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The Modern Kama Sutra: An Intimate Guide to the Secrets of Erotic Pleasure

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
by: Kamini Thomas, Kirk Thomas

October 02, 2006
A good balance between realistic modern ideas and the philosophies underpinning the original kama sutra. It looks at sex in the context of romance, mood setting and relaxation. Probably one for long term couples.

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The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
by: Robin S. Sharma

April 19, 2004
What a great read and a great find! I found this book to be refreashing and practical. Many self help books go on and on about leading a peaceful, simple life etc etc but rarely do they give sound, good practical techniques that you can use daily to change your life! A must read esp for those who feel lost or saddened by their current situations.

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The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
from: OUP Oxford

April 17, 2008
The Quran is both a sacred text and a supreme work of Arabic poetry. This puts the translator in a dilemma: To convey the religious teaching, the text needs to be rendered into modern prose, which loses the poetry. To convey the poetry, one must render the text as a poem in modern language, which then tends to obscure the religious teaching. Neither approach can fully translate the original.

Abdel Haleem's translation is a masterful rendition into modern English prose. For rendition as modern English poetry, Arberry's translation for OUP is arguably the best. If you want to understand the Quran in English, your best bet IMO is to use Abdel Haleem AND Arberry.

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How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
by: Gordon D. Fee, Douglas Stuart

November 01, 2003
This is certainly a good introduction to reading and studying the Bible. It is not the sort of book you would read from cover to cover in one go; but rather a book that you would delve into as and when you need to some guidance on a particular genre of literature.

When this book was originally publish it was quite dry, but the latest edition has been made more readable.

The recommended commentary list in the back of the book is not the best. For better help on choosing commentaries see my other reviews.

In the original book there was a definite bias towards the NIV as the best translation. This has been replaced by the TNIV as the best translation for Bible study. I have no problem about authors having a preference for ... Read More:

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Bible: New Revised Standard Version Bible (Anglicized) with Apocrypha (Bible Nrsv)

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by: NRSV Translators

November 02, 1995
This is an excellent translation. Its language is simple and dignified.Its a real pleasure to read.

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The Message Bible [International Paperback]

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
by: Eugene H. Peterson

June 22, 2007
Having read earlierl translations before, this is writen in a refreshingly easy and accesable way. There are no "thee"s or "thow"s the language is modern without being "slang or street."
The power of the "word" is retained and this "translation should be added to the list of books to read before you....if you were afraid of buying or receiving a bible try this one.
A small, two collum edition is available which is hand-bag bumbag sized.easy to dip into. (I keep one in the car.)

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The Usborne Children's Bible (Mini Usborne Classics)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
by: Heather Amery

October 27, 2000
I was mislead by the title and expected a bible (well, ok, extracts)for children. I did not expect retellings of the stories with inaccuracies thrown in. Correct me if I am wrong, but nowhere, for example, does it specify THREE Kings in the Nativity. Three gifts, yes, but not kings. Or Magi. Nit picking? Probably, but why make up details that are not in the original text?
IF the book had been titles "stories from the Bible" I would not have bought it and would have avoided disappointment.
On the plus side the illustrations are very pretty and 'tis true my children enjoy listening to the stories, even if they are read by a grumpy old pedant like me.

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Holy Bible

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
by: -

December 31, 1983
it was an ok book, weak characters and an unoriginal plot really spoil it though. The God character is very whiny and needy, always demanding people worship him or going schizo and nuking every goon that looks at him cross eyed with lashings of brimstone. Satan on the other hand, is all you could want in a fictional super villain, he really saves the sequel (which is also packaged in the book) because that hippy guy with the frigid mother they introduce half way through makes it nearly unreadable.
It makes for good "on-the-lavvy" reading though

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Unlocking the Bible

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
by: David Pawson

November 03, 2003
For anyone who's ever scratched their heads trying to make sense of the bible, this is the book for you.

David Pawson's clear, easy to follow, erudite prose opens up the bible. He doesn't pretend the bible is a simple document, but does shine a light on the text to make it easier to get to grips with.

The book is filled with examples and stories, and it also tracks Pawson's own journey in trying to understand scripture.

There's a great explanation of "Song of Songs", which Pawson says he avoided for years because it just seemed to be too carnal: about the sexual relationship between a man and a woman. To find out his refreshing conclusion about the Song of Solomon, buy this book!

It's rare to find a commentary ... Read More:

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The Bible: Authorized King James Version (Oxford World's Classics)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sacred Texts
from: Oxford Paperbacks

April 17, 2008
Through the ages, the most influential and powerful book of all.

A book in two parts: the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament was for the most part written between the 5th and 2nd centuries BC and is the primary document of Judaism. Written mainly in Hebrew, it was translated into Greek, then into Latin around 400 AD. Creation, Adam and Eve, the fall, the flood, Abraham, the laws of Moses, the Kings and Prophets of Israel....man struggles to enter a relationship with God and abide by certain rules.

The New Testament was written as a result of the life and death of Jesus. First to be written were letters to His followers in the immediate aftermath of His death, expecting His imminent return. After this followed the four Gospels by ... Read More: