“True Christianity promotes not grievance but gratitude.� (3.5 stars)
A friend of mine, a fan of Megan Basham, recommended SHEPHERDS FOR SALE to me. I “True Christianity promotes not grievance but gratitude.� (3.5 stars)
A friend of mine, a fan of Megan Basham, recommended SHEPHERDS FOR SALE to me. I decided to give it a try.
The first two chapters, which dive into topics like climate change and illegal immigration, started off a bit slow for me. There were a lot of acronyms—so many acronyms. Honestly, I found myself yawning more than once during those early pages.
But then came chapter 3. This chapter, focused on abortion, really kicks into high gear. It hits hard and doesn’t hold back in calling out the hypocrisy of some “Christian� leaders. Basham doesn’t pull punches, especially when it comes to the late Tim Keller, whom she singles out with particular scrutiny.
Throughout the book, familiar names keep appearing: Russell Moore, Rick Warren, Beth Moore, and, again, Tim Keller. These are high-profile Christian figures, and I’ve had my doubts about them for a long time—long before I ever heard of Megan Basham. This book confirmed that my “Spidey sense� wasn’t off when it came to these leaders.
At one point, Basham writes: “But we are commanded to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13�16). We are commanded to disciple the nations, including our own nation, teaching them to observe all that He has commanded (Matthew 28:19�20). We can’t do that if we let elite voices, moving in haughty packs, promoting and promulgating one another’s work, convince us to stay quiet and ashamed of what we believe.� All I can say is—Amen to that.
Quotes: � “If churchgoers can be convinced there's something shameful and unchristian in bringing their values to the democratic process, first it will blunt their influence on the culture.� � “And as we expose darkness, let it inspire us all the more to thank God for such good and faithful shepherds bringing His word to light.� � “� few things are more detrimental to the discovery of truth than beating the drum of scientific “consensus� when it is clear how much consensus is created through media manipulation and fear of professional and reputational damage.� � “Scripture has much to say about leaders who strive to appear righteous before men and show partiality to those whose favor they would like to have.� � “They have quoted Andy Stanley, saying: ‘If your theology gets in the way of your ministry, there is something the matter with your theology.� It sounds spiritual, but it's not biblical.� � “There is no agony quite like that of the prodigal who has chosen the pigs but still believes in judgment.� � “But that is what sanctification is. He increases; we decrease.�
One of my main takeaways from this text is that Megan Basham is uncompromising when it comes to what the Bible says. She doesn't have patience for those who try to add to or take away from Scripture. And honestly, every Christian should be that way.
On a more personal note, the part that stuck with me most was the conclusion. In it, Basham shares her own testimony. It’s the most powerful section of the book because it speaks directly to her own life being redeemed by Christ. It grounds everything else in the book and gives it emotional weight.
SHEPHERDS FOR SALE isn’t what I’d call a “fun� read, but it is an important one. It’s a thought-provoking, sometimes uncomfortable, but meaningful book. And I think any thoughtful Christian—no matter where they fall on the theological or political spectrum—will find something here that causes them to pause, reflect, and remember: Our obligation is to what is written in the Word of God, not to the culture around us....more
“When you’re almost dead, things sparkle.� (3.5 stars)
Tim O’Brien’s DAD’S MAYBE BOOK is a personal collection of essays. O’Brien had children late in “When you’re almost dead, things sparkle.� (3.5 stars)
Tim O’Brien’s DAD’S MAYBE BOOK is a personal collection of essays. O’Brien had children late in life, and this text is the result of the many conflicting feelings that created for him. Written over many years, and addressed to his sons, the result is a book that is at times moving and insightful, but also occasionally redundant and uneven due to its long gestation.
I had mixed feelings about this book, so let’s start with some highlights. Chapter 26, which explores the impact of reading on a person’s life, was a favorite. It reflects thoughtfully on how literature shapes character and understanding. Similarly, Chapter 32 offers a compelling meditation on illusions and the inherent dishonesty in writing—an honest, thought-provoking take on storytelling. Another highlight is O’Brien’s unexpected sympathy for British soldiers marching to Concord to seize arms at the dawn of the American Revolution. He draws an insightful parallel to his experience as a soldier in Vietnam, creating a nuanced portrait of obedience, conflict, and moral complexity. O’Brien shines brightest in his short, anecdotal chapters. Chapter 25, titled “The Old Testament�, is a standout—just a few sentences long, but instantly relatable. His stories about his children, like the one where his young sons wore animal tails for days, are endearing and quirky. At the same time, they made me reflect on how modern culture might pathologize such innocent behavior today. I find myself yearning for a return to a more grounded sense of normalcy.
Now, as to the things I did not care for� Chapter 7, “Homeschool�, was disappointing. O’Brien argues that there is no such thing as absolute truth—a view I strongly disagree with. It was disheartening to see him raise his children to reject the notion of Truth with a capital "T". Worse still is Chapter 24 (also titled “Homeschool�), where O’Brien draws a troubling moral equivalence between the U.S. government and Islamist terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda. This comparison felt not only intellectually weak, but also distasteful and pseudo-intellectual.
At times, the prose veers into territory that feels too “precious”—overly sentimental and self-satisfied. But considering that this is a senior-aged father writing tenderly about his young sons, it’s understandable.
Quotes: � “For everyone, I think, a single word can carry enormous power.� � “I want you to think about what you read, and I want you to read things that incite hard thinking.� � “The essential object of fiction is not to explain. Explanation narrows. Explanation fixes. Explanation dissolves mystery. Explanation imposes artificial, arrogant order on human contradictions between fact and fact. The essential object of fiction is to embrace and widen and deepen all that is unknown and unknowable...� � “You will do fine things, I know, but you will also do bad things, because you are wholly human...� � “There is nothing immoral about the word ‘maybe.’� � “The shadows of childhood can darken our adult lives...� � “Pretending can be a good thing, but sometimes it can get you in trouble. It can be dangerous.� � “All of us, writers more than most, are left with the cruel and taunting illusion of memory.� � “Learning by mortification, I firmly believe, is learning for life. You do not forget. � “Memory speaks, yes. But it stutters. It speaks in ellipses.�
Despite its unevenness, DAD’S MAYBE BOOK closes on a high note. The final line is beautifully written and nearly perfect—an emotionally fitting conclusion to this introspective, if sometimes flawed, book....more
“Lasting happiness can only be achieved through cultivation of soul and mind.�
Ben Shapiro’s THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY is exactly what its sub-title pr“Lasting happiness can only be achieved through cultivation of soul and mind.�
Ben Shapiro’s THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY is exactly what its sub-title promises, an overview of how “reason and moral purpose made the West great�. The book is a compelling exploration of the philosophical and moral foundations that have shaped Western civilization. With sharp analysis and historical depth, Shapiro takes readers on a journey through the Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman traditions (from the ancient to the present day) demonstrating how these ideas have influenced the development of reason, morality, and individual rights. As I was reading this book I kept thinking of introductory Philosophy of Western Civilization classes from college. This book is a more interesting version of those classes. And since many crap colleges probably would not deign to teach a course like that anymore, it is a needed text!
Shapiro’s writing style makes complex philosophical concepts accessible, while his passionate defense of these principles highlights their continued relevance in today’s cultural and political landscape. If there is an overarching theme to this text it is the idea of the necessity of a cultural moral foundation. Shapiro writes, “…cultivating our souls and minds requires us to live with moral purpose.� This book does a nice job of fleshing out that argument.
In the Introduction these two thoughts are posed to the reader: # 1, “Why are things so good?� and # 2, “Why are we blowing it?� This book gives one lots to think about in regard to both questions. Whether one agrees with all Mr. Shapiro’s conclusions or not, THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY offers a thought-provoking and insightful reflection on the values that have defined the Western world....more
“The root of all of our sins is that something or someone is taking the place of God.�
KILLING SIN is a short text, meant to be a biblical companion fo“The root of all of our sins is that something or someone is taking the place of God.�
KILLING SIN is a short text, meant to be a biblical companion for the Christian who has something in their life that they want to get some power over. What person who is striving to live a holy life would not be interested in that subject matter? Author Karl Clauson gains major points with me for brining everything back to the word of God, and his adamant disregard for “self-help� which he views as the antithesis of successful biblical living. It is in His help, no one else’s. As he writes, “It’s God’s work, or it won’t work.�
Some highlights for me included some excellent thoughts on “pride� and “humility� and their roles in our lives. Some good insight in those sections. I also especially appreciated Mr. Clauson’s discussion of the role of hatred in defeating sin. His blunt assessment of the need to hate the things that are dragging us down is refreshingly candid.
KILLING SIN: CONQUER THE ONE THING THAT IS DEFEATING YOU offers readers a compelling guide to overcoming persistent spiritual struggles. Drawing from his personal experiences and extensive pastoral work, Clauson presents a biblically grounded approach to achieving lasting freedom from sin. The book delves into behavioral habits that hinder spiritual growth, provides insights into the transformation process, and offers practical strategies rooted in Scripture. I found it to be a worthwhile read....more
“It could only be understood by those who have had this privileged experience.�
THE LAST HILL is narrative nonfiction that focuses on the 2nd Ranger Ba“It could only be understood by those who have had this privileged experience.�
THE LAST HILL is narrative nonfiction that focuses on the 2nd Ranger Battalion unit and their exploits in World War II. It deals with the formation of the unit, their training, and their fighting from Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Fortress Brest, and the Hürtgen Forest. Most of the book focuses on the three months prior to the Battle of the Bulge, specifically the fighting in the Hürtgen Forest. I had not read much about that campaign, and this text does a wonderful job of depicting the vicious ferocity of the fighting that happened in that area. The authors (Bob Drury and Tom Clavin) are unflinching in their analysis of the dubious strategic value of the campaign in the Hürtgen Forest. Of course, they acknowledge that they're looking on this from many years in the future.
One of the great strengths of this book are the portraits of some of the individuals of the 2nd Ranger Battalion unit. Their humanity is on full display. Readers will enjoy getting to know men like Bob Edlin, L. Rod Petty, Len Lomell, Duke Slater, and others. These were real men, and these are real stories, and I enjoyed that. An unexpected surprise was learning about the “Fabulous Four�, which was a group of scouts from the 2nd Battalion who performed some wonderful, and colorful, exploits in the war. These were amazing stories about these four men, and I'd never heard of them. Quite frankly, this little group of Scouts deserves a book of their own.
Quotes: � “Because first I’m going to make men of you, then I’m going to make soldiers of you, and them I’m going to make Rangers of you.� � “No small part of that heroism accrued to the 2nd Ranger Battalion, which by 1945 had become one of the most highly decorated units in American military history, earning 18 Distinguished Service Crosses, 73 Silver Stars, 64 Bronze Stars, 2 British Military Medals, and an astonishing 542 Purple Hearts.�
In recent years I been drawn to reading about World War II, especially the stories of the young men—many still in their teens—who rose to the challenge and changed the course of history. THE LAST HILL earns a well-deserved place on my bookshelf, standing out as an engaging, educational, and deeply moving account of courage and sacrifice. As a final thought, the last two paragraphs of the Epilogue left a lasting impression on me—an absolutely brilliant tribute to the men of this extraordinary unit, and to all who served in World War II....more
Senator Tim Scott’s AMERICA, A REDEMPTION STORY reads like a campaign book. Unfortunately, the book largely “I, for one, plan to make my story count.�
Senator Tim Scott’s AMERICA, A REDEMPTION STORY reads like a campaign book. Unfortunately, the book largely fails to transcend the genre’s clichés, making it a disappointing read overall.
The writing is filled with aphorisms, platitudes, and anodyne statements that dominate much of the text. These elements distract from the moments when Scott discusses real people he knows or has worked with—stories that could have been compelling if they weren’t also used as talking points. The calculated nature of the book is its most glaring flaw.
Scott’s beliefs occasionally shine through, but rather than confidently presenting them, he seems to dilute his convictions by leaving room for opposing views in ways that feel more like pandering than open-mindedness. While respecting differing opinions is admirable, it comes across as lacking the courage of his convictions—an issue for a book meant to reflect a leader’s vision and principles.
One of the book’s strongest sections addresses the racism faced by black conservatives. He confronts the vitriol directed at him and others—such as Thomas Sowell, Condoleezza Rice, and Clarence Thomas—with commendable candor. His critique of liberal racism is poignant and underscores an important issue often ignored in mainstream discussions. In these moments, Scott is at his best: forthright, passionate, and genuinely compelling.
However, Senator Scott’s attempt to straddle multiple sides of key issues—race, the economy, and others—feels disingenuous. This is particularly jarring in an era of politicians who, for better or worse, are often unabashed in their beliefs. While one might not agree with the likes of Donald Trump, the raw authenticity of such figures contrasts sharply with Scott’s overly calculated approach.
Quotes: � “Clearly our Founding Fathers had glaring blind spots, but they were smart enough to know it! They created a Constitution that allowed us to adapt and evolve.� � “Redemption won’t be stopped.�
Ultimately, this text left me less impressed with Senator Scott than I was before reading it. While I still believe he’s a decent person and a better option than many of his peers, this book does little to inspire confidence in his leadership or authenticity. This is not a book that needs to be reread or even kept on your bookshelf. Instead, it serves as a reminder of the performative nature of modern politics—a missed opportunity for Senator Scott to present himself as a principled leader rather than just another politician....more
I first read HOLIDAYS ON ICE over 20 years ago in my 20s, back when I was a big fan of David Sedaris. As I’ve “I think I’ll be a low-key sort of elf.�
I first read HOLIDAYS ON ICE over 20 years ago in my 20s, back when I was a big fan of David Sedaris. As I’ve gotten older, however, I find his work less satisfying. To be fair, I haven’t yet read his two most recent books.
Many of the pieces in this collection left me feeling unsatisfied. That said, this edition includes some additional stories, and the ones carried over from the original edition remain enjoyable. HOLIDAYS ON ICE opens with the famous “Santaland Diaries�, which has been adapted into plays and other formats. It details Sedaris’s experience working as an elf in Macy’s Santaland at their flagship Manhattan store. The piece is good for a laugh and remains a highlight of the collection.
Another standout is the wonderfully sharp Christmas letter written by the fictional matriarch of the Dunbar family. In “Season’s Greetings�, Sedaris creates a wholly believable and hilariously passive-aggressive persona in the voice of Mrs. Dunbar. This piece is so wrong on so many levels, but I can’t help grinning every time I read it.
My favorite piece in this collection, however, is one I don’t remember from my initial reading: “Front Row Center�. In it, a character reviews local elementary school holiday productions as if they were legitimate professional theater performances. The satire had me in stitches, with numerous laugh-out-loud lines. At the same time, it acknowledges the absurdity and charm of those productions, which we endure and enjoy only because someone we love is performing. The final lines of this story are unexpectedly moving, as Sedaris makes an important and poignant point. For me, it’s by far the standout piece in this collection.
Quotes: � “All of us take pride and pleasure in the fact that we are unique, but I’m afraid that when all is said and done the police are right: it all comes down to fingerprints.� � “Under certain circumstances parental pride is understandable but it has no place in the theater, where it tends to encourage a child to believe in a talent, that more often than not, simply fails to exist.� � “If I could believe in myself, why not give other improbabilities the benefit of the doubt?�
Overall, HOLIDAYS ON ICE is a quick and entertaining read for the season, though it’s not exactly a feel-good book. It’s more for the grown-up who wants a day of biting humor amidst the sugary kindness of the Christmas season....more
“I’m grateful for this country and its Constitution.�
UNMASKED: INSIDE ANTIFA’S RADICAL PLAN TO DESTROY DEMOCRACY by Andy Ngo is not exactly an enjoyab“I’m grateful for this country and its Constitution.�
UNMASKED: INSIDE ANTIFA’S RADICAL PLAN TO DESTROY DEMOCRACY by Andy Ngo is not exactly an enjoyable book to read, but it’s one I’m glad I took the time to absorb. I listened to the audio version, which I found to be a great way to take in this journalistic exploration. In this book, Andy Ngo takes a deep dive into the actions, history, and ideology of Antifa.
I have little tolerance for violent individuals who hide behind masks and harass people—sometimes even at their homes. This is exactly the kind of behavior that Antifa has carried out against Andy Ngo himself. The book includes photographic and video evidence that such harassment has occurred, leaving little room for doubt.
One of the more compelling aspects of this text is how thoroughly Ngo examines the history and development of the Antifa movement, including its internal policies, rules, and organizational structure. What surprised me most was Ngo’s willingness to engage with and even consider some of the perspectives held by Antifa members. While he ultimately criticizes their values as misguided, he shows a level of thoughtfulness and consideration that is more generous than I expected. For example, he takes time to understand and address the logic (fallacious though it is) of their arguments, even though he does not agree with them. This measured approach is something I appreciated. That said, Ngo has no praise for Antifa or its goals. His criticism is clear and pointed, but it’s not dismissive from the outset, which allows the reader to weigh his arguments thoughtfully.
The most profound part of UNMASKED is its “Afterward�. It’s powerful and thought-provoking, standing out as the most impactful section of the text. Ngo, a first-generation American and the child of refugees from communist Vietnam, reflects on why he is so committed to preserving the America he knows and loves. At one point, he writes, “America is worth preserving and protecting for future generations.� I found this perspective deeply moving. It’s always inspiring when the child of immigrants, who may have a more acute understanding of the fragility of freedom, values this nation even more than those who have been here for generations.
As a side note, the book is well-researched, concluding with 53 pages of single-spaced endnotes and sources. Ngo does an excellent job of backing up his claims with hard evidence, which is a testament to his journalistic rigor.
Is UNMASKED an enjoyable read? Not exactly. But it’s a book I’m glad to have been exposed to. It’s thought-provoking, informative, and a sobering look at a movement that warrants scrutiny....more
I have seen David Limbaugh’s books on Christianity in bookstores for a while, and I decided to give him“The Bible is Christ and Christ is the Bible.�
I have seen David Limbaugh’s books on Christianity in bookstores for a while, and I decided to give him a go. Mr. Limbaugh is a lawyer by trade, and it shows in his logic-based analysis of his premise, which is that the Bible is from beginning to end about Jesus Christ. (I agree with this premise by the way.)
The focus of the text is on finding Christ in the Old Testament, and THE EMMAUS CODE is an accessible and insightful review of the historical Old Testament as a whole. Limbaugh approaches the historical timeline of events in chronological order and it makes for interesting reading.
Chapters 5 & 6 of this text, dealing with biblical covenants, were misses for me. They were a little dry and I have some theological differences with some of the of interpretations/conclusions that Limbaugh comes to, but nothing that was a reason to walk away from the text. For example, some of the writer’s conclusions lead him to believe in a literal 1000-year millennial reign. I do not subscribe to that view.
Quotes: � “…Christianity does not abrogate the Old Testament; it completes it.� � “As Christians we do not get to cherry-pick the Bible-it is all God’s living, breathing Word.� � “God forgives the past, but He does not undo it.� � “Man left to his own devices can produce nothing but chaos, destruction, and death.� � “With more than eighty citations, Deuteronomy is one of the most frequently quoted books in the New Testament.� � “I never cease to marvel at the parallel threads coursing through Scripture, all heading inexorably to fulfill God’s unfolding purposes.� � “Acquiring wisdom involves a pattern of behavior: steeping ourselves in God's Word, applying the principles from it to our experiences, then incorporating those lessons to gain greater insight that will in turn enhance our next readings of scripture.� � “…the certainty of judgement is the very reason we need the Gospel.�
One of the things I liked about THE EMMAUS CODE is that Mr. Limbaugh has clearly read and studied a lot on this subject, and much of the book is a collation of his studies. He cites other scholars a lot! I appreciated what was clearly a labor of love for him. I learned a lot from this text, and it enhanced my personal biblical study. I would not recommend this book for the beginning Christian. I think it would overwhelm them. But for those who have been in the faith a while and have been regular with reading God’s Word I think it would be a good experience. I do intend to read some of Mr. Limbaugh’s other biblically based works....more
“True freedom must be an ‘ordered freedom�, at the center of which is what we call ‘self-government�.�
I was surprised by this book. In a pleasant way“True freedom must be an ‘ordered freedom�, at the center of which is what we call ‘self-government�.�
I was surprised by this book. In a pleasant way. It was much less political than I thought it was going to be, in fact there are no political references of any note that are more current than the Clinton presidency. I’m sure other modern presidents were mentioned, but the only two I can remember being mentioned were Clinton and Nixon. The book was also just much better in general then I expected. I think Mr. Metaxas wants his book to be relevant long after the current political climate has passed away, so he wrote this book from a historical perspective, which will give it a much longer shelf life.
Especially good is chapter four where Mr. Metaxas examines the idea of Heroes, specifically heroes in American culture. His line-by-line examination of the Longfellow poem, “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere� is just lovely. This respect for our past, despite its flaws, is just not what it was when I was a child. It's lacking in American culture currently (in sections of American culture) and it makes me sad. I for one am glad that Mr. Metaxas is defending it. There is also a nice bit about Squanto, and the providential aspects of his life. If you don’t know who that was, I read books about him when I was a kid. Now he has all but disappeared from popular culture. The book also includes an excellent examination of the timing, and miracle, of the drafting of the US Constitution. This section was especially stirring and thought provoking.
In IF YOU CAN KEEP IT, THE FORGOTTEN PROMISE OF AMERICAN LIBERTY Metaxas focuses on the idea of America, venerating heroes, the importance of moral leaders, loving America, and other concepts. It’s a positive book, but not sycophantic. It is a text that refuses to ignore the good just because there is also bad. I end with this thought from the author as he concluded this work, “So go forth and love America, knowing that if your love is true it will be transmuted one way or another into a love of everything that is good beyond America, which is her golden promise to the world. And the promise that we, you and I, must keep.�...more
THE DEVIL & SHERLOCK HOMLES: TALES OF MURDER, MADNESS, AND OBSESSION is a collection of 12 pieces of narrative journalism that DaviEclectic collection
THE DEVIL & SHERLOCK HOMLES: TALES OF MURDER, MADNESS, AND OBSESSION is a collection of 12 pieces of narrative journalism that David Grann wrote for various publications. 9 of the 12 pieces where originally published in “The New Yorker� magazine. In the “Introduction� Mr. Grann writes, “But it is the messiness of life, and the human struggle to make sense of it, that drew me to the subjects in this collection.� That is the book’s premise and unifying theme in a nutshell.
With the exception of the final essay, “Giving ‘The Devil� His Due�, I enjoyed all the pieces for differing reasons, and they kept my attention. I was unexpectedly moved by the piece, “Which Way Did He Run�, a sobering essay about a fireman who survived 9/11 when the rest of his squad did not. There is a line from that piece that I thought was especially insightful, “Memory is a code to who we are, a collection not simply of dates and facts but also of emotional struggles, epiphanies, and transformations.� I also enjoyed that this is a book filled with many incidental facts that you did not know you did not know. Here is just one example, “Though oceans cover three-quarters of the Earth- the Pacific alone is bigger than all the continents put together- the underwater realm has remained largely invisible to human beings.�
Overall, THE DEVIL & SHERLOCK HOMLES is an interesting collection of pieces, examining some of the more intriguing aspects of our human nature. It is an enjoyable read....more
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.� (4.5 stars)
I love “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.� (4.5 stars)
I love C.S. Lewis. Oftentimes I have to really slow down and digest his work. He is not a surface writer. For me, THE PROBLEM OF PAIN was no exception to that rule. Like all of my encounters with Mr. Lewis, I read some things that clicked, I read other things that I needed to ponder on for a bit, and I read some things that I found worded and explained in such a manner that I think it is not exaggeration to call it genius.
There is lots to say about this text. I won’t attempt to say it here. Here are some impressions I have, among many. Lewis writes about the idea of “Numinous� in some depth and does an excellent job of pointing out that if humanity does not connect Numinous with Righteousness the fallout is heavy, He writes this as fact in 1940. It was true then and if one considers the things that our culture prioritizes today it is very obviously true nowadays. Which really means that it is universally true all the time, and always has been, and always will be. Great writers and thinkers reveal humanity in all its glory and debauchery. Mr. Lewis was a great writer.
Chapter 5 of this text, called “The Fall of Man� was a little beyond me, and I am not sure I agree with its argument. That is rare for me when it concerns Mr. Lewis. I find it interesting that at the end of the chapter Lewis himself admits that he may have gotten into the weeds a little bit with its premise.
Quotes: � “…my conviction that when pain is to be borne, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.� � “Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free will involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.� � “…whether we like it or not, God intends to give us what we need, not what we think we want.� � “A recovery of the old sense of sin is essential to Christianity.� � “Prostitutes are in no danger of finding their present life so satisfactory that they cannot turn to God: the proud, the avaricious, the self-righteous, are in that danger.� � “For you will certainly carry out God’s purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John.� � “Love, by definition, seeks to enjoy its object.� � “But God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love.�
I learned a lot about myself, my faith, and about God while reading THE PROBLEM OF PAIN. That is a worthwhile read in my opinion!...more
When I read the overwritten and pompous Introduction to THE MOSQUITO, A HUMAN HISTORY OF OUR DEADLEST“Just like us, she is simply trying to survive.�
When I read the overwritten and pompous Introduction to THE MOSQUITO, A HUMAN HISTORY OF OUR DEADLEST PREDATOR I became worried about the book to follow. My fears were justified. The premise of this book is an intriguing one. An examination of how human history has been shaped by the mosquito and the disease that it has facilitated throughout recorded time. However, author Timothy Winegard inserts himself and his woke and stupid opinions on events into the text at every chance. The resulting book is nauseating.
I have lots of issues with this text, here are just a couple. Number one-Especially egregious and disingenuous is Winegard’s constant insulting of Christianity, all the while completely ignoring the “sins� of other religious practices. It ticked me off. Mainly because it is deceitful. Number two- This clown of a “historian� actually suggests with all seriousness that mosquitos in the new world were nothing more than scratchy pests before Columbus and all those evil Europeans showed up. Then because of the influx of Europeans (evil white men in Winegard’s world) suddenly these benign North American mosquitos that lived in swamps and bred in stagnant water, etc. mutate and became deadly like their European counterparts. How stupid does this writer think you and I are? Number three- What the author says about Christopher Columbus is typical woke claptrap, truly crap. I did not appreciate the author's attempt to appear unbiased. Just own it dude. When he speaks of depravity in cultures that are not European, which he only does rarely, the terms he uses belie his supposed intent. This author attacks Europeans incessantly. Everyone else in history gets a pass. In short, that is dishonest scholarship. Number four- Mr. Winegard dismisses out hand many established historical facts throughout this book. In his version of events, the stories that he replaces some of these historical facts with are totally unsubstantiated. Frankly, the notes and bibliography section for this book are incredibly weak considering all the well-known and established things that it purports to turn on its head.
I could go on. I have made my point. I only completed the book so that I could trash it in a review. I see now why it was on my local library’s “free shelf". I should donate it to my local used bookstore, but I am not sure I hate my community that much....more
“One of the conceits of my profession is that it can discover the truth…�
A DEATH IN BELMONT is an interesting nonfiction book. The text begins with a “One of the conceits of my profession is that it can discover the truth…�
A DEATH IN BELMONT is an interesting nonfiction book. The text begins with a horrific crime that happened about a mile from where author Sebastian Junger grew up. There is a loose connection between that murder and the man that was possibly the infamous serial killer known as the Boston Strangler. Sebastian Junger takes that tenuous connection and expands it into a book. Which is fine, however his personal connection to the story that he tells is not very deep and therefore a lot of the book is examining the back story.
This piece is really the tale of two people, who receive most of the book’s focus. One, a black man named Roy Smith who was accused of (and jailed for) the murder that took place near infant Sebastian's childhood home. The other focus is on Albert DeSalvo, the man who many believe was the Boston Strangler, although that has never been proven conclusively. What I found most interesting about the book was its larger examination of the cultural context of the period. Things like the examination of the justice system in 1960s America, the way that childhood and the events of young adulthood change and shape one’s perspectives, etc. It was all the cultural context and little tidbits of history surrounding the crimes examined in this text to flesh it out that I was most intrigued by. I learned a lot of interesting things in those bits. The main story, the story of the crime that set all of this in motion, was the least interesting part of the book for me. But I am also not a huge fan of true crime. However, give me cultural examination and a historical context, and I am all ears.
If you are interested in a snapshot of a time period, then A DEATH IN BELMONT is a choice for you. If you're someone who's really interested in crime, and already know the name Albert DeSalvo this might not be the text you want.
Mr. Junger deals well with the open-endedness of much of the details that surround the events depicted in this book, and this following line from the text really does sum up the experience of reading this book nicely. “But maybe the truth isn’t even the most interesting thing about some stories, maybe the most interesting thing about some stories is all the things that could be true.�
Side note: I listened to the audio book, and narrator Kevin Conway is excellent! He characterizes with his voice and is pleasant sounding. I really enjoyed listening to him....more
This was my first experience with the work of the late Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias. It was int“Life is a search for the spiritual.� (3.5 stars)
This was my first experience with the work of the late Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias. It was interesting to me, but it did not inflame in me an intense desire to read more of his output. I may, or I may not. I am ambivalent about it at this point.
WHY JESUS? takes an in depth look at the so called “New Spirituality� that has become a fad in the 21st century, at least in western culture. As a result, the text had a little too much focus on eastern religious practices for my taste. That was not my goal for picking up this book. It makes for good thought and discussion, and Zacharias is very respectful and considerate when examining non-Christian religious practices, but I feel there was too much emphasis on that, and not enough focus on what I thought the book would be about, which is the divinity and superiority of Christ.
Some highlights for me with this book: On page 46 of the hardcover edition Mr. Zacharias gives one the of the best and most concise summaries of postmodernism that I have come across. My undergrad degree is in English, and I found postmodernism criticism stupid then, and now 24 years later, I find it even more ridiculous. Chapter 11 of this text, called “The Search for Jesus�, is easily the book’s best. It is well argued and biblically backed up. I enjoyed it immensely.
Quotes: � “Who, deep in his or her heart, doesn’t want to know God, if he really exists?� � “Cultural shifts do not happen in one giant step.� � “We think we can follow whichever path we want and still end up with something meaningful.� � “From its value to its power, to its deification, even as an abstract category truth becomes the final question in any conflict.� � “The loss of reading has also reduced the individual’s capacity to write.� � “One cannot simply live without boundaries. The question is, whose boundaries?� � “The world was made for the body. The body was made for the soul. And the soul was made for God.� � “We do not have the seeds of divinity. That is the ultimate seduction.� � “Often when we are struggling with how best to say we no longer believe what we once did, it is easiest to find one idea and either warp it or take it out of context and make ourselves heroes for being willing to renounce the unacceptable.� � “Without the transcendent perspective the mirror distorts the image.� � “Love does have its boundaries, but it must have a long reach.�
WHY JESUS? was a book that gave me food for thought, and Ravi Zacharias takes great pains to debunk the Jesus pushed by other religious (non-Christian) traditions as antithetical to biblical writings and teachings. I appreciated that. It is one area that any practicing Christian should not struggle with. But sadly, many do....more
TIP OF THE ICEBERG. MY 3,000-MILE JOURNEY AROUND WILD ALASKA, THE LAST GREAT AMERICAN FRONTIER is a vastly inter“You didn’t turn your back on Alaska."
TIP OF THE ICEBERG. MY 3,000-MILE JOURNEY AROUND WILD ALASKA, THE LAST GREAT AMERICAN FRONTIER is a vastly interesting travelogue. Author, Mark Adams, tries to retrace the route of the Harriman Expedition of 1899. The Harriman Expedition was a sort of luxury, quasi-scientific cruise sponsored by a wealthy American industrialist who also invited leading scientists and environmental “explorers� to come along.
TIP OF THE ICEBERG is peopled with interesting characters, the type of people one would expect to find in Alaska. Mark Adams does a nice job of keeping himself out of the center of the narrative, which I appreciated. The book is much more about Alaska and the people Adams encounters there than it is about him. The chapters alternate between Mr. Adams recounting some aspect of the Harriman Expedition, followed by a chapter of his own experiences and adventures retracing their steps.
Like the best travel books, the main benefit of this one is that it allowed me to experience vicariously places I will probably never be able to visit. It also expanded my worldview. But more importantly, it gave me a hunger to know more about a part of my nation that I know very little about.
Alaska is huge. Its massiveness is breathtaking. Its wildness is astounding to behold and in this book Mr. Adams successfully gives a sense of all that grandeur. I have already ordered some of his other books to read. Not only that, but I've ordered other books about Alaska. So, all I can say is that I think TIP OF THE ICEBERG did what it was meant to do. I end with a quote from the book that I just loved, and that I think sums up what I tried to express in this review. “In Alaska, it was still ‘the morning of creation.’�...more
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