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Review Date: 5/26/2011
This is an interesting read because it's a very critical look at Christian Rock, written by someone who does not share the faith of the subject material (i.e. - he is NOT a Christian). The author, Beaujon, makes no bones about this fact throughout the book. That being said, he gives a pretty reasonable and fair review of all things Christian music.
What I found most interesting was that the author interviewed LOTS of different people who represent different parts of the industry. Some controversial, some not at all controversial. Regardless of the individual, he gives a healthy respect toward their point of view, despite his difference of opinion with their faith.
This book is a good read if you want an "outsider's" perspective on how Christians appear to the worldly (to be read - non Christian). Beaujon is not shy about being critical where criticism is warranted. He is also very fair to compliment where compliments are due.
Overall a very interesting and good read!
What I found most interesting was that the author interviewed LOTS of different people who represent different parts of the industry. Some controversial, some not at all controversial. Regardless of the individual, he gives a healthy respect toward their point of view, despite his difference of opinion with their faith.
This book is a good read if you want an "outsider's" perspective on how Christians appear to the worldly (to be read - non Christian). Beaujon is not shy about being critical where criticism is warranted. He is also very fair to compliment where compliments are due.
Overall a very interesting and good read!
Descartes' Bones: A Skeletal History of the Conflict Between Faith and Reason
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
3
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
3
Review Date: 11/20/2012
Descartes' Bones is a VERY interesting read, but falls short of the ideas implied in the title (that of the SKELETAL history).
The strength of this book is Shorto's ability as a raconteur. He has quite the ability to weave a story around what can sometimes be rather dry portions of history. For instance, in this book, the already interesting and well documented French Revolution becomes even move vibrant by Shorto's use of "sideline" characters who he moves from the pages of history into the limelight. If you want an interesting historical survey which is based somewhat loosely around philosophical ideals... then this is the book for you. It is a very well written book and fun story to follow.
The weakness of this book is Shorto's inability to deliver on the story of Descartes' bones and their literal travels thru history. In fact, after mentioning this on page xiv of the preface, I don't believe that this storyline (with one VERY brief exception) actually appears again until almost page 100 of the book. Shorto seemingly has a difficult time remaining on topic throughout this book (but the topical drifts DO entertain).
Is this book worth taking your time to peruse and or/dig into? Certainly. Is this book what one might expect from it's title and back cover review? Probably not. But it IS a fun and interesting look at a large swath of history, and in particular the more modern history of philosophy.
The strength of this book is Shorto's ability as a raconteur. He has quite the ability to weave a story around what can sometimes be rather dry portions of history. For instance, in this book, the already interesting and well documented French Revolution becomes even move vibrant by Shorto's use of "sideline" characters who he moves from the pages of history into the limelight. If you want an interesting historical survey which is based somewhat loosely around philosophical ideals... then this is the book for you. It is a very well written book and fun story to follow.
The weakness of this book is Shorto's inability to deliver on the story of Descartes' bones and their literal travels thru history. In fact, after mentioning this on page xiv of the preface, I don't believe that this storyline (with one VERY brief exception) actually appears again until almost page 100 of the book. Shorto seemingly has a difficult time remaining on topic throughout this book (but the topical drifts DO entertain).
Is this book worth taking your time to peruse and or/dig into? Certainly. Is this book what one might expect from it's title and back cover review? Probably not. But it IS a fun and interesting look at a large swath of history, and in particular the more modern history of philosophy.
Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
2
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
2
Review Date: 7/2/2011
Miller does a great job toeing the line between uncovering the differences between "other" Christian views of evolution/Darwinianism (i.e. - Intelligent Design, young-earth Creationists, etc) and his own. He gives credit to opposing viewpoints where credit is rightly due. He shreds false arguments where those are readily apparent as well.
Miller probably finds few kindred spirits among modern Evangelical Christianity, but he must be commended for applying Scientific evidences to arguments (both good and bad arguments).
Miller's answer may not be the correct one (and probably not in the eyes of most), but he does a good job in this book of surveying the landscape of points of view in the Christian community. He writes VERY intelligently, VERY readibly, and I recommend this book to anyone wanting to get a good survey view of the Bible/Darwinism argument.
Miller probably finds few kindred spirits among modern Evangelical Christianity, but he must be commended for applying Scientific evidences to arguments (both good and bad arguments).
Miller's answer may not be the correct one (and probably not in the eyes of most), but he does a good job in this book of surveying the landscape of points of view in the Christian community. He writes VERY intelligently, VERY readibly, and I recommend this book to anyone wanting to get a good survey view of the Bible/Darwinism argument.
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
454
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
454
Review Date: 10/8/2009
Helpful Score: 1
My wife and I went through this book together & found that it REALLY helped us communicate in a much better fashion.
Chapman's ability to concisely represent how an individual understands "love", & the 5 different ways that can manifest itself, is quite remarkable.
I would say that every couple should take the time to understand their spouse's love language & take to heart Chapman's suggestions as to how to help them feel loved.
Well worth the read for anyone!
Chapman's ability to concisely represent how an individual understands "love", & the 5 different ways that can manifest itself, is quite remarkable.
I would say that every couple should take the time to understand their spouse's love language & take to heart Chapman's suggestions as to how to help them feel loved.
Well worth the read for anyone!
Review Date: 10/13/2010
An excellent primer on varying views within the Christian community of the three issues of the book title - Creation, Design, and Evolution.
The Haarsma's engage the reader from a scientific view, but also from the standpoint as believers concerned with the inability of scientists and Christians to communicate with one another. Both are well-versed and well-respected scientists, theologians and academians. These attributes give them an ability to present viewpoints without seeming overly biased (although on occasion they do reveal their personal viewpoints).
The book overall is a good read and introduces the reader to many of the pitfalls of each of the views of creation, as well as the arguments over intelligent design and whether "evolution" exists or not.
I recommend it for anyone who has no understanding of these topics (or a rudimentary one) and wants to learn more about the subjects. Book does a great job of giving extra resources for further reading.
The Haarsma's engage the reader from a scientific view, but also from the standpoint as believers concerned with the inability of scientists and Christians to communicate with one another. Both are well-versed and well-respected scientists, theologians and academians. These attributes give them an ability to present viewpoints without seeming overly biased (although on occasion they do reveal their personal viewpoints).
The book overall is a good read and introduces the reader to many of the pitfalls of each of the views of creation, as well as the arguments over intelligent design and whether "evolution" exists or not.
I recommend it for anyone who has no understanding of these topics (or a rudimentary one) and wants to learn more about the subjects. Book does a great job of giving extra resources for further reading.
Review Date: 10/27/2010
Helpful Score: 2
I decided to read this book, simply because it had an interesting title. Fortunately, that decision turned me on to reading this book. Jonah Lehrer has composed an extremely well written, and easy for the layman to understand, treatise on the modern science of the brain.
Lehrer organized this book around well known or moderately well known historical personalities who "discovered truths about the human mind" well in advance of the modern scientific understanding of these same truths. Eight "artists" (writers, painters, musicians, and even a cook) are utilized to explain concepts regarding the operation of our brains. Walt Whitman, George Eliot, Auguste Escoffier, Marcel Proust (hence the title of the book), Paul Cezanne, Igor Stravinsky, Gertrude Stein, and Virginia Woolf give insights (at least according to Mr. Lehrer) through particular works of their individual arts.
Lehrer is particularly adept at explaining the concepts of neuroscience utilizing easy to grasp historical "works", such as a Cezanne painting. I was amazed, not having a great deal of background in neuroscience, at how easily he could boil a difficult concept down to its component parts simply by looking at a work of art or a musical composition. This is probably because Mr. Lehrer himself was a graduate student in neuroscience before deciding to pursue a career in writing. It is not often that a scientist is able to present their concepts in a deft enough fashion that someone with a non-scientific background can follow. Mr. Lehrer has this gift.
I would highly recommend the chapters on Escoffier, Proust, Cezanne, and Stravinsky (ch. 3-6). Unfortunately, the last two chapters of this book were not quite as well stated, so Proust was a Neuroscientist ended on a bit of a low note for me. With that being said, I believe this book is a entertaining and enlightening read, and would heartily endorse it's information to you!
Lehrer organized this book around well known or moderately well known historical personalities who "discovered truths about the human mind" well in advance of the modern scientific understanding of these same truths. Eight "artists" (writers, painters, musicians, and even a cook) are utilized to explain concepts regarding the operation of our brains. Walt Whitman, George Eliot, Auguste Escoffier, Marcel Proust (hence the title of the book), Paul Cezanne, Igor Stravinsky, Gertrude Stein, and Virginia Woolf give insights (at least according to Mr. Lehrer) through particular works of their individual arts.
Lehrer is particularly adept at explaining the concepts of neuroscience utilizing easy to grasp historical "works", such as a Cezanne painting. I was amazed, not having a great deal of background in neuroscience, at how easily he could boil a difficult concept down to its component parts simply by looking at a work of art or a musical composition. This is probably because Mr. Lehrer himself was a graduate student in neuroscience before deciding to pursue a career in writing. It is not often that a scientist is able to present their concepts in a deft enough fashion that someone with a non-scientific background can follow. Mr. Lehrer has this gift.
I would highly recommend the chapters on Escoffier, Proust, Cezanne, and Stravinsky (ch. 3-6). Unfortunately, the last two chapters of this book were not quite as well stated, so Proust was a Neuroscientist ended on a bit of a low note for me. With that being said, I believe this book is a entertaining and enlightening read, and would heartily endorse it's information to you!
Review Date: 12/5/2010
One of the better books on the market to expose the reader to the history of Christian Rock/Alternative (and some metal) music. A very well written, and well researched book. Thompson has a particular "insider" perspective, as a successful owner of one of the best renowned Christian Music stores in the United States. His longevity at this position allowed him to see most of these bands come and go, and consequently he has LOTS of historical anecdotes.
If you are interested to learn of some of the best bands, and in some cases best UNHEARD OF bands, in the history of Christian music, this is a great place to start!
If you are interested to learn of some of the best bands, and in some cases best UNHEARD OF bands, in the history of Christian music, this is a great place to start!
Real Life Stories of J. C. and the Breakfast Club...or 20 Minutes in the Dark with Madonna
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Review Date: 10/15/2009
I worked with J.C. Corcoran for a year in St. Louis radio as a member of "The Breakfast Club". I can tell you from personal experience with him that the tales that J.C. presents in this memoir will seem UNreal, but are all too real!
He brings humor, intelligence, and controversy to the table in this book. Most entertaining to me in this book was to see the barbs (well daggers, really) that he fires at former co-workers and St. Louis personalities who have crossed him over the years.
J.C. is a great storyteller, a brilliant writer, and a very misunderstood St. Louis radio host. Those three characteristics demonstrate the enigma that is J.C. Corcoran.
This book will draw you in and make you want to hear more of the life and legacy of the man, the myth, the legend that is J.C.
He brings humor, intelligence, and controversy to the table in this book. Most entertaining to me in this book was to see the barbs (well daggers, really) that he fires at former co-workers and St. Louis personalities who have crossed him over the years.
J.C. is a great storyteller, a brilliant writer, and a very misunderstood St. Louis radio host. Those three characteristics demonstrate the enigma that is J.C. Corcoran.
This book will draw you in and make you want to hear more of the life and legacy of the man, the myth, the legend that is J.C.
Review Date: 2/14/2011
A very revealing and interesting read about one of the pioneers of the modern alternative Christian (to be read "Punk") scene. Mark Salomon reveals his heart and details of his life with the band The Crucified. Salomon reveals a distaste for much of the Christian music scene (even in his more recent days with the band Stavesacre), but simultaneously reveals his continued love for Christ and living life as a Christian.
Salomon has been criticized by many for his decisions not to "preach" (to be read: have an altar call or evangelistic message) from the stage with his new band - Stavesacre - but this book is perhaps a way for him to get some of the "preaching" out of his system.
I, personally, found this to be a GREAT read. Salomon's honest critique of the Christian music industry (and to some extent American evangelical Christianity) is surprisingly refreshing and, despite the criticism, leaves one with an uplifting view of the Christian faith.
A quick read, and one well worth doing if you have a particular interest in the Christian Rock scene of the 90's.
Salomon has been criticized by many for his decisions not to "preach" (to be read: have an altar call or evangelistic message) from the stage with his new band - Stavesacre - but this book is perhaps a way for him to get some of the "preaching" out of his system.
I, personally, found this to be a GREAT read. Salomon's honest critique of the Christian music industry (and to some extent American evangelical Christianity) is surprisingly refreshing and, despite the criticism, leaves one with an uplifting view of the Christian faith.
A quick read, and one well worth doing if you have a particular interest in the Christian Rock scene of the 90's.
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