The Covenant/The Betrayal/The Sacrifice/The Prodigal/The Revelation (Abram's Daughters 1-5)

Average customer rating:

couldn't get enough of these characters

The Covenant/The Betrayal/The Sacrifice/The Prodigal/The Revelation (Abram's Daughters 1-5)

Abram's Daughter

Amish Ways

Abram's Daughters

The Covenant/The Betrayal/The Sacrifice/The Prodigal/The Revelation (Abram's Daughters 1-5)
Beverly Lewis
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Lewis, Beverly | ( L ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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The Shunning/The Confession/The Reckoning (The Heritage of Lancaster County 1-3)

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The Crossroad (Amish Country Crossroads #2)

ASIN: 0764280716
Release Date: 2005-07-01

Book Description

ABRAM's DAUGHTERS introduces readers to an Old Order family, a close-knit community and a devout people whose way of life and faith in God is as timeless as their signature horse and buggy. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II, this compelling saga spans three generations of a Lancaster County Amish family. Abram Ebersol and his devoted wife are raising four courting-age daughters on a firm foundation of Plain tradition, and they expect their girls to carry on that heritage by joining the church and making a covenant with God. But the ''running-around'' years known as rumschpringe are often a time of sowing wild oats. Each of Abram's daughters, choosing her own path, must come to terms with the Old Ways of thinking and living. And sometimes that path has detours and forks in the road with unknown destinations...

Customer Reviews:

couldn't get enough of these characters.......2007-09-04

I hate fiction but picked this book (the covenant) up because I am interested in the Amish and enjoy visiting Lancaster, PA which is only 1 hour away from where I live. Well, I was totally hooked...bought all 5 in the series...passed them on to all my family and friends that like to read...each and everyone of us LOVED these books and are finding it hard to find anything that compares in holding our interest as much.
Do yourself a favor and buy all 5!! Beware: you will stay up late reading these!!

The Covenant/The Betrayal/The Sacrifice/The Prodigal/The Revelation (Abram's Daughters 1-5).......2007-08-26

I really enjoyed these books. I bought them during my school vacation. I read one a day until I was finished. I really hated to finish reading these books. They were so good I hated to see them end.

Abram's Daughter.......2007-08-25

I got so drawn into these characters and couldn't put down these books because I needed to find out if Leah would get her happy ending and live happily ever after. This is a very well written series that you need to finish once you start it. I breezed through these 5 books in 2 weeks. A friend started reading book 1 when I was into book 3 and feels the same way and lucky me! I get to relive the series each day when she comes into work and tells me what she read the previous evening.
If you read only one of Ms. Lewis' series, this is the series to pick. It's some story full of scandal, heartbreak and lots of love. Excellent!

Amish Ways.......2007-08-19

I tried to read a few of these books, but being from a family of formerly Amish folks, it just doesn't quite ring true. It's obvious to me at least, that Beverly does not have first hand experience in capturing the Amish ways.

Abram's Daughters.......2007-07-31

I have not been able to stop reading from book to book anxious to find out what happens in the next step of Leah's life.

Average customer rating:

Not what I'd expected...but still a good piece of information
Worth the Read
Sad But True
I am in the middle of the road...
Must have in reading collection

The Covenant with Black America

Manufacturer: Third World Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Human Rights | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0883782774

Book Description

Six years' worth of symposiums come together in this rich collection of essays that plot a course for African Americans, explaining how individuals and households can make changes that will immediately improve their circumstances in areas ranging from health and education to crime reduction and financial well-being. Addressing these pressing concerns are contributors Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. surgeon general; Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; Angela Glover Blackwell, founder of the research think tank PolicyLink; and Cornel West, professor of Religion at Princeton University. Each chapter outlines one key issue and provides a list of resources, suggestions for action, and a checklist for what concerned citizens can do to keep their communities progressing socially, politically, and economically. Though the African American community faces devastating social disparities—in which more than 8 million people live in poverty—this celebration of possibility, hope, and strength will help leaders and citizens keep Black America moving forward.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I'd expected...but still a good piece of information.......2007-09-25

I had expected so much more from this book I guess. Not that it was a bad read, it really wasn't, it just wasn't what I had expected. The ideals and processes outlined are very basic, with some direction to make it happen. It falls in line with many of the other books I have read in the past on money management, professional growth, etc., except it is targeted to the African American community and the plight these issues have on the community and family structure in Black America. I suggest this book if you do not have a collection of "self help" book on your shelf. I suggest this book if you want to know what the plight of the Black American is in this world and what can be done to fix it. But if your pretty well read on these topics already, it will be a repeat of information. I did buy copies and gave it to the younger generations of my family as I feel these are things they need to know and work on NOW. So in that respect this is a winning read.

Worth the Read.......2007-08-28

This book was and eye opener for the ones who want to see the truth. It's sad that we live in America who would perfer to blind themselves to harsh reality. Remember we are our brother and sister's keeper.

Sad But True.......2007-08-18

The information, commentary, and suggested solutions to improve the position of blacks are well said. I am a big fan of Cornel West anyway but the intellects that analyze the plight have done their homework and not extreme in the characterization of what is. Enjoy it for enlightenment and join the effort to change what is unfortunately sad but true.

I am in the middle of the road..........2007-07-31

I enjoyed the statistics. I enjoyed the stories of those whom changed their circumstances due to their own volitions. I did not find in this book the way to make all of these things happen. There were little snippets of information claiming "HERE, here are the steps you can make as a person and within your community!! HERE!" But this book does not take into consideration that there is no community. There is no Black American community. How do we foster a sense of community? In my opinion, this book assumes there is already a community to put these ideas into motion. I don't see that. Black Americans react. They always come out, usually in anger, to respond to something. Then, after the knee-jerk reaction, Black America goes back to its complacent niche in society until something else makes them upset.

The only reason I give this book a 3 and not a 5 is because it assumes falsehoods. There is no Black community to put these plans into action. If there were, I would give this book a 5, hands down.

Must have in reading collection.......2007-06-27

This book is a must for anyone, reguardless of your color. I waited to purchase the book, but after reading other reviews I knew I had to have my own copy. My daughter picks it up and read it which opens up discussions for us. Recommended for anyone with children.

Sixth Covenant (A. D. Chronicles, No. 6)

Average customer rating:

Better Then the Last Entry

Sixth Covenant (A. D. Chronicles, No. 6)
Bodie Thoene , and Brock Thoene
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Fifth Seal (A. D. Chronicles, No. 5)
Fourth Dawn (A.D. Chronicles, No. 4)
Third Watch (A.D. Chronicles, No. 3)
Second Touch (A.D. Chronicles, No. 2)
First Light (A. D. Chronicles #1)

ASIN: 084237521X

Book Description

Who in Bethlehem could guess that their tiny, obscure village, populated by shepherds, would become the hinge upon which all history turns…and the focus of a terrifying rampage? Sixth Covenant is the conclusion of the three-book Nativity story within the A.D. Chronicles series. Sixth Covenant chronicles Mary, Yosef, and baby Yeshua in the first months of his life in Bethlehem. From the shepherd’s visit to the escape to Egypt to the Bethlehem babies who gave their life for Jesus, discover the most critical events in the history of the world.

Customer Reviews:

Better Then the Last Entry.......2007-07-24

The Messiah has come! After the angels visit, the entire village of Bethlehem is buzzing about His long awaited arrival. Rachel and Zadok are honored to have been such a big part of His arrival and lead the village in making Mary, Josef, and baby Yeshua feel right at home.

Meanwhile, a growing caravan of travelers is coming to pay homage to Yeshua. Crossing the wilderness, they face many dangers from the land and marauders as they approach their destination. And they continue to watch the sky as the signs continue to unfold.

Unfortunately for all, King Herod is still as paranoid as ever. He wants any sign of rebellion crushed immediately, and the news of the arrival of Messiah will mean bad news to all concerned. Can the arrival of Yeshua be kept a secret from the mad king? If he does find out, what will the consequences be?

After reading the last book in the series, I guessed at the general outline of this one, and I was right. Anyone familiar with the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus will find no surprises in the story. Yet the characters were rich enough that the book was able to draw me in most of the time. The lessons on the meanings of Jewish law and how that ties into Jesus' birth were kept shorter this time then the last book, which really help. And, even though I knew what was coming, the ending still gripped and moved me.

Interestingly, there was no mention of any of the characters from the first few books of the series. While the visit to Jesus' birth was interesting, I hope we get back to them in the next entry in the series.

Fatal Revenant (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant)

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Fatal Revenant (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant)
Stephen R. Donaldson
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0399154469
Release Date: 2007-10-09

Book Description

The long-awaited sequel to The Runes of the Earth returns readers to the Land-and opens with the reunion of Linden Avery and Thomas Covenant!

Linden Avery, who loved Thomas Covenant and watched him die, has returned to the Land in search of her kidnapped son, Jeremiah. As Fatal Revenant begins, Linden watches from the battlements of Revelstone when the impossible happens-riding ahead of the hordes attacking Revelstone are Jeremiah and Covenant himself, apparently very much alive.

Here in the Land, Jeremiah is healed of the mental condition that had kept him mute and unresponsive for so many years. He is full of life, and devoted to Covenant. But Covenant is strangely changed. Sarcastic and bragging, he no longer seems like the man whom Linden adored. And yet he says he has a plan: he will take her and Jeremiah to a place where they can find a pure source of Earthpower and, after he has achieved his own purposes, Linden will be free to use that great power to go home, to take Jeremiah home, or to do anything else she sees fit. Even though she distrusts the seemingly different man he has now become, how can she make any choice except to follow him?

Their journey will cover unimaginable distances through the Land-even through time itself-and will test Linden's courage again and again. In the end, fulfilling her destiny will call for a terrible leap of faith: Can she give up everything she thought had been restored to her, for the sake of the Land?

Average customer rating:

This is not going to cut it
The Covenant In Action
All About History
great gift
Excellent Book

The Covenant In Action

Manufacturer: Smiley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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The Covenant with Black America
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ASIN: 1401918522

Book Description

The Covenant in Action was developed to continue the inspirational spirit of the Covenant With Black America and to empower people to take effective action to achieve THE Covenant goals. The information, tools, and ideas presented in The Covenant in Action will enable and inspire people to become agents of change in their respective communities and to become partners in a larger Covenant movement.
The Covenant in Action is organized into three parts: (1) stories about the projects and actions that everyday people have undertaken over the past year that were inspired by the Covenant With Black America; (2) motivational essays from young Black activists who are on the ground impacting their environments; and (3) a toolkit outlining steps you can take to organize, connect, and act. The toolkit contains not only traditional action strategies, but includes innovative approaches to organizing and community building that will result in stronger, more bonded communities that are reflective of their history and past experiences. The Covenant With Black America was only the first step. The Covenant in Action toolkit will prime and prepare individuals and communities to actually move the Covenant book into action.

Customer Reviews:

This is not going to cut it.......2007-09-03

What the Covenant in Action has accomplished is listed in a brief introduction and in a summary section that lists examples of them which to date include:

(1) Lobbying successfully to get the Voting Rights Act renewed,
(2) Conducting "parties with a purpose" to discuss various aspects of the Covenant,
(3) Creating book and discussion clubs,
(4) Conducting the Black State of the Union presentation on C-Span,
(5) Lobbying on behalf of getting more Black officials elected,
(6) Engaging in church discussions on Economic development and social equity,
(7) Putting on a conference on juvenile justice, and
(8) Conducting A Day of Dialogue, etc.

On its face, this list seems to be an impressive set of accomplishments and is admirable on its own merits. However, when it is compared with what black culture needs to get itself out of the ditch it finds itself in, and with what the Covenant called for in order to address the issues that are causing cultural stress within the black community, namely:

(1) Racism (the Covenant did not list it, but left it implied);
(2) Black Male-female relationships and decreases in Black marriage formation (again the Covenant did not list this item, but shame on the Covenant for omitting it);
(3) Out of wedlock pregnancies and unwanted, uncared for and improperly parented children (again the Covenant did not mention this item);
(4) Black-crime--especially Black-on-Black crime and the large and increasing black prison population;
(5) the poor state of black education and Black health, including HIV/Aids and SIDS;
(6) lack of jobs for Black males; and
(7) Black voter registration.

When the actions the Covenant has produced (in the first list) are compared with the objectives it established in the Covenant, and with the needs of Black culture given (in the second list), the discrepancies are so vast as to render the actions virtually meaningless to anyone who takes a non-emotional and dispassionate comparison between the two lists. There is virtually no overlap?

One must ask the question? What is going on in the Black community? Why are they having discussion groups and creating book clubs when the ghetto is gasping for its last breathe, in one of the worse social melt-downs in American history?

As the Black ship of state rapidly sinks, its main leaders and activists are busy rearranging the deck chairs. They are pretending that deep persistent cultural problems can be solved through feel-good methods. The most one can say is that the "feel-good" approach instead of a more hard-nosed tough-love approach, betrays the poverty of thought among black leaders in dealing with their own problems. What a pity.

Any Covenant worth its salt must seek to outline and solve the deep, real and intractable problems of black culture. And this cannot be done on the cheap without cost or pain -- that is, via such tactics as those in the first list. That list would do fine in a world where all else was equal and there was no emergency, but the Black community is in a full-scale melt-down, teetering on complete self-destruction, addressing these problems is no longer a discretionary option for black culture. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that Black culture as we know it is on the brink of self-destruction.

The author of the Black Covenant and the collective Black leadership needs to take a deep breathe, collect its thoughts and discuss a paradigm shift towards a more sensible and effective approach to black problem-solving. As much as I wish it were not so, Mr. Smiley's Covenant is not going to cut it.

Two stars

The Covenant In Action.......2007-07-03

An excellent book telling the story, concerns and issues of Black Americans by Black Americans.

All About History.......2007-04-10

Book was a gift to my 84 year old aunt who was interested in readings of Tavis Smiley during Black History month.

great gift.......2007-03-29

I brought this as a gift for a friend. He was suprised by the gift and really enjoyed the books.

Excellent Book .......2007-03-19

This book should be required reading in every high school in Amercia.

I Dream for You a World: A Covenant for Our Children (The Children's Covenant)

Average customer rating:

Putting it in Action
An important lesson to parents
Must be on every child's bookshelf

I Dream for You a World: A Covenant for Our Children (The Children's Covenant)
Charisse Carney-Nunes
Manufacturer: Brand Nu Words
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0974814237

Book Description

I DREAM FOR YOU A WORLD: A COVENANT FOR OUR CHILDREN (Brand Nu Words February 2007) takes the reader on a lyrical journey leading to a child'ss understanding of the fundamental principles set forth in the New York Times bestselling book, THE

Customer Reviews:

Putting it in Action.......2007-05-02

So often we hear of various theories behind the problems our communities and society face. Unfortunately, many of these theories never seem to make the leap from theory to practice. I DREAM FOR YOU A WORLD is a wonderful book that seeks to operationalize Tavis Smiley's Covenant with Black America for even the youngest members of our society. Author Charisse Carney-Nunes uses a poetic style to present the overall themes of the covenant and then follows up with general information about the Covenant with Black America. In addition, she provides easy to understand explanations of the various covenant issues as well as examples of how children and families can put the issues into action. For example, the "Covenant issue" Strengthening the family includes suggestions such as being honest, eating dinner as a family, and living the life you dream.

Mixed media illustrations really add to the depth of I DREAM FOR YOU A WORLD. By including artwork as well as photographs, the artwork catches the attention of readers and draws them in. The poetic language is fun, engaging, and easy to remember. The explanation of the covenant is done especially well and really breaks down complex concepts into language children can understand. Suggested activities at the end of each section not only help children understand the concepts in concrete terms, but also provide ideas for moving the theories into practice that can easily be accomplished. I DREAM FOR YOU A WORLD is a book that should be in every child's library, but especially in the libraries of African-merican children.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

An important lesson to parents.......2007-03-27

Like Carney-Nunes' previous book Nappy, I Dream a World for You is a beautifully illustrated, thoughtfully constructed book designed to teach African American children to love and value themselves. What I love most about this book, however, is its message to the parents. I Dream a World for You tells of the world parents have the right to dream for their children, and I hope inspires and empowers us to seek to create that world. Carney-Nunes continues to write what both children and their parents most need to hear.

Must be on every child's bookshelf.......2007-02-14

This is a wonderfully creative book, and a must read for all young children. Whether a pre-reader or a fluent early reader, children will love this book. It introduces a set of values to children that will hold them in good stead for a lifetime. Most important, my kid loves it!

Covenant Marriage: Building Communication & Intimacy

Average customer rating:

Great addition
An excellent resource
Men, it's us...
Great wedding gift
Building the ultimate Christ-centered relationship

Covenant Marriage: Building Communication & Intimacy
Gary D. Chapman
Manufacturer: B&H Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Marriage | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0805425764

Book Description

The Covenant Marriage program encourages Christians to exercise the promises and expectations of God's covenant love in marriage. Practicing Covenant Marriage means couples must offer each other steadfast loyalty, forgiveness, empathy, and commitment to resolving conflict so as to encourage each other in spiritual growth.

In this new book, Dr. Chapman shows how communication and intimacy are two of the most important aspects in developing a successful Covenant Marriage. At the heart of it all are the principles that lasting answers to marital growth are found in the Bible, your relationship with God enhances your marriage relationship, communication is the primary vehicle by which two persons become one in the marriage relationship, and the idea of biblical oneness involves not only sex, but intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and social oneness.

Customer Reviews:

Great addition.......2007-06-29

Gary Chapman is just a normal guy trying to live a Christian life. His marriage seminar is great if you ever get a chance to attend one. I really like this book and have been giving it as a wedding present.

An excellent resource.......2006-04-11

This is a great book for married couples and well as those contemplating marraige. I have read a number of books on covenant marriage and consider this one of the best. The communication chapters and the various intimacy chapters are very well written. You will not be disappointed in having this book on your self for a resource for years to come.

Men, it's us..........2006-02-27

This book has been a fabulous benchmark in my relationship with my wife. I am finding out in this book, that most of the effective changes that are taking place are happening when I am making the changes to my own views and habits and attitudes in comparison to God's outlook. As long as I am looking at how "I" can help this relationship, this book is a MUST.. It will drive you into the most wonderful "garden of eden" with your wife.
If you are a man thinking maybe you need to quit looking for her to get better, this book will bring change to the 10th level. Get it..

Great wedding gift.......2005-07-19

My husband and I received this book as a wedding gift. We've really enjoyed reading it together. It has a lot of good advice on communication and how a marriage relationship should be treated. The only thing I didn't like was Mr. Chapman's use of so many different versions and translations of the Bible. I'm used to the good old King James version. I don't like a lot of these new Bibles trying to put the words into the modern vernacular. That's not how they were written and I don't think that's how we should try to portray them.

Building the ultimate Christ-centered relationship.......2004-12-06

First of all, I love Gary Chapman's books. I started with reading "The Five Love Languages", then I read "The Love Languages of God".

As a new Christian, there are things that I found very difficult to understand when people who explain to me their opinion of a Christ-centered relationship and what a mature Christian is. I was so confused and felt disappointed and hopeless.

CHAPMAN'S book came to my rescue!

The chapter "Covenant Marriage" explained the concept of a Christ-centered relationship and actually gives you some pretty basic steps to build that foundation.

The chapter "Spiritual Intimacy" is probably the section of the book that meant the most to me. It explained the concepts of spiritual growth and spiritual intimacy.
--Spiritual Growth illustrated to me that I was a mature Christian, and that mature Christians want to be more like Christ. It's not that they've been going to church and reading the Bible for years. It's in their willingness to be living sacrifices to God and to be more like Christ.
--Spiritual Intimacy also answered the question that I had, "How can a newly rededicated Christian be loving, convenant relationship with someone who has been a Christian for some time?" According to Chapman, both partners don't have to be at the same level in their relationships with God; however, they have to be willing to share it with each other.

This book gave me a lot of hope for establishing a devinely blessed covenant relationship with the man God has chosen for me.

Average customer rating:

Gripping from beginning to end
Where was the Editor?
Missed potential
Riveting!
Excellent..couldn't put it down!

The Machiavelli Covenant
Allan Folsom
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765313057
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

For five hundred years, a despotic order of the supremely rich and powerful has kept a manuscript by political thinker Niccolo Machiavelli hidden away under heavy guard: The Covenant, a terrifying blueprint for the gaining and keeping of true political power. Bonded by complicity in ritual murder and dedicated to a singular vision of global domination, the group, guided by this document, has prospered far beyond any dreams of power and avarice. In Washington, DC, former LAPD detective Nicholas Marten comes out of hiding when he discovers his former girlfriend has been mysteriously killed, along with her child and her husband, a congressman. Marten learns her husband had just discovered a secret and illegal bioweapons program, and when the feds fail to investigate, Marten decides to go after the killers himself. Meanwhile, at a NATO summit in Warsaw, President John Henry Harris meets with European heads of state and learns that a secret White House cabal has ordered the German chancellors assassination. He angrily objectsand the cabal not only threatens to kill Harris, they pull the secret service off his detail. Fearing for his life, Harris joins forces with Marten and the beautiful but enigmatic French photo-journalist Demi Picard. Together, they uncover the truth about the most powerful group the world has ever known. Swept from Warsaw to Washington, from Malta to Barcelona, they flee a ruthless circle of military leaders, transnational corporate chieftains, and top Washington officialsall of whom want them dead. Outmanned, outnumbered, and outgunned, these three stand alone against the secrets of The Covenant.

Customer Reviews:

Gripping from beginning to end.......2007-09-25

Once you first open the pages of this book, you are hooked! It's like a freight train running down the tracks without an engineer, plowing through everything in its way. The plot, preposterous as it may be, moves the action, and propells the main characters through chapter after chapter, and danger after danger. This is one of those books that can easily keep you up reading in bed for hours longer than you had planned, leading to sleepy days following. The characters are fairly well-drawn, even the somewhat minor ones, and if you accept the plot (as any good reader should),their actions make perfect sense. My one quibble with this book was the fact that the author chose to have a "cliff-hanger" ending, leading to a sequel. I don't particularly like that type of writing, but it does make me look forward to the next book to see how everything not settled in this one plays out.

Where was the Editor?.......2007-08-15

I picked up this book largely because of its title and thinking it would be a kind of roman a clef with regard to the Bush administration. Instead, I found it slow moving beyond belief with too many extraneous details and descriptions, 90 percent of which could have been eliminated. With proper editing, this could have been a winner. Instead, it reads as though someone let Folsom loose with the word processor with no restrictions. A disappointing read. I gave up about 3/4 of the way through and skimmed the final 1/4. The translations of foreign languages insults the intelligence of the reader. Either don't translate them or don't use them. I don't actually read a great deal of fiction. This book didn't change my mind about taking up reading so-called "thrillers."

Missed potential.......2007-07-24

The Machiavelli Covenant is a good story, for the most part. The last third or so of the book is very compelling reading, lots of action. As for it being to far over the top... You have to have some suspension of belief to be able to read these books at all after all.
I thought the hero of this tale was rather apathetic. For the most part just kind of going through the motions. Not much motivation for a hero. Also the writing seemed fit more appropriate for middle schoolers. Mr. Folsom tells the same information over and over and over again. I think most people don't need to have everything explained in detail and they definately don't need to have plot points repeated ad nauseum.
I did finish this book rather quickly. I wanted to see what would happen next. But I also wanted to throw the book repeatedly because of the poor writing in spots.

Read at risk of your own sanity.

Riveting!.......2007-06-22

Very interesting. The President of the United States on the lam in Europe with his Vice President and Cabinet terrorizing him to get their agenda across. Could not put it down.

Excellent..couldn't put it down!.......2007-05-28

Great book..can't wait for Nicholas Marten's next adventure of Mr. Folsom's next book! This is probably one of the BEST books I've read in a long long time!

Average customer rating:

Required Reading for News Watchers
Best Book in Long Time
Point of View Rather Than Opinion
The Covenant
The Covenant

The Covenant
Naomi Ragen
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Psychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312335067
Release Date: 2005-09-15

Book Description

A thrilling page-turner from start to finish, The Covenant is not only a mesmerizing tale with finely drawn characters, it is a story of truth and integrity, a multi-generational novel of love, friendship and duty. This is a must read book.Faye Kellerman, author of Street Dreams This is the story behind the headlinesthe reality of our times, where terrorists reign and average citizens engage in a passionate and terrifying struggle to preserve life. Living in Jerusalem, Elise Margulies fears for the lives of her husband and daughter constantly. Then the day comes when her worst fears are realized. Dr. Jonathan Margulies is driving his young daughter home from her ballet recital. Hours later, his bullet-ridden car is found empty on the side of the road. Elise, in the last stages of a difficult pregnancy, desperately calls her grandmother Leah in America for help and unknowingly revives a decades-old oath. Over five terror- and hope-filled days, the ties that bind two generations form a powerful alliance against contemporary evil. With this moving novel about tragedy and redemption, Naomi Ragen is at her most powerful and engrossing.

Customer Reviews:

Required Reading for News Watchers.......2007-04-29

The most useful part of this book, which is written by a columnist living in Jerusalem, is the extent to which it describes the distortion of facts by the media. It does not merely allege such distortion, but shows how it occurs, and why, in ways that have been substantiated in real life. You can actually see it for yourself, when you compare the news from the original sources to what you see edited in and out. We are on the receiving end of this manipulation every day. Or, as a small example, open up the newspaper and read an article critical of a public figure, and watch the way in which the facial expression of the public figure is smiling when it should be somber, for example. And then realize that the paper has a stack of file photos, and picked just that one. Not the one where the subject of the article has the facial expression he wore during the interview, or during the events. So they might be talking about starving children and use a file photo of the politician that shows him smiling or laughing. That picture might be six months old.

I will not get into the plot of The Covenant, which other reviewers have already covered, except to say that it involves wishful thinking. Terrorists have been abducting Israelis for years, and no one ever finds them again. The barbarity of terrorist attacks has been swallowed up by false "tit-for-tat" coverage that attempts to justify anything. The United States saw a fragment of this after 9/11, when journalists would chatter with righteous indignation at the suggestion that the perpetrators were "evil," and would go into the ways in which our foreign policy was to blame (so, in order to make our foreign policy more appetizing, it should be sanctified by people who believe in using babies as human shields, and in intentionally killing civilians? Isn't this like taking Dennis "BTK Killer" Rader and putting him on the state legislature?). This is a digression with a point: There are no secret societies with hidden, far-reaching influence working to save the innocents in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or Judea and Samaria. That is what makes Israelis so brave. The terrorists have Reuters and AP as their own PR companies, and world opinion turns against them because of it.

On the other hand, writing the story without those four brave Holocaust survivors perhaps would have made the truth too unbearable. Easier to blame the victims as, in fact, some so-called intellectuals have tried to blame the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre (with lies such as that they didn't fight back because they "forgot the lesson of Flight 93;" they bullied Cho; that they lacked discipline and courage...). There really is an impulse to blame the victim in order to displace our own sense of helplessness. So perhaps having this book have so much hope is the only way for people to accept the bitter truths within it.

Anyone who consumes news from any source should read this. And then go to The Second Draft and other sites for proof.

Best Book in Long Time.......2007-01-31

THE COVENANT is, without a doubt, the best book I have read in a long, long time! The mystery aspect of it, mentioned often in other reviews, takes a very distant back seat to the amazing commentary on religion and terrorism about which Ragen writes so knowingly and empathetically. This definitely is a book I would recommend to anyone; there is a message for all of us in this story!

Point of View Rather Than Opinion.......2007-01-18

The Covenant is a novel full of incendiary material. In the post 9/11 world, we have all had to take sides in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the Arab/Israeli conflict which is at the heart of this novel.

No matter which side you are on, living through the lives of the characters in The Covenant can open your eyes. Ragen doesn't try to convince, doesn't argue points, doesn't indulge in diatribes or polemics. She simply shows you what the entire situation looks like from several different points of view.

When I started to learn fiction writing in my early teens, I learned that a writer sets an imaginary camera on the main character's shoulder and lets the reader view the entire situation through that camera lens.

The reader knows only what the character knows, and thus can enter into that character's emotional life through the character's point of view.

The Covenant uses many points of view which dilutes and disturbs the emotional bonding with the characters, but also promotes objectivity about the total situation. This is an example of excellent craftsmanship at its shining best.

Ragen does character sketch essays for each of the main characters so marvelous that they sneak up on you and suddenly you're wrung out with overwhelming emotion.

The novel amasses an astounding breadth and depth of facts that shower down upon you as you read. All those facts are juxtaposed and arranged with the spare clarity of a Japanese Brush Painting.

You don't have to judge whether the facts are true or not. You are riding on the shoulder of a character for whom that fact is true, and you can learn something about what it feels like for that fact to be true.

Only a novel can deliver an emotional reality with such clarity.

I recommend this book for beginning writers to study in depth.

Jacqueline Lichtenberg
[...]

The Covenant.......2007-01-12

Am 100% pleased with the delivery of my book and have so thoroughly enjoyed reading it from cover to cover...sure is a heck of a lot easier ordering from Amazon.com than running down to Barnes and Noble or Borders to order a book. Many thanks for a job well done.

The Covenant.......2006-11-03

Worth reading if you are recovering from major surgery and on pain meds. I read it in these circumstances and doubt I could recommend it otherwise.

Average customer rating:

Best Book To Read If You Want To Understand The History Of South Africa And The Boer People.
South Africa and African History
My First Michener Novel, and boy what a first!
I loved this Book (Just another great Michener Epic)
Excellent sweep of history - authentic and a good read

The Covenant
James A. Michener
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

The Source: A Novel
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ASIN: 0394505050
Release Date: 1980-09-12

Book Description

Adventurers, scoundrels and missionaries. The best and worst of two continents carve an empire out of the vast wilderness that is to become South Africa. For hundreds of years, their rivalries and passions spill across the land. From the first Afrikaners to the powerful Zulu nation, and the missionaries who lived with both--all of them will influence and take part in the wars and politics that will change a nation forever.
THE COVENANT: generations of people who forge a new world in a story of adventure and heroism, love and loyalty, cruelty and betrayal.

Customer Reviews:

Best Book To Read If You Want To Understand The History Of South Africa And The Boer People........2007-08-20

This book really gives you a perspective on the history of South Africa and it's race related problems which has plagued the country since its very beginning. It gives you a real understanding about the Boer people and what they had to go through to forge a nation out of a barren, but beautiful land. Starts out at the first landing of Dutch Settlers and follows a couple families history until the 1960's.

It also details the earliest recorded history of the Zulu people and their greatest leader Shaka Zulu who made the Zulus into a people to be feared, it goes through the history of "the Coloreds" (which are a mixture of White and Black), it continues on through the Boer War between the British and the Boers and it spells out how Aparthied (Literally the two words Apart-ness in Afrikaans) was started and implimented and why it came to be in the first place.

South Africa and African History.......2007-05-13

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful book. Africa is a country I never knew much about. It opened my eyes to the struggles faced by both Black and White and the struggle for supremacy. Once I read the book, I had a much better understanding of what was going on over there.
I recently purchased another copy for my doctor who is from South Africa. He mentioned that he loves to read about South Africa. I asked if he'd read any Michener's books and he hadn't. I had a hard time finding the book though, because most of his books on locations are named by that location. A little persistence and I got it.

My First Michener Novel, and boy what a first!.......2007-04-09

Prior to reading this novel, I was a fan of historical fiction, but had never read a Michener novel. After I finished it, I developed an enormous respect for the man and his writing. This book does not deserve to be classified with the other historical fiction I've read.

That being said, this was also the first in-depth look at South African culture and history that I had experienced. I was in grade school when Apartheid ended officially, so I barely remember hearing about it as it happened. it was incredibly educational without being a textbook. Especially helpful was that Michener not only followed one family, but only one branch of the family. He does make brief references to family branches left behind, but only in a reasonable context and does not try to backtrack into their histories.

The family trees at the end were incredibly helpful. I found myself going back to them repeatedly.

All in all, definitely worth the time investment!

I loved this Book (Just another great Michener Epic).......2006-11-24

Although I remember hearing about South Africa and Apartheid I had very little idea of its historic origins. So if that is you - this book is highly recommended. The reason: Michener again does such a outstanding job of bringing interesting characters together with an intriguing plot that allows you to see how a historical story is built. What bothered me in this book is that I really developed a respect and liking for the Afrikaner. It just too bad he had that flaw that he believed God wanted him to live separately from native blacks of Africa. What I did really like is that the author finished this book sometime mid-seventies and could only speculate what would happen to South Africa and its apartheid conditions. Well it's nice to know in real life the situation unraveled to the best possible conclusion. But after learning a little of the Afrikaners background at least I could understand his mind set (even if I disagreed). The cultural pride of the Afrikaner reminded me of the Jews in Michener's "The Source." Once again this is a great epic which I hope everyone will read.

Excellent sweep of history - authentic and a good read.......2006-08-20

I first read Michener when someone recommended 'Drifters' - but it was a one-off read at the time. Much later, someone said I had to read 'The Source' which I enjoyed tremendously. When I learnt I would go to South Africa for a 3 week business trip, I decided the timing was perfect for 'The Covenant'. And how! I started the book on the 16 hour plane ride and given how big the book is, was only halfway done before I landed.

The next few nights, I was progressing through history 20 years a night, chapter by chapter - and living the real South Africa by the day, till I sort of caught up by the end of the week. Too bad the book ended in 1977 and not 1997.

Then, over the course of my stay there, I actually met people who reminded me so strongly of the characters in the book, I felt I was living history. Black vs white, English vs Afrikaner, the tremendous passion for rugby - I experienced it all.

Michener is a great writer - but by the fifth book, somewhat forumulaic - my experience is that one enjoys the books of his that one has some experience with - like I did in SA, or the ones that one reads first - for example I read Centennial after the Covenant and so felt like 'I've read this before, havent' I?'

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