The Great Divorce

Amazon.com

The Great Divorce is C.S. Lewis's Divine Comedy: the narrator bears strong resemblance to Lewis (by way of Dante); his Virgil is the fantasy writer George MacDonald; and upon boarding a bus in a nondescript neighborhood, the narrator is taken to Heaven and Hell. The book's primary message is presented with almost oblique tidiness--"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'" However, the narrator's descriptions of sin and temptation will hit quite close to home for many readers. Lewis has a genius for describing the intricacies of vanity and self-deception, and this book is tremendously persistent in forcing its reader to consider the ultimate consequences of everyday pettiness. --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

C. S. Lewis takes us on a profound journey through both heaven and hell in this engaging allegorical tale. Using his extraordinary descriptive powers, Lewis introduces us to supernatural beings who will change the way we think about good and evil.

Customer Reviews:

The Great Divorce.......2007-09-30

This is one of my favorite books. I've read it several times and I've had to buy new copies because I keep giving it away. The Great Divorce starts off a little slowly, but you have to hang in there through the first couple of chapters. It is NOT a book about marital divorce, but rather about letting go of the things you think you want or need in order to gain that which is of much greater value.

A dash of fantasy, a dash of truth, vintage C.S. Lewis.......2007-09-26

As one reviewer noted, many readers will not pick up a C.S. Lewis creation beyond "Chronicles of Narnia," "Mere Christianity," and "The Screwtape Letters." I was one of them, but I'm very thankful for having to check out a copy of Lewis' "The Great Divorce." Like his Narnia tales, there is a dash of both fantasy and truth in this volume, and the mix is delicate but profound. Built as a story of a bus ride to Heaven and Hell, "The Great Divorce" weaves a tapestry of assorted characters, facing immortal choices about their own harrowing predicaments. While Lewis' landscape visualizing the realities of Heaven and Hell are of course conjectural, each character's scene and dialogue with the Solid Spirits of Heaven are assuredly not. It's like looking in the mirror - there is someone who looks exactly like you, warts and all. It's a small book, something you can finish within a day. I still thought it was like a smack in the face, something we need in our materialistic and fickle lives now and again.

Pride, lust, idolatry, SIN, it's all represented here in the great style of Lewis' magical blend of imagination and vivid imagery. The book, of course, ends in hope, in salvation. As the mystical Teacher who advises the main character Lewis says, Hell would not be big enough to do any harm to the Real World, or the Truth.

An Intriguing Story.......2007-09-19

C.S. Lewis' very short book is a fictional work that follows the journey of a group of people in Hell who take a trip to Heaven. Like his "Screwtape Letters," this book provides some excellent insights into the psychology of humankind.

During this trip to Heaven, the inhabitants of Hell are given a chance to repent and enter the kingdom of God. Each person upon arrival is eventually greeted by a person from Heaven who tries to convince the unrepentant to receive salvation. It is almost painful to read as these inhabitants of Hell steadfastly refuse to repent. It is painful to see the characters accept Hell and reject Heaven, but it is even more painful because it is easy for us to see our own flaws represented by these unrepentant people.

Lewis' construction of Hell as a place where the unrepentant wander around and never achieve satisfaction or fulfillment is conspicuously lacking searing flames and torturing demons. And although Lewis may not have meant for "The Great Divorce" to be a systematic description of the nature of Heaven and Hell, I think that he is certainly on to something. The vision of Hell found in this book is, I think, closer to the reality of Hell than the traditional Dante-esque version of torture and pain. But the primary accomplishment of "The Great Divorce" is that it shows us the psychology of unbelief, even when manifested in ourselves.

Yet, it IS a plausible picture of the afterlife..........2007-09-08

This little book is a total joy to read. I know that the author makes it very clear that one should not suppose that he is factually presenting details of the afterlife, yet, in the end he has created a most satisfying image of a plausible afterlife. As for the title, he is referring to the poet-mystic William Blake's Marriage of Heaven and Hell. He points out that this is a synthesis that can never be, for to do so would compromise the absolute Goodness of Heaven, thereby making a Hell of both. Perhaps there can one day be a marriage of Heaven and Earth (thereby showing both to really have been Heaven all along), but never of Heaven and Hell.

I loved the imagery of Hell being very much like a never-ending city on Earth where it is always twilight and eternal night always on the verge. Yet, it is not a crowded city for people keep moving apart because they cannot stand each other's presence. That's just it. People dwell in Hell by their own choice. It is the obsessions that separate them from God and the highest reality that keep them from leaving. It is even shown that such higher impulses as love and pity, if unhealthily indulged in for their own sake and for nothing higher or transcendent, can keep you in Hell. Yet, this Hell is also Purgatory for those who workout their obsessions. In fact, there is a regular bus service to Heaven for fieldtrips that serve just that purpose (I always suspected that the omnibus originated in Hades.)

As for Heaven, it is perpetually just the moment before dawn and eternal day. The idea that Heaven is actually more substantial than Hell, or Earth, is reasonable, since it is after all the more Real of the two being closer to the Creator. Indeed, the visitors from Hell appear as pale and insubstantial deformed ghosts who find the adamantine hardness and density of the higher plane physically painful (even walking upon the grass.) The residents of the realm however are radiant spirits who do everything that they can to point out the mistakes and illusions that the ghostly visitors still cling to- and which are the only thing keeping them from traveling higher up and farther in to the one true goal. The most detailed and believable of these tutelary spirits is Lewis' own spriritual mentor, George Macdonald.

Entertaining, but don't try and take too much theology from it........2007-08-16

I gave this book three stars because while it is entertaining, there is a significant potential for people to try and get theology from it, which for the most part I don't recommend. The author makes sure to make that point at the end of the book, though. But I'm sure it's too late for a lot of people by then.

The primary theological point that C.S. Lewis is actually intending to make is that one goes to hell as a consequence of rejecting God and "loving" self. It is the person's rejection of God, not the other way around. However, in trying to make this point in a novel, a lot of the theology seems to get messed up.

Average customer rating:

Good collection of his more recent work

Lachapelle Heaven to Hell (Photo Books)

Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3822825727

Book Description

The third installment of LaChapelle's trilogy

LaChapelle Heaven to Hell is the long-awaited third volume in an exhilarating trilogy that began with LaChapelle Land (1996) and continued with the infamous Hotel LaChapelle (1999). Packed with astonishing, color-saturated, and provocative images, those titles both became instant collector's items and have since gone through multiple printings. Featuring almost twice as many images as its predecessors, LaChapelle Heaven to Hell is an explosive compilation of new work by the visionary photographer. Since the publication of Hotel LaChapelle, the strength of LaChapelle's work lies in its ability to focus the lens of celebrity and fashion toward more pressing issues of societal concern.

LaChapelle's images—of the most famous faces on the planet, and marginalized figures like transsexual Amanda Lepore or the cast of his critically acclaimed social documentary Rize—call into question our relationship with gender, glamour, and status. Using his trademark baroque excess, LaChapelle inverts the consumption he appears to celebrate, pointing instead to apocalyptic consequences for humanity itself. While referencing and acknowledging diverse sources such as Renaissance, art history, cinema, The Bible, pornography, and the new globalized pop culture, LaChapelle has fashioned a deeply personal and epoch-defining visual language that holds up a mirror to our times.

Customer Reviews:

Good collection of his more recent work.......2006-12-09

I am a fan of David Lachapelle, however I mostly enjoy his more recent work (i.e., the colorful, surreal, sometimes bizarre photos of people and celebrities). Fortunately, Heaven to Hell highlights these recent works, with some photos coming from as recent as the early 2006. In addition, some of the photos from his crazy-expensive "artists and prostitutes" book are included here. I'd say the photos are split 50/50 between celebrity portraits and general artistic portraits. And, like his previous works, sexual overtones abound.

This is a large book that is substantially longer than his previous books (Lachapelle Land and Hotel Lachapelle). I am quite happy with this book. It showcases the style that has made David Lachapelle my favorite photographer.

The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell (Perennial Classics)

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Purple Haze...
A gifted writer sheds light on a difficult subject
Not easy
Aldous Huxley and mescaline
Good book for anyone intersted in the psychedelic movement

The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell (Perennial Classics)
Aldous Huxley
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060595183
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Amazon.com

Sometimes a writer has to revisit the classics, and here we find that "gonzo journalism"--gutsy first-person accounts wherein the author is part of the story--didn't originate with Hunter S. Thompson or Tom Wolfe. Aldous Huxley took some mescaline and wrote about it some 10 or 12 years earlier than those others. The book he came up with is part bemused essay and part mystical treatise--"suchness" is everywhere to be found while under the influence. This is a good example of essay writing, journal keeping, and the value of controversy--always--in one's work.

Book Description

Two classic complete books -- The Doors of Perception (originally published in 1954) and Heaven and Hell (originally published in 1956) -- in which Aldous Huxley, author of the bestselling Brave New World, explores, as only he can, the mind's remote frontiers and the unmapped areas of human consciousness. These two astounding essays are among the most profound studies of the effects of mind-expanding drugs written in the twentieth century. These two books became essential for the counterculture during the 1960s and influenced a generation's perception of life.

Customer Reviews:

Purple Haze..........2007-07-26

I have wanted to read Huxley's THE DOORS OF PERCEPTION for quite some time and purchased it from Amazon about a year ago. However, I didn't get around to reading it until this past week, when it made its way to the top of my book stack. Not knowing if I was "ready" for the subject of hallucinogen use, I opened the thin volume and it hooked me immediately.

What was most impressive to me - others have described Huxley's clinical/intellectual approach to the drug experience - was how this work delicately projected the difference of drugs being used to escape TO something, rather than FROM something. This seems key to Huxley's "experience" versus other's entertainment, excitement, boredom, or addictive purpose for experimenting.

The second book of this thin volume, HEAVEN AND HELL, was, I'm quite sure, directly impacted by Huxley's previous drug experiences, as he argues, somewhat circularly, that drug use inspires appreciation of things produced via drug use.

I enjoyed both of these short works, presumably published together because of the William Blake connection in their titles. Despite reviews to the contrary, the ideas presented within seemed entirely accessible, if somewhat dated.

A gifted writer sheds light on a difficult subject.......2007-06-16

The Doors of Perception

This book is written in the form of an essay and recounts the experiences of the author after taking mescalin for the first time. It is a fairly short read, about 80 pages, but the philosophical reflections require time to fully grasp. Huxley volunteers to be the guinea pig in a controlled experiment to observe the effects of mescalin. The resulting experience gave cause for Huxley to reflect deeply on the nature of reality and how humans shape this reality through perception. What is perceived in one state of consciousness as real can indeed become something altogether different in another. Huxley explores this intertwined relationship and places it in a larger historical context recalling the works and deeds of the visionaries and mystics of the past.

This work is a must for anyone interested in boundless possibilities that arise from hallucinogenic substances. The fact that Huxley is a very intelligent scholar as well as a gifted writer allow him to tackle a difficult subject and tell it in words that lend themselves to the initiated. Those interested in the remote frontiers and the unmapped areas of human consciousness would do well to read this.

*Side note: The band the Doors took their name from the book. The title of the book actually refers to a line in the poem The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, written by William Blake in 1793. "If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite."

Heaven and Hell

Another rather short essay (about 100 p.) from Huxley in the vain of The Doors of Perception. In it Huxley takes on the fast unknowns of Mind at Large, examining the basic properties and functions of visionary experience. This essay is basically a philosophical discourse on the possibilities that exist for visionary experience. The contrast between the positive and negative experience are characterized in the contrasting realms of Heaven and Hell. What makes this an incredibly interesting read is that all arguments made are based on plausible grounds and quite often on scientifically sound grounds. Although written over a half century ago, this work has proved a classic that stands out in a field that is still insufficiently investigated. Together with The Doors of Perception, Heaven and Hell shows that Huxley is as much a force in the world of nonfiction thought as he is in fiction. Read what this man has to say and think about it. There is a lot there to digest.

Not easy.......2007-05-12

I had an idea to find out about the use of drugs and its effect on the consiousness. I have found Aldous Huxley on the Wikipedia and bought this book. I am not native english, and it took me quite long to get through the book, because its language is so difficult to understand. It is obvious that Huxley is a writer with a very broad range of vocabulary to express things. If you are not native, prepare yourself with a huge dictionary to read the book However the contect was fabulous.

Aldous Huxley and mescaline.......2007-02-15

Huxley is a very erudite individual, and hallucinogenics were novel for the time (1950's). What we can say now is that even well educated and intelligent individuals are not very far from psychotic thinking.

Good book for anyone intersted in the psychedelic movement.......2006-12-27

Huxley reveals his thoughts on psychedelics and philosophy in "The Doors of Perception"--all while experimenting with mescaline. This book is not for the uneducated and brain-dead stoner, though. Huxley, an accomplished novelist ("Brave New World" and "The Island"), was the father of the psychedelic movement. He laid the foundation for philosophical experimentation and had an enormous influnce on later advocates like Timothy Leary, Ken Kesy, and (more recently) Daniel Pinchbeck. Those who are fans of "The Doors" will be interested to know that this is where the band recieved its name. The reading can be arduous at times but well worth the effort for anyone who is researching psychotropic drugs.

Average customer rating:

The best book about heaven
Total Blessings and Excellent
Approach with skepticism!
Excellent Book
A Most Awesome and Inspiring Book from the Throne of God

Heaven is so Real
Choo Thomas
Manufacturer: Charisma House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1591857899

Book Description

Not once, not twice, but ten times in one month the Lord appeared to Choo Thomas and took her on a breathtaking journey. Over 500,000 readers around the world (in 43 languages) have bought copies of this book! Here is a personal story of how she saw the living Christ, visited hell, and walked in heaven. " On January 19, 1996, I woke up at 3:00 in the morning. My body was shaking…I turned my head on the pillow to look in the direction of the sound, and there, all-aglow, was a figure dressed in white garments. It was the Lord…" How could this be happening to me? I wondered…as I began to tremble…and to weep tears of love and joy. " `My daughter…I am your Lord, and I want to talk to you. I am going to visit you many times before this work is done.' " The impact of His voice, His words, His message hit me with a supernatural force…" Readers will passionately share her experiences, sense the growing wonder of His presence, feel the weight of His tender words, and drink in the Spirit of God.

Customer Reviews:

The best book about heaven.......2007-09-28

I have collected every Christian book on heaven. Ranging from books written from the 19th century to the 21st century, and so far Choo's is the best because:

1) It grabs me right away because Dr. Yonggi Cho, Pastor of the largest church in the world with over 1 million members, wrote the forward and translated it into Korean - demonstrating his total trust in Choo's credibility;
2) I could see Choo's deep love and devotion to our Lord, forsaking every worldly thing in order to draw closer to Christ;
3) Choo's writing immerses you with vivid pictures of heaven and hell.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper knowledge of Christ and to those wanting a manual on how to get to heaven.

HEAVEN IS SO REAL! So don't miss it.

Total Blessings and Excellent.......2007-09-27

I was the most blessed when I read the "Heaven is so real" book.
It is not only a Choo Thomas' personal testimony of visiting heaven but also conveying a powerful messages from the Lord Jesus.
I found the deeper love of Jesus Christ for His church and His children through this book. At the same time His warning to His children of Laodicean church is there because He cares.
Some may disagree with this book because they believe it is unscriptural.
However I believe this is extra-biblical and will be a blessing for those who read and believe with open heart. If you do not believe, please be quiet because you may blaspheme the Holy Spirit without knowing.
If you don't understand some part you pray to the Lord to reveal His truth.
Please read the Gospel of Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:29 and Luke 12:10.
I believe the true author of this book is the Lord Jesus Himself.
When you focus your heart on the Lord Jesus while reading the Holy Spirit will bless you beyond your imagination.
Critics are always there even in Jesus time but they regret a million times now in unwanted place.
I recommend to everyone to read and share this Heaven book because Jesus is coming back very soon, sooner than most think.

Pastor Michael in Los Angeles

Approach with skepticism!.......2007-09-24

After considerable deliberation, I have reached the conclusion that the woman who wrote this book was either deliberately trying to make a quick buck by publishing a pack of lies, OR she is so mentally unbalanced that she is unable to discern between reality and fantasy. I'm hoping she is just unbalanced, because it really makes me angry when people deliberately write lies and call it the truth. If you haven't read "Heaven is so Real" yet, then save your money. In her heaven, Jesus tools around in an electronic push button speed boat with stained glass windows (now mind you there is no mention of cars, airplanes, trains, motorcycles, or even bicycles, but, by golly, there are speed boats). If the windows in the boat are stained glass, how does one see through them to steer the boat? Also, He (Jesus) cooks rainbow colored fish on an electronic push button B-B-Q grill. If lions and other carnivorous beasts are destined to eat grass (vegetation) in Heaven, then why are people eating flesh in Heaven? Death in Heaven? And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Her book is nonsense from beginning to end. Of which, at the end of the book, she cautions against letting anyone mark you with the number 666. Gee, does anyone still believe that? Aren't we all savvy to the notion that the mark of the beast will most likely be a microchip implant? I guess not. The bottom line is that I am not going to buy anymore books written by people who claim to have had a "trip" to heaven or hell because their "experiences" can't be verified and I'm tired of being buffaloed. I'll find out what Heaven is like when I get there.

Excellent Book.......2007-09-23

This is an awesome book and lines up with almost every account of heaven I have read.

A Most Awesome and Inspiring Book from the Throne of God.......2007-09-01

I read "Heaven is So Real", and parts of it many times. This book, a real treasure, encourages those who are believers and working for the Kingdom of God and portrays the joys of heaven which await them, and it is a warning to the unbelievers and the lukewarm Christians, to repent of their sins, and begin an intimate relationship with Jesus, before it is eternally too late. We go through this life only once, and once you cross over into eternity, it is not possible to go back to repent of wrong habits, deeds, and attitudes in your life, so it behooves all of us to wake out of sleep, make things right with God, and prepare for the coming of Jesus, which is now upon us, and could happen at any moment.

The Nature of Consciousness : The Structure of Reality: Theory of Everything Equation Revealed : Scientific Verification and Proof of Logic God Is

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The Real Deal
A life changing experience??
Should be Required Reading for everyone
A Very Important Book
Illuminating!!!

The Nature of Consciousness : The Structure of Reality: Theory of Everything Equation Revealed : Scientific Verification and Proof of Logic God Is
Jerry Davidson Wheatley
Manufacturer: Research Scientific Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0970316100

Book Description

This book describes how understanding the structure of reality leads to the Theory of Everything Equation. The equation unifies the forces of nature and enables the merging of relativity with quantum theory. The book explains the big bang theory and everything else.

Customer Reviews:

The Real Deal.......2006-09-25

Although Mr. Wheatley is a little verbose in sections, his documentation of Zen Buddhistic Principles found throughout the disciplines of Mathematics, Physics, Theology, etc. forms a nice reference guide for anyone tuned into that wavelength. In particular, his explanation of how Godel's Theorem and Cantor's "Confusion" shed great light on the difference between GOD's Logic and Man's Logic should be a revelation to any undergraduate level math students who encounter these ideas for the first time. Curiously, Mr. Wheatley makes many misstatements about both Zen Buddhism Principles and the Bible, however. For example, by accepting the false biblical teaching of Original Sin, he misses the point that eating the proverbial apple gave Adam and Eve the ability to make Moral Discernments in fulfillment of GOD'S PERFECT PLAN. As proof, read Genesis 1 which states that Man and Woman were made in GOD's Image. Genesis 4 shows that Adam and Eve weren't the first humans on Earth at all, there were plenty of others by then. The allegorical meaning of the story of Eden, then, isn't that Adam and Eve were the first humans on Earth, but they were the first humans with the ability to make Moral Discernments (in GOD's Image). In fact, Moral Discernment is God's Unique Gift to Man, which is the basis of consciousness, not some Math Formula. But because the wages of the resulting, unavoidable sin are Death, many people foolishly try to return to Eden by: (1) living a sinless Life (2) by removing choice altogether by passing and enforcing strict Laws (3) by attempting to do away with Moral Discernment and the resulting consequences for our actions altogether by trying to remove Shame from Shameful actions. GOD is not some ethereal Man-In-Space, but is simply the Totality of all Real Things, The Set of All Real Sets. GOD's Love manifests itself from the amazing sub-atomic relationships that underly this magic Life all the way to the grandest of Macroscopic Scales, the Interconnected Totality itself. The Zen Buddhism connection can be found by simply superimposing the 0 symbol and the symbol for infinity (8 on its side) in Mr. Wheatley's supposedly "new" formulation that 1 = 0 x infinity. Superimposing them gives you the yin-yang symbol. A potential disadvantage of artificially separating the infinity from the zero, however, is that Mr. Wheatley is able to equate the entire expression to be equal to 1. This potentially might obscure the fact that the deepest meaning of the yin-yang symbol is that it is both 2 and 1 AT THE SAME TIME. His overall equation does preserve that important meaning by utilizing a single element on one side of the equation and two elements on the other side of his final TOE equation. This may be hard to see for some at first, however, which could potentially obscure the richest meaning of this beautiful symbol/equation. A much more GODLY TOE, in my opinion, comes from Euler, who discovered that e ^ (i * pi) - 1 = 0. When someone can explain that relationship, then they can say they know GOD.

A life changing experience??.......2005-06-13

This book is an easy read and does succeed in being somewhat thought-provoking. However, I am a little surprised at the awesome, "life changing" experience it apparently was for many of the readers. Wheatley's conclusions were interesting but nothing really new. All of his material should have passed through the mind of any thinking person without the aid of this book.
The reason I gave this book three stars is because he uses unneccessarily wordy ways of describing simple things. Also, the author and many other reviewers insist that Wheatley makes only one assumption. Wrong-his whole theory is one big assumption.
Overall though it was a very interesting and worthy book.

Should be Required Reading for everyone.......2004-06-26

This book will change your life. You will never think the same way you did before reading it.
I have a degree in chemistry and I think this book should be read by everyone in the sciences. Without a doubt, the best book I've ever read. Why and what are two of our best friends

A Very Important Book.......2004-01-26

I must preface my review by stating that I have never been so excited and moved by a book that I have wanted to contact the author. That is what I found myself doing upon reading this book. This book is just what its title says. The author does not "miss a beat" describing in great detail using practically every aspect of scientific knowledge from atomic structure through logic to quantum theory---we are even given a valuable explanation of Love. This text may be challenging to read for those unfamiliar with scientific terminology. And it can also be difficult for those with a science background, such as myself. However, for me it is well worth the work necessary to strive to understand the unfamiliar terminology. (I am continually learning from this book. I am presently on my third reread).

One of the author's main messages is "not" to believe anything without first verifying it with reality, as we know it. He calls it the "Personal Explanation Principle". He indicates that religions are just such belief systems that we as people "fall" victims of; because we do not verify the beliefs with the facts, as we know them, of reality. He gives a very detailed explanation of how the New Testament can be explored using his methodology.

The author methodically and meticulously walks us through his thought processes, which took 30 years to assimilate, of delineating the structure of reality and the nature of consciousness. Included in the "walk" are many of reality's phenomena made revelatory. An example of that, for me, would be the dual nature of light. It's particle/wave duality, which is explained as "functions". Also, when the author took me on the mental journey of "Setness" an exhilaration of the magnificence of life swelled up in me.

To me this is a very important book that should be read by all that are seekers of truth. It is for all those wanting to gain an understanding of the purpose for their existence, wanting to know where life is headed towards, and wanting to know who God is.

This book will enlighten and develop one's mind substantially. You will discover that this is our objective.

And yes, I contacted the author and he responded openly.

Illuminating!!!.......2002-12-30

This is a really great book. It combines philosophy and science in order to tackle a multitude of existential problems. The author's style of writing is fresh and alive, I recommend ths book to anyone interested in expanding the fronteirs of their understanding. Books I also liked are a Universe in an Nutshell by Steven Hawkings and Descent into Illusions by Paul Omeziri.

Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children: What If This Were Heaven, Wouldn't That Be Hell? (Beautiful stories for ugly children)

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is this the 'other hand'...or is this
Slight

Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children: What If This Were Heaven, Wouldn't That Be Hell? (Beautiful stories for ugly children)
Dave Louapre
Manufacturer: Action Direct Distribution
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

is this the 'other hand'...or is this.......2004-07-13

These are indeed picture stories rather than comics, the writing is indeed something a Jr. High student could keep up with, and as hard to please as the only other reviewer may be, my nose is probably heavier and higher.
I've through great lengths to collect them all over the past few years. Some are more novel than others but all are graphic, and the best of them capture some of the best morbid/avant garde humor/humanity there was to be had amid the early decade switch comic boom (and since).

Good luck finding them
You'll need it
And you'll be grateful for it

Slight.......2001-07-29

This book is either a heavily illustrated short story collection or a text-heavy comic. Its unusual format is its most original feature. Its plots are negligible, but its illustrations and text evoke a unique atmosphere of self-conscious nonconformism. Although its target audience is dare-to-be-different teens and college students, its interesting turns of phrase and expressive line drawings are not devoid of interest for general audences.

Heaven and Hell (North and South Trilogy Series Volume 3)

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Mass Media Editors need Education.
North and South The Triology
Good ending
The End of a Story
Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell (North and South Trilogy Series Volume 3)
John Jakes
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0451200837

Customer Reviews:

Mass Media Editors need Education........2004-09-30

So, this book is about the American Civil War??? Then why is there an English Enfield with bayonet on the cover?!?!? The particular model on the cover was adopted in December of 1888, and later improved in 1901. This is a sad error indeed!!! :^P

North and South The Triology.......2003-01-08

If you enjoy books that cover the Civil War era, don't miss this exciting Triology. It follows the lives of two families from two different parts of the country. Follow the hardships, heartbreaks, love, and joy of the Mains from South Carolina and the Hazzards from Pennsylvania.
It is a tail of true friends and what tries to tear them apart. It will make you laugh and cry. It gives a clear view of what some of our ancestors probably faced during the war that devided our great nation.

Good ending.......2002-09-27

While the novel makes a point to keep up with most of the characters we've come to know, Stanley, Virgilla, George & Constance, Cooper and Judith, and Ashton, the novel focuses mainly on Charles and his new life out West.

The post-war transition of Charles's character by Jakes was done masterfully. The transition of Cooper Main was a little unbelievable given his past.

The long conclusion nicely wrapped up the entire series. Definitely not the best book of the series, but a great story of life after the Civil War.

The End of a Story.......2001-05-01

Heaven and Hell, the last book in the North and South trilogy was absolutely wonderful. This book is mainly about Charles and his life in the West. And also his trying to find a place in the world after the war. Madeline is also a major character in this book with her journal entries to Orry. And the evil Bent has to make his appearance throughout. (I could have done without Bent!!) The lives of Stanley, Virgilia, Billie, Brett, and the love-to-hate-her Aston aren't covered as much in this book. I would have loved to learn more about Billie and Brett. Also would have liked to read more about Marie-Louise and her Yankee husband Theo. I found the parts of the book about them to be very touching.

If you've already read the other two books you must read this one to find out what happens. You will be in for quite a few surprises. This book is definitely worth reading. A classic!!!

Heaven and Hell.......2000-06-28

This book is a very exciting novel of all times... This book allows young adults and adults to learn about the history of their country, while enjoying a great story plot! After watching a section of North vs. South, I was determined to get the entire series (trilogy) and be able to enjoy the series as a whole. The basis of the story is a very sensitive subject....slavery. The main concern are two young men who meet while attending Westpoint, little did they know, they would go through many trials and tribulations throughout the war as well as the rest of their life. After they marry, have kids, start families of their own, and fight for thir strong beleifs, they think that they will live happily ever after, but once again they are wrong. The strong bond between these two men drifts slowly apart, as slavery is a major topic in this young country's future. Despite their differences they remain friends, but many friends and family members interfere with their friendship.... they find their fr5eindship is not worth wasting and should be preserved. The only logical solution to their problem was not to discuss certain things with each other- including slavery. This book is very educational,and even allows a not interested person actually want to know more about the history of their country. This book has a great plot yet still allows you tho see the true facts and history at the same time. This is a great book for anyone that is willing to take the time and just get into the main story plot and the same time learn more abvout American History.

How To Make One Hell Of A Profit and Still Get In To Heaven

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Written for people who have vague notions that simply making money is somehow in conflict with their morals and ethics
Awesome prosperity book!

How To Make One Hell Of A Profit and Still Get In To Heaven
John Demartini
Manufacturer: Hay House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1401901980

Book Description

Millions of people worldwide dream of making a "good" living, of attaining great wealth, and having an extraordinary and fortunate life. However, they haven't yet found a way of attaining it, and they fear that they can only do so at the expense of others—perhaps by compromising their higher spiritual values and virtuous nature. Some people who outwardly acknowledge their desire for great wealth feel inwardly guilty about acquiring it, and their illusive conflict blocks or dissipates their potential fortunes. Other people say they just want to be comfortable and secure rather than vastly fortunate. These individuals also hold themselves back from breaking through to new levels of financial freedom, and actually living their most cherished and inspiring dreams. In addition to their conflicting spiritual and material natures, some people have an additional internal struggle between their desires to give and receive.

How to Make One Hell of a Profit and Still Get to Heaven was written to help you (if you happen to be like most people) dissolve these apparent conflicts. It can assist you in making your financial dreams come true while shedding light on an entirely new way of looking at, understanding, and appreciating the true nature of Earthly profits and heavenly wealth. If you read and apply the principles and methodologies that are laid out in these pages, your relationship with, and ability to master, your spiritual wealth and material finances as well as other vital areas of your life will undergo an amazing transformation.

Customer Reviews:

Written for people who have vague notions that simply making money is somehow in conflict with their morals and ethics.......2006-05-31

Ok, this book isn't a book about a literal heaven nor does it define spirituality according to any specific religious doctrine. This book is for those folks who have uncomfortable attitudes towards making money because they feel it violates their moral or ethical codes, whatever the name of the code.

A surprising number of people are very uncomfortable with the idea of buying and selling and especially of making money on their work. They don't mind receiving a paycheck as long as it isn't "too big" (whatever that means), but to actually make something and sell it for as much as the market will bear causes them sincere and very painful anxiety. Years ago, when I taught piano full time and had a full slate of students that I charged what was a good rate for the time, one of my friends asked me how I did it.

So, I told her what I did, how I built the number of students, and what I charged. She said she could never charge that much for teaching music because it was unfair to the kids. Well, guess what, she didn't end up teaching many students even at her lower rate. And she had to go work at another job because she couldn't make enough money at what she was willing to charge. Is there a lesson here?

This book takes a person with the kind of fears and anxieties of my friend and walks them through why it is a good thing to charge and make money. What you should do to save and build with that money and how to use money to enrich rather than become the focus of your life.

If you are a person with these kinds of stultifying attitudes towards money, this is a good book to read and think about. However, if you are already a businessperson with a good understanding and attitudes towards making money, well, this book is probably too basic.

Awesome prosperity book!.......2006-03-09

This is one of the very best books I have read regarding prosperity and the way we view money. Dr. Demartini approaches the concept in a way I have never seen before and I have had too many "lightbulb moments" to count. I have purchased 4 of these books and shared them with friends, I was so excited about it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to stretch their thinking a bit outside the box and gain some new insights about how they think and feel about money.

Visions Beyond the Veil: Visions of Heaven, Angels, Satan, Hell and the End of the Age

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Visions Beyond the Vail
Essential read!
Inspiring and confiming
Visions Beyond the Veil
Visions Beyong the Veil

Visions Beyond the Veil: Visions of Heaven, Angels, Satan, Hell and the End of the Age
H. A. Baker
Manufacturer: Whitaker House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0883687860

Book Description

Originally published many years ago, this outstanding book, now revised, is still fresh and challenging to us today. It tells the story of a group of children—mostly street beggars and orphans—living in the Adullam Rescue Mission in Yunan Province, China, under the care of missionaries H. A. Baker and his wife —the grandparents of Rolland Baker, founder of IRIS Ministries in Mozambique.

These children experienced an immense and incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit—so great that they literally "experienced Heaven" through visions, were aware of the presence of angels, and were able to describe in great detail what they saw. The result of these experiences of God was fervent passion for worship, the Word of God, and prayer.

Customer Reviews:

Visions Beyond the Vail.......2007-09-19

My wife and I found this book to be very exciting as it depicts how orphan children in China where provided with a home in an orphanage; how they were fed and clothes and taken care of. This - in and of itself - is a dynamic testimony of how Jesus Christ brings victory into the lives of these children. However, their experience of seeing visions and dreams of Heaven, of God, of Jesus and of angels is one to be envied. We strongly encourage you to read this book. You will not be able to put it down.
Sincerely, Rev. Richard and Holly Lang

Essential read!.......2007-09-01

This is an essential read for those who want more of God.

Story of these Chinese orphans who experience a radical outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The book documents their experiences and visions which will stretch your brain and wreck your heart.

It's a short read that should be in all believers libraries.

Inspiring and confiming.......2007-08-26

I rate this book very high as it offers hope for the Christian and even greater hope for the Christian missionaries. H.A. Baker's journal account of what the children in his orphanage experienced just confirms many of the testimonies of others in different parts of the world, even as recent as 2007. God is alive and He still reigns! Books like Visions Beyone the Veil are inspiring to motivate anyone with a desire, to Ask, Seek and Knock knowing that God will answer, you will find and He will open the door to understanding.

Visions Beyond the Veil.......2007-05-12

EXCELLENT.....10 Stars. If one reads with thirst for the Truth, with an open mind, the reader will be excited as they read through this non-fictional account of the experiences of a missionary and his wife to China in the early 1900s. If the reader has wondered what Heaven will truly be like, to read the spiritual accounts, experiences through the eyes of simple, x-street children, will bring the reader joy and encouragement. The accounts of what the children were seeing regarding Hades, will also encourage and motivate the Christian reader to be an active witness for Christ daily.

Visions Beyong the Veil.......2007-03-09

Awesome eye opener. If you're hungry to know more of the ways God deals with us here on earth, don't miss this one. I've met the Bakers on a mission trip to Mozambique & know them to to be very strong, hard working missionaries that you can trust. They love Jesus and the kids and it comes through when reading this book, how true they are to the calling God has given them.

Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death wtih John F. Kennedy, C. S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley

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A Great Read
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL
Pros and cons list for book:
Between...
Good introduction to an important debate.

Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death wtih John F. Kennedy, C. S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley
Peter Kreeft
Manufacturer: InterVarsity Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0877843899

Book Description

On November 22, 1963, three great men died within a few hours of each other: C.S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy and Aldous Huxley. All three believed, in different ways, that death is not the end of human life. Suppose they were right, and suppose they met after death. How might the conversation go?Peter Kreeft imagines their discourse as a modern Socratic dialog--a part of The Great Conversation that has been going on for centuries. Does human life have meaning? Is it possible to know about life after death? What if one could prove that Jesus was God?Combining logical argument and literary imagination, Kreeft portrays Lewis as a Christian theist, Kennedy as a modern humanist and Huxley as an Eastern pantheist. Their interaction involves not only good thinking but good drama.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Read.......2006-05-02

November 22, 1963 was a day that all who were alive that day will remember. It was the day J.F. Kennedy was killed. But in the shadow of that famous death two other great men died that day, Aldous Huxley and John F. Kennedy. This book deals with those three famous men and a fictional dialog they would have sometime after life, but before a final judgment.

These three great men each believed in an afterlife but differently. Lewis in ancient western theism, Kennedy was a humanist, and Huxley believed in ancient eastern pantheism. Each also believed or practiced different forms of Christianity. Lewis was more mainline orthodox Christianity, Kennedy was a modernist or humanistic Christianity and Huxley an Orientalized or mystical Christianity.

The three men meet in a white mist or fog, they debate where they are, what they believe and where they think they will end up. Like many of Kreeft's books it is written as a dialogue, a conversation in three parts. They each present their world views, their view of the afterlife and their understanding of what their life meant. Yet each is open to the `truth' what truth really is and if it has eternal impact.

This is one of those fun light reads, written in a unique and engaging manner that will presenting the three most common views currently accepted in Christianity, and three of the common interpretations of Christianity in today's world. If you want to understand other streams of Christianity or the Christians around you this book will give you a clear, concise and humorous presentation of the three main approaches today.

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL.......2006-04-11

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK IN ITS CATEGORY.

Pros and cons list for book:.......2005-05-01

Three men died on the same day in November, 1963: JFK, Aldous Huxley, and CS Lewis. The book is a fictional recreation of how their meeting might take place.
I would like to write my review in the form of a pros/cons list with the following premise: I really liked this book.

Cons: I think there are fewer than the pros by far, but my own view includes-
1.) Though I actually agree with Kreeft's portrayal of Kennedy overall as a philosophical dilletante compared to Lewis and Huxley, Kreeft could have been a little more generous to JFK.
2.) Kreeft is a little more philosophically specific than Lewis who wrote to more of a "lay" crowd.

Pros:
1.) I disagree with previous reviews that say that the book misrepresented Lewis. Few people know the ins and outs of Lewis better than Kreeft. Consider these parallels as proof: A.) the aut deus aut homo malus argument is a direct recapitulation of the lunatic, liar, or Lord argument present in Mere Christianity and some of Lewis' other works.
B.) Those who say that Lewis believed that all cultures and religions were equal is not exactly correct. Lewis believed that pieces of truth were lodged in other religions, but did not believe that all religions were created equal. Again a close reading of the opening in Mere Christianity makes it clear that Lewis is an adamant Christian.
C.) The way in which Lewis believed that all people were equal was in their imperfection when confronting the holy reality of God. Huxley, on the other hand, adhered to a more pantheistic view of human nature that lumped the good and the bad in one ubiquitous whole. The glaring metaphysical differences between pantheism and theism disclose the deduction that Huxley and Lewis were proponents of two profoundly different worldviews and thus had fewer mental/philosophical "overlaps" than might appear prima facie. Reading the Lewis book, "Miracles," makes that demarcation even clearer.
Pro #2: There are times when Huxley really comes on strong. If you read some of Kreeft's other works, you'll see he has a healthy respect of Aldous;in BHAH Lewis has read "Brave New World," and in other nonfictional works Kreeft actually praises the insights in the aforementioned book. I think the critique that Huxley is misrepresented is a bit unwarranted.
Pro #3: It is a cool re-enactment of what is much like a Socratic dialogue.
Pro #4: Kreeft isn't psychic, but seems to articulate the biggest differences between the three ideological camps of Christianity, modernism, and perennial philosophy/pantheism pretty well.

I highly recommend this book.

Between..........2005-03-02

*** November 22, 1963 is one of those days that is unforgettable in the minds of many; so much so that at least one man chose November 22 on which to marry so that he could never forget his annerversary. On that day, pretty much everyone will recall that John F Kennedy was shot, but two other men also died, Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, and CS Lewis, one of the most brilliant and influential Christian thinkers of this age. Somewhere between their last breath and eternal destiny, the author has imagined a conversation between the three in which they compare philosophies, JFK representing humanism, Huxley the spokeman for pantheism, and Lewis, naturally being the Christian. In short order, it becomes a two against one debate, but Lewis handles the other two quite well, making a compelling argument that tends to make the other two look foolish to dogmatically oppose him. Though the style is completely different from a similiar book, the Question of God which compares and contrasts Freud and Lewis, those who read that would do well to complement their reading with Between Heaven and Hell. ***

Good introduction to an important debate........2005-01-01

In "Between Heaven and Hell," Peter Kreeft sets up a fictional debate between C.S. Lewis, Aldous Huxley, and John F. Kennedy, shortly after their deaths which, amazingly, all came on November 22nd, 1963. Kreeft uses Lewis, Kennedy, and Huxley as representatives of 3 common worldviews and their interpretation on Christianity: orthodox Christianity, modernist Christianity, and "Orientalist" Christianity, respectively.

Kreeft, an orthodox Catholic, naturally sides with the general worldview of the Anglican Lewis over the modernist Catholic Kennedy and the Buddhist Huxley, but Kreeft is fair and respectful towards Kennedy and Huxley. While the book is very short at only a little over 100 pages, in informal, conversational format, it provides a good synopsis of how the three men interpreted the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, as told in the New Testament.

The first half of the book is Lewis debating Kennedy on the subject of Christianity. (Huxley agrees to listen and argue his philosophy later on, mainly against Lewis of course, which he does in the 2nd half of the book.) Kennedy's worldview is definitely the most prevalent in the present-day, Western world, and therefore, the debate between Lewis and Kennedy will be the more interesting of the two for most readers raised in a Western culture. The Lewis-Kennedy debate is basically a summation of several Lewis books, most of which were themselves an argument for orthodox Christianity versus the modernist Christian and post-Christian worldview. Lewis handles Kennedy fairly easily, and Kennedy fans or readers sharing Kennedy's worldview will probably find themselves wanting to propose several objections to Kreeft in support of their side of the debate. But this is a quick summary after all, and Kreeft is obviously aware of that.

Moving on to the pantheist Huxley, the debate becomes slightly more foreign and rare to the average Westerner used to debates between monotheists and atheists. Huxley was a brilliant man (as all three were, of course), and his philosophy was deep, well-argued, and at times, abstruse. Kreeft uses this debate to answer the question often put to Christians, phrased in one form or another, "How is Jesus different than other major religious gurus?" This debate, again being a quick summary, leaves a few pantheist arguments on the table and isn't ended as easily as the Lewis dispatching of Kennedy's case is, but it suffices.

I recommend this book as a good introduction to the believing Christian's argument against modernist Christianity and Eastern philosophy. The book is entertaining and can be read in a couple hours, if not less.

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