Well balanced and deep
355465
Here in Chicago this book has taken quite a beating over the years since its publication. How dare anyone question the divinity that was / is Walter Payton? I can only imagine the hostility that will greet the first in-depth biography of Mike Ditka...

And Payton really was something of a deity on the field - no denying. As football heroes go, he was about as football-heroish as you can get around here (or much of anyplace else, I suppose). A lot of fans reverently mumble a "hallowed be thy name" and that's that. But that also does a disservice, in many ways, to the real man who lived inside that hero. And Payton was a real man.

To present the man in his complexity, with his not-always admirable behavior, is a service to life in general. One doesn't want to make too much of a person who's claim to fame is the ability to play a sport very, very well, but if you DO want to look at a man or woman who excelled at such things, then really look at them. And this book does.

The Payton who emerges here is no less remarkable as an athlete, and his shortcomings and foibles do not render him any less admirable in his strengths and positives. This is an absorbing read about an interesting, flawed man. For those interested in his life and career, it provides three dimensions, not just the two you saw on the field. And part of that third dimension was pretty admirable, too; just not all of it.
1996473
Very balanced  notes and the translation is excellent.  It is accurate like the NASB, but more readable.  No translation is perfect, but this is one of the best.
2253289
Involution is a magnificent piece of work. Not one to be rushed through, in fact impossible to rush through because it is the story of human life and endeavour and needs mulling over, considering, savouring, re-reading. It deepens one's thought and brings us back to life's truths which we so easily forget in the skirmish of life. In this beautiful book we find those profound, deep, thrilling truths that calm and inspire and which so many scientific minds ignore and deride. Ms Rees aims to show that there is no need for the two to be at war with one another; they should complement and explain one another, ying and yan, masculine and feminine viewpoints intertwining and fusing.

She has written this in poetry which reminds us of the profound works of Goethe, Milton, Dante. Thank you for having the courage to make this work public, Ms Rees.
4296062
This is a beautifully balanced book. It covers the classical period between 1600BC and 800AD in a very organised and readable way. Each period is prefaced with the heading "Ancient Authorities" and outlines where the following information is sourced. Then the period is discussed in flowing narrative which highlights the key personalities and events of the time along with an indepth look at the mechanics of warfare. The strategy and tactics presented is blended nicely with the historical discussion. The numerous battle maps and accompanying data are a treasure for the military, history and wargaming buffs. The artwork throughout is first class as are the maps. I particularly like the full page colour depictions of combatants from different armies with detailed explanatory notes, some of the best I've seen. I found the middle part of the book focussed a little more heavily on the historical aspect. It did not contain as many battle maps as the first and latter part did, and I found myself flicking ahead to see when I would reach one of the battle descriptions and maps. In summary, this is a terrific encyclopedia and ranks as one of the nicest books I have seen on the subject. Superb.
163364
A well done album, with a good balance of emotion and humor.  Watsky's lyricism is incredible and his wordplay is diverse.  There are few artists that can output a cohesive album similar to this one
2276942
I read this book during the first two weeks of Lent, and it has born fruit in helping me read Scripture more reverently.
Fr. Casey starts by contrasting modern literacy with the monastic experience: we are surrounded by words (e.g., wander around the immensity of Amazon's website!) and much of the content is in soundbites. We get quick news summaries, advertisements, and so forth, which can be often read in a few minutes or less. Medieval monasteries would often only have a relative handful of books, which were often hand-copied over a period of years. If the monastery were to get a new book, it had to be for the ages, of great importance.
Fr. Casey is quite balanced in that he does not suggest that the Medieval times were necessarily balanced--he is just as happy for modern ages as anyone--but says that we can learn from this older, slower way of reading. Following this perspective, he takes us through the discipline of lectio divina, "sacred reading", and the pattern of slow, reflective reading.
The book challenges, as Casey is supportive of St. Benedict's maxim that once you select a book for lectio divina, that you follow through till the end, and not switch books in the middle. This is to respect that Biblical texts are often structured in unfamiliar ways, and the full meaning does not come out till you finish the book. It is also to stay humble: we are not going to cut off God's word when it is convenient, but let it take us where it wants while we journey with a particular book of Scripture.
That said, there is an entire chapter on various distractions and barriers that people may encounter while prayerfully reading Scripture--Fr. Casey is clear that this book is not Gospel itself, and that different people will need to adapt his ideas to their own lives. Like a good athletic training, he wants us to push ourselves and grow, but does take into account individual circumstances and limitations.
Casey gives a number of references for good study Bible editions and other English-language books and commentaries, giving one some concrete starting positions as well as good general advice.
On the whole, I found him a very balanced, friendly guide, and recommend this to people who want to read the Bible more deeply and prayerfully.
684031
Karen Armstrong is a strong and intelligent writer, the author of the best selling A History of God.  She delivers another important work here, the history of religion and violence.  At this time in our country, people are less willing to identify as a specific religion or to a specific belief, and how the history in our country and elsewhere of violence and religion have brought that about.  I expected this to be an depth and concise look, much like her previous works, and that is certainly true.  Armstrong offers what I felt was a pretty balanced look, from the beginnings of religion and the violence of the sacrifice to today, where religious idealism brings murder and annihilation on a too frequent basis.  She has managed to make difficult and intense topics easy to understand without resorting to simplifying the issues.  It's a perfect book for nearly any reader, from the reader new to non-fiction on serious issues to those with a broader understanding.  Extremely well written, I was not at all disappointed.
4834701
If you want to get a really well balanced view of helping the Homeless read this book.  Barry writes in a way that takes you right into the middle of the operation of a rescue mission. The chapters are short and poignant and communicate the spiritual truths that he was learning along the way. No guilt tripping or sad story compromise, rather a genuine sense of the challenge of loving people who are difficult to love.  I have purchase several copies and given them to friends.  Without exception they all have enjoyed this book.
1291235
Excellent insight into people who have demonstrated character in their lives. David Brooks describes good character and finds it lacking in todays activities. He tracks chronologically the lost of emphasis on worthiness and the increased attention to achievements in the US. He makes a strong argument for trying to achieve a balance in life, particularly a return to unconditional love for our children. Brooks lists a series of steps for a balanced life and the resulting joy from achieving it. The book is well written and worthy of  bringing to a deserted island for repetitive readings; it has a layer quality that supports deeper reading.
387560
Ferruci writes so clearly , and with such depth. This book has become my "meditation read". A measured reading fromYour Inner Will:Personal Strength... daily brings so much balance to my thinking about myself and my fellow human beings. I'm now reading Piero Ferruci's book on Kindness. I can't get enough of his ideas and insights into the human condition. Excellent!
3037233
A great book for personal reflection... easy to read, but deep enough to give plenty of food for thought and growth.
953457
I am a Zen teacher and former Zen Buddhist Monk and I am so impressed with a book which so thoroughly looks at how to live a life full of joy, contentment and happiness. It is a balanced approach which takes into account both a western therapeutic and Buddhist way of dealing with basic issues to find happiness in our lives. It also gives us ways to practice so we can be fully realized individuals. Absolutely one of the best books that deal with the subject of happiness. I recommend highly especially to those of us who want to get more insights from a Buddhist viewpoint and the practice it inspires.
4781546
Balanced approach to life and love in a divided city.
1330116
Deep for those who look deeply, straight-forward for those who don't.  Strong characterizations and rolling action.  It would be difficult to dislike this book.
4938736
I shop frequently on Amazon and read a lot, but I have never written a review.  I felt compelled to because Keller's book Making Sense of God is nothing short of a masterpiece.  Although lacking the poetic flair of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, I would put this book in the same league.  It has profoundly affected me as I make my own faith journey.  Without being presumptive, I think God may have put Keller on this planet specifically to talk to today's skeptics in a language they/(we?) can understand.  The book is incredibly balanced, thoughtful, logical, and respectful.  I have read almost 40 books on religion and Christianity in the last few years and consider this one of the top ones, if not the top one.  Keller anticipates objections, acknowledges their strengths and weaknesses, and presents excellent counter-objections.  In this way, he appeals strongly to the left side of our brains the way Lee Strobel does in The Case for Faith and The Case for Christ.  I previously read Keller's previous book, The Reason for God, and intend to re-read it.  BTW, I listened to the audio version of Making Sense of God and will now get the Kindle or paper version so I can refer back to it.  The audio version is very well-narrated.
547722
This work shows *balance* via a number of aspects. The writing-flow has quick ongoing action ~ military and magical ~ character point-of-view dialog, speculation and imagination mixed-in with well-described worldly settings and vivid military field-ops, equally well-described. Even via the very choice of *craft* for *magic*, *power*, *prayer* or *spirit* ~ Tom Doyle is showing a fine-balance ~ as *craft* is one of the older American names for *the force* [my neutral term] ~ used by puritan pioneers, settlers, masons, witches and [now] [some] modern wiccans. And one of the fine balances of this finely crafted work is that certain USA lineages have and hand down *the force*. These lineages have variable metaphysical biases [Abrahamic or Heathen variants with some virtually agnostic individuals]. But, via usage of *the force*, they look more alike operationally ~ yet dividing-up via military service more by personal specialty ~ like other American military units. Even this American lineage-pattern is balanced via a distinct Native American addition to some lineages and possible new members from overseas once-in-a-while. Some [may] find the admixture of history to destiny / magical to military / psi-tech to hi-tech to be *too much* ~ but, for me, it's an easily readable novel ~ took me only two days via loose, casual but enthusiastic reading +++
4507515
A wonderful and down to earth book. There is a connection between the book and my personal life. Wisdom in a simple and deep form. I love it.