Conspiracies.Every nation has its own secrets , perpetrating forgeries, plots, and massacres. From the unification of Italy to the Paris Commune to th...moreConspiracies.Every nation has its own secrets , perpetrating forgeries, plots, and massacres. From the unification of Italy to the Paris Commune to the Dreyfus Affair to "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," Priests, anarchists, satanists... But what if, behind all of these conspiracies both real and imagined, lay one lone man? What if that evil genius created its most infamous document? What if Aryanism, Malthusian rhetoric, Zionism, and World Wars were all the product of one sadistic document...that was the product of one man's fevered imagination. But wouldn't certain of these cabals contradict the plans of the other, I mean if they came from one man and all? What if the one was a two...what if he had a split personality...so that the right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing. Until they met one another in the pages of their respective diaries and in the middle of their twisted doctrine conceived, as it were, in "The Prague Cemetery". (less)
This book makes magic so plausible...well that it's scary. In the tradition of Tim Powers, Clarke does not hold back and try to show us a Hogwarts br...moreThis book makes magic so plausible...well that it's scary. In the tradition of Tim Powers, Clarke does not hold back and try to show us a Hogwarts brand of magic...but rather the real deal. How power distorts and misshapes those who use it, and ultimately how it destroys their world.As I I say, it makes magic real, and takes for granted that the reader will too. I say that to imply that this book may not be for everyone...teens or those still looking for some final solution to chaos in our world. But to those sick of seeing magic, dark or otherwise, glorified and transmuted (good is bad and bad is good..it's all in the user. Are there really any gooood vampires?) this will be a refreshingly "honest" approach to what can happen when we try and wrest control from the supernatural and use it in the here-and-now.(less)
Really great yarn tying the stories of HG Wells, Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes, Victorian England and adding in Henry James and Bram Stoker to boot...moreReally great yarn tying the stories of HG Wells, Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes, Victorian England and adding in Henry James and Bram Stoker to boot! What would it be like if we could travel through time, what does the future look like when we imagine it? And what does that say about each of us, That's the meat on the wonderfully written rabbit Palma has us chasing down ever more winding and deeper warrens. I must say I enjoyed the hunt.(less)
Dennis Rainey does a great job of asking men to step up...from wherever they are now to the next step on their journey through manhood. Some of us ne...moreDennis Rainey does a great job of asking men to step up...from wherever they are now to the next step on their journey through manhood. Some of us need to know Christ. Some of us know Christ but have never gotten serious about knowing his Word and applying it to out lives. Still others have done that but never imparted the knowledge to their own wife or family. Some have mentored and discipled their families and need to reach out to someone without a dad. This is not a 5 steps to something kind of book. rather it is a call to boys to become young men, young men to become full grown men, men to become mentors, and mentors to become patriarchs. The numbers on not doing this are plain. Today 30 million kids are floundering without a dad or man of any kind in their life. Mr Rainey asks, "What are you gonna do about it?"(less)
I actually forgot how good this book is. If you are a fan of plain spoken folk, but you can't abide the smugness of modern theologians, then you will...moreI actually forgot how good this book is. If you are a fan of plain spoken folk, but you can't abide the smugness of modern theologians, then you will probably love this book. Tozer walks the reader through the attributes (God's goodness, kindness, justice, omnipotence etc. ) and casually almost whimsically illustrates how each fits within the other without violating any of their first principles, or cancelling out the other. More importantly, Tozer demonstrates how we seamlessly fold these into our everyday living...thus making it our own. It's just very practical theology. When I was a new Christian, some idiot gave me for my 1st bible study...wait for it...Burkoeff's Guide to Systematic theology. While that is a tremendous book, it is not one a new Christian can fully grasp. I don't say understand, I was study radiation physics at the time in college so understanding it wasn't the problem. Internalizing the truth revealed therein was the problem. Making it part of my everyday life was the problem. Being surrounded by numbskulls who thought big books were more important than big living...that is living the truths they like to only think about. I wish I had read this book instead.(less)
As many of you know who've been following my reading, I have been on a tear for a few months reading the roots-material of the modern spy novel. It i...moreAs many of you know who've been following my reading, I have been on a tear for a few months reading the roots-material of the modern spy novel. It is interesting to see the incremental, yet inevitable, steps taken down the path of Victorian mellodrama.... and see it change and shift in almost every year. The Double Traitor is a perfect example. It has all the intrigue and comedy (in the classical sense) that we find in Charles Dickens or George MacDonald. But the intrigue of an evil empire (something I believe is essential to get us to believe all that is in the plot line) adds an element here-to-for not seen in fiction. Statism and the fear it creates, with all those nasty unknowns over there, is clearly evident and played upon to perfection. That is not at all unusual, if you take into account the fact that countries had only recently (even as compared to today's date) drawn borders around themselves and said, "This is Spain", or "This is France"...or Germany in this case. A great book as a read, but also as a study into the mind of the early 20th century person.(less)
The Bright Empire Series continues. Part National Treasure, part cyber punk. If you liked the movies, and you like Tim Powers you will probably like...moreThe Bright Empire Series continues. Part National Treasure, part cyber punk. If you liked the movies, and you like Tim Powers you will probably like this as well. Lawhead fleshes out his ideas as they pertain to his faith in this book. For example, he has the characters travel along different dimensions or versions of this world...as opposed to pure time travel. The characters we begin to encounter ar quite diverse. From a Hellenistic era potentate, to a band of Neanderthals that adopt the main character, to medieval Europe, and back to the present day London, we are taken on a magic carpet ride along the ley lines of folklore, and it is (for me anyway, even given the fact that it's a bit of a guilty pleasure) quite an enjoyable journey.(less)
Again on my recent roots-of-spy-novel jag...and Le Queux is one of the originals. This one is a little predictable at times, but it is so interesting...moreAgain on my recent roots-of-spy-novel jag...and Le Queux is one of the originals. This one is a little predictable at times, but it is so interesting to see where the genre started and how certain elements remain even today, that I hardly noticed the naivete. A fun read.(less)
Who we are in Jesus, for real. Radically reconnecting with God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, giving us (literally) the mind of Christ. Why do...moreWho we are in Jesus, for real. Radically reconnecting with God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, giving us (literally) the mind of Christ. Why do we get what we want, an then not want it? Why are we so into much, more, many, most? Why is enough never enough? Where do addiction and mental illness fall in the realm of faith? Thank God, that Jesus did not come to save only the soul of man, but to also cleanse him here and now, and empowering us to do good work for his glory. In this groundbreaking work Anderson explores (at least in part) how the Holy Spirit works in and through us, to redeem, renew, and restore our connection to the very mind of God.(less)
Getting back to the very roots of what this literary genre so appealing. Seven complete novels from writers who created spy-mystery-thrillers. Joseph...moreGetting back to the very roots of what this literary genre so appealing. Seven complete novels from writers who created spy-mystery-thrillers. Joseph Conrad, John Buchan, E Phillips Oppenheim, Baroness Orczy, Williams Le Queux, James Fennimore Cooper, & Rudyard Kipling. Enjoying myself immensely.(less)
If you don't want to be challenged about your most cherished beliefs as to what Christianity is, and is not, don't read this book. In a supremely eff...moreIf you don't want to be challenged about your most cherished beliefs as to what Christianity is, and is not, don't read this book. In a supremely effective argument, Keller weaves an apologetic from the pentateuch to John's Revealation as to why American Christianity just isn't passing muster when it comes to the rights of the poor and oppressed. He is neither a friend to religious conservatives, not of liberals, but he also isn't bashing one side or the other...a welcome change in today's climate of competition. Rather, he is offering a diferent, older, way of looking at what it means to be about the justice of the city and it's people...the shalom if you will, and all that that implies. For the thinking believer, who cares and at the same time eschews knee-jerk reactionary Christianity or cause mongering, this is a must-read.(less)
What I love about Tozier, is his clear, concise, yet still easy to read style of admonition. The thoughts are really not all that ground-breaking or ...moreWhat I love about Tozier, is his clear, concise, yet still easy to read style of admonition. The thoughts are really not all that ground-breaking or earth shattering, but somehow, because of his treatment of the subject matter, it seems as if you are hearing these life principles for the first time. Tackling such diverse subjects as, possessions, God, access to God, knowing, God, Heaven, God's voice, creation, meekness, and the sacrament of life, Tozier plain-spokenly tells us how we can pursue what we are all hungry for...relationship with the Father. Again, the specialness of the book is in that he makes it, to quote an old Foreigner song, Feels Like the First Time. Highly recommended.(less)
This is book is so good because it feels so old. All the quotations fall just so, and there are very few false notes to be detected. That's importan...moreThis is book is so good because it feels so old. All the quotations fall just so, and there are very few false notes to be detected. That's important because the book is set amongst some of the British literary luminaries of the early 20th century Lewis, Tolkien, Williams, Christie...and they all play a fairly integral part in the plot. It's like, what if you put "National Treasure", CS Lewis, Michael Card, and PD James in a blender!! Think Da Vinci Code excitement, without the slovenly intellectual drivel that Dan Brown tries to pass off as scholarship. It does end a tad abruptly, but I say bravo on this 1st try at using the Inklings as Crime Solving Mystery Team. (less)
It's like a cyber punk version of the chronicles of the Inquisition. What is the REAL reason that the Spanish Inquisition happened. Sierra re-imagines...moreIt's like a cyber punk version of the chronicles of the Inquisition. What is the REAL reason that the Spanish Inquisition happened. Sierra re-imagines the reasons behind the nefarious psuedo-religiousity of the Catholic church in the Americas of the 16th & 17th centuries. The element of explaining the translocation (that are on the real historical record) of certain preists, nuns, and saints, is given a new patina of believability as the author expertly weaves the stories of the ecclesiastical, the NSA, dream travel and music empathy, is just too creative to put down. Not perfectly executed but certainly expertly imagined. Read it.(less)
I really enjoyed this historical thriller. It gives us a snapshot into the life of medieval Germans. It just has a very authentic ring to it. Altho...moreI really enjoyed this historical thriller. It gives us a snapshot into the life of medieval Germans. It just has a very authentic ring to it. Although, the translator uses some rather modern language here and there in his translation...it was originally written in German. In fact the authors family is the actual family of our hangman in the title. This hangman is a 5th generation executioner, a medicine man, and a tough guy. He and the mid-wife in the town share helpful solutions back and forth when someone is ill...midwives were notoriously suspected of witchcraft whether they partook of quackery or not. When someone starts slaughtering children of the village, one by one, she is quickly suspected, thrown in jail and tortured to confess....by our hangman, who is also trying to find the true culprit before he has to burn her at the stake. Lots of twists and turns, and much learning of Germany in the meantime. Great read.(less)
I was able to get an early release of "When will My Life Not Suck?" It's almost worth the reading just for the title alone. I really enjoy...moreI was able to get an early release of "When will My Life Not Suck?" It's almost worth the reading just for the title alone. I really enjoyed Ramon's take on pain and loss and how we recover from them. The book is well written, and it does not attempt to be over one's head, but instead has a very hit-me-where-I'm-living feel. Taken mostly from the teaching of Paul to the Phillippians, Ramon shows us that we all will have trouble in this world...but Jesus has overcome it. I think it is best summed up by one of his many humorous examples in the book. A black belt instructor basically tells his students that when they come to terms with the fact that they WILL BE cut...for sure...then they can get on with business of really fighting for their lives. I loved that, and I really like this book.(less)
I liked this book, and would have said that I really liked it, but it ended in such an awkward spot that I withheld a fourth star. However, it shows ...moreI liked this book, and would have said that I really liked it, but it ended in such an awkward spot that I withheld a fourth star. However, it shows a lot of promise. dmullen
ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY Kit Livingstone has led a terribly humdrum life. Even his girlfriend is dull. But soon all that changes when, with the help of his deceased great-grandfather, Kit is catapulted into worlds unknown in The Skin Map, the first book of the Bright Empires series by prolific writer Stephen R. Lawhead. Dynamic settings are mixed with unpredictable adventures as we follow Kit through his new life, which includes parallel worlds and time travel. Most interesting is the lost map many are battling to find, the map that is crucial to traveling the cosmos and, more importantly, getting back to Earth. And yes, it's tattooed on the mapmaker. But soon the reader discovers that, as intriguing as the map is, that's not the real prize. It's only square one. --BookPage (less)
Another great Clancy yarn. Full of believable characters and up the moment plotting that makes the story entirely plausible...almost too much so. Ho...moreAnother great Clancy yarn. Full of believable characters and up the moment plotting that makes the story entirely plausible...almost too much so. However, I thought there was too much gratuitous swearing in the writing. Granted we need to believe these characters, but at times it was just stupid.(less)
What is church. How do we define what is, and what is not, a viable Jesus people gathering. What caused the Church to grow from a few thousand, to m...moreWhat is church. How do we define what is, and what is not, a viable Jesus people gathering. What caused the Church to grow from a few thousand, to millions in less than a century? Why is the Church in China growing so rapidly? What energized the movements in the Church in the 18th and 19th centuries, and caused revivals to come forth and numbers to skyrocket? Can it be repeated? Should it be? These are the answers and questions considered by church-planter and disciple-maker Alan Hirsch in his seminal work on where the Church is, where it has been...and perhaps most importantly where it need to go to be free of the corporation-ness of our bodies today, and freed into being an organic body of growth.(less)
Of course I've read this book a zillion times...but it was much better reading it with my 12 year old son, Max. It never ceases to amaze me how much ...moreOf course I've read this book a zillion times...but it was much better reading it with my 12 year old son, Max. It never ceases to amaze me how much of the story I have forgotten, or how much of the stories plot and sub-plots have a bearing on my every day life. A truly masterful work of fiction that has wheels within wheels, as we follow Bilbo Baggins and his band of brothers through an epic of mystery, danger and fun.(less)
I found this book to be disturbing...I mean that in a good way. I mean, why do we read books of this nature, if not to challenge ourselves to somethi...moreI found this book to be disturbing...I mean that in a good way. I mean, why do we read books of this nature, if not to challenge ourselves to something. In this case there were just so many places I had not thought of, in which I could really find some creative ways to challenge myself and my kids to push beyond the easy-believism of the Western Church...and towards a more robust faith and understanding of the gospel.(less)
If you want to know just how much things have changed in the last 150 years, in terms of spirituality and faith, you should read this book. Then agai...moreIf you want to know just how much things have changed in the last 150 years, in terms of spirituality and faith, you should read this book. Then again, if you want to see just how little they have changed you should also read this book, for the challenges Bounds lays forth are essentially the same ones we would lay before Christians today. Questions are the order of the day: Do you want to lead,Do you want to pastor, Do you want to preach, teach, be a missionary, see God change the world...Bounds has only a one word answer for you, and it's the same as his (highly recommended) book. Prayer.(less)
It is always painful to hear stories from those who have been sexually abused. Miss Bromley offends us with the things that happened to her, without ...moreIt is always painful to hear stories from those who have been sexually abused. Miss Bromley offends us with the things that happened to her, without ever offending us with her own person. This story is a stumbling block, as Isaiah say, a rock to make us stumble, a stone that makes us fall. Go ahead, be angry with God, shake your fist, cry, wrestle with Him....but in the end The Only Place In The Universe where we find healing is in this same person we think has abandoned us to our fate. But he hasn't...his name is Jesus, and he can handle your pain.(less)
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