Book Reviews

Here I offer reviews of some of the books I have read.

These are listed in the reverse order that I have finished them (most recent first).

The Holy Bible

I finished reading every word in 1998, thanks to the Daily Bible. When I was nearly finished, I wrote an article titled "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread". I started reading it over again in 1999.

Cyberrights, by Mike Godwin

Finished in late 1998. Deserves a detailed review, which I haven't gotten around to. Overall, it's interesting journalism. I was convinced of his basic premise that the 'Net is a new challenge to the old principles of the First Amendment; however, I have to think of an appropriate reply to his card-carrying ACLU-style political bias.

The Crown and the Fire: Meditations on the Cross and the Life of the Spirit, by Tom Wright

This was the Episcopal Book Club's Spring '96 selection. It is a collection of meditations and essays beginning with on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and, in the second part, centering on a theme of what God's creation means since the crucifixion. It is a short book (127 pages), and I recommend it highly. I suggest that you read it during Lent. Here are a few things I learned:

Christ was crucified naked (p. 12).
Christ was crucified between revolutionaries, not thieves -- the Greek word used is lestes (p. 18).
"INRI" is Latin for Iesous Nazaraius Rex Ioudaiorum, which means "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (p. 24).
Jesus Bar-Abbas, the man Pilate released, is a guilty rebel; Jesus Christ is innocent. Thus the innocent is punished in place of the guilty. (p. 25)
John served the role of Elijah, forerunner to the Messiah (p. 43).
It's ironic that Caiaphas would want Jesus to die instead of the nation of Israel; he thought too small. Jesus died for the entire world, not just the Jews (p. 48).

Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis

See the introduction to my 15Kb write-up on my writing page.

Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers

A delightful story! I knew D.L. Sayers was a Christian apologist, but not that she was an acclaimed mystery writer. This is the first of her Lord Peter stories that I have read.

The HP Way, by David Packard

Packard seems to be a man of simple motives. Every HP employee was given a copy of this book. I found it superficial--Packard revealed no grand scheme to his life. The book did emphasize some virtues that helped him, especially friendship.

"Fundamentalism" and the Word of God, by J.I. Packer

A short book defending evangelical apologetics. It offers excellent arguments for believing the Bible to be the Word of God. Jesus treated Scripture to be God's own words, and the earliest Christians carried on with that belief as the foundation for their own faith.

The Tribute, by Dennis Rainey

Mr. Rainey makes a compelling case for why and how to honor your father and mother, as commanded by God. I heard about this book on the FamilyLife radio show and bought it at a FamilyLife Marriage Conference in 1995. It is a good Christian book. As is typical of readers of the book, I was inspired to write a tribute for my own parents. I will publish it on the 'Net some day, but not now. Today my tribute hangs in three frames in my parents' TV room.

Celebration of Discipline, by Richard J. Foster

This is a short classic of practical Christian teachings. Foster discusses twelve disciplines one should develop during one's Christian walk: the inward disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study; the outward disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service; and the corporate disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration.

I highly recommend this book to all Christians.

Surprised by Joy, by C.S. Lewis

This is Lewis's autobiography. It outlines his journey in faith that led to his personal conversion to Christianity.

The Devaluing of America, by William Bennett

Bennett sets the agenda for the important issues of the 90s. He's a bright, principled man.

First Things First, by Stephen Covey

A friend of mine recommended that I "stop whatever I'm reading and read this book instead." He said it was that important. Once I finished reading it, I decided he was right, and I have recommended it to everyone who visits my web ever since. (The hyperlink points to a synopsis -- for now you'll just have to read the actual book the old fashioned way.)

If you take my advice to read the book, I would like to know how it changes your life.

Also see Yahoo!, which points to The Covey Leadership Center.

About the Episcopal Book Club

I joined in 1996 at the suggestion of The Anglican Digest (TAD). As the Lent 1996 issue of TAD says, "Episcopal Book Club members receive books four times a year. Satisfaction with every selection is fully guaranteed; any book that does not live up to expectations may be returned within ten days of arrival, and the membership will be credited. Membership covering four selections costs $39 in the United States ($45 outside, payable in U.S. funds); there are no additional dues or fees and the membership covers the price of the book as well as postage and handling."

"To begin a membership in the Book Club call (1-800-572-7929 for credit card orders) or write (100 Skyline Drive, Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632-9507). You may call any weekday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central time."

"Limited quantities of Past Selections of the Book Club remain available for those who wish an additional copy of a particular book or who have become members since a particular book was offered. Call 1-800-572-7929 for particulars."

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