a fellow by the name of Buchanan, James Buchanan. Americans badly wanted the land, but they did not want the Mexicans. They even contemplated taking all of Mexico, but were deterred, not by the immorality of such a venture, but by the impossibility of absorbing all those Mexicans. The more things change, the more they stay the same. This American conundrum plays out today in Americans' unwholesome desire for Mexican labor but not for the Mexicans themselves. About every thirty years or so it bubbles up again, like a great boil reaching ripeness, erupting in a great burst of xenophobic pus from the likes of Beck, Dobbs and O'Reilly, then settles down again for another thirty years.
I love history. It is such a wonderful aid for putting the present into perspective.

This book was very interesting and well written. I had not known the breadth of racial distinctions in early American societies, but this book dove into them beautifully. The author explained wonderfully the origins of the terms used today to categorize and distinguish the "Anglo-Saxon" from the rest. This book finally explained to me the supposed "superiority" of the "Anglo-Saxon" race.

MY rofessor assigned this book in our nationalism class at UCLA- IT is comrehensive and well-researched. Traces the develoment of anglo-saxonism as a nationalist identity across continents.

I stumbled across this book while doing research for a master's thesis that dealt with, of all things, the history of paleontology and the Peking man digs in China. I found it eye-opening and fascinating. Through showing the history of the British Royal Botanical Gardens, the author manages to teach a great deal about the rise of Europe and the West, Colonialism, science, agriculture and economic production throughout the British empire, and the world at large, up to modern times. Of special interest to me was the intertwining of science and economic exploitation in colonialized nations of the time. I consider this book remarkable in that it taught me more than if I had read five similar books.

This is an excellent book, very easy to read and covering the colonial economic botany (rubber, quinin, sisal) in a true apealing way.

The author was my mother. The book, based on her anthropology thesis, applied anthropological concepts to the sweeping GLOBAL influence and changes of Western colonization using the British empire as the model. Its a ground breaking book, easy and interesting to read (don't mind the implicit occasional politics). "The best part" (that's an inside family joke) is learning about the relationship between colonial expansion, Kew Gardens, rubber plantations, malaria, chinchona (sp?) and Gin and Tonics. I actually typed an early version of this chapter and couldn't have been happier with the content

Roland Allen's book, written in the 1920s as a sequel for his book, "Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours?", stands alone and was way ahead of its time. The book looks at the methods and structure of the modern missionary movement and shows how it fails to follow Biblical standards and models, and as a result stunts the natural growth of the church. Allen's treatment is from an Anglican perspective, but it is applicable to the Christian church at large. Mission organizations, denominations and individual churches, along with current missionaries and those who are being called by God to full-time missionary service, will definitely benefit from reading this book.

Some sections, particularly the one regarding parachurch missionary organizations, will challenge your thinking. We are so immersed in Western thought and structures, that we superimpose those concepts onto the church and our missionary organizations, thinking that they are biblical. But the Gospel is supra-cultural; we need Allen's corrective to change our way of seeing things.

We are seeing in our day exactly what Allen says in this book: the explosive growth of the Church in Africa, in China, etc., through the freeing of the church and believers to shoulder the job of sharing their faith, without the "professional" to do the job for them.

There is one area with which I would disagree with Allen: he contends that the Bible says nothing about financial support for pastors, that it should be done solely by unpaid pastors and elders. The passages where both Christ and Paul say "the laborer is worthy of his wages" (Luke 10:7 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18), Paul's receiving funds from other churches to preach the Gospel to new places (2 Corinthians 11:8), and that those who proclaim the Gospel should get their living from the Gospel, that is, from those to whom they minister (1 Corinthians 9:14) are sufficient to show that pastors should be supported in their work by those in the congregation, and that should not be a burden to the people if they are to be good stewards. But that is a minor point of contention.

In sum, Allen's main premise is sound, and I would urge anyone interested in seeing God's kingdom expand in this world to give this book serious time and thought.

This book, originally published in the 1920's, is still used today in a wide range of missionary circles. This book was written for TODAY. Although the book is written in the context of cross-cultural church planting, it is applicable for any church that wants to grow. The title of the book is very appropriate.

This book is not for everyone. If you think the state of the Church is right where it needs to be, I'd recommend that you stay away from this book as it my ruffle your feathers. The Bible says that when Jesus taught that he spoke with authority (Matthew 7:29). This book has that kind of air about it.

This book is not an easy read nor for the faint of heart. It took me weeks to get through this book but it was well worth my time - and anyone's time who is passionate about seeing the Spontaneous Expansion of Christ's Church in our generation.

Here is a book to challenge smug Western ideas about Christian church and missions. Don't worry about the author's "liberalism" or "conservatism." He shows some attachment to his own denomination's political structure, and he uses language which we consider outdated (seeing as the book was written over 70 years ago), but otherwise he preaches an appropriately "modern" message of mere (and powerful!) Christianity. All I can say is: Get book. Read book. Compare with Bible. Then get out there and *do* something!