The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

Amazon.com

Order this book ... and please don't be put off by its pallid subtitle, A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, which doesn't begin to do justice to the utterly unique and moving story contained within. The Color of Water tells the remarkable story of Ruth McBride Jordan, the two good men she married, and the 12 good children she raised. Jordan, born Rachel Shilsky, a Polish Jew, immigrated to America soon after birth; as an adult she moved to New York City, leaving her family and faith behind in Virginia. Jordan met and married a black man, making her isolation even more profound. The book is a success story, a testament to one woman's true heart, solid values, and indomitable will. Ruth Jordan battled not only racism but also poverty to raise her children and, despite being sorely tested, never wavered. In telling her story--along with her son's--The Color of Water addresses racial identity with compassion, insight, and realism. It is, in a word, inspiring, and you will finish it with unalloyed admiration for a flawed but remarkable individual. And, perhaps, a little more faith in us all.

Book Description

This is a book that will "make you proud to be a member of the human race," says Mirabella, and countless readers have already discovered its power. Written in remembrance of his Polish-born, Southern-raised Jewish mother-who married a black man and raised twelve children, all of whom completed college-The Color of Water is a classic of the memoir genre, a testament to love, and a truly American story.

Customer Reviews:

If you like stereotypes..........2007-09-27

If you like reinforcing stereotypes, then James McBride's book is for you. Jews have big noses, they only care about money, and of course, his converted mother only finds love through Jesus. But let's move past that. A great mother? Perhaps her children would not have had to eat sugar as a meal or wake up at 3 am (when she came home from work with free food from her employer) to eat-- else they went hungry if she had the number of children that she and her could support. Perhaps living in a house where the dog's feces is kicked under the radiator is not an indication of a strong mother. How about when she pays one fare for the subway and puts herself and the twelve children through on that one fare. These are not virtues. The writing was weak; the message was weaker.

A Jewish Mother.......2007-09-24

Legal History of the Color Line: The Rise And Triumph of the One-drop Rule

A better title for this book would be: A Dark Mulatto's Tribute to His Jewish Mother. The word "black" denies the European Jewish ancestry of the author and his siblings and the word "white" denies his mother's ethnic heritage. Mrs. McBride's Jewish ethnic values were far more important to her children's success than being "white."

Parenthood Pride -- A Mother Must Whimper.......2007-08-13

"Times were different then." Something espoused by the author's mother -- a Polish Jew who grew up in the Jim Crow south before World War II, and then raced away from her self-described purgatory to New York -- where she embraced mixed union, poverty and Jesus Christ.

How people of mixed races could live without constant clamour and request for surrender is not known to the 21st century people -- I grew up with bussing and other issues, but never saw a segregated movie theater, water fountain, or seating area. We really don't know how far we have come. And, we don't know how hard the struggle of others has been.

And, to help us understand that path, we have James McBride's autobiography/biography -- in pica print is his tale and in italic (every other chapter) is his mother's biography written by her son or her autobiography as transcribed from her taped sittings with her son.

Some things which she lived with will astound you -- I refer not to the biracial issues, but to the classic violations of Judeo-Christian ethics by the author's grandfather. As a rabbi and devout conservative Jew, the author's grandfather, we learn, abused his spouse emotionally (if not physically), abused his daughter sexually, and abused the black man in the south for personal financial gain. Interestingly, all had the same achilles heel -- each was a weakened victim. The wife a victim of polio and contract marriage, the daughter a victim of youth, and the black people victims of unadulterated 1930's racism.

Emerging from this broiling escapade by the father came the flight of a young woman to New York (the author's mother) who raised 12 bi-racial children whose faces and hair told most strangers they were anything other than children of a conservative Jew who emigrated from Poland.

In the even-numbered paragraphs (those autobiographical passages of the author), I had laugh-out-loud episodes when he recited events of his naive youth when he asked questions about his race, about his mother's race and more. Like Frank McCourt, he delivers the lines in such accurate manner that you feel as though you are sitting back and watching kids in action doing their thing which we, as adults, can not well remember nor well imitate.

This was solid fun reading based upon an extremely unique factual content.

Very disappointing..........2007-07-18

I was very disappointed with this book, especially given so many positive reviews. Though I certainly admired McBride and his siblings' ability to achieve so much given so little, I was appalled and even morally offended by the sheer stupidity and negligence of his mother as she is described (apparently in her own words) throughout the book.

I think we the readers are so overwhelmed with empathy and admiration for 12 children rising out of poverty despite obstacles of racism, poor education, no support from extended family, etc., that we forget to ask the obvious question: why would any person raise 12 children in poverty in the first place?? How is this a good decision? A mother has no job and no discernable skills, and is married to what seems like a great man - wouldn't she think after the 4th kid that "maybe I should make sure I can provide for my first 4 children before I have a 5th..or a 12th?"! To me, this is morally reprehensible! And if that's not enough, the book is littered with negligent decision making while raising her 12 kids. For example, when she drives a car without a license, she seriously risks jail time (and bankrupcy/legal problems if she hits something/someone). What would happen to her kids then? I guarantee if this same woman with no license and 12 children ran into your car, you'd be thinking much different thoughts, the nicest being "what a complete moron"! She obviously must have been a good, strong, moral woman, but she was also lucky. For every 12 child family success story, there are probably 100 other abject failures.

If I went into the woods with no water and no food and no sense of direction, and I made it out alive after 10 days of on-the-verge-of-death adventure, you might be inspired by the luck/perseverence/moral fortitude...or you might just think "why did that moron go into the woods with no water, food, or sense of direction"? That's the way I felt about this book.

A Unique Perspective.......2007-07-14

I loved this man's view of his mother and her passions and struggles. He saw her imperfections but chose to focus elsewhere. In a world where so many are looking to blame others for their stations or place in this world, this son took the good that his mother offered and channeled it. I have always believed that one can either focus on the empty cup and rationalize why the cup cannot be filled, or go into the world and seek the fullness lacking. I love that God is the color of water since that is what I have always believed. My God is so colorless and my love of mankind is also based on a true belief that we're to focus outside ourselves and the world will be a better place. Naive one might say?? I say that it is only the truly brave that reach and expect the world to be a better place.

Incredible Shrinking Son of Man: How Reliable Is the Gospel Tradition?

Average customer rating:

The Remarkable Scholarly Robert Price
Sloppy scholarship !!
I almost blew coffee out of my nose!
Difficult read
Miracles do not produce faith

Incredible Shrinking Son of Man: How Reliable Is the Gospel Tradition?
Robert M. Price
Manufacturer: Prometheus Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

History | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Jesus Puzzle: Did Christianity Begin with a Mythical Christ? Challenging the Existence of an Historical Jesus
Atheist Universe: The Thinking Person's Answer to Christian Fundamentalism
Deconstructing Jesus
The God Delusion
The God Who Wasn't There

ASIN: 1591021219

Book Description

What do the Gospels really reveal about the historical Jesus?

Scholars have dissected the Gospels and other stories about Jesus for more than a century, attempting to determine their historical accuracy. Many experts today believe that the writings of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John cannot be taken as revelatory. A group of more than 100 scholars called the Jesus Seminar concluded that only about 18 percent of the Gospels is historically correct.

Believing his Jesus Seminar colleagues "too critical," Robert M. Price presents THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING SON OF MAN, a balanced yet radically pessimistic new assessment of gospel historicity. While indebted to two centuries of scholarship, Price's latest book charts new territory, illustrating the virtual lack of historical information in the New Testament's Jesus stories. After an excellent introduction to the historical-critical method in language tailored to nonspecialists, Price analyzes sections of the Gospels, separating fact from fiction in all episodes of Jesus' life. Price examines both familiar parables and Jesus' teachings for authenticity, carefully studying miracle stories and drawing surprising conclusions. In addition, Price critically explores whether Jesus preached his Messiahship or predicted his own death as a means to save souls.

Written for a general audience in a refreshing and accessible style, Price's highly informative discussion will interest anyone who has wondered about the origins of Christianity.

Customer Reviews:

The Remarkable Scholarly Robert Price.......2007-08-12

This really is one of the better books I've read on questions concerning gospel sources. I perceive that Price doesn't rule out Jesus as a historical person (he endorses Robert Eisenman's work, which suggests that Jesus was a historical person who can be understood best thru the study of James his brother). However Price does make the persuasive argument that nothing in the gospels necessarily does trace back to Jesus. His writing style is pleasant, and his reasoning is sound. Highly Recommended.

Sloppy scholarship !!.......2007-06-13

I am not a fundamentalist and I welcome critical thinking about religion. I welcome tough probing questions about one's faith, especially christianity. A religion that claims to be truth should be able to stand up to examination. A religion that has no evidence in reality, well, it might as well be myth along the lines of the tooth fairy. So I bought this book wanting to see if there were any convincing arguements to "disprove" the Jesus of the new testament. This book was a real let down. It was sloppy, makes numerous leaps of logic and generally exhibits a real lack of serious historical/literary inquiry into the Jesus issue. My evaluation isn't a defensive reaction against challenges to Christianity. I have myself raised tougher questions about the Christian faith than Robert Price's book. But his work, at least in this book, is just sloppy plain and simple. For those who think Price's work has merit, I would suggest reading well on the other side of the fence by some good conservative (not fundamentalist) scholars: here are some actual serious and careful works on historical Jesus studies and what may or may not be known of him historically, check out: Fabricating Jesus by Craig Evans, Familiar Sranger by Michael McClymond, The Evidence For Jesus by James Dunn, Jesus Remembered by James Dunn, Jesus and The Gospels by Craig Blomberg, The Evidence For Jesus by R.T. France, Unmasking The Pagan Christ by Stanley Porter, Misquoting Truth by Timothy Paul Jones.

I almost blew coffee out of my nose!.......2007-06-09

After reading only the first few pages of The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man, I began taking notes because there were so many tasty tidbits that I wanted to remember. I gave that up in short order when I realized I was copying the entire book - virtually everything Robert Price writes in this book is worth remembering.

Price starts out by arming us with a fundamental understanding of textual criticism. He then guides us through a detailed study of the Jesus tradition, demonstrating how he applies textual criticism to support his conclusions. At every turn, Price discusses both corroborating and dissenting views of other scholars. Did Jesus really exist? Price finds scant evidence that He did but he allows other scholarly voices to weigh in.

Besides being a wonderfully knowledgeable and thoughtful scholar, Robert Price is an funny, colorful, down-to-earth writer. The book is a laugh a minute - I almost blew coffee through my nose several times!

Difficult read .......2007-03-20

I couldn't get thru this book from the little I did read it seemed to refer to the Q often and from what I understand there isn't any proof that it existed. Beyond that I couldn't get thru this book it was too tedious. I think the average reader wouldn't enjoy this book it appears to be more for a college student who needs to write a paper on this subject.

Miracles do not produce faith.......2007-01-22

This is an excellent book. Well written and researched. But be sure to have your dictionary handy. Price had quite a lineup of words I didn't know!
It became obvious throughout the book that miracles really don't produce lasting faith. Look at the miracles the chosen people witnessed during their escape from Egypt-- pillars of fire, manna, game birds falling from the sky, etc. etc. And yet all they did was gripe for 40 years. Price says that miracles were no big deal in early Christian times. The whole region was overrun with self-proclaimed prophets who supposedly performed more miracles than Jesus did. So there were those who, somewhat jaded, didn't think Jesus' miracles were awe inspiring. Also, when asked for an authenticating sign from heaven, Jesus flatly refuses in Mark 8:11-15: "I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." But the sky was the limit for the creative Gospel writers when their aim was to make sure Jesus fulfilled all the prophesies set forth in the Old Testament. It is significant that just about every miracle Jesus was said to perform had origins in stories of other Messiahs who were described by historians writing hundreds and even thousands of years before Jesus.
Price makes a point by asking how Mark knew what Jesus was praying in Gethsemane. Jesus was praying alone, while all the disciples were sleeping. They were in no position to know what Jesus prayed. So how did Mark know? Price says he "knew" because he made it up. "He (Mark) is the omnicient narrator, .. . . which is how he knew what Jesus and other characters were thinking."
Another interesting point Price makes is about Jesus and his men being supported by wealthy women, who tagged around after the group, and often contributed to the common purse to keep things going. (Luke 8:1-3.)
I highly recommend this book.

Mothers, Sons, and Lovers: How a Man's Relationship with His Mother Affects the Rest of His Life

Average customer rating:

Important theme, but not helpful
Excellent explanation
Yes, it has some hyperbole and a pop psychology feel but it is still thought-provoking
"I'm very close to my mother."
Female Reader

Mothers, Sons, and Lovers: How a Man's Relationship with His Mother Affects the Rest of His Life
Michael Gurian
Manufacturer: Shambhala
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Developmental Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Absent Fathers, Lost Sons: The Search for Masculine Identity
The Good Son: Shaping the Moral Development of Our Boys and Young Men
What Could He Be Thinking?: How a Man's Mind Really Works
What Stories Does my son need?: A Guide to Books and Movies that Build Character in Boys
A Fine Young Man: What Parents, Mentors, and Educators Can Do to Shape Adolescent Boys into Exceptional Men

ASIN: 0877739455
Release Date: 1993-11-23

Book Description

Through exercises and guided meditations, the author provides the means to uncover the influence of the primal bond between a man and his mother and to facilitate healing thereâas well as in marriage, parenthood, friendship, and all other relationships of love.

Customer Reviews:

Important theme, but not helpful.......2007-06-19

If you like nice theories, this is a great book. If you are objective and want to solve problems and apply knowledge, forget it. This is one more book about initiation, mythology, the goddess, quests, the sacred and so on. Good for academics.

Excellent explanation.......2006-08-30

This book does an excellent explanation of exactly how I felt toward my mother, and helped me to start to release my victimized perception of myself regarding her. The philosophies about hurting nature as a result of my mom seemed quite out of place, everywhere they were mentioned, but nearly everything else was well placed.

Yes, it has some hyperbole and a pop psychology feel but it is still thought-provoking.......2006-03-25

Having just used the "Search Inside the Book" feature on Amazon to look at parts of another of Gurian's books (about choosing movies and books for boys and teens), I used it again to get a feel for this book. It convinced me to buy it, just as it convinced me NOT to buy that other book.

While browsing through sections of this book (Mothers, Sons, and Lovers...)I was intrigued by many of the points made. I wanted to know more, including how our society short changes boys in all sorts of way, major and minor, resulting in men who may be searching for a stronger sense of what being "male" in our society means.

One of the most crucial relationships is between a boy and his mother, as well as an active, engaged father. What I particularly liked was the emphasis on helping men heal past wounds, on building from the here and now to the future. I didn't find this book to be a "Blame the Mother" type book but more of an exploration of what can go right - and wrong - in families and , most particularly, between mother and son.

The insights I got from this book will affect my future behavior with my sons and I hope that males who are now living on their own but with unresolved issues with their mothers find solace, support and healing from reading this book.

I confess that I found some of the language to be a bit high-flown for my taste but that is just a very personal opinion and it may not bother other readers. Get past that and go for the nuggets of wisdom that are in this book.

I would strongly suggest readers also get a copy of the book and/or DVD Raising Cain because the it addresses some of the concerns the author has raised about how to raise boy in a system that isn't often designed to best meet their needs (in particular, the average public or private school).

"I'm very close to my mother.".......2005-03-06

Would it not seem common sense self preservation to politely run not walk in the other direction from any man who wants you to know this about him right off the bat? Mother-bound men in literature and film from Oedipus to Norman Bates -- and every sentimental serial killer with a picture of his mother on his nightstand in between -- have yet to teach even 21st Century women the hard lessons in steering clear of this terrible spidermother tragedy. Should have long been a classic in popular psychology; recommended.

Female Reader.......2004-11-25

This book was tremendously helpful in helping me to understand how my Man's Mother shaped his life, why he has such difficulty with intimate relationships and what perhaps he can do to help himself. Thank you Paul Gurian! A library must have for any woman who finds herself involved with a Peter Pan, a perfectionist, or a misogynist.

Questions For My Father: Finding The Man Behind Your Dad

Average customer rating:

Reminder of what's important
A dark ride
Questions for My father: finding the man behind your dad
Asking both hard and easy questions
Carthartic Self Discovery

Questions For My Father: Finding The Man Behind Your Dad
Vincent Staniforth
Manufacturer: Atria Books/Beyond Words
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Fatherhood | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

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Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1885223749

Book Description

What do you wish you had asked your dad?

What did you feel the first time you cradled me in your arms?

What was your proudest day as a dad?

A little book that asks big questions: some serious, some playful, some risky. "I had ample opportunity to ask Dad these questions when he was alive. But it seemed that a million reasons not to do so could always be found. It was a waste of everything Dad had ever seen, done, and thought about not to hear his answers, and I regret not finding out more about him when I had the chance." This book was borne of that regret and has one underlying objective: to develop a blueprint for discovery so that children of any age can start to build a clearer, deeper picture of the man behind the word Dad.

"So this is for my dad. And for all dads, past, present, and future. And for their sons and daughters. And for the simple pleasure of talking to each other."--Vincent Staniforth

Customer Reviews:

Reminder of what's important.......2003-12-18

The questions in this book allow the reader to muse on their own relationships with their parents and others close to them, and hopefully to realise how important it is to make time to communicate within families. Buy it to read, think and keep it visible on your bookshelf as a reminder of what is important and that there is always time to talk to those close to you, however busy you think you are.

A dark ride.......2002-09-25

At first glance I thought this was just another "quick-fix" book offering [bad] platitudes about the quest to reveal the mythical father-figure.

I started to leaf through it and three days later I'm still excited and troubled by what "Questions" has revealed to me.

The questions are, quite simply, stunning in their originality and form. There's stuff here I wouldn't have thought of asking in a million years.

And then there's the narrative that is sprinkled throughout the text; a dark and troubled trans-America motorcycle trip during which the author has an eerie insight into the importance that his father has played in his life. Too late, of course. Staniforth returns to England just in time to watch his Dad die, and so begins the internal intellectual voyage of discovery about his father.

Read it, use it, buy it for a father or a child. This book can save families.

Questions for My father: finding the man behind your dad.......2002-06-12

A wonderful book to learn more about your father and yourself.
It's also a fantastic conversation maker. Don't miss out on
this jewel of a book.

Asking both hard and easy questions.......2002-01-25

This book asks both hard and easy questions. It gives the reader a chance to get to know the man with the utmost depth. Some of the questions are a little deep, but I encourage the reader to ask them all. Some of the questions may be superficial, but you might get some surprising answers. Good book. Great starting point for getting to know the man behind your dad.

Carthartic Self Discovery.......2002-01-09

Great book for learning about yourself and passing along your feelings, foibles and future wishes to your children. Works well for those that had a great relationship with their own father and want to continue the tradition; works even better for those who weren't close to their own father and want to make the most out of that special relationship with their own children.

Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle: Honest Conversations About Sexual Integrity (The Every Man Series)

Average customer rating:

Good book, but tailor to your situation
Help your son stay pure
Will Change the Life of You and Your Son
Fabulous Resource for Dad ....and Mom!

Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle: Honest Conversations About Sexual Integrity (The Every Man Series)
Stephen Arterburn , Fred Stoeker , and Mike Yorkey
Manufacturer: WaterBrook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Sexuality | Health, Mind & Body | Teens | Subjects | Books
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Every Young Man's Battle Workbook: Practical Help in the Fight for Sexual Purity (Everyman: Sexual Integrity)
Every Man's Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time (The Every Man Series)

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1578566894
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Book Description

It’s never been easy for a father or mother to talk to a son about sex. For Christian parents, it’s always been a challenge to know exactly how to teach God’s standards of purity and integrity.

But today, the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. So it’s vital that fathers and mothers prepare their sons to withstand the sexual onslaught of their culture through movies, television, music, and the internet.

But what should you say? And when and how should you say it?

Now there’s help you can trust: Preparing Your Son for Every Man’s Battle. The authors behind the best-selling “Every Man” series have put together all the resources and guidance you need to experience frank, thorough, and natural conversations with your son about sexual integrity. They offer an effective new communication process that ensures a deep, abiding relationship between you and your son as he moves into his teen years and beyond.

Equip your young man with the biblical information and spiritual insights he needs to stand strong, overcome temptation, and experience the blessings of godly obedience…for the rest of his life.

Customer Reviews:

Good book, but tailor to your situation.......2006-12-30

I read the first half of the book (which is to be read by the dad alone), then proceeded to read the latter half with my son. I would highly recommend that the dad read the whole book first, not just the first half. Generally the book is well done, but I found a variety of the descriptions to simply cover situations and scenarios which I largely did not experience as a boy. Since the book asks the dad, at the end of each chapter, to talk about their experiences you want to be prepared to address issues you may not have experienced. I don't fault the author so much for this (everyone has a different experience, and it is ultimately absurd for anyone to think that everyone is cookie cutter), but this is an important set of topics to discuss with your son - read the whole book and tailor appropriately, IMHO.

Help your son stay pure.......2006-06-13

This is a great book for many reasons. First off, it makes the point very clearly that a father's relationship with his sons is vitally important during the "second half of the game," the years starting with pre-adolescence. Not only are too many of us are caught up in difficult work schedules, but it gets more difficult. No longer is he that little boy who worships the ground you walk on. It's too easy to make an effort and, when you are rebuffed, just quit and hope for the best. All too easy to just figure, "well I turned out ok ... besides, maybe this is the way kids relate to their parents nowadays."

Well, Dad, that would be the worst decision you can make. This is the time of his life when he needs you more than ever. Many problems that will plague your dear son for a lifetime (including confused sexual identity, lust, pornography addiction, etc.) grow up during this period. After all, he's a good kid, but he doesn't know the ropes. Who knows how many traps are waiting for him out there - the world, the flesh, and the devil are all working against him.

The second reason the book is excellent is that it gives you a relatively painless way to go about doing what you know you should do. Many times I have struggled with starting conversations on these topics with my son, but was not quite sure where to go. I see three extremely valuable suggestions here. First off, relate stories to him. Your son probably knows little about your background. Knowing that you've faced struggles helps him to relate to you better and will probably help him to be more open sharing his own concerns and problems. This includes the dirty laundry too - such as the first time you viewed pornography. And I can't help but thinking of ol' Dad whenever some temptation comes up will help him to resist the temptation - the secret thrill is gone.

The second valuable suggestion the book makes is to create a safe place where he can "approach the throne of grace." I set up something like this in our spare bedroom years ago and it has yielded some benefits already and I expect more. Finally, the book provides suggestions of method to prompts discussion, such as reading this book and others together. These keep you going and provides a way to discuss difficult topics, and also helps answer the question "how much should I tell him and when." Certainly, you have to apply your own wisdom and knowledge of your son, but having an experienced father like Fred Stoeker making suggestions is extremely valuable, especially for those of us who never had a good role model in doing such things.

I should mention something that this book is NOT. It is not a "birds and the bees" kind of book. Although it does have some information in the early chapters, it pretty much assumes that either your son already knows the basic mechanics of sex - hopefully from your teaching over the years rather than through his friends. If you are interested, there are other good books on this subject from a Christian point of view. Where this book really comes in is helping your young man manage the resources God has given him. That is, not the mechanism of sex, but the policy of how to manage it before it starts managing him. And many of us know that sex will manage him unless he has the tools to take charge of it.

I should also note that Steve Arterburn did not write the book, it just shows up under his name. Fred Stoeker wrote it and virtually all the experiences and suggestions in the book appear to be Fred's. Some who may question Arterburn's own morality may be put at ease knowing that it's just Arterburn's name attached - the book is really Fred's. Don't pass up an extremely valuable book because somebody's name appears on the cover.

So Dad, get this book, and get on with doing what you know you should do. I think the age range of 11-13 is probably the time to start it. Don't let the "Sexual Code of Silence" continue!

Will Change the Life of You and Your Son.......2004-08-04

I was thouroughly impressed with the writing of this book. While being careful to not overstate the obvious, the authors were forward and truthful. I felt that their honesty and integrity as men were painted in the way they told their own stories.

When I read this book, I had both of my sons in mind, and will read this with them one day. No hesitations.

A big "thank you" to Fred and Mike.

Fabulous Resource for Dad ....and Mom!.......2004-03-08

Fred Stoeker and the team of EveryMan have provided an invaluable tool for equipping young man in the battle for sexual purity. Fred provides dialog and insight to the necessary discussions that will need to take place with young sons. A must have for every father. (The author does acknowledge the single mother and her plight and provides gracious assistance throughout the book.)

Atlas: From the Streets to the Ring: A Son's Struggle to Become a Man

Average customer rating:

Interesting - even for those who don't know much about boxing.
Talk about a guy who knows who he is!
Teddy Atlas
Atlas
An insider's look at boxing

Atlas: From the Streets to the Ring: A Son's Struggle to Become a Man
Teddy Atlas , and Peter Alson
Manufacturer: Ecco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies | Sports | Subjects | Books

Boxing | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0060542403

Book Description

"Of all the people who have affected by my life and influence the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father."

So begins the autobiography of legendary boxing trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas, who grew from the rebellious son of a doctor to a man who embraces, and lives by, his father's values and code.

In this gritty, spellbinding tale, Atlas recounts his fascinating life -- as a juvenile delinquent on the streets of Staten Island; as a boxer and Golden Gloves champion under the tutelage of famed trainer Cus D'Amato; as a companion to the dangerous, unpredictable Sammy "the Bull" Gravano, up until the day Gravano turned rat and brought down crime boss John Gotti; and as a trainer of champions and contenders, among them fourteen-year-old Mike Tyson and heavyweight Michael Moorer, whom he led to the crown with a win over Evander Holyfield.

Equally engrossing are Teddy Atlas's accounts of training dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp for her successful comeback at age forty-two; his work with actor Willem Dafoe, preparing him for his role as a concentration camp boxer in the film Triumph of the Spirit; his journey to Poland to choreograph the film's boxing scenes; and his own performance in movies such as Play It to the Bone. In sharing his stories, Atlas reveals the philosophy by which he lives.

Like Teddy Atlas -- inimitable, tough, honest, and wise -- this book inspires. It is about so much more than boxing. It is a story of overcoming hardships, of compassion for those in need, of tremendous personal integrity, and of personal and professional triumph.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting - even for those who don't know much about boxing........2007-09-21

I'm no boxing fan. When the big matches come along I'll get a little intrigued. Still, no great shakes for me. However, Teddy Atlas's book was recommended to me by a friend who is REALLY into boxing. The beauty of it the book was that one need not know much about the sport because Atlas is really writing a life-lessons kind of book. Sure seems like he has been through a lot, so the story is interesting. A roughneck as a youngster, he had a MD doctor dad who was so busy helping others that he never paid enough attention to Teddy. Even so, Teddy loved his dad and after making some early mistakes, he cleaned up his act and found a new life in boxing as a trainer.

When I was a teenager, Mike Tyson was all the rage (packaged in a lot of rage too). Teddy helped train Tyson early in Tyson's career, so it was interesting to read about some of the back stories there. Not so much a spoiler alert, by Tyson wasn't really a decent guy. Also, reading about Michael Moorer, George Foreman, and a few other names I have heard of was interesting.

Teddy seems like a decent guy. Also very angry. Probably not wise to end up on his bad side. He needs to give people a little more slack. At the very least, he can lay off a little of the "I'm better than everyone else I have come in contact with." It's hard to buy how serious he takes personal morals when he hung out with murderers like Sammy the Bull. But he's still a great guy with an interesting story to tell, and he does so in an extremely easy to read format. Not bad for a sport I don't really care about.

Talk about a guy who knows who he is!.......2007-06-13

I really enjoyed this book. Teddy Atlas lays it all out on the table, and holds nothing back with his boxers, his enemies, and us readers. His world is black and white, and he never falters when it comes to his own integrity. You may like him, you may not, but you won't question where he is coming from. I have used some of his philosophies with my own kids, particularly his take on fear. The guy sounds like someone you would love to have a beer with, but definitely not someone you would want to tick off.

The book gives some insight into Mike Tyson, George Foreman, and others, but not a tremendous amount, so don't buy it thinking you will get the inside scoop on the whole boxing world. Its more of a singular perspective of a tough guy who reaches the pinnacle of his profession without selling out.

Teddy Atlas.......2007-03-31

I just finished reading this book last night. I appreciated the unpretentious style--it's written just like he talks--it was like I could actually HEAR his voice!

The insight into the role of a trainer was particularly interesting to me. It helps me to appreciate even more my son's trainer. Our son, Zach 'Jungle Boy' Walters, is trained by Chuck Horton. The similarities between Chuck and Teddy are at times startling! It makes me wonder if all boxing trainers are similar! Or is it just the GOOD ones?

Atlas.......2007-02-16

The life of Teddy Atlas is incredible. You will be shocked, maddened, saddened, made to laugh, and most of all entertained from bell to bell with this book. I recommend it to any boxing fan.

An insider's look at boxing.......2007-02-15

This is a fascinating look at boxing from inside the sport. Want to know if Mike Tyson's really a bad guy? Teddy will tell you. The truth ain't always nice to hear. But it sure is interesting. Boxing fans will love this book. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Running Scared... Running Out of Time
A better treatment would have been to present the batterer's interior experience as well
An okay book, but not brilliant
Not a satisfying read for such a sensitive subject
Not bad...

Black and Blue: A Novel
Anna Quindlen
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

1998 | Oprah's Book Club® | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0375500510
Release Date: 1998-01-24

Amazon.com

Oprah Book Club® Selection, April 1998: "The first time my husband hit me I was nineteen years old," begins Fran Benedetto, the broken heroine of Anna Quindlen's Black and Blue. With one sweeping sentence, the door to an abused and tortured world is swung wide open and the psyche of a crushed and tattered self-image exposed. "Frannie, Frannie, Fran"--as Bobby Benedetto liked to call her before smashing her into kitchen appliances--was a young, energetic nursing student when she met her husband-to-be at a local Brooklyn bar. She was instantly captivated by his dark, brooding looks and magnetic personality, but her fascination soon solidified into a marital prison sentence of incessant abuse and the destruction of her own identity. After an especially horrific beating and rape, Fran realizes that the next attack could be the last. Fearing her son would be left alone with Bobby, she escapes one morning with her child. Fran's salvation comes in the form of Patty Bancroft and Co., a relocation agency for abused women that touts better service than the witness protection program. Armed only with a phone number, a few hundred dollars, and the help of several anonymous volunteers, Fran begins a new life. The agency relocates her to Florida, where she becomes Beth Crenshaw, a recently divorced home-care assistant from Delaware. Fran and her son adapt, meeting challenges with unexpected resilience and resolve until their past returns to haunt them. Quindlen renders the intricacies of spousal abuse with eerie accuracy, taking the reader deep within the realm of dysfunctional human ties. However, her vivid descriptions of abuse, emotional disintegration, and acute loneliness at times numb the reader with their realism.

Book Description

With this stunning novel about a woman and a marriage that begins in passion and becomes violent, the Pulitzer Prize--winning journalist and bestselling author of One True Thing and Object Lessons moves to a new dimension as a writer of superb fiction. "If literature were judged solely by its ability to elicit strong emotions," Kirkus Reviews said about One True Thing, "columnist-cum-novelist Quindlen would win another Pulitzer." And the same will be said about Black and Blue, a brilliant novel of suspense, substance, and importance.

In Black and Blue, Fran Benedetto tells a spellbinding story: how at nineteen she fell in love with Bobby Benedetto, how their passionate marriage became a nightmare, why she stayed, and what happened on the night she finally decided to run away with her ten-year-old son and start a new life under a new name. Living in fear in Florida--yet with increasing confidence, freedom, and hope--Fran unravels the complex threads of family, identity, and desire that shape a woman's life, even as she begins to create a new one. As Fran starts to heal from the pain of the past, she almost believes she has escaped it--that Bobby Benedetto will not find her and again provoke the complex combustion between them of attraction and destruction, lust and love.

Black and Blue is a beautifully written, heart-stopping story in which Anna Quindlen writes with power, wisdom, and humor about the real lives of men and women, the varieties of people and love, the bonds between mother and child, the solace of family and friendship, the inexplicable feelings between people who are passionately connected in ways they don't understand. It is a remarkable work of fiction by the writer whom Alice Hoffman has called "a national treasure."

Customer Reviews:

Running Scared... Running Out of Time.......2007-09-30

BLACK AND BLUE is a well written, perfectly paced story with characters a reader cannot help but fall in love with, and yes, hate. It is told from the point of view of Fran, a wife and a mother who struggles between the fine lines of love, loyalty, hatred, and fear. Abused and battered by her husband she struggles with how best to protect herself and most importantly to her, her child.

She finds herself on the run with her son, but always looking around her shoulder, knowing that for now, she may be one step ahead of her abusive husband, but constantly fearful that it cannot last, that he will find them if not today, then maybe tomorrow. And all the while as she finds herself constantly scanning the crowds around her, looking for that one familiar face that would have the power to doom her, she struggles with her son and his confusion over his new life without his beloved father.

A stunning tale that is sure to captivate you. A must read for everyone.

Thank you Anna for such a great read.

A better treatment would have been to present the batterer's interior experience as well.......2007-09-23

Spousal abuse is such a tough topic and this book is a sincere (I think) attempt to make the problem better known and better understood. The most realistic character in the book is the son, who loves both parents so much and lives in the shadow of their awful relationship. The victim's sister is also well drawn. But the victim herself, as narrator as well as protagonist, is still not fully sketched. And everything that happens to her in her new life is a bit too ideal. Then the batterer cop husband is really just a stereotype -- the nasty, hard drinkin', hard lovin' guy who treats his family as possessions. Someone else mentioned that it read like a Lifetime made-for-tv drama, and I would have to agree. That said, the topic is important enough that the book has likely done some good in reaching a broad audience and raising awareness of the issue. It just fails to explain it very well or to offer much insight on how to rectify the matter.

An okay book, but not brilliant.......2007-09-04

This book reflects the sad reality of one of the many plagues affecting this world: domestic abuse. Whilst fully sympathising with Frannie, the main character, and abhorring the psychological and physical tortures she went through by the hands of her husband Bobby -including the pain reflected by their son Robert, physically untouched but emotionally damaged- I found the construction of the narrative a bit boring. There's no nicer way to say it, I just didn't think this book was a page-turner.

The issue of domestic violence, however, is dealt with realistically and I believe that some parts of this book could be of help for the many ladies out there who suffer every day.

Not a satisfying read for such a sensitive subject .......2007-08-28

I thought that this book was well written on a compelling subject. I did think that Anna Quindlen dwelled on Frannie being an abused woman a bit too much. It seemed to me that I was reminded of this fact at just about every 20 pages or so. I wouldn't say it was truly satisfying reading experience. It wasn't a terrible book, but not a super read. Now, I think that her other novel "One True Thing" was a top-notched book and heads above this one. Sorry. I'm still a fan of Ms. Quindlen and I will continue to read all her books.

Not bad..........2007-08-11

It wasn't my favorite book of the year, but it was interesting enough to keep me up till 2:30 in the morning. A plus for me was definitely the characters. They were fleshed out enough to seem so real at times, I was afraid of Bobby Benedetto myself half the time. I liked how she took her time with the story, developing the character, and making Bobby seem more than the typical abuser and Fran more than the typical victim.

That being said, my two biggest issues were that there were some scenes that didn't need to be here. I'd finish one or two and ask myself what it had to do with the story. The other problem was that I could smell the ending a mile away. I won't give it away, but those who read it might know what I'm talking about.

Otherwise, it was a good novel. Not the best written in the world, but it was enough to keep me engaged. I'll look for other works by this author in the future.

Son of a Preacher Man: My Search for Grace in the Shadows

Average customer rating:

God Uses No Perfect People
Jay communicates the love that Jesus has for you no matter what organized religion says
A touching autobiography.
Eloquent, heartfelt and honest
He's a REVOLUTIONARY with the RIGHT idea !!

Son of a Preacher Man: My Search for Grace in the Shadows
Jay Bakker
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Religious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 006251699X
Release Date: 2001-12-24

Amazon.com

By any standard, Jay Bakker has had it rough. The son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Jay was only 11 years old when his parents' empire collapsed and his family was vilified as the epitome of televangelism's excesses. Jay Bakker's autobiography, Son of a Preacher Man, unflinchingly addresses all of his family's major scandals, including his father's affair with Jessica Hahn and his mother's battle with drug addiction. Bakker also reveals that by age 13, he had developed a serious drinking problem, and that was only the beginning of a long period of rebellion that intensified during his father's years in prison. After his father's release, Jim and Jay began to rebuild their relationship, and Jay, though still struggling with alcoholism, discerned a calling to ministry. After several false starts he built a ministry to young people in Atlanta called Revolution. As a minister, Bakker's main interest is in the kids that churches overlook--the pierced, tattooed, smoking, drinking kind. The message of this ministry, like the message of this book, is simple: "Jesus loves you for who you are, not who you can become." Bakker says that he still works every day to learn that lesson, and to pass it on to others, as he does with some eloquence in Son of a Preacher Man. --Paul Power

Book Description

In Son of a Preacher Man Jay Bakker, son of famous televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, tells the compelling story of growing up in the glaring lights of a television studio. It's all here: the Bakker family's public disgrace, the fall of the PTL (Praise The Lord) media empire, and Bakker's subsequent plunge into a morass of anxiety and selfdestruction. But Son of a Preacher Man is more than a tell-all -- it is a story that dramatizes the human toll of this tragedy on the Bakker family, with insight into the seismic shifts that nearly destroyed his father and wrecked his parents' longtime marriage. It is the story of a prodigal son's return to the true meaning of God's love and acceptance. It is the story of a boy who was lost, but on the journey back from ruin finds a better way to understand and live life. It is the story of discovering God's grace and of becoming a man.

Despite years of disillusionment, alcoholism, and heartbreak, Bakker managed to continue on his spiritual quest. First he worked to redeem his father...then his faith. Bakker began his service with Revolution, a ministry for skateboarders, punk rockers, and hippiesthe street kids he knew best. He shared the message that saved his life -- the message of Jesus that God's love is infinitely generous. Now Bakker has a large and growing ministry among the tattooed and pierced of downtown Atlanta who feel rejected by the traditional Church yet flock to hear his message of grace and love.

Ultimately, Son of a Preacher Man is a story about resurrection -- of one lost young man, of his disgraced and imprisoned father, and of the hope that can't be destroyed by the machinations of power-hungry preachers, The long, lonely road that Bakker traveled taught him that you can't earn or make yourself worthy of the love of God, but if you are willing to let go and open up, that infinite love is waiting to welcome you home with open arms.

Customer Reviews:

God Uses No Perfect People.......2007-09-26

My title was a statement made by Jay Bakker. Those few words are true enough to be scripture. 'God uses no perfect people'. Reading those words stops me dead in my tracks. So profound. It is what makes a Christian carry on when they feel defeated, unworthy and doubtful. I need to remind myself of this constantly. Jay found it out and it was revolutionary to him and he even became a part of a church called Revolution. It's all because of God's grace. Thank you Jay.

I found his book VERY interesting reading and finished it in a day. He really had a difficult time and struggled so much. I'm glad he overcame the difficulties of growing up in the PTL scandal and made it through the years of drinking and drugs and back 'into the fold'. Not the fold as most know it, but a much different one which I hope is doing some good in spreading the Gospel. He has a very radical way of doing it and I wonder, but he wouldn't want me doing that. I'm just not so sure one wants to share the Gospel through just being there as opposed to by example. But if it is working for them and changing lifes then I'll stay out of it.

I would have been interested in knowing why Jay got SO into tattooing and piercings. I know it is a phenomonen today but I can't ever find a person who can really explain WHY they do this other than that is is popular, they like it, it looks good, it defines them, etc., etc. But how? Why? I don't think they are going to like this as they age. I would have liked him to explain why he got all the tattoos that he did and why. Did he really think it out for the long term or was it a short made decision?? Is this supposed to appeal to young seekers of Christ?

Jay communicates the love that Jesus has for you no matter what organized religion says .......2007-06-30

"Son of a Preacher Man" gives a candid glimpse inside Jay Bakker's life. As you may know, Jay Bakker is a Christian minister and the son of televangelist Jim Bakker. He discusses his father's religious dynasty that lasted from the 1970's through the mid 80's. He discusses his parents ministry, PTL (I learned that PTL stands for "Praise The Lord.") And he also explained his father's arrest and how it painfully effected him.

Mr. Bakker also frankly discusses his addictions to alcohol and other illegal narcotics. Although his father's absence severely diminished who he was inside, he does not blame his father (or his mother) for any of his vices. I found that very refreshing because Jay was willing to admit his shortcomings without having to blame anyone else which is only too common.

Mr. Bakker also explains how Christian fundamentalists totally turned him off to modern-day Christianity. His family was more than blackballed after his father went to prison. And again, I would think that anyone treated like this would not allow organized religion into their lives but Jay Bakker is a fighter and he kept up the good fight. He helped form his own church (Revolution) which was in total contrast to what the fundamentals did. His church welcomed anyone that would listen. In fact, Jay preferred to preach to the all the "sinners" that the world had already thrown away.

I never knew too much about Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker. I remember the SNL sketches with Dana Carvey and I saw Tammy Faye on talk shows but I didn't know why she was famous or why her husband went to prison. Earlier this year there was a very informative reality program on the Sundance Channel about Jay Bakker that got me very interested. Unfortunately his show disappeared before I really got to learn very much about him; but luckily I found this book.

After reading this book I learned that Jay does not judge or condemn his congregation and feels it is more important to preach the universal word of love. I recommend this book to anyone that is questioning their faith because Jay will communicate that Jesus loves you.

A touching autobiography. .......2007-06-25

For someone who grew up in a glam and glitzy tacky lifestyle, Jay Bakker has really been through it all and has experienced a lot. Watching your family torn apart, seeing someone you love being put into a hard situation, and trying to deal with it all as a teenager is hard to do and it nearly killed Jay Bakker.

As a Gay Buddhist, I find Jay Bakker impressive and I commend him for facing his demons and finding his true faith. I find his work for the gay community and the punk rockers to be what Christianity should be about. If you ever want to know what it's like to struggle with life and judgment to rise above it all, this is truly the story for you.

Eloquent, heartfelt and honest.......2007-06-18

Jay Bakker's memoir about his experiences as son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and his emergence as a minister himself is an engaging portrait of the phoenix rising from the ashes. Bakker does not shy away from any part of the painful scandal that engulfed his family in the late 1980s-90s. What emerges is a portrait of a young man with a spiritual calling, to minister to the young people who have no where to turn to for spiritual guidance because of their looks, dress, or affects. "Son of a Preacher Man" is a brief, well-written memoir that shines light on how courageous it is to persevere against all odds, and finding the integrity and spiritual sustenance to do so.

He's a REVOLUTIONARY with the RIGHT idea !!.......2007-03-25

Simply put... Jay Bakker has taken the hate & judgement out of Christianity and actually put back the love, understanding, tolerance & forgiveness it was meant to have. How amazing that he not only lived through the scandals of his parents PTL days & his own substance abuses... only to rise above it all to become a genuinely compassionate human being full of the loving spirit his father only seemed to pay lip service to. I only hope his Revolution impacts more and more people as time goes on. Jay & his wife deserve all of the happiness & blessings this life has to offer...and if it exists... in the hereafter as well. Read this book... you will be inspired!

Average customer rating:

360 Degrees of Jesus
Brilliant expression of poetry!

Jesus the Son of Man
Kahlil Gibran
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Inspirational | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

The Prophet
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The Forerunner: His Parables and Poems
Jesus The Son Of Man (Kahlil Gibran Pocket Library)
Sand and Foam (The Kahlil Gibran Pocket Library)

ASIN: 0394431243
Release Date: 1946-06-27

Book Description

Here Jesus is portrayed through the words of 77 contemporaries who knew him - enemies and friends: Syrians, Romans, Jews, priests, and poets. This edition restores the original format with 2 paintings and 12 drawings.

Customer Reviews:

360 Degrees of Jesus.......2007-06-17

Gibran's reputation as a poet and profound thinker is confirmed in this book.

He employs history, Biblical text and his imagination to conjure 'interviews' with folks who may have been intimate with Jesus or affected by His presence from a distance.

His insight is exceptionally believable and he takes you on a journey that is both mystical and practical with the varying points of view. The positives are for believers primarily, and one will be filled with a sense of awe and intimacy toward Jesus. Nevertheless the voice of skeptics is heard, though in the minority, but it is given due attention.

The downside may be for those who are not so poetically inclined. Khalil's voice through those who admire Jesus is extremely metaphoric and it may be lost on those who need a more 'down to earth' description of feelings, emotions and attitudes. I felt at times that the discourses were perhaps too symbolic, though one understood the implication of the experience of encountering Jesus as beyond words.

In the end one is left understanding Jesus' impact more but hungering to know Him in a way that is more understandable than the sometimes amorphous descriptions by Gibran's characters. The interviews are fairly short and this makes it a manageable read for the most 'unbookish' of us.

All the same a great read and a classic anyone should have.

Brilliant expression of poetry!.......2001-05-08

The writings of Kahlil Gibran in this book have inspired enlightenment. The documentary of Jesus is seen through the eyes and ears of the peoples who lived alongside him. There are negative, positive and indifferent opinions of his being which provokes the imagination and faith.

Average customer rating:

A teachers aid
The Young Man And The Sea
Young Man and the Sea
The Young Man and The Sea
What a great ride.....

The Young Man And The Sea
Rodman Philbrick
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0439368308

Book Description

Twelve-year-old Skiff Beaman's mom just died, and his fisherman dad is too depressed to drag himself off the couch and go to work. So these days Skiff has to take care of everything himself. But when his dad's boat sinks, Skiff discovers it will cost thousands to buy a new engine. Skiff's lobster traps won't earn him enough, but there are bigger fish in the sea -- bluefin tuna. If he can catch one of those monster fish, Skiff just might save the boat -- and his family.

Customer Reviews:

A teachers aid.......2007-05-25

I read this book to my students at school during free reading time. There were many days that we read over our time lot because the kids would not let me put the book down. The story is very good for kids because it gets points accross to them about how this boy deals with several issues that life has heaped on him. It also shows how much a retired person is able to help children as they struggle through issues. I ordered the book myself to have at home because the story was so good! Jean Schweer

The Young Man And The Sea.......2006-12-21

Skiff Beaman is in a boatload of problems. First, his mom dies, His dad is as lazy as a sack of potatoes, and to top it all of his boat sinks, so little Skiff goes on a mission to turn his whole life around.
All is well, until he runs into a problem with money. The Young Man and the Sea is by Rodman Philbrick. Never did he give away the amazing ending.
Little Skiff has to find a way to get the money he needs for the engine of his boat. One day while Skiff is at the dock, he finds a man that just caught a giant tuna for millions of dollars. All he has to do is catch a giant tuna, bring back to town, and sell it. The only thing stopping him is Tyler Croft.
The next night, Skiff sets out in his 10-foot boat to catch the biggest fish in the world. While On his way he runs into many problems, in fact he comes close to death. All Skiff is doing, is praying he doesn't become the fish food.
Will Skiff be the richest kid in town? Will he even make it back home with a giant tuna at 30 miles out to sea with a bucket of bait, a harpoon, and three PB&J sandwiches?
This book is mostly for boys, and tells you; never let anyone put you down. It is a very adventures book, and I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Young Man and the Sea.......2006-11-02

Young Man and the Sea is a book about Samuel "Skiff" Beaman a boy who spends his whole summer trying saving his dad and his boat. Throughout the book Skiff keeps running into a problem, that problems name is Tyler Croft. Tyler makes it hard for Skiff to raise the money for the boat. Tyler makes it so hard for Skiff that he needs to go 30 miles of coast to catch a giant Bluefin Tuna.

Skiff catches Tyler cutting his lobster traps that gets skiff mad. Tyler gets skiff so mad that Skiff rams his boat. Ramming Tyler's boat with his just makes him more frustrated. When skiff gets back he tells Mr. Woodwell. Mr. Woodwell tells skiff to tell his dad. Skiff knows he wont get his dads attention because his dads to depressed about his moms death so it leads Skiff to go catch a giant Tuna.

Out of the books I've read this has been one of my favorites. Next time someone asks me what book they should read I would probably recommend this one. One reason I would recommend this book is because all the genres, like action, drama, and adventure. Another reason I recommend this book is because it helps you learn if you set your mind to something and never give up you can do anything. Overall I truly recommend the book the Young Man and the sea because in many ways it helped me.

The Young Man and The Sea.......2006-11-01

This book is about a young boy named Skiffy and he loves boats. One day his boat sinks and he has to get it fixed. There is only one problem he doesn't have any money to fix the motor. He starts to lobster fish but Tyler Croft cuts his traps. He decides to try to catch a 500 pound tuna.

My favorite part of the book is when Skiff finds out someone is cutting his traps. He suspects it is Tyler Croft because Skiff and Tyler are enemies. Skiff catches Tyler and Tyler tries to hit him with his anchor. Skiff rams Tyler with his boat.

I would reccomend this book to people that like the sea and boats. I never wanted to put the book down so this made me finish it. The book was exciting and you always want to know what is going to happen. This would mostly be a guy book because it is coming from a guys point of vew.

What a great ride............2006-09-07

This book was one of the most entertaining I have picked up an a long while. From the beginning, I was drawn into the story of the young man, who in my opinion, had an old soul. His constant struggles and his continual attempts to overcome them had me feeling what he was feeling. I was so angry at one point in the book, I wanted to rewrite what was happening. It is not often that I am so drawn into a book written for chidren. This is a wonderful text that I plan on integrating into 4th and 5th grade classrooms, as I feel that students, especially young males, can identify with the struggles the young man went through. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves to be drawn into a fantastic adventure story adn who likes to see good conquer all.

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