false 5 67 65 true 5704979 read 2 true 3010546 currently-reading 0 true 3010545 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79214143 Formal Theories of Mass Behavior (Hardcover) by William N McPhee
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79211637 to: Gardening Eden: How Creation Care Will Change Your Faith, Your Life, and Our World (Paperback) by Michael Abbate
I seldom find a book that I can't finish, but Gardening Eden by Michael Abbate was a little too basic for me. It didn't help that I had just finished "Common Wealth" by Jeffrey Sachs.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone that has any knowledge of sustainability, biodiversity and living green. For someone who doesn't feel compelled to take care of the earth or for someone who needs a biblical reason to do what is right, this might be just the book for them.

Take this review with a grain of salt though as I didn't have the desire to get past the middle of the book. There is however a really good list of websites in the back of the book for more information.

Simply,

Tim ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68025705 to: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time (Paperback) by Greg Mortenson
Really enjoyed reading this book. Mortenson's insight into the war torn Afghani region and the Taliban toward the end of the book is worth the whole book. I truly believe that one person can make a significant difference in the area he or she chooses and this book is further confirmation of my belief.

The path Mortenson chose to live simply, but passionately, as he devotes his entire life to his cause of building schools in Afghanistan.

Highly recommend reading this book,

Simply,

Tim ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77583719 The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3) by Dan Brown
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71399451 to: Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet (Paperback) by Jeffrey D. Sachs
I had been looking for a book that explained in detail all the issues of climate change, population growth, poverty and sustainability in the world. A friend recommended "Common Wealth" by the economist Jeffrey D. Sachs and it didn't disappoint.

Jeffrey Sachs has been an economic adviser all over the world to governments and organizations. His work advising the U.N. on the Millennium Development Goals will likely get him a Nobel Prize one day soon. His ability to break down complex issues into bite size chunks made this in-depth book very readable.

You may not agree with everything being said about climate change, sustainability and biodiversity, but Mr. Sachs lays out a very strong case for global cooperation to solve these issues before life on this planet becomes very difficult for all of us. He draws the connection between poverty and war in a way that is very compelling. His action plan seems measured and intelligent without being fanatical.

This is a must read for anyone interested in the future of our earth and how to protect the planet for future generations.

Simply,

Tim ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68025792 to: Protect And Defend (Mitch Rapp, #8) by Vince Flynn
Last one I'm reading in this series. Great writing, but the violent content is out of line with my life. : ) ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68025763 to: The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith (Paperback) by Marcus J. Borg
I think this is a must read for any person of faith who wants to understand the emerging Church movement. Marcus Borg wonderfully writes his thesis and nails it to the door of the fundamentalist evangelical Church that has emerged in the U.S. in last century and a half.

His main points of seeing Christianity as metaphor and sacramental are beautifully written. His acceptance of other religions as sacred and metaphor for the same path to God is something I've experienced reading the ancient Chinese literature. Both areas are worth reading, especially in the U.S.'s pluralistic society where we rub shoulders daily with people of different faiths.

His view of God as Just, not as Judge, brings amazing clarity to solving the worlds injustices through belief in God. I resonate with his thought that the current focus on eternity by the evangelical Church does not help bring the justice of God today to the people dying for lack of basic necessities.

Must reads are Borg's chapter on the kingdom of God and his view of the Lord's Prayer. Both eye opening interpretations.

I can see why Marcus Borg is labeled a heretic by many. Personally, I find new thought refreshing and I guess I have enough gray hair to be able to read opposing opinions and find truth in each. We need more Marcus Borgs to shock us out of the comfort of our street corner lifeboats so we can put our collective efforts into saving the ship.

Simply,

Tim



]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68025406 to: What Would Google Do? (Hardcover) by Jeff Jarvis
This one sentence was worth the price of the book:

"competitors who learn to target customers-by relevance, not by content or demographics-will increase effectiveness and efficiency and lower their cost.

This is a fascinating study on how Google is changing life. If you step back and look at the enormity of Google's reach into most developed nations, it's amazing. Embracing the way they have done this is an important lesson for any business that wants to grow.

The business scenarios in the last half of the book are eye opening as to how industries could change to remain relevant in the new interconnected and instant society.

As a proponent of simplicity, I have been a Google fan since the early days when it was just a search engine. We can all learn a lot from their model and this book.

Simply,

Tim ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68025572 to: Act Of Treason (Mitch Rapp, #7) by Vince Flynn
Another good one from Vince Flynn. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68025830 to: Raw Family: A True Story of Awakening (Paperback) by Victoria Boutenko
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