Bookshelf

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Nothing Like it in the World, Stephen Ambrose

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Habits of Highly Effective Churches: Author: George Barna
An overview of what consistently was found at effective (ministry) churches.

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The Voyage: Author: Philip Caputo
A novel of a father who sends his 3 sons out alone on a summer long sailing trip. They are forbidden to return till the summer ends; they struggle with this and the adventures at sea.

How Now Shall We Live: Author: Charles Colson
Chuck says this is his 'legacy book' and his most important work. He builds the entire book around understanding the Christian faith as an entire Worldview. He complements this by exposing the competing worldviews (i.e.; Evolution). I have used this material to write two letters to the editor already! I am determined to expose competing worldviews for what they are.

Coyotes: A Journey Through the Secret World of America's Illegal Aliens:  Author: Ted Conover
I bought this book in an effort to learn more about the Hispanic in my community and state (Colorado). With 8 million illegal immigrants in the US, this book is a must read for anyone wanting to truly study these people and their culture and motivation in coming to el Norte. There are numerous parts of the book that dramatically questions your views on immigration. The fact that many of them only come up north for a few months each year was one of them; many of us believe that the majority of the illegals move here permanently. These are a hard working people who take our worst jobs, do it very well and have to hide in hidden trailers in the middle of an orchard with none of the support structures that we take for granted. While his stories are exciting, watch carefully for his description of the difference between the 'gringos' and the 'chickens'; they reveal a lot about both cultures. I will never drive by a fruit orchard on the Western Slope again without wondering about the city of illegal's hidden amongst the trees doing the same thing I am; trying to make a good living for my family. Finally, it is a great source for lot's of Mexican slang - just be careful where and how you use it! Great Read - this one stays on my bookshelf while others go to the used bookstore.
A great Quote from the foreword: "....the terms of the debate have tended to dehumanize the Mexicans, turning them from people into "illegal aliens". But because we as Americans control their destiny in so many ways, it is urgent that we know more about these people who ask little more than to wash our dishes, vacuum our cars and pick our fruit".

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The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

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Hannibal: Author: Thomas Harris
A continuation of the 'Silence of the Lambs' story. Unfortunately, Hannibal Lector is still on the loose and his admiration for FBI agent Clarice Starling makes for an interesting ending. But....where does Hannibal get all his money to live the way he lives?

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The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity
by Philip Jenkins

The Perfect Storm: Author: Sebastion Junger
A novel based on a true story that no one will ever know. A great story of a group of fisherman caught in the storm of a century - makes you think twice about taking risks for just a few more fish!

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One Door Away From Heaven: Author: Dean Koontz
Another book about serial killers from this popular author.  This book has about six different groups of characters who are of course heading for a collision course with the serial killer - the book jumps from each one of these characters with seemingly no connection till you reach the middle of the book (if you make it that far!).  I almost gave up during this first section of character building but hung in till their predictable ending.  The book does deal with the ethics of ridding the world of undesirables who will pollute the world and add no value - killer's view, obviously.  It does seem odd that the serial killer travels the US in a camper with a drug addicted lady who seemingly fit the killer's stereotype of an undesirable except she's spared. You will learn later that even this does have a purpose for the killer - produce more undesirables for the killer!.  As usual, it is the killer who set's the moral baseline of who is a desirable and not God (not a good choice for this book since He loves everyone equally).  Definitely not recommended....

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The Indwelling: Author: LaHaye and Jenkins
The 7th on the Left Behind series - takes you up to the end of the first 31/2 years of the Tribulation This was an exciting book - read in one day! If you are unclear how the Antichrist can come to power, read this.

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage  Author: Alfred Lansing
The true story of Shackleton's Incredible Voyage in crossing the Antarctic in 1914. If you liked "The Perfect Storm", which I did, you will love this story.

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John Adams  by David McCullough

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The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life
by Dr. Armand M. Nicholi Jr.

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Financial Peace Revisited: Author: Dave Ramsey
A popular talk show host of "The Dave Ramsey Show"  has republished an earlier book he wrote in 1995.  This book is one of the simplest around in showing someone how to get out of debt, invest and buy wisely which results in 'Financial Peace'.  He has a list of 'Peace Puppies' that guide you toward financial peace that includes a practical guideline in handling your creditors while paying off debt.  This book is a quick read and is ordered in the steps one must take to order their financial world.  It addresses head-on the consumer mentality that is gripping people and leaving them constantly in a financial crisis -  unfortunately, most people will not be able to master the discipline to actually implement the steps laid out in this book.  I was disappointed in his reference notes - most seemed to be dated and when I checked them in the bibliographic section discovered that most were 1995 or older (the printing of his first book) - someone was too lazy or hurried to simply update the notes with more current data.  This results in over optimistic savings rate (6%) and mutual fund returns - which of course would undermine some of his examples.  That said,  the nations divorce rate would significantly be reduced if couples would take this book to heart and practice its principles.

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The Stamp of Glory: Author: Tim Stafford
A novel but built around actual history of the anti-slavery movement leading up to the Civil War. It is an interesting study of the Christians and the various methods they tried to end slavery - in the end the Christians won? by getting Lincoln to agree with the antislavery platform and got him elected.

Blogging, Genius Strategies for Instant Web Content  by Biz Stone

Good book that assumes no knowledge of Blogging but quickly introduces you to all of the options available - I recommend!  One complaint, I used Blogger per the authors recommendation but got confused on editing the blogger.html file - I assumed you could use FrontPage but was wrong - you must use the Blogger tempalte editor which is weak at best.

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The Magic Journey storybook which is the story The Polar Express movie is based on.  Note this is not the original story written by Chris Van Allsburg.  Great book with very nice artwork that captured my Grandchildren's attention last nite as I read to them.

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The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
by Rick Warren

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On Parole: Author: Akira Yoshimura
Famous Japanese author writes about a prisoner who is released from prison after 16 years. It is interesting as Kikituni tries to find freedom in everyday life (in Japan). A dark story but maybe you will have compassion for any released prisoner after reading this. The surprise ending may end that though!

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