Book Description
He has been one of the brightest stars in Hollywood, a hard-charging actor whose intensity on the screen has been mirrored in his personal life. As Kirk Douglas has grown older - he turned ninety in December 2006 - he has become less impetuous and more reflective. In this poignant and inspiring new memoir, Douglas contemplates what life is all about, weighing current events from his present frame of mind while summoning the passions of his younger days.
Kirk Douglas is a born storyteller, and throughout Let's Face It he tells wonderful tales and shares favorite jokes and hard-won insights. In the book, he explores the mixed blessings of growing older and looks back at his childhood, his young adulthood, and his storied, glamorous, and colorful life and career in Hollywood. He tells delightful stories of the making of such films as Spartacus, Lust for Life, Champion, The Bad and the Beautiful, and many others. He includes anecdotes about his friends Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, Lauren Bacall, Ronald Reagan, Ava Gardner, Henry Kissinger, Fred Astaire, Yul Brynner, John Wayne, and Johnny Cash. He reveals the secrets that have kept him and his wife, Anne, happily married for more than five decades, and talks fondly and movingly of times spent with his sons, Michael, Peter, Eric, and Joel, and his grandchildren.
Douglas's life has been filled with pain as well as joy. In Let's Face It, he writes frankly for the first time about the tragic death of his son Eric from a drug overdose at age forty-five. Douglas tells what it was like to recover from several near-death episodes, including a helicopter crash, a stroke, and a cardiac event. He writes of his sadness that many of his closest friends are no longer with us; the book includes many moving stories such as one about a regular poker game at Frank Sinatra's house at which he and Anne have been fixtures along with Gregory Peck, Jack Lemmon, and their wives. Though many of the players are gone, the game continues to this day.
In Let's Face It, Douglas reflects on how his Jewish faith has become more and more important to him over the years. He offers strong opinions on everything from anti-Semitism to corporate greed, from racism to Hurricane Katrina, and from the war in Iraq to the situation in Israel. He writes about the importance in his life of the need to improve education for all children and about how we need to care more about the world and less about ourselves.
A must-read for every fan, this engrossing memoir provides an indelible self-portrait of a great star - while sharing the wit and wisdom Kirk Douglas has accumulated over a lifetime.
Customer Reviews:
a man you can love and respect.......2007-08-31
I could not put the book down ,I had to read it from cover to cover . He is a one of a kind person It shows how you will always go back to your roots
Not as good as past books.......2007-08-23
I have read past books by Kirk Douglas which were much better, mainly because they told a story, and this book is mostly ramblings. It is okay to pick up and read a bit from time to time but not a book you will be engrossed in.
A wonderful life .......2007-08-19
Kurt does it again. At ninety he is still feisty and funny. And his life- story which he has told in two previous books is only enriched by another retelling. He opens with the story of his ninetieth birthday party, a gala family event in which he laughs and is laughed at as well as celebrated and appreciated. The little kid from Amsterdam did not do so bad. He may have started out as a poor hungry kid robbing eggs from the neighbor's chicken coop but he with a lot of moxie and ability made it to the top of the American entertainment world. In this book which comes across as a series of small essays or talks he wanders all over the place but always interestingly. He in his long career knew a lot of remarkable people and he tells about many of his old buddies. He also in the course of this speaks about how much he misses many of them, one of the sad consequences of a very long life. He also speaks about the tragic death of his youngest son, whose grave he visits twice a week.
Kurt did not make it the easy way. A heart attack, a helicopter crash which set him back a lot, a stroke which took his speech from him. The stroke however did not take away his will and through great effort much help he fought back to speak and think clearly again. Part of his wake- up process was a decision to explore Judaism which he had sort of forgotten about in his prime acting years ( Except for his yearly Yom Kippur synagogue visits, and the movies made in Israel which he is a staunch supporter of) His strong desire to help young people to educate them to moral dignity and lives of contributing to making a better world is also expressed here. Also he tells the story of his fifty- three year and running marriage to his second wife,Ann, and how this has been the great love story of his life.
Kurt has guts and heart .He is a tough, caring person, who will always of course be most known for some of his remarkable performances on the screen ( Lonely Are the Brave, The Champion, Spartacus, The Clown, Lust or Life) but his works as a writer also have great entertainment and educational value.
A wonderfully enjoyable little book by a great human being.
Still the toughest guy in town.......2007-03-30
You have to be tough to face your own mortality and Kirk Douglas faces it feisty, reflective, and sometimes furious. In addition to great stories from his life that he hasn't told before, this book tells of the things that, 90 years on, move his heart and his soul. I was surprised, delighted and stirred all the way through.
Book Description
This is the true story of the Canned Heat Band's psychedelic hippie days as lived by Adolfo "Fito" De La Parra, a man who never forgot how to boogie and still escaped with his life! This is his story, journaling four decades on the road with boogie-blues music legends CANNED HEAT. This is a saga of hit records, world tours, drugs, sex, outrageous behavior, and death. From the heights of their world-wide fame during the Woodstock era, to the bands rebirth in the '90s and thier continued success today ,this is the real story of the wild and excessive lifestyles of the music world!
Customer Reviews:
if you love these blues,,,.......2006-09-06
Written by Canned Heat drummer Fito De La Parra, this book is a tell-all tale of rock and roll excess. Only a Latino could pour his heart out the way Fito does here. His love of the blues, love of his fellow band members, his anguish at the deaths of Hite, Wilson and Vestine are expressed here vividly and emotionally. Of particular interest are some great stories about their most loyal fans; bikers, as well as the usual alcohol abuse, over-the-top drug use, and dalliances with females, some of them groupies, including the Plastercasters, The Butter Queen and sweet, sweet Connie. A must-read for all fans of rock and roll, blues and " the road ".
Genuinely Fascinating Account of the Band with Blues `n Rock's Highest Mortality Rate.......2006-02-08
This privately published account of blues-boogie band Canned Heat is the best book in its genre. It's sure a lot better written than I thought it would be. Living the Blues really captures the essence of what it must have been like to be in a top-touring act back in that era. I caught the band back in its Woodstock heyday and, luckily, in some its more recent versions. All of the original front-men: singer Bob "The Bear" Hite, lead guitarist Henry "Sunflower" Vestine and slide guitarist Al "Blind Owl" Wilson have long ago gone for their dirt naps. So have Vestine's replacement Hollywood Fats and talented keyboardist Ronnie Barron. In the book, Canned Heat seems to kill `em as fast as they join up.
Living the Blues has lots of great stories and characters. Like the time the obese singer Hite let loose a fart so incredibly foul during a contract negotiation that the record execs dropped the band from its label on the spot. And how Vestine, who spent most his adult life dedicated to playing music originated and written by black people, evolved into a heroin addled white supremacist.
Somehow the book's author and the band's original bass player Larry Taylor manage to periodically put together functioning line-ups of itinerant bluesmen and take their show on the road. Sometimes these versions of Canned Heat are even better than the original. (Listen to the CD "Reheated", a really terrific blues album.) Living the Blues is a true story of musician survivorship....aside from all those dead guys.
Deliciously Sleazy.......2003-01-15
This is a no-holes-barred account of the very wild lifestyle of our nation's premiere boogie band.
Notice I didn't say "lavish" lifestyle. The story of Canned Heat is anything but lavish!
This is a down and dirty story. For all their fame, Canned Heat never did have a whole lot of money- hence touring in busses rather than planes. And what money they did have was spent on drugs and women. They partied till they dropped, leaving two lead vocalist in their wake.
The sex with groupies is described in lurid detail, but nothing was written to titillate. It's right there, in your face, and it all rings true- but it sounds more empty than exciting. Maybe that's how Fito got by with writing a book describing every wretched excess in exacting detail with nary an apology in sight. He doesn't try to excuse his or his band members behavior. He doesn't have to. Seeing once vibrant men destroyed at the end of their careers, or dead, is warning enough.
Fito is a gifted writer. He paints such a vivid picture of what is like to be a member of the group in it's glory days that not only can you get a picture of what is going on, you can actually smell it.
One band member was sitting off stage when his teeth became to arbitrarily fall out of his mouth, one by one. I guess that's what years of hard drug use and neglect will get you. He goes on to play on stage in a chair- too stoned to stand. He dies shortly thereafter.
The lead singer, the voice you hear on "On The Road Again" and "Goin' Up The Country" was described as being such a stoner, and having such terrible hygiene, that he was the only person alive that could be the lead voice on a number one record and still not be able to get a woman! This same singer opted to sleep outside in the grass by himself rather than join the rest of the band in their Hotel accomadations.
What a great book. The band soldiered on with no original members left except for Fito, the author, who came aboard with their second album. Not an original member, but he did play on the hits. His story is the bands story. One of lost potential. and of wasted talent.
They burned themselves out way too fast, barely existing today. But it sounds like they had a ball doing it. This book has such a "60's" feel to it. But Fito made the wise choice of not looking back on the bands heyday with rose colored glasses. This is a "warts and all" story with the emphasis on the warts.
Also interesting is that the story doesn't end. Fito is still touring and recording with the what seems to be the 750th version of Canned Heat. He laments that the band isn't considered to be vital anymore. (He quotes some magazines, including "Rolling Stone" as saying the band disbanded in the 70's.) Most would agree that the Fito-led Canned Heat hasn't mattered for years. My own feeling is that the band died with Bob Hite, but Fito has conviction in his arguments that the band is still viable.
Even though I recommend this book, I must warn you that you will feel like taking a shower after reading it. It's a raw, dirty and sweaty account of Canned Heat's history- and Fito isn't shy about showing himself or the band in a less than flattering light- but's is also entertaining as hell- and very informative.
It answers some questions, such as how does the ownership of a band name fall into it's drummers possession. How ethical is it to tour under that name with two sound-alike lead vocalists because the original two lead vocalists are dead?
What a great book. Fantastic job, Fito. You sure know how to tell a story!
RISE AND FALL OF A ROCK'N'ROLL LIFESTYLE.......2002-01-15
If you want to enter the world of a R'N'R star and it's entourage this book will open your eyes. Drugs, sex, passion, rage, and... don't forget to boogie. They lived through that sweet magical controversial periode of the late 60's-70's, white trash on it's zenit, wild life, raw r&b encountering psychedelia... and it's all in this book. It's the plain story of a bunch of great R'N'R stars, on the stage and in life.
IF YOU DON'T BUY THIS BOOK...........2001-08-26
All I have to say is that if you don't own this book by now, then you should rush out to the nearest store and buy the newest Creed, Sublime, or some other "Alternative" cd, and worse yet, be forced to listen to it!! I want to say that I finally have defined what they mean by "alternative": an alternative to music! And don't ever talk about "understanding Rock n Roll, Blues and Boogie" again, because Canned Heat WROTE THE BOOK ON THE HARDSHIPS AND HEARTACHES OF BEING ON THE ROAD. This book proves that there could NEVER be another Woodstock after the legendary 1969 gathering, and there WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER BAND LIKE CANNED HEAT. Fito and the Heat are still entertaining audiences with their quality brand of Boogie and Blues. BUY EVERYTHING THEY HAVE EVER RELEASED AND EVERYTHING THEY WILL RELEASE IN THE FUTURE. The Boogie House Tapes...IS ALSO AN ESSENTIAL PURCHASE. DON'T FORGET TO BOOGIE!
Book Description
No music is as individual as jazz. And no writer is as deft at bringing out what is individual in each jazz artist as W. Royal Stokes. As a reviewer, feature writer, public radio host, and author, Stokes has spent three decades covering the jazz scene. Now he draws on that rich store of knowledge and friendship to introduce us to the jazz life. In some forty interviews with saxophonists, pianists, singers, composers, and string, brass, and rhythm players, Stokes illuminates the lives of the artists and the sheer pleasure of the sounds they create. Stokes paints a vivid portrait of jazz musicians--bringing to life their influences, their careers, and their art. We hear firsthand how they became interested in jazz and how they emerged onto the jazz scene. Stokes ranges across the globe in his interviews, introducing us to vaudeville stars, blues musicians, and a dozen women instrumentalists--like the acclaimed violinist Regina Carter--from the many who now shine on a stage where they were once limited to vocals alone. From legendary veterans Jackie McLean and Louie Bellson to such rising stars as Diana Krall, Cyrus Chestnut, and Ingrid Jensen, Stokes gathers together the brightest lights in the jazz firmament, capturing not only the life of the musician, but how the musician gives life to jazz.
Customer Reviews:
A Must For Researchers.......2007-05-18
As Continental forces and Virginia militia units were engaged in winning independence, American quartermasters and provisioners struggled to provide these units with all the necessities of life, from meals and guns to meat, fodder for horses, the horses themselves, firewood, and every other type of material. Much of this was requisitioned from the civilian population and certificates were issued payable in either continental or state funds, depending on the units supplied, upon presentation to court authorities. Thousands of these certificates issued to Virginians were duly entered by the courts, and they provide a fascinating insight into the period of the Revolution. These "Publick" Claims booklets contain interesting and useful information about the contributions of ordinary people to the Revolutionary War. They provide some details of people's service in the militia or as guards for prisoners of war; they indicate where some bodies of troops were at particular times; and they identify providers of horses, wagons, cattle, grain, or other supplies. Much of the information in these booklets cannot be found anywhere else, which makes the surviving records particularly valuable. Also remarkable is the fact that records survived from virtually every county in the state at that time with the exception of the newly formed Kentucky counties. This makes the collection even more valuable in covering areas which heretofore in this time period have suffered from a lack of personal data. The "Virginia Publick Claims" are published by counties. In addition to a faithful transcription by Janice Luck Abercrombie and the late Richard Slatten, a complete index is provided for each county booklet. This series is an extremely important genealogical tool for searchers in Revolutionary-era materials.
Book Description
The Ziegfeld Follies, Florenz Ziegfeld's stage spectacular, promised the best performers, the most lavish sets, and the most ravishing girls. Doris Eaton Travis was one of these prized beauties–and, at 14, was chosen as the youngest chorus girl in the Follies. "Mine eyes are yet dim with the luminous beauty of a girl named Doris," one Chicago reviewer wrote.
Today, at the age of 102, Eaton is the last living Ziegfeld girl. Over the past century, she has performed for presidents and princesses, entertained Gershwin, Lindbergh, and Astaire, starred in silent and talking pictures, bantered with Babe Ruth, offended Henry Ford, outlived six siblings, written a newspaper column, hosted a television show, earned a Phi Beta Kappa degree in history, raised turkeys, and raced horses. Century Girl is a visual tour of this extraordinary woman's journey through the ages.
Customer Reviews:
A loving tribute to an extrordinary woman........2007-09-03
Century Girl: 100 Years in the Life of Doris Eaton Travis, Last Living Star of the Ziegfeld Follies is a new order of biography. Lauren Redniss uses hand-written text as an artistic element to guide the eye through the evocative images she has created using photo-collage and line drawings. The result is a visually stunning tour of the extraordinary life of Doris Eaton Travis
The book chronicles the life of Norman, Oklahoma, resident and University of Oklahoma graduate Doris Eaton Travis. The book follows Travis and her siblings, once known as the Eatons of Broadway, from their lives as child actors, to their success in theater and early films, and ultimately to their sad and often tragic fates.
Travis alone was able to leave show business behind. She had the strength to adapt herself when circumstances demanded; from dancer, to entrepreneur, to book-keeper on a horse ranch, to college graduate at 88 years old. She returned to the Broadway stage at the age of 94 and recieved an honorary doctorate at 100. Her's is a story of reinvention and ultimately of success.
Lauren Redniss teaches at the Parson's School in New York City. Her work is often seen on the Op-Ed page of the New York Times, which nominated her for the Pulitzer Prize. She is currently writing a biography of Marie Curie, due out in the fall.
This book is a work of art from cover to cover. Redniss knows her subject well and the story is told largely in Travis' own words. It is the author's unique, artistic approach that brings this fascinating story to life so vibrantly and with such immediacey.
In one section of the book, for example, Redniss discusses Travis' sister Mary Eaton's beauty, and the eagerness with which men gave her expensive gifts. The text takes the reader to photographs of Eaton in a seductive pose layered over images of Eaton's name in lights on the marquis of the New Amsterdam Theater. These images flow into a still photo from Eaton's starring role in Glorifying the American Girl. As we read of Eaton's beauty, we see coming off the page a Broadway star at the height of her fame and a woman who epitomizes beauty in the early twentieth century....and we understand why men were so easily parted from their money.
The artistic elements flow together seamlessly and carry the reader through this lovingly crafted biography. Redniss' incredible images allow the reader to experience the lives of Travis and her family in ways that text alone simply doesn't allow.
This book would appeal to anyone interested in dance or theater history. It has appeal to the general reader as well. Doris Eaton Travis is an extraordinary human being. Her ability to overcome tragedy, to reinvent herself, and to constantly strive to learn is an inspiration to all. Lauren Redniss' extaordinary book is the perfect vehicle to bring her inspiring story to life.
eye candy at its best.......2007-05-17
Have you ever looked through an old school yearbook where handwritten script accompanies carefully cropped pictures to make art? My grandma's yearbook from 1918 was like this. So is this gem by Lauren Redniss. The text and the artful images tugged at my heart and had me reading anxiously onward. It is as much a journey through this past century as it is a tribute to one remarkable lady. This was worth every cent!
Beautiful Book About a Remarkable Life.......2006-12-10
Lauren Redniss' Century Girl is a work of art that tells the story of a remarkable woman, Doris Eaton Travis. It is visually stunning -- the colors and art/photos/clippings and presentation make the cleverly inked biographical words LIVE on the page. And though longevity is one of the book's hooks -- "100 years in the life..." -- it is really about LIVING life, really, truly living life. It's a very unique experience reading this book -- you open a page and the gorgeous, artistic presentation really draws your eyes. You soak it all in, and then you read the words. As you read the words, you take in the art in a new way, and the words and the art combine to unfold the story in a really wonderful way. I highly recommend this book.
"It's the top, it's the coliseum".......2006-12-01
Everything about this vivacious book gives me a thrill. From the life and times of Doris Eaton herself (my latest and greatest role model - Please, God, let me live so long and be so grand!) to Ms. Redniss' swell and funky collaged interpretations of it, these are book dollars well-spent. Century Girl is a BIG, juicy tome of a book with a fabulous and sturdy library binding and thick glossy pages.
Whether you're a fan of cutting edge book design, collage, the 1920's, or the Ziegfield Follies, do your coffee or bedside table a sweet favor and grace it with this book before another week passes you by. And don't forget the tables at your Aunties' and your best girlfriends'.
This is a book to give anyone you're really crazy about.
High-kicking hybrid.......2006-11-20
This book is an engaging blend of art journal, visual bio, and time-travel archive. Although the book documents the life of a bygone
Ziegfeld Folly-dolly, it is really a prime example of how a nearly-forgotten pile of clippings and ephemera can be turned into a fascinating
bit of visual magic. The author/artist shows a strong affinity and tenderness for her subject, and yet she breathes new (vibrant) life into the story of Doris Eaton Travis; and creates a fascinating visual diary
in the bargain. Although the target audience for this book is probably theatre buffs and historians, I would suggest that many of my "tribe" who love art journals, altered books, and mixed media artwork will find it to be full of ideas. Visually-fascinating and engaging.
Book Description
In this rich exploration of music, authors Don and Emily Saliers interweave their own stories as well as those of others to reflect on the what, the how, and the why of music as a key aspect of spirituality in our lives. As an Indigo Girl, folk-rock singer-songwriter, Emily performs in primarily secular settings, while her father, Don - composer, cantor, and church musician - writes and arranges for church congregations. Their audiences may differ but both father and daughter understand the profound spirituality of music and have personally witnessed how their music brings healing to people no matter what the setting or circumstance. A Song to Sing, A Life to Live bridges two generations, two approaches to spirituality, and two genres of music - the music of Saturday night and Sunday morning. Don and Emily Saliers reflect on such topics as music and justice, music and grief, music and delight, and music and hope. They open the way for those who seek to embrace new spiritual practices by creating music, sharing music, and developing their musical skills as a spiritual practice.
Customer Reviews:
the role of music in spirituality.......2007-08-16
Authors Don and Emily Saliers, father and daughter, write from very different but equally fascinating places. He is a noted church musician and composer and university professor at a major Protestant divinity school; she has left behind her traditional church upbringing and practice and now writes music and performs as part of the maverick singing group Indigo Girls which has been around for nearly 2 decades. If you are a church musician this book will especially speak to you I think. If you're not -- and I'm not -- many of the sections written by Don may leave you confused. At least that was the impact on me. Consequently, I wasn't able to connect to his spirituality in the way I'd expected, despite my longtime church background. Emily's contributions to the book, in which I was especially interested because of Indigo Girls' social justice activism, were far fewer up to the point, about half way through the book, where I finally quit reading. I was just plain bored, and I realized I'd been skimming through pages, hoping for but finding nothing that really touched or inspired me. I felt I was reading a college textbook. There was an emotional distance that seemed odd to me for a book about spirituality. Or maybe it really is a book about music, and I'm not a musician, though I love music and it is the source of my greatest spiritual growth and comfort. Because I admire both Emily and Don Saliers so much, I keep thinking it must be me that's the problem where this book is concerned. Maybe so. Maybe no. But I never finished it.
Music as affirmation.......2006-11-04
This book supports what many of us have long felt: that music is perhaps the best medium to express joy and affirmation of life. The thoughts and experiences of this father-daughter pair, one a church musician and the other a popular performer, resonate with those of us who are neither, but who love to sing and/or listen to and/or play music. Sometimes the prose gets repetitive, but it's always clear. You'll find yourself nodding vigorously, and probably smiling too, throughout.
Well Written and a Must for Fans!.......2005-06-16
I thoroughly enjoyed this book since I am an Indigo Girls fan-particularly of Emily's song writing. This book is about tolerance of all music and how it affects just about all that we do. It talks about some of the stories behind Emily's song lyrics which I find fascinating, but also gives a great history behind many of the hymns that her father plays in their church. I would have liked to have seen Emily mention her mother and her impact on her song writing, but overall...the language and the ideas expressed in this book are beautiful and wonderful. I was sent this book as a gift, and it truly was. What a delightful treat to read.
Spiritually Uplifting.......2005-02-06
Can't get that song out of your head? Neither can they. In their new book "A Song to Sing, A Life to Live" Don Saliers, renowned professor of theology at Emory, and his daughter Emily Saliers, Grammy award winning singer/songwriter of the Indigo Girls, sing in harmony the praises of music and its connection to the soul. They remind us that it is music which generates the vibrating strings of energy connecting us to all living things. Their discussions of how music helps to shape us by connecting us to memories, people, places, and the Divine Source is both uplifting and inspirational. Both Don and Emily provide insights into how music has inspired them and directed their lives not only on a path of self-discovery, but a path of discovering the world around them; a world made visible only through music. This book will make you stop and look at the music you enjoy in a different light. I was deeply moved by the story of a young girl, Sarah, on her death bed waiting to hear Emily, and Indigo Girls partner Amy Ray, sing Emily's "Southland in the Springtime"; dying only hours after the duo finished their song. It made me question why even in death we long to fill our soul with our favorite music, but as Don and Emily point out, the cycle of life moves to music. They remind us that we cannot escape the rhythms with which daily life moves; whether it is the bustle of traffic, the roar of the ocean, or the singing of the birds. Our own bodies would not exist without the heart's intricate beating and the exact rhythm of our breathing. In essence, we are born in rhythm and die in song. I highly recommend this book as a primer in understanding the connection between music and the soul. This book is enlightening, uplifting, and fun. As an added bonus you'll also be treated to the personal stories and anecdotes of Don and Emily's encounters with music. Thank you Don and Emily for your courage and openness. Rock on!
Average customer rating:
- Great!
- FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING BOOK
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I Hope You Are Living As High on the Hog As the Pig You Turned Out to Be
Bill Anderson
Manufacturer: Fireside
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Book Description
"Whisperin'" Bill Anderson weaves these classic country music tales right from the horse's mouth, delivering hilarious episodes and touching moments.
Customer Reviews:
Great!.......2007-07-19
This was a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I highly recommend it to everyone, especially those who like country music and country music artists. I love reading about the older country artists and their experiences in the industry etc. It was a funny and entertaining book. Bill Anderson has a great sense of humor too and has a way with words.
FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING BOOK.......2006-11-17
I AM A country music buff, the stories and mishaps of the older country singers are so funny.....well written and easy to read.....
Book Description
When St. Benedict formed his first small community of monks at Monte Cassino on the hilltop, Italy--and much of Europe--was ravaged by war. The Roman Empire was breaking apart, and politics, cultural life, and even the Church, were all in disarray. In the midst of these tumultuous times, Benedict offered his followers a "little rule," a guide about the size of a checkbook, that showed his monks the way to peace as they learned to prefer Christ above all things.
Though it was written nearly 1500 years ago, the Rule of Benedict still offers the practical tools for living a Christ-centered today. Here in St. Benedict's Toolbox, readers will find a primer on how to use these tools in their own tumultuous lives. Each chapter examines one aspect of the Rule, from ways of praying to ways of embracing humility, and offers suggestions for prayer, reflection, journaling, and action. As they learn to use Benedict's tools, readers will discover the power--and the timeliness--of this ancient way of life.
Customer Reviews:
Too Christocentric!.......2006-11-10
This book assumes that the Christianity is central to the reader's life. Although there are some good general points, the Christocentrism renders them practically useless for those of other faiths. Perhaps this was the author's intention, but I believe she could have made it inclusive without sacrificing the integrity of the book.
Great Title--Great Book.......2006-11-07
I am a lover of the Rule, and I am a lover of this book! It is wonderfully useful not just personally, but for retreats, prayer days, and spiritual direction exercises.
You can't go wrong here. Great little gift for those who follow the Rule.
One of the Best Benedictine Books.......2006-08-21
A practical, hands-on and realistic approach to the Rule of Saint Benedict. In true Benedictine spirit it is applicable to all people within all situations, yet is steeped within the monastic tradition. A useful and truly useable book.
A wealth of useful tools, practices, and explanations, ...........2006-06-16
As an Oblate of St. Benedict I have read many books on the Rule of Benedict. This is the most useful book on the Rule that I have read in several years. Jane Tomaine helps us understand the Rule of Benedict as it applies to our daily lives in the 21st Century. She begins by relating the Rule of Benedict to a foundation of Christian faith/life... our Baptismal Covenant. Regardless of your specific denomination, age, or faith tradition, you are likely to find a wealth of useful tools, practices, and explanations... of ways to seek (and establish) a fresh, consistent, awareness of God in your everyday life.
While the Rule of Benedict dates back 1500 years, Jane Tomaine makes the wisdom of the Rule of Benedict accessable to every person interested in living a life of faith today. You really can enjoy and use this book without any previous exposure to the Rule of Benedict.
Practical wisdom for everyday life.......2005-07-23
This book thoroughly lives up to its title. As a practical "how to" manual, it offers an amazing array of tools useful in very ordinary situations. Furthermore, it is firmly based on monastic tradition and excel-lent literature on the Rule of Benedict, as well as Tomaine's own life experience. Her interpretation of Benedictine obedience is a good example of her practical yet deeply spiritual approach: "Obedience is not what we expect from others. Obedience is what we do ourselves for others." Regarding stability she writes: "God in Christ is our Rock and as Christians, we want to put on Christ and become a rock too. We want to have a firm and solid center at the core of our being, so that we can withstand the unpredictability and transience of our world." A good bibliography adds to the value of the book for anyone interested in Benedict's 1500-year old Rule as a resource for living sanely in today's world. Sr. Lenora Black, OSB
Book Description
Dance like there’s no one watching
The Bible clearly shows that we have been uniquely created for a purposeful life, but it’s not meant to be about us, or our career, or our fame. It’s all about God, and His glory. That’s the purpose of Chris Tomlin’s first book—to get you to think of yourself as one of God’s fame builders. You and I are formed from the dust of His creation and given breath for this reason: to spread His renown to everyone we meet by what we say and do.
It’s the way we were made.
The writer of many of today’s most cherished youth-oriented worship songs guides readers in a personal and deeper discovery of living for God’s glory.
Made for More
You were made for more than this world sells. All that this world has to offer is temporary. It leaves us still hungry, wanting more, because we were made for something greater. We were created to shine the spotlight on God—to spread His fame everywhere we go.
I want to encourage you along your journey. I want to help you discover more about what God has uniquely made you to do and enjoy. And I’ve got a story or two that I hope will throw some light on the road you’re traveling…
[insert signature]
—Chris Tomlin
Story Behind the Book
“If I’ve learned one thing that’s true, it’s this: You will never worship what you don’t consider bigger than yourself. This famous God created us to worship Him. Our greatest purpose as people is to make much of God, to give our very lives in worship to Him. Far greater than anyone in Hollywood, God’s name is ‘up in lights,’ the lights of the universe. His glory is seen wherever we fix our gaze. We are His people, formed from His dirt, given His breath to glorify Him. Our every step is to make Him famous in this life—and in the one to come.”
Customer Reviews:
Not what I expected - In a good way........2007-09-05
I first picked up this book when I was reading Praise Habit: Finding God In Sunsets And Sushi by David Crowder. Because Crowder's book was so refreshing and enjoyable (due to his writing style and stories) Tomlin's book seemed a little dry when I browsed through it.
Fast forward one year. I encountered The Way I was Made and had the opportunity to read through it. It was refreshing to see the progression of a worshipper and songwriter and realize that successful people are made over the long-haul not overnight.
Mr. Tomlin shares many insights into his songs, past and worship style. He also gives lots of excellent tips for building a solid spiritual foundation that should benefit any worshipper or worship leader.
The Way I Was Made: Words and Music for an Unusual Life.......2007-06-04
Very, very helpful information as I am a new worship leader. Chris Tomlin is the best!
Great book on worship!.......2007-01-18
Having recently read a number of books on worship, I found Chris Tomlin's to be concise, extremely relevant, and well-written--kind of like the songs he writes, I guess.
I think the biggest strength of this book is that Chris is so real. He doesn't try to come across as a saint, and so he makes the ideal of living out worship seem attainable.
And it didn't hurt that I kept laughing aloud at his stories.
Fun book to read and very helpful.......2006-08-23
Chris Tomlin put many of his own stories in the book, which I learned a lot from. It is also very helpful that Chris put some guidance about how to prepare to lead a worship session. Recommand to all worship leaders.
Great Book.......2006-07-28
Chris Tomlin is one of the thankfully increasing artists who place their emphasis on giving God glory rather than writing songs (and books) that focus on themselves. While the book is about Tomlin's call to become the song writer and musician he is today, it's also about the God who was always at work in his life guiding him and directing him to where he is today. I did not own any of his albums prior to this book, but bought Arriving after completing this book. Whether you're a Tomlin fan or just like reading about how God works through the lives of others, you'll enjoy this book.
Book Description
Fasting and prayer has been a spiritual practice since ancient times to cleanse and purify believers. Now, Dave Williams, pastor of the 5,000 member Mount Hope Church in Lansing, Michigan, sheds new light on this honored and powerful practice. Readers will learn the amazing benefits of fasting and prayer including breakthrough answers, sharper mental ability, and stronger, healthier bodies. Pastor Williams share his own personal insight and experiences on why to fast, how to fast, and pitfalls to avoid.
Customer Reviews:
Another Biblical fasting book..........2004-08-21
This must be a profound book for Christians seeking guidance on fasting. For the rest of us, it has much less practical application than many wonderful books Amazon has on fasting- books that walk you step by step through the process and show you very carefully how to end a fast, along with who should and who should not fast. I would recommend other choices for those who want more practical information.
Informative and To the Point.......2004-08-03
This book is a real blessing in that Dave Williams gets to the heart of why fasting is important, not only for physical cleansing, but to be brought into a closer relationship with God. Enabling us to receive His blessings.
I will reread this book (this time with a highlighter). And I am purchasing several copies for friends.
It is a quick read and strongly recommend this book to those Christians seeking a deeper relationship with God.
Slightly above average.......2004-07-05
I wish this book had more on the spiritual benefits of fasting. No I,m not talking about giving me more quotes from an error ridden bible rewritten a myriad of times that nobody knows what is true in it.(See pre and post 325AD Council of Nicea and Constantine's control of what was put in the bible) I wanted more concrete stories of what happened to others during fasts. If you don't know fasting will clean up your body there is no hope for you. I believe that if Williams included more concrete info on fasting, physiology, biochemistry, and its spiritual connections and not so much on bible verses he would have a better book. Extremely short book.
A fasting book for the faint-of-heart!.......2003-02-10
This book made fasting so much easier as it reminded me of the enormous benefits of denying the self and resisting the urge to eat. Fasting brings the heart closer to all that is important and most of all, it clears our bodies of toxins and our spirits of toxins as well. A useful, practical, and inspirational book that is worth every penny!
A Powerful, Versatile Little Book.......2001-08-22
In his book Jesus Our Intercessor, Charles Capps teaches key doctrine in an easy to understand style that unlocks GOD'S power in our life. Jesus Our Intercessor references many Bible passages making this book a complete Bible study as well as an enlightening book. Charles Capps also pricks the heart of our conscience by explaining why Jesus needs our prayers as much as we need Him as an intercessor.
Book Description
Mindfulness, teaches Thich Nhat Hanh, is like the power of the sun: it illuminates the parts of your life that are in darkness. Instead of suppressing anger, fear, and guilt, mindfulness welcomes all experience. Mindful Living is a special gift-boxed collection of this beloved Zen master's most popular audio sessions for coming fully alive to yourself and the world. Mindful Living includes: The Art of Mindful Living - Thich Nhat Hanh shows you how to use mindfulness to welcome all aspects of experience - even the most challenging parts. Teachings on Love - In the Buddhist tradition, genuine love comprises four qualities: lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and freedom. Here, you will learn how to enrich relationships of every kind with these transcendent qualities. Touching the Earth - Thich Nhat Hanh and Sister Chan Khong teach an ancient Buddhist practice to unify body and mind in an exquisite gesture of spiritual surrender.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Experience in Beginning Buddhist Thought.......2005-09-12
I've recently began exploring Buddhism, and I stumbled upon the large body of work of Thich Nhat Hanh. I decided that it would be a good idea to get one of the audio CDs of his work, so that I could have something to listen to while I practiced meditation.
What I found was an experience that further cemented my interest in Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh's lessons on this CD begin with the essentials of Buddhist practice (breathing in meditation) to ruminations on the seeds of suffering, the experiences of life and death in the human body, and the interconnectedness of all things.
All in all, it's not a bad overview to various aspects and ideas expounded by Buddhist teachers, and Thich Nhat Hanh's voice is smooth, melodic, and compassionate. It's easy to understand why he has become such a prolific teacher, when his ideas come naturally despite English being his second language.
The CD can drag in parts (especially towards the end of Disc 1), but all in all it's charming, insightful, at times funny and at times moving, and I couldn't recommend it higher. I've listened to it dozens of times, and I'll listen dozens more. If you are interested in listening to a teacher of Buddhism yourself, and are perhaps unable to find one in your area (like me) this is a great, affordable opportunity.
excellent quality recording of a very good retreat.......1998-12-25
I have never been to a retreat with T.N.H., but after listening to this audio book, I feel that I have almost as much information and "vibes" as I would if I had attended one with him.
Throughout the recording, the bell is invited, and along with the group, you are invited to breathe mindfully along with them. His teachings are for novice meditators, as well as those more along the path (of enlightenment).
I recommend this tape to all who desire to learn more about living mindfully.
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