Raiding the Biography section of our church library has recently led me to some great reads. The latest is Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. This biography Raiding the Biography section of our church library has recently led me to some great reads. The latest is Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. This biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a 39-year-old German theologian, executed just two weeks before the Allies liberated the camp where he was imprisoned, is fascinating in many ways.
With access to plethora of primary sources (like journal entries, letters, Bonhoeffer-authored books as well as books written by historians, B’s friends, and family members) the author gives us a fulsome picture of this brilliant young man. In the days of Bonhoeffer’s adulthood (1930s to mid-1940s) people wrote a lot of letters and correspondence from and to Bonhoeffer is often quoted verbatim. So also are journal entries and other sources that place us firmly in the historical setting.
We see Bonhoeffer’s growth of conviction in many areas (like his understanding of the church, the life of discipleship, necessary Christian disciplines, the role of a pastor, and above all the importance of adherence to Scripture) as he follows his calling as a professor, mentor, and pastor.
As a man of principle thrust into the furnace of Nazi Germany, he becomes involved with the Abwehr (German counterintelligence) and is part of plots to do away with Hitler.
Finally, we also see him fall in love, at 36 years, to Maria Wedemeyer,* the 18-year-old granddaughter of a long-time friend.
His pastor-heart comes through in many of his writings as he counsels the students of the theological school he runs for a few years, comforts friends and family members during their war experiences, and becomes a sort of confessor to fellow prisoners and guards. Even on the last morning of his life, he leads fellow prisoners in a worship service.
His wisdom on many subjects is on display in this book. I was especially taken with his attitude toward the church, marriage, the family, and Christian disciplines and discipleship. His thoughts on death in the quote below seem eerily prophetic.
“In recent years we have become increasingly familiar with the thought of death. We surprise ourselves by the calmness with which we hear of the death of one of our contemporaries. We cannot hate it as we used to for we have discovered some good in it, and have almost come to terms with it. Fundamentally we feel that we really belong to death already and that every new day is a miracle…we still love life but I do not think that death can take us by surprise now. After what we have been through during the war, we hardly dare admit that we should like death to come to us, not accidentally and suddenly through some trivial cause, but in the fullness of life and with everything at stake it is we ourselves, and not outward circumstances who make death what it can be, a death freely and voluntarily accepted” – p. 447.
His writings quoted in this book make me want to read his books firsthand.
If you have an interest in history, especially the history of World War II, you might want to add this book to your list of must-reads. Other books on my list are: - The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer; - Darkest Hour – How Churchill Brought England Back from the Brink by Anthony McCarten; - Rees Howells Intercessor – by Norman Grubb (the chapters that deal with the war)
Each one adds a layer of understanding as one reads of historical events from yet another perspective.
*I was curious about what happened to Maria Wedemeyer, to whom Bonhoeffer became engaged about four months before the imprisonment that eventually led to his death. This 2001 Christianity Today article was of interest....more
If you’re a history buff, you need to read this book! Written by William L. Shirer, an American journalist active in Europe and Germany during WWII (hIf you’re a history buff, you need to read this book! Written by William L. Shirer, an American journalist active in Europe and Germany during WWII (his dates: February 23, 1904 – December 20, 1993), this is a history like few others.
Shirer’s access to and quoting of primary sources, like documents, diaries, telegrams, and letters written by world leaders at the time and made available through the Nuremburg Trials, gives us more than a glimpse into the rise of the Nazi party and the mental and emotional machinations of its main players as the war played out between 1939 and 1945. The book takes in a time span from Hitler’s early years to the end of WWII.
It is quite a tome, replete with a bibliography and chapter end notes. Despite its length, it was hard to put down as it often read like a novel. The biggest challenge was to keep straight all the names of characters and places.
Reading it at this time when Russia is at war with Ukraine, I couldn’t help but see many parallels between Hitler and Putin.
- Hitler’s goal to expand the territory of Germany (gain lebensraum) while very intentionally destroying or enslaving the peoples and cultures of the countries he invaded reminds me of Putin, seemingly intent on destroying all things Ukrainian.
- Hitler’s modus operandi was based on deceit. The agreements and treaties he had made with nations like Norway, Finland, and Russia were only honored so long as they served his purpose. Similarly, Russia has gone back on its word, violating its promises to Ukraine when Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons and this spring denying he was planning to invade the country until he did.
- In Nazi Germany, media critical of the party was banned from Third Reich airways. Only Nazi-positive propaganda was allowed. Shirer comments on this in a August 10, 1939 diary entry of his:
“How completely isolated a world the German people live in…Whereas all the rest of the world considers that the peace is about to be broken by Germany, that it is Germany that is threatening to attack Poland…here in Germany, in the world the local newspapers create, the very reverse is maintained… What the Nazi papers are proclaiming is this: that it is Poland which is disturbing the peace of Europe; Poland which is threatening Germany with armed invasion” p. 799.
How like the current situation in Russia, where the populace is told a completely different version of the war where Ukraine and Nato are the aggressors.
For a summer read that may last you for weeks (as opposed to hours or days), The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is a good choice. (Get the Kindle edition, though. Reading a paper- or hardback copy of such a massive volume would be quite a challenge just holding the book!)
A host of issues resurface when Joleen Allen’s ex-husband Harold—newly out of prison—sues her for a bundle of money. Does he even have a case? What (bA host of issues resurface when Joleen Allen’s ex-husband Harold—newly out of prison—sues her for a bundle of money. Does he even have a case? What (besides the money) is his motive? Joleen suspects a main one is to turn their five daughters against her.
Long-held secrets of Joleen’s own combine with deeply rooted insecurities to drive her to seek security and affirmation in relationships. A slew of young men find this attractive, middle-aged woman an interesting challenge. In My Mother the Man-Eater, Tracy Krauss has created a complex and riveting tale involving Joleen, her many suitors, and her five daughters.
Family loyalty, dealing constructively with past and present life issues, and the value of honesty are themes of the book. They are combined with the possibility of heart change and life transformation through faith in Christ.
Krauss’s writing style is crisp. Her characters’ conversations feel realistic, are often witty, and do a good job of revealing personality and character. Plot action is non-stop. Krauss’s experience with play writing shines through in several episodes that involve characters interacting in ways that reminded me of Shakespeare’s comedies. The close-to-my-home Vancouver setting was also fun to experience in a novel.
I would categorize this book as edgy Christian fiction. Some of the early scenes made me uncomfortable as they followed the characters in their pursuits of very human appetites and lusts. That changes by the end so you may want to persist if, like me, you’re tempted to put the book down after reading only the first few chapters....more
This cozy mystery quickly turns chilly with a murder and an attack in the opening pages. Main character, Landon Smith, still shaken from her adventureThis cozy mystery quickly turns chilly with a murder and an attack in the opening pages. Main character, Landon Smith, still shaken from her adventures in Hidden Secrets, (Book 2 of the Green Dory Series), is determined not to get involved. However, she soon finds herself in the thick of the investigation despite how events trigger her own unresolved psychological issues.
Sketchley’s tight writing is full of homey details—nicely appointed rooms in a seaside inn on the shores of beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada, cups of coffee, tea, and fragrant baking—disarming us for the plot’s next whiplash development.
The exploration of deeper themes of forgiveness, trust, and faith in God (enhanced by a set of discussion questions at the book’s end) deepen the characters. They also add a dimension to the story that goes beyond mere entertainment.
Bitter Truth is recommended reading for all who love a good puzzley story that also draws attention to life's deeper issues.
I received a copy of Bitter Truth from the author for the purpose of writing a review.
Lately I have been taking in some webinars by the successful Canadian artist Tim Packer. He is big on composition! He says:
“A strong composition can
Lately I have been taking in some webinars by the successful Canadian artist Tim Packer. He is big on composition! He says:
“A strong composition can result in a successful painting even if the artist has only moderately competent technical skill.
“No amount of technical skill can turn a poor composition into a successful painting. The only remedy is to change the actual composition…” “Ten Common Compositional Weaknesses,” by Tim Packer.
Such statements and my own lack of compositional knowledge had me casting about for help. I found it in The Simple Secret to Better Painting by Greg Albert.
In it, Albert suggests one overarching compositional rule to guide the artist in making aesthetic choices. His One Rule of Composition: “Never make any two intervals the same,” is deceptively simple. However, his application of it covers the gamut. In six chapters he shows how this rule applies in achieving interest, balance, eye pleasure, and in directing tone, value, and color choices. He concludes with three chapters of advice on using this rule when composing still life paintings, landscapes, and figurative paintings.
His book contains other helpful maxims like:
“Good composition is the result of conscious planning on your part… You need to carefully consider how the viewer is going to look at your painting and design the painting accordingly” (p. 41 – Kindle edition);
“Value contrast is so compelling that it is the best way to establish a strong focal point” (p. 53 – Kindle edition);
and
“The rule (Never make any two intervals the same) will help you add just enough variety in the range of colors in your picture if you remember this formula: ‘Mostly, some and a bit’ “(p. 67 – Kindle edition).
The formatting of the book, using bold and italic font to direct attention and add emphasis, is super helpful in aiding the reader to find and review Albert’s principles. He also includes lots of art, from simple line drawings to full paintings, to illustrate concepts.
Now his advice rings in my head as I plan my simple creations. I’m sure this is a book I’ll return to again and again as I work at becoming a better artist. ...more
When John Murray’s wife Rita was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease just over 13 years ago, it wasn’t a big deal to them. However, in the years followWhen John Murray’s wife Rita was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease just over 13 years ago, it wasn’t a big deal to them. However, in the years following, the disease has impacted the life of this senior couple in increasing measure. It’s All About Love: Confessions of a Caregiver is John Murray’s exposé of the life of a caregiver.
In eight chapters Murray tells us a bit about their life before the disease hit, how Rita’s Parkinson’s has impacted them in a multitude of ways (I found his description of a typical day most revealing), what is required of a caregiver, its limits, how faith in God has and is helping him and his wife cope, and how they view the future.
In Part Two, Murray addresses fellow and potential caregivers, discussing some helpful practices for caregivers.
The book concludes with a bibliography of resources he has referenced and books that fellow caregivers may find helpful.
This is by no means a “poor me” book—though one can’t help but feel sympathy and empathy for and with Rita and John. I especially appreciate the loving and respectful way Murray refers to his wife. I am inspired by his can-do yet realistic attitude toward what he refers to as his privilege and honour:
“… I will always say it has been a privilege and honour to care for her. Why? Because she is special, she is precious, she is my princess, my Rita” – p. 78.
This book would be a great gift for current and potential caregivers. It provides both encouragement (reassuring caregivers that they are not alone) and caregiving advice, dispensed from a wealth of day-to-day experience.
Loading...
