Invasion by Jon S. Lewis
I am sure the target audience of this book is Middle School/High School young people ( a group considerably younger than me) but my grandmother used to say “Once a man, twice a child so I felt right at home. I always enjoy alien fantasy books.
In this particular book, which promises to be the first in a series, a young man, Colt McAlister takes an aptitude test for a secret organization called CHAOS (Central Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural). His memory of the test is wiped away after his introduction to the program but he is not forgotten by those who are in leadership in this secret organization. And Colt will find himself very quickly in a life and death battle with aliens trying to take over the planet.
After his parents are killed in a cart crash Colt moves in with his grandfather who it turns out was once engaged in battle with aliens allied to the Nazi army. I say once engaged in battle but it turns out Grandpa McAllister is not finished doing battle.
I found the book a good read. However, I found that, even though I can accept the possibility of aliens coming to earth through gateways, I had a problem accepting that three High School kids were as adept as they are at computer hacking and doing battle with aliens without protection or special training. But remember I grew up in the blackboard age not the digital age.
I received a copy of the ebook through the BookSneeze program of Thomas Nelson Publishing with the understanding I would write a review.
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
A Lost Generation
A Review of More Lost Than Found by Jason Herd
What distinguishes Jason Herd’s book from other books discussing the missing generation in most American Churches is that Jason is talking to those who have dropped out while others are talking about them.
It is probably for that reason that Mr. Herd writes on a familiar and non scientific level, meaning, in part, that he doesn’t build his story on statistics. It is also why some of his writing is not theological but relational.
This is not to say, as one reviewer declared, that Mr. herd is a theological liberal. In my opinion, there is nothing in the book that suggests a liberal theological bent. To answer one of those accusations I refer to the quote on p. 89, “Christianity in its origins was about the ideas that Jesus taught, about a new way of connecting with God through what Jesus taught.” One reviewer says this is a serious error because Christianity is about what Jesus did not what he taught. That kind of thinking has actually led to the great immaturity of the American Church. Many people are trying to do what Jesus did without the power of the message. Both the message and the action are important.
I found the book to be a good evaluation of American culture and the church culture--a culture based on appearance and illusion. His chapter entitled “Painting over the Mona Lisa’ is especially helpful in this regard.
There was one section that made cringe and that was chapter 10 subtitled , why myth is not a four letter word. We are still living too close to the demythologizing of the Bible for the word myth not to be fraught with undertones of untrue or not real. The word story would have been a more appropriate word to young people who are really looking for a good story.
I may not use this book as a reference but it was a helpful reminder that there are people outside the walls of the how will not climb over those walls to get inside. To reach the uncharted we have to know where they arte and reach them. This is, I believe, what Jared Herd has been doing in his ministry and what he is trying to do with his book.
I received a copy of this book from Booksneeze in return for writing a review. I was not asked to write anything favorable rather just to be honest.
A Review of More Lost Than Found by Jason Herd
What distinguishes Jason Herd’s book from other books discussing the missing generation in most American Churches is that Jason is talking to those who have dropped out while others are talking about them.
It is probably for that reason that Mr. Herd writes on a familiar and non scientific level, meaning, in part, that he doesn’t build his story on statistics. It is also why some of his writing is not theological but relational.
This is not to say, as one reviewer declared, that Mr. herd is a theological liberal. In my opinion, there is nothing in the book that suggests a liberal theological bent. To answer one of those accusations I refer to the quote on p. 89, “Christianity in its origins was about the ideas that Jesus taught, about a new way of connecting with God through what Jesus taught.” One reviewer says this is a serious error because Christianity is about what Jesus did not what he taught. That kind of thinking has actually led to the great immaturity of the American Church. Many people are trying to do what Jesus did without the power of the message. Both the message and the action are important.
I found the book to be a good evaluation of American culture and the church culture--a culture based on appearance and illusion. His chapter entitled “Painting over the Mona Lisa’ is especially helpful in this regard.
There was one section that made cringe and that was chapter 10 subtitled , why myth is not a four letter word. We are still living too close to the demythologizing of the Bible for the word myth not to be fraught with undertones of untrue or not real. The word story would have been a more appropriate word to young people who are really looking for a good story.
I may not use this book as a reference but it was a helpful reminder that there are people outside the walls of the how will not climb over those walls to get inside. To reach the uncharted we have to know where they arte and reach them. This is, I believe, what Jared Herd has been doing in his ministry and what he is trying to do with his book.
I received a copy of this book from Booksneeze in return for writing a review. I was not asked to write anything favorable rather just to be honest.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Realms Thereunder: Ross Lawhead, Thomas Nelson Publishers
Those who have passed from the earth to another realm often have problems with reentry. One case in point is Lemuel Gulliver who could not adjust to life on earth when he returned from his many travels. In the Bible we find the story of Lazarus whose return to earth from Paradise became a source of irritation for the religious leaders who wanted to kill him.
Reentry is also a problem for the two main characters in The Realms Thereunder. Daniel Tully and Freya Reynolds enter another realm while they are on a school field trip. These two thirteen year olds who share a birthday also share an adventure and difficult adjustments when they reappear two months later. Daniel has become a homeless wanderer and Freya suffers from OCD.
They alone know they saved the earth but don’t even talk to each other about it, and rarely see each other, until they are called on to take on another mission. It is this mission which forms the linchpin holding all the pieces together in this first book in The Ancient Earth Trilogy.
I found the book interesting enough to commit to sitting at my computer to read the eBook. There were some minor annoyances, however. I thought there was too much detailed description of the rooms the wanderers entered. I wanted to move on to the next room to see what was goi8ng to happen. But perhaps the attention to detail is the mark of an artist. Andrew Wyeth used to sketch the trunks of trees even though they would not show up in the painting.
Then there is the problem with the ending. I wanted some sort of resolution to this story before I went on to the end. Unfortunately for me I did not get my wish. More adventure awaits in the next volume. Fortunately for the writer I will have to secure the next book in the series.
I guess it is the nature of life on earth that the battle between good and evil is never ending and, as the book reminds us, doesn’t just take place on earth or effect life here.
I would also that the reader go to the language notes at the end of the book to get the pronunciation for the names of the companions so we can do them the honor of saying their names correctly.
Those who have passed from the earth to another realm often have problems with reentry. One case in point is Lemuel Gulliver who could not adjust to life on earth when he returned from his many travels. In the Bible we find the story of Lazarus whose return to earth from Paradise became a source of irritation for the religious leaders who wanted to kill him.
Reentry is also a problem for the two main characters in The Realms Thereunder. Daniel Tully and Freya Reynolds enter another realm while they are on a school field trip. These two thirteen year olds who share a birthday also share an adventure and difficult adjustments when they reappear two months later. Daniel has become a homeless wanderer and Freya suffers from OCD.
They alone know they saved the earth but don’t even talk to each other about it, and rarely see each other, until they are called on to take on another mission. It is this mission which forms the linchpin holding all the pieces together in this first book in The Ancient Earth Trilogy.
I found the book interesting enough to commit to sitting at my computer to read the eBook. There were some minor annoyances, however. I thought there was too much detailed description of the rooms the wanderers entered. I wanted to move on to the next room to see what was goi8ng to happen. But perhaps the attention to detail is the mark of an artist. Andrew Wyeth used to sketch the trunks of trees even though they would not show up in the painting.
Then there is the problem with the ending. I wanted some sort of resolution to this story before I went on to the end. Unfortunately for me I did not get my wish. More adventure awaits in the next volume. Fortunately for the writer I will have to secure the next book in the series.
I guess it is the nature of life on earth that the battle between good and evil is never ending and, as the book reminds us, doesn’t just take place on earth or effect life here.
I would also that the reader go to the language notes at the end of the book to get the pronunciation for the names of the companions so we can do them the honor of saying their names correctly.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Final Summit by Andy Andrews published by Thomas Nelson
In The Final Summit the reader is invited to sit in the gallery and eavesdrop on last meeting of the Travelers, those people throughout history to which God has given the mission to help the world. Their wisdom and insight is then made available to other Travelers as needed.
One of those Travelers is David Ponder who years before had been visited by Gabriel and taken on a quest. At this final summit, with the fate of the earth depending on their decision David Ponder is called to moderate this meeting of the minds. In the words of the promotional material, “There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship—and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.”
And yet with the accumulated wisdom of the ages they miss it, in my opinion. The solution offered has its positive side but it is very American and it won’t save the world. There is no spoiler alert needed. I will not give away the answer but I hoped for a more transformative solution.
I did find the book entertaining, although a bit schmaltzy in places and it did force me back to my history books. Any book that gets me into another book can be considered beneficial.
Although I consider myself a history buff I had to do some research to more about Eric Erickson. When he was first introduced at the Summit I thought I was meeting the psychologist. Then as he was introduced as Red Erickson I thought I was meeting the man who discovered Greenland. Neither of which I would have imagined in God’s Conference Room.
A little research led me to the fascinating story of The Counterfeit Spy (played by William Holden in the 1962 movie of that name). This man was credited with bringing an end to World War II. If for no other reason I could recommend The Final Summit.
Although I believe all truth is God’s truth I have some questions about the presence at this final summit of those who refused to acknowledge God’s truth when they were on the earth. I believe that God is gracious but I think he prefers a nod in his direction before we leave the earth for our private summit with God.
This book would definitely be a good book for a discussion group on the condition of the world and what to do about it. My hope is that those who are still living would come up with a better solution than the Travelers.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Washington: A Legacy of Leadership by Paul Vickery for Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010
The dog ate my homework. Yes I am serious. I laid my copy of Washington: A Legacy of Leadership on my desk and the two year old lab jumped up, took it off the desk and devoured it cover to cover. Fortunately, the good stuff in middle was left intact, dog-eared but still readable. In fact the book was very readable.
It is not a scholarly treatise, though there are 18 pages of notes and bibliography, but it does give a good overview of General George Washington. It is one of a series of books in The Generals Series by Thomas Nelson and gives a look at the person of the Commander in Chief of the Colonial Army.
Parson Weems would probably not like the book because it talks about some of the failures and mistakes of the man who led the army in the War of Independence (For example Vickery suggests that Washington caused the French and Indian War) but I found great comfort in knowing some of our great leaders made mistakes. This book is definitely not a hagiography but on the other hand the author does not go in the direction of many modern biographies that dwell on warts and peccadillos.
After reading quotes from Washington’s writings and excerpts from his prayers I think that either the definition of Deist needs to be changed or we need to admit Washington was not a Deist. I found the following comments about Deists on a Free Thought website.
Most of the Founders were Deists, which is to say they thought the universe had a creator, but that he does not concern himself with the daily lives of humans, and does not directly communicate with humans, either by revelation or by sacred books.
And yet we find General Washington talking to this creator and asking for his intervention. In July of 1776, the very day the Declaration of Independence was approved, General Washington gave the general orders for the day, “…Let us therefore rely on the goodness of the cause, and with the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands victory is to animate and encourage us to good and Noble actions….”
Could a real Deist expect that some first cause would lift a finger to help? And at another time set aside a day of prayer to implore the help of the God? If this is a Deist bring on the Deists. They seem to have more faith in the power and presence of God than many church members.
This is not the place to determine the faith of Washington but his own words reveal faith in a God who acts on behalf of us humans. Vickery’s book is valuable for its insight into the man George Washington, husband, leader and man of faith.
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