Product Description
John Wesley: A Theological Journey has been nominated for a Wesleyan Theological Society Book Award. Abingdon Press would like to congratulate Kenneth Collins on this honor.

John Wesley remains a seminal figure, not only for "the people called Methodist, " but also within the larger Protestant tradition. Understanding his theology is a requirement for understanding the development of the Western Christian tradition in the modern period. In recent years much work has been done to grasp the intricacies of Wesley's theology. However, most of this work has been thematic in organization, studying Wesley's thought according to a topical or systematic outline. The weakness of this approach, argues Kenneth J. Collins, is that it fails to demonstrate the evolution and changes of Wesley's theology. What is called for is a historical presentation--one that examines the development of Wesley's theology across the span of his long and eventful theological career. Collins thus provides a chronological presentation of the development of Wesley's theology. Drawing on an extensive examination of the primary sources, and demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the different contexts and social locations in which Wesley's theology took place, John Wesley: A Theological Journey will be necessary reading for anyone wishing to understand the broad scope of the Methodist leader's theological development and contribution.

Customer Reviews (4)

A real theological journey of John Wesley
1. Overall
I was always interested in Rev. John Wesley, although I'm attending Reformed Church. In this 'commemoration of the Three Hudred Anniversay of the bith of john Wesely', Kenneth Collins explained or introduced not only the life of John Wesley, but also the transiton of theological positon of John Wesely. Especially, this 'journey' shows, without any screening, the weakness or follies of John Wesely in such a candid way, so I got so much 'comfort' for this. Even John Wesley DID make mistakes several times just like me, and his 'theological journey' went on all through his entire life.


2. Style
Although this book follows the chronological order, it usually shows five distinct points in 'essential' part of his life : 1) background 2) accident 3) journal written by Wesley at that time 4) the evaluation of the accident by relevant modern books and 5) relevant 'disclaimer' part of journal which was written in later days.
Furthermore, Collins from time to time provide compact summary for the essential or critical theological thesis, so it really help me a lot about understanding Wesley's theology and its TRANSITION. Now I understand, basically although, where is the difference between the Calvinistic view and Wesleyan-Arminian view, and its impact in the context of actual lives in 18th century, and perhaps in 21st century.
Lastly, this book refers the soucing books or sermons so detailed manner, so it helped me acquainted with the works of John Wesley, which enabled me to discern which book to read afterwards.
I felt I'm reading at least two or three books at a time (in this small volume!) : biography, theological book, and devotional book. I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this book, to Methodist or even to any 'reformed - minded' person who want to understand Rev. John Wesley.

The evolution of John Wesley's theology
From John Wesley's ancestors, the English political and theological climate, the books Wesley read, and the people Wesley met, we learn how his theology developed. This book reveals the "fire and brimstone" Wesley in his youth turning into the pastorally sensitive older Wesley.The effects of the Anglican Church, German Pietists, Catholicism, and Puritanism all leave their clear mark on this pious and evangelical man.

The concept of the little church within the church is as worthy of consideration today as it was in the 18th century.Christian accountability is needed today.Wesley knew how to make Christian disciples.Today's efforts at forming classes, pale in comparison.

Wesley left us with a fairly detailed, insightful and personal account of his life.Wesley's plain account of Biblical text resulted in his "ordo salutis" which becomes difficult to deny.Collin's book reviews and analyzes Wesley's accounts within their historical perspective.We see Wesley with his warts and his insights.

This book is inspiring in it's historical account of Wesley's evolving theology.Read it and stand on the shoulder's of a giant in the faith.

A must read for anyone interested in Wesley!
"John Wesley: A Theological Journey" is an excellent introduction into the theology of the founder of Methodism.What I most enjoyed about this book is how the author shows the changes in and development of Wesley's beliefs.This alone helps explain why different denominations claim Wesley as their theological inspiration while having strong disagreements from one another.

Collins helps us gain insight into the fact that John Wesley (who was 88 when he died) was always growing and developing his thought.There are times when some of the theological issues that Wesley struggled with may not seem as relevant today (the difference between dispositions and attitudes is just one example).However, what is intriguing is to see first hand through his letters and sermons how Wesley developed.

Collins is also careful to show where some modern interpretations of Wesley either ignore later changes in his thinking or take his views out of context.A good example of this is Wesley's insistence that the Christian life needs to be inward and not solitary.Collins claims some have misquoted Wesley and said that for Wesley the Christian life "was principally, if not exclusively, concerned with public religion and the social order."

Because this book is so well documented, it makes checking the original sources easy!Therefore, the reader can find out for herself/himself the accuracy of each quote.This actually inspired me to read a number of Wesley's sermons so I could determine for myself what Wesley was saying.

This is a must read for anyone wishing to understand who John Wesley was and how his theology developed over his lifetime!

Excellent new book has depth and readability!
John Wesley:A Theological Journey was delightful to read.It is reader friendly and yet very thorough.Both the life and thought of Wesley are explored with great depth and yet with remarkable ease, all of which is attractive for all kinds of readers.I appreciated the straightforward comments made in light of an honest regard for the successes and failures in the life of John Wesley.The development of the theme ofholy love is artfullycomposed and well documented. I highly recommend this book to those wishing to grow in their understanding of the founder of Methodism or who are seeking an engaging invitation to a vibrant and enduring theology. ... Read more

Product Description
A Real Christian: The Life of John Wesley fills a void in available books in Wesleyan studies by providing a brief, solid biography that focuses on Wesley himself. While exploring Wesley's ancestry, birth, death, and every major biographical and theological event between, Collins also explores the theme of John Wesley's spiritual growth and maturation.

Wesley came to the conclusion that real Christians are those whose inward (and outward) lives have been transformed by the bountiful sanctifying grace of God -- what he termed real Christianity--and this he strove to obtain for himself. Real Christianity, as Wesley understood it, embraces both works of piety and mercy, the person and the social.

Customer Reviews (7)

One Sided Opinion
The book was basically good, but I must take issue with Collins one sided opinion of Wesley. Wesley had his faults and yet Collins seems to skim over them.

Wesley explained....
This was a wonderful, brief overview of the life of Wesley. Mr. Collins has provided a rich narrative that details the character strengths and the flaws of this Great Man of Faith.

I am grateful for the text and learned much from it that has impacted me personally.

Trully a great book about an amazing man of God!

Development of Wesley's Theology
'A Real Christian' was very insightful, and balanced. If you want to understand how Wesley developed his theology, or how he matured and developed spiritually, then this is an excellent book.

This book was my introduction to the life of Wesley, but the book may be more suited for people who already have some exposure to this important person.

The author's goal is to go beyond telling Wesley's life story to focusing on his theology.

The back cover description:
"[the book] fills a void in available books in Wesleyan-Methodist studies by providing a brief, solid biography that focuses on Wesley himself. At the same time as exploring Wesley's ancestry, birth, death, and every major biographical and theological even between, the theme of the book explorers John Wesley's spiritual growth and maturation."

In other words, the book primarily deals with Wesley's ancestry, birth, death and a few of the major events in his life, but mostly deals with a development of his theology, though the book talks mainly about the subject of Christian perfection, rather than holiness.

The author's writing style can be slow at times, with some run-away sentences. Sentences can average 5-6 lines each. If you're new to John Wesley like I was, then you may want to start with another introduction.

If you're looking for a book that details the development of Wesley's theology on Christian perfection as well as faith and assurance of salvation, then this is the book for you. This book is a good theological history.

A Real Christian = A Real Biography
Collins provides the reader with a wonderfully concise and through biography of John Wesley.Though Collins places significantly less attention on some of the prominent emphases of Wesley's theology, mainly the perfecting of holiness in the believer, and choosing instead to shift attention to Wesley's lesser (and more ambiguous) emphasis on being a "real Christian" in substitute, the author still maintains a historically intact overview of Wesley's theological journey.The reader should certainly approach this book as a biography as opposed to an exaustive treatment of Wesleyan theology.A rewarding read, I found Collins' style both engaging and informative.

A book to make you think
I read with great interest this biography, hoping to get an overview of a famous man I knew little about.Kenneth Collins has worked hard to present not just the man with all his flaws and brilliance, but also his thinking and the impact it had on our world.In addition to triumphantly succeeding in these goals, Mr. Collins is an excellent writer and keeps the reader's interest.Days later I am still thinking over some of the points he made and evaluating my own life in light of John Wesley's.I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Most of the numerical predictions of experimental phenomena in particle physics over the last decade have been made possible by the discovery and exploitation of the simplifications that can happen when phenomena are investigated on short distance and time scales. This book provides a coherent exposition of the techniques underlying these calculations. After reminding the reader of some basic properties of field theories, examples are used to explain the problems to be treated. Then the technique of dimensional regularization and the renormalization group. Finally a number of key applications are treated, culminating in the treatment of deeply inelastic scattering. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very useful for the student who practices renormalization for the first time
It really shed light on some concepts that other books simply do not discuss. It is also the only one I know that gives a theoretical basis for understanding dimensional regularization. ... Read more

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Noam Chomsky is one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth-century. His work in linguistics, philosophy and political theory has spanned six decades, and has been met with critical acclaim and controversy in equal measure. This book is an introduction to Chomsky's theoretical writings, but also a critical engagement with his work. Chomsky: A Guide for the Perplexed covers every aspect of Chomsky's thought, from transformational grammar to political dissent. John Collins shows how Chomsky's linguistic theory, philosophy and politics are all connected, and by so doing helps the reader to understand this key thinker's massive contribution to twentieth-century thought. The book examines: the different faces of Noam Chomsky; transformational grammar; Chomsky's opposition to behaviorism; government and binding theory; the minimalist program; and libertarian socialism. ... Read more

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 Provides an overview of the principles, theories, policies, and other fundamentals of modern warfare and their applications in the twenty-first century

 Includes a glossary of military terms and key points that summarize the lessons of eachChapter

John M. Collins has distilled the wisdom of history's great military minds to tutor readers on the necessary intellectual skills to win not only battles but also wars. He illuminates practices that worked well or poorly in the past, together with reasons why. He discusses national security interests, strategic building blocks, military strategies across the conflict spectrum, methods for developing talent and strategic acumen, and recent case studies that put principles into practice. Collins never tells readers what to think, but in Military Strategy he provides them with the intellectual tools to think for themselves. Written in a clear, straightforward style, this book will appeal to officers, policy makers, students, and the public. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

What the... ?
I never received my book!It is nowhere to be found. :(
Not cool.

A Strategy Classic
John Collins has written a classic primer on military strategy whose relevance grows by the day.At a time in which the United States is confronted with multiple security challenges, the need for clear strategic thinking about objectives and how to attain them is apparent.The author is a well respected retired U.S. Army Colonel with experience as a strategist, author, and teacher with wide experience, including the National War College and the Congressional Research Service. This book is invaluable for anyone who wants to understand military strategy in all its complexity.

A comprehensive book on strategy
This is an excellent book, but needs to be updated.I think, the counter-insurgency portion needs to cite recent examples and lessons form Iraq and Afghanistan.This book and hopefully an updated version will be in my library for a long time to come.

Wonderfully insightful
Have read this cover to cover and now in the process of re-reading some specific portion.Have to say that it is well-researched and thorough.Help to re-confirm some of my own research in this same space. Steven Lim (RSTN) from Singapore. ... Read more

Product Description
Called "the first and greatest of English detective novels" by T.S.Eliot, The Moonstone is a masterpiece of suspense. A fabulous yellow diamond becomes the dangerous inheritance of Rachel Verinder.Outside her Yorkshire country house watch the Hindu priests who have waited for many years to reclaim their ancient talisman, looted from the holy city of Somnauth. When the Moonstone disappears the case looks simple, but in mid-Victorian England no one is what they seem, and nothing can be taken for granted.
Witnesses, suspects, and detectives each narrate the story in turn.The bemused butler, the love-stricken housemaid, the enigmatic detective Sergeant Cuff, the drug-addicted scientist--each speculate on the mystery as Collins weaves their narratives together. The Moonstone transcends the genre of detective novel or murder mystery, though, and this new edition features a fascinating introduction by John Sutherland which discusses the themes of imperialism, sensationalism and mesmerism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Classic for all Times
THE MOONSTONE by Wilkie Collins is considered by many to be his best mystery. It is until the end where the clues given just don't lead to the thief. If you have a great interest in mystery fiction a trip to the early days is not a bad journey.
That it is still being read today gives the reader a clue as to the quality of the book.
Nash Black author of SINS OF THE FATHERS.

No one should miss this
Being a fan of Wilkie Collins, I have read many of his novels, my favorite being The Woman In White. Some will say The Moonstone is his best work; although, I tend to differ. I found it a bit slower than Woman In White, but still a good victorian read that no one should miss.

Warning: Kindle edition notes don't work
I bought this edition instead of downloading one of the free ones because Oxford World Classics has copious notes. Unfortunately, they don't work in this book, i.e. when you place the cursor on one it doesn't recognize it as a note. Notes in the other OWC Kindle book I own work just fine but not here. I have requested a refund and will buy the book again when Kindle or Oxford tells me it's fixed.

pretty good but...
it was well written. there was quite a cast of characters but they were put in so gradually that it was easy to keep track of them. the story, being trapped somewhere between superstition and reality was also rather engaging. i would say that the beginning was strong and the end really lost it. with the clues given to the reader there is no way for them to guess the thief other than by luck. i am going to have to agree with Dickens on this one and say "when i got to the end i couldn't help but feel that my time had been wasted" ... Read more

Product Description
Let John Wesley guide you into a deeper prayer life-these excerpts from his prolific writings will motivate and challenge you to greater communion with God. In approximately 45 readings, Wesley explains the why and how of prayer for believers at any stage of the Christian life. Lightly edited for ease of reading, Wesley's insights are sure to improve the way you pray! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

How to Pray
The book is inspirational more than showing you how to pray but I do like it.

Writings of the great John Wesley...
How To Pray: The Best of John Wesley by John Wesley is a small book with a powerful impact. John Wesley was a circuit rider traveling from place to place on his horse spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He was the founder of the Methodist Church. Wesley was well known for his sermons, the books, and hymns he authored, and for his strong prayer life. Wesley believed in scripture, study, tradition, and prayer.

Each page has a scripture, a short message, and a prayer. Peppered throughout the book are quotes from the devoted leader. I have long been an admirer of Wesley. He lived what he believed. How To Pray: The Best of John Wesley will strengthen your prayer life. I recommend it for all Christians regardless of denomination. ... Read more

Product Description
When it comes to sex, lies often follow...and in the dark heart of the city, death can be the ultimate payback! Moonstone Books, publisher of fine books and comics since 1995, is proud to present this landmark collection of all-new, original noir stories with the theme of 'sex for sale'.Written by some of today's top crime writers, Sex, Lies and Private Eyes features a stunning cast of legendary characters from the best mysteries of the past and present, including Alo Nudger and Fred Carver (John Lutz), Blackshirt (Adi Tantimedh), Candy Matson (Christine Matthews), Domino Lady (Gail Mcabee), Jack Hagee, PI, Kolchak: the Night Stalker and Lai Wan (CJ Henderson), The Envoy (Gary Phillips), Johnny Dollar (David Tischman), Mr. Keen (Mike Bullock), Pat Novak (Steven Grant), Sherlock Holmes (Loren D. Estleman), The Silencers (Fred Van Vliet), The Maze Agency (Mike W. Barr), Toby Peters (Stuart Kaminsky), and Truxton Lewis (Robert Randisi). ... Read more

Product Description
This spectacularly illustrated book is a comprehensive exploration of astronomy through the eyes of the world's observatories and spacecraft missions. Featuring the latest and most stunning images, it provides a magnificent picture of the beauty of the cosmos. The accompanying text is an accessible guide to the science behind the wonders and includes clear explanations of all the major themes in astronomy. An essential guide to understanding and appreciating the Universe, Visions of the Cosmos builds on the success of the authors' previous book, Hubble Vision, which became an international best-seller and won world-wide acclaim. Carolyn Collins Petersen is a science journalist and creator of educational materials for astronomy.She is the former Editor of Books & Products at Sky Publishing Corporation, and served as Editor of SkyWatch and Associate Editor of Sky & Telescope magazines. Petersen is the lead author of the book Hubble Vision, first published in 1995 by Cambridge University Press, and co-written with Dr. John C. Brandt.She is also co-editor (with J. Kelly Beatty and Andrew Chaikin) of The New Solar System, fourth edition, co-published by Sky Publishing Corporation and Cambridge University Press.John C. Brandt has held positions as a research scientist, teacher, and administrator, and is currently an adjunct professor of physics and astronomy at the University of New Mexico. He served for 20 years as Chief of a major NASA scientific laboratory and was the Principal Inverstigator for the Goddard High Resolution Spectograph on the Hubble Space Telescope.John received the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement in 1978 and 1992, and has had a minor planet formally named after him (3503 Brandt) for his fundamental contributions to understanding of solar system astrophysics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Beautiful Survey of a Beautiful Universe
When I opened Carolyn Peterson and John Brandt's book, my jaw dropped as I leafed through the fantastic pictures in the opening chapter.It's a wide ranging survey of astronomical beauty, from Mars and the sun out to gorgeous Hubble Space Telescope images of galaxies.

Chapter 2 then changes to spectacular photos of mountaintop observatories, followed by descriptions, and then segueing into space telescopes.The book continues in this way: large-scale, well printed photographs taking up as much or more space than well-written descriptions.The chapter on planets takes this mix from pages 50 to 90. Stars and nebulae then go from 91 to 130 followed by galaxies through page 157. A beautiful photo of Easter Island heads marks the opening spread of the final chapter, "The once and future universe," with discusses cosmology, including the latest from Hubble and from the details shown by the cosmic background radiation.A final chapter on stargazing shows future plans for telescopes and spacecraft.I hope that someone really builds the "Overwhelming Large" telescope, OWL.

With lists of extra readings and Websites, and a glossary to help, I can't think of a better book to introduce people to the glories of the universe.

Jay Pasachoff

Glorious images of the heavens
This is a great book for anyone interested in astronomy.It's easy to read, it's informative, and it has some incredible and beautiful pictures ... plenty of them! And no math to slow down the readers.

It tells the reader about distances.And about the spectrum, and related temperatures.And all sorts of wonderful things about telescopes.There's a really nice description of our planetary system.We get to learn some fundamental properties of stars, and you are taught about the main sequence and H-R diagrams.We read about star formation: protostars, accretion disks, and Herbig-Haro objects.And about extrasolar planets.

Next we learn about star death.That means looking at planetary nebulae, supernovae, and cataclysmic variable stars.And there's a discussion of Gamma-ray bursters.

Then we look at galaxies.We find out how galaxies are categorized and learn about galactic evolution and mergers and star formation rates.And about active galaxies, quasars, and black holes.

After that, there is a chapter on cosmology.We find out about dark matter and dark energy.And how the expansion of our universe is accelerating.

The final chapter is about future space missions and telescopes.That includes missions to Mars, a comet impact in 2005, and space telescopes that may find some more extrasolar planets.In addition we read about a proposal for a 100-meter ground-based scope, the OWL (OverWhelmingly Large Telescope).As well as the Low-Frequency Array, a set of thousands of antennas that might not be built in the Netherlands, as the array may be larger than that nation.

I think it may be worth getting this book for the pictures alone.It would be a good gift item. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a psychological and historical exploration of belief in a spirit world, imperceptible to the senses, as a pervasive and deeply-rooted characteristic of religion.

Belief in a spirit world, and a blissful or agonizing afterlife, is one of the most pervasive and deeply-rooted characteristics of religion. This volume offers a wide-ranging exploration of this basic religious theme. Most of the case studies are drawn from Jewish and Christian tradition, providing in-depth coverage of Judaism and Christianity from late Antiquity through the Medieval period. There are also examples from Islamic, Japanese, and Chinese traditions for a comparative perspective with Western traditions.

Several chapters deal with the formative period of Jewish and Christian apocalypticism, which is concerned not only with the end of the physical world but also with the eternal heavenly world. These chapters are also important for illustrating the development of mysticism in Western traditions.

The most distinctive aspect of this book is that it does not deal with antiquity alone, but juxtaposes the historical essays with a survey of modern day, near-death experiences. It raises issues of fundamental importance for the psychology of religion as well as for its history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

an overlooked classic
Collins and Fishbane, two of the world's leading scholars of apocalyptic literature and the Hebrew Bible respectively, have written what should be a classic treatment of the range of views about "afterlife" held by Jews and Christians at the turn of the Christian era. This book was key to my own research in separating pop culture views from those actually held by people in ancient times. The authors write with clarity, insight and from a depth of familiarity with their subject. As with other books by each author, this volume models how critical scholarship can be made available to ordinary, intelligent readers to shine the light of wisdom onto the search for understanding and meaning in our world today. ... Read more

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Publisher: London, J. M. Dent ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1912.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Product Description
Fela Kuti was the outstanding African musician of the 20th century and Afrobeat is his lasting legacy. This book, lavishly illustrated with personal and evocative snapshots, adds a unique insight to the growing body of literature on Fela and provides a guide to the music that rocked a continent.

In addition to reviewing the events in Fela’s life, John Collins provides transcripts from his personal diary while he stayed and played with Fela during the golden days of the 1970s. He also interviews those who worked with the artist, including Joe Mensah and Stan Plange. The book looks at Fela’s political activism and reviews his music, including a complete discography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Ultimate Afrobeat Coffee Table book!
"Fela: Kalakuta Notes" is not a biography that describes the life of it's subject from the first moment to the last, but rather a collection of essays, diary notes and interviews (most of them conducted around the last turn of the millennium) to highlight the life and works of one of Africa's most brilliant, and controversial, musicians. Fela Anikulapo Kuti was a musician, political activist and the creator of Afrobeat. A musical genre that, as Collins' book clearly shows, is alive and well though its founder has been dead for more than a decade.

Author John Collins is sometimes described as a "white African" and was a close friend of Fela Kuti. His music résumé consists of an incredibly long list of co-operations with several dozens of African music groups. Not only does he play music, being a professor of Music at the University of Ghana, he understands the theoretical side of music as well. This is evident from the two interviews in the book that try to explain the musical structure of Afrobeat.

This is the first book about Fela Kuti written by someone who actually lives in Africa and provides many insights not found in the other biographies. A major theme in this book is Fela Kuti's Ghanaian connection. First and foremost, it was the home of his political idol, the late Kwame Nkrumah. But it was also the main source of the Highlife music the young Fela Kuti loved and started playing.

Another unique aspect is Collins' diary of his stay at the Kalakuta Republic, Fela's commune in Lagos, the first to appear in print. Without reverting to a Sex & Drugs & Afrobeat eulogy his diary describes life in the hippie-like commune ruled by the authoritarian bandleader known for his anti-authoritarian lyrics. From the notes, essays and interviews there slowly emerges the immensely fascinating large-than-life portrait of a unique man, enigmatic, charismatic, controversial and a 100 percent dedicated to the ideals he believed in.

The book is printed on thick paper, illustrated with never before seen pictures of Fela and his wives and band by several well known photographers, the print is nice and big and makes up for the few typo's I found here and there. The book contains a complete biography of Fela's songs and an overview of bands and artists playing Afrobeat music worldwide. This is the ultimate Afrobeat coffee table book and should be owned by all fans. This book is published by KIT Publishers in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (ironically the city where the author met Fela Kuti for the last time).

Julio Punch (Webmaster of The Shrine: The Unofficial Website for Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti and Afrobeat Music) ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

Get behind the scenes in a turning-point in Ireland's history
After Michael Collins was assassinated, Kitty Kiernan collected their letters to each other from the period of their courtship. Her sons kept these in trust after she passed away, eventually making them available for Leün ü Broin to present in this exceptional historical archive.

The period in Irish history of independence from the UK and the Irish civil war has all the makings of great story-telling. This collection of letters gives the student of that time period unique access into the personal ife of perhaps the key player in that story. ü Broin presents these letters with minimal interference - inserting his own brief historic notes to help the reader keep track of the letters' place in the story. This is not gripping reading, but a marvelous resource for the history buff.

A unique view of a critical historical period
After Michael Collins was assasinated, Kitty Kiernan collected their letters to each other over the period of their courtship.Her sons kept these in trust after she passed away, eventually making them available for Leün ü Broin to present in this exceptional historical archive.

The period in Irish history of independence from the UK and the Irish civil war has all the makings of great story-telling.This collection of letters gives the student of that time period unique access into the personal ife of perhaps the key player in that story.ü Broin presents these letters with minimal interference - inserting his own brief historic notes to help the reader keep track of the letters' place in the story.This is not gripping reading, but a marvelous resource for the history buff.

Interesting collection
Although this book would have benefited from more photos and samples of the actual handwritten letters, the extensive collection of correspondence between Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan is well worth reading for a feel of the times and especially the personality of Collins. However, I have to say that by the halfway mark I had just about had it with Kitty Kiernan's repetitive ruminations about his love, her love, her personality quirks, their future, etc...She sounded very immature, difficult and self absorbed for a woman in her 30s and it made me think thatif she was as irritating in person as in her letters, SHE may have been what kept Collins on the road working 24/7 for the Republic. Independent Ireland may owe a lot to this woman!A funny side to this is that it reminded me of a collection of e-mails between any man and woman... hers rambling on and on embarrassingly spilling her guts out and his short, containing of bits of news, and not giving too much away.

An Amazing Read
I fell in love with this book.I have to admit I am a sucker for love stories, this book, however, is not only "love" letters, but an interesting look at the life of one of Irelands greatest people.

Michael Collins love of Ireland and his hopes for his country are clearly stated in his own written words to Kitty.He is a man of great faith.While Kitty Kiernan seems a little immature or wishy washy at times, it is still a great read.

Michael Collins was an amazing man.This is definitely a look at a different side of a man who was such a powerful and important political figure.A man who was so important to Ireland.

A Strange Relationship
These excerpts from the voluminous correspondence between Michael Collins and his fiance Kitty Kiernan reveal a rather strange relationship between a dynamic revolutionary leader-turned-statesman and a woman who seems almosttotally focused on herself and virtually oblivious to the pressures anddangers under which he was laboring.The feelings between the two seem toreflect a range of emotions, including irritation, jealousy, perfunctoryinterest and exhaustion (his)during a particularly fascinating period ofIrish history.One wonders what the attraction was between these two sinceshe seems very little interested in or informed about the momentous eventsin which he was a key player.One also wonders whether the match wouldhave been very successful had Collins lived long enough to marry his lady.Nonetheless, engrossing reading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Very nice book
This is a very informative and innovative guide for paper airplane builders.
The book starts with basic concepts, and ends with designs I have never imagined possible of a single piece of paper.

Did You Ever Want to Make a Paper Airplane?
My nephew is really into making flying rockets out of paper. He's five. Well, I wanted to impress the little devil, not an easy feat as this young man is more proficient on the computer than I'll ever hope to be, so I got this book, decided to learn how to make a couple complicated paper planes.

My plan, learn a couple of these designs, practice them over and over till I could fabricate them blindfolded, do them in my sleep. I wanted to make making these babies as easy as tying shoes.

I skipped the easy stuff, went right to the Trang on page 75. This baby was for me. If I could knock this out, while watching television, you know, as sort of an after thought, well that little booger would really, really be impressed.

First off, let me say, that maybe I should have started slow and worked up, but I didn't. There are seventeen different steps to building this glider and the design assumes that you've at least looked at some that have come before. But after several failed attempts, I got it down. I went through quite a bit of paper, but I mastered this (in between practicing the Trang I was learning how to juggle, a feat my nephew wants to master, but is having trouble with).

So the next time my brother asked me to babysit, I did my juggling bit. My nephew wasn't impressed. But when I built that Trang while watching Wolf Blitzer on CNN, now that impressed him. If you've got kids, or nieces or nephews, this is a good book to have around. Really!

John Collins has a right to be a show off
This book, along with his 2nd installment, 'fantastic flight', are the best paper plane books out there by far. There is nothing I can say to fault it. Now I just want to meet the guy. All planes fly, all planes look cool, plane fun for all flying types. This should be the first book you buy, before exploring others.

Australian paper Plane Champ

The Gliding Flight: 20 Excellent Fold and fly Paper Airplanes
My 9 year-old gives it two-thumbs up!

Just Looking for One Good Plane
I could not remember how to make a good plane.I was just looking for one good plane and I found it in this book:The Phoenix (page 25).Easy to build and my five year old can succesfully throw it.I'm glad I bought the book.After the plane crashes a few times, like all paper planes, they no longer fly correctly.But thanks to John's "trimming and flying" trips, I can make the plane fly well again. ... Read more

Product Description
Undisputed master of “sensation fiction” and forefather of the modern crime story, Wilkie Collins was also a supreme chronicler of the dark underside of Victorian London. Chilling in the extreme, these three short stories of murder and suspense are outstanding examples of his craft.

Setting himself in front of the station fire, a young policeman is little prepared for the account of bloody murder that will be relayed that night. It seems that Mrs. Crosscapel’s lodging house is a place of dark secrets and buried passions—emotions that will soon cloud even his own judgment. As with the other short stories included here, Who Killed Zebedee? is a brilliant and highly original tale of horror and the macabre.Foreword by Martin Jarvis. ... Read more

Product Description
The Woman in White (1859-60) is the first and greatest "Sensation Novel."Walter Hartright's mysteriousmidnight encounter with the woman in white draws himinto a vortex of crime, poison, kidnapping, andinternational intrigue. This new critical edition isthe first to use the original manuscript of the novel.John Sutherland examines Collins's contribution toVictorian fiction, traces his practices as a creator ofplot, and provides a chronology of the novel's complicated events. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Ghost of the Past
THE WOMAN IN WHITE by Wilkie Collins is for me his all time best novel. It took me about six months to read the book, but that didn't have anything to do with the story line.
I have an eye problem and italics in small print is very difficult for me to read. The fact that I keep coming back to trudge on gives you an idea of the power of this early British gothic/mystery/romance. All the element are there county house, upper class residents, mysterious relatives, and a young woman in love with an impossible man.
One of the best early classics, which earns it reputation by being a good read instead of an academic favorite that every student ever suffered through.
Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS.

On and on and on...
A fairly easy read given the time period in which it was written, but too long; it just kept going on and on and on.By the time I was ready for it to end, the ending was still hundreds of pages away.Nevertheless, very much appreciated the strength of the heroine Marian, and was equally irritated by the weak and excessively "fragile" victim Laura.Overall the character development was quite good and clearly defined the role of each.For a mystery I found there to be some early foreshadowing that I thought made for some predictability in latter parts of the story, causing perhaps later plot twists to lose some of their impact.

Review of The Woman in White
A small group of friends and I read THE WOMAN IN WHITE for a month-long blog read-a-long. I was thrilled when this book got chosen because, honestly, it'd been far too long since I read it and the entire thing felt fresh and new.

One of the most fantastic women in literature (in my opinion) occupies the pages of this book.Marian Halcombe is a strong, man-like woman who frequently attacks her own sex with tongue in cheek remarks about their weaknesses. More than that, however, she shows a strength of character that carries the entire story - even so much as to inspire the respect of the goosebump-causing Count Fosco.

Speaking of Count Fosco - I don't think there could be a villain who makes my skin crawl more.He's not evil in the typical sense, it's nothing you can actually put a finger on and his admiration of Marian seems to be at total odds with his actions throughout the book.He's a fantastic character and one I aspire to be able to write myself one day.

The pace of this book moves so slowly it's nearly impossible to keep your mind from going over and over the details.Each section of the mystery is given to you from the viewpoint of the person who has seen it - much like the testimony of a witness during a murder trial. There are obviously parts of the book that were more shocking back in Collins day then today, but...I still had a blast reading it and even gasped once or twice!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves murder mysteries. While wordy, it is still not intimidating and relatively easy to read.And.. how can you resist after hearing about the characters of Fosco and Marian?

A wonderful read.
I picked it up without knowing anything about it and had fun unraveling its hidden gems. Additionally, there were some extremely interesting bits of legal history about women, property, and inheritance. I thought it perhaps a tad too long, the story in all likelihood could have been conveyed in fewer words.

Great mystery!
Walter Hartright, one of the main characters in The Woman in White, is one of those unlikely heroes who you just cannot help but fall in love with. Art is his passion, and he's a rather quiet gentleman with kindness for everyone. However, as the story continues on, Walter shows intense courage, passion, and love in the events that change his life forever.

This book was writting differently than the majority of books. As the mystery unfolds, each character gives one or more account of what they have seen, heard, and/or carefully observed. (So when the first account comes to an end, don't be shocked.) This way of presenting a story really works to convey the suspense - and danger - of the situations the characters are in. It gives the characters life, more personality.

I'm not going to give a synopsis. When I read the synopsis on the back of the copy I bought, it gave me a completely different idea of what the story was going to be like than what it actually was. (That frustrates me immensely.) All I can say, besides, "Go read this book!", is that it is full of adventure, intrique, romance and mystery. It is light and it is dark; it is fast-paced and it is emotional. I never lost interest. When I was done with it, I was so glad I had read it. It truly is a classic. ... Read more

Product Description
Focus on Comprehension Pupil Book 3 is aimed at ages 9+. It is designed to encourage children to read and understand every essential text type./ Provide a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction texts / Follow-up activities are inculded that build the skills necessary to support critical thinking about texts ... Read more