The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that Could Change Everything

Book Description

When Brian McLaren began offering an alternative vision of Christian faith and life in books such as A New Kind of Christian and A Generous Orthodoxy, he ignited a firestorm of praise and condemnation that continues to spread across the religious landscape. To some religious conservatives, McLaren is a dangerous rebel without a doctrinally-correct cause. Some fundamentalist websites have even claimed he's in league with the devil and have consigned him to flames.

To others though, Brian is a fresh voice, a welcome antidote to the staleness, superficiality, and negativity of the religious status quo. A wide array of people from Evangelical, Catholic, and Mainline Protestant backgrounds claim that through his books they have begun to rediscover the faith they'd lost or rejected. And around the world, many readers say that he has helped them find-for the first time in their lives-a faith that makes sense and rings true. For many, he articulates the promise of what is being called "emerging Christianity."

In The Secret Message of Jesus you'll find what's at the center of Brian's critique of conventional Christianity, and what's at the heart of his expanding vision. In the process, you'll meet a Jesus who may be altogether new to you, a Jesus who is…

Not the crusading conqueror of religious broadcasting;
Not the religious mascot of partisan religion;
Not heaven's ticket-checker, whose words have been commandeered by the church to include and exclude, judge and stigmatize, pacify and domesticate.

McLaren invites you to discover afresh the transforming message of Jesus-an open invitation to radical change, an enlightening revelation that exposes sham and ignites hope, an epic story that is good news for everyone, whatever their gender, race, class, politics, or religion.

"Pastor and best-selling author McLaren revisits the gospel material from a fresh-and at times radical-perspective . . . He does an excellent job of capturing Jesus' quiet, revolutionary style."

--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Here McLaren shares his own ferocious journey in pondering the teachings and actions of Jesus. It is McLaren's lack of salesmanship or agenda that creates a refreshing picture of the man from Galilee who changed history."

--Donald Miller, Author of Blue Like Jazz

"In this critical book, Brian challenges us to ask what it would mean to truly live the message of Jesus today, and thus to risk turning everything upside down."

--Jim Wallis, Author of God's Politics and editor of Sojourners

"Compelling, crucial and liberating: a book for those who seek to experience the blessed heat of Christianity at its source."

--Anne Rice, Author of Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt

Customer Reviews:

A Sign of Hope!.......2007-10-04

I've read the gospels of Jesus for over 40 years. It's clear that Jesus was very popular with most people and caused a stir wherever he went. His followers seemed to pick up where he left off and in a few generations spread the message of Jesus throughout the Roman Empire and finally, outlasting their persecutors, overcame the empire with the love of God in the message of Jesus. But when I ponder the church of Jesus that I know today I wonder what is missing. No only are we not moving our culture towards God's love in Jesus, we struggle to convince our own children to follow Jesus. For 40 years I've wondered where we are going wrong. And now in "The Secret Message of Jesus" I finally see some hope that maybe we can find our way back to what those first followers of Jesus experienced when they were transformed by the message of Jesus.
I recommend this book to anyone who has given up on the church, find it irrelevant, or are frustrated with it and long for more. To anyone who has dismissed Christianity because of Christians, I recommend this book. To anyone who wants to test the refreshing waters of the emerging church "The Secret Message of Jesus" will be a good taste.

The Secret Message of Jesus: Not As Much Secret as Lost.......2007-09-13

This book is both revealing and challenging. It insists that we accept Jesus' teachings and life not as we read it through our world view and cultural biases, but as the culture that surrounded him would have accepted him. This book is full of historical insights and sociological investigations. If you are looking for a academic read that is written in plain English, with an open heart that covers the very basic truths within the Christian faith, this book is for you. I loved it! I am now reading back through it with my inter-faith small group of guys. They to endorse it.

Secret Message? Where has Mclaren been?.......2007-07-24

In this book Mclaren outlines the social implications of Jesus message. While this is not bad, it is bad that he claims that this is a "secret message" which he has discovered himself. He claims that the church through the ages has missed the point of Jesus message, which is incredibly arrogant and lacking the slightest bit of historical evidence. The sheer audacity and arrogance of his assumption that the church has been missing the social implications of Jesus message for nearly two thousand years only to be rediscovered by Brian Mclaren is beyond the scope of words. If he could look back just thirty to fifty years he could discover the work of people like Carl H. Henry or Francis Schaeffer, who teach the very things he claims were not taught by those within the church. He also goes a bit into a postmodernistic rant in chapter two, and discusses the interpretive grid we see things through, making it clear that he does not want people telling other people that they are wrong, since they have their own interpretive grid. This makes it incredibly ironic that a good portion of his book is spent bashing the kind of Christianity he grew up in, declaring them to be utterly wrong. I find the lack of emphasis on the death and resurrection of Jesus to be appalling. He essentially relegates the death and resurrection of Jesus to a secondary place, behind the social message he preached. I sincerely hope that this was not his intent, but the very heavy emphasis on the social message and almost complete lack of discussion of the atonement makes it appear that he does not really think the atonement is very important. In short, this book seems to me to be little more than the ridiculous ramblings of a mystically-oriented postmodernistic Christian who is embittered against modernism and any forms of Christianity that he feels are associated with modernism. His ramblings come off as very arrogant because of his ridiculous claims to originality which reveal that he has not studied the history of Christianity. The message of this book is not all bad. It is simply neither new nor as good as the message of others like Carl Henry or Francis Schaeffer who preach the same message without the questionable postmodernistic tilt or neglectance of the essence of the message of Jesus, which is not only social change, but also and most importantly the redemption of creation. Overall grade: D-

A book to be treasured........2007-07-11

There are books that inform and books that inspire. There are books that entertain and books that enthrall. McLaren's THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS does those things and more--it transforms. I know that sounds like jacket hype, but I can attest to the fact that the book lives up to its subtitle: Uncovering the Truth That Could Change Everything.

Over the years I've read various systematic theologies, commentaries, expository studies, and sermons. I even earned an advanced degree from a major American seminary. I've been saturated with all things ecclesiastical. It's probably heretical to say it, but after over two decades of ministry, it all seemed to be turning boring and purposeless. Worse, the intellectually challenging books and essays that were supposed to inspire and enrich my professional ministry were becoming so much blah-de-blah-blah. Then I read this book.

Now I understand that my slide down the slippery slope of ministerial burn-out was due, in large part, to my ignorance of the message of Jesus. (Several reviewers have taken issue with McLaren's use of the word "secret." ) Whatever you choose to call it--secret, hidden, concealed, neglected, enigmatic, conspiratorial--I had never put together all the elements of the message in a way that translated viscerally--from brain to heart. I knew the Sermon on the Mount verse-by-verse (described by McLaren as Jesus' "Kingdom Manifesto"), but had never grasped the obvious reality that I struggled with money, sex, and power just like the folks who heard Jesus speaking on that Mediterranean hillside. (Just like you probably struggle, too.)

According to McLaren's critics, he's not the first to discover and discuss the mercurial, language-limited message of Jesus. I'm sure that's probably true. (Frankly, I seriously doubt that he's even making that claim.) Of course there have been many disciples throughout Christian history who have managed to "decipher the message" and make the pursuit of the Kingdom of God their highest priority in life. They obviously weren't as obtuse and inherently pagan as I.

I don't know what my remaining years of pilgrimage hold for me, but I certainly hope that the message of Jesus will become clearer and brighter each day. As McLaren reminds the reader when quoting Emily Dickinson in his final chapter, "The truth must dazzle gradually, or every man be blind."

Thank you, Brian, for all the deep thinking/feeling/dreaming you put into this book. Hopefully, those of us with ears will hear.

The Secret Message of Jesus.......2007-05-25

This is a wonderful book. While reading the scriptures time and again several years ago, I discovered that in 84 places that I could find and mark, Jesus calls the message of the kingdom his "gospel"....his "good news". Therefore, I have preached only the kingdom of God on earth ever since. I refuse to teach or preach "salvation theology" because I believe it was a later development, certainly nothing Jesus emphasized.

This is the first book I have read that agrees with my findings. I welcome it in a needy world.

The Nature of Consciousness : The Structure of Reality: Theory of Everything Equation Revealed : Scientific Verification and Proof of Logic God Is

Average customer rating:

The Real Deal
A life changing experience??
Should be Required Reading for everyone
A Very Important Book
Illuminating!!!

The Nature of Consciousness : The Structure of Reality: Theory of Everything Equation Revealed : Scientific Verification and Proof of Logic God Is
Jerry Davidson Wheatley
Manufacturer: Research Scientific Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0970316100

Book Description

This book describes how understanding the structure of reality leads to the Theory of Everything Equation. The equation unifies the forces of nature and enables the merging of relativity with quantum theory. The book explains the big bang theory and everything else.

Customer Reviews:

The Real Deal.......2006-09-25

Although Mr. Wheatley is a little verbose in sections, his documentation of Zen Buddhistic Principles found throughout the disciplines of Mathematics, Physics, Theology, etc. forms a nice reference guide for anyone tuned into that wavelength. In particular, his explanation of how Godel's Theorem and Cantor's "Confusion" shed great light on the difference between GOD's Logic and Man's Logic should be a revelation to any undergraduate level math students who encounter these ideas for the first time. Curiously, Mr. Wheatley makes many misstatements about both Zen Buddhism Principles and the Bible, however. For example, by accepting the false biblical teaching of Original Sin, he misses the point that eating the proverbial apple gave Adam and Eve the ability to make Moral Discernments in fulfillment of GOD'S PERFECT PLAN. As proof, read Genesis 1 which states that Man and Woman were made in GOD's Image. Genesis 4 shows that Adam and Eve weren't the first humans on Earth at all, there were plenty of others by then. The allegorical meaning of the story of Eden, then, isn't that Adam and Eve were the first humans on Earth, but they were the first humans with the ability to make Moral Discernments (in GOD's Image). In fact, Moral Discernment is God's Unique Gift to Man, which is the basis of consciousness, not some Math Formula. But because the wages of the resulting, unavoidable sin are Death, many people foolishly try to return to Eden by: (1) living a sinless Life (2) by removing choice altogether by passing and enforcing strict Laws (3) by attempting to do away with Moral Discernment and the resulting consequences for our actions altogether by trying to remove Shame from Shameful actions. GOD is not some ethereal Man-In-Space, but is simply the Totality of all Real Things, The Set of All Real Sets. GOD's Love manifests itself from the amazing sub-atomic relationships that underly this magic Life all the way to the grandest of Macroscopic Scales, the Interconnected Totality itself. The Zen Buddhism connection can be found by simply superimposing the 0 symbol and the symbol for infinity (8 on its side) in Mr. Wheatley's supposedly "new" formulation that 1 = 0 x infinity. Superimposing them gives you the yin-yang symbol. A potential disadvantage of artificially separating the infinity from the zero, however, is that Mr. Wheatley is able to equate the entire expression to be equal to 1. This potentially might obscure the fact that the deepest meaning of the yin-yang symbol is that it is both 2 and 1 AT THE SAME TIME. His overall equation does preserve that important meaning by utilizing a single element on one side of the equation and two elements on the other side of his final TOE equation. This may be hard to see for some at first, however, which could potentially obscure the richest meaning of this beautiful symbol/equation. A much more GODLY TOE, in my opinion, comes from Euler, who discovered that e ^ (i * pi) - 1 = 0. When someone can explain that relationship, then they can say they know GOD.

A life changing experience??.......2005-06-13

This book is an easy read and does succeed in being somewhat thought-provoking. However, I am a little surprised at the awesome, "life changing" experience it apparently was for many of the readers. Wheatley's conclusions were interesting but nothing really new. All of his material should have passed through the mind of any thinking person without the aid of this book.
The reason I gave this book three stars is because he uses unneccessarily wordy ways of describing simple things. Also, the author and many other reviewers insist that Wheatley makes only one assumption. Wrong-his whole theory is one big assumption.
Overall though it was a very interesting and worthy book.

Should be Required Reading for everyone.......2004-06-26

This book will change your life. You will never think the same way you did before reading it.
I have a degree in chemistry and I think this book should be read by everyone in the sciences. Without a doubt, the best book I've ever read. Why and what are two of our best friends

A Very Important Book.......2004-01-26

I must preface my review by stating that I have never been so excited and moved by a book that I have wanted to contact the author. That is what I found myself doing upon reading this book. This book is just what its title says. The author does not "miss a beat" describing in great detail using practically every aspect of scientific knowledge from atomic structure through logic to quantum theory---we are even given a valuable explanation of Love. This text may be challenging to read for those unfamiliar with scientific terminology. And it can also be difficult for those with a science background, such as myself. However, for me it is well worth the work necessary to strive to understand the unfamiliar terminology. (I am continually learning from this book. I am presently on my third reread).

One of the author's main messages is "not" to believe anything without first verifying it with reality, as we know it. He calls it the "Personal Explanation Principle". He indicates that religions are just such belief systems that we as people "fall" victims of; because we do not verify the beliefs with the facts, as we know them, of reality. He gives a very detailed explanation of how the New Testament can be explored using his methodology.

The author methodically and meticulously walks us through his thought processes, which took 30 years to assimilate, of delineating the structure of reality and the nature of consciousness. Included in the "walk" are many of reality's phenomena made revelatory. An example of that, for me, would be the dual nature of light. It's particle/wave duality, which is explained as "functions". Also, when the author took me on the mental journey of "Setness" an exhilaration of the magnificence of life swelled up in me.

To me this is a very important book that should be read by all that are seekers of truth. It is for all those wanting to gain an understanding of the purpose for their existence, wanting to know where life is headed towards, and wanting to know who God is.

This book will enlighten and develop one's mind substantially. You will discover that this is our objective.

And yes, I contacted the author and he responded openly.

Illuminating!!!.......2002-12-30

This is a really great book. It combines philosophy and science in order to tackle a multitude of existential problems. The author's style of writing is fresh and alive, I recommend ths book to anyone interested in expanding the fronteirs of their understanding. Books I also liked are a Universe in an Nutshell by Steven Hawkings and Descent into Illusions by Paul Omeziri.

Infinite Love Is the Only Truth: Everything Else Is Illusion

Average customer rating:

explains a lot
Better if it provided some direction
Disappointing....
Freeing.
Lizards, Jews, Bush and the News!

Infinite Love Is the Only Truth: Everything Else Is Illusion
David Icke , and Icke David
Manufacturer: David Icke Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0953881067

Product Description

A book that claims with such clarity that 'physical' reality is merely an illusion that only exists in our brain. Fantastic? Sure it is. But David Icke's idea, presented in a way that everyone can understand, is a life-changing exposure of both the illusion we believe to be 'real' and the way this illusion is generated and manipulated to imprison us in a false reality. Icke says we 'live' in a 'holographic internet' in that our brains are connected to a central 'computer' that feeds us the same collective reality that we decode from waveforms and electrical signals into the holographic 3D 'world' that we all think we see.

Customer Reviews:

explains a lot.......2007-10-02

I remember about ten years ago my car died, I couldn't afford another right away, so, I had to take the bus for a while. In order to get to the bus stop I had to walk a 1/2 mile. It was actually kind of nice, very early in the morning I'd walk, having the streets to myself for a few minutes before the world woke up. Into the second week of my walking to the bus stop I had what some would term an epiphany, I suddenly had this very strong feeling that nothing was real, and everything was being moved ever so slightly, but not enought to be noticed. Almost like I was seeing/not seeing something that was a secret and I wasen't in on it. This completely overwhelmed me and I realized I've felt this before, usually at nite usually when I'm alone. Ever since then I've been reading a lot of different books about an alternate state, or something else controling this planet. I've never believed in evolution, or missing links. I believe that this planet never "naturally" evolved. That we are not all products of simian dna and there is so much missing time regarding the "origin of man" that scientists just piece things together to make them fit, and our "experts" really have no idea what really happened. I think there were thousands of civilizations here at different points in time and for different reasons. Very interesting to say the least. It's really not that far fetched to think that we also have reptile dna, don't human embryos look like tadpoles? Don't we have a tail bone that looks like a reptile tail? Not any more far fetched than saying we all started as simian.

Better if it provided some direction.......2007-10-01

Icke's work originally came across my radar screen while reading something written by Stuart wilde. Since I enjoy exploring new topics I bought "And The Truth Shall Set You Free" And the Truth Shall Set You Free many years ago and found it to be a very well-researched and thought-provoking work. When I read this particular book I saw many of the same things I had seen before in Icke's work, plus an even deeper metaphysical orientation. What I felt was lacking was some direction on the part of the author as to how to best approach life in this dimension despite the fact that everything is just an "illusion." Bottom line, if one accepts the title is true, then how do we go about making the most of our lives while we are here? Because whether it's an illusion or not, we are still living here in this world of form and have to deal with it.

Disappointing...........2007-08-19

I had seen David's Secrets of the Matrix DVD here on online and thats when I decided that getting his new book could be a good idea. (Just go to Google Videos and type in Secrets of the Matrix)

Anyways it started out great with a quick recap of his previous research on the illuminati and then he really hit home with me as he was describing that the universe that we live in and percieve is really just a hologram! I mean amazing stuff, I felt a complete jump in my awareness it was amazing!

However, that was the only part I liked about this book. From my perspective the rest of the chapters are pointless. It looks as though he only added them in so that he would have a full book to write. He goes into the tiniest details about religion when we all should by now have a good idea of whats going on there. I didn't buy the book to read more about religions I bought it because I wanted to know what this infinite love is all about. He also pitifully explains how this New Age movement is another illusion too. I mean don't get me wrong a lot of New Age things can seem like a lot of crap but atleast give me more than 12 pages to explain why this is illusion. He only defense is that its just a part of the Matrix. He goes into how we are all Infinite Consciousness and that we live in a Matrix world but outside of that there really is nothing else. The details about what outside the Matrix or who we are, or what we are doing here, etc just aren't there. I'm supposed to accept that we are infinite love is the only truth, everything else is illusion. It sounds a lot like my earlier years being raised on Christianity when my pastor would tell me that Jesus is the only way to heaven and that there is no other way... hmmm... does something sound similiar here???

I mean David's entire book here is based on only ONE experience he had while on a drug or weed known as DMT. (also known as ayahuasca, which is Hallucinogenic) During this experience he telepathically heres a feminine voice explain this concept that infinite love is the only truth everything thing else is illusion. Bullocks as he would say! Who was this lady? Where was David's mind/consciousness/etc during this experience? It raised more questions than answers them. It sounds all great and terrific, I am all about love but I'm not convinced that David's ideas are completely accurate.

Also if you want to hear about the reptilian agenda there is a great video of Rick Reefe doing an interview with Alex Collier. I dare anyone of you to listen to that. Its a 12 part series thats about 2 hours total. You can find it on Youtube or simply doing a google search on Alex Collier. Its probably that most amazing eye opening/awakening experience about what is really going on.

Overall, I like David and I support what he is doing but I only give him a 3/5 for this book.

Freeing........2007-05-19

A helpful reminder of the Reality of the World. I love to read things that affirm the Truth.

Lizards, Jews, Bush and the News!.......2007-04-20

If you have ever read any of David Icke's books, you may feel that the first half of this book is just a rehash of some of his other works. Edited down a bit, but not quite enough for my liking.

Like some of the other reviewers, I really have a hard time taking someone seriously that talks about lizard people! But then I turned to page 166 and lo and behold there was a picture of David standing there in the nude, with his Lizard dangling down!!! Sheesh... I'm a believer now! And on top of it I'll be having nightmares about it for the next year!

I must admit though, he did a real good job on religion bashing. And explaining to the reader why spirituality and religion just can't co-exist in peace. He not only hammered away on Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Catholicism, he also took a good shot at the New-Agers.

Also this book explains why the Education and Health Systems are detrimental to man-kind. What is wrong with society. And how the Illuminate are behind it all.

I kept finding tid bits of information in the book that I already read in other books. The other books may have given a more in-depth look at certain subjects, but by reading this book you will avoid having to read countless other books.

If wasn't for the Lizard people and David's Balls, I would'a gave this book 4 stars!

The Truth About Getting In: A Top College Advisor Tells You Everything You Need to Know

Average customer rating:

Good but could be better
Yuppie College How To
A good guide -- particularly for essays and brag sheets
Don't Waste Your Money
Unparalleled to Other College Admissions Books!!

The Truth About Getting In: A Top College Advisor Tells You Everything You Need to Know
Katherine Cohen
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786887478
Release Date: 2002-04-03

Book Description

It used to be that any college applicant with stellar SAT scores and a high grade point average was a shoo-in for the school of his or her choice. Not anymore. These days it takes a great application, too. The extracurricular activities or brag sheet, personal essay, and interview all weigh heavily in the acceptance process.As a private college admissions counselor, Dr. Katherine Cohen has placed 75% of her clients into their top-choice college. Now, for the first time, she offers her successful program in a book complete with worksheets, timelines, and checklists, to help students demystify the college admissions process and get into the school of their choice.

Customer Reviews:

Good but could be better.......2007-07-17

This book has some good advice for students (and parents) who are starting early in the process (like 9th or 10th grade). You're not going to get a lot out of it if you're already a senior, as Cohen spends the majority of the book talking about the importance of course selection, building relationships with your teachers throughout high school, consistent extracurricular involvement, etc. If you're a senior, and you just want to focus on putting together a good application, I recommend another of Cohen's books: Rock Hard Apps. It is devoted more toward evaluating the good, the bad, and the ugly of actual college applications.

There are two reasons I give The Truth About Getting In 3 stars and not 4 or 5.

The first is that Cohen appears to have a condescending attitude about not only public high schools but also public colleges and universities. It appears that she thinks Ivy League and other highly selective schools are the only ones that actually require some effort and planning to get into, and this simply isn't true. There are lots of public high schools and public universities with very strong academic reputations. And the top public universities (UC-Berkeley, UVA, Texas, Michigan, UNC, etc.) can often be just as difficult to get into as the Stanfords and Browns of the world, due in part to the sheer volume of applications these schools receive. But Cohen makes little attempt to discuss the intricacies of admission into these schools. She just assumes that if it's good enough for the Ivy League, it's good enough for anyone.

The second reason I did not rate the book higher is because of the constant references to how smart and accomplished Cohen is. Early in the book, she brags about having never received even a B on a test until an AP Physics class. Then, she makes it a point to say that she ended up getting a 4 on the AP Physics exam and that it meant more to her than all the 5s she got on her other AP exams because she had to work harder for it. And this is just one of many examples of her self-serving "advice."

Bottom line, there are other books out there that offer the same information (Michelle Hernandez's A is for Admission is a good one) without all of the attitude.

Yuppie College How To.......2007-07-03

If you already know the names of all the ivy league schools, and are simply debating which ones to apply to, this book is for you. The Truth About Getting In is for upper middle class parents and students who need one more guide book before junior takes his final SAT.

A good guide -- particularly for essays and brag sheets.......2007-02-15

Cohen provides a sobering overview of the college admission process with respect to the top tier one schools. It should be noted that many very good schools with rankings below 40 in the US News and World Report ranking scheme accept over 50% of applicants. That having been said, if you are considering matriculating to an Ivy League school, a so called Little Ivy, or even a Southern Ivy or Public Ivy, this book is a good one to read.

In order to get the most from the book, I would suggest reading Michele Hernandez' book "A is for Admission" as well since it deals more strongly with the Academic Index and Tagging factors. But, for an excellent resource on brag sheets, extracurricular activities, and essay assistance, Katherine Cohen's book is an excellent read. Beyond this, I would say that both IvyWise (Katherine Cohen company) and Hernandez College Consulting are excellent groups with good track records, irresepective of a few high profile goofs. If you cannot afford their $30k - $40k price tag for personal assistance (and very few can), read their books.

Cohen's writing style is straightforward, polished, and easy to digest. Her essay section is wonderful and a delight to read. Her brag sheet section is outstanding and simple to implement.

Don't Waste Your Money.......2006-03-01

Nothing in this book directed itself to anything but one issue -- can you organize yourself AND make yourself the "ideal applicant" for the process of getting into a "choice" college. More particularly, can you create a self portrait of yourself to get into an almost-impossible-to-get-into college which you believe will deliver to you a better education and better . . . everything?

If you are lazy, then maybe this is your one last chance to realize that the college admissions process will take more than 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon. But, I think even the most naive know this fact.

If you think the process requires planning and time, then use the time it would take you to read this book to good use -- such as preparing the Common Application's essay.

This book does the ultimate bad -- this book, like too many college counselors, nudges (or is it forcefuly pushing) teenagers to become involved in activities for the exclusive purpose of making better resumes for college admissions offices.

The preface which this book hinges upon is this: the better known schools will make your child's college education more enjoyable. This wrong premise is what creates the main problem of this book.

This book is truly directed toward the aggressive parents who follow the above-stated premise. Parents, let the natural process of selection deliver your child to the school which fits his or her needs -- which will deliver to the parent what any parent wants for his or her child: happiness. The result of this book's dogma, which seeks to encourage resume inflation and direct high school students to entertain activities for the (exclusive?)purpose of college selection, could well too often result with young men and women attending schools of their parents' choice, not their own. And, I ask, does the parents' decision deliver more or less happiness to the student?

Don't waste your money by reading about the need to have your child's life be molded for a college application. With 2,000 choices out there, it is obvious that the application process is to match the teenager's interests to the college -- not for the teenager to mold himself or herself (whether it be their own decision or that of parents)to the college's perceived appropriate applicant character.

College application is about matching the student to the school -- not about making the student become the school's ideal applicant.

If you want good books on the topic of college admissions, seek those which characterize the schools and allow you to see if the college described is "the place where YOU should go." There are three great books which handle this question: "The College Admissions Mystique" by Bill Mayher and "Looking beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That's Right for You" by Loren Pope and "Colleges that Change People's Lives" by Loren Pope. Also, the little narratives in Fiske often depict character in the school which may tell the reader "that's junior" or alternatively "boy, would my kid not fit in a place like that."

Stay away from this and similar books. One book "A Is for Admission: The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges" by Michele A. Hernandez specifically warns you to avoid these books -- even admitting that such statement is detrimental to her publisher which prints such books at a substantial profit.

Take the round peg and find the slot to which it fits; do not attempt to put the round peg into the square slot.

Unparalleled to Other College Admissions Books!!.......2005-06-24

This is a letter I wrote to Katherine Cohen, author of this book as well as Rock Hard Apps, another book I highly recommend.I was compelled to write this letter after her books left such an impression on me.

Hi Katherine.
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for writing two terrific books. I recently purchased your book, The Truth About Getting In, and found it so engaging that I had to pick up Rock Hard Apps as well.
I am strongly considering applying early to Princeton and your books gave me added confidence. In fact, I just completed my "brag sheet." I am an only child, so my family does not have much experience with the college admissions process. Before reading your books, the process seemed overwhelming and daunting, but now, I know exactly what I have to do to put my best foot forward and distinguish myself from other applicants. It may sound corny, but the admissions process and formulation of my application now seem more like an adventure.
As I was reading your books, I felt as if I were sitting right next to you receiving a private consultation. While writing this email, I feel more as if I'm writing to a close friend than an accomplished college counselor. If you have the ability to make such a profound impact through your words, I can only imagine the impact you have on your students.
When I put your books down, I actually felt like I had gained an inside look into the college admissions process. You do not lie. You truly reveal the "truth about getting in." All other college books I've read seem superficial compared to yours. I will take what you have taught me and do my best to apply it to my Princeton application as I work on completing it this summer.
Once again, thank you. I hope I will be able to attain success in my endeavors with your wisdom behind me. I will keep you posted!

Appearance Is Everything: The Hidden Truth Regarding Your Appearance Discrimination

Average customer rating:

Worthless advertisement for Steve Jeffes' expert testimony services
Research needs
Excellent, well researched book
Amazing Insights into Appearance
What's the big secret ?

Appearance Is Everything: The Hidden Truth Regarding Your Appearance Discrimination
Steve Jeffes
Manufacturer: Sterlinghouse Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1563150883

Book Description

At last...a revealing book at how your appearance may determine your success and happiness in life. Jeffes helps readers to determine if they have been discriminated against because of their appearance. Appearance is Everything will enable you to critically examine how your appearance may influence relationships, academic performance, and career advancement.

Customer Reviews:

Worthless advertisement for Steve Jeffes' expert testimony services.......2007-09-06

Aristotle once said "good looks are a better introduction than any letter". Books on this topic should explain why this quote (and its corrollary) are the case. This book does not even make an attempt to do this. Instead it is a rambling advertisement for Steve Jeffes' expert testimony services in what Jeffes claims to be a new form of discrimination. Worthless.

Research needs.......2007-01-11

I am a doctoral student in psychology hence the nature/needs of mine in relations to this book. Results quoted were mostly on a superficial level and for my needs insufficient.

Excellent, well researched book.......2005-02-17

I am a professional and for many years I have known that the information presented in this book is basically true. We dont like to admit it is true or admit that we are shallow and superficial, but as a society, we are. I've seen relationships break up, simply because one of the partners gained weight. We are living in a era where the media constantly provides us with an "ideal" and we are programmed to seek that "ideal". This is a great book in terms of motivation to lose weight and other forms of self improvement. Overweight people are facing a lot more than just health risks, they are being judged negatively and labeled. This affects their lives on many levels .i.e. career, income potential, sexual desireability and the list goes on and on. The author encourages people to upgrade their appearance, because, like it or not, that is how we are judged. Appearance is the first "filter" that people use, to determine how they will interact with you or IF they will interact with you. A good book for overcoming the denial thinking that looks dont count. think-again

Amazing Insights into Appearance.......2003-06-13

This book has really made me stop and think how I view and treat others based on appearance. This book is a must read for anyone who is curious on how their appearance impacts their career, relationships (I am now looking at my own now more differently), children (including bullying at school), wealth, and how we treat others every day. I can truly say that based on this book, I recognize myself as a person who discrimated based upon a person's appearance and transitioned this mostly subconscious process to more conscious process. Very revealing book. Great reading, but not one your going to finish in one sitting. You need to read a section, process the thought then move onto the next section. Still an excellent book!

What's the big secret ?.......2002-03-10

I think we all inately know this subject well and I was interested that it never comes up in corporate policymaking when addressing other discrimination factors such as race and gender. Appearance is subjective, but also universal. In one company session on diversity a young, very attractive, intelligent and personable black woman taught. She seemed overly enthusiastic and reveled in the fact that everyone deserves equal and fair treatment (no argument!) She had obviously overcome so much in her professional career, being young, black, female, and admittedly poor in childhood. But she completely ignored what we all seemed to recognize and that not one person said a word about, the fact that she was a very beautiful person and that this might have something to do with success (certainly not the only factor). I was too intimidated to bring it up, but it catalyzed me to do a net search and see what I could find on the subject. This book is very good and puts down into words the very thoughts that we all live and act out in our daily interelations but may not own up to. I have found several new and unexpected things in the book as well as some excellent summations of my own thinking. It is well organized and thorough, easy to understand, and not technical. My objective in reading it was to help organize my own thoughts and develop an approach to improve dating and interpersonal relationships (I'm recently divorced and rated myself as average in attractiveness). The book is well worth the effort to obtain it. Also, the next time I am required to endure another company class on diversity I will have the courage to ask why the factor of appearance has not been brought up for discussion knowing there is a credible reference available.

The Day America Told the Truth: What People Really Believe About Everything That Really Matters

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Eye-opening, Insightful, and Most of All Interesting.

The Day America Told the Truth: What People Really Believe About Everything That Really Matters
James Patterson , and Peter Kim
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0134634802

Customer Reviews:

Eye-opening, Insightful, and Most of All Interesting. .......2007-05-27

This book has been a staple for me since I read it some 3 years ago. The information that it provides into the thoughts, actions, and behavior of Americans is most interesting. I am a firm believer that America is facing many problems associated with integrity and honesty. It is well recognized that we are currently a nation without true leaders. Children have no heroes, except those who have died and gone many years ago. Even worse is that we have little trust in those who we should most respect and emulate- the president, congressmen, lawyers, etc. This is an eye-opener and I highly recommend it to anyone interesting in our current 'climate' and psychology in general.

The Truth About Everything: An Irreverent History of Philosophy : With Illustrations

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You can't have it all, but you can have fun
Interesting reading that makes you think
Magnificent
Flawed, but nearly unique
necessary, but not sufficient

The Truth About Everything: An Irreverent History of Philosophy : With Illustrations
Matthew Stewart
Manufacturer: Prometheus Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1573921106

Amazon.com

The two main branches of modern philosophy, analytic and continental, each attack the other as irrelevant. Matthew Stewart says they're both right. The Truth About Everything is an earnest lampoon by on Oxford Ph.D. set on bursting the bubble of philosophers everywhere. His claim is that philosophy endeavors to reveal the truth about everything, and since this is clearly impossible, the history of philosophy is nothing but a mish-mash of misconceptions, false starts, and blind alleys. His acid humor and frank discussions are a welcome comic interlude for the serious student of philosophy.

Customer Reviews:

You can't have it all, but you can have fun.......2007-07-18

This book works on two levels. On one, as a good reminder of Western philosophy (although the author insists that there is no such thing as Western thought, I disagree). If you have never read philosphy, of course, this won't be enough and you'll probably be lost. But if you have, and not necessarily all of the philosophers cited, it will be a very good and quick trip through the fascinating chain of successive explanations given about... well, about everything.

On the other level, it is a demythification of the great philosophers and their complex, sometimes absurd, but always frutiful elucidations (for good and bad). The explicit purpose of the author is to demonstrate that all philosophy is ultimately wrong, for the simple reason that there can be no explanation, once and for all, for everything. There is no system of thought that engulfs absolute answers to every question humanity has posed throughout history. Truth, if it exists, has to be revealed bit by bit, through every discovery, idea, and experience, and we're still very far from absolute truths, if we get there one day. Which, by the way, would be the beginning of total boredom.

Stewart achieves the goal of writing a book at the same time serious, profound and professional, as well as easy to read, funny, mocking and direct. Philosophers are presented as ambitious, jealous, seriously interested in finding the truth, but also in dethroning predecessors and rivals, and in being the new Supreme Priests of thought. Nevertheless, along the pages, between joke and joke, we discover an admirable and sustained cultural enterprise, a systematic and reasonably organized effort to understand every phenomenon, from Time, Being and Nothing, to Cosmos, Soul, Ethics, Science, Art and Human Knowledge. Of course, the history of philosophy is the history of a collective failure. But mistake after mistake, mankind has been learning to think, elucidate, and understand. Maybe the answers lie today not so much in philosophy as in science: stars, genes, memes, have opened for us doors to awesome but also disturbing places. What we know today points to unsuspected possibilities, but it also may give you the creeps.

Is there still a role for philosophy in the understanding and resolution of the many implications brought about by artifical intelligence, genetic determinism, the relativity of time, global violence, the resilience of stupid ideas, family disintegration, or virtual communities (and sex)? Gues we'll have to wait and see.

Interesting reading that makes you think.......2004-07-05

I like to read about various subjects, philosophy is one of them. This book is funny, and at the same time critical. At times I think it's too critical, it's not fair when the one being criticized is not there to defend his ideas or himself (note: himself, some ad hominem attacks are being stated). The title is too ambitious and pretentious, but then again, so is philosophy as a whole.

This book certainly is not for beginners, though it doesn't cover all important philosophers in depth, it is still not the best read if this is your first or second philosophy book. I enjoy the book from start to finish, and recommend it to anyone interested in a critical not to deep philosophy book (but only if you too are a critical reader).

Magnificent.......2001-03-28

Well, this might not be the greatest book of philosophy, but it sure gives you a whole new idea behind the subject. Didn't Nietzsche say sckepticals were the only acceptable kind of humans? Well this book has a great sckeptical idology behind it, with a wisp of humor, of course, not adequate for Americans. Though the author is American, he's clearly what Nietzsche defined as a free spirit.

If you wish to understand philosophy and haven't quite withstood the ideas behind plato or find most books to institutional, you should read this book. Zarathustra was different before and after this book, this is how far it goes into explaining the ideas behind each philosopher, destroying it with the same Nietzschean hammer. (Read the epilogue also).

Flawed, but nearly unique.......2000-12-30

While Stewart's book is certainly neither exhaustive or perfect in its portrayl of every significant philosopher, it certainly is a rather unique entry into worthwhile philosophy reads. For one its rather humourous, and two, it attempts to be critical. While most introductions to the subject tend to be far to pious and pedantic, Stewart can point out an obvious flaw or two in nearly anyones favorite philosopher (unless your favorite is David Hume). This book is probably a better read for the novice rather than the newbie, but all the same it pokes much needed holes in the rather pompous tradition of the History of Philosophy.

necessary, but not sufficient.......2000-07-24

this book is right about many things, but wrong about some important things. philosophy certainly has a lot of sacred cows in need of skewering, and stewart does an admirable job of satirizing popular (and academic) notions of just what philosophy is...however, even he admits in the end that his critique is not only inadequate but somewhat ironically self-refuting...and his exclusive attention to the metaphysical and epistemological traditions leaves out pretty much everything written in ethics, political theory, and aesthetics, all of which are certainly central to philosophy! i find this strange and hypocritical for someone who admonishes us to teach philosophy as a part of other disciplines, rather than as a discipline in its own right. his treatment of certain areas--kant's ethics, the american pragmatists--is pitifuly brief and inadequate, and one gets the feeling that the author is out of his league in certain areas (not surprising, since he does try to cover all the big names to at least _some_ degree!) but then i'm not sure how seriously the author wishes us to take him...in the end, his closing words of advice "be responsible! be good! be true to yourself!" only beg the questions philosophy wishes to answer: _why_ should we be good? _why_ should we be responsible? _why_ should we be true to ourselves? more importanly, _HOW_ does one act good, responsible, stay true to one's self, etc...i get the feeling the author doesn't think these are particularly philosophical questions. but they are--and that's the point. i'm all for recognizing that philosophy isn't something professors do at college--it's something we all do, every day. but then we should take such questions as seriously as possible, right? so what exactly is it the philosophers are doing wrong? still, an enjoyable read, and educational, for philosophers of all kinds, whether professional or amateur.

Almost Everything Explained: The Truth, the Whole Truth, & Nothing but the Truth

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Almost Everything Explained: The Truth, the Whole Truth, & Nothing but the Truth
William L. Kramer
Manufacturer: Vantage Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 053312073X

Average customer rating:

The Truth About Everything: An Irreverent History of Philosophy : With Illustrations

Manufacturer: Prometheus Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1591023866

The Truth Behind the Rock: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Engagements . . . Until Now

Average customer rating:

Fun, frivolous read
Like a dishy lunch with your wittiest girlfriend!
I was ashamed...until I read this book!
He Said/She Said
The Truth Behind the Rock is such a relief

The Truth Behind the Rock: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Engagements . . . Until Now
Jessica Kaminsky
Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1416911421

Book Description

Oh no, it's happening -- you're turning into that girl.

Rest assured, you are not alone.

Engagement stories tend to focus on the details of a beautifully orchestrated proposal crafted entirely unprompted by a dream boyfriend. Understandably, the unsavory details of the not-so-subtle hinting, the uncomfortable conversations, and the ultimatums issued six months prior are left out of the official recap. But the fact is, like any good relationship, getting engaged takes work -- soul-bearing, gut-wrenching, and occasionally heartbreaking work.

In The Truth Behind the Rock, real-life couples share their experiences in "he said/she said" anecdotes that offer a peek behind the curtain at what men and women are really thinking when it comes to engagements. From the subtle art of persuasion (and what to do if it fails) to sifting through the wreckage once he drops the "I don't really believe in marriage" bomb after years of dating, author Jessica Kaminsky offers up sisterly advice to guide you through the dreaded "talk"...again. This candid, reassuring examination of the great engagement debate is essential reading for every serious couple.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be wanted...just be prepared to ask for what you want.

Download Description

The one you never thought you'd become, the one who really wants to get engaged and can think of little else...the one who delivers a series of Oscar-worthy monologues about wanting to take the relationship to the next level, the one who tears out Tiffany ads and leaves them around the house, the one who finally agrees with her mother: "When are we going to get engaged?" Rest assured, you are not alone. Engagement stories tend to focus on the details of a beautifully orchestrated proposal crafted entirely unprompted by a dream boyfriend. Understandably, the unsavory details of the not-so-subtle hinting, the uncomfortable conversations, and the ultimatums issued six months prior are left out of the official recap. But the fact is, like any good relationship, getting engaged takes work -- soul-bearing, gut-wrenching, and occasionally heartbreaking work. In The Truth Behind the Rock, real-life couples share their experiences in "he said/she said" anecdotes that offer a peek behind the curtain at what men and women are really thinking when it comes to engagements. From the subtle art of persuasion (and what to do if it fails) to sifting through the wreckage once he drops the "I don't really believe in marriage" bomb after years of dating, author Jessica Kaminsky offers up sisterly advice to guide you through the dreaded "talk"...again. This candid, reassuring examination of the great engagement debate is essential reading for every serious couple.

Customer Reviews:

Fun, frivolous read.......2006-12-12

I was starting to become one of "those girls." How refreshing to hear that I'm not the only one! This book has been a fun read, but (as the author admits) it is not meant to be an advice/self-help book. The only negative is that the numerous TYPOS are quite distracting! This book needs a better editor.

Like a dishy lunch with your wittiest girlfriend!.......2006-07-06

If you've ever felt insecure about why your relationship doesn't seem to run as smoothly as those of the picturebook couples around you, this book is for you. Jessica Kaminsky rips the lid off the big secret that women rarely share with each other: every relationship is messy, but that doesn't mean it's a mess.
Kaminsky writes with a humor and a humanity that are both disarming and comforting, and she offers a point of view I hadn't ever seen before in a book about relationships. "The Truth Behind the Rock" feels like it was written by a girlfriend rather than a preachy psychologist! The couples she talks about in the book are clearly real people with relatable relationship issues. Reading this book feels just like sitting down with your best girlfriend to a dishy lunch. It made me laugh, but it also made me smile. And as soon as I finished it I got another copy to give to my best (engaged) girlfriend!

I was ashamed...until I read this book!.......2006-05-18

I admit it - I was the ultimatum girlfriend! How terrible I felt threatening to leave my now fiance if he didn't propose. I was ashamed at my actions and my words - until now!
This books made me see that I am not the only one that had to basically force-feed my boyfriend into engagement. "IT'S TIME" was not obvious enough. After a grueling tennis match in the heat of summer, throwing a tennis racket at my boyfriend's head felt like the right thing to do. And it left a nice bump. And he finally saw the light.
Thank you, Jessica. I feel much better and more confident that I did the right thing and men just need a little nudge. Or two. Or three. Or a tennis racket to the head.

He Said/She Said.......2006-05-04

Imagine sitting down with your best, most charming friend as she told you stories about real engagements - the good, the bad and the ugly. That's the experience I had while reading Ms. Kaminsky's truthful and funny book. Using real couples, Ms. Kaminsky illustrates engagement stories that debunk the myth of the perfect man-on-bended-knee scenario. A fun, funny read!

The Truth Behind the Rock is such a relief.......2006-05-01

I have been dating a guy for a while and have felt so shy about talking to him about marriage. Then I saw this book. First, it made me laugh. That was a great start to the whole process. And when I did get the courage to approach him, he responded just like one of the guys in the book! "I don't believe in marriage." Instead of making me insane, his response also made me laugh. We've gone past that and are now in full-on negotiations. Not engaged yet, but close. I would definitely buy this for anyone looking to get married.

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