End-of-Life Books

This is a book that should be on EVERYONE'S bookshelf because sooner than later we will all need it. My husband and I put off thinking of wills, trusts, and most of all conversations with loved ones and Ms. Larsen's wonderful book got us doing it all. It's easy to read, informative, and filled with human interest stories. I recommend that you buy it, read it through,and remember that it's on your shelf. Buy it for your family and friends too, they will thank you.

Larsen's book throws open a window, allowing us a fresh look at the possibility of clarifying, before it's too late, the end of life issues of those we love. It's a thoughtful and calming read that utilizes significant facts, gentle suggestions, and even a bit of poetry to render this often postponed subject far easier to approach. I'm so glad I read it now......

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I found Laura Larsen's Facing the Final Mystery of great value in working with clients who are dealing with illness and the issues surrounding the loss of a loved one. Ms. Larsen offers both very practical advice about how to handle the specifics of death, what to be prepared for about "facing this final mystery", along with a heartfelt section on how to handle grief. I recommend this book highly for both personal and professional use.

An absolute "must read" book for every healthcare professional, care giver, and every person of any age.
As a registered nurse, I wish that every one of my patients and their families would have read this excellent guide book. It would make my caring much easier. Ms. Larsen has a very practical approach to explaining a variety of issues surrounding end-of-life we all need to deal with whether we like it or not.

FACING THE FINAL MYSTERY is an eloquent and informative book on end-of-life issues. I have two elderly parents (ages 86 and 94), and this book has helped me through many pertinent and difficult situations. It addresses on many levels both practical and spiritual aspects of dealing with potentially painful and confusing problems. I have gained much insight and clarity and comfort from reading this book. I highly recommend it.

This booklet is must reading for the elderly and members of their family. Presented in an easy to read format and style by a nursing home chaplain, it contains easy to understand medical information from a spiritual viewpoint. Don't wait for an illness to prompt you into reading this valuable booklet.

This little book is a must for all adult people. It addresses the serious question of what would you want done if you became mortally ill, were in an accident or in a coma and otherwise would not be able to speak for yourself. The frank, but gentle, theme of this book helps one to think about their own desires in these cases. One may think that it is only for "old people", but I think it is an important thing for each adult to consider carefully and let loved ones and your doctor know of your wishes. I would highly recommend this book for all adults.

This amazing little book, "Hard Choices for Loving People", is one of the best gifts you could ever give a patient and family who are facing these important end-of-life choices. Mr. Dunn says it so clearly, objectively, and compassionately that so much of the fear and pain of the decision is removed. I am a geriatric nursing leader of 43 years and have felt fortunate to have found this fine book in the early 1990s. I have shared it with many healthcare organizations and providers in California...from acute care to hospice, home health, Long-Term care, and now my church ! Thank you Mr. Dunn. Saundra Jack, RN MSN

I am a clinical chaplain, and a rehab chaplain at a large
city hospital.
I see many families who are trying to help their loved ones
make good medical decisions. This book is a great aid for
them , to help them sort out feelings and goals about
medical treatments. you can tell the author has vast experience
with the sick and their families, I heartily recommend
this book for all those who are caring for the sick
or have an elderly member of their family who is sick.
thanks to a great author Hank Dunn

rev. james barry cp
clinical chaplain, lutheran gen hospital,

I am a health care lawyer sometimes tasked with helping people face difficult end of life issues. This is the most sensitive and lovingly realsitic book of its kind that I've seen -- and there are many other good ones out there. Pssst -- you also can get it through a free pdf download at www.hardchoices.com . The booklet is prettier, but whatever the format, it's a vital read. I've always recommended it to clients, but my own family used it to open up hearts and minds -- and settle an ugly dispute between my mother and one of her brothers -- when my grandfather was dying of Alzheimer's. Hank Dunn's work is a God send.

I read this book when it was first published and always wanted to get a copy. I've read it again and it still makes me laugh. The homespun characters make me want to live in Centralia (at least for a while). The stories concerning the Indians get a little preachy but are only slightly annoying. For someone that wants to relax with a little light reading, this is well worth your time.

A classic, especially if you grew up in a little town in the Midwest. I keep re-ordering this book because I have to keep replacing it because I keep giving it away to everyone I meet that I know will love it. Unless you grew up in the big city, you know the people Roger Welsch writes about in this book, only you never realized how funny - or how endearing - they were. Or maybe you did, but you just didn't know how to tell other people about it. Roger does.

This is life and this is fun! Beautiful pictures of Great Plain - Small Village life written -so well!- by an expert.

Writing from a narrative center somewhere between Mark Twain and Garrison Keillor, author Roger Welsch memorializes the town and inhabitants of Centralia (aka Dannebrog, pop. 356), Nebraska, in what he calls "Bleaker County." Centralia itself is either the center of this windswept prairie state or the center of the universe, depending on who you ask in this small town. It's located not far north of the Platte River and its farmlands, and not far south of the Sandhills, with its population of cattle and cowboys. Life in Centralia gravitates toward the Town Tavern, where many of these story-essays take place, and we meet Welsch's fictionalized friends and neighbors: Lunchbox, Goose, Slick, Woodrow, and Cece -- the regulars. There are also his wife Lily, daughter Jenny, an Indian friend Cal, a kind-hearted bachelor uncle named Grover Bass, a film crew from public television in Lincoln, a mean cuss named Royal Cupp, a rip-tearing adventurer, Luke Bigelow, and many others.

Welsch has an appreciation for the quirky, cock-eyed, and audacious. Like an endlessly curious anthropologist, he's equally fascinated by the everyday and the out-of-the-ordinary. He's a humanist, romanticizing his characters even while he's treating them with tongue-in-cheek irony. He's also willing to show that they can stoop to the unforgivable, or that they do not share his appreciation for people from other ethnic backgrounds. There is a range of tones and sentiments in the book, from comic farce to tenderness and awe. My favorite essay, "Racing Horses at the Centralia Fourth of July," ranges across all three, as his young teenage daughter teams up with a burly cowboy to take second place in a relay race. I laughed and had tears in my eyes by the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and happily recommend it to anyone with an interest in small town life on the Plains. As a companion volume, I'd suggest the short stories of life in a rural Minnesota community in Kent Meyers' "Light in the Crossing."

In "It's Not the End of the Earth,..", Roger Welsch does an excellent job bringing out the humor of small town life by simply telling stories about his friends in Centralia, NE. He has a witty way of giving value to each of the members of this rural community bringing to light the peculiar habits and expressions that make them all unique, interesting, and memorable. I applaud Prof. Welsch's folkloric expose' of the kinds of everyday things that I used to laugh about with my dad - some of my favorite things.

By living with the end in mind, the authors have indeed provided us with a much-needed practical checklist for living one's current life to the fullest. Here we have the practical side of facing our mortality. We cannot expect any single book to cover the fullness of life, especially for those of us who want to consider what the afterlife may bring. So, by heeding the call to start the "final" journey, you will not only gain the sense of practical security that this book offers, but also continue the journey of living that leads to the possible embracing of more than one's mortality. For, as much as this book treats of what we need to face, other books and movies provide us with more information about what we want to face.

I am 75 years old and, frankly, have been procrastinating for years about doing those things necessary to prepare my family for that time when I won't be here. The book, "Living with the End in Mind", is absolutely an inspiration to take that action. In addition to the point by point instructions, which are easy to follow, the book invokes in the reader a true spirit of awe concerning the trevail the writer, and husband, have undergone during this period of their lives. Their effort in publishing their story and guiding others in the handling of their preparatory duties is astounding. We all should take a lesson from their experience. They, truly, are to be commended for their support of the total community.

As a father of a one year old I find my self thinking about the legacy that I would like to leave for her and the lessons that I would like to impart to her. This book provided inspiration and an easy to follow roadmap. After losing a mother to cancer and having a father living with cancer, I am well aware that we have no guarantees in life. I will refer back to this book often in the years to come and will share it with friends.

KRAMP ERIN TIERNEY - Devoted and beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. With total faith that God causes all things for her ultimate good, Erin joined her savior on October 31, 1998, following nearly five courageous years with breast cancer.

Inspirational message and invigorating writing style. I will recommend it to all the people I care about.

An outstanding source of information and support for the elderly, their caregivers, and family members ... what to expect and how to cope physically and emotionally at every stage of dying. There's also lots of practical information about advance directives, benefits, and resources. In my aunt's final years, I benefitted from neighbor and hospice nurse Maggie Callanan's personal guidance. Now her book is available to help everyone. I highly recommend it.

When dealing with end-of-life issues, many people have found Maggie Callanan's (co-authored) book, Final Gifts, to be both comforting and inspirational. She has now followed up with its "prequel," Final Journeys. As before, Callanan combines a wealth of practical experience in Hospice nursing with her own remarkable blend of compassion and humor. Anyone who faces the passing of a loved one really must read this book; anyone consciously facing their own passing will hope that Callanan - or her clone! - can attend them at the end.

One of the most useful aspects is her description of symptoms of the end of life that are typical, yet which we might not recognize and respect for what they are. As the author makes clear, there is no one path for the final journey, and it behooves those nearby to recognize and respect the style of their loved one. For example, in an attempt to "be there for them" it is possible to tire the patient with too much attention, as they are attempting to rest and "wind down." Equally, it is necessary to recognize when they may need to see a certain person in order to accomplish the task of closure and resolving "unfinished business" with that person. It is necessary to listen closely to the patient without one's preconceived notions intervening. Spiritual, dietary, and companionship needs vary widely depending on the patient; it's truly not "one size fits all."

Callanan defines a problem that I and perhaps many of us have experienced: the feeling that your loved ones will find it terribly sad, almost impossible, to go on with their lives without us when we die. Apparently in many cases, one important task of the caregivers is to give the patient permission to go, assuring them that we will be all right afterwards, while acknowledging the closeness of the bond between us.

Callanan is so remarkable in her ability to convey her experiences and feelings through stories that you will be completely engaged throughout this book with a renewed appreciation of her humanistic approach to nursing. Her caring approach to both the patient and the family rescues some potentially explosive situations with people you come to care about through her descriptions. And if you can read Chapter 35 without shedding a few tears, you really need to have your DNA checked out to make sure you're really human!

Of all the stages in life, that of dying appears to be the most difficult: emotions run high, tempers flare, accusations fly, tears flow all the time, or is that just my family? Seriously, it can be such a chaotic and emotional time that I think it is very easy to lose track of what can be most important: understanding the dying person's process, and coming to terms with that process.

I read Ms. Callanan's first book, Final Gifts, several years ago and it gave me great insight into how I could better relate to someone who is dying. In this book she really addresses the dying process from the side of the caregiver, and I couldn't thank her more. I read this as my own father was dying and I think I used something from every chapter to help my father pass a little more comfortably, and to help keep my family and me from going crazy with stress.

I would encourage people to read this book. Even if you don't know someone who is dying, you never know when this sort of info will turn out to be needed. God bless.

Along with her first book, "Final Gifts", this latest work is required reading for anyone - and there are many, many of us out there - facing the issue of elder-care and the loss of a partner or loved one. There is a certain sensitivity in "Final Journeys" that is important and based on the author's years of work as a nurse in Hospice. Important book to read.

In her breakthrough book, Final Gifts, hospice nurse Maggie Callanan and co-author Patricia Kelley explored the "nearing death awareness" of last days. That book continues to be for many readers a revelation of what last moments may be like. Final Journeys takes a longer view, becoming a travelers' guide for living from the diagnosis of a terminal illness through to nearing death awareness and on to the last breath.

Like the author herself, Final Journeys is intensely practical and straightforward, flashed with humor and warmed by an all-pervasive empathy. A sampling of chapter titles hints of honest looks at difficult questions: "Don't Tell Mom She's Dying. It'll Kill Her!"; "Choosing Treatments--and Knowing Which Are Optional"; "`We Can't Just Let Him Starve to Death!': Deciding About Artificial Nutrition"; "Finding Power in a Powerless Situation"; "I Love You, Mom, and I Want to Help, but I'm Not Moving to Miami!"

From recognizing what's fixable and what's not...understanding when not to call 911...talking to the children...dealing with the out-of-town family member who swoops in ready to take charge...to an explanation of the Medicare hospice benefit and the dying person's Bill of Rights--what Callanan does is make the unthinkable manageable.

Who is this book for? For everyone who will one day die and wants to be as ready as possible. For anyone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and for the family members and friends of that person who wonder what to expect and how to cope. For anyone who thinks calling hospice is equivalent to "giving up." For every public library (I have already suggested that my library order two). For hospice and palliative care volunteers.

Readers who have been enthusiastic about Final Gifts--and who isn't?--will welcome this companion work, which seems bound to become a classic alongside its sister title.

Nancy Evans Bush, MA
Vice President and Chair of Publications
International Association for Near-Death Studies, Inc.

This book is very enlightening and will teach you more about Christianity, God, and what is to come. Believe me, you do not want to be here...this series will tell you all about what is to come in a fictional way. It is a book that all preteens and teenagers should read. If you are 10-14, than I will say that this is a MUST read. I can relate to the characters sometimes. It is a very good book and a very good series! The rapture is not fictitious. It is going to happen. In fact, the moon the moon will turn as blood and all but a third of the sun will be darkened before God comes back for his chosen people. Do not be afraid of this judgment or of the Rapture. If you are a Christian, then you will surely not be here when the rapture happens. This book can tell you more than I can. You will learn more than you did know about the end times! That is a guarantee! I have learned A LOT more about the end times from these books! I have really enjoyed these books! Buy this book and all the others in the series and anything you can get your hands on to learn about the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the Great Tribulation. This is definitely a subject that you should have knowledge of. Take it from me-the Tribulation is NOT going to be fun. Please buy this book and tell others about it. You might also want to visit www.leftbehind.com.

"Threatened by a huge meteor, John must make a life-threatening decision aboard the Global Community ship Peacekeeper One. With the danger increasing, the kids near Chicago must assume new identites. Judd and Vicki ae at odds over the group's next move. Will the kids stay together?"
If you thought that the other books in this series were great, this one is a must have. It gets you on edge until the end, and leaves you craving for book 17, Terror in the Stadium. ^^ This is a great book.

This book is great. The thing I like most about Left Behind 16 is that it is so full of action. I'm surprised at many things that happen in this book. There are chases, escapes, and mysteries. One character that I can relate to is Judd Thompson; he is like me in a lot of ways. He's kind of bull-headed like me and he does some things without thinking. The most interesting part about this book is that it's about the end of the world and lots of strange things are happening. One is the government doesn't have very many religious freedoms and these kids are hiding from the government, which brings a lot of action packed events. There are also struggles within the group, which may remind you of your own family's struggles, but the kids try to get along. Tensions are always high in this book, that's for sure.

I've been reading Left Behind: The Kids series since the very first one came out and my grandmother bought it for me. Each book goes into more detail and depth about the 4 kids left behind after the Rapture of God. Book #16 has left me unable to wait for more. Not knowing if the 3 children left from the original Young Tribe Force will make it through another day alive. If you haven't read The Left Behind series you should start know and get caught up by the time book #17 comes out because you also will be wanting more. If I keep telling you anymore about the book I will definitely spoil the adventures the Young Tribe Force faces in book #16

The most amazing part of the book is how is keeps you on edge till the end, and still keeps you craving for more. This series of books has shown me why my decision in Christ will save me from the terrible and adventurous situations many people will experience after being Left Behind. Vicki, Judd, and Lionel learn more than ever in book #16 and must keep their heads on straight for the many dangerous situations they are going to have thrown at them. These books are truly uplifting and exciting and ready for any reader to open up and join in on the adventure. The adventures of these kids' lives are only at the second turning part and they are forced to make many life changing choices. Left Behind: The Kids #16 will never let you forget it, so purchase it today and join the fun!

Book number 14 keeps you on the edge of you seat. I could not put it down until I was done. These kids are more knowledgeable than most adults are about the Bible and how to use the Bible to resolve the problems that they get into. I have read the series as a companion to the main series. It gives insight of how kids react to desperate situations. It gives a difference perspective on the events that are unfolding in the main series and how they interact with the major characters. I recommend these books to anyone that like to read and gain an insight into their own personal relationship with their religious beliefs. Where are numbers 15-100? I'm ready.

The writers of this book maintain that Scripture should where possible be interpreted within the context of the "Author intended meaning", which I found was a refreshing and illuminating approach. Care being taken not to take Scripture out of it's true context where it's original meaning could be in danger of being lost or distorted.

The Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures being interpreted in the context of the circumstances in "which they were spoken, to whom they were spoken, by whom they were spoken, and as it would have been understood by all concerned at the time they were spoken". A principle which will ensure, as far as is possible, that there is no misconception in reading & understanding the true meaning behind the Scriptures themselves.. (Eg; when Israel was a nation besieged or the Body of Believers were under persecution etc.).

Many aspects of Scripture are discussed using this principle of interpretation with special reference given to the interpretation of Biblical prophecy, the Gospel message and the numerous Hebrew prophets.

The differing, often controversial, opinions within the Church in relation to the "End Times", including the Rapture, Tribulation, Millennium and the appearance of the anti-Christ are also examined, with each position explained alongside the writers' own interpretations and whether or not they agree.

The place of both Israel and the Church are similarly examined in detail, both in their own rights and in so far as they relate to each other, the Gospel and the "End Times".

The authors ask at the outset that the book be read with an "open mind" so I will not "spoil the plot" by explaining the personal interpretations of the writers here. In my experience this often causes either instant dismissal or acceptance of the book with an appropriate vote given to the review. I think that instant dismissal of this book in such a manner would be disappointing as there is so much on offer here.

As I progressed through the book I was pleasantly surprised how much I agreed with the interpretations given in this work. Even those who will disagree with the observations here will surely obtain some enlightenment from this book and will perhaps examine the Scriptures more closely in future. A recommended read.

Dan Juster is a Messianic Jew - a Jew who believes in and follows Messiah Jesus. This book, written with Keith Intrater, is of reference quality, yet, it is easy to read and understand. It contains valuable insight presented in a forthright and balanced manner. A must read for any thoughtful person, especially one who believes in Messiah /Christ Jesus.

This book is a must read for every Believer in Jesus, the Messiah! This book gives indepth analysis of the complex, and everlasting connection between God's people, the Israelites and the Christian Church. I was inspired by the authors' fearless examination of longtime, dearly held traditional beliefs of the Christian Church, confronting basically unscriptural teachings with the timeless truth found in the scripture itself. Their emphasis on the "Kingdom of God" as the focus of the Lord's purpose in the Last Days is truly a revelation from God's Word, the Bible.

As an author of a book on Bible prophecy myself, I found this book to be a source of both information and inspiration as I concluded writing "Mystery Babylon the Great, Defender of Israel, A Search for America in Bible Prophecy". Discovering Keith Intrater and Dan Juster's work gave me confidence that I was not alone in questioning some basic teachings that are inconsistent with scripture.

I congratulate them on this excellent and courageous work that bravely stands on scripture in challenging Christian traditions such as the timing of the Rapture and the idea that the Church has replaced Israel as the focus of Bible prophecy related to the end times. Such traditions have mislead a generation who have misplaced their hope on such erroneous teachings that led to the fiction of the "Left Behind" series.

I must also recommend my own book as one which builds on this theme of "Israel and the Church in the Last Days" with great detail from the Book of Revelation and other scripture into how America will carry out the curious role of being God's tool of the ministry of the Gospel and protector of Israel while at the same time fulfulling the prophecies of Mystery Babylon, the great whore of Revelation.

As the last days approach, Dan Juster and Keith Intrater present an optimistic view for believers around the world. A restoration of the Body of Christ is beginning to take place as the church asserts her unity, power, gifts and begins to establish the five fold ministry as found in the example of the first century church. What is the key element for the Church in these last days as she asserts her power? Establishing a saved remnant of Israel. How does one help establish a saved remnant, especially a saved Jewish remnant? Through establishing the Kingdom of God in every sphere of life through signs and wonders, deliverance, healing and living according to the law as Christ himself lived.
This book was first published in 1990, ahead of it's time considering the recent trends in publishing with Dallas Willard's Kingdom living emphasis in 1998's Christian Book of the Year - The Divine Conspiracy.
While optimistic for believers, the book also proclaims some bold truths which also seem prophetic in light of recent events, such as page 187 under the title - The Coming Armageddon. After quoting Joel 3:9-10 the authors' write "This is the buildup for the greatest clash the world has ever seen. The three themes of spiritual warfare, the restoration of Israel, and the judgement of the nations are all pending and at hand." Recommend Revelation - The Passover Key as a companion by author Dan Juster

As a seminary student, I have begun to find a very problematic atmosphere cropping up in today's churches and intellectuals--the problem is that of replacement theology, the idea that the church fully replaced Israel in importance and significance. This theology is extremely detrimental toward true study of scripture, both historical scripture, wisdom scripture, the Gospels, and all the prophetic literature within the Bible, both Old and New Testament. It undermines God's Covenantal Redemptive History and it leads, I fearfully have to say, to either lack of concern for Israel and her people to downright Anti-Semitism. Postmillennialism, amillennialism, and preterism is rooted in the Anti-Semitic teachings of the church during the first few centuries of the church's life (from around St. Augustine) even up through Martin Luther to today's day and age. Not that I am saying that you are racist against Jews if you do not follow the PreMill point of view, still, you must realize that the other "millennialisms" are washed in almost two thousand years of Gentile racism point of view toward Jews. You are probably not a racist, in fact you (whomever may be reading this) probably deeply loves and cares for both friends and enemies as you should, however you must realize that the birth of other interpretations are borne from racist thoughts and ideas. If the church is what's important, than the church gains the power, and the truth is left to the side. The Bible clearly speaks of the futurist importance of Israel and her people in both the Millennial Kingdom and the New Heavens and the New Earth. Go read the book Unholy War by Randall Price to gain a better realization, along with MacArthur's The Second Coming.

Now, let's get back to this fine book for your library. That is why I am happy to see this work by Keith Intrater and I hope to see new books by him in the future, his other volume being From Iraq to Armageddon. It is a vital importance that you and I gain an appreciation and a love toward the Jewish people and their God-given land, Israel, especially the City where Yahweh dwells with His people, Jerusalem. In this day and age when Israel is fulfilling prophecies found in both Testaments, when the battlelines are being drawn between the world and Yahweh, it is a joy to see Jews coming to Yeshua, Jesus, and rebuilding the relationship that had been broken down in AD 70 between Gentile Christians and hopeful Jewish Christians to come. With each chapter, the reader will gain a fresh understanding of just how important this little bit of land is for the entire earth, and how her people are important integers in the final battle between the forces of light and darkness. This book will help you even if you are like me, a Gentile, who wishes to give love and prayer to Yahweh, God, through Yeshua, Jesus Christ, by holding a hand out to the Jewish people and fighting for their rights, when the whole world and the darkness that lives in the world, wants to destroy the Jews--from Western and Eastern Europe to the radical Islamic nations.

If you like this book, I highly suggest you read the works by Randall Price. It gives a Gentile impression on how we need to band together for the name of Israel and her people, along with the future of the Temple.

With the Terri Schiavo case still fresh in our minds, the need for a living will and/or health care proxy is vitally important.
This book offers timely advice about living wills and the need to find a professional advocate, like Mr. Shenkman, to guide you through the process. It is important for you, and your family, to be prepared when the time comes. This is an important book that should be read by all.

Mr.Shenkman's book is excellent and an easy read. He presents such an important and difficult topic in a very concise format, addressing issues that many would not think of in drafting a living will. A MUST READ, especially in light of the tragedy the family of Terri Schiavo has just endured.

I highly recommend this book because it addresses religious issues which no other books cover, provides cutting edge legal tips (in plain English) to avoid the tragedy that Terri Shiavo's family endured and presents a far more comprehensive approach than the generic internet forms most people use. If you care about what happens to you when/if you are unable to make medical decisions for yourself, then read this book.

I am a legal aid hotline attorney and own an online medical supply and equipment business. This book is informative but probably provides more infomation than you need if you just want to draft a wiling will. There is a wealth of information and sample forms on the internet. In Illinois, where I practice, you can find forms for living wills, power of attorney for health care, declaration for mental health treatment and more on the Illinois Department of Public Health website. Many other government sites have similar resources. The problem with using forms from a book is that they can become outdated and ineffective. The real key to a living will is to make sure your family and medical providers know you have one. Otherwise, your wishes will not be known. Read this book for an indepth treatment of this subject, but to just draft a living will you can find what you need online for free.

As an estate planning attorney, I am very impressed with the sample forms and analysis contained in this book. While I believe and recommend that such forms be prepared or at least reviewed by an attorney, these are the best forms I have seen available to the public. If you review or think through these forms, you well prepared to meet with an estate planning attorney.

The pictures are elegant even if the subject isn't. Very beautiful book. Know that the book is not intended to show you all aspects of life in Soviet Russia. It focuses more on the downside of life.

Having traveled in Russia during the Soviet era, I believe that Sherbell, in words and images, has captured the essence of the latter stages of the Empire. The picures and text show a deep understanding and appreciation of the problems of the Soviet system. More importantly, the beauty, humanity and resiience of the Russian people come shining through. It is a terrific photo book.

One can always tell looking at a book if the photographer was just a "tourist" in the area, on a brief assignment from a magazine, or if he really "lived" in the story and made it part of his life. There have been numerous failed attempts by western photographers to capture this period of history. Shepard Sherbell's book is different. He obviously not only put his heart into every image, he made this work a part of his life, spending several years in Moscow and in different Soviet republics before, during and after the USSR fell apart. His photographs speak about the human spirit, the dignity of the people, their feelings and day to day worries. It is well balanced.
But for someone unfamiliar with the subject the advise is - don't try to "consume" all the images at once. The material is too rich. One has to sink into the book little by little, explore it and revisit it again and again.

Sherbell is a master of his craft. He takes the reader on a virtual tour of the former Soviet Union. This talented photographer manages to convey the personality and texture of a complex country and period of history with sensitivity and wit.

"Soviets" is a book that is best savoured one page at a time. The photographs are matched only by the text which, unlike many photography books, adds another level to the work. This is a book that could be placed in the history section of any library as easily as photography.

Whether or not you ever visited the Soviet Union in its dying days, Shepard Sherbell's photographs will grab you. His images of that moribund nation reveal the darkest secrets of the U.S.S.R. Those of us who lived through those final moments will recognize the chilling faces of a great power in demise. The crumbling buildings, cracking monuments and crushed spirits of a once-mighty state are beautifully portrayed in this book. It's an eyewitness to a land of infinite impossibilities.

Make no mistake: THE SOVIETS is not another collection of snapshots from Red Square and the Bolshoi Theater. Instead, its pages are populated with glimpses into the real life of that now-extinct country. Unless you'd lived there, this is a side of the Soviet Union you probably never saw.

Brace yourself.

This book caused me great dissatisfaction with the way our church was going. It was the start of our continuing journey from a program based church to a cell church that is Christ centered and peoople oriented. Have you ever read one of those books that had timeless messages? Well like His book the Shepherds guidebool this is the grand daddy of them all.
If you don't want to be pushed from you comfort zone and believe God for greater things don't, please don't read this book. If you must buy one then amazon is the place to do it.

This is an exciting apologetic for cell churches as opposed to the PBC (program based church) approach. Neighbor powerfully argues against models of the church that leave members sitting and soaking, and in favor of real community and ministry for all Christians.

Neighbor is very taken with the Yonggi Cho model, which I am not committed to, but the main point of the book is the need to get back to every member ministry. Unless the church in America makes a conscious committment to restore this central New Testament imperative, we are doomed to ongoing anemia, and self-centered Christianity.
-Dennis McCallum, author Organic Disciplemaking: How to promote Christian leadership development through personal relationships, biblical discipleship, mentoring, and Christian community

Great book that gave me a lot of insight to what the cell group church is doing around the globe. It shared with me some of the differences between a traditional church and a church of cell groups. Having a church with small (cell) groups to being a church of small groups is totally different and Ralph Neighbor helped explain the differences between these two mindsets in his book Where Do We Go From Here? I have a clearer picture of where I need to go from here but God help me in this. It is a drastically different church than what I see around me but I do believe that the church will need to change to be more effective in the future.

Where Do We Go From Here has been an answer to prayer and a confirmation of the vision God has given to me for my ministry. Below are just some of the insights that I have received from this book. You really owe it to yourself to read this book.

I consider this book to be one of my greatest tools in my ministry. I am starting my own Church and this is the model I plan to use. Please email me and let me know if my review has inspired your to purchase the book. CliffEOTC@netscape.net

What are the benefits of a Cell Group Church over that of a Traditional Style Church?

1. Cell Group Churches are more efficient than traditional churches. In the traditional church, only 10% to 15% of the membership are engaged in the tasks required to make the Church function. After the teachers, administrators, musicians, etc., have been pulled out of the total membership, the rest are expected to be faithful members. If an automobile engine were rated at 15% efficiency, it would never see the light of day. The contrast between this misuse of Christians and the New Testament church, where 100% were involved, is scandalous. In the Cell Group Church, everyone is involved ministry, even the children.

2. Cell Group Churches are based on the Scriptural concept of community. The essence of community is a sense of belonging. There is a powerful Christian comaraderie established when people belong to each other in a cell group. This cannot be equaled in a church which assembles people in large groups. People look after one another, and they share the ministry of reachingthe unconverted as a community task.

3. Cell Group Churches focus on the importance of prayer for their ministries. Half nights of prayer are commonplace among cell groups. As much as one third to one half of the time spent in their gatherings is devoted to prayer. Because of this focus on prayer, it is common for many to find Spiritual, Emotional, and Physical healing as a result of a cell group who has a deep commitment to prayer.

4. Cell Group Churches are not limited by the size of a church building. It is obvious that most traditional churches are limited by the size of their buildings. For some, the original building is used for generations. For others, a spurt of growth requires a massive building fund drive and a small addition of space. The success of a church is often measured by how packed the auditorium is, rather than by the number of people who are brought to personal faith. When cell group churches do construct space, it is clearly created for the purpose of equipping, and not for attracting, members.

5. Cell Group Churches are focused on evangelism that includes the powerful witness of Christ working within His body, beyond the traditional presentation of the "plan of salvation." The "ungifted" and the "unbelievers" of 1 Corinthians 14:24-26 are once again, as in the early church, exposed to the amazing power of they body of Christ, where all are involved in the process of edification. Once again it has become commonplace for these seekers to fall on their faces and say, "Surely God is among you!" The form of evangelism that takes place in a Cell Group Church is as old as the book of Acts!

6. Another benefit of a Cell Group Church is that the gospel is offered by non-professional hands, the hands of friends or neighbors, not outsiders. With this being the case, suspicion of the Christian clergy is not present when people in the community are the bearers of the gospel. It is not uncommon for cell groups to see conversions on a weekly basis.

7. Because cell groups are battlefields where people are set free from strongholds, it is commonplace for a cell group meeting to focus on a Biblical teaching related to a life problem. While the Traditional Church will focus on these issues in a sermon, the cell group calls each member to be accountable. Many times a cell group leader will ask, "What is the state of your life concerning this issue?"

There are many more benefits of a Cell Group Church over that of a Traditional Style Church. Please understand that I am not saying that the Traditional Church is completely ineffective. It is just that E.O.T.C. believes that the Cell Group style of ministry is a better means of reaching out to the growing number of people who are lost and need to find eternal life in Jesus Christ.

It has never been, nor will it ever be our desire to take people from other churches to build the size of our Church. While we will never turn down someone who wants to join our church, our primary goal and focus is to reach out to the unchurched, unsaved population with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are not in competition with anyone other church wether it be a cell group based or traditional. There is a place for both styles of churches in our culture and it is our suggestion that each believer find a Church where they will be encouraged to grow in the faith and where they will be taught the Word of God and given a place to worship from the heart. For some that may be a different church than E.O.T.C., but the truth is that we are all ONE CHURCH!!!

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? With updated information on new cell church models, new information on equipping and harvest events and practical teaching on how to begin a transition to a Cell Church. This book will continue to stir hearts to dream about what the church can be! You will find hope for your church in the UK and North America as you read this book and discover new things that Dr. Neighbour has learned over the last 10 years. Share this vision with your pastor or friend . . . buy 2 copies!