Book Description
These shocking, brilliant, and ultimately beautiful stories chronicle the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Each tale is laced with enough wit, humor, and imagination to keep the reader constantly amazed. From the young son persuaded to donate his heart to his dying mother, to the girl who befriends a man in a dog suit in post-apocolyptic suburbia, to the man and woman conducting a love affair across a park bench, these characters delight and dazzle.
Customer Reviews:
judy budnitz has ruined my life........2006-08-04
judy budnitz has ruined my life because i was going to be a writer and a real good one too and make lots of money and be famous like john cheever or something but then i read this book by judy budnitz and i realized that i do not have talent enough because she obviously has talent and when i went back and looked at what i had written it was not so good compared to this writing by her. so i hate her for being so talented and ruining my illusions and my future and for making me go out and burn all the stuff i had written which i thought was good but have now been made to see is not so good. why do some people have talent and others do not? it is not fair especially if you are the one without the talent like me. life is hurting me now.
Incredibly creative short stories!.......2005-04-22
Flying Leap is a wonderful, if a bit strange and twisted collection of short stories. The stories have elements of magic realism mixed in with some disarming storytelling. In this collection, you can read about people on a subway train in New York without making it boring or mundane. My favorite stories are "Train," "Yellville," "Directions," and "Old Country." Judy Budnitz is a dark, creative voice in short fiction and I look forward to reading more of her stuff.
Extraordinary talent.......2001-11-15
I am an avid reader of short fiction, and I have to say this collection by this young writer is the finest I've read in the past several years. It is at once subtle and crazy, at once humorous and sobering, highly imaginative, and great fun to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates youthful, contemporary, literate literature.
An Enjoyable Read.......2000-02-17
I purchased the book on the recommendation of a writer's digest report. I read everynight and I love to read first time works. I usually find them fresh and origional. But I have never read anything like Judy. She is a remarkable and insightful young lady and I hope she will not wait long to publish again. I will be the first in line for her next work. Another review said "it leaves you wanting more." I find that an understatement. If you read this, thank you Judy for your commitment to excellence. It shows on every page.
Unusual and Interesting.......2000-01-11
I think that the stories in Flying Leap are very interesting. Some may think they are a bit twisted but I think being a teenager I can relate to some of the stories. Budnitz is a very good writer and I think her stories definitly have deeper meaning than what is written, I think of it as poetry rather than a book. I look forward to the next one!
Average customer rating:
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Lacy's Flying Leap
Xyz Group
Manufacturer: Premier Publishing (TX)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Short Story Collections
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| Children's Books
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General
| Literature
| Children's Books
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General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
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General
| Baby-3
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ASIN: 187933268X |
Average customer rating:
- Ambivalence - I Hate It And I Love It!
- :0)
- A Better Description...
- I Wanted To Walk The Plank After This One...
- Why Virginia Henley is a LEADER in romance!!!
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The Pirate and the Pagan
Virginia Henley
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
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Henley, Virginia | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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Tempted
ASIN: 0440206235
Release Date: 1990-11-01 |
Book Description
Wild as a pagan goddess, Lady Summer galloped her stallion along the Cornish coast. She had dabbled in the smuggler's game to save her family estate, but a wealthy marriage would better serve her purpose now. Lord Ruark Helford seemed the answer to her reckless prayers. But as his hot, hungry kisses drew her toward deception and irresistible acts of love, she had to hesitate. Would this arrogant, handsome lord be her ticket to heaven--or hell?
Customer Reviews:
Ambivalence - I Hate It And I Love It!.......2006-11-22
This novel is both trash and an aphrodesiac. I put it down in disgust, and I pick it back up to read some more. I read parts out loud to the laughter of everyone in my carpool, then tell them to shut up so I can continue reading. The opening pages were so full of gaudy double-entendres that I nearly tossed the book in the trash when I first opened it. But I kept reading. I hate it, and I love it.
So why do I continue to read it? Better yet, WHY AM I ON MY THIRD COPY???
How many more times can you describe sex? And what is with the boardwalk t-shirt quotes? "If it swells, ride it." "Heaven doesn't want me and hell's afraid I'll take over!" This book should come with a sound-effects button to push for a flourish of trumpets after stupid sayings like that. Those phrases just don't work coming out of the mouths of 18th-century people.
Why do the heroines always swagger prettily and the men glare thunderously? Why do the heroines of Henley's novels ALWAYS have "upthrusting" and "impudent" body parts? Why do the men's descriptions defy reality? For the love of God...there's got to be a better way to word this!
And yet...for all the over-the-top descriptions, all the glorious flowing hair and hard, fur-pelted chests, all the sea spray and emerald eyes and upthrusting impudence, there's a decent story. A starving girl makes a desperate attempt to pay off a mortgage on her home, and all she has to pawn is her good looks and her keen mind. Her savior just happens to be the magistrate of the district, feared by many smugglers. What happens next, I leave to you to find out.
It's obvious Ms. Henley researches the time period, and she can tell a wonderful story, once you get past all the treacle, windswept nonsense, and fluttering lashes. This is my favorite of her historical/hysterical romances, and I'll probably be looking for a fourth copy soon.
:0).......2006-07-05
I loved it..No complaints here and because i don't have any doesn't mean i'm for violence aginst women...
Good read kept me captivated couldn't put it down...Ruark had a very nasty tempter, Rory was just the opposite very soft and loving even though Ruark and Rory are the same person..but i think Cat/Summer held her own...good read first book by this author won't be the last....
AS for the love scenes some ppl complain when its too much or its too little, i found it ok it never kept you bored i could tell you that much....
A Better Description..........2006-05-14
Book Description---
"Wild as a pagan goddess, Lady Summer galloped her stallion along the Cornish coast. She had dabbled in the smuggler's game to save her family estate, but a wealthy marriage would better serve her purpose now. Lord Ruark Helford seemed the answer to her reckless prayers. But as his hot, hungry kisses drew her toward deception and irresistible acts of love, she had to hesitate. Would this arrogant, handsome lord be her ticket to heaven--or hell?
A bold lord with only seduction in mind- Both a ruthless privateer and King Charles II's confidant, Lord Helford was a mysterious and dangerous man. Lady Summer's sensual innocence captivated him. When she suddenly appeared at court, he thought she'd be an easy conquest, a willing student of his brazen, skillful desire. But when she managed to steal his heart he vowed she must submit, obey, and never deceive him or by God's tears, he'd tame her not as a gentleman but as only a pirate could..."
I Wanted To Walk The Plank After This One..........2006-05-10
I was an avid romance reader for over 20 years. I stopped reading a few years back as I simply got bored with the plot lines and characters - everything started blending after awhile. I returned to reading last year and found a handful of interesting and talented authors to fire up my interest and imagination again. I picked up Virigina Henley again. I thought I'd try her again all these years later and remind myself of her ability.
Sadly...memory came flooding back within 1-2 chapters of reading "The Pirate & The Pagan". I remembered clearly why I stopped reading VH books.
1) Although her heroines are feisty, full of passion and beautiful...they often have serious potty mouths, attempt the most unusual activities, go over-board in everything they do and are usually self-centered chits - they are simply NOT believable or truely likeable main female characters. It took Summer having a baby and being imprisoned for her to stop being a selfish, spoiled and rotten little chit.
2) Although her hero's are often hot looking, well built, clearly well endowed and passionate leads...they are also hot headed, violent, angry, and a bit on the condescending side of things - not likeable traits in our main male leads.
3) Sex occurs early and often and many of the love scenes border on the female being smacked around and/or being taken by force or worse - not appealing at all.
In this book, Rory/Ruark tossed and slapped Summer around one too many times for me. They forced her into sex scenes after dark arguments and heated fights. She may have been sexually attracted to them and wanted to be together but, not under those circumstances and she made that clear. He/they never apologized for their actions when out of line. She got angry each time but, almost seemed to accept this behavior because "she loved the man". Yuck! Smacking a woman around was never in fashion - whether this book was written in 1880, 1990 or 2006!
Some readers felt the twist of the twin brothers "Ruark" and "Rory" was great. I thought it was poorly written, easy to see around and wasn't believable in the least. Each time one brother was around, the other was missing. They looked like each other, acted like one another, smelled like the other and Summer was supposed to be so attuned to each man? Her soul mate? Rory laughed and joked, Ruark was deep and serious - you mean a woman who loves you beyond all else couldn't see past this until the very end? Summer was clueless along with beautiful and self-centered.
I didn't find it enjoyable that Summer could so easily have sex with one brother, get pregnant while married to the other and play all these games with each of them. In turn, they played games with her. Back and forth it went. Sex, adultry, lies and more lies. Hard to find redeeming characteristics in any of the main characters - Summer, Ruark and Rory. Frankly, the butler was the most honrorable and decent person in the whole book!
I could go on and on about all the foolish things in this story but, really it was simply about two people hot for each other. They fought, made up, had hot sex scenes, got mad again, misunderstandings abound, a few smacks occur now and then and it's back to fighting again. It was one big cycle. I don't feel the sex scenes were gross or untasteful - for sex scenes - they were written fine. It just happened too often to be interesting and exciting. You knew within each chapter Rory/Ruark would meet up with Summer and fireworks would fly no matter what and off they would go - mating away like rabbits in the spring.
If you are looking for a stimulating, imaginative and emotional read - this is not for you. If you just want some heavy sex scenes and a few man dominating woman passages, this is for you. I would recommend you don't waste your money on this book. It's outdated, boring and predictable. There are so many great books and authors out there - both older ones and newer ones. DON'T buy this book if you have any quality standards when it comes to a romance story.
Recommended stories:
Jacquie D'Alessandro - Not Quite A Gentleman, The Bride Thief
Mia Ryan - The Duchess Diaries
Laura Guhrke - His Every Kiss
Sam Garver - One Night To Be Sinful
Anne Grace - The Last Waltz
Pat Grasso - To Love a Princess
Gaelen Foley - The Duke, Devil Takes a Bride
Katherine Sutcliffe - Dream Fever, Fire In The Heart, Shadowplay
Brenda Joyce - After Innocence, Secrets, The Prize
Judith McNaught - Whitney My Love, Almost Heaven
Meagen McKinney - Till Dawn Tames The Night, My Wicked Enchantress, When Angels Fall
Lisa Kleypas - Dreaming of You, Because You Are MIne, Then Came You, Where Dreams Begin
Victoria Alexander - When We Meet Again, The Husband List
Cathy Maxwell - The Lady is Tempted, Because of You
Karen Ranney - Till We Next Meet
Connie Brockway - All Through The Night
Liz Carlyle - No True Gentleman
Kat Martin - Wicked Promise
Sabrina Jefferies - The Pirate Lord, One Night With a Prince
Jillian Hunter - Daring, Abandoned, The English Scoundrel
These books offer deeper characters, passionate love scenes and an intriguing plot. It's a solid combination of emotional intensity and physical bonding. Enjoy these others - they are much more worth it!
I know I won't be popular for what I said but...it's at least truthful and from someone who has read hundreds if not thousands of books in 20 years. To each his own I guess is how we should leave it...and leave this one I will!
Why Virginia Henley is a LEADER in romance!!!.......2005-09-10
Yes, I have been disappointed by Virigina Henley in the past. Some of her books have been just like reading raunchy porn and it was difficult to relate to characters through the smut...but sometimes she gets it right and The Pirate and the Pagan is perfected example of this.
Summer, or "Cat" as is her nickname, is a divine portrayl of humanity and survival, fire and passion. I loved her completely and understood her fiery tempers. She is just as the title of the book implies...a Pagan...a earthy Goddess.
Ruark is a man dominated by is passions. A master authoritarian and regal in bearing. He is devilishly handsome and sensual in his appetites. A man of two sides. Hot tempered and jealous in one instant and devistatingly tender the next.
They instantly feel each others pull.
So what do you expect when two incindiary spirits collide? They explode! The are passionate for each other even when they are tearing each other apart. Henley drags these two through the proverbial mud and I was left on the edge of my seat, so to speak, to see how on earth they would get through their mess.
The sex, as some complained about in their reviews, was in my mind absolutely appropriate. It wouldn't be at all appropriate for them to be luke warm for each other. And in my opinion what makes sex scenes in books unreadable is when the story is so poorly written that the book is reduced to paragraphs between episodes of smut.
Henley doesn't write ignorant books. Even the Henley books I hated (hated isn't the same thing as indifferent mind you)showed care in research and time and thought into story progression. Her writing is so important she never writes mindless filler you can skip over. You could never skim her book and know whats going on as you can with some other authors.
This book is going on my Forever--save them from a burning building--shelf along with it's equals, Whitney My Love and Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught, Lady Sofia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas, The Lady Lies by Samantha Saxon, Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and All Through the Night by Connie Brockway.
Average customer rating:
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Enticed, Wild Hearts, The Pirate and the Pagan, Desired, Enslaved, A Year and a Day, Tempted, A Woman of Passion, The Marriage Prize, Ravished, Undone, Bold Conquest, Insatiable, Unmasked, Infamous, (Set of 15 Historical Romance Novels by Virginia Henley)
Virginia Henley
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000U66EHC |
Book Description
A century has passed since Owen Deathstalker sacrificed himself for humanity, and a Golden Age of peace began between the many species of the galaxy.
But Owen's descendant, Lewis Deathstalker, has his work cut out for him as the king's new Champion and protector-for the Golden Age of peace is about to be brought into ruin...
Customer Reviews:
Not Good.......2007-08-08
Simon R. Green is a great storyteller, but the plot in this book stinks. Suspension of dis-belief is one thing, but this is farcical. Finn knows all, does what he wants. Everyone is too stupid to stop him. He juggles all the enemies of the empire under his control.....knowing exactly who to suborn and how.
One man's hurt feelings destroys an empire by him practically snapping his fingers. Please!
This book is meant to set up a new Deathstalker Trilogy. I will read the 2nd volume, but hopefully won't have to skim through a third of the book like I was forced to do with this one.
Buy it used from Amazon!
Romance and Violence: A Strange Combination!.......2005-10-26
If you've read the first DEATHSTALKER series, you should definitely not miss the sequel! Although "Deathstalker Legacy" starts off slowly of necessity, as Green needs to introduce all the compelling, vicious and heroic characters as well as a host of mind-boggling aliens and "un-humans", once the story gets on its way it's a whirlwind trip!
This novel does not have the fascination of the first Deathstalker book, but it still has the Green trademark sense of offbeat humour. It also has the typical rogue, the oversized alien who joins the side of the heroes, an over-the-top gorgeous heroine, and (would you believe it?) an ugly hero and last but not least: a villain who makes Darth Vader look like Santa Claus!
"Deathstalker Legacy" has a number of surprises in store for readers familiar with the first series, and the last few pages are filled with high-octane suspense, ending with the expected cliffhanger!
I'm glad I bought "Deathstalker Return" as well, for as soon as I finished "Deathstalker Legacy", I got started immediately on "Return"! A buy well worth its price!
Does Not Dissapoint.......2005-10-13
When I first read Simon R. Green's original Deathstalker series, I was interested but not completely hooked. All of his main characters were, with the exception of Jack Random less enticing than more minor personalities such as the two Drams and John Silence. The concepts held promise and the pacing was quite enjoyable, always fast paced, always entertaining.
Deathstalker Legacy only gets better. In this book several series flaws with the original series have been wonderfully corrected. Here are a few examples:
FROM BAD VILLAINS TO GOOD: In the original series, Lionstone was one of the shallowest villains I have yet to meet. She had potential to be truely evil, but Green refused to give her any room to express her personality. She remained aloof when compared to the likes of Valentine Wolfe, and yet was supposed to be the main threat to the Empire. I didn't much buy this approach as the best for the storyline. Yet, in Legacy, the antagonist is evidently severely twisted from the start and unlike Lionstone, the reader gets a chance to know him better. Also, he has a ruthless streak that Lionstone could only dream of, much to my joy. I've always viewed villains as the best part of a story.
NO MORE IRRITATING MAZE POWERS: And thank God for that. I don't know how many times I was reading a scene that seemed impossible for the heroes to escape from and MIRACUOUSLY, their powers kick in and they get the better of overhwhelming odds. Again and again and again. It was as if Green caught caught up in his own enthusiasm of making a truely nasty trap and then, lacking a way to get his protagonists out of the hole he has dug, he instead reverts to the default. Full body healings. Dozens of Hazels. It gets old and fast. In Legacy: there's nothing like that anymore. It's just a cast of human characters trying desperatly to stay alive without relying on irritating powers. It adds a whole new dimension of reality onto the series.
IMPROVED HEROES: This time around, the protagonists are indeed some of the most interesting characters. it is nice to have a Deathstalker described as "ugly" rather than "dark haired and lean." The dialouge is ruthlessly hilarious at parts and there is mass development for everyone.
In the end: the series has much improved. The pacing is still fast and furious but everything else has only gotten better.
Where are you when we need you, Owen Deathstalker?.......2005-01-25
It's been two hundred years since Owen Deathstalker overthrew an evil empire, saved humanity from the unspeakable horror of the Recreated, and disappeared. The new Empire, headed by a constitutional monarch but overseen by a representative Parliament, has basked in the glow of a golden age. The old aristocracy of the Families no longer exists (although some still plot and plan for a return to power), noble Paragons enforce the King's Justice on all planets, and no one gives a thought to Owen Deathstalker's final warning of the coming Terror that will make the Recreated look like paper tigers. On Logres (formerly Golgotha), a new king is crowned, plans are made for his royal wedding to the Empire's most famous diva, and a Deathstalker assumes the role of the King's Champion. Sure, there are still a lot of threats and problems all around (especially the vicious ELFs who orchestrate bloody examples of their continued presence), but life is pretty good all over the Empire.
Then, almost overnight, the Golden Age dies, murdered at the hands of a celebrated hero who vows to destroy the Empire after being slighted (or so he believes) by the new king. Frightening events of mass murder are arranged, and the people turn on those whom they used to honor and respect the most. Then the Terror arrives, leaving a line of scorched planets behind it as it slowly makes its way toward Logres. The frantic citizenry, as well as the king and Parliament, look to Owen Deathstalker, the legendary hero whom they faithfully expect to return to save the Empire he did so much to create. They don't know what we the readers know - that Owen is dead (although this does not necessarily mean we won't see him again). Robert and Constance, king and queen after the rebellion, made the decision to destroy all of the historical record of Deathstalker and his legendary comrades, believing the people needed the optimism inspired by legend rather than the truth of their heroes' human frailties. The Deathstalker, Helen D'Ark, Jack Random, Ruby Journey, Tobias Moon - these are just legends on stained glass windows now; other heroes of Owen's era are altogether unknown.
Maybe you're asking who this new Deathstalker is. After all, Owen Deathstalker was the last Deathstalker, and even the legend of his love for Helen D'Ark indicates that there love did not come close to producing a child. Lewis Deathstalker comes from a related branch from the Deathstalker family tree, his family having assumed the famous surname by royal request. Lewis proves himself a Deathstalker in many ways, however - with his devotion to honor and duty, his preeminent fighting prowess, and that old Deathstalker luck - all bad. Unlike Owen, however, Lewis does find and know true love - and that's a problem because the love affair he engages in is quite forbidden, the very kind of thing that can turn the King's Champion into another Deathstalker outlaw.
I had a little trouble getting into this novel. After all, Owen's legendary life covered five long novels, and the characters of Deathstalker Legacy are a far cry from the heroes and villains of Owen's life and times. As for Lewis, I haven't truly embraced him yet; he's a good and honorable man for the most part, but he lets love get in the way of honor and duty, and that is something that could never be said of Owen Deathstalker. There's plenty of blood here, as a lot of people seem to die horrible deaths even during the Golden Age, and some unusual and eventually interesting characters, but even Rose Constantine, the Wild Rose of the Arenas, pales in bloodthirsty comparison to the likes of Ruby Journey and Hazel D'Ark.
I don't want to call this novel filler, but it really does seem to exist primarily to set up later events. The Terror has arrived, but we only see its first act of destruction; the idea of Owen Deathstalker returning is broached, but the Quest to find him only begins toward the end of the story; Hazel D'Ark's fate is a complete mystery; and the new circle of Deathstalker-led heroes only begins to coalesce in the closing pages. This story has its moments and seems to find its legs in the last one hundred pages, but Deathstalker Legacy clearly pales in comparison to the earlier Owen Deathstalker novels. It still has a lot to offer fans of space opera epics, though - and, most importantly, it's a necessary prelude to Deathstalker Return.
Space? Check. Opera? Check........2004-09-19
This is unapologetic over-the-top space opera stuff. The villains are hissingly evil, the heroes are...hmm. Well, they're not chock full of virtue. Unless "butt-kicking" and "unleashing massive havoc" count as virtues. The so-called good guys are all pretty much rogues and misfits or folks that do what they do because of their own code of honor, even though they feel that society is worthless and weak. (Green tends to believe that the masses are ignorant and hateful swine.)
What I like about this entire series is that it's fast-paced and it takes pride in introducing characters with stupendous names like Kid Death, Jack Random, Valentine Wolfe, Captain Silence, Investigator Frost, and so forth. Not to mention uber-espers like the Mater Mundi and the Spider Harps and the Shatter Freak and so on. And even minor characters have spiffy backstories, like the one explorer dude who vanished, only to return years later with half his body replaced by an extradimensional force.
In any case, throughout the series there's plenty of sword-fighting, evil AIs and cyborgs, psi-freaks, Shrike-like aliens, bizarre artifacts, and sadistic empresses. In short, everything you need for a successful book (except flying ninja chimps).
This volume takes place 200 years after the first four, after the good guys of the preceding books have established a Golden Age and vanished into legend. Now, however, the rejuvenated Empire is threatened both from within by a sociopathic Paragon and from without by the Terror (which essentially seems to be the Shadows from B5's Z'ha'dum). Nineteen or so evil organizations band together in a plot to overthrow the government, betrayals abound, revelations are revealed, AIs and aliens posture cryptically, and heroes blast holes in everything that moves.
Tragically, the book is flawed in three serious respects.
Flaw the first: Green forgets his own timelines, and he'll state at one point that several key events took place within two weeks, and then later contradicts himself and says that they covered the span of a couple of months. It's hard to figure out just how slowly or rapidly things are falling apart. He seems to want to indicate that all of this stuff really did take place over 14 days, but that's ludicrously improbable and he lazily confuses the issue with conflicting depictions of the passage of time.
Flaw the second: Overnight, the state church turns to Pure Evil, and all of its millions of followers are quite content to openly slaughter any sects that have suddenly been deemed schismatic. If a major Western religious leader of our world abruptly declared that some hateful group preaching intolerance was right all along, I somehow doubt that all adherents world-wide would erupt into a killing spree against minorities, but that's pretty much what happens in this book.
Flaw the third: Green anchors the central plotline on the Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot conceit, with King Douglas, opera diva Jessamine Flowers, and the Paragon Lewis Deathstalker filling those roles. I always hated the idea that Guinevere and Lancelot were tragic lovers, when in my opinion they were adulterous lechers who couldn't keep their pants zipped, and so I feel exactly the same here where Jessamine and Lewis decide to essentially wreak grievous harm to the Empire in the name of True Love. To heck with that.
Oh, also, Green has some problems with female characters. Most of them in this series are either psychopathic monsters who live only to kill and seem to be devoid of any human emotion (Frost, Rose Constantine), brawling and profane adventurers of dubious goodness who also live to kill (Hazel d'Arc, Ruby Journey, the Paragon Emma Steel), or twittery and uselessly decorative lightweights like Jessamine. Pretty much all of his women are either out slaying or engaging in debauchery. The only notable exception is a Plain Jane in this book who everyone ignores and who is counted on to do all the scutwork to make everyone else look good.
But while these objections seem significant, really you just kind of shrug and roll with it. I mean, it's space opera, not high literature. And when you willingly pick up a book from something called the Deathstalker Series, you really have no grounds for complaints.
Average customer rating:
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Deathstalker Legacy
Manufacturer: ROC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000E4987I |
Book Description
Discover your unique strengths and values -- and what God wishes for the future of your church.
All congregations want to thrive and remain vibrant -- but it's not always easy. Many approaches to growth and renewal don't quite fit, because they don't take into account the "spiritual DNA" of the congregation -- those intrinsic characteristics that give each congregation its unique identity. Cracking Your Congregation's Code provides a practical program for reaching the heart of what must be done to survive and thrive. This unique book guides clergy and lay leaders to create or revisit their mission, vision, and values. The authors' proven, field-tested change process will help congregations in any setting refocus on what really matters in ministry: welcoming, nurturing, empowering, and serving new and current members.
Customer Reviews:
good book.......2005-11-19
I used to read a lot of the church growth books, but became rather disillusioned with many of them. Too much marketing strategy or this is the way we did it at First Mega Church (which means it probably won't work very well at Small Town USA Stuggling Church). This is among the better ones I have seen. It sounds like the strategies would work. Some good food for thought and some good exercises for church leaders to be involved with to discover their church's identity.
Be true to who you are, and others will find you........2003-09-29
This book was the foundation on which a 'new' (or rather renewed) church is being built. I've had the privilege of working with Richard and Robert and am seeing wonderful changes in our church as a result. We've been able to put into words who we really are and be true to ourselves. As a result we have been able to attract those who have been seeking a church just like us. They have been able to find us now that we can say "This is who we are! Join together in our spiritual journeys toward God!" I look forward to both Book #2 AND Book #3...especially #3!
This is the one you've been searching for!.......2002-01-16
Concise, easy to read, easy to understand. A good read for any pastor or church leader who wants to get some clarity on the strengths and uniqueness of his or her congregation. The REALLY good news is that this is NOT another "How I Did It" book. To be sure, "How I Did It" books are inspiring, and you can pick up a lot of good tips and tricks. The trouble is that most of them probably won't work in YOUR situation! What Southern & Norton have done is given us a method which will help us understand and analyze our own unique settings - to discover our own congregation's values and unique giftedness - so that we can focus on doing the things that are right for us, not for somebody else! Share this one with key leaders in your congregation!
Practical Church Growth Strategy.......2001-11-18
My congregation worked with Southern and Norton over the course of several months. We found their strategy for church growth and renewal to be easy to follow, highly participatory, and full of wisdom. It has totally transformed our congregation and organizational systems!
"Cracking Your Congregation's Code" is a great contribution to the church growth movement! It not only offers a theoretical framework for congregational health and vitality, but provides easy to use surveys and inventories. Their recommendations for church growth and renewal are not "one size fits all" but are easily tailored for each congregation's unique "DNA". The end result is the development of a "strategic map" that will guide one's congregation to a new place of enthusiasm and growth!
A Very Practical Book.......2001-11-16
I've been implementing some of the procedures in Cracking Your Congregation's Code, and I've found it answers many basic needs of busy pastors and lay leaders. I know it helps answer mine. It's a practical book, that's easy to read, and easy to use. It describes how a church can transform itself. The surveys the authors provide for the four congregational systems give a church a way to quickly evaluate and strengthen their work. From my standpoint, as someone looking for how-to's, I'd say the information in chapter seven on how to create a strategic map is worth the price of the book alone.
Books:
- Forever... : A Novel of Good and Evil, Love and Hope (Forever Trilogy)
- Godric: A Novel
- Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits
- I'm Not Scared
- Imagining Argentina
- In Case We're Separated: Connected Stories
- Inside the Hornet's Head: An Anthology of Jewish American Writing
- Interview with the Vampire: Anniversary edition (The vampire chronicles)
- Kissing in Manhattan
- La fiesta del chivo (Punto de Lectura)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- History: Fiction or Science
- A History of Pagan Europe
- The Madonna of Excelsior: A Novel
- The Compact Tractor Bible
- The God of Animals: A Novel
- A Biologist's Guide to Mathematical Modeling in Ecology and Evolution
- Undaunted Courage
- The Seven States of California: A Natural and Human History
- The Legend of Day & Zimmermann
- How to Have ""Unexpected"" Income!
Nice Big American Baby
If I Told You Once: A Novel
Circling the Drain: Stories
Out of the Girls' Room and into the Night (Iowa Short Fiction Award)
The Girl in the Flammable Skirt: Stories
