Big Truths Bible Story Book - A Review

 

Big Truths
Bible Story Book

by

Aaron Armstrong

A Review

Aaron Armstrong has written a book that is colorful enough for children and detailed enough for an adult audience. The book is well-suited for family devotions. In seminary it was suggested that those of us not brought up with a substantial Christian background take the summer before beginning our studies to read a children’s story Bible. At the same time it could serve as a primer on theology.

The book is divided into 52 weekly stories chosen from both the Old Testament and the New Testament (Genesis to Revelations). Each entry consists of two to four pages of commentary and one page of helpful and thoughtful discussion questions. The book concludes with a two page glossary and a two page summary of the “Big Truths” presented within the book and suggested memory verses for each concept discussed within the book.

Whether used for family devotions, personal devotions, preparation for more formal education, or a discipling program with a new believer, the book gets five stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Einstein's Fridge - A Review

 

Einstein's Fridge

;]

by

Paul Sen

A Review

Paul Sen has created a fascinating book discussing the history of physics from the mid-19th century to the present as he takes the reader on a journey through the development of the field of thermodynamics.

During our journey we meet men and women who shaped this new field of study. Some of those we meet are well-known (e.g. James Watt), some are well-known for their contributions in other fields (e.g. Alan Turing), and some are more obscure (e.g. Emmy Noether). Regardless of their reputation, each contributed significantly to the body of knowledge we now know as thermodynamics.

Focusing on the people, the book is not a mathematical monograph, but uses a series of thought experiments to help his readers understand the growth of this subfield of physics. It was interesting how new ideas grew upon each other and, occasionally, folded back on an earlier researcher to again further the world’s understanding of the relationship between heat and cold. The book will be appreciated by anyone with a basic high school or college freshman physics course under their belt.

Two notes found in the Epilogue of the book help the reader understand the author's intention of writing this work:

At its heart, this book is a celebration that between 1850 and today the science of heat has played a vital role in promoting the greatest improvement in the human condition in our species’ entire history. 

-----------------------------------

The main obstacle to dealing with climate change isn’t scientific. Instead, it’s political and emotional. While some refuse to accept that the problem exists, others refuse to accept the solutions. That brings me back to why I wanted to write this book. Now, more than ever, it’s important that all of us have a basic grasp of the science of heat, so that we can make sensible and informed decisions about how best to ensure progress while preserving or improving living conditions fo fellow humans without ruining the environment. Should we commit to nuclear energy? Should we drive electric cars? How much tax should we pay on petrol, and how much should we subsidize wind farms? We will be in no position to answer these vitally important questions unless we have a basic understanding of the laws of thermodynamics.

Weaving together Carnot’s basic understanding of heat, Turing's application of information theory and embryology, and Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, as well as the work of many others, I give the book five stars.
_____________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Engaging the Christian Scriptures - A Review

 

Engaging the
Christian Scriptures

by

Andrew E. Arterbury

W. H. Bellinger Jr.

Derek S. Dodson

A Review

Baker Books offers a Biblical introduction that focuses more on the scripture’s setting and history than the individual books. It covers the books in by type (i.e. history, writings. Prophesy, etc.), particularly as it moves through the Old Testament. The authors spend more time on individual books within the NT canon. The coverage is broad, giving minimal explanation for the positions taken when discussing issues which are still open for debate. For example, when discussing the origin of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the authors write:

We are uncertain of the exact dates or location of Paul’s imprisonment, though many scholars theorize that Paul corresponded with the Philippians while jailed in Ephesus between 56 and 58 CE. This theory accounts for the numerous trips that Epaphroditus and the Philippians made while providing assistance to Paul (2:19–30), given that a journey from Philippi to Ephesus would take significantly less time than journeys from either Rome or Caesarea, where we know Paul spent time in prison (Acts 23–25; 28).

The inclusion of a Scripture Index and a General Index should add value to the work though these indexes seemed to be missing from the Advanced Readers Copy I received from the publisher.

The book is a good Biblical introduction for a lay audience or an undergraduate course in Biblical Introduction. I would have a difficult time recommending it for a seminary or graduate level course. It has a place in the church library though I think there are better choices for the pastor’s personal library. For this reason I give the book 4 stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

A Deadly Chapter - A Review

 

A Deadly Chapter

by

Essie Lang

A Review

A Deadly Chapter should have been a great cozy mystery:

• Set in a well-known vacation spot in Upstate NY - the 1000 Islands
• A boathouse serves as the protagonist’s home
• She owns (or is part owner of) two book stores
• There is a castle
• There is a cat
• And there is a murder

Having said that, I found the book a less than enthusiastic read. It had a very slow start, though it picked up its pace toward the end. The setting was not as descriptive as one might hope for a beautiful area of the country - the same might be said for the abundance of characters to whom the reader is introduced. And rather than keeping me alert, wanting more, I found myself falling asleep while reading - not a good sign.

This is the third book in the “Castle Bookshop Mysteries” series with a promise of more to come. I was not so put off that I do not want to read more, but this book was not the finest cozy mystery I have read. I give it 3-½ stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Unknown Threat - A Review

 

Unknown Threat

by

Lynn H. Blackburn

A Review

“Lastly, when it comes to the happily ever after, no one in the real

world gets that. That’s not what marriage is. God designed marriage
 for a lot of reasons, but if you keep looking for someone who will
never argue with you or you’ll never disagree with, then you are
on a true mission impossible.”

(page 149)

Secret Service agents were being killed. Three had died, two others had been targeted but survived by sheer luck. And it did not look as if the attacks were over. When an arm of the US Government was attacked stateside, it was the job of the FBI to investigate. Except in Raleigh NC the Secret Service and the FBI had a history - a history that could prevent the two agencies from fully cooperating. FBI Special Agent Faith Malone would need to tread carefully as she had to convince both the local Secret Service office and her own FBI office that she and those that worked with her were up to the task.

Lynn H. Blackburn presents another faith-based, romantic, thriller that holds the reader’s attention from the opening moments of the first chapter to the end of the book. More lives were on the line and the author does an admirable job of weaving together a series of plot lines to make a believable story.

Neither the faith nor the romance is loaded on too heavy, leaving a book that can be enjoyed by many. It could easily find a place on the shelf of the local public or church library. I give the book 5-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

The Wayward Spy - A Review

 

The Wayward Spy

by

Susan Quellette

A Review

Nicely done book by a new author.

Maggie Jenkns’, CIA Analyst, fiancee was stationed in Tbilisi Georgia, south of Russia and North of Turkey. He had died in the explosion in the restaurant that morning and now he was being accused of selling national secrets. Maggie made it her task to prove them wrong, whoever “them” was.

On a journey that will take the reader from the top of the US Capitol’s dome to the countryside of Tbilisi Georgia and back, Maggie is one step ahead of the CIA agents charged with discovering the truth behind Steve’s death.

The plot is well written and attention holding. And the conclusion leaves room for more story - as we the readers know the true story, but the protagonists are being charged with murder and espionage. And a major terrorist is still on the loose.

As this reviewer said earlier, “Nicely done book by a new author.” This reader will be looking for more to come.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

The Heart of Anger - A Review

 

The Heart of Anger

by

Christopher Ash and Steve Midgley

A Review

A well-written description of anger and its impact on the human condition. After reading this 200+ page book I don’t know whether to classify it as a theology of anger, a counseling textbook (an ancillary text), or a self-help book - and in fact it is all three. As a theology text, the book explores how anger is defined and expressed by both God and man. As a counseling textbook it will prepare the helping professional to address the causes and repercussions of unaddressed anger. As a self-help book, the book allows the reader to address their own concerns and to move forward in their life.

The book also includes a number of helpful appendices:

1. A Checklist for Our Anger - to help evaluate where and how we need help to understand the reader’s personal struggle with anger.
2. A Devotional Response to Our Anger - guiding the believer in his response before God as they address anger in their lives.
3. General Index
4. Scripture Index

These last two were not available for review in the Advanced Reader’s Copy I received.

The book is not difficult reading and is rooted in scripture. It has a place on both the pastor’s shelf and in the church library’s. I give the book 5-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.