Product Description
Return to the lush green hills of Ireland, where love is touched by magic--and where the Gallagher siblings explore the depths of their fiery hearts.Amazon.com Review
In the small village of Ardmore, Ireland, Gallagher's pub isthe center of the lively seaside community and the home of threepassionate siblings: Aidan, Shawn, and Darcy. As a world traveler anda barkeep, the eldest brother Aidan has just about seen and heard itall, but when a quiet professor from Chicago enters his tavern, he isinstantly intrigued--and certain that there is more to Jude Murraythan what meets the eye.

Jude has returned to her grandmother's ancestral home to sort out herthoughts, know her heart, and "find Jude F. Murray in six months or less."After a life of deliberate security, Jude finds herself recovering from afailed marriage and a disappointing career. With the pretense of a researchexpedition, Jude leaves her life in Chicago and moves into the charminghouse on top of the faerie hill. Surrounded by the awesome scenery andrelieved by the simplicity of life, Jude excuses her visions of ghosts andfaeries as signs of her mental recovery.

But the inhabitants of Ardmore, and Aidan Gallagher in particular, don'tdismiss these apparitions with such convenient logic, and Jude learns tolisten more carefully to the messages in the world. As Aidan andJude draw closer to each other, Jude struggles to discover, balance, anddefine the complex parts of her soul.

In the character of Jude Murray, Nora Roberts has created asophisticated woman whose internal development from skittish recluseto confident lover is realistic and convincing. Carefully avoiding the"good man is a solution to all problems" plot, Roberts lets Jude andAidan interact and develop individually, as well as together as acouple. While this modern tone is refreshing, it feels a bit at oddswith the supernatural, faerie themes. As this is the first in a seriesabout the Gallagher siblings and the faerie legend, perhaps thesethematic contradictions will sort themselves out in the subsequentnovels. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien ... Read more

Customer Reviews (286)

Great Irish story
you can tell Nora loves Ireland. Besides the storyline which was a page turner, the description and welcoming of Ireland was wonderful. Made you want to take a trip to Ireland and be welcomed.

One of my faves!
'Jewels of the Sun' and 'Tears of the Moon' (books 1 and 2 of the Gallagher series) are among my favorite NR books. They are both full of characters I wish I knew and places I'd love to visit. I finished the books feeling that I'd lived a short time in an Irish village!

The relationship between Jude and Aidan is complex enough to be interesting, but not so angst-ridden as to be tedious. I could identify with Jude in the process of recreating herself, and I liked seeing the impact of it in the way she viewed herself and on her evolving relationship with Aidan. I also liked the little bit of magic thrown in! The character development seemed very well done. I felt like I knew the main characters well and really liked them. But there were also great secondary characters that I became attached to. Really fun book! It's on my keeper shelf!

Lighter Fare
I know Nora Roberts is a widely read author - probably because her style is simple and straightforward.Before I read Jewels of the Sun, I had read a couple of books by Frank Delaney - a much deeper, more interesting author.So by comparison, this Roberts book pales.

A couple of things stand out:Jude, the lead character, lives in a house with a ghost and seems unfazed by it - even when she first discovers it.And then the ghost appears a few times in the story, but has no interaction with Jude.Conversely, Jude has several encounters with another tortured spirit, who says he is using Jude, but we never know why.

Aside from a few things left unconcluded, the book was fun reading about an Irish family that could have lived anytime and anywhere in Ireland.

Cheesy
I'd read several stories by Nora Roberts before I came across this book and considering the amount of good reviews it had gotten I was expecting something amazing. But my goodness was I mistaken. I couldn't finish it and finally gave up around chapter 15.

I pushed myself to read as much of it as I could but I couldn't take it seriously. It was just one irish cliche after another and I wouldn't be surprised to hear if a few leprechauns popped up later in the story . There seemed to be endless paragraphs describing the misty green hills and the red haired freckled faced women of the village. And don't get me started on the dialogue. It was so corny that I would cringe when I'd read it.

I didn't enjoy Roberts' take on life in Ireland and I'll be staying well clear of any other books set in the Emerald Isle !

Simple yet ...
Absolutely stunning work. I have seldom been more engrossed in such a beautiful and real story. I would love to fimd myself a character within this world. ... Read more

Product Description
 
When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when Cammie faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.

Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide.  When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart.

 In this fourth installment of the New York Times best-selling series, the Gallagher Girls must hack, spy, steal, and lie their way to the truth.as they go searching for answers, recognizing that the key to Cammie’s future may lie deep in the past.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (45)

omg
this book was great. best one yet. more of zack and lots of shocking secrets. less of macey but thats ok. a surprising traitor. good stuff. kind of harry potter like elements which is a good thing. you also get to see what the blackthorne institute looks like and really is. cant wait for next one!

A Great Series for Smart Girls - Only The Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
Cammie Morgan is a Gallagher Girl, one of an elite group of girls training to be spies.She has been training for a dangerous life as spy for years. But now, a junior at the Gallagher Academy, she is facing serious, life threatening danger.It's not just classroom lessons and theory anymore.In a previous book, Cammie faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.That's when her life turned upside down. I could go into more detail than Amazon does, but I don't want to spoil it for those who not have read the book.

Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie "The Chameleon" can't hide.When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers--or even her own heart.
Somehow I went straight from book one to book four.Even though there were some missing blanks along the way Carter does such an excellent job of storytelling that I was able to keep up with the general plot in book four, even though I have not yet read books two and three.

This is what I like to call a smart girls series.Cammie Morgan is a strong female character with the brains and courage to carry the story all on her own.However, she doesn't have to go it alone. Her roommates, her crush, and her teachers all combine to make this an interesting and well developed story. Each of the characters is amazingly strong and talented.
Though I was able to pick up the storyline fairly easily without having read books two and three, I highly recommend that you read the books in order.

Other books in the series include:
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls)
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Gallagher Girls)
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Gallagher Girls)
Only the Good Spy Young (Gallagher Girls)

Recommended for grades 6th and up.
Rating:5 of 5

the bomb!!!!!!
this book is awesome once you start reading you just cant put it down there are so many twists and turns and suprises youre amazed the whole time.

AMAZING!!!
it was amazing ,full of suspence and romance,!!!! there was a lot of action and it was sooooo intriguing!!

amazing!
I do have to say this is the best one of the series! Ally Carter delivers magnificently with this addition! It has everything I hoped it would have, action, love, friendship and mystery. I abs love that they gave us more on that cutie Zach, who has been my favorite! Carter kept me guessing and finally tied up many of the questions I had from the previous novels. The writing never ceases to amaze me! Oh and don't let me get started on that ending!!! I want the next book now!! Overall this novel gets 4 out of 5 paws! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (16)

The Discernment of Spirts
This book was very difficult to comprehend, but well worth the time needed to understand it.Great information for understanding all the different feelings and messages in making life decisions.

Relating to God
This book has been very valuable to me. It has opened up a whole dichotomy in the way I relate to God. I have always hated the fundamental black and white decision making that goes with zealots. That kind of thing always seemed to ignore the fact that when faced with difficulty in everyday life...it is usually messy. This book is helpful in that process, in deepening one's understanding of God, and one's way of relating to Him.

Who's fooling who? Who's leading who? -- Letting God lead! No fooling!
The name of the book "The Discernment of Spirits" is also the name of a seminar given by Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V. throughout the country. I attended one of these in Boston. I helped organize one in New York after also reading this book. In both, Father Gallagher described how Saint Ignatius of Loyola was able to judge his experiences and tell apart those which he believed originating from "the enemy" and those from the "good spirit." Becoming "aware" of differing experiences, "worldly" and "sacred," both causing delight, both taking a strong "hold on his heart," he came to recognize, little by little, whether these things that moved him were from the "bad spirit" or from "God." So absorbed was he in his thinking, that it took a special moment of grace, where "his eyes were opened a little" and he was able to see and marvel at the difference, where the one experience would leave him "sad" and the other "happy." From his "awareness," he was able to come to an "understanding" of what was happening. From this, he was able learn to "take action," accepting the "sacred" as from God and the "worldly" as from "the enemy." Saint Ignatius was later able to describe the actions of the "bad spirit" as ones that "bite, sadden, and place obstacles, disquieting with false reasons, so that the person may not go forward." On the contrary, he was able to see the movement of God as giving "courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations and quiet, easing and taking away all obstacles, so that the person may go forward in doing good."

Father Gallagher gives these seminars, and no doubt wrote this book, as "a help" from the teachings of Saint Ignatius, "for everyday living." He said this "applied to persons of every walk of life and vocation." Accordingly, he used examples from the experiences of everyday people.

Growing in the "Spiritual Life" can be exhilarating. It can also have its difficulties. If we sincerely attempt to advance spiritually, i.e., to seek union with God, Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., in his book "Spiritual Passages," insists that spiritual direction (of some kind) is necessary if we are to avoid dangers present in living and advancing in the spiritual life. For instance, he tells us that as we grow in the spiritual life, "we expose more and more of our real being with ... its power and potential for good or ill." Because personal honesty and consistency is necessary on our part, the infused virtues (faith, hope, and charity), and their growth, become extremely important and necessary for our own "inner balance" as we look into our own soul and the hidden unconscious, which may contain very disturbing elements. Using a quote from Archbishop Fénelon, he gives us a look at how our dark side can appear while advancing spiritually:

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As light increases, we see ourselves to be worse than we thought. We are amazed at our former blindness as we see issuing forth from the depths of our heart a whole swarm of shameful feelings, like filthy reptiles crawling from a hidden cave. We never could have believed that we harbored such things, and we stand aghast as we watch them gradually appear. But we must be neither amazed nor disheartened. We are not worse than we were; on the contrary, we are better. But while our faults diminish, the light by which we see them waxes brighter, and we are filled with horror. Bear in mind, for your own comfort, that we only perceive our malady when the cure begins. So long as there is no sign of cure, we are unconscious of the depth of our disease; we are in a state of blind presumption and hardness; the prey of self-delusion. While we go with the stream, we are unconscious of its rapid course; but when we begin to stem it ever so little, it makes itself felt.

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We, therefore, need "helps." We need the wisdom of experience--of a mentor--to help us through some of what can be very the confusing aspects of growth. Father Benedict insists that, "when the dark recesses of our spirit become manifest, we especially need at least a friend to share our fears, and assure us that ours is not an uncommon experience." Although a personal Spiritual Director might be the answer here, not everyone has the good fortune of finding and having access to one. There are other ways, however, that this wisdom can be sought, found, and put to use.

I believe that Father Gallagher has done a great service to the Church and to those who are striving to practice the Spiritual Life. In this book we come to know the mind of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and how he learned that he could put his own inward experiences to the test to see if they were coming from God or not--to resolve his own perplexities. He taught this to his contemporary followers. He can teach us too. He can be that friend that will assure us that ours is not an uncommon experience. He can speak to us and teach us through this book which Father Gallagher so masterfully put together for us.

Bottom line: if we can discern God's action in our lives, we can learn to do God's will!

Best help for spiritual dryness & despair
I sometimes feel God is far away.This book explains that feelings are not "reality" and what to do during times of despair.

Awesome
Awesomely effective.I really appreciate Fr. Gallagher's writing style; simple, yet effective at conveying deep truth and insight.This is the third of his books I've read and have another one on order.This book was so meaningful for me that I purchased a copy for my pastor.I didn't want to loan mine out since, as one reviewer mentioned, it can become a manual.FYI, the truths conveyed in this book transcend denominationalism, i.e., all faiths will benefit. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (16)

Worthwhile with reservation
I teach reading and writing from 6th to 12th grade.I found this book to be a good reference for teacing reading and writing and particularly the teaching of layers of meaning and understanding.However, after reading it for the fourth or fifth time I asked myself how much fluff, or unnecessary material, could I take out and still retain the things that really mattered. I was able to tear out about 1/6th of the book that was really unnecessary.This rendered a good book much better.Nevertheless I highly suggest reading this book.

Deeper Reading
This resource is fabulous.I am using this resource to rewrite the anthology portion of a core reading program.The district is utilizing this framework of multiple read/work to deepen student understanding.Our goal is to use this resource to guide us in adding the critical thinking components necessary to develop critical readers.

Great
The book that I ordered arrived right on time, and was in excellent condition. I would recommend this vendor.

Good Book
On time, in great condition, for great price. What more can a girl ask for?

PERFECT!
I teach 8th grade reading. The book is awesome! "Deeper Reading" will be a book that I will use religiously.There are applicable lessons for target students as well as pre-ap. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (14)

Teaching Adolescent Writers
Thank you once again, Kelly Gallagher, for your creativity and enthusiasm!Filled with practical, easy-to-implement classroom activities that motivate adolescents, this book offers activities and strategies I plan to use in my classroom or adapt for my middle school students.

Like the Best College Class You Ever Had
Kelly Gallagher's latest work reminds me of sitting in the best pedagogy class I ever had in college.As I turned each page I was greeted with yet another "A-ha!" moment.His tips for creating authentic writing exercises and "Friday Night Lights" presentations for teenage students were inspired; his ideas for adjusting the way teachers grade and assess could actually improve the way our students write and the quality of our lives.I think this work should be required reading for English teachers across the country.I can't wait to apply many of his ideas to my class.I love when a book has so many ideas that WORK.

Brilliant
Kelly Gallagher's "Teaching Adolescent Writers" is chock full of ideas that can be directly applied to writing classes. Best of all, Gallagher is sensitive to the needs of student writers and clearly describes how to best nuture their writing skills. Gallagher's methods are truly child-centered, showing teachers how to teach the writing process rather than simply assigning writing to students without proper support. If the techniques in this book were applied in every English classroom, we wouldn't be a nation of such poor writers.

Such a great find!
I purchased this book for a class assignment. I'm so glad I did! I've gotten so many great ideas about teaching writing to adolescent students. It's full of templates, suggestions, ideas and processes to make writing in the classroom more engaging and fun for teachers and students alike.

An English Teacher's Goldmine
Another gem of a book for English teachers by Kelly Gallagher. He is my literacy "guru". I've attended excellent workshops by Kelly, and subsequently purchased and devoured his books: Reading Reasons, Deeper Reading, Readicide, and now this writing book. All the teachers in my department read it this summer, and we are eager to implement many of the strategies and ideas in our writing instruction. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (30)

A must read for any teacher.
Elementary students cannot wait to get a book from the reading center and start reading.Once middle and high school hit, it ends up being the opposite.Students end up hating reading.Why?I recently obtained my Language Arts Teaching License (grades 5-12).Like Gallagher, one of my goals is to effectuate a change of lifelong reading for the students I teach.I want students to take the passion they have for reading in elementary school and continue with it as long as they live.

In Readicide, Gallagher emphasized that teachers should not chop up a book piece by piece.It takes the overall joy out of reading.Teachers should never give students too much leeway.It takes away from the guidance students need.When I student taught, my class read The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer.I was so proud of myself.I felt students excelled in their double entry journals, they passed their tests with flying colors, and more than majority of the class finished their worksheets for the section we were reading.After reading Gallagher's book, I realized that when I was "teaching" I took the joy out of reading to meet the quota of our nation's schools.In layman terms:I was creating readicide.

Another goal that I have, similar to Gallagher's, is I want students to become "Expert Citizens."Reading is one of the key tools for making this happen.When I left high school and dived deep into my college career, my love for reading began.I grew up in a poor urbanized school system and our teacher's expectations were not complimentary to our learning.I do not want students to wait until college to enjoy reading.I want it to start now!!!

Gallagher mentions that it is not realistic to envision students having 100% reading proficiency by 2014.Without failure there is not success, and without losers there are no winners.If we do not set our expectations high, are we settling for a happy medium? What is a good percentage to aim towards?To develop students into becoming "Expert Citizens" through reading, the bar needs to remain high.

I was shocked and thrilled when Gallagher mentioned that we should not look away from T.V., media, and the internet; we should use it to our advantage.Usually pedagogy tell us that T.V. and media steers away from the elation of reading.Though not all students enjoy reading YET,we cannot expect only 70% of our students to be reading proficient.We cannot expect only 70% of our students to enjoy reading.Through hard work, and exploring the value of reading with students, eventually kicking NCLB to the curb 100% can happen.100% can enjoy reading.It will not be in 2014.It might not happen in 20 years, but if we genuinely and authentically aim high, than the outcome will be one that the United States Public School System will not regret.

Amazing
Kelly Gallagher is a great author who puts NCLB into a new perspective.He also discusses the systematic way in which schools are killing reading by the very teaching practices that they use.Gallagher has many suggestions that are helpful for teachers and administrators.I highly recommend this book.

The Proverbial Choir
I teach at an alternative high school, and my students are the victims of readicide. Reading silently (think Great Expectations), worksheets, chapter question, and pages and pages of vocabulary have turned my students into aliterates.

I loved the book, but then again, I'm the proverbial choir. This would make for a great book study. It would be a great way to validate the teachers who are doing a great job and provide a way for other teachers to rethink their pedagogy.

Readicide: Opening our Eyes to a National Epidemic
Comparing it with other epidemic-related words such as "supersize" and "gastric bypass", author Kelly Gallagher powerfully introduces readers to a less discussed epidemic that sweeps our country, "readicide", the "systematic killing of the love of reading". As a future school teacher, I was quickly intrigued by Gallagher's brutally honest account of how our school's are playing a direct and strong role in fostering readicide.

Prior to reading this book, I had never really recognized the effect schools are playing in heightening this epidemic. I was quick to blame poor reading skills and students' disinterest in reading on poor parenting skills. Gallagher proved me wrong and quickly reminded me of schools' guilty role. Gallagher criticizes the far too many schools and educators that are creating students who memorize, not students who engage in meaningful learning. Schools are cutting out periods of time for SSR and replacing them with extra blocks of test preparation. Pressures from state standards and acts such as No Child Left Behind encourage a haunting "mile wide and inch deep" philosophy.

In fact, just the other day while observing a 30-year teaching veteran, I witnessed readicide presence at a local school. A student being being kept in from recess for misbehaving was refused the right to read a book he had checked out from the public library. Instead, he was forced to put his head down and simply "think" about what he had done. It was at that very moment that my heart sank and I quickly admitted to myself that Gallagher's idea of readicide is truly a national epidemic taking place in the very schools I hope to one day work in as a full-time teacher. Just as Gallagher points out, schools across the country, whether as a form of discipline (such as the example in my case) or the unending focus placed on creating good "test-takers", are limiting students' authentic reading experiences and replacing sentiments of love towards reading with sentiments of resentment, boredom, and anxiety.

Thankfully, one thing Gallagher does incredibly well in this book is that he choose to address more than the epidemic itself and also focuses on what we as teachers (and future teachers!) can do to alter or even stop readicide in its tracks. Whether encouraging teachers to reintegrate SSR into their daily routine, have students read articles from their local newspaper, or assign fun summer readings, Gallagher provides teachers from every grade level and background with endless opportunities to reflect on how authentic reading can be encouraged, a love of reading can be nurtured, and most importantly, readicide can be eliminated.

WOW!!! An Eye Opener
From the very minute I opened "Readicide," I was totally hooked. This book gives words to everything I have been feeling about the way teaching reading, and teaching in general isgoing in this country. The "mile wide and inch deep" problem is all too evident in many schools i have been in, where raising test scores in order to keep much needed funding has moved up to the number 1 position for schools, leaving the aspect of making life-long learners in a distant second. When she speaks of the "Paige Paradox," it makes me wonder "WHY??" Why was this person allowed to do so much damage to our fragile education system, and why is nothing being done, on a large level to combat it? I know she offers advice in here on how to make sure reading becomes important-finding the "sweet spot" is such a great idea, and the 3 ingredients that make a better seem to me to be a bit of a no-brainer! I love to read, and I feel this is because I was given so many opportunities to read, and learn to love it, when I was an elementary/middle school student. Our teachers read novels to us, and allowed us a little corner to curl up and read in. Of course, this was during a time when we had music and art instruction multiple times a week! I can only hope to learn from this book, as a future educator, and not get too bogged down under the ever increasing pressure from above to get rid of reading for pleasure in favor of reading for test instruction. On page 13, she quotes Sternberg as saying "Instead of pounding factoids into our students' heads,...we should be emphasizing those skills that would make our students 'expert citizens': 'creativity, common sense, wisdom, ethics, dedication, honesty, teamwork, hard work, knowing how to win and how to lose, a sense of fair play, and life long learning." ... Read more

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When Cammie “The Chameleon” Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she’s in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she’s there to watch Macey’s father accept the nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world’s best school (for spies), “exciting” and “deadly” are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnappers’ plot, with only their espionage skills to save them.

As her junior year begins, Cammie can’t shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn’t feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion’s corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions, Who is after Macey? And how can the Gallagher Girls keep her safe?

Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey’s private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth….
... Read more

Customer Reviews (43)

Ally Carter has done is again.
WOW! What can I say? Ally Carter once again writes a fascinating story continuing the Gallagher Girls story! I found myself reading straight through, unable to put it down! With each book, the series just gets better and better!

Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover is very well written, and in this book you see the girls and others grow more and more. Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover is action packed, and leaves you questioning the true intent of characters.

This is DEFINATELY a must read that leaves readers impatiently waiting for Book 4!

Love those crazy Gallagher girls
The Gallagher Girls are once again up to their necks in trouble.Fun, suspense, and a little bit of mischief. Great stories for the tweens and early teens.

I want to be a Gallagher Girl!
Summary: The third book in the Gallagher Girls series finds Cammie Morgan involved in a presidential campaign when her schoolmate Macey's father is running for vice president. When Cammie and Macey escape a kidnapping attempt, Cammie and the rest of the Gallagher Girls must protect Macey from those wishing to attack her. Old secrets are revealed, and the Cammie realizes Macey was not the intended target of the kidnapping...she was.

My thoughts: I bought book four in this series, and I decided to reread book three before starting book four. I LOVE this series. The book's plot moves along swiftly with several twists, turns, and surprises. Ally Carter plans her novels out carefully, and the end product reflects that thought as characters are fully developed, the plot twists aren't contrived or expected, and the events are realistic (as realistic as having teens perform spy missions can be). There's also a little bit of age-appropriate romance involved. (I can't wait to see what happens next with Zach!)

As I've said about every Ally Carter book, I respect how she treats the young adult character. The girls are strong and intelligent. I'm tired of books that show teen girls as superficial and concerned only with materials things. Although the Gallagher Girls are fictional, they are good role models for young girls who have big dreams--work hard and work together.
I recommend this series to all teens and preteens. I let my sister borrow the series, and she's hooked too. So, it's a great series for a mom and daughter to read together.
[...]

It just keeps getting better
Cammie couldn't be more excited to visit her roommate Macey McHenry in Boston to watch the official nomination of the presidential and vice presidential candidates. But Cammie's end of summer turns out to be a little too exciting when Macey is nearly kidnapped. As the new school year at Gallagher Academy starts up, Cammie can't forget what happened in Boston. She's just not the same anymore, not after an attack like that. She can't shake the feeling of how close the girls were to losing to their assailants. But Cammie is not one to go down without a fight, and when the threat against Macey becomes realer than ever, she knows she must take matters into her own hands. With the help of her best friends Bex and Liz, Cammie sets out to learn the truth of why Macey is being pursued--but the truth may be more twisted and personal that Cammie is prepared for.

I just loved Carter's I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy. Those spy stories are full of flirty fun and awesome spy tricks, but while those may be better classified as "guilty pleasures" or "romances," there is no doubt that Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover is a thriller. Carter takes her spy stories to the next level in this novel by embroiling the Gallagher girls in a mysterious plot. There isn't as much flirting and romance in here as there is espionage, sneaking around, secrets, and danger. I have to say I really like this change. The boy escapades were fun, but adding in danger that's closer to home for the Gallagher girls greatly helped develop particularly Cammie's character. I immensely enjoyed this super spy novel and look forward to the continuation of the Gallagher girls' spy adventures.

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover will be enjoyed by fans of its two prequels, I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy as well as by those who liked Model Spy by Shannon Greenland and the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz.

Get her!!!
Let's face it, the moment Macey stepped out of that shiny black limousine when we first met her in I'd tell you I love you but I have to kill you. We were all expecting that her political background will be a good plot to write a kidnapping story. When's a better time to do it? Election day of course. And that's is how it all started.

Cammie accepted Macey's invitation to go to her while she is attending the campaign for her Senator father. A detour via elevator to the roof top had them faced to face with kidnappers riding on a helicopter. But since they are no ordinary silly teenagers they got away via trash chute but not unscathed. Besides scratch and bruises Macey and Cammie were somewhat traumatized but when you are a spy in training this nightmares cannot hinder what is in front of you. A group of people is out there wanting to hurt them and they must find out who they are. Armed with their wits, girl power, disguise and other knowledge from their Covert Operations classes Cammie, Macey, Bex and Liz with the help of the mysterious Zac head on to the mystery that lead us to some shocking twist and a revelation that will completely change the course of this series. ... Read more

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After staking out, obtaining, and then being forced to give upher first boyfriend, Josh, all Cammie Morgan wants is a peaceful semester.But that's easier said than done when you're a CIA legacy and go to thepremier school in the world...for spies.Cammie may have a genius IQ , but there are still a lot of things shedoesn't know.Like, will her ex-boyfriend even remember she exists?Andhow much trouble is she really in after what happened last semester?Andmost of all, why is her mother acting so strangely?Despite Cammie's best intentions to be a normal student, danger seems tofollow her.She and her best friends learn that their school is going toplay host to some mysterious guests--code name: "Blackthorne.Then she'sblamed for a security breach that leaves the school's top-secret status atrisk. Soon Cammie and her friends are crawling through walls and surveilling theschool to learn the truth about Blackthorne and clear Cammie's name.Eventhough they have confidence in their spy skills, this time the targets aretougher (and hotter), and the stakes for Cammie's heart--and her belovedschool--are higher than ever. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

book 2
This is more I like it! The questions that I kept on asking while I was reading the first book. Is there an exclusive espionage school for boys, an equivalent of the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women? I do not know why it was so exciting, maybe because Cammie and her friends became smarter or because this was less predictable. Last semester Cammie broke a million rules, spy code and school code then her forbidden boyfriend found out about her true identity and the school's real mission statement. Not everything went well of course when Josh left the premise he also left the secret embedded in its walls. But I was totally expecting a new boy, a new distraction, a young spy at that and I was not disappointed.


Here we meet Zach, one of the boy from Blackthorne Institute. He got the creepy way of sneaking up to Cammie unnoticed. He seems to be where ever Cammie goes and he pose as a threat and a protector at the same time. It is so frustrating that I do not know anything about him, Cammie and her friends tried but Zach and the rest of his school is so covert, no clue was given. It is getting exciting. The characters are getting stronger and more distinguished, even Tina Walter's ridiculous gossip theory is growing on me. I am still not a fan of the covers but I am glad that the series is picking up, the cuteness is still there but I want more action. Will I be getting that on the next book?

Great Series
I had so much fun reading the first Gallagher Girl book that I was very excited to read the second.

Now that we know more about Cammie and her school for spies, we get to add an element - boys in the school. There is apparently a boys school very similar to the school Cammie is currently in, and they will be staying with the girls for a short period of time. This opens up a whole new set of obstacles - I really loved reading about how the girls spent more time getting ready and brushing their hair before going to class because the boys would be there because it is so true, and a detail that could have easily been left out.

While the last book had a big action scene at the end, I felt this one had even more to keep me reading. There were many questions asked and answered throughout, and many different missions for the girls to be tested on (and those missions are my favorite part)!

A fast paced, girl power adventure, Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy was a great second book in the Gallagher Girl series!


Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 3/5
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Writing: 8/10
Ending: 8/10

Overall: 39/50

one of my favorites!
The book I am am going to do a book review on Is Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy . First I am goingto talk about what the problem is. The main problem is that theirs a girl name Cammie she and her friends know that they are going to meet a mysterious person which it is Blackthorn. So later on they know the truth about who Blackthorn is and all what Cammie wants is a peaceful semester and to be a normal student. She wants to have a peaceful year because she broke up with her boyfriend. Next, I am going to tell my opinions about this book. There are two opinions why I like this book. The first opinion is that I like this book because it isa very nice book. It has girls that are spies and that do cool stuff. My second opinion isthat the people in this book know what they are doing and they do it kinda great. Next I am going to talk about who should read this book. I think everyone should read this book If you like to read books that are realistic fiction and girls that go to a school for spies which is only for girls. Now I am going to tell who are the characters. The main characters in this book are Cammie, Rachel, Zach, and Liz. Last thing I am going to talk about is it's rating and why I gave It a rating. The rating I give this book is a 9 because it is a very good book and I like to read books that have mystery things like clues and people that are spies. So if you like readingbooks that are realistic fiction and that have spies I recommend you to read the first book of the series and then If you like the first book then read the second one. This book that I finish reading is the second book in the series. I would read this book.

Dumbest book ever
When i got this book at a store i thought it would be good because of the title turn out i was wrong from the 1st page to page 35 i was not hooked i got so bored i would like to sit in math class all day instead of reading this book and i hate math so if i were you i wouldn't buy this book you would haye more fun watching a snail move.:-(

HILARIOUS& just plain AWESOME!!!!!
reviewer: donizza


this book is a total chick flick. a lot of teen language(if u know what i mean) and hilarious events. some romance but not over the top. cam bex and liz are the ultimate spy kids!
i wish i can do the stuff they teach at that academy. oh, and SPOILER ALERT: dont mr.solomon and cam's mom make a cute couple? eeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkk!!!!

... Read more

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Customer Reviews (10)

great ideas
Kelly Gallagher knows what he's talking about!This book is my second by this teacher/author, and I am ready to apply the ideas immediately.Gallagher's philosophy of teaching reading skills to secondary students without losing their interest is right on.I think every secondary language arts or English teacher should have this resource.

A MUST HAVE
A co-worker recommended this book to me, and it should be a REQUIRED resource for any ELA (English Language Arts) teacher--excellent mini-lessons as well as insightful ideas about the importance of reading. This book will guide my reading lessons for the rest of the year.

A Great Resource
I have used this book with special education students and found it to be an outstanding resource. Before I ordered it, I was afraid this might be too advanced, but it's a practical resource to use with students of various abilities (I also work with nondisabled students). This is not a reading program, but is a great adjunct resource. I'm not sure that I was able to get my students to embrace the nine reasons for reading, but I did give them several solid strategies for the kinds of reading they will need to know.This book would be useful for struggling readers preparing for state NCLB tests.Teaching Adolescent Writers, Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It

Doesn't live up to the hype
I am an English Literature Educator and I decided to concentrate on some new reading strategies for this upcoming school year.After reading the wonderful reviews, I felt like I could do no wrong in purchasing this book.Guess what?I was wrong.These mini-lessons are not practical and are not really geared to help reading comprehension in the least.I admire the author's knowledge of reading as a study, but now have a book that will sit on my shelf for the rest of my career.I wish I could see what others found to be so special about it.Perhaps I am just too much of a realist and I know that this is not something that will work in my class.If I find it boring-- I can't imagine what my middle grade students will think.Really-- don't get it.If you must, first go check it out in person and take a look through it before you waste your precious money.

Reading Reasons
Very interesting read.I can't wait to see how my class responds to the mini lessons. ... Read more

Product Description

Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school—that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class.  The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it’s really a school for spies. 

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Customer Reviews (3)

Now we can stay on the path!
This book has really helped me understand what God is asking of me,.You get far enough along in the spiritual life, you want to do Gods will, but you come up against the problem, of not knowing what it is.Then along comes Fr. Gallagher, to decipher the understanding given to Ignatious of Loyola over 500 years ago, and all of a sudden we have a clarity, a path, a set of rules, that allow us to find our way, to stay in Gods will.

Very Much Needed
Fr. Gallagher fills a great need with this book and his other books on Ignatian discernment. He fills his books with concrete examples that bring Ignatian wisdom to life. Especially striking in this particular book is how even consolation must be subject to discernment to prevent being led down the wrong track by the enemy. You will find subtle but practical wisdom for our complex lives and challenges.

Ignatian Spirituality
This book fills a much needed niche in the important aspect of Ignatian Spirituality, namely, Discernment of Spirits.
It speaks to Ignatius's search for "the more".
How do we discern between two apparent "Good Options"?
In which is God calling us to the More, to the Greater , for the sake of God and for a considered life.
The journey throws up choices.
Which choice is the Better?
With this little book as a guide, we may find the answer. ... Read more

Product Description
Updated July 2010!

From the author of the best-selling blog “Free Kindle Books Plus a Few Other Tips” comes this update to your guide to millions of free books online! Rather than limit yourself to the offerings at Amazon, there are literally thousands upon thousands of books, short stories, and more available to you for no charge which you can transfer directly to your Kindle or other eBook reader, download via the Kindle’s WhisperNet service or, for a small fee, email directly to your Kindle.

Everyone enjoys receiving free stuff – the author included. This guide shows you where you can receive several hundred thousand (actually over a million) free books, blogs, short stories, and other content. Theoretically, you will never have to pay another cent for Kindle reading content again. It would cost thousands of dollars to replace most people’s physical books with the same books in electronic format – this guide will show you where to look and find thousands of books so you can read to your heart’s content.

This guide also provides a brief overview of how to transfer books to your Kindle, the various file formats that are compatible with the Kindle, and how to download free books from the Internet and transfer to your Kindle.

The book has the following topics covered in detail for you to enjoy your Kindle experience:

1. Guide Layout
2. Transferring Books to Your Kindle
3. Types of File Extensions
4. How to Download Books to Your Computer
5. Sources for Free Kindle Books
6. My Blogs

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Customer Reviews (13)

A book you gotta have!
If you own a Kindle, you have to own this book - and it's free.

Wow
This was one of the first Kindle books I got, and wow are there alot of things out there for free.It also has clear and easy directions even I could understand on how to download things to my computer and then get it over to my Kindle.Now I just need more time to read everything I got now.

why charge¿
why would u charge almost three dollars when u are trying to help find FREE books¿!

Not worth $1.99
Granted there are many good resources listed in the book, but nothing you couldn't find via Google.Also some of the sites listed had already changed their URL's.OK.This is not the author's fault, but it does reinforce the fact that Google is better than this book.If you hate using a search engine, then this is the book for you, otherwise just search for free ebooks yourself.

Great Book
This is one of the first books that I downloaded.I have not completely read the whole thing, or searched all the web sites it recommends for free books.There are alot to review yet.I was impressed with all the hints and information for the Kindle, particularly the fact that the power cord turns into the USB cord when you take the end that plugs into the wall off!!I knew I was supposed to get a USB cord with it but thought "oh well, didn't get it".I would never have known that if it wern't for this book.Thank you for that, and all the other great info.Great price too. ... Read more

Product Description
A revolutionary look at how what we pay attention to determines how we experience life

Acclaimed behavioral science writer Winifred Gallagher's Rapt makes the radical argument that much of the quality of your life depends not on fame or fortune, beauty or brains, fate or coincidence, but on what you choose to pay attention to. Rapt introduces a diverse cast of characters, from researchers to artists to ranchers, to illustrate the art of living the interested life. As their stories show, by focusing on the most positive and productive elements of any situation, you can shape your inner experience and expand your world. By learning to focus, you can improve your concentration, broaden your inner horizons, and most important, feel what it means to be fully alive.

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Exclusive: Winifred Gallagher on Rapt

A wise research psychiatrist once told me that he had identified life's greatest problem: How to balance self and others, or your need for independence with your need for relationship? Since writing Rapt, I've come to believe that we now face a fundamental psychological challenge of a different sort: How to balance your need to know—for the first time in history, fed by a bottomless spring of electronic information, from e-mail to Wikipedia--with your need to be? To think your thoughts, enjoy your companions, and do your work (to say nothing of staring into a fire or gazing dreamily at the sky) without interruption from beeps, vibrations, and flashing lights? Or perhaps worse, from the nagging sense that when you're off the grid, you're somehow missing out?

Science's new understanding of attention can help shape your answers to this question, which pops up all day long in various forms. When you sit at your computer, will you focus on writing that report or aimless web browsing? At the meeting, will you attend to the speaker or to your BlackBerry? Research suggests that your choices are more consequential than you may suspect. When you zero in on a sight or sound, thought or feeling, your brain spotlights and depicts that "target," which then becomes part of the subjective mental construct that you nonetheless confidently call "reality" or "the world." In contrast, things that you ignore don't, at least with anything like the same clarity. As William James succinctly puts it, "My experience is what I agree to attend to."

The realization that your life—indeed, yourself--largely consists of the physical objects and mental subjects that you've focused on, from e-bay bargains to world peace, becomes even more sobering when you consider that, as the expression "pay attention" suggests, like your money, your concentration is a finite resource. How can you get the highest experiential return for this cognitive capital?By focusing on some screen or on playing your guitar? On IM-ing your old friend or joining her for a walk?

Considering the Internet's countless temptations and distractions, deciding how best to invest your time and attention when you're online is particularly challenging. Left to its own devices, your involuntary, "bottom-up" attention system asks, "What's the most obvious, compelling thing to zero in on here? That e-mail prompt? This colorful ad?"Fortunately, evolution has also equipped you with a voluntary, "top-down" attention system that poses a different question: "What do you want to focus on right now? Ordering that new novel, then checking the weather report, then getting back to work, right?" Sometimes, it's fun to just wander around online, allowing your mind to be captured by random, bottom-up distractions. In general, however, it's far more productive to focus on top-down targets you've selected to create the kind of experience you want to invite.

Along with making clear choices about what things merit your precious attention online, there are some other simple ways to protect the quality of your daily life from technological interference. Remember that your electronics are your servants, not your masters, and don't let them choose your focus for you. Abandon vain attempts to "multitask," because when you try to attend to two things at once—phoning while checking e-mail—you're simply switching rapidly between them, which takes longer and generates more errors. When you need to concentrate on an important activity, try to work for 90 minutes without interruptions, because rebooting your brain can take up to 20 minutes.

Most important, as you go about the day, bear in mind that by taking charge of your attention, you improve your experience, increase your concentration, and lift your spirits.Best of all, enjoying the rapt state of being completely absorbed, whether by a website or a sunset, a project or a person, simply makes life worth living. We cannot always be happy, but we can almost always be focused, which is as close as we can get.

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Customer Reviews (32)

nothing more than a bloated Washington Post essay
I've come across books before where, after finishing, I wish I had finished only the first chapter.But this is probably the first book where after finishing I wished I had only read the introduction (14 pp.).

The rest of the book, I feel, didn't add much to that.

Mind you, it's a great introduction:an inspiring argument that the focused life, in virtually any area, is the only life worth living.But the author blew her wad too soon:the book's remaining 14 chapters were pretty much redundant examples and reworded observations.

Excellent when balanced by some other point of view
I heard about RAPT in a commencement speech at my niece's graduation from a high school for high achievers.The speaker, a super achiever himself, referred to some of the ideas in his speech and recommended the book.I was impressed and decided to purchase and read the book, hoping to help myself by applying some of these ideas.

RAPT is definitely worth reading and gives many of us new tools for making decisions and clearing out the clutter in our lives that keep us from focusing on what is truly important to us. RAPT has already helped me to do things that are more meaningful to me.But overall, especially toward the end of the book, I began to realize that there is a "bootstrapping" mentality that might seem lacking in compassion and doesn't consider that making these changes is very difficult, if not impossible, for some people. There are people in this world, who are in situations where life has become a downward spiral that is impossible to reverse, without a great deal of help, understanding, and compassion from others.Life for some is in free fall without a parachute, having only one possible ending no matter how they try to WILL it.

I think this book sees things from a perspective that needs to be balanced with another point of view.I highly recommend reading books, such as BRIGHT SIDED or NICKEL AND DIMED, by Barbara Ehrenreich, (another breast cancer survivor), which present ideas that create some balance and perspective when read together with this book.

rapt
I read this book twice so far and I think the message is critically important for todays world. Our lives are largely what we pay attention to, and that attention is constantly drawn by outside influences. This bookhelped me to see that and to be able to focus on what's important to me - not just outside distractions.

very important book on how to be happy
I'll just say that the book exceeded the IdeaMatt "wow" test. Plenty of insights and things you can try to improve your life. Great stuff. I just wish I could contact Winifred Gallagher.

Rapt - Engaging but Repetitive
You there - pay attention! Good. Now keep paying attention.

Ah yes, there's the rub. Maintaining focus is a ubiquitous concern; one that seems to have an ever- increasing level of difficulty as more electronics, responsibilities and problems come into our everyday lives. As Winifred Gallagher, author of Just The Way You Are and Working on God, steadfastly proves in her newest book Rapt, being able to maintain focus depends on numerous factors such as subject and culture. The author does an excellent job of introducing several established but most likely unfamiliar theories and practices from a wide spectrum of sources - ranging from esteemed psychologists to Buddhist monks to ranchers. True to its subject matter Rapt keeps the reader's attention, though wavers slightly in repetitive bird references and definitions. Nevertheless each chapter of the book addresses a different approach to the study of attention - making it a beneficial and thought-provoking read.
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (11)

A "sharpening" tool of the discernment process.
An underlying methodology, or series of practices, was presented to us by Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V. in his first book, "The Discernment of Spirits." We could call them the "tools of the trade," indispensable for discernment. We learned about the necessity of our own "awareness," "understanding," and "action." We were shown how to use and live Saint Ignatius' fourteen Rules for Discernment. This was all prefaced by the premise quoted by Father Gallagher from the work of Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J., in "Abandonment to Divine Providence," II, 1. Here he told us "All creatures live in the hands of God.... There is never a moment when God does not come forward in the guise of some suffering or some duty, and all that takes place within us, around us and through us both includes and hides his activity. Yet, because it is invisible, we are always taken by surprise and do not recognize his operation until it has passed by us. If we could lift the veil and if we watched with vigilant attention, God would endlessly reveal himself to us and we should see and rejoice in his active presence in all that befalls us. At every event we should exclaim: "It is the Lord!" (Jn 21:7). Nothing could happen to us without our accepting it as a gift from God."

To begin to "lift the veil," which can also be said to "dis"-cover, we need "awareness" and "understanding." Only then can we take appropriate "action." The fact that Father Gallagher uses this book to present us with simply "one" of the "practices" in the discernment process, underlines its importance. It's called "The Examen Prayer," or simply an Examen. Saint Ignatius of Loyola (and many other saints after him) recommended that we become more "aware" with an "Examen." An examen is not an examination of conscience, but rather a general analysis or survey of our day and done at least once a day. We look over our day, its events, persons and circumstances and allow them to pop to the surface of our mind, permitting us to understand them. Our feelings can help indicate what God desires for us in our life. We notice our reactions during meetings, encounters with others, work, spending time with kids, doing volunteer work, praying--whatever! Do we feel joyful, drawn to God, full of faith and hope? Or, do we feel sad, depressed, a sense that God is far away? Our feelings are an indication of whether we are moving towards or away from God. Our feelings are the "tip of the iceberg," whereby we can search deeper. Once we notice whether our feelings (which might have led to actions) are moving us towards God or away from Him, we can identify real opportunities offered by the Lord to "dis"-cover Him or as ones in which we did not recognize Him. Over time, we begin to see patterns and reoccurrences of things that then help us to "dis"-cover our greatest weakness. We recognize this as God calling us to a deeper conversion. We then use these to make the necessary corrections. We can therefore make decisions about our life that bring us to feel drawn to fuller faith, greater hope, and joy-filled peace. We can see this accomplishing what Saint Ignatius taught, "easing and taking away all obstacles, so that the person (we) may go forward in doing good." The "Examen" sharpens our awareness and understanding to better succeed in this.

The biggest challenge I think we all face is incorporating or firmly integrating the Examen into daily lives. This book will go a long way to help us face that challenge.

Grow closer to God with this book!
One of the best books I've ever read on how to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.Fr. Gallagher shows the reader how to use the daily examen as a tool for growing in gratitude and sensitivity to how God is working in one's daily life, while avoiding the common traps of guilt and self-preoccupation.Very clear, with helpful examples in each step of real people who have benefited from Saint Ignatius' spirituality applied to today.
This is a book I would love to give to all my family and friends!

A Great Accompaniment To The Book
A perfect website to accompany this book is [..]

After reading this book, you understand the need that we have as Christians to interact with God and to give time to Him throughout the day.Examen.me is a perfect resource that can be used to "live out" the book.

Extraordinary
I cannot remember reading a more helpful book on prayer. Without mystification or hyperbole, Father Gallagher shows how powerful the five-step prayer of the Examen is. His prose possesses an uncluttered simplicity and the anecdotes he sprinkles throughout his discussion genuinely inspire.

It felt like reading a seminary research paper
We all long for intimacy. People get married and yet never get intimate. They may stick to each other physically and still, sadly they don't get intimate. This book is about having intimacy on the level of the divine. Fr Gallagher is taking us for a great start as he quotes from Maureen Conroy's book "The discerning heart" a statement that is absolutely indispensable for intimacy to occur with God, same with people. "Growth in relationship with God occurs through mutual self-revelation". Yes, mutual self-revelation and no less! How often wives marry men and the man is like a closed book, a world to his own, etc.! No intimacy in a real sense. In order for this intimacy to occur there has to be mutual self-revelation. Can I tell who I am and not be afraid and still feel secure? This can happen with our Heavenly Father. He took the initiative of self-revelation when he is a hidden God and we can't know everything about him (Isa. 45: 12).

The further I went away from his quote of Maureen Conroy, the less I liked the book for the following reasons:
The author "judges" experiences of people in terms of objective and subjective when the whole thing in prayer is purely subjective and there is nothing wrong with that. But because he is the kind of author that gets called onto to give seminars on prayer, he ended up being "methodical", "systematic", etc. Symptoms that strike me as characteristic of American thinking where everything has steps and judged as "valid" or "invalid".Reading this book I felt he is using a yardstick for determining how to do it and do it right. We are talking about spiritual matters. I also disliked the book being writing as if it is a seminary student writing a research paper and he finally gets an A on the paper. Do we treat subjects of spirituality as research papers?!

That is why I am turning instead towards the writings of Maureen Conroy and we shall see. ... Read more

Product Description
At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry is a thorough andpenetrating examination of sexual addiction. It draws back the curtainand exposes the inner workings of sexual sin in the heart, which theauthor understands, having lived in the bondage of it himself for overtwelve years. He is not presenting theories or opinions, but thebiblical answers that have worked in his own life and in the lives ofhundreds of men he has personally discipled since 1986.

At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry does not contain the worn outexplanations, humanistic solutions, or superficial answers that havebeen prevelant during the last decade. Sexual addiction is a spiritualproblem that requires solutions with spiritual depth. What ispresented in this book is firmly rooted in Scripture and always pointsthe man to Jesus Christ as the ultimate answer to his problem. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

At The Alter Of Sexual Idolatry
This book has cleared things up for this guy. Any man who has trouble with
porn or women needs to read this book and do what God say. I highly advise
that pastors add this book to their resources. This book is outstanding for
what it shares for men or boy's to do in case their slaves to porn and it's
grip on men in our times

Key to your Sanctification - A Thorough Examination of Sexual Sin and How to Overcome It
This book deals with sexual sin of all types. It does an excellent job of presenting each type of sin in the same light. It plays no favorites. It doesn't set up any particular style of sexual sin as "The Really Bad One". This is crucial to understanding the truth about repentance and the Grace of God. When we can see our sin, as simply sin, the same thing Jesus died for, we find ourselves strangely empowered to repent and trust in the mercy of God.

It doesn't matter if you struggle with pornography, adultery, homosexuality, prostitution, or even pedophilia. The path of repentance always leads to the same place: the foot of the Cross. This book wonderfully portrays that.

This book has been key to my own transformation and I highly recommend it.

Unhealthy logic from a subpar writer
I acquired this book several years ago when I should have been living life.All it should take is a high school education to realize that this man is not talented, and the only reason for his success are the in-cult cronies from the Penetecostal church who would buy this garbage.I particularly enjoy the section where he assumes that all homosexuals are sex hungry fiends and nothing else.A blatant lack of statistics to back up his claims (which are upheld by hearsay and assumptions) should raise a red flag to anyone.If you believe the world is flat, buy this book.

Life Changing!
This is life changing material.I strongly recommend this to everyone.Some of us need it for ourselves and the rest of us need it so we can help others.

good for going in faith
This book is very well written. I gives a great insight into one of the largest fastest growing problems in our country today. I fell that every christian man should read it. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

This is a great book
Fr. Gallagher has written a beautiful and insightful guide to Christian decision-making, based on the principles of the Spiritual Exercies. This book is esp. helpful for college men and women who are trying to discern God's call in their lives. Any young adult who has major questions about his future will thank you for sharing this book.

Very helpful
Fr. Gallagher's book beautifully expresses the Ignatian concept of God being found in the midst of everyday life. He gives practical, simple steps for thinking through decisions in light of God's priorities rather than ours, and then applying what we know about our own gifts and inclinations. This is a perfect book to read if you're mulling a decision in your life or if you'd like to have a better framework for making them as you go forward.

A must-have for any spiritual library!
Easy to read and apply, this is an outstanding step-by-step guide for discerning God's will in your life.Loaded with helpful examples from Fr. Gallagher's many years of spiritual direction and from the best writers on the topic.Will be considered a classic in the field. One of the best books I've read! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Reimagining All Our Cities
Though the book focuses on Detroit, the challenges outlined here are readily applicable to other, post-industrial cities that are struggling to reimagine themselves in the 21st century.

Most think that Detroit is vacant/empty because of the loss of population over the past generation.Certainly that is part of it, but Gallagher points out that the size of Detroit was immense from the beginning.With enough land to encompass all of San Francisco, Boston and Manhattan, Detroit was spread out to begin with. This has now come back to be a serious challenge for the city.

Urban farming is an often noted solution to these empty spaces and Gallagher takes a serious look at the pros and cons of the popular idea.He accurately points out that urban farming alone is not a panacea for the city and at best, would be a part of any overall solution to the problem.He estimates that currently there are approximately 500+ acres of community gardens in the area or roughly one square mile of urban farms.Detroit has over 40 square miles of vacant land which makes you understand the challenge of what to do with all that space.

In order to make urban farming an economic possibility there needs to be a fundamental shift in the way we think about locally grown foods.Gallagher points out that only about 2% of Detroit's food could be considered locally grown.If that were boosted to 5-10% then the economics starts to become possible.

One missing conversation in the book is the possibility of medical marijuana farms. Michigan approved med marijuanain 2008 but large scale growth and distribution has yet to be implemented.Marijuana being a high value to acreage product might change some of the economics.

In other areas, Gallagher notes that Detroit has a large number of wide, multi-lane roads.With fewer cars on them, they seem overkill for the current and projected future population of the city.He suggests a "road diet" that would re-engineer some of these boulevards and make them narrower with more pedestrian and bike friendly features.He notes that adding environmental restraints such as roundabouts, trees, bike lanes, etc, actually has the counter-intuitive effect of making for safer streets.Turns out we pay more attention when the environment is more multiuse and dense.

One of his more pragmatic ideas is to allow some parts of the city to return to a more natural state, or so-called "wildlife corridors."Natural green spaces benefit the community and unlike parks, he notes that citizens don't expect you to keep up a natural area the way you would a public park!

One of the books highlights is the chapter called "The Best Idea Detroit's Never Tried" which discusses the success that the Flint Land Bank has had in acquiring and amalgamating vacant and blighted land in that city.The program has become a national model for land banking in part because of their innovative approach of bundling and selling off land to developers and then in turn using those proceeds to fix up blighted properties, essentially making them more valuable for future sale.Sadly Gallagher points out that for seemingly political reasons, the Detroit City Council has prevented this idea from being implemented in the city where it could have an immediate and perhaps profound impact on the area.

For those interested in cities, particularly in how to turn them around and re-imagine them, there is no better lab than Detroit and Gallagher captures the complexities and challenges of changing the course of a mammoth entity like the City of Detroit.And he does so in a refreshingly readable manner.

Also, here is an excellent interview with the author: [...] ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (70)

Poorly Written and Uninspired War Memoirs
As a former Marine and as someone who spent time in the Middle East post 9/11 I jump at the opportunity to read others accounts of their time and experiences in war. Unfortunately I simply could not engage with this book. I would pick it up read a bit and then put it back down for weeks at a time. Not my normal reading habit at all.

A major problem for me is how Lt. Gallagher refers to his men by made up names like SFC Big Country or Lt. Col. Moes. It's a peculiar style that only serves to disengage the reader from forming any type of emotional bond to the characters in the book. I understand the author couldn't use real names for legal reasons but how about simply using "Smith" or "Jones"? That would've been less distracting than reading about Big Country or Pvt. Schmucatelli.

I also had a problem with how Lt. Gallagher presented himself as somewhat of rogue pitted against the slow moving bureaucratic "Big Army" and unresponsive Cold War era officers. As anyone who has served in the military can attest that these feelings aren't at all unique to junior officers or enlisted personnel. Ultimately Gallagher is a frustrated junior officer fighting for the right to stay with his men and get through his time in "the suck"... how is this unique or different? It's not.

I'll admit that this book would make a better read to anyone wholly unfamiliar with the military. Gallagher does a good job avoiding military acronyms and jargon and keeps the writing very approachable.

leading a platoon in Iraq placing all in danger
The author, Matt Gallagher, became a member of the army through the ROTC program (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and had no interest in war.While Matt was living his life of freedom, the war raged in Iraq placing many of our military in danger.He really didn't give it a second thought.When the time came for Matt to go to Iraq, he had been partying in Hawaii trying to keep Iraq far from his mind and his life but the inevitable time came and he had to leave his life of fun with his friends, family, and his girlfriend.He was a Lieutenant and would be in charge of men that he had to take into war, something he never thought would exist in his life.The platoon he was given was named the "Gravediggers", a choice name for a war unit!

Matt got along well with his platoon of enlisted men of various ranks.He did not socialize since this was supposed to be taboo in the military between officers and enlisted men but they all worked together as one.Matt describes a brief history of the area along with the ties and struggles between the various factions of Iraq.Some of the platoon's activities required visiting the sheiks in their homes/palaces as well as sitting in meetings using the Iraqi interpreters.Much of the time the army platoons intermingled and worked with the Iraqi army, most of that time having to use interpreters.While on patrol they all had to be extremely cautious having eyes on every area near and distant as they moved or when they stopped for various reasons.

There were three grades of officers; company grade officers, field grade, and general officers, all of which had to be dealt with in different ways.One never knew if a superior officer was visiting or just being nosy, so caution was used all around.Officers gave the orders, and, even if they sounded out of whack, they had to take some action to obey those "superior" officers orders.Matt never liked most of the high brass.The platoon patrols traveled, as ordered, down the roads and other areas to keep peace with civilians, check reported explosives (some actual but usually false reports), give candy or other goodies to the children that were always asking for them, and in general try to keep things as calm as humanly possible.No one in the military knew from one minute to the next, whether in their safer compound or on patrol, when they would come under fire or run or walk over an explosive.One of the biggest problems our military had was lack of sleep.Their patrols began before they could get proper rest when action got too volatile.Of course the food left much to be desired.

Matt Gallagher had fifteen hard months to serve in Iraq, mostly in active zones.The army tried to talk him into upping his enlistment but Matt wanted no part of this, thus taking him off of advancement lists.But he still was upped to Captain during his patrol but Matt was not content unless he was active with his men no matter which platoon it may have been.Matt had written his own blog but the military made him take it down as he wrote things as they really were, not as the brass wanted people to think.That was the main reason Matt wrote this book after his army life was over and could tell things the real way he saw it in Iraq.When patrols are described you will feel as though you were on them wondering to yourself what would happen next.Very well told and written, containing some language we might not use in our daily life.

Iraq through a Soldier's Eyes
For Lieutenant Matt Gallagher's substantial Internet following, the blog "Kaboom" offered a window into the Iraq War through the eyes of a young Army officer during the shift to a counterinsurgency strategy. They followed him (in spirit) on fragos (out-of-the blue orders), got to know his eclectic Gravediggers, and related to his ironic, pop culture saturated musings until the blog was shut down over an unflattering post about the higher-ups. His memoir of the same title channels the blog in a mellower, less sleep deprived hindsight and chronicles the rest of Gallagher's time as a scout platoon leader with the cavalry Gravediggers and later as a captain and senior company commander with his new infantry unit, the Wolfhounds.

KABOOM gives a striking sense of how messy the counterinsurgency is. Gallagher's encounters with the Coalition's Iraqi partners run the gamut from men dedicated to bestowing a peaceful Iraq upon their children to former insurgents whose loyalties have been bought, but only on the surface. Fighting the insurgency means not only dodging IEDs but plodding through a frustrating tangle of sectarian, tribal, and familial squabbles over contracts and handouts.

Gallagher's experiences are alternately poignant, instructive, ironic, and darkly humorous. There's the Gravediggers' foray into Trash Village, a ghastly garbage dump where the destitute live in paint can houses. There's also a hair-raising encounter with a pair of IED emplacers that highlights the dilemma surrounding the stricter rules of engagement that have taken shape by this time. Another memorable passage involves the notorious terrorist Mohammed the Ghost, a teenager who "sniffle[s] like a bullied child" when finally caught. In this warped world where things often aren't what they seem, Gallagher's men find stinging betrayal in the form of "Dear John" letters and comic relief in a brush with the "Bon Jovi IED."

While the writing in Gallagher's memoir is more polished than the semi-stream of consciousness wordplay that prevails in his blog, it lacks something of the blog's gritty immediacy and literary flair. Gallagher's writing is elegant, but after reading his raw online dispatches, the intimate quality and unique voice seem somewhat missing by comparison.

In the book, Gallagher relates the following bit of graffiti scrawled inside a Port-o-John in Iraq: "America isn't at war. Soldiers are at war. America is at the mall." The statement has a painful ring of truth: There is a sense of disconnect between America's struggles abroad and the complacency at home, especially as both wars drag on. This memoir offers a chance to better understand the experiences and trials of the men and women who bravely serve their country. It is a highly worthwhile read.

A quick, compelling read
I read the book straight through as soon as it arrived. The writer's humor and humanity showed through on each page as we wade through the horrors of modern war, minute by minute on video and on blog. When I finished though, I wasn't quite sure what to write for a review. That I enjoyed the writing? That my personal view of the war was supported by the book? That it would probably support the other view to those who hold those views? That war is hell? All of these things are, I think, true, but still it's not a useful review of a book. Should I criticize the author for willfully refusing to explore the bigger pictures? Should I criticize the military for shutting down his blog? Should I recommend that people read the book to understand what a soldier's life in the field is like in our current wars? Am still not sure what a good, useful review would look like, but I thought I'd type these comments, think of it like a blog entry about the book, raising questions rather than answering them.

Irag War - The Inside Story
"If you want the inside soldier's view of the most recent Iraq War, read this first person account of Gallagher's 15 month deployment. When the Army shut down his blog from Iraq, there were Congressional inquiries." ... Read more

Product Description
The sacred meal that is part of our faith does more than connect us to the holy.  It connects us to each other.

"I think Jesus wanted his disciples and everyone who came after him to remember what they had together. What they made together. What it meant to be together. How the things he wanted them to do could not be done alone. How the things he did could not have been done without them."

In her inimitable style of memoir and personal reflection, Nora Gallagher explores the beauty and mystery of this most fascinating of topics.  Whether exploring the history of Christian Communion, taking us inside the workings of a soup kitchen or sharing times of joy and sadness with friends, the author reminds us what it means to partake of and be part of the body of Christ.

The Ancient Practices is an eight-book series with staggered releases through February 2010.  Though various books have covered some of these spiritual disciplines, there has never been an attempt at a definitive series until now.  Immensely compelling and readable, each classic book features a foreword by Phyllis Tickle, the general editor.

Customer Reviews (71)

A Unique Look at the Moden Ritual
I had hoped the book would have had a more historical look at how the practice of the remembrance of the Last Supper has changed and become ritualized over time, but it was more of an author's perspective on how the ritual has affected her.

That said, I have to say I both disliked and liked the book at various times. At times the authors recounting of ritualistic and man made traditions that surround the meal just about put me to sleep although they seemed to invigorate the author. Yet just as I was almost unable to read any further, she would switch to a more relational observation that she gathered from the whole process and I was challenged by her take on the matter to look closer at my own thoughts on the subject.

The author has a unique way of looking at things and intersperses it throughout. I enjoyed seeing what I would consider a dead and lifeless ritual through her eyes. It goes to show that life can happen almost anywhere and God should not be reduced to formulas.

Having enjoyed the authors input, I still longed for more historical insights on how the meal has changed over the years into what is commonly practiced today. That said, it is still an interesting read and if you are looking for a modern perspective on the current ritual of Communion I recommend it.

The Sacred Meal: The Ancient Practices Series
I love reading anything that has to do with history so I was really looking forward to reading The Sacred Meal however, although it is well written, it is entirely about communion and since I am not Catholic, it was very hard for me to get through it. She writes of the different experiences she has had in communion and she also offered some advice to her readers however I can not agree or disagree in respect to communion but I will say this... I was not bored in her writing style.

Taking the Sacred out of The Sacred Meal
Gallagher attempts to offer insight into the Eucharist in a strictly feeling-based, emotional assessment.Lacking Biblical foundation and understanding of the deep sorrow and intense joy that is experienced through the Eucharist, she shares only experiences of serving and taking communion.As I read, it felt like she was unwrapping a chocolate bar but never describing the ingredients or the actual taste.Jesus meant this act to signify our communion with him and solidarity in "taking up our cross" and offering ourselves as a sacrifice.It is meant to include us in a deep understanding of our depravity and his grace.There is no mention of a Biblical foundation for why we take communion and what it means for us as Christians that the body was broken and the blood poured out for you and me.This book is lacking any substance.Very poor choice of author for this series as it does a disservice to The Ancient Practices Series.I was very disillusioned by Gallagher.

In Need of More Scripture
The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher seems to be a book based more on feeling than fact.Tradition and ritual.I'm not saying there is anything wrong with tradition . . . nor am I saying that there is anything wrong with having strong feelings.And rituals practiced in order to remind us of our Savior, I am OK with.

But there was a significant lack of scripture to back up many of her assertions.I supposed one might even accuse me of the same thing in my writings . . . even this review.

There are quotes from Gallagher's book that I value, such as:

* Think of a spiritual practice as Pilates for the spirit.
* Jesus practiced a radical faith: everyone was welcome at his table.

But quotes that didn't necessarily seem biblically based that caused me some concern:

* Holy Communion is a web, a web of people who were being stitched together.And tomorrow, we would need to be stitched together again.Over and over.

I guess I got a little concerned, though at first I agreed, when Nora Gallagher wrote, "I began to see that if you don't act on what you hear in the Gospels every Sunday, then it doesn't stick."

True.

Upon returning to the Episcopal Church after a hiatus, it was the ritual that she loved.And I thought to myself, shouldn't our first love be Jesus?Isn't it the mention of Jesus be what causes us to appreciate and value a church?"Jesus replied, `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew 22:37-39) Isn't it He who draws us to Himself, even to church?It shouldn't be ritual that keeps us in church.

Then she writes,

"The trouble was, I had trouble connecting it back to my daily life.Church was like a play or a nice concert.I went to the "theater" on Sunday, felt uplifted or moved, but couldn't figure out how to integrate those feelings into my own experience; so gradually they faded as the week wore on.It didn't connect.. . . What I finally understood was that simply going to church doesn't do it, but neither does not going to church."

True.

But Gallagher never tells the reader what keeps a person glowing like Moses did after he spent time with the Lord (Exodus 34: 29-35).It isn't ritual, or serving in a soup kitchen, or communion.The way to feel connected and remain connected is to have a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.Deuteronomy 32: 46-47 tells us that the words of the Bible are not just idle words, "they are your life." Spending time daily in prayer and READING your Bible is how one remains connected to the "experience" at church.Like a grape vine or a tree or even grass, the way to grow is to continually stay connected to a source of sustenance . . . that which provides water . . .

"I am the vine; you are the branches.If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."(John 15:5)

Ritual and tradition won't save you.Feelings won't support your journey to heaven.Only a right relationship with a Savior will.

9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Romans 10: 9-11



(This book was provided to me for free by my involvement with The BookSneeze, a blogging program sponsored by Thomas Nelson.I do not have to return this book, nor was I paid to write this post.Please know, that my intent was not to stir up strife or divide the church body . . . I only meant to write a review and express my concern over some of the content in this book.)

The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher
The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher

On the back of this book are quotes by a couple well respected people; Brian McLaren, Lauren Winner. McLaren's words I agree with, Nora Gallagher opens up The Table to wide audience in her book The Sacred Meal.

She is a great writer and as you read this book you will sense this and feel as if your sitting along site her, having a conversation about a often misunderstood but incredibly important aspect of the Christian life. She communicated the truth and mystery of the Eucharist in a very accessible and creative way. Which makes this book well worth the read.

Lauren Winner makes the statement, "I know of no contemporary writer whose insights about the Eucharist match hers." I know Winner is smart and well read which is why this statement blows me away. That is a huge claim and one I would not even come close to making. As good of a book as this is I have read many that are better when it comes to Eucharistic theology.

Gallagher opens up the conversation of the Eucharist to all, which is great, but sometime she goes a little to far and leans a little too much into her trade as a novelist. I don't need to agree with everything she says but I thing she stretches her metaphors a bit far at times and fails to simply tell us how to live a Eucharistic life, even though i think this is her aim.

This book is worth the read but go in open minded, ready to agree and disagree, but most importantly be ready to engage in a horribly important topic for today's church, The Eucharist. ... Read more

Product Description

Ethan Allen and HGTV may have plenty to say about making a home look right, but what makes a home feel right? In House Thinking, journalist and cultural critic Winifred Gallagher takes the reader on a psychological tour of the American home. By drawing on the latest research in behavioral science, an overview of cultural history, and interviews with leading architects and designers, she shows us not only how our homes reflect who we are but also how they influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Customer Reviews (18)

House as home
House Thinking focuses on each room and its function, historically and personally. One example is how a "Great Room" came about and how people in the past used such a space and how your own family activities and needs might fit with one.Gives a different and useful perspective on home space, room by room.

How America Lives
Ms. Gallagher wows us again with her wit, intelligence, and insight into the American "living condition". If you loved her book the "Power of Place", you'll really appreciate "House Thinking" because it tackles the newly emerging field of the home as a topic of environmental psychology. If you are considering moving, building a house or a second home, read this book first. You will look at your choices differently after reading her book. Our houses are NOT machines for living - they are living and breathing with us in them!

I thought I would love this book, but I didn't
This sounded like a great book.I'm interested in books about houses and how people live, and I enjoy reading about everything from home decorating to psychology.What's not to like about a book that combines lots of my interests?
Unfortunately, I just couldn't get through this book.I kept picking it up and then putting it back down, frustrated by the writing style.The author seems to have been overwhelmed by her research, and throws together statistics and quotations in a way that is very difficult to read.There is no clear point of view, just a mishmash of facts and opinions.For example, in the chapter "The Child's Room" is this sentence:"Children under the age of twelve remain an environmentally underprivileged group in a world that's mostly designed for adults, which puts them at risk, particularly where sudden confrontations with cars are concerned."Apparently children are getting run over by cars while their bedrooms, or this sentence would be in a chapter about driveways.The author then goes on to complain that children get the smallest rooms, and then complains about children's unbridled consumerism.So what is the author's point?Are modern children spoiled or underprivileged?
Unfortunately the entire book that I've read so far (I'm on page 209) seems to suffer from this lack of organization and viewpoint.There may be lots of good information in this book, but it needs to be re-written.I'm disappointed, and I won't be finishing the book.

Simply:THE BEST BOOK ON THE SUBJECT
I first heard Ms. Gallagher interviewed on NPR and found her to be interesting and articulate.
The book is just as wonderful!Informative, interesting and beautifully written.I urge anyone who is thinking of buying a house to read this book FIRST - then start looking at the real thing.Ms. G. provides us with a mini architectural degree and a phd. (small case) in the phsychological aspects of our most important space - our homes.Thank you for a great book.I have bought several copies for friends and family about to embark on this important mission and they have all been delighted to be exposed to Ms. Gallagher's knowledge and insight.

Non-threatening look at the American house
This book reminds me of those stands at farmer's markets where someone with a passion for knitting has decided to sell all their crafts. It isn't really a piece of art, nor is it anything with substance. You buy the craft simply to take it home, to enjoy it and move on.

Such is this book. It is non-threatening, direct in its look at houses. I read this book as a Canadian so I quickly got the hint that the 'we' in the subtitle implies 'We as Americans'. And so it is. This book is written by an American for Americans about the American house. Gallagher traces the history of the rooms of house-life, circumventing the terrain of Anglo-Saxon fame - frequent mention of Britain and the Victorian home. Again, because the 'we' implies American, there is no real look at the homes and rooms of other nations. There are passing glances but the focus is entirely US of A.

There is nothing critical to this book. Gallagher writes the kind of book that would never actually say something offensive - when she talks about McMansions and such, she never 'actually' offers us her opinions (if she has any) on their crudeness and impact on the environment (because she wouldn't want to offend potential upper-middle class buyers of her book). It is like reading a commentary without the human element. The book is like a digestive cookie in this sense. Palatable but nearly tasteless.

There are no pictures so when she mentions Monticello in Virginia, the reader must either dig up an old art history class memory of architectural slides or either go to the website page at the back of the book and look up the URL. (The lack of pictures also makes the book feel unfinished and unpolished. A book that discusses the layouts, presentation, contours of rooms without pictures - it would be like writing an art history book without prints of famous art.)

I read The Power of Place (a much better read) recently and I found the same kind of easy-to-digest reading. Gallagher writes about the house,the various rooms of the house and we know what she's talking about, but it's like the rest of the world doesn't exist and her 'home' is in a complacent universe. If life was like a sitcom, then maybe this book would be 100% non-fiction. ... Read more