End-of-Life Books

The six major religions proport funerary customs and beliefs.

(originally attempted to review this when the book first came out, but unfortunately the template did not "take.")

this book had its ups and downs. the author had good description but i didn't find this book to be as big of a thriller as the other ones were.

This is the first of what i hope to be a handful of commentaries and studies of the New Testament book of James. It is the current text for our church's Sunday service sermons and as such is automatically a point of study and interest for me. This particular book was mentioned in the first sermon and it was the first i picked up as well.

It is an adequate introduction to the book. A little too quote-heavy, disjointed for my personal taste. It often reads like a series of sermon illustrations than a commentary. For that reason i do not think of it as a strict commentary, where the text is the big point, but rather in this book the text is the launching point to get into the literature and stream-of-consciousness provoked by the verses. There is nothing wrong with this technic, just don't confuse it with hermeneutics or exegesis, it is application, it is expansion, not textual criticism.

It is readable, written at a high school level, presupposes only a committment to the text as the Word of God. It is directed, imho, to pastors or preachers and secondarily to the church at large. As such it probably belongs in a pastor's library for a source of sermon illustrations, and in the adult education program at a conservative church for a text on the book of James.

The author's investigation into the cause of the teenage suicide pact that led to the deaths of the so-called "Bergenfield Four" subsequently revealed much about the suburban culture that spawned the tragedy.

Curt Rowlett,
Author of Labyrinth13

I recently reread this book and was pleased, yet unsurprised to, see how well it's held up. The books easily stands on it's own merits, however I have been compelled to write a review after reading some of the bilge that others have written. Mostly along the lines of "I knew these kids or I'm from Jersey and she shouldn't have written that book", and other unintelligent nonsense and blindfolded provincial tripe. Comparing Dr. Gaines to the Taliban is about as clever as someone comparing homosexuals with the devil. If someone is that stupid as to make that comparison, they're in over their empty head just reading the word sociology, much less a book on the subject.

I read this book not long after it's release. I considered myself a graduate of a similar 'teenage wasteland' on long island, and approached the subject matter with the critical eye of someone with years of experience of suburban malaise, suicidal cohorts and punk and metal soundtracks. After completing the book I was genuinely moved not only by her obvious empathetic treatment of the subject matter, but for her logical conclusions pertaining the conditions that made the events in the book not only understandable, but also unavoidable. She never judged the subjects of the book, and thus gained their confidence. Her personal connection to the events she was writing allowed her a keen insight into the situation she describes without sacrificing clinical, reasoned objectivity.

Not long after reading this book for the first time, I wrote to the author, thanking her for her efforts regarding a subject that I knew well. Instead of receiving a corporate form letter reply or a brush off, I received a personal response from the author and an invitation to discuss the book in person. The author, completely without pretension or hidden agendas, spent time with myself and my friends discussing the ubiquitous dementations, absurdities, and the poignancy of suburbia. She did so without asking anything of us, and we were not exploited or maltreated, nor were the subjects of this book.

The fact that she took the time to give equal time to suburban dirtbags for no other reason than we liked her book... and knew where she was from... speaks volumes of not only her character, but her integrity as well. I highly doubt that the same could be said of the books' critics.

I don't get it, did the author go to BHS? From the way this book is written, one gets the feeling that author can "feel the pain" of the teens of that time because she lived it. She didn't.
I did.
The author implies that this kind of stuff happens all the time with these burn outs in the ugly town of Bergenfield, what can you expect?
It ripped our town apart, and brought us together.

Gaines should be put in the same category as Taliban. I grew up in Bergenfield, did lines with the Buress sisters', Olton, and Rizzo at Garvey's house. Yes, alot of children back then did waste time just as I did. But don't think that Gaines few moments in Bergenfield could sum it all up. Gaines knew nothing but to be a glory stealer for a book that was going to happen anyway. How about the other suicides, Like Paul Murphy and Chris Hurt. You should have done your math Gaines. Cooper's Pond had finger digits from snapping turtles that were restless. Gaines had nothing in mind but selfishness intentions. I'd like to meet Gaines and do a reminder. A product of the Teenage Wasteland she has described makes me think..I got a B.S of Science in M.E. a few years ago and I've been serving in the military as well. Ms. Gaines should remember me if we ever cross paths. Bergenfield was a town at that time that was showing the future. Ms. Gaines didn't see that, she just wrote a book....Words, they are so easy

Gaines spent a month in Bergenfield and tried to turn others' pain into her gain. The book reads like her website: Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! She should be ashamed of herself.

I'm a Peter Matthiesen fan. I loved "the Snow Leopard", "At Play in the Fields of the Lord", "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse", "The Tree Where Man Was Born", and "The Cloud Forest". So I was excited when I saw he had written a book about Antarctica.

Ugh, factual inaccuracies, sloppy writing, just a dreary effort from a long time master. Nearly inexcusable for a writer of his stature.

Peter Matthiessen is most honestly characterized as a "writer's writer" in that his works most favorably impress literary critics more than they garner mass reader appeal. This effort is a mediocre travel memoir of two different voyages to Antarctica and for each trip the author fills the pages with interesting historical, geographical and natural facts. Unfortunatly this book has no "heart and soul". "End of the Earth" merely 'reports' two stories on Antarctica as if Peter Matthiessen could take it or leave it. The usual book jacket accolades recite "...he blends a vision of harsh beauty, a traveler's love of adventure, and a profound appreciation for the splendors and extraordinary wildlife of a forbidding yet fragile world of ice". If only that were true this could have been a great book.

This rambling memoir details two trips that the author made to Antarctica with Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours, which specializes in birding trips. Peter Matthiessen beautifully describes several scenes from the Antarctic, which made me long to visit this stark landscape filled with life.

However, the book has no real direction. It reads like a journal, albeit a well-written one with a greater-than-average literacy quotient. The author makes little attempt to introduce any of his fellow-travelers or to show a personal journey of the mind to mirror the Antarctic voyages. Eventually, it just stops, rather than ends. He digresses from accounts of his voyage to describe the adventures of early polar explorers, or to comment on issues such as global warming and whaling. Although these asides are interesting and well-reasoned, there are better sources for each topic.

Birders and armchair travelers may enjoy the descriptions of his wildlife encounters, however.

The man wears his pretensions on his sleeve. OK, I could deal with that. His recurrent environmental proclamations are annoying, primarily because he glories in an expedition that invades the space he wants to keep pristine. Major contradiction.

But his prose is often stunning, his descriptions riveting, and the sense of place striking. I came away from the book with an appreciation of Antarctica and its wildlife. Not a bad achievement for an author.

I've always enjoyed Peter's books, especially the Snow Leopard. I've travelled to many spots all over the world (unfortunately, not to Antarctica yet - although my husband is a pilot on "the Ice"). His prose is a little drier and more austere, but then again, from what I hear from my husband and various travelers to Antarctica (including Shackleton and Scott), that is what Antarctica is like. I do enjoy Peter's environmentalist views, and I don't think there is any irony in the fact he wishes people wouldn't travel to the Ice - at least, not in large, damaging numbers. I think we need people like him to describe these things for us and WHY it is so important to protect these fragile environments. I have heard about many stories of many people - wealthy and otherwise - coming to the South Pole Station and other spots around the continent, stealing the geographic South Pole markers, leaving their trash behind, disrespecting the National Science Foundation rules and the Antarctic Treaty stipulations. There are all kinds of people in the world, and no one can stop them from making jerks of themselves - but we can read this book, be educated, and have a little healthier respect for such places, and in turn educate other people.

This is an interesting travel book, and a good addition to anyone's collection who is interested in travel to far-flung places and especially to anyone who is interested in the south polar regions.

As for Anne Olsen's comments - while I normally do not comment on other people's reviews (and I've done so twice! Yikes!) , I have to say, she is the one completely, totally, absolutely and embarrassingly in the wrong. Mattthiessen describes the first sentence that he "fetched up in Punta Arenas, Chile...." and she claims he made a gross error and states Punta Arenas is in Argentina. I'm sure he's made some mistakes in his book - I have over 1,000 books in my library and it's safe to say every one of them probably has a mistake or two. We are not perfect, we human beings. HOWEVER......... Peter Matthiessen didn't say anything wrong. Punta Arenas is, in fact, in Chile - not Argentina. There are actually a few Punta Arenas (Guatemala, Venezuela, Peru), but it is NOT in Argentina. Can't argue with the map!

i've read many end times outlines and believe me there are better. go to fortbethel.com under books for much better guides.

This book fails to address the words of Jesus Christ concerning "the last day" in John 6:39-40; John 12:48 and John 5:28-29 which are the basis for the historical view on this subject.

We are to interpret the unclear verses of the Bible by the clear ones. This author uses the unclear verses to fuel his speculations. He needs to listen to Jesus Christ.

Jesus says: "Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40).

"At the last day" - not 7 or 1007 years before the last day as this author believes.

Jesus says: "There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words. That very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day." (John 12:48)

This author needs to accept the very words of Jesus Christ when He says "at the last day."

Jesus says: "The hour is coming when all who are in the graves will hear my voice and come out. Those who have done good will rise to live and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." (John 5:28-29)

This author changes the words of Jesus and tries to insert 1000 or 1007 years between Jesus' call and ignores the word "all". (See also John 11:24)

See 2 Peter 3:10-13 for a description of the last day. The rest of the Bible agrees with Jesus Christ not Greg Laurie.

MIKE

Tsunamis. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Terrorism. Is the end of the world near? Are we headed toward Armageddon? How can we live expectantly in a world of uncertainty?

These are questions answered by Greg Laurie in his book, Are These the Last Days? As the Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, and the evangelist who leads the Harvest Crusades attended by almost three million people since their inception, Greg Laurie is knowledgeable enough to write on this topic.

This is not a book attempting to scare people into believing in Jesus Christ, but one that points out with compassion and clarity why each of us should consider our need for a Savior. Are These the Last Days speaks to the Christian and non-Christian alike, showing each what to expect in the coming times, and what they need to do to be ready.

Pastor Laurie's writing brought to mind the Lord's admonition to the prophet, Habbakuk, to, "...write the vision and make it plain..." (Hab. 2:2) Greg Laurie's easy, almost-conversational style, contains a vision of what is to come, backed up with scripture and illustrated with stories that anyone can relate to.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a book that you will want to read and share with your friends, Christian and non-Christian.

Expecting a book about John Denver and his interests, I received a dismal collection of unimportant personal recollections, some of which hardly had anything to do with John. The book also contains a dreadful story about its coming into existence: apparently the author sort of received the 'poems' (which are just as bad as the rest of the book) by some kind of miraculous dictation. The author says the purpose of the book is to honour John and to support the causes he was interested in- I think he will hardly be honoured by such a bad piece of work. Readers- if you want to support John, support Windstar, Cousteau etc but do not even think or ordering this book!

John's autobiography will be re-issued--this short tribute does fullfill some insights that J.D. did not reveal in his book...he was unduly concerned to "exorcise demons". The PBS feature --his Alaskan ecological foray--& last recorded song.."Yellowstone' will bring new adherents to Denver's belief in conservation..& healing powers of nature- untamed. Support Windstar..keep the eagles flying...

I read this book about a year after John's death and it brought me to tears. The book was not what I expected but I enjoyed it just the same! It had a couple of poems that expressed my thoughts after his untimely death. The opening was dull but told of its backgound and comming to be,some of witch was interresting and nessary to explain the book. Its a nice book to add to a John Denver collection.

This is a weak compiliation of stale, boring and unhelpful nothingness.

It makes a good coffee table book or a bathroom book but its not something I'd sit down and read. Some good points, and kinda funny.

i'm pretty disapointed here having read all of mark's work. 'what on earth is going on' is his masterpiece. read it.

This is one of those books which contains a good deal of interesting information and reviews of earlier discussions; for instance, McLuhan and Mumford and even a dash of Heidegger's anti-technological views. But the basic premise of the book rests on spurrious grounds. Man is said to be techological in his essence. Language and clothes are all extensions of our human 'nature' and thus by definition, tools or technology. Thus, all forms of technology which extend man's own capabilities are also seen to be a continuation of that same 'platonic project' - wrong! This even fits neatly into that scenario of man as machine, and downloading ourselves into computers at some future date. The self is humbled and made irrelevant. And it seems that Rothenberg has a teleological viewpoint; and this is all inevitable; as he says, we're just getting closer to nature all the time.