Pieter Cilliers s autobiography, first published in South Africa in 1997, is a heartrending story of a gay pastor s struggle to come to terms with his homosexuality. It was hailed for its pioneering role in the discussion on homosexuality and the church. The many letters he received since then has resulted in a comprehensive update of the original book. In Pilgrim Cilliers challenges the church s attitude towards homosexuals and argues that South Africa s inclusive Constitution has not yet led to an unconditional acceptance of gays. The book is about compelling stories within a greater narrative concerning spirituality and faith.REVIEWS "Pieter Cilliers articulates, with honesty, the loneliness and frustration of a talented, God-fearing person who inevitably becomes an outsider, the victim of fear and discrimination. It is a ground-breaking book that contains hope; a book that exposes the church's rigid and irrational handling of homosexuality."Boekenet."This is a book you cannot put down. The engaging and honest way in which it has been written, and the moving content of the letters, makes it an essential reading experience for everyone who is interested in people and their mental and spiritual wellbeing."Dr Jean du Plessis, Kerkbode"Some books you have to read with devoted attention. Others draw you in and won t let go until the very last page. This is such a book. It is challenging and spellbinding "Ralph Barnard, LitNet"The integrity, courage and good taste of Pieter Cilliers s acclaimed television work are the substructure of his book. It is the story, ripped from the heart, of a gay Christian Afrikaner, a minister for many years, and his lonely struggle for self-acceptance and happiness."Rykie van Reenen, Boekewereld"A gripping social history from a bygone era which still resonates darkly...There are times when you may be moved to tears, times when you will get enraged, times when you will laugh.... It s searingly honest and, coupled with the fact that the television producer is so well known, it is really courageous. His writing style is clear and concise, also sensitive, and keeps you reading. You can feel his desolation and isolation, usually selfimposed because he felt he couldn t confide in anyone, and then applaud the guts it took to publish his story. This is a social history, a lesson in self-acceptance and, above all, a lesson about ignorance, misconceptions, moral judgement and prejudice. In spite of our tolerant constitution, there s still ignorance and prejudice, as you will discover in the letters he quotes. Not all are hostile some show how the book gave them courage, others recount their own quests for honesty, and others are downright laudatory. Professor Wimpie de Klerk writes: I salute you with a sincere warmth your accessible style your storyline is gripping your struggle your protest against the traditions of the church Cape Times201306Review1146130785For lovers of a sea-yarn there's plenty of salty business, both aship and ashore The author knows his 18th-century sea lore.Historical Novels ReviewReview1147330786 Abrim with heroism, tenderness, chicanery and suspense, while crisply evoking a vivid picture of the era. Kirkus ReviewsReview1255030790"Diving and Spearfishing in South Africa" by Piet Van Rooyen is the second edition of the book which was the definitive guide when it was first published in 1988. Updated and more complete, this edition has full color photos of many of the fish and fishermen and women. This edition very importantly stresses the practices needed for sustainability of sport fishing in South Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast has icy cold temperatures and the Indian ocean on the east coast is temperate, thus providing the visitor and sea sports enthusiasts the largest arrays of marine species. An expert himself, Rooyen details everything from equipment, techniques, training, safety, boat handling, hazards, emergencies, attacks, restrictions, protective methods, as well as how to dive and how to spearfish. The book is interesting to peruse even if you never intend to participate in the sport...I gained a huge appreciation for all that goes into any marine endeavor, whether as sport or as a job.Bonnie Neely, Real Travel Adventures20130129Review1149630793 This fascinating book scores highly because of its detailed references to the social aspects of the city s history. These are woven into all the chapters, giving it the human touch many history books seem to lack. Sheffield TelegraphReview1388630796Observing the transit of Venus across the face of the Sun caused excitement in America when it made a rare appearance in 2012. Drawing largely on primary sources, Aughton (UK author of) presents a biography of the little-known British astronomer who predicted and observed this event in 1639.The book includes a new preface, chronology, glossary, and illustrations.Reference and Research Book News 201210Review1371130812 T]he book is a comprehensive, broad introduction to the issues of evaluation and, through the included teaching case studies and bibliography, is an excellent starting point for more advanced explorations into research methods for both the professional and academician alike. The Journal of Community InformaticsReview1371230812Having in mind its vast coverage of many research issues, application areas and the sheer size, I would recommend it as a very exhaustive and professional reference book on research methods for young and mature researchers. Information ResearchReview531457What fun Here's a book that is easy-to-understand, full of clear and concrete examples of usage, and just plain entertaining to read. I never thought I'd say that about a grammar book . From the first page of the preface, where the author explains why he wrote this book, I was hooked. As a matter of fact, as I was reading the preface, my husband wanted to know why I was laughing . This book would work well as a grammar course for a high school s