Amazon.com
Imagine running into the ultimate management mentor late one night on an otherwise deserted commuter train, and walking away from the strange encounter with an encapsulated guide to success in the corporate world. That's exactly what screenwriter and business coach Patrick Lencioni has done in The Five Temptations of a CEO: A Leadership Fable, placing his tale in an easy-reading and thought- provoking kind of self-help novel.
Designed to be read in a single sitting, this book uses the unexpected meeting between troubled high-tech honcho Andrew O'Brien and a mysterious old man named Charlie to explore a series of common traps that can unwittingly ensnare any hard-driven executive. Lencioni hones in on the five "temptations" of the workplace: desires to jealously guard career status, consistently remain popular with subordinates, unfailingly make correct decisions, constantly strive for an atmosphere of total harmony, and always appear invulnerable. A discussion of the story's events and their real-world implications follows, as Lencioni shifts from screenwriter mode to business coach to help answer some of the questions he raises. --Howard Rothman
Book Description
Absorbing, compelling, and utterly memorable, The Five Temptations of a CEO is like no other business book that's come before. Author Patrick Lencioni—noted screenplay writer and sought-after executive coach -- deftly tells the tale of a young CEO who, facing his first annual board review, knows he is failing, but doesn't know why.
"This book provides extraordinary insight into the pitfalls that leaders face when they lose sight of the true measure of success: results. This model is required reading for my staff."
—Eric Schmidt, chairman of the board and CEO, Novell
Any executive can learn how to:
- recognize the mistakes that leaders can make
- avoid errors before they occur
- and much more!
Refreshingly original and utterly compelling, the story of this executive (written to be read in one sitting) will be enjoyed, remembered, and reread for years to come. It serves a timeless and potent reminder that success as a leader can come down to practicing a few simple behaviors—behaviors that are painfully difficult for each of us to master.
"Lencioni delivers a provocative message: CEOs mainly have themselves to blame when things go wrong. If you're a CEO (or any manager for that matter), do you have the courage to face the blame? Doing so could change your future-for the better."
—Dr. Jerry Porras, coauthor, Built to Last; professor, Stanford School of Business
You won't find any dry management rhetoric in this razor-sharp novelette. Apply these riveting lessons in leadership with the self-assessment at the end of the book. It will change your career!
Customer Reviews:
Five Behaviors of Effective CEOs.......2007-07-13
This is one in a series of "leadership fables" in which Patrick Lencioni shares his thoughts about the contemporary business world. His characters are fictitious human beings rather than anthropomorphic animals, such as a tortoise that wins a race against a hare or pigs that lead a revolution to overthrow a tyrant and seize control of his farm.
In his Introduction to this book, Lencioni observes that all chief executives who fail -- and most of them do at one time or another - make the same basic mistake: "Essentially what they are doing is putting the success of their organizations in jeopardy because they are unwilling to face - and overcome - the five temptations of a CEO." Briefly, here's the fictitious situation. Lencioni introduces Andrew O'Brien who is about to complete his first year as CEO of Trinity Systems, a position to which he was promoted after four years with the company. He is about to participate in the first board meeting in which he will be held accountable for the results of an entire fiscal year. "Those results, as he had grown accustomed to saying, were `unspectacular at best.'" He dreads the meeting. Almost immediately, it becomes obvious that Andrew's career is in serious jeopardy...and he knows it as he leaves the office shortly after midnight and takes a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) commuter train to return home.
What then happens allows Lencioni to dramatize for C-suite executives - and especially for CEOs - the importance of recognizing and then resisting the aforementioned temptations. Once aboard the train, Andrew meets and engages in a conversation with Charlie that continues when they are joined by the Bald Man, the Stylish Man, and the Tall Man. As a result of this extended conversation, Andrew has the business equivalent of a religious epiphany: he realizes why his leadership as CEO has been, until now, "unspectacular at best" and also realizes what needs to be accomplished during the board meeting the next morning.
Lencioni adds a nice dramatic touch when there is a brief encounter in the hallway after the board meeting. Andrew sees a maintenance man hanging a photograph, "wearing the same color shirt that Charlie wore the night before... Turning toward the end of the hallway, Andrew saw the old man turn the corner. He yelled `Sir?! Charlie?' The old man did not answer or reappear. Andrew sprinted to the end of the hall, turned the corner, and saw no one." The significance of this moment is best revealed within the narrative, as are the circumstances at Trinity Systems three years later, examined in the final chapter.
At least 8-10 years ago, Lencioni apparently made a conscious decision to address especially important business issues by creating a human context for each rather than merely offering answers to questions or prescribing solutions to problems. To me, this is one of the greatest benefits of a business narrative, in this instance of a leadership fable: Creating a series of real-world situations (albeit portrayed fictitiously) that readers can identify with emotionally as well as rationally. He is a brilliant business thinker but he also possesses the skills of a master raconteur as he introduces a cast of characters, develops conflicts between and among them, and then allows "rising action" to build to a climax that is also best revealed within the narrative. Unexpected plot developments engage the reader even more.
As is Lencioni's custom in each of the other volumes in the series of "leadership fables," he concludes with a section -- "The Model: A Summary of Why Executives Fail" (Pages 111-130) -- whose value-added benefits will help his reader to make effective application of the lessons learned from Andrew's experiences as he struggles with various temptations as well as with the consequences of his decisions...and non-decisions. The questions posed in the self-assessment section are especially well devised. Easy to ask, of course, but difficult to answer.
Those who share my high regard for this volume are urged to check out Patrick Lencioni's other "leadership fables" (especially The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive) as well as Ram Charan's Know-How, Adrian Slywotsky's The Upside, Michael Ray's The Highest Goal, David Maister's Practice What You Preach, Bill George's Authentic Leadership and his more recently published True North, James O'Toole's Creating the Good Life, and Michael Maccoby's Narcissistic Leaders.
Great lessons, terrible writing.......2007-05-30
The five lessons in this book are well worth noting, but getting there is extremely painful. The lessons in this book are thought-provoking and challenging. Looking at my career, I have falling into a few of these traps myself.
Unfortunately, it reads as if it were written by a 7th grader. Much of this book is painfully awkward dialog. Fortunately it is short so the pain doesn't last long. Just get a running start and plow through it as fast as you can!
The Five Temptations of a CEO.......2007-01-03
One of the best books I have ever read!!!!
A bland overview of the basics .......2006-12-28
Nothing succeeds like success in this follow up fable by Patrick. His books work best when they're relevant to your specific situation. In this case if you're in a leadership role and need a little shot in the arm to do the right thing (although I don't imagine many CEO's reading this book). Recommend passing on this rather light fare and looking over Patrik's "5 Dysfunctions of a Team".
Summary - A CEO has just completed a year with very average results. Staying late for the annual meeting he travels home on the subway and meets a homeless man who asks a few pointed questions...
The Five Temptations of a CEO:
1. The desire to protect their career.
2. The desire to be popular.
3. The need to make "correct" decisions.
4. The belief that it is better for people to get along then have conflict.
5. The desire for invulnerability.
Some additional nice quips from the book:
* Overcoming the 5 temptations: Choose results over status, choose accountability over popularity, choose clarity over certainty, choose conflict over harmony, and choose trust over invulnerability.
* Some exec's fear being wrong so much that they only make a decision when absolutely certain of the results.
* The best way to come up with the right decision quickly is to get everyone together and suck all the honest opinions out and come to consensus.
* If no one feels a little pushed out of place then we probably didn't put all of our issues on the table.
Another Lencioni Masterpiece.......2006-11-10
Once again Mr. Lencioni takes his expertise in leadership applications and combines it with his story telling style and produces a real "hands on" book for CEO's.
Book Description
the challenge every man faces...the fight every man can win
From the television to the Internet, print media to videos, men are constantly faced with the assault of sensual images. It is impossible to avoid such temptations...but, thankfully, not impossible to rise above them.
Shattering the perception that men are unable to control their thought lives and roving eyes, Every Man's Battle shares the stories of dozens who have escaped the trap of sexual immorality and presents a practical, detailed plan for any man who desires sexual purity-perfect for men who have fallen in the past, those who want to remain strong today, and all who want to overcome temptation in the future.
Includes a special section for women, designed to help them understand and support the men they love.
Customer Reviews:
Wow. I felt like these authors were looking into my soul........2007-09-23
Wow. I felt like these authors were looking into MY soul as they were writing. At times, it frightened me. It was amazing how well I could relate to what the authors were writing.
This book, which is written to Christian males, is all about winning the war on sexual temptation. It gives great advice on how a man can win this battle in as little as 6 weeks. It explored the natural tendencies of men and how our very maleness can lead us down the road of sexual impurity. The authors then turn the focus toward recognizing theses male tendencies and being "on guard" against them so that sexual purity can be obtained.
Some men have been quoted as saying, "It's natural for a male to look [at an attractive woman]." Is this [looking] stealing something that doesn't belong to you? The book answers this question. Also, if you want to be more captivated by your wife (and you may not think it's possible because you are already enamored by her), then I strongly encourage you to read this book.
I believe this book will enable you to win the battle on sexual temptation as well as strengthen your marriage (if you're married).
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I plan to read it multiple times.
Real.......2007-09-19
This book gives men an accurate perspective of lust. It provides reasons why lust is wrong by quoting scripture. It provides stories by the authors' personal lives to show that lust attacks all men and in a variety of ways. The book provides real ways to stop lusting. Finally, it provides expectations of the struggle.
This One Pulls No Punches.......2007-08-28
We're living in an age of unbridled sensuality and desire, when almost nothing is taboo, and ideas such as morality, purity, sanctity, and respect are considered highly subjective concepts. Though temptations of the flesh have always been with us - and always will be with us as long as we have the old sin nature inside - it has never before been harder for men and women alike to control their thoughts, minds, and dare I say it ....hormones.
The battle for purity of mind, thought, deed, and heart has escalated to a fever pitch, and countless of men and women alike have hurt others and been hurt by others in the areas of sexual purity. Television ads, billboards, magazine inserts - even in the once harmless Ladies Home Journal - promote life-styles and standards of living that open even the best person to thoughts and desires that, if left unchecked, can run roughshod over good intentions and the way we'd like to live.
Men, in particular, have suffered greatly in this area; and though it's not entirely their fault, the rising numbers of divorce and extramarital affairs inside the church - even among those who have served long and faithfully in the ministry - speak very loudly and clearly that something is wrong.
"Every Man's Battle", by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker, is one of the best devotionals targeting men and the battle for purity that I've come across in quite some time. It's practical, down-to-earth, and both authors "roll up their sleeves" and get right to the nitty-gritty details. It has a two-pronged approach: though it affirms men struggling with purity that they're not monsters, mentally ill, cursed, or alone in their fight; it also pulls no punches when it comes to their admonition to clean up their thought lives and behavior patterns.
"Every Man's Battle" also goes into great depth analyzing the male perspective and thought process - even going into biological detail as to why it's so hard for many men to keep pure - without succumbing to the age-old excuse, "boys will be boys". Much of what they discuss makes a tremendous amount of sense on a simple every day level, but at the same time they back everything with Scripture from God's Word.
It's very practical, and it doesn't just talk about the struggle for sexual purity and give enthusiastic exhortations and admonitions, it lays out and devises easy-to-implement action steps for any men to clean up their lives and obtain purity. In the battle for sexual purity, this isn't just a "Recon & Intel" report, it's a battle strategy aimed at one goal: to win, under the power and strength of God.
Finally, the best part about this book is the fact it's been written by two Christian men who have fought long and hard against the very beast troubling so many men. Other devotionals and books I've read about sexual purity and temptation have been on the ball and scripturally accurate, but they always read a little flat because you got the idea that though they were well researched and written, none of the authors really spent "time in the trenches". These guys have, and they aren't only recommending "good practices they've researched", but battle plans that saved their purity and marriages.
Great Book!.......2007-08-27
Another new bestseller which I highly recommend - The Exclusive Layguide: When Dating and Having Sex with Incredibly Hot Women is No Longer Mirage Even If You Don't Look Like a Model or Don't Make a Fortune
A Must Read for Every Christian Man.......2007-08-01
I just finished reading this book and found it very informative and enlightening. It is biblically based and a fun read. I believe it will help me both in my walk with Christ and in my relationships with my wife and family.
It's a MUST READ for any man who wants to grow spiritually with God. And when you finish, ask your wife to read it as well.
Book Description
In this world you’re surrounded by sexual images that open the door to temptation. They’re everywhere–on TV, billboards, magazines, music, the internet–and so easy to access that it sometimes feels impossible to escape their clutches. Yet God expects his children to be sexually pure. So how can you survive the relentless battle against temptation? Here’s powerful ammunition.
Steve Arterburn and Fred Stoeker, the authors of the hard-hitting best-seller Every Man’s Battle, now focus on the temptations young single Christian men like you face every day–and they offer workable, biblical strategies for achieving sexual purity.
The authors examine the standard of Ephesians 5:3–“there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality”–in a positive and sensitive light. And they explain how an authentic, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ is the key to victory over temptation. Every Young Man’s Battle will show you how to train your eyes and your mind, how to clean up your thought life, and how to develop a realistic battle plan for remaining pure in today’s sexually soaked culture. As a result, you’ll experience hope–real hope–for living a strong, pure life God’s way
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2007-08-13
I recommend this book to any young man who may be struggling with sexual purity.
Good book, I thought one thing was missing, things parents should know about the book.......2007-08-07
I think this book has a lot of wise advice that in my experience only very few young men don't badly need to hear. The thing that I thought was lacking was an explanation of how the rules set forth in the book must be followed in a response to ones relationship with Christ. Many young men could misunderstand the importance of this and only focus on the rules proposed in the book. This might cause them to focus on doing works alone and become very law/works oriented, striving to fulfill the "laws" in their power. Hopefully we all know the danger of that. The law kills... Also parents thinking of getting this book for younger young men, should know that sexual examples are made in the book that might put thoughts in a young mans mind. If you don't want your son being exposed to sexual examples that are given in this book eg. oral sex, "getting under a bras", (used as instructive tools in the book) then you will have to censor it.
The Book With Straight-forward Answers.......2007-07-11
As a 24-year-old single man, I debated between getting this book and getting the other one ("Every Man's Battle"). I went with this one because it is geared more toward young single (non-married) men. This book discusses the temptations that every young man battles every day. The authors pull out all the stops to let young men know that there are temptations out there and they give detailed, thoughtful, biblical instruction on how to minimize their impact. This book was difficult to set down, with biblical quotations and stories from the authors' lives. Their candor and non-judgemental views can help any young man who is fighting sexual temptation.
Healthy straight forward guild to discuss what all young men are facing........2007-07-06
The world is conning young people into believing that indulging all sexual desires will bring the ultimate happiness. This author is an expert in dealing with the 'cost' of sexual addiction and it's victims. (See his book EVERY MAN'S BATTLE).
In this "young man's version" of the book he is able to take his expertise and put it in a language and format that is easily understood by young people. I feel this book is a great piece of armor for my son. He is first affirmed that he is "normal" in this struggle and then given some practical suggestions for dealing with it in a healthy manner. The book addresses healthy and appropriate attitudes towards girls and women. It is a major tool in helping him to have a wonderfully fullfilling sexual life later in it's God given context: marriage. The language is frank, but not crude. The book is based on healthy biblical principles without being too "preachy".
Because our children are being bombarded with unhealthy sexual messages on a daily basis I think it is critical that this type of book be given to a young man early in puberty. The book provides a great foundation for parents to build upon and an opportunity for future conversations.
Interesting.......2007-04-04
I purchased this book for my grandson who is 14 - I reviewed the book before I gave it to him. I hope it will help him understand alot about sex and will give him respect and honor for girls. We will only be able to tell what effects this book will have as he grows older. This book is very explicit about manhood.
Amazon.com
Warmly effusive and dear yet gritty, Paula H. Deen seems mythically Southern. But this cooking luminary, proprietor of Savannah, Georgia's Lady & Sons restaurant, is the real thing. The Lady & Sons Just Desserts, her all-sweets follow-up to The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook and The Lady & Sons, Too!, celebrates the Southern sweet tooth with 120 recipes, including traditional formulas for the likes of Brown Sugar Pound Cake and Lemon Chess Pie as well as best-loved restaurant innovations like Turtle Cake, Lemon Curd Pudding, and Gooey Butter Cake. ("These are very, very rich," Deen advises, "and a little goes a long way--even for piggies like me!") Lovers of the restaurant--which grew to prominence from $200 and lots of determination--as well as those seeking easy-to-fix temptations should put this book to happy use.
Among its wide-ranging recipes, Desserts offers Carolyn's Jell-O Cheesecake, Lauren's Chocolate Drizzle Pie, and Hidden Mint Cookies--recipes based on cake mixes and other convenience foods. These creditable sweets are of course work saving, but are perhaps better viewed as solidly characteristic of their time and place. Equally particular are candies like Mamma's Divinity and Uncle Bubba's Benne Candy, and "other sweet things," as Deen dubs them, such as Banana Split Brownie Pizza, Easy Homemade Oreo Ice Cream, and Fresh Apples with Butterscotch Dip. With asides by Deen family members, including son Jamie's "Food Is Love" ("I am right this minute 20 pounds over-loved," he writes), useful tips (Deen provides an "emergency" recipe for sweetened condensed milk), and plenty of piquant anecdote (after Deen had rattled on endlessly to her grandmother about her intention to open a restaurant, the older woman paused and replied, "Paula, have you lost you damned mind?"), the spiral-bound book is not only full of delectable eating, it's lots of fun. --Arthur Boehm
Book Description
As Paula Deen will tell y'all, there's just no satisfying way to finish a delicious meal without a scrumptious, mouthwatering dessert!
In this beautiful hardcover edition of The Lady & Sons Just Desserts, Paula -- author, restaurateur, and Food Network star -- devotes her trademark southern charm to a tempting collection of more than 120 delightful recipes, guaranteed to indulge any sweet tooth. Whether you're baking for the holidays or an after-dinner treat, there are crowd-pleasers here for any occasion.
These are the classic down-home recipes that have made Paula beloved to her fans everywhere, from her signature Gooey Butter Cake and Key Lime Grits Pie to Pecan Shortbread Bars, Hidden Mint Cookies, and Iron Skillet Brownies. Whether you're whipping up an Old South Jelly Roll Cake for a weekday treat or baking the Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie or Christmas Nut Pie for a holiday celebration, these treats are as easy to create as they are to enjoy. The Basic 1-2-3-4 Cake -- in coconut (Jamie's favorite), caramel (Bobby's favorite), or chocolate -- makes a wonderful birthday surprise, and the Tennessee Banana-Black Walnut Cake with Caramel Frosting is a southern favorite sure to become one of yours as well. There is also a wide array of cookies, bars, and candy, including Savannah Cheesecake Cookies, Orange Brownies, Chocolate Brickle, and Creamy Caramels. Even the most time-pressed cook will find it a snap to create these from-scratch recipes, using Paula's tips for reliable convenience ingredients and time-tested shortcuts that will impress and delight family and friends.
Filled with warm baking memories and family stories, The Lady & Sons Just Desserts is already a kitchen classic. There are also helpful baking tips for measuring ingredients, storing leftovers, and even cutting a few calories, as well as tasty flavor variations and unique serving suggestions throughout. So bring the folks together to create your own memorable meals and occasions and remember to save room for dessert!
Customer Reviews:
Yummy !!!!.......2007-10-01
This is just one more of Paula's great books. Sharing lots of her self along with her really yummy desserts. A definite YES. Get it.
Not tempting enough.......2007-09-04
I received this book as a gift for Xmas and was quite excited to read through it as I enjoy PD's cooking show. However, I was really disappointed with the recipes and have only made one of the recipes in a years time.
The biggest disappointment to me is the use of processed cake mixes and pie crusts. I can't cook to save my life but I can bake really well and there's a reason I do it ALL from scratch. :) Because many of the cakes call for premade mixes, I'll never bother to make them.
I think the rest of my distaste is simply that the recipes don't really appeal to my personal tastes (much to my surprise). I'm not a big fan of coconut, chocolate or bananas. :)
ok not up to date old cookbook.......2007-08-24
I was disappointed, I expected her newer recipes in ther but instead they are old ones.
Paula Dean is the best.......2007-07-03
Everyone deserves a trip to Savannah, at least once in their lives. A visit to Paula Dean's restaurant is an experience. This cook book can bring a little savannah home with you. You have to REALLY like sweet desserts to enjoy this. All you people with carbo problems, don't tempt yourself with these recipes.
the lady and sons just desserst.......2007-05-07
If anything could make you go off a diet, this is it. Paula makes fattening fun.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding!.......2007-09-09
If you have really blown it, this book is an amazing and powerful blessing. You may feel like God no longer has any use for you and doesn't want your praise and that even if He forgives you, he'd just as soon you slink in the corners. I felt that way. And apparently many, many people who love God and blow it feel that way. I read the third part of this book first and am still working on her initial sections. I feel like this book warrants the attention of every Christian. We all need to be on our guard--all need to take seriously just how much there is an enemy who hates our relationship with God--all need to consider how to help each other and how to restore each other when we fall AND some of us may desperately need help and encouragement in knowing how to move on from horrible sin when we blow it big time.
Caution! Spiritual Growth Ahead!.......2007-06-30
I love Beth Moore and this book is no exception. Initially I purchased this book hoping to understand the experiences of others but I was profoundly changed by reading this book. I often have 3-4 books on the go at the same time and I rarely finish books to completion but this is one of the few books that I've read cover-to-cover. Be prepared to allow God to challenge and change you; it will allow you to look at others who have fallen with grace and mercy and prayerfully help them to repair. Thank the LORD that no one is beyond his mercy and grace!
Recommended Reading for Leadership.......2007-06-20
I highly recommend this book to be read by all Christians, and especially those who are in leadership, whether it be as the pastor of a large church or as a lay person. You don't need to have "fooled around and gotten into trouble" for this book to be highly useful. We are without a doubt living in an age of deception and seduction. One look at the number of Christian leaders that have fallen, whether by an affair or by believing and teaching error over truth, and you can quickly see how hard Satan is gunning for the Church. Just like in the garden, the enemy is waiting to seduce us with a lie - and he doesn't care what the lie is - so long as he can insidiously lead us away from truth. "Insidious", by the way, means "to develop so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent" - which is exactly what Beth writes about and what happens in seduction - all of the sudden you realize you are in big trouble and don't even know how you got there.
This book is not written to those who do not believe in Jesus. Nor is it written to those who willfully sin and are looking for a convenient excuse for their sin (i.e. the devil made me do it). It is written to those who are fully devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, those who love Him with all their heart and would never want to sin against Him. It is written to strengthen our armor of protection and to help sort things out for those who have been "had" by the enemy, as they stand bewildered looking for an explanation as to what the heck just happened to them. It has been a great help to me both personally and in ministry, for we are not to be unaware of the enemy's schemes. As Beth writes; "The lion has no right to be in our yard. One broken slat in our fence can say, 'come right on in my yard'. Yes, wise are we when we become frequent surveyors of our fence lines."
The author writes in a clear and simple way so that all may understand. The message shoots straight and has God's blessing upon it - a testimony to the amount of prayer and fasting that went into the making of this book. And as always, Beth encourages her readers to go deep in the Word of God and prayer ... these two are forever indispensable. You will be blessed as you ask the Lord to show you areas that you are or might be vulnerable to the lies of the enemy, and therefore, not to somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. If, however, you've found yourself in trouble, I also recommend that you read "Get Out Of That Pit", also by Beth Moore, after you read this book. The "pit" analogy will give you a good visual to help steer clear in the future from the pits that got you into trouble in the first place. But I do recommend that you read "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things" first. If your heart desires God above all else, this book (with the Holy Spirit's help, of course) will help you in your restoration.
Incredible Insight.......2007-05-08
A friend of mine gave this to me to read. This book was absolutely amazing. The insight that Beth shares is incredible. Beth lays it all out there for us to see and understand in her down home Texas way. She's absolutely great. She not only addresses what happens, but gives many examples of how and why these things happen. Beth also gives step by step instructions for recovery. What a mighty woman of God. I so admire her ability to be transparent to her readers. I couldn't put this down once I started reading it. I would highly recommend this book.
Spiritual armor.......2007-01-06
Amazing book for anyone who has ever felt bomarded by or "stuck in the web" of satan. This book travels through how a Christian can fall into sin, how to healed, and how to renew fellowship with God and live a Godly life. This book has been amazing for my walk with God and I highly recommend it!
Book Description
The writings of John Owen are a challenge to any reader, to say the least. His intricacy and complexity are intimidating and his language is downright befuddling at times. However, the depth of thought and the immense value of Owen’s works cannot be quantified. His three classic works on sin and temptation are profoundly helpful to any believer who seeks to become more like Jesus Christ.
In this volume, the editors have made updates to the language, translated the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew and footnoted difficult or unknown phrases, all without sacrificing any of the wonderful content of Owen’s work. It is a uniquely accessible edition of John Owen’s previously daunting work.
âThe editors of this volume have worked hard to make Owen’s unrivalled insight into the Christian’s inner war with sin accessible to all, and the result is truly a godsend.â
J. I. Packer,
Professor of Theology, Regent College
âTo read Owen is to mine spiritual gold. Unfortunately, as in mining, reading Owen is hard work. Now, Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor have made Owen’s work accessible to modern readers while still retaining his unique writing style.â
Jerry Bridges,
Navigators Community Ministries Group
âWith brilliant editorial efforts and insightful introductions by Kapic and Taylor, John Owen’s magnificent treatises on sin and sanctification have been made available for a new generation.â
David S. Dockery,
President, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
âSin is tenacious, but by God’s grace we can hate it and hunt it. John Owen provides the master guide for the sin-hunter. Kapic and Taylor bring together three of Owen’s classics, clarifying them in simple waysâbut all the substance, the careful, hounding arguments are still there.â
Mark Dever,
Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.
âJohn Owen understood how the gospel makes us well. Three cheers for Kapic and Taylor for introducing a new generation to Owen’s peerless works.â
Sinclair B. Ferguson,
Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, S.C.
âJohn Owen is a spiritual surgeon with the rare skill to cut away the cancer of sin and bring gospel healing to the sinner’s soul. Apart from the Bible, I have found his writings to be the best books ever written to help me stop sinning the same old sins.â
Philip Graham Ryken,
Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia
âNo writer has taught me more about the dynamics of the heart and the deceitfulness of sin than John Owen. Read this book carefully; it will help you understand your heart and experience God’s grace.â
C. J. Mahaney,
Sovereign Grace Ministries, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Customer Reviews:
Indispensable!.......2007-08-23
I've read many books on "Christian living", all pale in comparison to this master. He is streets ahead of Stott, Piper, White, Schaeffer and the plethora of modern authors who've unsuccessfully (and I say that only after seeing Owen's acheivement) tackled this topic.
Exactly what I wanted!.......2007-06-26
I received this book in excellent condition in a fair amount of time. The information provided at the time of purchase helped me to select exactly what I wanted
Simply exhausting, stunning and worth your money, time and energy.......2007-05-09
Dr. Owen delivers a comprehensive Biblical analysis on human soul; mind, affection and will; its mortal enemy, mortal threat and mortal danger it is exposed to, as well as, most importantly, the glorious way of treatment and deliverance prescribed by the gospel. The elaborate diagnosis on human heart being unsearchable and deceitful, what entering into temptation means and its symptoms, how sin comes to fruition; the drawing of the mind, the enticement of affection, to gain approval of the will in order for sin to conceive and be executed, is simply stunning as if he performed this spiritual surgery right in front of you. The diagnosis result of human heart is bleak, yet it is no reason for believers and unbelievers to despair because there is a supreme and victorious Savior Jesus Christ, through his blessed Spirit, ready, able and willing to heal and rescue; the one and only agent qualified and capable of conquering this most formidable enemy of the soul, the indwelling sin. Owen's massive coverage on these subjects is not easy to track at all but is much more highly convergent, compared to other texts with emphasis on similar topics, such as J.C. Ryle's "Holiness".
I have to warn that you need stamina in reading this volume. Reading Owen's text is a marathon, not a sprint. Prof. J. I. Packer wrote ("The Quest for Godliness", Crossway (c) 1990) Owen had a right to ask for hard study, for his book was a product of hard work, to which I add, not only hard theoretical, but also experimental theology work. I also suggest some additional directions proposed by Prof. Packer, in reading Owen's texts in general:
1. In trying to understand long or difficult statements or arguments, try to go over them two or three times to see their meaning, read them aloud if necessary.
2. Use a pencil and paper, jot down the progress of the exposition to be able to learn the meat of what Owen is trying to say. This step has been done by Prof. Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor at the end of the book, but I'd say, it doesn't hurt to do your own summary.
3. Read the preface "To the Reader" to get an idea in advance what he is trying to do and why.
4. The text needs to be read and re-read to be appreciated. Packer commented, "It is hardly possible to grasp the strength and cogency... on a first reading."
This text is unquestionably a must for anyone who is serious in fighting sin, the devil, and the world according to biblical prescription.
"Better", But Not "The Best" .......2007-03-09
For those who have read (or tried to read!) John Owen, Kapic and Taylor have given us three very important works, faithful to Owen's intent, which are certainly easier to read and less clumbsy than the originals. Their organization of the material is very helpful, especially the outlines at the end, which give you a sense of the whole of Owen's argument.
I have also read "The Mortification of Sin" from the Puritan paperbacks series, abridged by Richard Rushing. I read the two side-by-side. Rushing does what every reader of Owen would have to do for him or herself in order to understand it, outline it and restate the key phrases. Rushing's version captures the argument well, and presents it in a manner that can be thoughtfully digested by the 21st century reader.
Unless you are a scholar, I recommend the Rushing abridgement, perhaps alongside Taylor and Kapic, if you are interested in the details of Owen's thought. If you want to be able to understand and apply what Owen teaches here, the Rushing version is sufficient and well done!
Excellent - Get it, read it, muse on it.......2007-02-06
I can't over recommend this book, its awesome, for any and every Christian.
There are some things you don't hear out there in churches about your fight against sin, how to overcome, how to mortify it, how to "take away all that invigorates the flesh"(in the words of Owen). I have read all the other versions, the oldish English, the new type printed by banner of truth, and even the paraphrased ones, but this beats them all it sets your mind working and your heart pumping its a tool for good in the hands of God.
How I would wish that every Christian read it every year, it will help you on the road to living a holy life before God. The Editors have done a good work I had the works of Owen, it was hard to read but with the changes that have been made, this is easier and you lose none of the inclinations to thought that characterises all of Owens works and with thought comes passion "While I mused the fire burned" Ps.39:3 it is only as we think on this truths that our passion for God begins to rise, that is why the puritans works have always helped unto Godliness because they make us "muse". Get this, read it, muse on it.
Amazon.com
There was a time, for a handful of peppercorns, you could have someone killed. Throw in a nutmeg or two, you could probably watch. There was a time when grown men sat around and thought of nothing but black pepper. How to get it. How to get more. How to control the entire trade in pepper from point of origin to purchase. In Spice: The History of a Temptation, classics scholar Jack Turner opens up the whole story of pepper and its kind like a ripe melon. He brings the exotic scents of the East deep into the history of Western culture.
Everyone knows a little bit of the story, how the desire to control the spice trade drove Western nations deep into the heart of the Age of Discovery, the Portuguese sponsoring Da Gama's push to India; the Spanish underwriting the many attempts of Columbus to get to India another way. The Western madness for spice was just about peaking in this time, and spice would all too soon become--gasp--common, much like the afterthought condiment it is for so many today. Who thinks twice about pepper any longer?
And yet, the history is long and glorious, and the window spice throws open on Western culture yields a glorious view. Jack Turner is a skilled tour guide and story teller. He starts his narrative with the 16th century quest for spice, then loops back into three mains sections of text: Palate, Body, and Spirit. Turner has mined classic and Medieval literature for any and every possible mention of spice and demonstrates how fixated the West became from the time of Augustus in Rome through to relatively modern times. He winds his narrative through the way spice was used in the foods of the wealthy (and puts to sleep the nostrum about rotting food), as a medicine, a sex aid, and as an aromatic channel to the gods of the time and place. He ably demonstrates the constant underlying tension surrounding spice--that it was both attractive and repellent, that it represented fabulous wealth and power for some and, for others, an abhorrence of the exotic East that exists to this day.
This is not an easy story to tell. But Turner makes it appear effortless. Pull a chair close to the fire, pour a draught of spiced wine, crack open Jack Turner's Spice and you'll read your way into the wee hours of the night. --Schuyler Ingle
Book Description
A brilliant, original history of the spice trade—and the appetites that fueled it.
It was in search of the fabled Spice Islands and their cloves that Magellan charted the first circumnavigation of the globe. Vasco da Gama sailed the dangerous waters around Africa to India on a quest for Christians—and spices. Columbus sought gold and pepper but found the New World. By the time these fifteenth- and sixteenth-century explorers set sail, the aromas of these savory, seductive seeds and powders had tempted the palates and imaginations of Europe for centuries.
Spice: The History of a Temptation is a history of the spice trade told not in the conventional narrative of politics and economics, nor of conquest and colonization, but through the intimate human impulses that inspired and drove it. Here is an exploration of the centuries-old desire for spice in food, in medicine, in magic, in religion, and in sex—and of the allure of forbidden fruit lingering in the scents of cinnamon, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mace, and clove.
We follow spices back through time, through history, myth, archaeology, and literature. We see spices in all their diversity, lauded as love potions and aphrodisiacs, as panaceas and defenses against the plague. We journey from religious rituals in which spices were employed to dispel demons and summon gods to prodigies of gluttony both fantastical and real. We see spices as a luxury for a medieval king’s ostentation, as a mummy’s deodorant, as the last word in haute cuisine.
Through examining the temptations of spice we follow in the trails of the spice seekers leading from the deserts of ancient Syria to thrill-seekers on the Internet. We discover how spice became one of the first and most enduring links between Asia and Europe. We see in the pepper we use so casually the relic of a tradition linking us to the appetites of Rome, Elizabethan England, and the pharaohs. And we capture the pleasure of spice not only at the table but in every part of life.
Spice is a delight to be savored.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Good, but could be better.......2007-09-11
This is a good intro book, but it could certainly be better. The main problems with this book is that it is completely and totally Euro-centric. We have absolutely no idea what people outside of Europe did with spices or with the goods we traded them for the spices. Spices were, however, a major engine of world trade and economic growth in the 'Age of Exploration', something the author uses as a justification to study spices in general. But then the study narrows into the uses of spices in Europe, and leaves the 'big picture' of world history, except to mention the trade being responsible for the Black Death.
Towards the end, the book also becomes a little repetitive. For example, first we learn that the Romans used spices to embalm the dead, then we learn that medieval Europeans also used spices to embalm the dead. This covers two chapters, which could easily be covered in one. There are other examples of this. So, in general, it's a good book, but it could be shorter and better.
Frankincense and Myrrh .......2007-07-08
Spice: The History of a Temptation
By Jack Turner
The Spice Trade
Since the cultures of the Egyptians and Greeks, men have hunted spices. The quest for spices brought Columbus to the New World (by accident); fueled the Dutch and British East Indies Corporations and created a demand that spread to other commodities like sugar, tobacco and cotton.
In his excellent book "Spice: The History of a Temptation", Jack Turner examines the rise of the spice trade and the players in the story with generous and intensively- researched literary allusions from Pliny and Plato to Dryden and Donne. Turner doesn't sacrifice historical accuracy for accessibility, a frequent flaw in popular history.
Turner divides his work into three major sections: Palate, Body and Spirit. The role of spices (Frankincense and Myrrh) in religious ceremony; the supposed aphrodisiac power of some spices; and of course their effect on food are examined:
"Yet if the aphrodisiac reputation of spices long had the status of medical fact," he writes, "it is equally true that their appeal also relied on a heavy dose of pure superstition. For a magical reputation an outré quality is often recommendation enough, and like other aphrodisiac staples such as rhino horn and tiger penis, spices long carried the freight of Eastern mystery, rarity and a high price." (Spice: P. 198)
It's interesting to note how popular belief changed over the years. From an almost mystical obsession in the middle Ages, spices became synonymous with wealth and excess, and fell out of favor in more recent years.
Jack Turner has taken the history of the spice trade and incorporated it into the cultural history of those involved in it, which is the best kind of history.
******
Fascinating.......2007-02-18
The author offers a lively and detailed account of the role spices have played throughout history, with particular focus on medieval times. I find myself picking it up and reading whole chapters or sections at a time, as it does not require one to sit down and read straight through. Highly recommended.
This Book Tastes Good.......2006-04-07
I found this book while writing a term paper on the impact of spices. Spice: THoaT stands out among both popular and academic style books on spices with its colourful diction, its intense focus and most of all with its exhaustive research. Turner's bibliography was just as helpful as his other content. For the majority of readers, those who aren't doing research, I still recommend it heartily. Spices are absolutely fascinating, and Turner chows down on their history without using phrases like I have in the title of this review. Another strong work in the same vein is Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton. Unlike THoaT, NN has a central story and a narrow focus, but it covers similar ground and is also a good read. I got an A on my paper, and Spice: The History of a Temptation gets an A+. Turner is thorough in his research, and deft in his presentation.
Peppered (ahem) with interesting information.......2006-02-01
This is a well written, fascinating book. Encounter figures from history, learn about cuisine and, in general, be entertained as you learn new insights. I recommend this.
Average customer rating:
- Very Good Read
- Good addition to the series
- :0)
- entertaining
- Unorthodox
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Beyond Temptation (Kimani Romance)
Brenda Jackson
Manufacturer: Kimani
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ASIN: 0373860005 |
Book Description
Sexy millionaire Morgan Steele will settle for nothing less than the perfect woman. And when he lays his arrogant eyes on sultry Lena Spears, he believes he's found her. There's only one problem, the lady in question seems totally immune to his charm.
Morgan is determined to convince the sassy career woman that he's Mr. Right. He wines and dines her. He promises her the baby she desperately wants and the financial security she craves. And given time, Morgan is certain that once he gets Lena into his bed, she'll never want to leave….
Customer Reviews:
Very Good Read.......2007-08-24
Brenda Jackson is one of my favorite authors. She did not let me down with this book. Enjoy.
Good addition to the series.......2007-08-03
Here comes another hot Steele brother who gets the girl. I enjoyed the story short, but hot and romantic. Beautiful full figured Lena, is chased and caught by Morgan Steele. The only hiccup is how the heroine acts in a totally stupid manner when she discovers Morgan is really interested in her. Goes to show even intelligent middle class women can act stupid when it comes to love.
:0).......2007-06-04
so far have nothing bad to say about the series love each book in the series so far...
entertaining.......2007-04-17
Yes,this book was most definitly entertaining,the first five chapters
werent attenchen grabbing,but as the book went on it got better and better.Morgan Steele was one dead set brotha!
Unorthodox.......2007-03-30
Brenda Jackson is a romantic and I absolutely loved this book. I have read a few of Jackson's books and so far I haven't been disappointed. I found Morgan's "Plan B" tactic a little unorthodox, but it was structered well enough to where I could flow with it. My brow raised when he had the audacity to ask Lena to marry him just for the purposes of having a baby, but whatever works. In my opinion, I didn't think she would fall for a line like that. Morgan was better off with selling his fabulous house under false pretenses and finding a new one. But it worked. The end brought tears to my eyes and that goofy grin I get when things work out for the better. Brenda Jackson has me captivated with the Steele Brothers. Donovan should be next.
Book Description
A community devoured by greed, cowardice, and fear. A man persecuted by the ghosts of his painful past. A young woman searching for happiness. In one eventful week, each will face questions of life, death, and power, and each will choose a path. Will they choose good or evil?
In the remote village of Viscos -- a village too small to be on any map, a place where time seems to stand still -- a stranger arrives, carrying with him a backpack containing a notebook and eleven gold bars. He comes searching for the answer to a question that torments him: Are human beings, in essence, good or evil? In welcoming the mysterious foreigner, the whole village becomes an accomplice to his sophisticated plot, which will forever mark their lives.
Paulo Coelho's stunning novel explores the timeless struggle between good and evil, and brings to our everyday dilemmas fresh perspective: incentive to master the fear that prevents us from following our dreams, from being different, from truly living.
The Devil and Miss Prym is a story charged with emotion, in which the integrity of being human meets a terrifying test.
Customer Reviews:
Enjoyable.......2007-06-13
"The Devil and Miss Prym" is a thought provoking book. Talks about coexistance of good and evil in human nature and how life circumstances can change us each time into either good or a bad people. Talks about how religion and politics can rule humanity over fear. Virtue is one of fear's faces.
Just OK.......2007-06-07
For me, a deep thought provoking book stays with me for at least a few days or even weeks after I've read it as I think about the story and the questions raised. I liked this book and it's a fast read but it's not a book that stayed in my thoughts for more than a day after I finished it. Maybe it's just me.
Coelho writes well.......2007-03-17
I didn't enjoy this as much as some of his others but it was interesting and thought provoking.
Fantastic novel, thank you for writing it!.......2006-11-29
Thought provoking, riveting and powerfully written. I've had it for months where it was alternately sitting on my bookshelf or nightstand. I finally decided to read it, choosing from among dozens also waiting to be read and then left it for several more days in the living room. I finally got to it and feel renewed and refocused on enjoying life, being thankful and not letting FEAR torment me. It came to me to be read right when I needed it, reaffirming the messages in the book, thank you. An empowering and enjoyable, highly recommended read.
Wishing for another Alchemist.......2006-11-07
After loving The Alchemist (worth five stars), I bought a few other books by Coelho, hoping that I would be equally inspired. Alas, I haven't found it yet. While The Devil and Miss Prym is better than The Pilgrammage (I'd rate that one at a one or two), it still lacks the hopeful and positive spirit of The Alhemist. The stories within the story are good and the writing is clear.
Average customer rating:
- Loved this trilogy!
- Into Temptation (Lytton Family Trilogy)
- Linnie
- Excellent!
- barty
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Into Temptation (Lytton Family Trilogy)
Penny Vincenzi
Manufacturer: Overlook TP
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Book Description
Into Temptation, the third book of the Lytton family trilogy, shifts the focus to New York City and Barty Miller. Rescued from the slums as a baby by Celia Lytton and now living in New York, Barty heads more than half of the Lytton publishing house. Falling on bad times, the family is worried that Barty will make a business decision that would be devastating to them. But will she? As events unfold, long-buried secrets concerning the whole family are revealed, shaking the very foundations of the Lytton's world.
An enthralling epic of the glamorous life in the mid-20th century with scenery that extends from New York to London, Into Temptation gives apt and telling insights into the world of the British aristocracy and their literary legacy. Readers have come to depend on Vincenzi for her enchanting prose style and the epic scope of her dramas: like the Lytton family sagas that precede it, Into Temptation does not disappoint.
Customer Reviews:
Loved this trilogy!.......2007-09-30
This was the best trilogy's I have ever read. I am sorry it's over now. I agree with all the other readers on how great these books were. I am also suprised most people have never heard of these books. I love the old English family saga's. I also loved Barbara Taylor Bradford's Woman of Substance.
Into Temptation (Lytton Family Trilogy).......2007-09-27
I just finished Into Temptation, No. 3 in this superior trilogy, and can honestly say this trilogy is the best thing I've read since Gone With The Wind! I'm 70 years old, an avid reader of anything British and am so thankful I found this series before it was too late! Quick, grab the first volume of this series pronto and stay with it until the very last word on the very last page of the very last volume. You'll never regret it!
Linnie.......2007-08-25
This was the book I enjoyed most in the trilogy. It is interesting from the beginning to the end and I was very sorry when I came to the last page. It is one book that I will read again maybe next year.
Excellent! .......2007-08-17
This is the 3rd book in the trilogy! I love it just as much as the other 2 books. I am going to be sad when I am finished with it. I have never enjoyed a trilogy as much as this one!
barty.......2007-01-10
i enjoyed the book very much. sorry there will not be any follow up books.
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