I probably shouldn't purchase audio Cd's at the Dollar Store for a dollar. Sometimes they are worth every penny or even less!
"The Discomfort Zone" by Jonathan Franzen has its moments but they are few and far between. Basically, it's a book about someone dealing with fears and depressing things. He tells of his frustrating and frustrated youth and for some reason spends page after page (minute after minute) talking endlessly about the life of Charles Schultz. There was probably a reason for that but somehow that reason escaped me.
He also spends a lot of time talking about his Christian youth fellowship and the various trials and tribulations associated with this.
Yes, I know that he wrote many fine essays and received all sorts of awards for his writing. It's one of those books that I probably would have stopped reading but since it was an audio CD I kept listening to the bitter end.
I learned a few things but, very frankly, I cannot quite remember right now what they were.
If you want to borrow it, it's yours! Free and worth every penny!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Age of Anxiety
This is a book review of "The Age of Anxiety" by Haynes Johnson.
I didn't "read" this book but listened to it on CD. It is a careful look at Joe McCarthy and how his red-baiting history of anti-Communism created countless problems in the 1950's as he tried to find a Communist under every rug. For some five years his crusade (which was picked up politically by many people) found most people (including journalists and senators) reluctant to check the facts or confront this demagogue.
Some politicians cynically used McCarthy for their own purposes. Most would agree that Edward R. Murrow's famous interview of McCarthy was the "beginning of the end" for this man who drove himself into alcoholism and extreme health problems.
Haynes Johnson did a pretty good job with the historical narratives but was downright offensive in the final 1/3 of his "book" as he shamelessly and arrogantly attacks George W. Bush and finds desperate comparisons with him and McCarthy. President Bush had his problems, to be sure, but the comparisons to McCarthy are strained and contrived.
I bought this book at the "Dollar Store" and I think I know why. The last part of this book was the downfall of this publication and probably the reason why it was relegated to the bargain bin.
Hey...read the first 2/3 or the book or listen to the CD but then turn it off before he starts his ranting and raving. It gets mean-spirited and arrogant. I suspect that even Bush detractors would find themselves cringing.
I didn't "read" this book but listened to it on CD. It is a careful look at Joe McCarthy and how his red-baiting history of anti-Communism created countless problems in the 1950's as he tried to find a Communist under every rug. For some five years his crusade (which was picked up politically by many people) found most people (including journalists and senators) reluctant to check the facts or confront this demagogue.
Some politicians cynically used McCarthy for their own purposes. Most would agree that Edward R. Murrow's famous interview of McCarthy was the "beginning of the end" for this man who drove himself into alcoholism and extreme health problems.
Haynes Johnson did a pretty good job with the historical narratives but was downright offensive in the final 1/3 of his "book" as he shamelessly and arrogantly attacks George W. Bush and finds desperate comparisons with him and McCarthy. President Bush had his problems, to be sure, but the comparisons to McCarthy are strained and contrived.
I bought this book at the "Dollar Store" and I think I know why. The last part of this book was the downfall of this publication and probably the reason why it was relegated to the bargain bin.
Hey...read the first 2/3 or the book or listen to the CD but then turn it off before he starts his ranting and raving. It gets mean-spirited and arrogant. I suspect that even Bush detractors would find themselves cringing.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Mirror, Mirror
Alice is always worried that I'm going to write a negative review. She wasn't sure if she wanted me to write this one about "Mirror, Mirror." But, wait a minute, I loved the movie. Funny. Witty. Unique. Unpredictable. Tongue in cheek. It was just a very nice movie. Hey, and it's not really for kids. They probably wouldn't get a lot of the subtle humor...but, then again, our children are pretty smart!
This is a comedy fantasy generally following the book by the Brothers Grimm. I was waiting for Snow White to be tempted with the poison apple. That finally happened at the end but the you will be a bit surprised about what happens in that scene.
Julia Roberts plays a negative character as the wicked stepmother (and evil witch, I guess) but her evil plots and comments make the viewer smile. Nathan Lane as her trusted servant, Brighton, is very funny and his character helps carry the movie. Lily Collins (who's Lily Collins?) plays Snow White and Armie Hammer (who's Armie Hammer?--I thought he was some old guy) plays the Prince.
The Queen's kingdom is facing bankruptcy and the sudden appearance of the Prince is of great interest to the evil queen but she must get rid of Snow White so that she can have the prince. She banishes Snow White to the forest (and an evil roaming beast) where she assumes Brighton has killed Snow White but Snow White is rescue by seven modern dwarfs. Though some politically correct individuals might object to the word "dwarf" I felt that the whole issue was handled well and with tongue-in cheek humor. These seven diminutive men quickly capture the heart of the viewer as well as the heart of Snow White.
The dwarfs teach her how to fight back against the evil queen and the kingdom is eventually rescued.
The movie viewers, we felt, were very impressed. All of the theater-goers (and place was pretty full) stayed through the interesting closing credits.
We recommend the movie. It was funny and well done.
This is a comedy fantasy generally following the book by the Brothers Grimm. I was waiting for Snow White to be tempted with the poison apple. That finally happened at the end but the you will be a bit surprised about what happens in that scene.
Julia Roberts plays a negative character as the wicked stepmother (and evil witch, I guess) but her evil plots and comments make the viewer smile. Nathan Lane as her trusted servant, Brighton, is very funny and his character helps carry the movie. Lily Collins (who's Lily Collins?) plays Snow White and Armie Hammer (who's Armie Hammer?--I thought he was some old guy) plays the Prince.
The Queen's kingdom is facing bankruptcy and the sudden appearance of the Prince is of great interest to the evil queen but she must get rid of Snow White so that she can have the prince. She banishes Snow White to the forest (and an evil roaming beast) where she assumes Brighton has killed Snow White but Snow White is rescue by seven modern dwarfs. Though some politically correct individuals might object to the word "dwarf" I felt that the whole issue was handled well and with tongue-in cheek humor. These seven diminutive men quickly capture the heart of the viewer as well as the heart of Snow White.
The dwarfs teach her how to fight back against the evil queen and the kingdom is eventually rescued.
The movie viewers, we felt, were very impressed. All of the theater-goers (and place was pretty full) stayed through the interesting closing credits.
We recommend the movie. It was funny and well done.
The Lorax
When my parents moved I had to leave the one room country school that I had attended for years. Since our move caused the enrollment to fall below the required number, the school actually ended up closing. I had to attend school in the "big city" of Waterville, Minnesota and I remember experiencing many new things, including going to the library where the librarian, Mrs. Bishop, read a Dr. Seuss story, "The Cat in the Hat." I was in fourth grade. I confess that I didn't really care for the book. For some reason, I have never cared for Dr. Seuss very much. And that describes "The Lorax," a current movie that was puzzlingly boring, preachy and certainly not memorable.
I know. I know. Many reviews praised this book and movie and its focus on environmental concerns. That part was OK and the last third of the movie did a fairly good job of reminding the viewer of environmental issues. The movie finally got a little better however, I feel that movie was generally a waste of time. I'm sorry. That's not a popular opinion but it's heartfelt.
Oh, if you want to take the children, it's OK. It certainly is harmless clean fun. It's just that I wouldn't want to see it again.
I know. I know. Many reviews praised this book and movie and its focus on environmental concerns. That part was OK and the last third of the movie did a fairly good job of reminding the viewer of environmental issues. The movie finally got a little better however, I feel that movie was generally a waste of time. I'm sorry. That's not a popular opinion but it's heartfelt.
Oh, if you want to take the children, it's OK. It certainly is harmless clean fun. It's just that I wouldn't want to see it again.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
"Mr. Monk on Patrol" (Book Review)
This book is the thirteenth book in a series of paperback and hardback books continuing the Monk series. Alice and I really have enjoyed reading these books and find that they are filled with laughs and clean humor. The books are all "narrated" by Natalie and remind us of the brilliant yet quirky mind of Monk.
This book finds Monk and Natalie travelling to Summit, New Jersey, to help Randy Disher with crimes that he faces in his new "charge." Randy "left" the series when it ended and joined Sharona (Monk's former nurse) as police chief in Summit. In this book he has Monk assist in solving a series of burglaries and then a murder mystery. The narrative includes a side trip to New York and finds Monk and Natalie "in uniform" to assist Randy in his work.
It ends with things "up in the air" as Monk and Natalie consider continuing their work in New Jersey.
Hey, it's harmless fun and a nice way to spend a few days in reading this wonderful book.
This book finds Monk and Natalie travelling to Summit, New Jersey, to help Randy Disher with crimes that he faces in his new "charge." Randy "left" the series when it ended and joined Sharona (Monk's former nurse) as police chief in Summit. In this book he has Monk assist in solving a series of burglaries and then a murder mystery. The narrative includes a side trip to New York and finds Monk and Natalie "in uniform" to assist Randy in his work.
It ends with things "up in the air" as Monk and Natalie consider continuing their work in New Jersey.
Hey, it's harmless fun and a nice way to spend a few days in reading this wonderful book.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
"I Heard the Owl Call My Name" (book) by Margaret Craven
This is a book review for "I Heard the Owl Call My Name" by Margaret Craven (Doubleday, 1973)
I think I read this book about 25 years ago after seeing part of the movie which was on CBS. I read it again in February of 2012. It is a very interesting and profound read about an Episcopalian "vicar" who unknowingly has 2-3 years to live and who is assigned by his bishop to serve Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest. Vicar Mark Brian's church is in Kingcome and in all humility he endears himself to the people a step at a time. He does not dismiss the old culture of totems and pot latch but he sees that the change in the life of this people is far more than spiritual.
The children of the community are sent to boarding school to get an education but their parents find that in doing so the younger generation becomes disenchanted with their way of life. Mark is befriended by Jim and learns many things from him. He becomes part of the village.
One of the legends is that when a person hears an owl calling his name the inevitability of death is close. In that moment Brian recalls he medical tests he took and the bishop's grim assignment for him to serve Kingcome.
The writing is engaging and memorable. I notice that the book is used as reading material in many schools. An example of the unique insight of the author concerns the atheist teacher who teaches the very young but who refuses to become a part of the community. When he sees the preparations for the vicar's funeral the narration is memorable: "In his tiny house the teacher heard the running footfalls on the path to the river bank, and he went quickly to the door and could not open it. To join the others was to care and to care was to live and to suffer." (page 164) The vicar cared and thus he suffered with a richness that made life meaningful.
I think I read this book about 25 years ago after seeing part of the movie which was on CBS. I read it again in February of 2012. It is a very interesting and profound read about an Episcopalian "vicar" who unknowingly has 2-3 years to live and who is assigned by his bishop to serve Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest. Vicar Mark Brian's church is in Kingcome and in all humility he endears himself to the people a step at a time. He does not dismiss the old culture of totems and pot latch but he sees that the change in the life of this people is far more than spiritual.
The children of the community are sent to boarding school to get an education but their parents find that in doing so the younger generation becomes disenchanted with their way of life. Mark is befriended by Jim and learns many things from him. He becomes part of the village.
One of the legends is that when a person hears an owl calling his name the inevitability of death is close. In that moment Brian recalls he medical tests he took and the bishop's grim assignment for him to serve Kingcome.
The writing is engaging and memorable. I notice that the book is used as reading material in many schools. An example of the unique insight of the author concerns the atheist teacher who teaches the very young but who refuses to become a part of the community. When he sees the preparations for the vicar's funeral the narration is memorable: "In his tiny house the teacher heard the running footfalls on the path to the river bank, and he went quickly to the door and could not open it. To join the others was to care and to care was to live and to suffer." (page 164) The vicar cared and thus he suffered with a richness that made life meaningful.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Excellence in Preaching
"Excellence in Preaching" by Simon Vibert (published by InterVarsity Press, 2011)
This book by Simon Vibert is a book about twelve "famous" preachers.
As part of our work as pastors we attend a monthly meeting of pastors from our denomination in what is called a "circuit." Also, we have two larger gatherings a year which are called regional and general pastor's conferences which consist of 100-200 fellow clergy. Over the years I have always felt that every one of these meetings should include some kind of focus or topic on preaching. Even though the work of pastoral ministry involves many different areas of work, we find ourselves preaching at least once a week and often more than that. To me, pastors need help with preaching. I know I do.
That is also the thrust of Vibert's book. He sets out to examine these twelve famous preachers after he acknowledges that Jesus is the primary "preacher." I enjoyed this book and found it very helpful, even though I had not heard of most of these preachers. I found it interesting that Vibert noted that some preachers are completed "manuscript free" while others write out and preach their sermons "word for word." He found that both styles, though completely different from each other, can be viable and helpful.
Another piece of information that he shared was that many of these preachers often preach 45 minute sermons and some preach sixty minute sermons. I wonder what our congregations would feel about that.
Many of the preachers highlighted in this book are part of very large churches but I still felt that the information that he shared applies to preachers serving churches of all sizes.
I highly recommend this book and recommend that preachers continue to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest all they can to stay relevant and helpful in their preaching.
This book by Simon Vibert is a book about twelve "famous" preachers.
As part of our work as pastors we attend a monthly meeting of pastors from our denomination in what is called a "circuit." Also, we have two larger gatherings a year which are called regional and general pastor's conferences which consist of 100-200 fellow clergy. Over the years I have always felt that every one of these meetings should include some kind of focus or topic on preaching. Even though the work of pastoral ministry involves many different areas of work, we find ourselves preaching at least once a week and often more than that. To me, pastors need help with preaching. I know I do.
That is also the thrust of Vibert's book. He sets out to examine these twelve famous preachers after he acknowledges that Jesus is the primary "preacher." I enjoyed this book and found it very helpful, even though I had not heard of most of these preachers. I found it interesting that Vibert noted that some preachers are completed "manuscript free" while others write out and preach their sermons "word for word." He found that both styles, though completely different from each other, can be viable and helpful.
Another piece of information that he shared was that many of these preachers often preach 45 minute sermons and some preach sixty minute sermons. I wonder what our congregations would feel about that.
Many of the preachers highlighted in this book are part of very large churches but I still felt that the information that he shared applies to preachers serving churches of all sizes.
I highly recommend this book and recommend that preachers continue to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest all they can to stay relevant and helpful in their preaching.
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