Alexander George

Book Review: Gateway to Heaven: Marian Doctrine and Devotion Image and Typology in the Patristic and Medieval Periods. Vol. 1: Doctrine and DevotionGateway to Heaven: Marian Doctrine and Devotion Image and Typology in the Patristic and Medieval Periods. Vol. 1: Doctrine and DevotionbyReynoldsBrain K.New City Press. Pb 415pp; £27.50. ISBN 978-1-56548-449-8.

the book. The student will not learn, for example, about the daghesh, gal or construct, but rather about the mJr,l9,i2, lVn· Some students or teachers may find the lessons too brief and superficial. For these people, and for those who wish to revisit some aspect of grammar, the appendices offer more detailed explanations of verbs and nouns and other aspects covered in a different method earlier in the book. It is here that the traditional verb and noun tables will be found. Also of interest, and relatively unusual, is Appendix D, which explains clearly,with copies of the relevant texts, how to use the three standard dictionaries (Brown-Driver-Briggs, HALOT and CDCH). Professors Cook and Holmstedt have brought a fresh new approach to the teaching of Biblical Hebrew; which will undoubtedly be appreciated by many. This reviewer will certainly adopt this book for his teaching of Biblical Hebrew and is sure that his students will appreciate the change of approach.

Review of Book: Unfolding the Mystery. Monastic Conferences on the Liturgical YearUnfolding the Mystery. Monastic Conferences on the Liturgical Year by GilbertHughDom osb. Gracewing, 2007; xi + 154 pp.; pb. £ 9.99; ISBN 0-85244-093-6.

Recent scholarship has tended to distance Traheme from the Metaphysicals of the early seventeenth century, the better to appreciate his Commonwealth and Restoration context, yet Trahernes espousal of the virtue ofmoderation, his clearly sacramental theological outlook and positive anthropology, as well as his championing of the National Church, surely cast him closer to a Herbert than to a Milton. Indeed, he appears from these texts to resemble no one so much as George Herberts ideal country parson, oudined in the prose work of the same tide (pub.1652 but obviously written before that poets death in 1633), a well-read divine, a man of duty and prayer, moderate in all things and devoted to his flock. Here, perhaps, is one of the enigmas this laudable project may help to elucidate. Meanwhile, judicious librarians would do well to allow ample shelfspace for the next seven volumes and the forest ofTraheme studies that these seeds will surely generate.

Review of Book: A Religious History of the American PeopleA Religious History of the American People by AhlstromS. E. Pp. xii + 1158 (Yale University Press) £7.95.

relatively humble character, set among those who willcome to a knowledge of Christ through sharing life with men and women who have answered his call to evangelical poverty. As Mrs Trouncer points out, the Brothers, like their fellow workers, suffer the boredom and fatigue of manual labour, the difficulties of finding employment, social injustice, racial and religious tension, and other everyday toil. But, in the evening, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed the room is arranged as a chapel, and the Brothers spend one hour of silent adoration. N. W. PASSMORE