Christian Book Review: Dumbing Us Down~ John Taylor Gatto

"Independent study, community service, adventures and experience, large doses of privacy and solitude, a thousand different apprenticeships, the one-day variety or longer- these are all powerful, cheap, and effective ways to start a real reform of schooling." 

John Gatto, a former public school teacher for over 26 years now takes an inspiring stand against public education and reveals government agenda behind education and how it is destroying the family universally.

Dumbing Us Down unveils every flaw of state education and how it is crushing the creativity, curiosity, enthusiasm, and even the identity of every child in that deadening institution. Between a child's school, homework, and TV, these kids have little time to learn about the real world they live in, their community,and the lives they might lead if others were not forcing them to choose one.

Gatto compels his readers to question the status quo of the world's method of success-anyway who made it the status quo? -and to dive deeper into how we can cultivate the minds of a child to not conform to the 'professional' superiors of the world, but to find where their gifts lie. And finally to re-engage the family in taking control of our domineering society.

"But no large-scale reform is ever going to work to repair our damaged children and our damaged society until we force open the idea of "school" to include family as the main engine of education." 

Whether you are a homeschooler, looking to be one, or feeling that public school just isn't for you, this is your book!

No More Wasted Years ~ Olivia Brodock

"College is not your only option. Life is full of choices. You cannot recapture your youth, so shouldn't you spend it wisely?"

Are you a young woman theoretically done with the 'first half' of your education? Is the extended family pressuring you to 'do something with your life'?  Do you feel there is more to your single years than accumulating $25,000 in debt just for an impressive degree on paper? Then this is your book!

Olivia Brodock gives young women hope, inspiration, purpose, and determination in this short but powerful read on how young ladies can advance their future into amazing productivity without a college degree. She suggests ways a young woman can serve her family, community, and God using her gifts and finding real meaning and joy in her single years.

It is difficult to find life-instructive books that hold your interest and truly instruct you. This is one of those few books that keeps you turning pages! I was riveted the whole time and walked away so refreshed and inspired to do bigger things.

In the big scheme of things, college does not always fulfill the void everyone seeks to fill, and there is far more to life as a Christian than waiting on a husband. Brodock reveals the biblical secret to being truly fulfilled in those single days. That one secret...is serving others.

"No More Wasted Years is a glimpse into a different world, a brave new breed of women who are not afraid of being different, who will not be shoved into the stereotype of ‘normal‘." 
Olivia Brodock

BUY IT NOW at She Considers

Book Review: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies ~ C. Norman Shealy MD, PhD

Filled with over 1,000 natural remedies and treatments, this treasure is a must have for the herbalist at heart. I appreciate how it divides everything into two sections starting with therapies and healing remedy sources. This explains everything from Chinese herbs to common food items such as garlic and avocados that can assist in restoring health. The information is doubly accessible with everything alphabetically categorized.  Section two is using the essential oils, herbs and common foods to help treat common ailments such as eye problems, dental problems, lung and heart and circulatory problems etc. 

And I appreciate that Shealy tells the reader how these remedies are used in addition to their purpose. As an advocate and user of wholesome health remedies, this is the best book yet I've found on the subject. 

All of the subjects condensed in this 498 page book are:

• First Aid
• Ayurveda
• Herbalism
• Aromatherapy
• Homeopathy
• Flower remedies
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Skin and Hair problem
• Chinese Herbal Medicine
• Common Childhood Ailment
• Lung and Respiratory Disorders

Book Review: Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping~ Miriam Lukken

This is one of my favorite books I constantly return to read. Mrs. Dunwoody gives advice on everything in homekeeping from cleaning hints, beauty tips, delicious and quick recipes to proper bed making and table etiquette.

This is a wonderful book for young ladies preparing to run their homes and newlyweds who need help running their new homes.

"Mrs. Dunwoody's Instructions was written to provide today's reader with the advice and wisdom typical of these receipt books- practical information often forgotten or not explicitly explained, such as how to car for the sick, which seems to be such commonsense information that not one today thinks to teach others how to do it. Yet clearly it is sound advice worth preserving and passing onto the next generation...We must strive to see the goodness or usefulness in all things, taking nothing for granted."

A few examples of Mrs. Dunwoody's advice:

Language of Flowers:
In day of old, flowers were not given merely as a thing of beauty, but rather as a way of expressing feelings.
Acacia- Friendship
Apple Blossom: You are preferred
Begonia- Steadfast
Bluebell: True and Tender
Clover: Sweetness

The Rat's Last Supper:
Mix equal amounts of powdered cement and flour. Set next to a pan of water. This meal usually does not appeal to dogs and cats.

More Helpful Hints: 

• Chill candles for several hours before lighting: it will cause fewer drips.
• Change the color of your fire in the hearth by throwing a handful of salt for yellow flames. To make green flames toss borax on the fire.
• Coffee Stains: mix the yolk of an egg with a little warm water. Rub on the stain with a sponge. For stains that have been set in, add a few drips of rubbing alcohol to the egg and water. 
• If you use a clothesline during the winter months, rub your hands with vinegar before going out to hang wet laundry. It will keep your hands from chapping. 
• Zippers won't stick if you rub them with the edge of a bar of soap. 
• Use a Knife dipped in boiling water to cut a fresh loaf of bread of to frost a cake. You'll love the results! 
• Never salt the water you cook corn in. It will toughen the corn! 
• Don't store potatoes near apples because apples give off ethylene gas, which causes potatoes to spoil.

A Little Common Sense:
"If you suffer some horrible embarrassment which you may laugh about later...go ahead and laugh about it now. For truly, he who can laugh at himself will never cease to be amused."

I highly recommend owning this excellent book of instruction! Written in old fashioned style, Mrs. Dunwoody will make you laugh, spice up your cooking, and save you many homemaking mistakes and give you sound advice that will stay with you forever.

Age Interest: 15-adult

Wordsmithy: Hot Tips for the Writing Life~Doug Wilson

Ever just feel like giving up your aspirations of writing?  I have, many times. Even though my mother was an English teacher/major and inspired me and taught me all she knew, and I've worked hard at it since I could write my ABC's, and read every book I could find, I still felt as if I couldn't become that writer I dreamed of being.

But after reading this, I've a renewed sense of determination. Sure writing is hard, but it's a good thing; and good things come from hard work. Wilson, in this 120 page book, gives down-to-earth practical advice on how to achieve those lofty aspirations.

"Be at peace with being lousy for a while. Chesterton once said that anything worth doing was worth doing badly. He was right. Only an insufferable egoist expects to be brilliant their first time out." D. Wilson-Wordsmithy

I love Wilson's entertaining wit. One of his chapters is titled "READ Until your Brain Creaks". Don't you just love it?

He makes valuable points such as:

• It's not enough to know one form of writing very well; you must speak all the languages.
• Your only limitation is when you limit yourself.
• Always remember your writing will have a message-a worldview ingrained.
• Authenticity in writing will only arise from authenticity in living.
• Read widely, for it shapes your voice.
• Read like a reader, not someone cramming for a test.
• Read like a lover of books and not like someone who wants to be seen as knowledgeable, or well-read, or scholarly.

"If a writer only uses 2 buttons on a remote of 150 buttons, if he uses a Swiss army knife for cutting bits of string, and only for cutting bits of string, and if his sense of culinary exploration is limited to brown gravy or no brown gravy, then he is not excited enough about life to be exciting to anyone else when he writes about it." D. Wilson

This book takes the cake on how to gain knowledge of writing and writing well! I couldn't put it down. If you are an aspiring writer such as myself, this is your book. Wilson is concise, witty, informative, and very inspiring in Wordsmithy.

" If you read widely you will become accustomed to many different voices. You will accumulate a great deal of experience with all of them. And out of that, your voice will be born and will be able to grow naturally." Doug Wilson 'Wordsmithy'

Age Interest: 16-adult

Born Again Dirt ~ Noah Sanders

"Do you desire to glorify God through the way you farm? Are you tired of reading books on farming that deny God as Creator? Have you ever wondered what agriculture would look like if it was based on the Bible, instead of evolution, Mother Nature, or the latest and greatest manipulative science?

Born Again Dirt is a book written for Christian farmers (or Christians that grow anything) and seeks to give them a Biblical vision for agriculture. This book contends that the way we farm is not unrelated to our relationship with God. Rather, it should be a reflection of it! As the title of the book communicates, if you are a born again farmer, your dirt needs to be born again as well."

"The primary goal of Born Again Dirt is not to convince Christians to adopt a particular farming method. Instead, the intent is to encourage them to begin a journey of seeking to glorify the Lord through applying the principles of Scripture to every aspect of their farms. This book seeks to do that by taking a helpful, though not exhaustive, look at various Biblical principles and considering examples of practical application. Topics covered include:

-Developing a Biblical, agricultural worldview.
-Designing farms as beautiful, fruitful homes.
-Managing your farm as a steward
-Honoring God’s design in farm production
-Growing crops that honor the Lord
-Marketing as ministry
-The idolatry of modern agriculture
-Farming for the lifestyle
-Starting a born again farm
-Making a living farming

Without claiming to know all the answers, Born Again Dirt seeks to encourage you in your pursuit of God-glorifying agriculture . This book is a must read for any Christian who is a full time farmer, backyard gardener, or for anyone who desires a more Biblical view of agriculture." Noah Sanders

This book was very helpful and informative, a must read for farming families seeking to create a fruitful farm to the glory of Christ. It is the Christian's farming handbook.

I enjoyed Sanders's opinion of the importance of godly vs pagan worldviews of farming. On one hand we can farm on an industrial level, but is it God's way? Do we follow what the 'experts' say on the best way to farm, or do we follow the patterns God has laid out for us in scripture? Is God really that specific about the way we farm?

Sander's also examines the aspect of being stewards. Are we being good stewards of God's land? Are we using it to reflect the glory of God's creation or is it for selfish desires?

He goes on to explain why it is important to have the right worldview and not have selfish desires for farming. Looking at our farming industry today, what do we see? Sure there are many countries with widely successful crops and livestock produced in huge quantities. But are the methods used to acquire businesses that big in such small amounts of time good for the consumers?

Born Again Dirt answers many questions one might have such as:

• Why is it important to grow quality food?
• Genetic Engineering: how can we honor the design of life?
• Is Farming really worth it?
• What are some patterns for animal production?
• What does healthy soil look like?

"If we want our farms to produce the fruit that God desires, then they need to be rooted in the Word of God."Chapter 2 of Born-Again Dirt.

This book is now available at Born Again Dirt.

The World of Columbus and Sons~ Genevieve Foster

"This is the story of a wonderful, changing, reawakening world the world of the Renaissance and Reformation. Measured by the lifetime of Columbus and his sons, this book spans the years from 1451-1539.

With Columbus as the central figure of this narrative, readers will also learn the fascinating stories of Prince Henry the Navigator, Ivan III of Russia, Gutenberg, Queen Isabella, Leonardo da Vinci, Mohammed II, the African ruler Nomi Mansa, Martin Luther, Erasmus, Albrecht DÃrer, Copernicus, Michaelangelo and many others.

Told in Foster's engaging and winsome style enhanced by her helpful chronologies and timelines, readers will learn of the religious, cultural and scientific changes that ushered in a new frontier of exploration and discovery." Book description

I highly recommend this excellent guide through over eighty years of history for home school curriculum. My siblings love this as a read aloud and it captures the attention of all ages with its well worded but comprehensible writing.

Indecency: There is a pencil drawing of a famous art work that shows a nude woman

Violence: Minor, just talk of wars and persecution to Christians

Language: None

Age Interest: 10-up

Guest Review: Doing Virtuous Business ~ Theodore Roosevelt Malloch

Guest Review by my dear friend Jessica Pritchett of Plant and Pillars Living Books

Faith, Hope, Charity, Leadership, Courage, Patience, Perseverance, Discipline, Justice, Forgiveness, Compassion, Humility, and Gratitude... the virtues that help sustain businesses and build networks. The virtues that help certain business men do exceedingly well, and the virtues that when lacking, cause the downfall of other business men.

Throughout this wonderful book, Mr. Malloch guides you through the meaning and influence of the Free Market, and all the Virtues that lead it. There are "Hard Virtues" and "Soft Virtues", and he walks you through all of them.

Mr. Malloch reminds us that we live in times of great change. The old is giving way to the new. The old styles of business are falling away and being replaced.

Some people are despairing over this change, they claim that our old ways are under siege and that this will lead to chaos. Mr. Malloch claims that this is not the case. Instead, we should remember that there is Spiritual Entrepreneurship. And from this he introduces the Virtues! All of these are the necessary components of Spiritual Entrepreneurship.

I really liked this book, however, I did find that it was a little slow and hard to read at first. But, I think that if you will keep at it and keep reading... you will be very glad you did.

Have a great Read!

Score ~ ✓✓✓✓

Violence ~ None

Indecency ~ None

Language ~ None

Age Appropriateness ~ 12 and up (Especially adults)

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? ~Richard J. Maybury

"You can understand almost anything if it explained well."

"Economics is fascinating and easy to understand, except when someone presents it in a boring or difficult way." Maybury

The best book hands down on economics! This subject has never been very easy for me to grasp but after I read this book everything changed! It was so easy to get in to, plus Maybury explained economics in a very detailed but simple way.

Richard J. Maybury has written a series of letters posing as an uncle writing to a nephew on money, economics, debt, precious metals, government, historical happenings involving inflation etc.

A paragraph of the preface:

"This book is written for people who think economics, business or money is beyond them and best left to experts. As a technique to keep the explanations as clear and simple as possible, the book is in the form of a series of letters which might have been written by the uncle of a ninth-grade student. The student has asked about inflation and recession, and the uncle, an economist, is answering. When possible, the letters explain by describing historical events. These cover both ancient and modern history, with special attention to the Roman Empire."

A few things you will learn in this treasure trove of knowledge are:

• Where we got the word 'dollar'
• Why coins are reeded
• Why our nation is in debt
• Why the american dollar has no value
• What natural law and economic prosperity mean
• How to invest in gold and silver
• How much is a trillion?
• One reason why governments spend so much
• What does tanstafl mean?
• Foreign currencies

And so much more! I highly recommend this for a family read aloud and economics curriculum.

Violence: None

Indecency: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 12-adult or whole family

A Tale of Two Cities ~ Charles Dickens

A special guest post by my dear friend Jessica Pritchett from Plants and Pillars

Introduction: A Tale of Two Cities was a wonderfully deep and intriguing read. Sometimes the wording would get really tough (then I would have to take a deep breath and try again), but I kept at it and finished a Tale of Two Cities.

Dickens was a new author for me. I have watched Bleak House (a BBC film based on his book by the same title), but I had never read one of his books the whole way through. I picked A Tale of Two Cities because everyone always talks about it, and it was in a time period I was studying at the time (The French Revolution). I was very glad I did.

Overview: A Tale of Two Cities is filled with heroic men, devoted women, and hateful enemies. It is also filled with themes from Dicken's early life with his father and family.

Characters: "If all French Noblemen would abandon privilage as Darney, if all intellectuals would expose abuse as Dr. Mannette, if all men were as willing to sacrifice life as Carton, if there were more kindness as Lorry's or love like Miss Pross's; or more loyalty in a tight spot as Jerry Cruncher's; then, we are expected to believe, the world would be a better place.

Characters like this fill the pages of A Tale of Two Cities. The love between a Father and Daughter is powerfully displayed between Dr. Mannette and Lucie. The love of a Husband and Wife is equally displayed in the relationship of Lucie and Darney.

In Contrast, there is Madame Defarge. Madame Defarge is a monster. Her desire for revenge has turned her into a "monster of pure evil". Finally you reach the showdown between The Monster and The Lamb (if you will!). Madame Defarge and Miss Pross struggle physically as the emotions they each represent struggle as well (Love versus Hate). Love wins as Madame is destroyed when her gun discharges.

Themes:

1. •Prison Doors - The book opens with the opening prison doors and the closing of prison doors. This was powerfully significant to Dickens due to the fact that his father was in debtors prison while Charles was young.
   

2. •The Betrayal of Fathers - Again, a piece of importance to Dicken's reminding him of his father
   

3. •Obsession with Destructive Violence - Note that his emphasis was not on the guillotine, but with the "Mob Mentality".
   

4. •True Sacrifice as the Price of Love - This theme came from a play by Wilkie Collin's that Dicken was in at a young age (The Frozen Deep). The theme is: two young men love the same girl, one wins the girl, the other young man finally comes to grip with the fact that she does not love him, and as a final tribute; sacrifices his life for her true love.
   

5. •Dickens in the Heros - Darnay and Carton share initials with Charles Dickens and they also share personality traits. Darnay portrays the good side of Dickens, and Carton the evil side.
   

What Was My Overall Impression? I loved this book and I highly recommend this to families. One warning: There is a lot of violence and bloodshed. The French Revolution was a sad time in history and deserves to be told, just be careful with young readers. This gets 5 points.

Indecency ~ None

Age Appropriateness ~ 16 and Up

Violence ~ (4) Beheading, Death, Violence, Mobs, Bloodshed,

Language ~ (1)

Rating -4

Pearl Maiden ~ H. Rider Haggard

This delightful tale written in 1903 follows the extraordinary journey of a young Christian maiden born in the time of persecution under the brutal reign of Nero.

Young Miriam is thrust into a world of brutality and hardship after both of her parents, persecuted for their faith and ultimately die for it; leave their only daughter with a trusted Libyan servant as her only protection. Miriam and the faithful Libyan Nehushta soon find a place of refuge among a religious group of men which call themselves Essenes, who swear their lives to the protection and education of the young girl.

But peace among the Christians lasts only for a little while, and Miriam's faith is soon put to the test when a Roman Tribune enters her solitude and challenges her beliefs by his passionate admiration and love for Miriam whom he deems a goddess.

Meanwhile, Miriam's childhood friend Caleb is prodded by jealousy and revenge and plots to ruin the lives of those who ruined his.

Will Miriam be able to hold fast to her hope in Christ? Or will she forsake Him for a pagan life and to save her own life?

This chronicle written with such power and truth gives a glimpse of what it would have been like to be a Christian in A.D. 60 and throughout Nero's short reign. The story flows well and is immediately captivating; all events and dates are accurate and educate the reader of what the Roman Empire truly was in that horrific age of the rule of Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus .

Violence: Lets just say if you can't bear reading about Blandina, then this isn't your book

Indecency: There is mention of a dress being scandalously low and against the wearer's will.

Language: Pagan romans occasionally say "By the gods!" or mention some other gods name

Age interest: 14-up

Rating: 5

~Honey for a Child's Heart~

Excerpts from Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt on the importance of good books in a child's life. Her book is so full of wisdom and truth I was tempted to quote whole chapters. I shall do a review on her book in the near future.

" Any good book can be used by God in a child's development, for a good book has genuine spir

itual substance, not just intellectual enjoyment.Books help children know what to look for in life. It is like developing the taste buds of his mind as a child learns to savor what he sees, hears, and experiences and fits these into some kind of worthwhile framework. What is unfamiliar becomes close and real in books. What is ridiculous helps children see he humor in their own lives... Books are no substitute for life, but a keener pleasure comes to life because of books."

"The quality of the idea, the skill of the plot, the depth of the characterization, the distinctive style of the author-that's the best I can do by way of defining a good book."

"I have already mentioned the importance of illustrations. A great variety of styles should be part of a child's inheritance, not just the parent's current preference. Bright colors, gentle pastels, bold strokes, whimsical lines, quaint old-fashioned pictures, modern design, pen and ink sketches-the story will demand a certain mood for the child."

"Good literature teaches more than we know. Example always speaks louder than precept, and books can do more to inspire honor and tenacity of purpose than all the scoldings and

exhortations in the world."

"The most subtle and profound ideas are often found in books written for children...Good fantasy helps us see "reality in unreality, credibility in incredibility." A child accepts and loves fantasy because of his own rich imagination and sense of wonder. For children, magical things are not nearly as complicated as they are for adults. They have room in their minds for all sorts of happenings. "

"Family reading aloud demands good literature. Only the best can stand the test of having the words hit the airwaves and fall into the mind of such a variety of ages. You won't find a busy father reading insipid, sentimental stories aloud for very long-and the best family reading requires a father's voice."

"Underlying all of this discussion is my thesis that parents who read widely together with their children are going to be those who most influence their children, who have the largest world view, who have an uncommon delight in what is good and true and beautiful-and an uncommon commitment to it. Sharing and feeling and talking together will come naturally. Books shared with each other provide that kind of climate."

The Story of the World ~ Susan Wise Bauer ~

It can be difficult to find a good overview of history written in a captivating yet simple form. The Story of the World series is one such work. These are not in-depth accounts of history, but enough to become familiar and spark interest.

After we started reading this account of ancient history from the nomads to the last Roman emperor, my siblings begged to go to the next chapter; they couldn't get enough. Bauer draws the reader in by writing as if she's having a one-on-one conversation with him.

Very easily understood by children, yet written well enough that adults enjoy it, this and Bauer's other World series is a must for your school library.

A few of the numerous, fascinating stories include:

Romulus and Remus- the boy kings raised by wolves and that founded Rome

"The basket floated along the river until it got stuck in the root of a fig tree at the river's edge. That might have been the end of the two boys-but a wolf heard them crying...The wolf had cubs of her own. But she felt pity for the two hungry babies, and so she tugged the basket up onto the bank and then back to her own den. There, she raised the babies with her own wolf cubs, as her own."

Dido the Phoenician princess- the woman that founded Carthage on a bull skin

When they reached the place where Dido wanted to settle, they found that the land was already settled...But Dido was determined to build her new city on that very spot...So she said to the owner of the land, "Will you sell me as much land as I can cover with the skin of a bull?"

Alexander the Great - The richest man before 30 and ruler of the Persian Empire

What is that? Alexander asked. That is the Gordian Knot," the people told him. "We have a legend about it. The man who loosens that knot will rule all the rest of Asia. But it is impossible to untie the knot. Hundreds of men have tried, and no one has ever succeeded!" Alexander studied the knot carefully. Then he took out his sword and sliced the knot in half. "There," he said. "I have loosened the knot."

Pharaoh Cheops-Making his mummy!

"Let's imagine that we're back in the old Kingdom of Egypt, at the time of the Pharaoh Cheops. Cheops has been pharaoh for years. He has made Egypt's army strong, and he's kept Egypt safe from enemies. But in the middle of the night, word comes from the palace that Cheops is dead!"

The Story of the World also provides geographical locations and shows you maps of ancient history. This is also a wonderful book to explore as a family. Dads will enjoy this too!

Violence: Brief, non-graphic accounts of battles fought

Indecency: Many mythological stories told of the Roman and Greek gods and goddesses

Language: None

Age Interest: Whole family

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Longitude ~ Dava Sobel

" During the great ages of exploration, "the longitude problem" was the gravest of scientific challenges. Lacking the ability to determine their longitude, sailors were literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land." From Longitude by Dava Sobel In our modern world of convenience today, we take for granted so many things that enable us to go about life. The timekeeper and chronometer are two of them.

In our modern world of conveniences, we take for granted so many things that enable us to so easily go about life. The timekeeper and chronometer are two of them.

This piece of literature combines scientific exploration with history and biographies as it explains the many trials and triumphs of John Harrison. In 1707 British Parliament offered a prize of several million dollars to the man who could solve the impending problem of Longitude. John Harrison stood to the challenge and dedicated almost 50 years to the solution of longitude.

( Above picture is Harrison's Marine Chronometer H3)

I thought it was very well written; Sobel has a creative way of writing history as it should be, easy for the reader to understand.

P.S. There is also a movie made in 2000 about John Harrison and Longitude with Jeremy Irons and Michael Gambon. I have not yet seen it but thought I'd put that out there.

Indecency: None

Violence: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 15-adult

My Rating: 4 out of 5

The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler ~ William L. Shirer

In 1934 Germany began to witness persecutions under the man that would forever change the course of history. This small but true account tells of Adolf Hitler who went from a Vienna tramp to the most feared and ironically revered man in Germany.

Looking back at his childhood days, Hitler surprisingly was capable of love and honor, love for his mother, and honoring his father despite their disputes over what he was to become in the future. His love was seen one last time when in 1928 he and his half-niece shared a romance for three years.

Hitler's high hopes for life were becoming a great artist and Catholic priest. But after his mother's death,his grand plans for education were shattered. His spirit greatly discouraged, school grades began plummeting.

Hitler soon became angry at his grades in school, and at being rejected, labeled as one who was "wasting the teacher's time- and his in trying to achieve his great ambition of becoming a painter". At sixteen he decided to make his own way in the world without the further help of an education.

He ran off to Vienna and found whatever work he could.

This book further explains Hitler's odd and uncalled for hatred of the Jews in the world, his cruel injustice for innocence, and the influence one man's passion can evoke.

Through his great oratory and passionate declarations, Hitler succeeded in rousing Germany to stand behind him and his rabble of Nazis. Continuing on in his reign, Hitler murdered millions through his personal passion for revenge and his participation in igniting World War 2.

During WW2 Hitler made this declaration to his generals:

"...I am convinced of the powers of my intellect. No one has ever achieved what I have achieved. I have led the German people to a great height-even if the world does hate us now... I shall shrink from nothing. I shall annihilate everyone who is opposed to me!"

This is a book well worth reading to better understand the man who caused so much terror and catastrophe in the world.

Violence: Throughout the book it talks about the war, strategies of violence and a somewhat gruesome description of the death of various people

Indecency: None

Age interest: 12-adult

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Beginnings of American Literature ~ A Beka Book

This book is a treasure chest for the passionate reader! It is filled with poems, art, biographies, hymns, short stories, questions and answers, and over 100 works of the greatest authors and poets. It also includes the complete, unabridged book "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. From firsthand accounts of establishing Plymouth by William Bradford, to tales of Deerslayer by James Fenimore Cooper, Beginnings of American Literature will not disappoint the reader's appetite for adventure, well written literature, and learning about the great nation America and its people.

Some of the literature and their authors...

Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God ~ by Jonathan Edwards

Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets ~ by Jack Finney

Haircut ~ by Ring Lardner

The Town Poor ~ by Sarah Orne Jewett

The Pit and the Pendulum ~ by Edgar Allan Poe

Poor Richard's Almanac ~ by Benjamin Franklin

I find myself constantly going back to this book, I can never get enough of the numerous authors and their works.

You can find this book at Amazon

Language - None

Indecency- None

Violence- mild cases throughout different stories

Age Interest- 14-adult

My Rating: 5 out of 5

When Science Fails ~ John Hudson Tiner

When Science Fails is an excellent book to use in educating your children on truthful events of science. It contains twenty-six amazing accounts of different people throughout history that have refuted evolution through presenting science God's way. Tiner helps you discover people who changed history, from Ambroise Pare' the young, French, doctor who's motto was "I dressed him, God healed him", to the discovery of Nineveh, to William Herschel the musician who discovered a planet. Discover how penicillin came into existence, and when germs were discovered by Ignaz Semmelweis.

Tiner's style of writing immediately draws the reader in and the never before heard stories will enrapture the young creationist. I recommend it for every family's school library.

Language: None

Violence:None

Indecency:None

Age interest: 10-adult