1 comments about A Passion for Life: Fragments of the Face of God.

1. In "A Passion for Life", theologian Joan Chittister and artist and iconographer, Robert Lentz, combine to illustrate and describe the lives of twenty-one major figures of the last two millennia.

   These choices are not conventional, and though some of them may are familiar, others are obscure. Many of these icons were not Catholic, some not Christian. All, however, were profoundly influential, and served to transform their societies and those following them: whether through martyrdom, like Oscar Romero, or from the walls of her cell, like Julian of Norwich. Both Lentz's beautiful illustrations and Chittister's essays provide inspiration and food for contemplation and thought. A wonderful collection.

No comments about John Paul II For Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics)).

No comments about When a Woman Becomes a Religious Dynasty: The Samding Dorje Phagmo of Tibet.

2 comments about Corrie Ten Boom: Her Story.

1. I read this book several years ago after the loss of my first child, when I was doubting my faith in God. Ms. Boom is an amazing woman who has overcome many trials throughout her life. She gave me encouragement when I was going through a horrible time in my life. And showed me that there is always hope and to never give up on the most important thing of all GOD. I am so grateful to her for putting her life onto paper for the rest of us.

   Thank you Ms. Boom!




2. this is the best book I have ever read on a missionary. Actually her story would awe anyone - easy to read and understand, encouraging in that she tells you all her faults which are just like ours, and God used her mightly.
   
   You will learn and rejoice with her in the telling of her story.
   Blessings included:)

5 comments about Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Sceptical Muslim.

1. At long last, a book that presents the Islam of the optimistic, socially compassionate critical thinker! I'd always known that Islam was not the malicious, vengeful, monolithic bloc that it is often seen to be in the West, but I now know much more about what it IS like, at least through Sardar's eyes -- he illustrates its rich diversity of thought and practice, past and present, and teases out its complexities with elegance and deftness of touch, peppering it liberally with hilarious anecdotes from his many 'journeys'. As such, despite the gravity of the issues he and his friends wrestle with in such heartfelt fashion, the whole thing is both enlightening and eminently readable.



2. The author relates interesting stories about his experiences with Islam and in the process he educates the reader. At the end of the book you will learn why Ziauddin Sardar is not satisfied with Islam anywhere as it is here on earth now (No, not in Malaysia and not even Turkey). But he does not give up. At the end of the story Mr. Sardar continues to work on reforming Islam for the modern world.
   I subtract one star, because the author did not cover the Muslim aversion to charging or earning interest on a loan. I was looking for information about economic details like that, so important for modern society (for example the Saudis gave the author five million pounds to support his efforts on behalf of Islam -- did he put some of that money in the bank and if he did, was it alright for him as a Muslim to keep the interest he gained?) Is he seeking reform also in this area?



3. As a student who is constantly searching for answers on the things around, i find this that not only does solves most of the questions but also inspires me a lot. When i came upon this book, i was having my "darkest moment". i was inspired by the likes of Ibn Rusyd, Imam Bukhari and Sardar himself on their quest for knowledge. As we know, knowledge is power and i felt really powerful physically, mentally and spiritually after reading this book
   
   Another thing brought forward in this book is don't be afraid to question things as that is how Islam works. You have got to question things so that we can understand it fully and don't except things as black and white. We are to engrossed categorizing things as good and bad that we overlook that nothing is perfect; everything has its good and bad. Sure, we always SAY nothing is perfect but do we really acknowledge it?
   
   the issue Sardar brought forward such as the iranian revolution, afghanistan and so on is such an eye opener for me. there's so much to take into, so much lessons to be learned and so much to be understand
   
   this book really inspired me a lot and the questions brought forward made me really ponder hard... if anything that can make a difference, i believe this book really does



4. What did this Sardar's book "Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Sceptical Muslim" speak to me?
   
   It told me that the problem Sardar is facing in his live as a religious man, and the problem is his own religion itself.
   
   But, the problem with every religion is that they are nothing but faith mostly inherited down from parents to their children or society to their members. Their believe is the product of the brain-washed kind of cultural education. Sardar's experience is no difference, he is the victim of this kind of old way of educating, and at the same time he is exposed to the new or modern humanistic non-religious ideas. Clearly he is in a heavy conflicting minds. His journey in his book of biography as an intellectual was to find a panacea of apologetic kind for opposing to the right-wing Muslim Brotherhood or Ben Laden or Komeini or Taliban kond of Islamic ideas. Some how this apologetic way of accepting religion is reminding me to Erasmus's religious humanism.
   
   Therefore in his book he also facing this question: how can Muslims keep the faith but also fit into the modern world? To the right-wing Muslem groups the answer is clear that they are desparately seeking for modern weaponry produced by the West in order to attact the West. But Sardar in this case is different -- I hope so!



5. very thought provoking book. Mr. Sardar takes you on a long religious, political and spiritual journey which starts in the 60's and continues to current times. This world and Islam could be in a much better shape if we had more thinkers like him. loved the book.

2 comments about The Prophets: Vol. 2: The Babylonian and Persian Periods.

1. I am definitely not a scholar or for that matter an expert in literature. But as a simple reader and someone who is looking for certain subject titles to purchase through the web, reading this one, Prophets: The Assyrian Period, gave me the impression that the book was somehow relating to Assyrian history as a core matter of the book. It turned out to be all about the Israelites prophets in the period when the Assyrian Empire of antiquity was in power. The author could have had his title as such Prophets: from X to Y (indicating years as desired).



2. I must confess I haven't read these two volumes entirely, but I had to write something in response to the review above. There is a Prophets class taught in my school by Professor C. Hassel Bullock and he uses these two volumes as the primary text for study in that class. After reading Dr. Bullock's Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets (which I would highly reccomend to any one who wishes to know more about ANY of the prophets) and taking into account his status as a Prophets scholar, I trust Dr. Bullock's judgement in using these that they are of the highest quality scholarship. If you want a more general reading though, get Bullock's book.

No comments about Saints Of The American Wilderness: The Brave Lives And Holy Deaths Of The Eight North American Martyrs.

5 comments about God Underneath: Spiritual Memoirs of a Catholic Priest.

1. Father Edward's book is absolutely wonderful. From the moment that I first opened the book, I knew that I was meant to read it. Father Beck has a "real" style of storytelling...it's as if he was talking directly to you. Since reading this book I've sent copies to all of my friends and they've begun to send it to THEIR friends! It's a wonderful gift to give and a wonderful gift to receive and cherish.



2. Fr Beck writes with a journalist's facility and brings the story of his tentative first steps toward the priesthood to his ordination to his life as a Passionist priest and itinerant Retreat Master. Eminently readable,he shows the life of a priest in the modern era who hears confessions with compassion,says Mass with great devotion to God and yet jogs frequently-one time while wearing a Rolling Stones t-shirt with the long red tongue..His brushes with the worldly and the enticing teach us that we are all loved by God and that we can resist the temptations of everyday life and still carry on a full Catholic life-he as a Passionist priest,others like us as ordinary laypeople. He is saddened by what is happening to the modern Catholic Church and his concern shows through..He is also brave enough to point out the lack of leadership from the top and at the parish level that is sometimes lacking and that has allowed some of the misfortunes to happen within our beloved Church.
   
   He also points out the personal miracles he saw-miracles of a relic of St Martin De Porres.a Dominican lay brother-who administered to to poorest of the poor to men of all races.Born in Lima,Peru of Spanish and black parentage,honored even by the animals who recognized his blessedness, and venerated by the local population as soon as word had gotten out that he had passed on to his Eternal Reward..Very appropriate as Fr Beck ministered to the poor African Americans in Chicago and New York while he was undergoing his seminary training and his Retreats all across the country now are for all men and women of whatever race or faith..
   
   He is a good Priest-a Priest forever..we hope he goes on to have a good literary career and that his Retreats thrive for many years..



3. GOD UNDERNEATH is not a memoir about an extraordinary priest, as its author Edward Beck would readily admit. He was raised in an average Catholic family, his vocational call was somewhat ordinary, he was not a brilliant scholar as a student, and his success does not rival that of a televangelist or a religious celebrity. This is probably why the book is so powerful and such a worthwhile read. We meet a priest who is spiritual, wants to serve God, and has many human ups and downs. He struggles with his call, what it means to be a Catholic, and how to make faith meaningful for people. We see him face some opposition, and we get a sense of his flaws as well. Yet in the end we meet a remarkable person who is able to find God in so many situations and see God in a variety of people. We see an honest and dedicated person of faith succeeding at living his call.
   
   The book is an enjoyable and easy read. We feel we know the author rather well because he is honest about his ministry and faith. Yet while eh tells the story about his priesthood, in many ways the book is not about Edward Beck. The author uses the many people he has encountered in his life and in his ministry, and shows the ways in which God works in their lives. In many cases Beck is the instrument God uses, but we see that Beck clearly grows closer top God by ministering to the many people he meets in his ministry. For this reason too, we can see God at work in Edward Beck was we read this book.



4. I though Fr. Edward gave us a great insight into the priesthood and what it is like to devote yourself to the church. See what Carly Simon, who Fr. Edward met said about him. "The very first time I saw Father Edward's face, I knew I would learn something about `men of the cloth'. A little the way you come to realize that your most erudite teachers have nightmares and hurt feelings and stomach aches. I had always been a little too much in awe of Priests, monks and other clergy or theological types. Maybe this is because they have to keep a distance in order to have you (the hopeful believer) believe they are a link to the great unknown. Edward Beck allows us close enough to see the emotions of a man. Because of the flawed humanity revealed, there is more reason to see that link. It will mean something special to the reader to see the courage that enables him to reveal himself so simply and honestly. To identify with him: to empathize, to feel his doubts , and then his overriding desire to go beyond and through them, is what his journey is about."
   -Carly Simon



5. Fr. Beck is refreshing and real. He offers humor along with his sharp insights. Hopefully, he will be writing for years to come.

5 comments about 52 Bible Characters Dramatized: Easy-to-Use Monologues for All Occasions.

1. The book is split into 26 Old Testament and 26 New Testament monologues. There are parts for 18 women and 34 men. Each drama has Scriptural references, reflections, and suggested hymns to go along with it. Some characters don't seem to be fleshed out very well, but with a bit of personalization from the individual actor, they work well. For the most part, it's a great resource.



2. This is written more for reader's theater than in performance style. So unless you're very creative and can re-write, I would pass. This would be good for Sunday School lessons where you can go right to the appropriate verses to follow up. Not the best for just performance.



3. This book is wonderful if you are interested in learning bible characters in a quick and fun fashion. Each character is described in a short story manner -quick and to the point, and you learn how bible characters are related/connected to each other. Excellent for teaching children and adults. I am a pastors wife and I found this book as an excellent resource to learning bible characters like the back of your hand.

   Wonderful book. Easy to read.




4. These monologues are brief (under 5 minutes?) and capture the flavor of the Bible characters. They are great to use as part of a church service to add a little Christmas or Easter flavor, for example.
   
   I or others have simply read them (sometimes in costume) and they went over well. Churches with extensive drama teams will probably not find these useful. But small and medium churches with small or no drama groups could find these a great way to demonstrate the value of drama.
   
   If you are looking for another "layer" for church services, this is a great place to start. Also useful for camp presentations, as a short devotional, etc.
   
   From a Biblical viewpoint, the author takes few liberties but adheres pretty closely to Biblical information.



5. This is a very good resource to make Bible classes a little more interesting to middle school age students.

5 comments about Jews Who Rock.

1. This book has short profiles of Jews in rock n roll. One reviewer accurately set forth many serious omissions including two great Jays, Jay Segal of the Tokens and Jay Black of Jay and the Americans. I also noticed that the great producer for Atlantic Records, Jerry Wexler was not listed. This book includes very short profiles with little substance. Therefore, this book is not much more than a list.

   I found a profile of Carny Wilson interesting in which the author stated she is Jewish on her father's side. Really? Since when is Brian Wilson of the Beachboys Jewish?? Also, people who have some Jewish blood from their father's side but never lived as Jews are included so, the definition of a Jew is stretched. The book was a good idea but, it just doesn't cut it.




2. I have not read the book. I leafed through it in a book store. What can I add that others haven't already said. The one page bios are superficial and there are many mistakes and omissions.

   I response to the reviewer who said that Iggy is Jewish. Well he isn't. I read his autobiography about 12 years ago. I think he said his father was an orphan who had been adopted by a non-practicing Jewish family. But he wasn't brought up Jewish. Iggy isn't Jewish by decent, upbringing or in any other way except in name (James Newell OSTERBERG) You can hear various anti-Semitic remarks in live and `unofficial' recordings of the Stooges.




3. After having received this book as a gift, one wonders how much griping is allowable. Nonetheless, after having skimmed through the book and after having read the entry on Bob Dylan, it gave me good pause. Since there were multiple errors on Dylan's one page, it naturally made me ask the question, "How many other errors might abound?" I am not proposing that the book should be error-free (no book is), but after having read some of the reviews, it's clear that someone should take the responsibility (Guy Oseary? or maybe his editor or researcher? or maybe the publisher?) for the many errors that fill its pages.

   I'll simply point out the errors on the Dylan page. The singer did not graduate from the University of Minnesota in 1959 (nor any other university). He graduated from his high school, Hibbing High, in 1959, and then merely attended the Univ. of Minn. for a few semesters. And Dylan's second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" didn't come out in 1962 (it was 1963). Additionally, to say Dylan's songs "extolled the use of certain drugs" and to use "Rainy Day Women #12&35" as an example ("everybody must get stoned"), oversimplifies things; the lyrics to this song are actually quite rich (despite them being made almost cliche because of radio overplay and overplay in concert) but Dylan has denied--on more than one occasion--writing "drug songs." In one interview he mentioned it was hard enough to write songs without making it harder [through drugs].

   After referencing the 1966 era, we're then told that Dylan "toured and recorded tirelessly" for the next 30 years. Really? Most fans will vividly recall when Dylan did not embark on a single tour from 1967-1973; he also abstained from touring in 1977, 1982-1983 and 1985.

   And the "Never-Ending Tour" is listed as "1988-1996" which is odd. Dylan's touring didn't stop in 1996 (this book was published in 2001), it has continued to this day, i.e., "1988-2002."

   As for the book's statement that "Bob took his adopted name from poet Dylan Thomas," this too isn't factual. Dylan has denied this on a number of occasions and others close to Dylan have corroborated his denial although the exact origins of the name are not entirely clear (typical Dylan).

   We are also informed that Dylan was involved with the Lubavitch movement in Jerusalem in 1984. But this is the wrong location, and year. He studied with the Lubavitchers in Brooklyn in 1983.

   And then there's the matter-of-fact statement that Dylan "explored various religions outside of Judaism, to which he ultimately returned." In 1979-1981, Dylan did more than "explore" Jesus (and he still sings about Jesus, for whatever reason, to this day). He also has never announced his departure from or return to Judaism. In typical contrarion fashion, Dylan quoted a biblical passage from the Hebrew Scriptures on his 1980 album, "Saved." And then in 1984, the year after he studied with the Lubavitchers, Dylan was asked if he thought the Old and New Testaments were equally valid. He replied, "To me." (Rolling Stone interview with Kurt Loder). Dylan has participated in the Lubavitchers' Chabad telethons (1986, 1989 & 1991) but has also continued to sing songs from the "Slow Train/Saved."

   Even with all the religion hububb aside, it seems that for all I've pointed out it could've been a case of my having scoured through a full-length book...but it was, again, only a one-page entry on Dylan! And there were many errors, so buyer beware.

   Maybe one day we'll have an updated, mostly corrected edition and some quotes from the artists on the significance of their rich cultural heritage.




4. Thanks to Maroon 5's Adam Levine and superstars Evan & Jaron...isn't about time this book gets updated? HAPPY HANUKKAH!



5. finally found a great B'nai mitzvah book that all kids like. This little book is really packed with info on famous musicians who happen to be Jewish. Our whole family enjoyed it!