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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Gregorio Roth has commented on (36) products
Lord Jim: Introduction by Norman Sherry
by
Conrad, Joseph
Gregorio Roth
, June 20, 2012
LORD JIM is a novel focused on the imperial zeitgeist of the age. The age is the years between 1876 to the beginning of world war one. Europe was beaming in its nationalism, imperialism, and as well as aliances between nation states. Europe could be seen as a cage where the main event in the WWE would be held, in this corner Germany and the Hapsburgs vs. London and France. We see explorers controlling new lands and new people. We find adventures awaiting. So what if you don't care about the imperial age? Are you a Star Trek or Battle Star Galactica fan? One then can imagine the ocean as deep space, and the natives as aliens. I found it easier to concentrate on the plot when I imagined Jim as captain Kirk. I could understand the imperialistic superiority over native cultures, if I thought of the natives as aliens or droids. Conrad poses profound questions: Can a man run away from his past ruins? Or do they hunt him down till the present moment catches up with him? Is the earth big enough to hold the caper?" I loved the narration by Stewart Lewis on Libri Vox. He does a great job with a tricky book. I could understand Conrad's humor by Stewart Lewis's reading of the novel. The book overall was imperially commanding.
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Love & Respect Experience A Husband Friendly Devotional That Wives Truly Love
by
Emerson Eggerichs
Gregorio Roth
, March 22, 2012
We envisioned a marriage that danced beautifully and was a beacon of hope in a pessimistic age. We thought we were doing fine, just fine, with our steps. But sometimes, our feet became tangled up, and as we bent over to untangle the mess, the knot of frustration only got tighter. We asked: How did we get here in this knot of frustration? What can we do to untangle the knot? We did not want to get divorced, we thought, as this would mean that we were disobeying God! Were we to suffer and live in a silent house until we died? These thoughts did cross my mind in the first five years of marriage, however now our marriage is growing brighter with good friendly council and good books like Emerson Eggerichs Love and Respect Experience: A Husband Friendly Devotional. Gentlemen, we often work more on our occupation than we do on our households. Why? We stay at work, because it is often easier or at least more understandable. As time goes by, our marriages end up in a heap of dusty debris. The devotional walks besides you like a friend. The meditations are great and can be read in less than ten minutes. Eggerichs guides you in a prayer after the meditation that helps through-out the week. Then the weekly action steps will help you put the meditations into a workable plan. The follow up questions can be used to learn from each other and discuss frustrations and joys. My wife Jessica and I received a free copy from book-sneeze, and liked it so much that we actually bought one for her kindle. We have also recommended this book to our engaged friends Mike and Missy. We feel this book is great for any married couple, no matter how long they have been married.
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The Gospel According to Jesus
by
Chris Seay
Gregorio Roth
, December 15, 2011
The Gospel According to Jesus is an exploration into Christian Living by Chris Seay. For me, readers although, I cannot say that I am a procrastinator in all things, or that I am unacquainted with doing things on time, yet true to my procrastination in composing this review I felt compelled to procrastinate on writing the review because I could not truthfully write something that I dearly wanted to infuse the knowledge of to others, when I write a review I want it to reflect the author’s intent, unlike so many reviews I have the unfortunate chance of reading, I did not want to have the review not give the author a chance to speak before he has spoken, so as I sat down and attempted to write a review of what Chris has given us, the review fell all to pieces. I had a hard time coming to terms with the question posed by Chris Seay, “What is the gospel?” This question sent me on a year and a half journey, and nearly cost me ability to stay connected in the flux of our momentary sanity. So, first off I owe Chris Seay an apology that it took almost a year and a half to review his book; this is not something I am proud of and would like to ask Thomas Nelson and Chris Seay to forgive me for not getting a review written in a timely fashion. I wish I had an adequate excuse. Or that I could rationalize away my sins. But alas like everything without Christ I fall short again. That is why I am thankful for the book that Chris has written. His book, in short, is a brilliant investigation into the Gospel and a stepping stone into a personal journey and revelation into what is Christ’s Gospel. He has provided us fellow pilgrims a resource for our Christian Walk. The Good: • The book was a pleasure to read. • Good resources were provided in the book; I loved the prayers. • It kindles a search into Jesus and the Gospels, it makes you desire to dig deeper. The Bad: • As a primary guide it falls short in Christian Theology. • It is written by a pilgrim who is on the journey; the ideas are not concreted by an expert in the field.
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Lost World Puffin Classics
by
Arthur Conan Doyle
Gregorio Roth
, October 24, 2011
The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a model for adventure stories in science fiction. The book influenced Michael Crichton in his creation of the LOST WORLD (Jurassic Park). Edward Malone, a reporter for the Daily Gazette, finds no real excitement in his life. Ed wants to woo Gladys, but Gladys wants to marry a romantic hero. Gladys does not see Ed as a knightly figure, at least not yet. So Ed must find his romantic quest in the name of his beauty Gladys. Questions Doyle poses are: will Ed come home a hero? Will this quest earn the right to Gladys’s love? What lost world will Ed find in the Amazon? And what about the dinosaurs and the primitive humans, will he find the missing link? The book was published in 1912, and exhibits the world of Victorian Empire on the move. British empire was attempting to find “a dreamland of glamour and romance, a land where we had dared much, suffered much, and learned much�"OUR land, as we shall ever fondly call it.*” Caveat lector, the ideas of the Victorian Era are not of our own, and may offend those with politically correct notions. But this book is a great adventure and I believe a good book for young readers. Note: One can listen to this on Libri Vox. *Doyle, Arthur Conan (2011-03-30). The Lost World (Kindle Locations 2705-2706). Kindle Edition.
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Inherent Vice
by
Thomas Pynchon
Gregorio Roth
, August 26, 2011
Thomas Pynchon is a writer who compels the reader to work hard through his books to find a gem at the end of his rainbow. If you want something easy Mr. Pynchon probably is not your cup of tea. But if you are willing to be submerged in a new experience Pynchon is your guide. Here Pynchon, our rough guide, takes us to the Los Angeles neighborhood that surrounds LAX. The time is 1969, and the mood is hazy. Our government has us involved in a never ending war with a place called Vietnam. The economy is good not great. The beginning of the internet is here but it will not be released to the public till 1991. Charlie Manson has gotten every suburbanite scared of long haired freaks. There seems to be a quite buzz about that feels like it could blow up into a Technicolor Riot at any moment. This is where we find Doc, a private gum shoe, investigating the disappearance of his girlfriend. Doc is more of a surfer than anything produced by Raymond Chandler. Pynchon does an incredible job of lifting up what subterranean currants made Los Angeles glow dim in the 1980’s. I really enjoyed this book and think that anyone who likes Elmore Leonard or Raymond Chandler would find this book a blast. It also could be the book for all of you interested in social history; with a need to find out what caused something that once was a dream into now a nightmare (stand for bankruptcy, and viral infections). All people who love Shelley Winters will love this book.
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Slaughterhouse Five Or the Childrens Crusade a Duty Dance with Death
by
Kurt Vonnegut
Gregorio Roth
, February 07, 2011
Wow! What can a man say that has never fought in a war, never been shot at, and never seen the effects of wars first hand: I feel kind of cheap in reviewing this book especially about the war scenario portrayed in the book Slaughter House Five. But this book is also a commentary on life. Vonnegut is not a a bleeding heart liberal, a pacifist. He is a "modern prophet" telling humans to wake up from their vegetative state,wake up, and feel again. This book will make you feel again. It will make you question again. It will not be easy to feel again, but weak people should die from their need to hide history in volumes of correlated data points. The role of the author according to Vonnegut(from my extrapolation) is to be the optometrist for the historical era they live in. Optometrists help near sided people see far away, and far sided people to see what's near. The optometrist helps people see again rightly. One way the novelist does this is by providing a way to break from the cold, safe, logistical view of humanity. We are to see the heart of entombed volumes of historical data, by walking with the participants of historical moments. It is easy to distance oneself from a number, 135,000 people. It is easy to dismiss the death of characterized evil beings from a far away land. But Vonnegut forces one to look again at these people, and what war did to Dresden. I cluck this book real high, just be prepared for a book that may move you down into the mucky reality of modern warfare/lifestyles.
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On Moral Fiction
by
John Gardner
Gregorio Roth
, January 11, 2011
This little book is a great defense against crap in fiction. Gardner argues against the postmodern flotsam that is today considered high art. Its high art all right, but it is not morally straight. The book is very helpful to create clarity in the haze that has been created by the ivory towered tenured writer who instead of making art that is clearly understood, makes art that is just confusing or plain gibberish at its best. I would add this book to my collection, because it would serve me well as a reference to my critique of art today. (This book is well served with a side dish of Francis Schaeffer.)
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Fahrenheit 451
by
Ray Bradbury
Gregorio Roth
, November 14, 2010
Fahrenheit 451 is a parable* about reading and the role of the critic/teacher. The book takes place in a future where books are burned and only comic books are allowed for reading. The main characters Montag and Faber battle against each other in war between the preservation of books and the need to burn them all. The characters in the story represent the battle between readers and those that stand in the way of a free flow of information. Montag represents the blank piece of paper. Faber represents a pencil with an eraser. Faber desires to graft the critics wholesome viewpoint on the blank unwritten mind. The outsider community represents the librarians who desire to keep the word pure of unnecessary edits. The major take away from the book is how destructive it is to tell the youthful mind what to think about this or that idea/book. We keep our world sterilized written between the liens and only between the lines. We stand conditioned as trained morons, to use Prussian systematization to condition our future to be like drones thinking with homogenized answer. The homogenized answer is a problem in a divergent complex world. A Classic Tale-liked it a lot!!! LOL FML (Listened to this on Audio C.D. Read for B.S.I. Lakeland.) *(ashort story that uses familiar events to illustrate a religious or ethical point)
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Stranger In a Strange Land
by
Robert A Heinlein
Gregorio Roth
, November 09, 2010
Heinlein is a master of the literary craft. Here in Stranger in a Strange Land he interweaves human relations, large ideas (theology), and the art of the story. The story a Stranger in a Strange Land takes place in a New America, that is one world ordered hegemony. The world has made missions to mars and has set up a space colony there. The space colony had been deserted on the planes of Mars. The man from mars is found after many years of exposure to an alien race. The climax resolves whether Michael Valentine Smith will be excepted by the people of Earth. At times this book gets bogged down in Heinlein's philosophy, so it can be a difficult read. What I liked about the book is its deep analysis of Faith. Heinlein first looks at the cult of the Fosterites. A cult where everyone is happy, and everyone thinks as a one happy unit. (I would like to go deeper into describing the Fosterites, but I am afraid that this would lead you down a rabbit hole and would maybe bore you deeply.) Then he looks at how Michael Valentine Smith twists the Abrahamic religions to make a cult that combines elements of Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, and Judaism. The religion is based on the wisdom of the old ones. (I am only all that I Grok.) The perfect wisdom of the elders is not to be disputed at all. The cult members become entwined by a sharing of water together. They see each other as all Gods. Thou art god and so are my Guinea pigs and Lovebird. The religion replaces God and put man in God’s place, this allows man to worship created things. When God’s proper place, to be above all, is replaced all is left in Chaos. Because man is now God like, the divine things are the things that connect man in deeper communication. Sex is seen as sharing deeper with many people. The communal orgasm is sacred, a great religious experience. Cannibalism is the holiest way to die for it is taking the spirit of the other deeply into the body of the collective. The book raised the question: What does it mean to be both God and man? Why could not Joseph and Mary give birth to the messiah? Why did it need to be a virginal birth? What becomes lost when the Messiah is merely a superman? (Loved this book and Clucked it Loud)
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One Year Book of Encouragement 365 Days of Inspiration & Wisdom for Your Spiritual Journey
by
Harold Myra
Gregorio Roth
, September 30, 2010
The light rail stopped at the Denver Auraria Higher Education Center. The students were pushed this way and that at the light rail, we were all expecting to be taken on home to a place without hurts. Our hopes were high, but these hopes have been pushed this way and that. People have lost faith in a turning around and stand still watching the sand granules slowly slip through the hourglass. Americans are beginning to feel discouraged. Harold Myra published the book The One Year Book of Encouragement, in order to provide a life line from the traumatic state in the United States today. Myra sees that Christians need “refreshment …in the deep authentic rivers of our Christian Heritage.”(v) He sees the insight of our Christian Heritage as authentic because the truth from these authors was “hammered out on the anvil of life’s realities.”(v) The book succeeds in providing encouraging and challenging thoughts for people amidst the tension of today’s economic recession. The author includes scripture verses that encourage the reader to look deeper into the word of God. Also the author models a prayer each day that will encourage your prayer life. This book is a keeper and a definite cluck. Personally, I look forward to starting my day each day by reading an encouraging word from this book. I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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SEEDS OF TURMOIL
by
BRYANT WRIGHT
Gregorio Roth
, September 14, 2010
Another book about Jerusalem: You are thinking: "This book looks boring. Israelis should just throw a Saturday Night Block Party, shoot off some fireworks, and enjoy their time together. And heck, Jerusalem is 6,560 miles from Orlando Florida... that is way too far away to really matter? And if Israel blows up, well there is always the Holy Land Experience." Before I read this book, I had many of these thoughts about the Holy Land. But, now I have a clearer perspective on Israel. Seeds of Turmoil is a book that shows in a simple, clear fashion the roots of unrest in Modern Israel. The book begins with the history of Abraham. Arabs, Christians and Jews all have their beginning with Abraham. But all three have responded to their dysfunctional family problem by divergent means. Bryan Wright's straight forward writing, presents clearly the historical and sociological roots of turmoil in Israel. As Americans we need to deepen our knowledge on Islam, Judaism and Christianity. America's future will depend on the interactions between diverse communities. Seeds of Turmoil is a great book, clucked loudly. (*****) I also loved the author notes, maps, and reading group questions that were included in this book.
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Lead Like Ike: Ten Business Strategies from the CEO of D-Day
by
Geoff Loftus
Gregorio Roth
, August 25, 2010
Okay let's go." And we started another close at Publix. I am usually scheduled to close the Deli at Publix. I look forward to the challenge almost every night, because closing is a difficult task. You need to be able to give 100% of your attention to the customers while being flexible enough to get the cleaning done. Also we need to restock the floor so that there is product to sell to customers the next day. On top of all that we need to work together as a team, which is not always easy. The book Lead like Ike is a great game plan for getting to the much needed success of our store. Eisenhower began the Longest Day (D-Day) with the words: "Okay Let's Go" And he took full responsibility for implementation of the plan. "Eisenhower's career as D-Day's CEO provides an encyclopedic case study for designing and implementing organizational strategies" ." P xvii Lead like Ike was a hard book to read straight through, I had every intention to finish the book quickly, but the book took me a long time to read. The book's narrative did not have enough spice to capture my interest. Lead Like Ike did not create a flow that could not be denied. I am also not sure that this book would be one I could share with my work team, as I think it may bore them silly. But the book is a good resource. I plan to refer to it when I come across a sticky wicket in the Publix Deli. 78 out of a 100 A Hesitant Cluck I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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Fatal Convictions
by
Randy Singer
Gregorio Roth
, August 24, 2010
Good books are good books. This is a good mystery story in the style of Tom Clancy, Elmore Leonard, Dennis Lehane and G.K. Chesterton. Singer utilizes good writing, like G.K. Chesterton did before him in the life and times of priests (Father Brown series) who work to uncover crime and the shadows of Christianity's current condition. Alexander Madison is part lawyer, part pastor, and part time chivalrous swindler. Alex takes a case where a Muslim Imam is accused of instigating honor killings. "Fatal Convictions is a story of lawyer willing to risk it all and the women who must choose between faith and love." Amazon.com Randy Singer also critiques our Protestant condition in worship. He points out that Christian worship seems to be a circus event where God has left the building. He shows that Islam does not take Christianity seriously because we disgrace God in our worship lived out in our lives. He shows that Islam is willing to worship with their hearts and living out their faith for Allah; while few American Christians are willing to sacrifice anything, and put themselves before God. Randy Singer's portrayal of Islam is fair and is not a characterization of evil. Americans often see Islam as a group of fanatics who treat their women like dirt. However, Islam is complex. America's flat characterization of Islam is a beast that needs to be slaughtered. We need to learn as much as we can about Islam so that we can intelligently defend our position. Otherwise we appear to be blabbering dogs barking at shadows passing a wire fence. This book deserves a definite cluck, cluck, and cluck! I enjoyed reading every page
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King Dork 01
by
Frank Portman
Gregorio Roth
, July 26, 2010
A teenage angster deals with high school: parental units, cliques, drugs, dorkometers, sex (the good and the ugly) and Rock and Roll. The teenager's dad has died of mysterious circumstances. He finds his dad's old books. The books offer clues. The clues are kind of a Hamlet like Ghost thing; helping him deal with high society in a strange teenage wasteland. The book offers insights on how music can be a powerful force in a youth's life. It shows how writing fan zines help a kid have a voice where his voice is powerless in a world not quite ready for his opinions. I loved the relationships described in the book. One relationship that was developed very well was the main character and his step dad. The step dad is so out of touch, but he wants to be liked by his stepson. He ends up playing a role not suited for him the "adult teenager". Older guys looks so fake when they try to be hip. The book is definitely from a different culture than the one down here in the bible belt. Psychology is the parent's religion. The parents often want to discuss feelings. And violence is frowned upon. Down here in 863 Christianity is the religion. The parents want to discuss the bible. And violence and hunting are things dad and sons do on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday Nights. (This is a generalization it does not imply that all are like this.)(Writer Resides in Lakeland Florida) The book is a great examination of the idea of validation. We all want to be recognized, have some sort of power, and some control of our lives. I am glad I picked up this book and gladly give it a big clucks up!
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An Army of Ordinary People: Stories of Real-Life Men and Women Simply Being the Church
by
George Barna
Gregorio Roth
, June 10, 2010
Felicity Dale offered small nuggets of evangelism opportunities in a fragmented world. Each bite was rich and encouraging to the renewal of the Church today. "When ever we get together, everyone brings a contribution, and the Holy Spirit takes what each person supplies and makes it into a meal to nourish us spiritually." (Pg 191) Mrs. Dale shows the importance of each person to the whole of the church. (1 Corinthians 12) She shows how each of us is responsible to faithfully fulfill the great commission stated in Matthew 28:16-20. She does not shy away from the struggles we may face in order to bring the gospel to all believers. Her honest portrayal in the book is refreshing. The book was segmented into various topics. Each chapter had a theme and a summary at the back of each selection. Because the book had a number of broken components it did not capture my imagination or my muse. The book's flow just never grabbed me. Mrs. Dale puts the believer at the center of the book, so we must use great care to pray that Christ is the center of our theology. The book was a slow dining experience; a full five course meal. I would use this book as a reference guide to innovative church growth. A slight Cluck! 7.5/10 I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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Billy Graham: His Life and Influence
by
David Aikman
Gregorio Roth
, June 09, 2010
"Billy Graham His Life and Influence" is a book that centers the history of Christian Evangelicalism since 1949. The book provides a panoramic view point of Christianity today. The book also shares with the reader what it means to be a Christian Man. A man who loves freely and passionately; George W. Bush said about Billy Graham, "He didn't make you feel guilty, he made you feel loved." (249) Themes that are covered in this book are: Christianity and Culture Mainstream Evangelicalism since 1949. Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy Media's Coverage of American Evangelicals. How seminaries have dealt with the questions of the 20th and 21st century. How did Denominations interact with each other during this time period? How do men of God interact with people of power (especially presidents)? The book does what Rick the Librarian stated good biographies should do: (1. Discover Fascinating people) (2.Rediscover people we think we know well) (3. Portray a hero dynamically, warts and all) (4. Learn how history was influenced by the life of the individual) (6. to celebrate ones culture through a deeper look). David Aikman succeeds in all 5 areas. One thing that was disappointing was the lack of pictures to go along with the narrative. Cluck It Real Good I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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Jesus Manifesto Restoring the Supremacy & Sovereignty of Jesus Christ
by
Leonard Sweet
Gregorio Roth
, May 31, 2010
his book motivated me to think hard about what I consider my Christian Faith; especially the role of Christ in the body of the Church. One part of the book was a yes, amen, y'all are telling truth. But the weeds of the book kept me from accepting their gospel. At other times I felt like the book had something like a scratch on a record being played at 35 rotations a second; irritating at best."The Jesus he presented makes one's brain cells smoke in the efforts to grasp him." (Page 31). I was frustrated that Sweet and Viola did not tell the reader to search the scriptures and find the truth about our relationship with God there. Sweet and Viola seem to want to lead seekers into a large field far from the mind of God, replacing the truth in the bible to the truth of the Volk. The truth of the Volk is now named Jesus and must be accepted. This is dangerous and denies the laws of logic. I wanted to put the needle back past the errors presented. I wanted to yell, "What about the bible? What about the Catechism? What about the historical church? A book like this motivates you to sharpen your truth stance in your Christian Walk. It also motivates you to track heretics and martyrs historical battle. Slightly chuck this into your garden and hope that it will grow amongst the weeds. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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Wild at Heart Discovering the Secret of a Mans Soul revised & expanded edition
by
John Eldredge
Gregorio Roth
, May 18, 2010
Rock Climbing is difficult, not because of the rock but the lack of faith that rests inside ones heart. We cannot see the next step properly without a faith that the next step will hold us above the ground. We are continually battling a war against the little voice that tries to speak up and say, "Heck! That's an impossible step." "You can't do that!" "You are going to fall!" "Just give up!" Wild at Heart shares that this little voice is a common voice shared by all men. The voice will eventually wear a man down and hallow him out. A hallowed man will either grow violent and be consumed by anger. Or become a man that has checked out and is absent from his family. Eldredge does a good job of outlining manhood in today's current age. He equips men with stories that enable them to better serve their wives and family better. One area that was lacking was a series of author notes in the back; he makes up for the lack of author notes by having a very useful prayer index. I also had difficulty getting hooked into the story. (This may have been just the May blahs or the writing, I am not sure.)((tending turnips in da 863))
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Rules of the Red Rubber Ball Find & Sustain Your Lifes Work
by
Kevin Carroll
Gregorio Roth
, May 05, 2010
The Red Rubber Ball is a book that will serve as a catalyst. You will find yourself re-reading the book multiple times; no matter what position or tribe you currently are serving. My copy is weathered, as it has journeyed in my back pocket for a number of skunk-ape expositions. (tendingturnipsinda863)
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Man Who Loved Books Too Much
by
Allison Hoover Bartlett
Gregorio Roth
, April 29, 2010
The E-Library Librarian suggested that I read this book. So I listened to the Audio CD. The book explores the relationship of book collectors, book thieves, and the books they collect. The book is an examination on how books shape our lives and how we shape the books we read or collect. Thomas Jefferson Fitzpatrick desired to make a tomb by collecting so many books, when he died in 1951 he had so many books that he had to sleep on a cot in his kitchen. I read and collect books because it is an elixir for my insecure post modern polluted mind. Books provide a way to make a personal biographical museum of our interests and our loves tomes in one volume. Books serve as a vehicle for a public image shaped carefully by our selected works. We discard books as a way to say, "See how much I have grown, and look at the books I use to own." Words today are footprints of our fleeting thoughts, some holy-some not. The book poses the question: "Are we shaped by the books we read, or do we shape the books we read?"
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Will the World End in 2012?
by
Raymond C. Hundley
Gregorio Roth
, April 16, 2010
9.5/10 Where will you be in 2012? I asked this question of my co-workers; most said that 2012 will not happen! But just in case this will be the last night on earth, I will be at my parent's beach condo in Maui Hawaii! I want to see the sun set and watch the Tsunami come take me to Heaven. The wave will look like God's hand coming toward me as I smiled through infinity. I will not panic. Raymond C. Handley presents the ten theories that are connected to 2012: -The Mayan End of their Calendar -Solar Storms -CERN and the Large Hadron Collider -The Predictions of Nostradamus -The Reversal of the Magnetic Poles -Collision with Planet X -Earth's Alignment with the Galactic Plane -Eruption of the Super Volcano -The Web Bot Project -Religious Predictions of the End of the World. Handley did a great job of writing a short fictional sketch before every theory. This is a great way to get into the real implications of the doom that might be coming. He equips the reader with a clear explanation of each of the theories. He also attempts to calm people and clear the "Kultur-Smog" that is 2012. His answer to the looming theories is clearly gospel centered. The book informing author notes, bibliography, and study guide for future study. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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Love & War
by
John Eldredge
Gregorio Roth
, April 07, 2010
There are 9,175 Books on Christian marriage according to Amazon.com, so why read the Eldredge's Love and War? First, John and Stasi have written this book together, with honesty, about their feelings from two distinct points of view. One can tell that they wrote this book together, and did not hide their true feelings from each other. I felt comforted by their mutual viewpoints, gathered into one love. Stasi and John have 25 years of experience together. The book is written around their golden anniversary. John and Stasi are not third year marrieds who say, "Look at the Parking Lot, Look at the Parking Lot, Look at the Parking Lot,""Don't you see the parking lot." Rather they have been driving gravel roads for a long while. This is a good book that I would recommend to all married Christians. Yes, one might say it is only good for new Christians, but being a Christian does not mean that you need to make everything theologically complicated, rather the truth is the truth. One flaw in the book is the use of too many metaphors. John loves to use the metaphor. Also the other problem in the book is a lack of index, scripture index, and subject index, and notes in the back of the book. This is a common flaw in popular Christian books. But overall it is a success
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American Stories
by
Kafū Nagai
Gregorio Roth
, April 06, 2010
Kafu's book written in the early 1900's, is a sideways look at America from the eyes of a Japanese traveler. A reader today will probably be considered politically incorrect. There are points in the book that will make you say, "I don't think I would have said that!" This is modern writing geared forward and armed with the strength that is America. His prose move forward like a locomotive engineered by Casey Jones; out amongst the open prairie, plowing over women, minorities, and a few prairie dogs not really getting the time to know the death count. He progresses on a narrow gauge track through the scope of the United States. He takes a glimpse through his slanted window to look out amongst the scenery. You can tell that Kafu gets a sensual thrill from the scenery that he moves through. But the people he truly does not get to know. They are constructions that are flat and cutout. Kafu saw that art without sexual tension had no meaning. His prose explore the American cat houses, and treats women as objects that he does not dare get close to. One can see the psychological delusions of the author who was laden with anti social sensibilities. At times the reader feels sad for the writer's lack of ability to connect to a human being.
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After The Hangover
by
R Emmett Tyrrell
Gregorio Roth
, April 05, 2010
Emmet Tyrell answers the following political questions in, After the Hangover the Conservative Road to Recovery: Is American Conservatism Dead? Should we be scared of the Scarlet Letter Ls? Liberals! Are Liberals creating a United States Collectivists' Utopia? While leaving Conservatives in a dystopian wake of big government and large taxation? Can Liberals truly call themselves Liberal? Or are they collectivists? What is Kultur Smog? And who creates the Kultur Smog? Why do we act confused about our political nation? Why can't conservatives create a platform together? How can America recover from the Obama Engine? Tyrrell attempts to navigate Conservatives through the wilderness of today's political America. He does so successfully! He shines truth upon the current Zeitgeist, the spirit of the age. The book loses meaning at times because of the words used. Tyrell assumes you have a background in political science, shown by the lack of definitions he gives for some of his major concepts. For example, "Meet the Press is comfortable Kultursmog territory, but not all its viewers are snozzled by Liberal containments." Snozzled is defined by Urban Dictionary as a term to explain the strange occurrence of people reverting to a strange style of game play (often mistaken as skill) which is also known as 'jump-spam." The book may become frustrating for those readers who do not like to use Google to figure out the meaning of words. All in all it is a good read. 4 Clucks. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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An Outline of the Republic
by
Siddhartha Deb
Gregorio Roth
, March 24, 2010
"The offing was barred by a bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed sombre under an overcast sky-seemed to lead into the heart of an immune darkness." (Conrad 158) So ends Conrad's heart of Darkness. Sidhartha Deb ends his book with an allusion, an implicit reference, to the end of Conrad's Heart of Darkness. "I turned left , knowing that if I kept going I would come to the river." (Deb 318) Deb points us again to the place that holds the heart of darkness, once described by Conrad, and that this place still remains in the twenty first century. We have failed to become a modernized utopia. A utopia where the river now flows to the heart of heal-able light.
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Century Turns
by
Bill Bennett
Gregorio Roth
, March 18, 2010
William J. Bennet new book A Century Turns is a fire proof suite, for someone who has been hit hard by the "Rocket of Change". The book is a superb historical narrative of the last twenty years (1989-2009). The book explores changing America. Obama said, "A Change, A Change, and A Change!" But what is the change he is discussing? William Bennet shows where we were and what is happening today in a clear conservative point of view. It is a critical book for those who were raised Liberal, in Blue States, and taught by teachers who loved their leather bound volumes of Marx. Can you feel the hot flames from the after-burn of the plethora of multiple political pundits? Is your mind numb? Are you striving to be Ignorant of the entire historical hullabaloo coming from your television set? I am afraid to say that when the news comes on I often to turn it off. My mental state is dangerous in a democracy. Democracies require educated people. The mental state of America is ripe for the power brokers to yield what they believe is best for the people. William Bennett helps me desire to re-tune to the political spectrum without the effects of Future Shock. (A note to Liberals) Even if you don't change your spots, you will be able to discuss the issues with a clearer perspective and have greater compassion for your conservative friends. I recommend this book. 4.5/5 Stars.
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Tulip The Five Points of Calvinism in the Light of Scripture
by
Duane Edwar Spencer
Gregorio Roth
, March 08, 2010
In an age of confusion, the book Tulip keeps it simple for all of us dunderheads who have plenty of adventures in missing the point. Duane Edward Spencer contributes a book that helps clarify the message of our condition under god. The book clarifies the contrasting views of justification held by Armenians and Justification held by Calvinists. I am thankful for a book that keeps it simple and to the point.
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Far Country
by
Daniel Mason
Gregorio Roth
, March 05, 2010
Nietzsche wrote, "In our sleep and in our dreams we pass through the whole thought of early humanity. I mean in the same way that man reasons in his dreams, he reasoned when in the waking state many thousands of years… the dreams carries us back into earlier states of human culture, and affords us a means of understanding it better."(Friedrich Nietzsche, Human all too Human Vol I.13) The main character Isabel goes to the Modern City in search of her brother Isaias. Isabel brings with her the trappings of shamanistic culture and Santeria traditions. Her abilities are not matched well for the Urban Space she has decided to journey to. The reader sees the differences between people's negative capabilities and their visible capabilities. A Far Country serves as a good study on the battle between past self and future self. The reader also comes away with a better understanding of what Joseph Campbell meant when he said; there is a power form ceremony. The mythic space of A Far Country written by Daniel Mason is perfect for reflection. The book is a journey juxtaposed in a study of contrasts. The reflection takes us to look at the effects of others, especially the effect we have on the people we often overlook. Where is the setting? Mason does not make this clear. He wants us to look at all points sitting in between; the places of overlooked people who are often displaced by "Modern Progress." A great read and it encouraged me to check out his book The Piano Tuner.
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Vertical Self How Biblical Faith Can Help Us Discover Who We Are in an Age of Self Obsession
by
Mark Sayers
Gregorio Roth
, February 25, 2010
The plague of modernism striped away our identity in Christ. The cult of the individual took over and we were remade into Zombies working for an identity stirred by modern cultural ethics and building our personal brands. We became obsessed by work. Work promised freedom, coolness, and the ability to be sexy. All of this added to us living not a Vertical Life but a Horizontal life. A vertical life is an identity that is framed by God. God shapes us to serve God well. Sayers book is a call back from this self obsession to the beginning of living a vertical life. The Vertical Life's first 100 pages stirred me in a good way. I enjoyed Sayers ability to express Post Modern Cultural thinking and its effect on the Church. But I began to be turned away from the book when he attempted to give a step by step solution to Vertical Living. The reformed perspective (which I believe) holds that after the fall, man was born innately in sin. The only way to come clean was for Christ to take our sins on the cross. Sayers argues on another platform. He presents Humans as innately good. Sinners just need to apply a behavior management program and live a virtuous life (no cross needed). I fear that many will attempt to live a behavior management formula, and become depressed when their own good measures are not enough to overcome their sinful ways. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Franny & Zooey
by
J D Salinger
Gregorio Roth
, February 10, 2010
J.D. Salinger's book Franny and Zooey is a classic one, written in 1955. It looks at the authority of "standard practices" on the youth in a family. Salinger described the story as "a prose home movie." The Glass family, the primary actors in the "prose home movie" do not want us to comfortably state, "Look at their Problems; I'm glad that my family is A Ok! My child is so mature compared to these kids." They want us to notice these two kids as our two kids. Salinger's stories are a call to arms against as Wes Anderson claimed "the bitter, the selfish, the neurasthenic, and the unhappy" adults who attempt to mature the youth too quickly. The vulnerable youth are slain, like a deer in front of a Mac Truck (A swampy attempt at a cliché!). The young artists puts away their 100 Colors of Crayolas in the name of a boring adulthood. The book is a good read; I definitely give it a Classic Cluck. Movies book remind me of: Royal Tennebaums Garden State Rushmore
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Where Is God Finding His Presence Purpose & Power in Difficult Times
by
John Townsend
Gregorio Roth
, January 21, 2010
We all have had moments when we have felt overwhelmingly outside the Lord's warm hands. Dr. John Townsend, the Best Selling Author of Boundaries, examines the question: "Where is God Now That I need HIm Most!" He illustrates how hard times make us look for God; How we are wired to look for God; that God is really for us even in the most difficult times; and How each Christian Experiences pain and the walk with God in different ways. The question "Where is God" has been answered by at least 121,151 books, so what makes this book stand out? The book is easily applicable to life; there are many practical examples of how to find God when you have burnt the bacon. Townsend avoids using legalistic means (self efficient steps) to get out of our hard times; he points to repentance and the turning to prayer, community, and honest communication with God. He shows that we are not alone in our pain, and that this pain needs to be dealt with honestly. I appreciated that he did not allow the reader to feel it was okay to fall into victim hood. He illustrates how we are responsible for proper stewardship of all God's gifts, even pain. The book is a keeper and a good resource that I would give to people in my church who desire to deal with their pain.
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Where Is God?: Audio Book on CD
by
John Townsend
Gregorio Roth
, January 21, 2010
We all have had moments when we have felt overwhelmingly outside the Lord's warm hands. Dr. John Townsend, the Best Selling Author of Boundaries, examines the question: "Where is God Now That I need HIm Most!" He illustrates how hard times make us look for God; How we are wired to look for God; that God is really for us even in the most difficult times; and How each Christian Experiences pain and the walk with God in different ways. The question "Where is God" has been answered by at least 121,151 books, so what makes this book stand out? The book is easily applicable to life; there are many practical examples of how to find God when you have burnt the bacon. Townsend avoids using legalistic means (self efficient steps) to get out of our hard times; he points to repentance and the turning to prayer, community, and honest communication with God. He shows that we are not alone in our pain, and that this pain needs to be dealt with honestly. I appreciated that he did not allow the reader to feel it was okay to fall into victim hood. He illustrates how we are responsible for proper stewardship of all God's gifts, even pain. The book is a keeper and a good resource that I would give to people in my church who desire to deal with their pain.
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Gospel According to Lost
by
Chris Seay
Gregorio Roth
, January 21, 2010
LOST is well loved from year one to year five. Fans are starting viewing clubs in 2010 for LOST's final season. I love the twisting plots, the well formed characters, and the interesting links into philosophy. The tale of Lost is a good study on the effect of the Gospel on the LOST sheep amongst hungry wolves. Chris shows the probing question on Lost is : "What does it means to build up a culure from the ground up?". I read this book in only one week; this book grabbed me and refused to let go. I read this book as if I was hunting for emergents amongst the Cloud Monsters that inhabit the Island of LOST. Chris Seay struggles with the gospel and often barely grasps it; because the gospel is weak it undermines the usefulness of the book. Chris does do a good job on bringing in philosophical ideas that are not Christian. This book is a good view into the Emergent World that Chris inhabits. Seay has an ability to grab readers, and he knows his audience (between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five). I would recommend this book to Christians who want to hold LOST parties but I would have reservations because of a translucent Gospel.
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Conjurers Bird
by
Davies, Martin
Gregorio Roth
, January 06, 2010
The book was sublimely stirring but I was not carried away by the streams the author conjured. I loved the subject matter; that of exploration of the beauty found in common misplaced things. However, I never got to that moment where I lost myself in the words of the author; moments of surprise were deadened. I wanted to really like this book, but found myself asleep on the coach.
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Obstacles Welcome How To Turn Adversity
by
Ralph De La Vega
Gregorio Roth
, December 12, 2009
Cuban Refugee to President & CEO of AT&T Mobility, what were the steps that got him there? How did a man who faced many obstacles not get mired down in the muck? How do you stop living your life trapped in a lazy chair jell cell; so that you can live a life you dreamed of? This book will help those looking to improve their success journey in the following ways: (a) how to manage calculated risks (b) finding opportunities in your life being blended at high speed (c) and how to enable others to help you through effective communication. De la Vega did not show how Christ empowered his success journey enough. De la Vega would have improved the book had he found scriptural truth to back up his opinions. The book tended to be very humanistic and treads on the mythic axiom, of lacing up your bootstraps and make it happen (very Horatio Alger of him). There was a lack of notes and research, or even works that had influenced De la Vega's point of view mentioned in the Appendix. Summary: Not the book I was looking for and it took me a long time to finish it.
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Angel Time Songs Of The Seraphim 01
by
Anne Rice
Gregorio Roth
, December 08, 2009
Where most Christian Writers stumble in their writing, Ann Rice moves them gracefull and deals expertly with: church, church history, Jews, Mission Art, Consumer Culture, Catholicism, prayer, alienation, alcoholism, and broken homes. She shows how God redeems all who come to him with repentnt hearts; even an assassian with many kills can be Redeemed and saved from sinful living. Can a "Christian Book" be written well? Can new light be shined from a 2,009 year old gospel? Rice answers, YES!. "In keeping with my commitment to do Christian fiction in a variety of forms, I am developing a new series called Songs of the Seraphim. I'm hoping for a long life for the series.. I continue to work on Christ the Lord, the Kingdom of Heaven, the third book in the Christ the Lord series." Can a pulp vampire chronicler tell the gospel accurately? Some Catholic ideas bleed into her fiction but for the most part as a Reformed Christian I did not see a stained gospel. She makes us look again at division between the Jews and Christians, and the scripture cited in Matthew 28:11-15. She asks us to not tell tales but live in the light of truth.
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