Policy Analysis Report on Improvement in the coordination of services in the health sector

Introduction Healthcare services are essential services that require proper coordination and improved systems of operation that are set under innovative ideals. This is because the services are instrumental in enhancing individuals’ wellness and physical stability that promotes their productivity levels.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Policy Analysis Report on Improvement in the coordination of services in the health sector specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The services also ensure the development of healthy societies through effective mitigation of severe diseases that majorly affect individuals’ health status. Indeed, there is increased need to improve the quality of healthcare services in most settings by adopting innovative and proper coordination of activities. This is essential in curbing the spread of various diseases such as malaria, cancer, tuberculosis and asthma. This can be achieved thro ugh effective administration of preventive and curative interventions to patients that have not been undertaken effectively due to poor coordination of activities. Therefore, this report is relevant since it adopts improvement in the coordination of healthcare services in Australia as a conventional and innovative technique of advancing quality of Medicare to patients. The innovation is regarded as the lifeblood of economic and social integration in most nations, including Australia. This is evident since it defines the level of productivity that a nation can record over certain time. Relevance and what instigates the development of the innovation Clearly, inferior healthcare programs and poor coordination of activities have been impeding service delivery in the health sector. This has led to high rate of death due to ineffective response to patient issues and poor coordination of their treatment. This is evident since most hospitals operate under inferior operating plans, deploymen t of resources and coordination of various activities that include drug procurement and systematic provision of therapeutic assistance to patients. The noted gaps that threaten to compromise the quality of medical services in health institutions have prompted the need for the adoption of an innovative system of operation. Notably, the innovative technology that proves promising in steering service delivery in the health sector as identified by professionals’ remains the improvement in the coordination of activities (Allison 1997: 133).Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Therefore, authorities and health officials are under obligation to improve coordination of activities in hospitals as an innovative technique to provide quality medical solutions to counter health issues in various nations. Due to this, this report’s main aim is to equip key stakeholders in the healt h sector with pertinent information pertaining to the significance of effective coordination of activities in hospitals (Allison 1997: 134). Recent innovation in the health sector Effective coordination of activities and support systems is central in any institution that aspires to record good performance. Coordination is a performance tool that ensures proper alignment of activities with the aim of meeting clients’ expectations. In hospitals, coordination is regarded as the lifeblood that sustains operations and delivery of quality medical assistance to patients’ in real-time (Paul and Robert 2007: 2). Without coordination that entails sharing of information, formulation of policies and deployment of medical staff, patients cannot receive the best assistance. Therefore, the recent innovation that aims at improving coordination of activities in the health sector is essentially pertinent. It is bound to facilitate proper eradication or mitigation of various complication s that have been ailing service delivery in the health sector. The innovative concept focuses on laying down proper mechanisms of service delivery that are unique and conventional in nature. In particular, it seeks to enhance communication between departments, staff members and patients by creating an effective organizational structure. The structure will help in ensuring that there is a proper understanding between stakeholders. It will create an effective channel through which information is to flow (Paul and Robert 2007: 5). This is vital since quality healthcare is dependent on the information that is conveyed by patients and medical officials pertaining to what one is ailing from and treatment procedures, respectively. Effective coordination of activities will also facilitate proper allocation of resources and management of cash flows. It will also facilitate the development of proper procurement procedures of medical equipment. This is vital since procuring various medical equ ipments requires stakeholder input to aid acquisition of right equipments (Karima 2013: 168). Indeed, improving coordination of services in the health sector is a viable innovation that holds the capacity to enhance quality inpatient management. This is evident since it provides a flexible framework of operation that relies on methodological approaches in delivering outstanding medical interventions. It is also meant to improve health outcomes apart from promoting the execution of effective intervention measures (Edward 2006: 95).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Policy Analysis Report on Improvement in the coordination of services in the health sector specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Innovative healthcare initiatives undertaken in Australia and the role of authorities As noted, authorities in Australia have laid down viable strategies for enhancing quality service delivery in the health sector. The modalities th at are being adopted, such as the improvement of coordination of services are set with a mission to build a healthy nation to steer development goals. This is significant since no nation can achieve its objectives, including the millennium goals if its citizens are ailing (Edward 2006: 95). For that reason, authorities and health officials in Australia noted with great concern that the first step in achieving both economic and social goals is to improve healthcare systems. They emphasize the need to adopt new systems of operations, purchasing of modern medical equipment and hiring of qualified medical personnel. They also cited the need for the improvement of coordination between stakeholders in the health sector as an innovative strategy. Despite the relevance of these initiatives, they cannot be achieved without proper coordination and understanding between key stakeholders. This has prompted the need for health centers to improve coordination of services between departments. This entails sharing of patient data between critical departments that are involved in patient treatment such as registry, diagnostic and drug distribution departments (Karima 2013: 168). It is an innovative approach that holds the capacity of facilitating timely response to patients. It will also ensure that patients are well taken care of since coordination guarantees effective patient administration. Coordination of healthcare services, its characteristics, the logic for its introduction, its contribution to policy development and links between the service development, social and political change Imperatively, the introduction of effective coordination of services is an innovative approach that remains critical in most settings. The initiative is considered as a viable and innovative approach since it seeks to revolutionize how activities are executed in the health sector, especially in Australia. This is evident since it seeks to provide necessary incentives that will facilitate qua lity service delivery in the medical sector (Joyce and Wallace 2006: 59). Firstly, it is bound to enhance information flow between health stakeholders.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is also set to improve the management of health institutions in Australia that has been facing immense coordination challenges. This will promote effective establishment of the available competence and limitations that can impede service delivery thereby, prompting the development of credible solutions. Thirdly, the approach will steer the introduction and use of modern communication equipment that are efficient in coordinating activities. This will ensure that healthcare services are properly managed and that modern best practices are upheld. Rationally, effective coordination of healthcare services requires holistic and inter-sectoral collaborative approach. It requires participation of key stakeholders who understand the challenges that affect the provision of quality Medicare services (Joyce and Wallace 2006: 68). This is vital in developing patient-oriented coordinating mechanisms that are economically viable and socially acceptable. The mechanisms must be financially sustai nable and socially pertinent to cater for the interest of every stakeholder. The approach is essential in the realization of this initiative since it holds the capacity of promoting the advancement of common health activities that are based on shared values or interests (Karima 2013: 168). It is also bound to promote collective policy formulation on issues that appertains to healthcare services in Australia. This is a major step towards revolutionizing healthcare service delivery in Australia, where policy formulation on key issues has been facing various impediments due to poor coordination (Paul and Robert 2007: 2). Further, the concept is set with aim of promoting joint planning and collective delivery of services to patients in hospitals. Conclusion Indeed, effective coordination of healthcare services is essential in ensuring the provision of quality, affordable and timely nursing care to patients. It holds the capacity of enhancing individual’s performance levels since it promotes the development of viable mitigating measures to various detrimental diseases that affect individuals. The initiative also helps in building proper collaborative healthcare coordinating mechanisms. The mechanisms aid policy formulation, planning and exchange of doctors between nations. Reference List Allison, B. (1997), Sustainable Health Care Financing in Southern Africa: Papers from an Edi Health Policy Seminar Held in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 1996, Washington, D.C: World Bank. Edward, P. (2006), Organisational Development in Healthcare: Approaches, Innovations, Achievements, Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical. Joyce, F. and Wallace, M. (2006), Encyclopedia of Nursing Research. New York: Springer Pub. Karima, S. (2013), The Health Sector in Ghana: A Comprehensive Assessment.,Washington, D.C: World Bank. Paul, B. and Robert. G. (2007), Bringing User Experience to Healthcare Improvement: The Concepts, Methods and Practices of Experience-Based Design, Oxford: Radcliffe P ub. This essay on Policy Analysis Report on Improvement in the coordination of services in the health sector was written and submitted by user Jerry Moore to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

What Literature Can Teach Us

What Literature Can Teach Us Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived from the Latin word  literature  meaning writing formed with letters, literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song.   What Is Literature? Simply put, literature represents the culture and tradition of a language or a people.  The concept is difficult to precisely define, though many have tried; its clear that the accepted  definition of literature is constantly changing and evolving. For many, the word literature suggests a higher art form; merely putting words on a page doesnt necessarily equate to creating literature. A canon is the accepted body of works for a given author. Some works of literature are considered canonical, that is, culturally representative of a particular genre (poetry, prose, or drama). Literary Fiction vs. Genre Fiction Some definitions also separate literary fiction from so-called genre fiction, which includes types such as mystery, science fiction, western, romance, thriller, and horror. Think mass-market paperback. Genre fiction typically does not have as much character development as literary fiction and is read for entertainment, escapism, and plot, whereas literary fiction explores themes common to the human condition and uses symbolism and other literary devices to convey the authors viewpoint on his or her chosen themes. Literary fiction involves getting into the minds of the characters (or at least the protagonist) and experiencing their relationships with others. The protagonist typically comes to a realization or changes in some way during the course of a literary novel. (The difference in type does not mean that literary writers are better than genre fiction writers, just that they operate differently.) Why Is Literature Important? Works of literature, at their best, provide a kind of blueprint of human society. From the writings of ancient civilizations such as Egypt and China to Greek philosophy and poetry, from the epics of Homer to the plays of William Shakespeare, from Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte to Maya Angelou, works of literature give insight and context to all the worlds societies. In this way, literature is more than just a historical or cultural artifact; it can serve as an introduction to a new world of experience. But what we consider to be literature can vary from one generation to the next.  For instance, Herman Melvilles 1851 novel Moby Dick  was considered a failure by contemporary reviewers. However, it has since been recognized as a masterpiece and is frequently cited as one of the best works of Western literature for its thematic complexity and use of symbolism. By reading Moby Dick in the present day, we can gain a fuller understanding of literary traditions in Melvilles time.   Debating Literature   Ultimately, we may discover  meaning in literature  by looking at what the author writes or says and how he or she says it. We may interpret and debate an authors message by examining the words he or she chooses in a given novel or work or observing which character or voice serves as the connection to the reader. In academia, this decoding of the  text is often carried out through the use of  literary theory using a mythological, sociological, psychological, historical, or other approaches to better understand the context and depth of a work. Whatever critical paradigm we use to discuss and analyze it, literature is important to us because it speaks to us, it is universal, and it affects us on a deeply personal level.   School Skills Students who study literature and read for pleasure have a higher vocabulary, better reading comprehension, and better communication skills, such as writing ability. Communication skills affect people in every area of their lives, from navigating interpersonal relationships to participating in meetings in the workplace to drafting intraoffice memos or reports. When students analyze literature, they learn to identify cause and effect and are applying critical thinking skills. Without realizing it, they examine the characters psychologically or sociologically. They identify the characters motivations for their actions and see through those actions to any ulterior motives. When planning an essay on a work of literature, students use problem-solving skills to come up with a thesis and follow through on compiling their paper. It takes research skills to dig up evidence for their thesis from the text and scholarly criticism, and it takes organizational skills to present their argument in a coherent, cohesive manner. Empathy and Other Emotions Some studies say that people who read literature have more empathy for others, as literature puts the reader into another persons shoes. Having empathy for others leads people to socialize more effectively, solve conflicts peacefully, collaborate better in the workplace, behave morally, and possibly even become involved in making their community a better place. Other studies note a correlation between readers and empathy but do not find causation. Either way, studies back the need for strong English programs in schools, especially as people spend more and more time looking at screens rather than books. Along with empathy for others, readers can feel a greater connection to humanity and less isolated. Students who read literature can find solace as they realize that others have gone through the same things that they are experiencing or have experienced. This can be a catharsis and relief to them if they feel burdened or alone in their troubles. Quotes About Literature Here are some quotes about literature from literature giants themselves. Robert Louis Stevenson: The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish.Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey: The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel,  must be intolerably stupid.William Shakespeare, Henry VI: â€Å"I’ll call for pen and ink and write my mind.†

Health, Safety, and Nutrition Worksheets for Kids

Health, Safety, and Nutrition Worksheets for Kids Nutrition, health, and safety are important topics to discuss with your children. Youll naturally discuss many facts about these subjects as you go about your daily life. However, spending some time focusing specifically on each can help children understand why their eating habits, hygiene, and exercise are vital to their overall well-being.   Additionally, talking about safety topics with your children helps to ensure that they know what to do in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.   Worksheets and coloring pages can make discussing these topics more engaging and easier to understand for young children. Use some of these free printable collections to guide or enhance your study of nutrition, health, and safety. Nutrition Worksheets Proper nutrition is an important part of a  healthy lifestyle. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), people should consume foods from the fruit, vegetable, grains, protein, and dairy groups every day for optimal health. The USDA suggests eating a variety of foods and limiting those with added sugar, sodium, and higher levels of saturated fats.   They may not be a students favorite topic, but fun printable worksheets about vegetables, which introduce children to a wide variety of veggies, can make learning better eating habits a bit more fun. So can following the USDAs recommendation to vary the way you eat vegetables. They suggest trying them raw, cooked, fresh, frozen, or canned. Roasting veggies in the oven or on the grill is a tasty treat, too! Dental Health Worksheets According to the American Dental Association (ADA), cavities remain the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood. Because they are so common, cavities may not seem like a big deal, but oral health is an important part of overall physical health. Poor oral health can increase a persons risk for health problems such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and certain types of cancer.   Use a fun set of  dental health  printables  to introduce your children to the basics of good oral hygiene. Some of the simplest ways to ensure good oral health include brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing, eating a healthy diet, and visiting your dentist regularly.   Physical Education Worksheets Physical Education  is vital to a students understanding of the benefits of an active lifestyle. A good PE program will teach kids about health, physical fitness, and the importance of regular physical activity. One option for teaching PE is an  online physical education  course. Other options may include combining a personal health course with individual or team athletics to ensure that students remain active.   Individual sports may include golf, gymnastics, skateboarding, or swimming. Other sports such as tennis, badminton, and volleyball can also be played with only one or two players on each team. Kids may also enjoy getting active with team sports such as baseball, softball, basketball, or hockey. Safety Worksheets It can be frightening to think about emergencies and natural disasters, but knowing what to do in the event of such a situation can save lives. According to the American Red Cross, children under the age of five are twice as likely as other people to die in a house fire. It is important to teach children fire precautions as well as what to do in the event of a fire. Combine  fire prevention worksheets  that  introduce  terms such as fire drill and escape route with other tools to teach children potentially life-saving fire safety tips. These tips should include stop, drop, and roll if a childs clothing catches on fire and where to go in the event of a fire. Have an escape plan in place and practice it at least twice a year.   Teach your children what your homes fire alarms sound like, how to call 911, and the importance of going to fire fighters and getting and staying out of the house if there is a fire. Its also important to teach your children what to do in the event of a natural disaster based on what is most likely in your area of the country. Your children may need to know what to do in the event of a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake. For example, you might use a free set of  earthquake worksheets  to learn more about where earthquakes typically happen, what causes them and what safety steps to take if an earthquake strikes. Updated by Kris Bales

How did the protestant Reformation change the relationship between Essay

How did the protestant Reformation change the relationship between England and Spain - Essay Example As Franklin (19-21) points out, the problem of Protestantism was not easily solved anywhere. For instance, in England, it led to a bloody religious war that led to the execution of Queen Mary on the order of her half-sister, Queen Elizabeth. Spain, under King Philip, remained faithful to the catholic faith and as a result, it supported the side of England that was supporting catholic faith. After the defeat of the catholic side by the execution of Queen Mary, political tension between Spain and England started to build and within no time, the two nations were on each other’s throat. In early 17th century for instance, King Philip of Spain sent an army of professional military men to go and fight for the side of England that was supporting catholic faith. This was however retaliation to the action of England fighting non Protestants in Netherlands, which at the time was a colony of Spain. These religious wars continued for decades before ever reaching an amicable diplomatic sol ution. According to William (205), it was not just political relations between these two countries that were severed, since trade was also very much severed between the two nations. At that time, there was almost no private sector and any private businesses that traded internationally. They were only trading locally, and governments were very much involved in international businesses and there were times when people would entirely depend on the government to import essential things such as food and clothing. In realization of this, King Henry of England tried to build a good relationship with Spain, in order to improve the trade between Spain and England. This was achieved by the use of marriages between the sons of King Henry and a Spanish princess (Brans et al. 452). However, when one of the sons decided to divorce his wife, this created problems because the church (catholic) opposed

Engaging Others Unlike Me Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Engaging Others Unlike Me - Essay Example In relation to this, it is apparent that I have never intentionally avoided helping any person because he or she does not belong to my in-group. I do believe that people are not the same in terms of character and ability. As a result of this, I regard every person to be good in some specific areas that I may be poor. It is because of this assumption that I find it very easy to associate with people who are unlike me. In other words, I easily socialize with people who are unlike me believing that I will learn something new in the course of socializing. In connection to what takes on the ground, I can claim that my social network is very diverse; it has insignificant boundaries. As a leader, it is very crucial to embrace diversity in a group (Bowser, 2011). Some of the things that will enhance the inclusion diverse members in a group are by empowering people. It is through the empowerment that different people develop the urge of being members of a specific group. In-groups include members in an organization with common interest or goal (Hancock & Szalma, 2008). In connection with this definition, in-groups in my working organization include members of an employees’ club, members in a specific corporation, members of the sale and marketing field, customer care providers in an organization, and peer groups within the organization. Out- groups on the other hand constitute of members with different interests and goals. Out- groups often constitute of person who is in conflict or disagreement with the in-groups (Latham, 2007). Examples of out-groups in my working organization include different peer groups within the company, different sales and marketing groups within the same company, workers who are not members of any group within the company are regarded as out-group, workers involved in selling the company’s goods and

Identity Negotiation and Perception of Hair Essay -- African American

A woman’s hair is often referred to as her â€Å"crown and glory.† Hair is a salient physical characteristic of one’s self concept and how others view their level of attractiveness. One of the major intra-prejudice amongst African Americans is hair texture. This stigma is especially prevalent among African American women. For African American women, hair carries an even greater psychological complexity. Starting from slavery, African Americans were judged by the texture and curl pattern of their hair. For example, Blacks with lighter skin color and straight/wavy hair had certain advantages oppose to those Blacks who possessed more afro-centric features, such as darker skin and kinky hair (Myrdal, 1962; Neal & Wilson, 1989; Parrish 1944; Poussaint, 1975; Reuter, 1917). While a plethora of commentaries have been written on black hair, few empirical studies exist that have examined the reverberating consequences of slavery, as it relates to the western indoctr ination of hair and its impact on racial identity/self-concept among African American women. History of the Complexity of Hair among Black Women The origin of the controversy surrounding African American hair dates back to slavery. It was a major phenotypic characteristic used to classify African Americans’ racial identity, intelligence and attractiveness (Guthrie, 1998). European culture was used as the reference group of comparison. Whiteness became identified with all that is civilized, virtuous and beautiful, whereas Blackness was deemed as inferior, rebellious, and inadequate. Guthrie (1998) reported that the hair of the black man was wool, not hair. Subsequently, this racist ideology was internalized by many African Americans, which resulted in what Jones and Shorter-G... ...al, political and economic strides African Americans have made in society, are African American women still psychologically enslaved to their hair? The purpose of this study is to examine current perceptions of hair and its importance to racial identity and self concept among African American female college students. More specifically, this investigation addresses the following research question: Are perceptions of African American hair related to perceived attractiveness, self-concept, racial identity, and overall happiness? It is hypothesized that: 1) African American women are more likely to perceive mainstream hair texture, such as straight, permed hair, as more attractive than natural/ kinky hair; 2) An interactive effect is expected between skin-tone and hair texture on the dependent variables attractiveness, racial identity, self concept, and happiness.

Review of The Epic of Eden Essay

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament. Sandra L. Richter, Intervarsity press, 2008. ISBN: 978+8308-2577-6 Albert Einstein once said â€Å"Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. † This is an extremely powerful quote, and I will seek to convey its strength, as applied to our lives as Christians, upon the careful review of Sandra L. Richter’s The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament. Richter designed this text as merely a tool by which we might further our understanding of the Old Testament narrative. With one minor glitch in her system, Richter handled the task as that of an expert in the field would – with patience, attention to central detail, and arresting dialogue designed to pull the reader in and leave them starving for more. Richter prefaced The Epic of Eden with a mind-boggling introduction that left no doubt in my mind that this was going to be an enlightening read, and I don’t say this casually. The second definition of the word enlighten, according to Merriam- Webster, is â€Å"to give spiritual insight to†, and Richter disguised a promise of nlightenment within the initial pages of this text. As a perfect example of this concealed assurance, Richter states that the end result of a church not knowing their Old Testament history is that â€Å"The church does not know who she is, because she does not know who she was†(17). These words resonate with the threat of a Christian identity crisis, while at the same time, the promise of an assured, powerful, Christian identity. One of the more profound ideas in Richter’s Epic of Eden is her use of an effective metaphor is chapter one. â€Å"†¦ we need to get past the great barrier – that hasm of history, language, and culture that separates us from our heroes in the faith† (21). This comparison seems to collect all of the hesitancies, the reservations, and the relative fear in understanding the Old Testament, and places them in a neat little package aptly titled the great barrier. Richter wasted no time in eliciting the appropriate internal response: there is a barrier to my knowledge of the Old Testament, and I am largely the reason that barrier exists. It became immediately obvious to me that, should I want to remove this barrier and learn more of who I am, nd where I came from, and dare I say, where I’m going, then I will require further reading. That promise of enlightenment, at this point, has become an extremely dominant theme. Richter takes a superb approach to answering the question of â€Å"How? † How will we, as Christians recognizing the need for Old Testament knowledge, come to understand the features of the Old Testament most relevant to who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going? Richter makes reference to the â€Å"dysfunctional closet syndrome† (18), a metaphor she uses to relate he idea that we possess a disorganized, collective array of varying thought and knowledge processes relevant to our Old Testament experience. In order to gain a full, working comprehension of our history, we must organize our ‘closets’, and become familiar with the pieces that are stuffed inside. Richter begins her teaching that we tend to see things through the lens of our own experiences, our own societies, our own cultures. This strengthens the great barrier in that we are not able to appreciate the events of the Old Testament, due in part to the differences between hat we know, and about that which we read. Richter points out that â€Å"†¦ to truly understand their story, we need to step back and allow their voices to be heard in the timbre in which they first spoke. We need to do our best to see their world through their eyes† (22). Richter allows the reader to identify this facet of the great barrier as more than a mere hindrance to understanding. Richter begins her breakdown of the Old Testament by stating the overall theme of the text- redemption. I would be hard pressed to find a more appropriate motivating factor in persuading one to truly nderstand the Old Testament. This is the ultimate goal in the life ofa Christian: to be redeemed by the Father for the wayward life lived as a human, who could never hope to prevail without it. Richter explains that the word redemption was actually adopted from â€Å"†¦ the laws and mores of Israel’s patriarchal, tribal culture† (40). She goes on to reference several popular stories from the Old Testament, in order to allow the reader to fully grasp the concept of redemption as it was applied in Old Testament text. The following are two examples: Ruth and Boaz – â€Å"But in his ntegrity, Boaz chooses to embrace the responsibility of a patriarch and become Ruth’s gdel – her ‘kinsman-redeemer† (42). Lot and Abraham – Lot and his household are invaded by a â€Å"†¦ oalition of Kings from Mesapotamia†¦ † (43), and Abraham, being Lot’s uncle, swoops in to save him (accompanied by hundreds of his family members). â€Å"So Abraham puts own household on the line, his own life on the line, in order to rescue his brother’s son from a strong enemy against whom he had no defense. This is anothe r expression of ‘redemption in Israel’s world† (43). The author uses these to nhance our understanding, on a more personal level, of the word redemption, and later, the impact it would have on the life of a faithful Christian when dealt by the hand of God. Richter begins to â€Å"organize our closets† by explaining the â€Å"†¦ real time and space – real people, real places, real faith† (47). In order to understand our Old Testament story, we must first â€Å"†¦ know something about the time and space our heroes occupied† (47). She does this by identifying the five â€Å"key players† (47): Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, and their approximate time within the context of ur history. Richter, I believe, uses these figures as the framework of her explanation because each holds extreme value in the overall story of redemption. There are many stories involving other players in the Old Testament, but these five are the ones that have experiences directly relevant to our redemption. This was a masterfully crafted technique, and one I appreciate for its value in my own Old Testament comprehension. Next, Richter attempts to tackle the â€Å"real space† that these heroes occupied. Before delving into the topic, Richter acknowledges the idea that â€Å". eography is a trauma-inducing topic for some folks† (55). Remember in the first paragraph when I touched on the idea that there was a minor glitch in her system? Her attempt at wading through the waters of the geographical flood that stands ever- present in my mind failed miserably. Geography that we learn about in modern-day American education is one thing, and easy enough. Geography pertaining to the bible was an entirely different monster before reading Richter’s Epic of Eden, and it depictions of the space referenced in the text. But after her initial easy-to- nderstand reference of the pertinent places, the text became Jumbled, and I found myself constantly going back to check the maps, and then losing my train of thought. I continued on this annoying cycle throughout the entire explanation of space. I was ultimately left feeling confused and asking more questions, which resulted in the loss of information that I feel I should have been able to retain. Richter did an excellent job of keeping me entertained enough to forge ahead in my thirst for Old Testament knowledge by explaining in great detail the covenants that were held by the key layers of the Old Testament. To be quite honest, before reading Epic of Eden, I was only fully aware of the covenants between Adam and God, and between Noah and God, and I was only vaguely aware of the covenant between Abraham and God. I was delighted that Richter tackled these stories as someone with a strong passion for spreading the gospel. Because of the time and depth that she put into portraying each covenant, I am left with a broader understanding of each of the covenants, and of how they relate to my story, my redemption. Overall, Epic of Eden delivered on its (albeit hidden) promise of enlightenment. I have come a long way in the time it has taken me to read this book, and this can be attributed to the organized, complete set of facts that Richter pulled from the bible for use in aiding my comprehension, my enlightenment. I can now pick up the Old Testament, open to any page, and with my newfound knowledge, I can understand the story and know that it is also my story. An allusion to Einstein’s quote – I have found understanding, and so it is that I now experience peace.