The Electric Shepherd by Karl Miller
595957
This is the most erudite and detailed biography of James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, that I have read. It is not an easy read, but despite that (or maybe because of it) I enjoyed it thoroughly. It delves deeply into Hogg's behavior and mind, and sets him on a whole different level than other biographies have done. It makes Hogg human. For fans, friends, and relatives, it might be difficult to read. The picture we have of Hogg is of a humble shepherd who teaches himself to read and write as an adult and goes on to become almost as much the Scottish Bard as Burns, almost as much the great Scottish novelist as Scott. Here we are shown Hogg's clay feet, his not-so-humble attitude, his social ineptitude. In modern psycological jargon, Hogg had issues. That he was able to rise above these issues to become one of the greats of Scottish literature, makes him a great man as well.
2565707
Sarah Halls Electric Michelangelo is one of my favourite books. I loved it for its quirkiness, its liveliness and characterization. The Wolf Border is very different indeed. The protagonist, Rachel Caine, returns home to Cumbria from Idaho where she has been working with wolves. She is offered a job in The Lake District introducing the grey wolf to the English countryside. Her employer is the Earl of Annerdale, Thomas.  We sense straight away that he is not quite straight, or perhaps just a politician. It is also a chance for reconciliation with her brother Lawrence, after their mothers death.

Meanwhile Rachel finds herself pregnant, from a brief fling with Kyle in Idaho, a very interesting character who we really do not see again for most of the book.  A problem for me.

 The characters, especially Rachel, are too detached and that includes the wolves, Ra and Merle. Lawrence is perhaps the most real and interesting.  Rachels pregnancy and the birth and first months of her son, Charlies, life is at the books emotional heart.

I found the ending utterly frustrating.

The writing is very good indeed.
1660589
You don't have to be a pastor to shepherd others and engage in the pastoral task. I think this is a good book for all Christians to read. We live in a day and age where Christians expect church programs or leaders to fulfill what Jesus has called us to do. Jesus didn't say that authority was given only to church leaders, and neither did he say that he wanted church leaders to save the lost. He has called all of his people to be the light in the darkness, to set the captives free, to love others, to walk in his authority, and to share the gospel.

This book clearly articulates why we need a shepherd, the nature of our souls, and how and why Christians need to walk out in the pastoral. This book will enlighten, encourage, and challenge you. If you are interested in learning about how you can engage in the pastoral, and in turn, live a more fruitful life, then I would highly recommend this book.
4287985
in my humble opinion one of the best books on electrodes, there  are two volumes I and II.. read them both several times... Bockris has newer versions, you will not hurt yourself by starting with this version.. if you are a EE the presentation will be familiar.. Eber Moll -> Butler Votlmer..
2039874
A great psychological thriller.  Had  hard time putting the book down.  Definitely one of my top books  I have read.  I read  The Lion,  The Lamb,  The Hunted, and really enjoyed that book as well.
1696722
I have always been interested  in the great masters like Galileo and others. I was not disappointed. I like the way his children were intertwined into the story. It is amazing and a bit sad of the fate of women who did not marry during this age.  They were really at the disposal by father or other male members of the family.  All and all a good read of the time in which he lived and the unfortunate circumstances of his conflict with the church and their persecution of him because of his writings which turned out to be true.
4563425
First, I listened to the book on cd.  When I saw that Sue Miller, the author, did the reading, I almost put it down.  I haven't listened to many books read by the authors, that I didn't really dislike.  This was the exception, Miller did a beautiful reading.  Very calm, soothing, loved it.  The story was good.  I was able to identify with the characters, Miller does a wonderful job, with the back stories.  Good read!
704524
I have known Karl for about 13 years and everything that he writes in the book is very true and consistent. I have had the pleasure of walking with him and watching all the wonderful things written about happen along the journey. Thank you Karl for letting me come on the journey with you.
I would urge you, the reader, to read this positive book with EYES wide open to what is being said both on the page and with his intent. Karl has a deep understanding of the human condition and shares it with a call to action. I cannot wait to read his next book for next steps on the journey.
Jim Vaive 4.26.2015
4710981
I have met Fredrick Schmidt and he is not my favorite, when I saw this book assigned for a class I thought "oh great..."  I was shocked.  This book is spectacular and very well written.  I would highly recommend it for congregations where the laity offer pastoral care (or for anyone who offers pastoral care).  They will be a little shell shocked but they will be educated in the end.  I really enjoyed this book.
3375593
I consider this book to be one of the best books about E&M I've ever seen... it's quite technical but not cumbersome at all! Actually, I think it makes quite a pleasant reading! I've read other books on E&M and electrodynamics and I consider this book to be a very good intro to engineering electromagnetics. However, if you want a more theoretical insight, I recommend that you choose a good book on electrodynamics. This book is definitely worth buying!!
3722777
I enjoyed Mr. Miller's last book "Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance", so when I found out that he'd written another tome on Christian spirituality, I had to get it.  I was pleased to discover that "Blue Like Jazz" was as good as its predecessor.  Mr. Miller's writing style is accessible, and he comes clean in a vulnerable, candid way about his struggles with Christianity.  When I'm reading "Blue Like Jazz", I feel like I'm hanging out with him in a bohemian 23rd Avenue cafe, talking about deep spiritual matters over a hot vanilla latte.
A reviewer listed on the back cover compares "Blue Like Jazz" to Anne Lamott's "Traveling Mercies" (which I'm currently enjoying as well), and I agree with that assessment.  Each book chronicles the author's spiritual quest to comprehend the transcendent God they love and make sense of the temporal world they live in, all while striving to discover their destiny.  I love it when Christians get together and hash out the unique aspects of working out their salvation with fear and trembling.  That's how we grow, bear each other's burdens, and become more Christ-like.  Books like Anne and Donald's are the next best alternative.
"Blue Like Jazz" is much more immediate for me because it's set in the region I call home:  the Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland, Oregon.  Don writes about people I know of (Tony the Beat Poet and Mark the Cussing Pastor), and places I've been (Palio, Multnomah Bible College/Seminary) or at least driven past (Reed College).  More importantly, he deals with issues I can relate to, like romance struggles, dealing with (or being) a difficult roommate, and feeling a little different than the "normal" Christian.  He even has a website, [...]  It's a bit sparse, but there's a couple chapters of "Blue Like Jazz" that you can check out to see if the book might be to your liking.
But the best thing I got out of "Blue Like Jazz" was Imago Dei, the church Mr. Miller calls home.  I've been looking for a church where I didn't feel like an outsider, so after reading about Mr. Miller's adventures at Imago Dei I decided to check it out.  It has quite an eclectic congregation, but I fit in with them more than the typical suburban churches I've previously attended.  Even my non-Christian older brother finds it more appealing.  So, I'm grateful to Mr. Miller for his help in leading me to Imago Dei through "Blue Like Jazz."  Have I met him?  Not yet.  I'm hoping when I do I don't come across like a fawning fan-boy.  Well, that's a risk I'll have to take.
FYI - I found out from one of the author's roommates that he is finishing up his next book, tentatively titled "Looking For God Knows What."  I'll be on deck for that one when it hits the stands.  I hope you will be too.
2772362
I read the book, "The Silence of the Lambs", written by Thomas Harris. On a scale from 1 to 5 (with five being the highest) I give it a 5.  The Silence of the lambs is a fast paced book, which makes it hard to put down. There is never a dull moment, due to the excellent writing of Thomas Harris. The characters Hannibal Lector and Clarice Starling are each unique, and the psychological aspects of this book are outstanding. "Well, Clarice, have the lambs stopped screaming?" (Harris p. 366). Harris' amazing use of words and interaction between characters makes this book "spine-tingling" and "master of suspense," claims the Boston Herald. In this book you can follow Clarice Starling, a trainee of behavioral science unit of the F.B.I as she tries to find a deadly serial killer on the loose. During the investigation we discover that Starling has a number of frailties in character.  A strong-willed woman coming from a "low class" upbringing, Starling fears that her peers will associate her abilities with her background.  She dreads the idea that others would not allow themselves to see past her upbringing towards her unique ability to succeed. While tracking the killer, she begins to learn the psychological games of the one and only Dr. Hannibal Lector, who is locked away in a dark prison chamber. If you are into suspenseful, scary, mystery-horror books, then "The Silence of the Lambs" is definitely a book that you should check out. If you liked Hannibal by Thomas Harris or "Felony Murder" by Joseph T. Klempher, you will love this book.
2356020
The Power and The Glory by Graham Greene was a really good book.  A very thought provoking book especially for someone who is studying to become a pastor.  I can see why they say it is his best novel.  The multiple arch-types of characters that embody different aspects of people from the bible are amazing.

I really enjoyed this book.  If it had not been an assigned reading for my Research Writing class I do not think I would have ever chosen to read this book.  I am glad I have read this book.

This book is not for younger readers.  There is some adult issues in this book.  But I do highly recommend it to read.
2735684
This is a charming book about a little lamb feeling bad because he is left out of events a lot of the time.  I am sure many children can relate to that and I loved the illustrations by your daughters.  I recently authored  a book called Little Guy who is a nosy little lamb and gets into all kinds of mischief.  His shepherd, Levi, is constantly having to take him to the Jesus Shepherd in prayer to see how to fix Little Guy's problems.  I am asking my readers to draw the illustrations for this book.  If it is half as successful as the Crippled Lamb, I, as well as Little Guy, will be very happy.  Thank you for all your fine books.  Joy DeVos
655523
Hi, this is a current technical environment novel with a lot of elan. being technically oriented, it set well with me.
3495326
I just listened to this one, and absolutely loved Colin Baker's "I am the very Model of a Gallifreyan Buccaneer".  Check at bigfinish.com for a downloadable version.
966640
I've always struggled with--back up, perhaps I should say, I've always been intrigued by--Philip K. Dick's treatment of religion in "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" It's a haunting depiction that I feel I understand better each time I read it. Dick's presentation of religion in "The Skull," by contrast, is not quite so complicated but still intriguing--and worth another read.

The writing concise and pointed--pithy, if you will. The descriptions are just enough to generate interest. Perhaps though what is of most interest is the pacing. The narrative leaps from event to event, but Dick is careful to keep the reader abreast of what has happened in the intervals. It's masterful really. I feel as though I have been mercifully spared the when's and where's and gifted with the why's and wherefores. This makes for quick and pleasurable reading.

There are so many time machine-type stories out there. (This one has a Twelve Monkeys feel to it.) Because of this, the plot--the "what happens"--isn't one that will fool sci-fi lovers, but I reckon that few--lovers or not--will walk away dissatisfied with this story. It's about much more than a mission to change the past in order to alter the future. The work includes a wonderful twist of irony, a subtle allusion to Hamlet's interview with a skull, a (re)spinning of the age-old the conflict between religion and science, and an affirmation that humans--whether enlightened or from the future--are "all too human" when they should endeavor harder to become "all too humane."

Since I initially read the story, I have recommended it to several friends. There's so much to this story in so small a space. I don't mean to say by that that it's something of epic proportions. But it is memorable. I'm glad I purchased it as a digital read though. I really don't have the bookshelf real estate for such a small book.