John Hay believed that real history is told in private letters; and the more than 220 surviving letters and telegrams from his Civil War days prove that to be true; showing Abraham Lincoln in action: The Tycoon is in fine whack. I have rarely seen him more serene and busy. He is managing this war; the draft; foreign relations; and planning a reconstruction of the Union; all at once. I never knew with what tyrannous authority he rules the Cabinet; till now. The most important things he decides and there is no cavil. Along with Hay's personal correspondence; Burlingame includes his surviving official letters. Though lacking the literary brilliance of [Hay's] personal letters; Burlingame explains; they help flesh out the historical record. Burlingame also includes some of the letters Hay composed for Lincoln's signature; including the celebrated letter of condolence to the Widow Bixby.
#235756 in Books Jean Vanier 1989-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.52 x .89 x 5.41l; 1.06 #File Name: 0809131358331 pagesCommunity and Growth
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Buy this book.By Rob VOutside of the Bible; this is the most influential book I have read. Jean Vanier is able to convey profound and counter-cultural ideas in an easily understood and touching way. I think I am up to 5 or 6 copies of this book that I have bought and given away. Any time someone I know expresses an interest in Christian community I have to give them a copy.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Listen and Love; Tips for Building Community from a Humble Servant of God and HumanBy Matthias Martin"Community and Growth" comes from a deep passion for and understanding of in-living community building and provides many useful guidelines and insights for strengthening relationships. Vanier; with his years of experience as a Christian spiritual counselour and continuing as a Christian community builder; is a wellspring of wisdom and guidance for peaceful and fulfilling community growth. The core essence of this healthful development is love; as it was in Jesus' ministry. Although Vanier's teachings are couched in Christianity; they are by no means limiting; his outlined principles hold true in any kind of community growth as they focus on human relationships; responsibility; presence; honesty; the need for limits; leadership; and duty. Indeed; the community housing model that Vanier founded; L'Arche; has flourished and operates group homes all over the world; changing some traditions based on the residents' desires. Many of Vanier's principles can be practiced in the smallest of human interactions; and we would all do better to adopt the humility and patience in our relationships for which he advocates.Although L'Arche has as one of its founding principles commune with and assistance of the mentally handicapped; we realize as we read the book that their emotional and spiritual struggles are often no different than our own; and their external difficulties are a mere metaphor for the challenges we all face in dealing with one another.In this the 1979 version there are some translation and copyediting errors; I believe the more popular 1989 version addresses these and benefits from a textual reorganization. The original text is written in Vanier's native French.Vanier has the dignified belief that each L'Arche community is in small part contributing to growing the love and peace in its surrounding area; which is worthwhile in every moment that it presses against oppressive systems in the greater world. I agree with him; and praise him for not only helping create such a wonderful system of human communities; but for sharing his wise methodology with the rest of us in "Community and Growth: Our Pilgrimage Together." It is a must read for group home and community administrators and is a worthwhile reading on relationship development for all.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good resource for developing your communityBy Jeremy Myers - Writing at RedeemingGodThis book reads like a blog about the nature and development of community. If you are interested in how communities work; how to grow and develop community; or just want to think more about community and personal growth; this is a great book with lots of good ideas.If you are part of a community and are looking for some good discussion starters about where to go as a community; how to function as a community; and how to develop as a community; this book would provide some good direction for that as well.The book did get a little repetitive for me; but it serves as a good resource for all things related to community.
