Full Books

Prang's Civil War Pictures gathers the complete battle chromos of Louis Prang under one cover for the first time, creating an outstanding documentation of the original works of art which inspired Prang's prints. Pictures and accompanying background text provide fine insights and descriptions for both newcomers to Prang's works and those with some prior familiarity with Prang, but not his models.

Given the expanding public interest in the American Civil War that began with the centenary in the 1960s, this book has been a long time coming. Louis Prang's series of chromolithographs are representative of a period in commercial art that he helped to pioneer, and which lasted until the first decade of the twentieth century. With the style established, everything from farm implements to insurance were advertised with heroic scenes from the nation's history. In more recent times it has been almost impossible to see the complete set of pictures outside obscure collections. Editor Harold Holtzer gives interesting insights into Prang, his artists, and their technique.
Prang marketed his prints in much the same way that our contemporary military artists do. Apart from fashionable gallery openings any military history publication will have several advertisements for prints of battle scenes and historical vignettes. Modern painters focus on period accuracy in microscopic detail and brilliant color. Although Prang was concerned with accuracy some small errors found their way into his work. But anyone who studies that period beyond the superficial, must be drawn into these old pictures. By this process we enter the late Victorian parlor of the veteran and his family.
The charm of the lithographs lies in their mood and atmosphere, which was due in part to the lithographic process itself, and also to the impressionistic influences of the 1880s. The quality of southern summer dust predominates throughout the series. Coal and powder smoke combine in operatic storm clouds. Sunset tones provide nostalgic lighting for the memories of a generation's youth that had already passed into legend. It is not only facsinating to see the events that that generation passed through, but also how they remembered them.

In his book, Questions for a Full Life, author Frank Briganti addresses the psychological and spiritual aspects of how people can find peace, unity, and internal harmony. Briganti presents an in depth discussion about how to achieve a full human life. Understanding the mystery of God is a key element needed to reach fulfillment. He states, "This book is about discovering and realizing the possibilities for growth, commitment, completion, happiness, and even ecstasy found in the union of the body and mind."

Briganti explains five important sections to achieving a complete and harmonious life. Fresh Horizons explores what is meant by living a full human life. The Keys path focuses on understanding the mind through imagination, desires, and self awareness. Inner Realities explores our selves through a better understanding of how our mind works. Pathways provide the tools required for achieving a full life. Final Horizon focuses on the future and how to create a future that is meaningful and happy. Each chapter within the section is filled with spiritual and psychological wisdom that help readers connect to themselves. Briganti imparts some important messages: We don't have to be restrained by negative thoughts and emotions. Inner life and growth leads to external growth and happiness. We cannot connect to others until we connect to ourselves.

A noteworthy point of the book is Briganti's explanation of how to harness our thoughts through the use of imagination and understanding our mindsets. By understanding how we question ourselves and the world around us, we are better able to reflect on the many paths to achieving a full life. The key is to find the right path for you.

Questions for a Full Life is designed to stimulate our senses, question our current state of being, and offer ways of achieving clarity. The structure of the book is designed to help the reader look inwardly, question, and find creative solutions. Because the book is packed with so much information, it would have been beneficial to end each chapter with a summary to help the reader develop a self reflection program. As well, it would have been helpful to see a daily work guide that one could use to implement the many principles presented in the book.

Whether you are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or trying to figure out where you fit into the world, Questions for a Full Life is a helpful companion to any healing process or self-reflection plan. It will help you connect to your self and the world around you.

Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services

Questions for a Full Life is a psychological/spiritual book which aims at describing what a fully human and spiritual life means and offering insight into major ways and means for living such a full life. The book is arranged in five major sections: Fresh Horizons (what constitutes a full life), Keys (human qualities for living a full life), Inner Realities (energies and characteristics driving and leading a full life), Pathways (tools and directions for a full life), Final Horizon (the future and a full life). There is an additional section called a Short Explorations which has 139 sentences for reflection. (I find this section worth becoming a mini-booklet in its own right. It is very stimulating. Though I don't know why the number of sentences is 139.)

Questions for a Full Life has 18 compact chapters all of which are introduced and ended (and their in-chapter content peppered) with questions that powerfully help the reader into self reflection and personal insight. Clearly the book's title is taken from the wide use of creative questioning throughout the book.

Questions for a Full Life highlights a full life lived through deep focused engagement with a person's ability to Imagine (the chapter on imagination is an especially nicely done), Drive to Know, and Use of Freedom. It clarifies the use of these foundational human qualities and crafts clear applications about how they work and applies them to examining mindsets, to human mental filters, to reality in general, and to Sacred Reality. (The author makes sure that the reader understands that a full human life aims engaging, as he names it throughout, "the mystery of God".) And he makes certain that the reader comes away with an holistic sense of full human living and spirituality by emphasizing throughout the book the relational aspects of living and, in the Pathways section especially, the engaged world-ranging nature of human growth and spirituality.

Among the elements of the book that especially stands out for me is the chapter on meditation. In a few uncomplicated pages the author presents fresh and illuminating points about meditation in general before going on to briefly and nicely lay out how to engage in one-point meditation.

I found Questions for a Full Life genuinely insightful and helpful. Two of its major faults are the lack of an Index and its brevity. Though it is 180 pages I would like an expansion of some areas. This book is an elaboration of Briganti's first book Regarding Wholeness. I hope he will follow with a third, using the same clear and direct style of writing.

A book about dancing rats. Doesn't sound like a sure-fire winner, does it? But this tale of perserverance and determination makes a wonderful and gripping read. The fantasy rat world is only half the story--the other half is the fascinating account of the hard work, training, and innovation of the dance troupe. By the time the Rattoons get to Rat Hollow, you know how very hard they've worked, and you're rooting for their success. Not only was this a fun read, but it was an interesting and eye-opening look at the work that professional dancers put in before they're ready for the Boom-Boom Room.

... uncommon, because the valor is demonstrated by a group of five rat siblings. Each lives out his/her own quirks, qualities, and weaknesses, but more importantly, as a whole, they demonstrate the power of a group united by a dream. Along with all of *that,* it is a rollicking good read, full of adventures and mishaps, with eventual victory, though a surprising one! A terrific book for fourth through seventh graders.

This is a great resource. I'm a graphic designer and have been looking for full color illustrations of flowers and fruit like this for a while. Lots of online stock photo/illustration sites sell similar artwork for anywhere from $75-250 each. Here you get a large variety for under $20.

This is an excellent printing of just what I needed. I use these images for decoupage and they are great!

Though I am a Christian, not Muslim, I read the Qur'an also to see for myself what it teaches rather than hear secondhand. This Qur'an was given me by someone from the local mosque and from what I read in numerous Islamic websites/books, it is a respected translation among Muslims. Though A. Yusuf Ali does have a Qur'an that also includes a commentary, this one does not, but instead has 3 main features: English text, Arabic text (in Arabic writing), and the transliteration (i.e., spelling out the sound of the Arabic by using English, 'Roman,' letters). (Tip for the nonMuslim who's trying to understand the order/organization of the Qur'an: the suras are organized by length, longest to shortest.)

I have owned a copy of this translation with the side by side tranliteration and find it extremely helpful to recite the Quran in arabic and it has been beneficial and instrumental in me learning to read and recite in Arabic. The book reads in the traditional Arabic manner, from right to left, and the English translation, the transliteration, and the arabic text of the surahs and ayahs are side by side on each page. Wonderful, get it if you can! it is a classic!

Powerful sermons on the doctrines of grace were common during America's Great Awakening. This collection of historic yet very timely messages covers the full spectrum of the doctrine of salvation. Drawn from the works of the Awakening's leading figures, these twenty sermons, each with a biographical sketch of its author, are arranged in the order they affect the individual. Originally delivered from the pulpit as messages to common congregations, they still speak profoundly today!

Powerful sermons on the doctrines of grace were common during America's Great Awakening. This collection of historic yet very timely messages covers the full spectrum of the doctrine of salvation. Drawn from the works of the Awakening's leading figures, these twenty sermons, each with a biographical sketch of its author, are arranged in the order they affect the individual. Originally delivered from the pulpit as messages to common congregations, they still speak profoundly today!

I enjoyed reading this book to my kids. They really liked looking at all the colourful pictures. Now they can't wait for Christmas!

Canadian duo - MacLennan and Parkinson - really have their act together. This small package of "feel good" charm has it all; story, rhyme, brightly coloured pictures that capture the imagination, and a solid moral ending. It has my vote.

By far the most literal translation of Rashi and the only one with his text distinguished from the text by others (explaining Rashi) using a bold typeface. Beautiful graphically.

This is a beautifully printed and bound edition of the Rashi commented Bereishis/Genesis. This is a new translation, presented side by side with the original Hebrew with Rashi's commentary given in both English and Hebrew as well. In addition, alternate forms of translation are given to reflect that many words can be accurately translated in more than one way.

Virtually every student of Torah, from the child in elementary school to the gadol/hador,no matter what area of Torah he studies, refers to Rashi. As a simple wine merchant Rashi accepted no rabbinic position. He died in 4865 (1105 CE), but his awe-inspiring works have ensured that in a deeper sense, he will live on forever.

As long as the novice reader understands that RASHI is the starting point of collections of commentaries, not the end, his work is essential. I think he should be read with RAMBAN (Nachmonidese) to obtaian some image of the linguistic issues. RAMBAN constantly brings up RASHI. The more overt reliance upon Akiba in RAMBAN, when both consider his words foundational. Some of RASHI is downright funny. More like a comic writer than RAMBAN, though RAMBAN has a dry humor. (Birth of Jacob and Esau: Fithting is what it feels like. Jewish woman: How'd he know? (rhetorical and sarcastic)

By far the most literal translation of Rashi and the only one with his text distinguished from the text by others (explaining Rashi) using a bold typeface. Beautiful graphically.

This book is a must for any Shawnee collector. The information and pictures are extensive and laid out in easy to read chapters. She covers all Shawnee, from cookie jars to ashtrays. I take this with me on all Shawnee excursions. It is large and somewhat heavy, definitely not a "pocket guide".

Everything you ever wanted to know about collecting this fine pottery is in here. Very impressed about the history and how complete it is. Pam did an EXCELLENT job in researching. Easy to follow with great pictures. You will never regret getting a copy of this book. It is WONDERFUL.