Triumph Reviews

This is one of the best books I have ever encountered. It is not only a wonderful testimony of Jay's faith, but it also has the added bonus of Crimson Tide football. This book is perfect for anyone whether or not they are football fans. He deals with his faith and challenges faced throughout life and how he persisted. I highly recommend this for anyone of any age.

Jay Barker goes against the flow of traditional thinking in giving God the praise and glory for all of his accomplishments on and off the field. A superb book for any teen or sports fan.

This book (based on the author's doctorate thesis) is a good sociological review of various reactions to the West and Westernication by Iranian intellectuals. The personalities discussed in the book fairly represent the various intellectual factions. The author has done his homework by reading the original sources, analyzing and synthesizing them in an easy-to-read book. This book will be of great interest to the Western intellectuals and scholars as well as to the Iranians interested in tracing the roots of their worldviews. For the latter, it should be noted, that the book has also been translated into Persian (Roshanfekran-e Irani va Gharb, by Jamshid Shirazi, Farzan Pub., Tehran, 1378).

What started as a dissertation paper is now an excellent historical account of post-revolutionary Iran framed in the context of the key intellectuals of the time. Boroujerdi's work is exemplary in that it covers both the secular as well as religious (and those in-between) intellectuals of the time. He offers commentary and criticisms and doesn't fail to point out hypocrisy where encountered. A smooth and fast read, however, a pen and paper are useful as one encounters a multitude of interesting references that scream: "read me!"

Anne Ford has written a remarkable book. This is tremendously helpful for all parents that have children with learning disabilities. Also, it is a great lesson that shows the rest of us to reach out to others with love, patience and dignity.

When a child is born, parents are filled with positive dreams for his or her future. These typically include success in school, supportive friends, good health and a life filled with joy. If the child were a painting, it would have bright colors, sharp focus, every detail in place. But that fairy-tale existence is just that --- a fable. We are imperfect, and so are children.

And then there are families that get an extra helping of imperfection. Instead of dreams, they get challenges which can either pull them together or fracture them. In Anne Ford's case the "perfect world" dream dissolved when she learned that her daughter Allegra had learning disabilities. While they were not visible to the naked eye, what was going on inside Allegra was impeding her development and her ability to learn. It's never easy to accept a dark, definitive verdict, especially when it concerns a small child. To her credit, Anne did. And then she became Allegra's advocate and cheerleader, as well as her mother.

Few books have moved me as much as LAUGHING ALLEGRA. While the story of our family is different from Anne's, I do know what happens when the picture gets blurred. What works about this book is that Anne writes this memoir with candor and feeling --- right from the heart. She captures the swirl of emotion that surrounds this diagnosis, the questions that every parent asks and the path through what is always uncharted territory, as each child is his or her own mosaic. At the same time, she offers concrete information that parents of learning-disabled children need. Most important of all: Anne Ford shows us, beat by beat, how she helped her daughter build a world in which she could laugh instead of cower, succeed instead of fail. She empowered Allegra and along the way empowered herself as well.

The book is by no means whitewashed with only upbeat anecdotes. In her writing you can feel the pain that filled many of these years, as well as the uncertainty. The book took four years to write and along the way Anne had to dredge up some feelings that readers will see are still raw. There is no quick patch when you have watched your child hurting; clearly, she ripped the bandages off to write this.

Often when people learn that things are not "perfect," there is a natural feeling of being overwhelmed with the unknown. For parents who have found themselves either on the cusp of the diagnosis, or grappling with its meaning, or even those who are further along the path and want to read how another family grew with this, I recommend LAUGHING ALLEGRA. I also recommend it for parents of so-called "normal children," who may want to understand rather than dismiss the schoolmate their child knows who is different, or special.

Anne's book stresses that this is a family issue as it affects the entire family. She was a single mother, but also had a son, Alessandro, whose role as Allegra's older brother took him on a journey that he also had not expected. The effect on him is spoken about with enough depth to ensure that readers realize that that all people in the family must grapple with the challenge.

One thing to note here. Allegra is now thirty and living independently. As I read I thought about the great strides that are being made every day in the diagnosis and treatment of learning disabilities. Anne and Allegra came to tackle many of the challenges without the tools that are now in place. This, as much of any of Anne's stories, can bring parents great hope.

The back of the book has appendices with list of resources and excellent guidelines on such topics as Questions Parents Ask, Mothers and Fathers Understanding Each Other and Your Legal Rights. They are as well-written as the rest of the book, and provide more nuts and bolts information.

I cannot recommend a book more highly than this. Halfway through I found myself making lists of people who would enjoy it. I encourage you to pick it up --- and then spread the word.

--- Reviewed by Carol Fitzgerald

Compelling. Convicting. Encouraging.
This book inspires the reader to live a passionate, God-centered, Gospel-filled life as they study what it means to suffer for Christ. Much more than a history of Christian martyrs, this book powerfully equips the reader to see the purpose of God in suffering so that their faith might triumph in the day of adversity. A must read for Pastors, Missionaries, Seminarians, and all involved in Christian ministry. The message of this book is vital for the Church in our day.

This is a book that forces the reader to think seriously about the believer's relationship to suffering. Jesus said, "The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you" (John 15:20). Jesus' statement is something with which believers in Jesus must come to terms. This book helps you come to terms with it. It does not put you on a guilt trip. Rather, it points you to Christ as the power of God to enable you to embrace persecution and suffering for His name's sake when it comes. The title might better be read as "Martyrdom: The Final Triumph of Faith IN THE GOSPEL."

A must read!

Strip away the pomp and circumstance, and you will find the eccentricities, extravagance, and scandals of the Olympic athletes to be much more entertaining than the televised games.

As a huge fan of the Olympics, I thought I had seen all the odd facts and quirky moments in Olympic history (after all we've all seen those vignettes on the networks that cover the Games!). But when i read this book I was amazed at the fun details that no one has ever mentioned before!! Can you imagine not knowing you were competing in the Olympics?? Or riding in a car for part of the marathon and still winning a medal?

This book has all the unusual, weird and bizarre facts that only an event as big as the Olympics could generate! Keep it next to your television and laugh your way through the Winter Games this February!

If you are interested in the Triumph TR series, from sidescreens to the TR-6, this is the book for you. It is packed with a wealth of photos of original cars and cars restored to original specifications. Also included, lists of options, colors codes for both interior and exterior, and descriptions of each major automotive area: engine, chassis, interior, body, etc. A must for restoration.

Bill covers Triumph models TR2 through TR6 in this book. He found cars that are as close to original as posible for his photographic layouts. He has included many unusual shots of interiors and engine compartmnets to show details that are not normally covered in "Coffee Table" books.

Bill is very knowledgeable on all TR models and conveys this information in a most interesting manner.

If you are restoring a "Basket Case" this book is a must.

I knew the General. In addition to his achievements in WW II, he devoloped the concept of an airport where incoming and out going passengers moved on separate floors (Dulles)With David Rockefeller they created the magnificent L'Enfant Plaza in Wash.D.C. His stories of growing up in Washington could be another book, not to mention his civilian achievements in Washington. The story of his flying Ike behind German lines after the D day invasion in a 2 seat P 51 to prove his point over German positions (much to the chagrin of Gen. Bradley) is one of my favorites. He had a picture in his office of he and Tooey Spaatz from their early days in "Jennies" with oil all over their faces except where their goggles were. Right out of "Dawn Patrol". This book is long over due.

This book is easy to get into and very informative. The story of Gen. Pete Quesada and the tactical air arm in the European Theater of Operations in WW II is something that anyone interested in military history should read. This aspect of the war is often overlooked, which should not be the case. The working together of ground and tactical air assets should be a top priority for military planners as well as anyone connected with the ground troops.

I loved these books! The story of Anna and Sergei and Katrina fascinated me till the end, and then some. The setting interested me, as did the time period. He made the characters real and believable. One of my favorites of his.

This book is so interesting you can't put it down. All people will love it for its structure, wording and story

This book tells you every detail of the wonderful history of Colin Powell. This book is a must. YOU must book this book!!!! I read it, and you should. This book tells about the responsibility, courage, and bravery one single American had.. This is a great book to read during this time of tragedy, because it tells you the whole life of one of our American heroes that are working their behinds off, and helping President Bush a bunches! If you want to buy a book, then buy this book.

I don't usually read biographies, however, I have always been interested in this man and his rise through the ranks of our military.

David Roth did a fine job, but then his subject was worthy of his efforts. I am most impressed with Colin Powell, and was glad to have had the opportunity to read about him from his childhood through his White House years. I am even more impressed after having read his life story, though we all know, he has so much more to give and so many more roads yet to travel. He is a most impressive man, a man who must be counted with other great leaders, a benchmark of success, and a man that all American's can be very proud of. From his humble beginnings to a distiguished military career, he has left his mark on world history with firm guidance and much forethought. How very lucky we are to have had him in this time and place shaping world policies.

A most enjoyable book to read!