5 comments about Perpetua's Passion: The Death and Memory of a Young Roman Woman.

1. I found 'Perpetua's Passion really interesting, getting an interesting picture of Roman Society and attitudes. I finished the book wondering if the author, had some type of axe to grind in this society. I thought she tried to dismiss any notion that Pepetua and the other martyrs might have been truly holy or had any divine access to God. She was always giving another reason for what happened as though nothing spiritual was taking place.



2. "Perpetua's Passion: The Death and Memory of a Young Roman Woman" is the story of Perpetua, a young Roman Christian who was martyred in 203 A.D. It is a book well worth reading...but it is also missing something.

   I found Perpetua's Passion to be very well written and apparently well researched. Joyce E. Salisbury adeptly explores and explains the Roman and Carthaginian culture that Perpetua lived in. Mrs. Salisbury also seamlessly weaves into this tapestry a compelling picture of the Christian Church during the time of these events.

   The book is based off of the diary that Perpetua kept during her captivity. Mrs. Salisbury explains the significance of Perpetua's actions in light of the culture of her day. She then shows the influence of Perpetua's story on the later Church.

   All of this is very commendable. I was most impressed by the scholarship and insight of this book. Yet a question forms within me when I contemplate this book:

   So what? Where is the heart in this book? There is nothing in this book which says anything about how these events speak to the soul of people today. Maybe I missed it...

   What happened to Perpetua was more than a clinical historical event that affected the people immediately around her and eventually helped form certain patterns of thought within the Church. It was much more. It was a mortal being making an eternal statement. It was a moment in time where the Christian truth that there is more than this life was given a full embodiment in the actions of a young woman--A young woman who had every reason to live, yet for her, to die was gain. It was a moment of ultimate surrender, and at the same time, one of ultimate victory. The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church!

   In the end, in spite of my objection, I recommend this book. It is insightful and instructive. However, don't just read this book with your head. Approach this one with your heart and your soul.




3. Though this book is, on the whole, a useful one, it doesn't take a glimpse at the author's bio to quickly realize she is no classicist. How else can one explain two elementary errors back-to-back which, even to this amateur Roman historian, are as prominent as two sore thumbs?

   On page 36 (Chapter 2, "The City" subsection) the author asserts Polybius "wrote circa 200 B.C." Why? Because those who claim he was BORN at that time are only making "scholarly estimates" (according to my "Polybius on Roman Imperialism")? Or because Salisbury breezily, and in this case incorrectly, assumed that Polybius was a contemporary of the events he most famously chronicled (an assumption that fails to hold for most Roman historical sources; cf. Suetonius, Tacitus)?

   Similarly, a mere three paragraphs down, Salisbury claims Hannibal "crossed the Alps with his elephants and succeeded in laying siege to the city of Rome itself." I'd be prompted to ask "Why?" again if in this case the real reason weren't so blatant: Salisbury fliply read a history of the 2nd Punic War and just assumed that at the high-tide of his success Hannibal must have laid siege "to the city of Rome itself". This assertion is no more true than the Polybius one. In "Warfare in Antiquity" by Hans Delbruck (just one source where this can be found), the author states that Hannibal was so aware of his deficiencies in manpower and siege equipment that he knew "despite the greatest victories, he would not be capable of besieging and capturing Rome itself" (Chapter II).

   I may seem to nitpick, but the errors I cited above are fundamental and have no place in a scholarly work, even if they are somewhat tangential to the book's main topic. I hope that in a future edition they will be corrected.




4. In Perpetua's Passion, Salisbury has served two different communities very well---those interested in early Christianity, and those interested in the history of women. She deftly creates a sociology of life in a group of early Christian martyrs, and does so in a way that makes very clear family relations, gender roles, and the strength of Vibia Perpetua herself. I have used this book when teaching a course on ancient & medieval women (and will do so again), and found that it worked very well. Students found it readable and useful and thought-provoking.



5. STAMPED ON MY MIND FOREVER-FABULOUS BOOK. TO KNOW OF SUCH STRONG HEROISM OF THESE 2 SAINTS OF GOD MOVED ME TO A MUCH DEEPER WALK WITH GOD. IT MAKES YOU THINK IF YOU HAD THE FAITH TO DIE LIKE THAT. I LOVED IT TOTALLY.

1 comments about Blue Like Jazz CD: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality.

1. Like Anne Lamott, I love Donald Miller for his honesty and ability to laugh at himself and accept himself and others. The collective Christian community does far too much judging and not enough loving, and Miller doesn't mind saying so. He touches the tenets of the Christian faith with the soft candor of a good friend. One of my favorite thoughts he includes is that (and this goes for everyone) if Jesus met him on the street, he finally felt that Jesus would like him. We ministry folks always aim to communicate this critical point, but lack something real and raw to make it stick. Kudos to Donald Miller.

5 comments about Port of Two Brothers.

1. My father wrote this book lest we not fully understand the purpose of his work. By reading this book I was able to grasp the true meaning of life's deepest spiritual fulfillment which enables me to cope with all the inconsistencies and insecurities that I encounter -wether it be in a remote jungle or the busy streets of a modern city. I recommend this book not only for the pleasure of my father's loving humor, but also for its' everlasting repercussions.



2. Mr. Schlener takes his readers along with him on the remarkable journey of his family's experiences in the Amazon jungle. Mr. Schlener has a personable, easy writing style that captures his readers attention on the first page and keeps it throughout the book. It is an inspirational book. Thank you Mr. Schlener for writing it.



3. When you read this book it is as if you have experienced this advanture right along with them. One could almost taste the food, feel the heat of the sun and hear the thunder in the storms. Not only could one picture the beauty of God's handiwork but felt His presence guiding and protecting this man and his family.

   The "Port of Two Brothers", is a wonderful bedtime story for those little ones, good research book for students, and totally entertaining for the older generation.

   This is a wonderful and unique story!!!




4. These true accounts really show what God's work is all about and lets the rest of America feel how cozy it really is here inside these borders. Best missionary life story out there with the "just telling it how it was" style, and it doesn't allow the reader to be led into boredom for one line. Definitely worth reading, and the pictures are cool.



5. I purchased and read this book after being told about it from my sister who works in the hospital where the Author's wife is a patient. My sister has been blessed with their conversations and he gave her a copy of the book.It is a very inspirational book,but also points out the harrowing experiences missionaries can face.They often have no clue to what they are getting into. Made me think of young recruits going into the military. I certainly hope that our missionaries know more of what to expect these days! Will definately not bore the reader.

5 comments about Blindfold's Eyes: My Journey From Torture To Truth.

1. The Blindfold's Eyes is a tragic tale told by a broken woman. This shows how a brutal 24 hours can linger for a lifetime. Sistor Dianna's tragedy was horrific, proven by the way she releases the actual events of that day. Piece by piece, so things she will not even reveal. What caught my attention was the underlying story she presented when dealing with the US government. The lack of concern for this case and the cases of many others from Guatemala was astounding. The deciet and treachory that occurs so they our government could continue selling arms, training soilders, and talking peace (which was an utter joke) was disgusting. I commend Sister Dianna on being brave enough to put her horror to words, to stand in front of the government and point her finger, and to go on, rebuild, and learn to live again.



2. Sister Dianna Ortiz' story had to be told and more importantly it must be heard. The first person account of her torture and rape is horrorific, but even more shocking is the scale of crimes committed against the people of Guatemala. Ortiz is even handed in describing the atrocities performed by the guerrillas as she is in telling on her torturers, the Guatemalan military. As an American, it is disheartening to learn about my country's involvement by providing military and financial aid to a regime that massacred thousands.

   Ortiz reveals in grisly, personal detail the physical, mental, and emotional abuse she suffered beyond her 24 hour detention. Her memoir is extremely painful to read. The turmoil she has experienced for more than a decade has not silenced her, instead, she has become a voice for those whose cries cannot be heard beyond their cell. Her memoir is a testimony for all torture victims.

   The Blindfold's Eyes would have received a 5 star evaluation had there not been two major flaws:
   1) The statistics of those killed and disappeared vary from different sources as they appear on different pages (p. 47, 183, 350, 422)from 20,000 to 47,000 disappeared and from 100,000 to 200,000 killed.
   2) Ortiz' objectivity becomes diluted during the DOJ investigations. Her characterizations in that time period are very judgemental; tribute is given to those who support her and those who oppose or question her are villanized. No one is neutral.




3. A thousand Thankyou's to the Author for writing this Book. I had picked this up at the local library as I walking around the recent book arrival section.

   This was book was so helpful to me on a spiritual/religious level and I appreciated the sharing of the deep personal struggle and strategies to cope with Post Traumatic Stress.

   From a Religious p/o/v I thought this was awesome as it introduced me to completey new ways of seeing meeting God.
   It was also the first book that I have read on the experinces of the church in Guatemala.Although I have seen the documentary " Finding Dominga" at a retreat for PeaceMakers.

   I had also never read any of the works of the mentioned Poets at the vigil in Washington and now have them on my reading list.

   Thanks so much for sharing the journey .




4. A spiritual journey through hell to light and grace. A book about torture and its effects, Blindfold Eyes is more than that. It describes an innocent nun's dark night of the soul as she is betrayed and disbelieved by her own government. It can speak to all of us who feel hurt and alone.
   
   Here is a link to a radio interview given by Sr. Dianna in 2002:
   
   http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/12262002
   
   Listen to her voice and you will hear how wonderful a person she is. This book is about the truth--which Sister Dianna tells without flinching.



5. Sister Ortiz account makes tears flow; the truth of her suffering makes folks strviing to become fully human think to our current situation...to the warmaking reality we allow, and the inevtiable suffering of innocents that ALWAYTS springs from it.
   
   Reading Ortiz makes you say, OUT LOUD "Never again." Ortiz makes you get up, call your representatives, and tell them that you are going to be a CITIZEN, and demand of them an end to what Ortiz calls "The ominous silence" surrounding torture and warmaking activity and all that accompanies them...
   
   Are you awake, and aware, now all you backseat warmongers?
   
   You're warmaking has always made me sick. Sister Ortiz' ordeal makes me overwhlemingly sad.

No comments about No Small Snakes: A Journey Into Spiritual Warfare.

5 comments about With Head and Heart: The Autobiography of Howard Thurman.

1. Howard Thurman's autobiography is a defining, powerful collection of one man's life-stories that inspire family, schools, churches, nations and gives timely revelations into the transforming power of God's grace that spans the many gulfs that we call racial, economic, religious, political lines. This is a must read text.



2. Thurman stands on his own as a giant. The only weakness of the book is that often the compilers feel the need to tell us what Thurman is going to say.

   Not sure so much from Disciplines of the Spirit needed to be reprinted.

   I read much of the book during a 12 hour Prayer Vigil and found it very enriching and satisfying.




3. I recently returned to Thurman's autobiography after 15 years. I am developing a course in Composition/African-American Literature. Thurman's words will be the springboard. His prose is elegant and concise; his sensitivity to nature, a poetic model; his expansive spirit, inspirational. Many chapters will serve as exercises for writing; e.g.: his instruction for the preparation of sermons. In fine, his response to life is a guidline for good writing and holy living.



4. In becoming better acquainted, through reading, with a man some of my friends have encouraged me to become familiar with, I have found an incredible gift in the form of Hward Thurman, whose message is not only inspiring, but timely, interfaith, intercultural and, most of all one, thatif taken to heart and put into practice, could change the world. I often wonder why such messages are read, spoken from various platforms and then passed over and and remembered only as inspirational words as we forge ahead in the world doing things the same way over and over again.
   
   I recommend the message in this book to everyone who will care enough to not only learn about an incredible human being who was with us for a while, left us with a vision, and challenged us to see things in a new light. I invite us to see the wisdom he shared and put it into action.
   
   It is an autobiography and so we must accept it as written, staying free f rom judgement as to style, etc. It is a man's heart, gifted to those who will read and those whom he has influenced and those who could gain so much from sharing in the vision.



5. This book is the best kept secret regarding Dr. Howard Thurman, a little known household name. If you ever wondered who inspired great leaders such as Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, and the list goes on...read With Head and Heart. It is truly a story worth reading; one of sacrifice, perseverance, and success.

5 comments about Walking His Trail: Signs of God along the Way.

1. How ANYONE could give this book a one star rating is beyond my comprehension. Perhaps the reviewer has never read any of the books that explains the background of Steve's life. Steve Saint is one of the most gifted writers I have ever read, and that includes a lifetime of reading. I only WISH that I could write half as well. Steve's ability to turn a phrase by setting it in total opposition and humor to the preceding phrase is amazing. An example taken from his first book is, when in trying to protect his Auca "father" from the fascinating blades of a lawnmower he has never seen before, Steve writes: "I thought I should lend him a hand before he lost one", but there are countless other examples.
   Steve's first book "End of the Spear" was among the best I have ever read. Therefore, I had to read this one. Steve and his wife Ginny make God's existence become almost tangible as they share experiences that are unexplainable except for the intervention of God. If other authors could be this honest about their feelings and experiences, while leaving opportunity for God to confirm that He is real, active,and greatly desirous of their realization of His love for them, the books we read and our experiences of this present world would be greatly enhanced. If you wish to read a sermon that Steve Saint gave on many of these same experiences before you read this present book, the following link will give you a foretaste. Be sure you go to the next page at the bottom to read all 4 pgs. and get the full story.
   
   http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=86998&ContributorID=13922
   
   I greatly encourage you to read this book, but more importantly, first read End of the Spear to make the events more understandable and chronological.



2. I highly recommend this for family read-alouds. It's encouraging and inspirational...a good read for the entire family.



3. Honestly, I haven't read a good book like this in many years, whatever the subject, and I'm an avid reader. From the very introduction the writer captured my attention completely, to the point of going back to the beginning and reading the intro three times. The whole book is just wonderful. Images don't stop creating in my head of the scenes described here. I seem to breathe the same air Steve and Ginny breathe along their travels.
   
   Gripping, heartfelt, honest, down-to-earth life stories, but amazingly well narrated. What is the book about? Believe me, if you like good storytelling, read this. But if I should say, I'd say it's the amazing life experiences this man Steve and his wife had along their lives together. A lot of coincidences from the point of view of the agnostic; a lot of miracles, if we understand them as the acts of God in one's life.
   
   I am very thankful to my friend Ed for recommending this book to me. Atheists really don't know what amazing blessings they are missing by walking alone. (Isn't it amazing someone would rather choose to go to hell than to Heaven out of spite?). And Christians need to pay more attention to those signs of His presence. It can be a truly delicious and exciting journey. As a side note, I had to feel some envy at all Americans for the great country they are part of. Seeing the variety of options in life, of possibilities and freedoms to do what they chose with their lives is just awe inspiring. Truly an American is closer to Heaven than anywhere else in the world, however far this may be.



4. This book reminds me of the "Listening is an Act of Love" book and premise. Steve and Ginny are simply telling us, like good friends around a kitchen table, some of their life stories. What makes this book readable and unforgettable, is that the Saints have some of the most amazing stories of any family I've ever known. They have not had an easy life, just a faithful life. And God has not answered all of their prayers the way they first asked, yet He is so obviously leading, guiding, redeeming, transforming, and using this family to reach many other people with their testimony of faith in trials.



5. This book was a great blessing! I had just read At the End of the Spear, and happened across this book. I was so touched by the stories and by how a heart for God enabled the Saints to see God's hand in so many circumstances. I am buying it for friends.

1 comments about A Monk In The Inner City: The ABCs of a Spiritual Journey.

1. An 'urban monk' offers up meditations on dying, living, and religious sense in A MONK IN THE INNER CITY: THE ABCS OF A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY. Juxtaposing spiritual insights with the input of others in society, Mary Lou Kownacki's survey is an excellent addition to any spirituality library, especially those offering meditations for change.

5 comments about Born Amish.

1. Timely shipment and in great condition. I was very pleased with order.



2. It was so enlighting. It really was interesting to me to actually read about the Amish communitity.



3. This was an interesting book. However, the content was, in my opinion, limited. It was more like an outline with a few details. Information was interesting; but seemed to skim the surface of everyday Amish life.



4. This is the true story of how one woman made the change and left the Amish lifestyle. It tells of the personal struggles of leaving family and lifetime friends all behind to adventure into a new life and follow one's own convictions. Very well written and informative. You can almost feel the pain this lady went through to start her new way of life!
   I feel that all books are over-priced and for that reason I give this book only four stars!



5. this was good book.you can learn a lot.some of it is hard to remember,such as which type bonnet etc.but it was good.she could have even went into more detail of the mistreatment she felt she received from her family,but its the amish way not to offend.nadia rehmani -authoor of sharper than a two edged sword-one woman's walk into Islam and out.thats my story

No comments about Paul The Apostle.