Literature & Fiction Books - Page 9

City of God

St. Augustine

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Some things are better read about than read 2 out of 5 stars.
5 of 17 people found this review helpful.

I read this for a book group I was in, and was rather peeved at being forced to blow so much time on what is essentially useful only to the Classical historian or Scholasticism buff. Realistically, Augustine is just a particularly eloquent proponent of a religious argument we all get in Sunday School at age 10: The things of this world are transitory and passing, but the things of the next world are eternal and more valuable. You can almost hear the monotonous cadence. If what you want is to add to your already-considerable knowledge of the particulars of late Roman civilization, then this is the book for you. If you're in seminary and reading Aquinas, and you're thinking, "I'd certainly like to know more about his major intellectual influences," then this is the book for you. But if what you want is an increased familiarity with the major ideas of Western civilization, then do yourself a favor and go pick up a pair of textbooks: one on ancient history, the other on classical philosophy. Augustine of Hippo will get a few pages in each one, and that's honestly all he's worth. Plowing through the entirety of The City of God for simple philosophical or theological curiosity would be like reading the complete works of Louis Agassiz just to see what scientific racism was like. Both efforts would be fruitful, in one sense, but in another sense you'd have spent an awful lot of time learning about antiquated theories.

Editorial Review:

St. Augustine's masterpiece is an interpretation of history in terms of the struggle between good and evil: the City of God in conflict with the City of the Devil. Abridged for the modern reader.

Kidnapped

Dee Henderson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Book by another name 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I love Dee Henderson books, but ordering it I did not realize that it was originally titled "True Courage" and I already had it. I don't like it when they do this to unsuspecting customers.

Grabbed my attention from the first page 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I love Dee Henderson's writing style. All of her books are good and grab your attention from teh first page. This was apparently published before under the title True Courage. I had not read it and was a bit disappointed when I thought it was a new novel, however it is a great read and I would have finished it within 2 days if I wouldn't have gotten sick as I normally do with Henderson's books.

I'm a huge fan of the O'Malley books and this one falls in line with the suspense and intrigue leaving you wanting more. If you're a fan of Henderson, then you must read this book.

Editorial Review:

Someone snatched his cousin's wife and son. FBI agent Luke Falcon is searching for a kidnapper and sorting out the crime. He's afraid it's the work of a stalker. He's afraid they're already dead. And he'll do anything required to get them back alive . . . but he didn't plan on falling in love with the only witness.
This stand-alone title is a repackage of what was previously known as True Courage, the fourth book in the Uncommon Heroes series.

Ninth Witness (A. D. Chronicles, Book 9)

Bodie Thoene, Brock Thoene

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Continuation of Story 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I have very much enjoyed this series, but each book seems to have a shorter portion of the story than the book before. This volume was deceiving in that it appeared that there was a long portion of the story, when in reality it was lots of study pages. The study pages are fine, but I would have appreciated more story for my money.

Ninth Witness 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Book arrived quickly and in shape described. I am very satisfied with the seller. Thanks.

Thoene"s book Ninth Witness 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Another outstanding book in this series. It is very easy to picture one's self right there in the setting as the story progresses.

Frustrating ending 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I'm a Thoene fan and will eagerly anticipate each new work. I like the idea of fleshing out the details of Christ's life as a method of connecting to a wwjd mindset. I want to make His life real and applicable to me now.

There were questions I had, however, that were not answered by book's end and it just didn't leave me in a comfortable spot.

Still cant wait for #10

Editorial Review:

Riots and revolts spread across Judea. Twelve-year-old Yeshua is in Jerusalem—“about his Father's business” in the Temple—as his panic-stricken parents search for him amidst the chaos. Readers will enjoy reading this interesting story from Christ's youth. This is the ninth book in the A.D. Chronicles series. Includes historical maps and a discussion guide for individual or group study.

The Problem of Pain

C. S. Lewis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 94 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Pain: A Spiritual Journey 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Punctuated with a thin veil of lyricism and argued from a Christian perspective, C. S. Lewis does not only explore the psychological ramifications of experiencing pain (suffering) but also provides an intellectual discussion geared at reconciling theological tenets about the relationship between God as the essence of love and individuals stricken by sorrow. His views are very theoretical since the book was written many years before his beloved wife died. However, the book raises interesting questions relevant to the role of pain in our lives and misconceptions of what happiness and love are. During his compelling analysis of the Christian dilemma, Lewis journeys from atheism to Christianity with masterful clarity and empathizing inquiry into the Christian doctrine of a loving God in a world plagued by suffering.

Editorial Review:

Why must humanity suffer? In this elegant and thoughtful work, C. S. Lewis questions the pain and suffering that occur everyday and how this contrasts with the notion of a God that is both omnipotent and good. An answer to this critical theological problem is found within these pages.

The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare (Modern Library Classics)

G.K. Chesterton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 102 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Your blue sock is behind the dryer. 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I went into reading this book with such strong misconceptions concerning what it was about. Like the characters whom see things completely different it seems like the readers of this book see its meaning quite differently as well. It is a crazy allegory but of what?

On a stylistic level Chesterton's prose is unique and well crafted. Chesterton has his own voice in his writing powerful, artful, and clear. On an abstract level I can't help but feel I got something out of the book but I am at a loss to say what. I was told, long ago, that the book was about the futility of much of what passes for philosophy and the book was a mockery of this in the promotion of faith and traditional religious devotion. I only vaguely got the notion that the book was about this. I could see how the book was about the futility of judging others or creating "us" verse "them" groups because we are all brothers, the ideas and classifications we use to classify each other are futile and meaningless and make a mockery of humanity in the eyes of God, so go with the established/ traditional way of doing things otherwise one is really in rebellion with oneself; but I don't know for sure if that is correct.

Bottom line though is it was a fun book to read.

Editorial Review:

G. K. Chesterton's surreal masterpiece is a psychological thriller that centers on seven anarchists in turn-of-the-century London who call themselves by the names of the days of the week. Chesterton explores the meanings of their disguised identities in what is a fascinating mystery and, ultimately, a spellbinding allegory. As Jonathan Lethem remarks in his Introduction, The real characters are the ideas. Chesterton's nutty agenda is really quite simple: to expose moral relativism and parlor nihilism for the devils he believes them to be. This wouldn't be interesting at all, though, if he didn't also show such passion for giving the devil his due. He animates the forces of chaos and anarchy with every ounce of imaginative verve and rhetorical force in his body.

Remember (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 2)

Karen Kingsbury, Gary Smalley

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Redemption series won Christian Retailing's 2005 Retailer's Choice Award for Best Series!

Convinced she could make it on her own, Ashley Baxter has kept the most important people in her life at a distance--her family, the man who loves her, and the God she is sure can never forgive her. Now, just as she begins to open her heart, the events of September 11 rip into Ashley's world and she is led to heartbreaking and hope-filled decisions that will forever change her life. This story vividly illustrates that we must value others more than ourselves, and it drives home one of Gary Smalley's key messages: Honor one another.

Remember is second in the five-book Redemption series by Gary Smalley and Karen Kingsbury that centers around the Baxter family. As readers follow the hopes and struggles of the family, they will explore key relationship themes as well as the larger theme of redemption, both in characters' spiritual lives and in their relationships. Each book includes study questions for individual and small-group use as well as a "teaser" chapter of the next book in the series.

The Christmas Hope (Christmas Hope Series #3)

Donna VanLiere

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Perennial New York Times bestsellers and Audie Award finalists The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing have become inspirational holiday classics, and THE CHRISTMAS HOPE is poised to become a seasonal favorite in its own right

Patricia and Mark Addison have long given up the hope of having a meaningful Christmas.  But this year, Patricia’s job as a social worker will lead her to a very special five-year-old. Against her better judgment, Patricia bends the rules and takes the little girl to her own home. Through the presence of Emily in their house, and her penetrating questions about heaven, the Addisons learn that there is no sorrow so great that faith cannot help you find your way through. And Christmas will once more be a time of joy in their home. THE CHRISTMAS HOPE is a story of love in the face of loss, joy when all seems hopeless, and how light can shine into the darkest places.

Jessie (Big Sky Dreams, Book 3)

Lori Wick

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Jessie 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I am a huge Lori Wick fan, so pretty much if she writes it, I love it! She admits herself that this book kind of trickled for her and was rather difficult to write. I think in a way you can see that toward the end. I found myself a little frustrated with the main character's stubbornness and felt like the plot moved somewhat slower. However, I loved that she brought in a character from a previous series, and redeemed him so completely! I confess that I liked Seth Redding in the Yellow Rose trilogy, but I wished then that he'd come to Christ. So to have him appear in Jessie as that man made the book for me. A definite must-read for Lori Wick fans!

Editorial Review:

Jessie is book three in bestselling author Lori Wick’s popular new Big Sky Dreams series (more than 215,000 copies sold). Readers will be transported to the vast landscape of Montana Territory in the late 1800s where they meet Jessie Wheeler, whose husband, Seth, abandoned her before their second child was born. As a single mom and the sole proprietor of Token Creek’s general store, Jessie lives day to day with her hands full and her heart broken.

When Seth suddenly returns to town claiming he’s a man changed by faith, Jessie is reluctant to trust him or God with her family’s future. But Seth sets out to prove his commitment and his love. This is a timeless story of the transforming power of God’s love and forgiveness.

Chasing Fireflies

Charles Martin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Beautiful Story of Redemption, Love 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

What a wonderful book. I've now read three of Martin's books and love each one more than the one before. His tales are crafted in such a way that you feel the characters' pain, joy, hope and sorrow. Chasing Fireflies is a love story on so many levels. But is also a story of greed, mistrust, misplaced trust, sorrow and happiness. It's one of those books that gives you a warm feeling; a feeling of hope for the hopeless and love for the unloved. I believe this one was even better than When Crickets Cry--and I really liked that one! Charles Martin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Editorial Review:

They have one summer to find what was lost long ago.

"Never settle for less than the truth," she told him. But when you don't even know your real name, the truth gets a little complicated. It can nestle so close to home it's hard to see. It can even flourish inside a lie. And as Chase Walker discovered, learning the truth about who you are can be as elusive--and as magical--as chasing fireflies on a summer night. A haunting story about fishing, baseball, home cooking, and other matters of life and death.

A Canticle for Leibowitz

Walter M. Miller Jr.

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 233 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Having grown up watching 1950s sci fi I was familiar with many of the Doomsday tropes from such films as The World, The Flesh, & The Devil, & On The Beach. Most were fairly pessimistic. So, I was a bit surprised when I picked up & read Walter Miller's A Canticle For Leibowitz, in that it both used & subverted the genre & its tropes. The book is not really a novel, but 3 linked novellas that follow the Resurrection of Mankind after a 20th Century nuclear exchange, through the prism of a secretive order of Catholic priests, in the Utah desert, that prevent the total barbarism of what was once the United States of America. The 3 novellas are set about 600, 1200, & 1800 years in the future.
The 3 sections of A Canticle for Leibowitz give, at the same time, a cyclical view of history that's pessimistic, yet hopeful. Even the long suffered for knowledge of the past the Leibowitzians preserved cannot save humanity from near-annihilation, yet it is only near-annihilation. Humanity perdures. There is also a watcher- the only character that appears in all 3 tales- a combination of the desert wandering Jew & Lazarus- a deathless figure.

The book deals with many issues- large & small. For example, there is the recurring theme that most people work for purposes they have no grasp on. In part 1 Brother Francis wastes 15 years copying a Holy Liebowitzian artifact, only to have it stolen. In Part 2 Brother Kornhoer follows ancient blueprints & builds an electric light, unaware that he was doing so. Another theme is how history is shaped as much by its recorders as its participants. Just how much we think we know of the Mayas, Phoenicians, Chinese, Minoans, or even Neandertals, etc. may be our own imposition of biases, rather than fact.

Given that the book was written in 1959, during Cold War hysteria, yet is still relevant, is a good endorsement of its timeless quality. Yes, the idea that any organized religion- in this case Roman Catholicism- represents an answer, rather than a problem, is a bit of Miller's own näive-té &/or bias leaking through. After all, he portrays the Church as an unchanging vehicle for ignorance whether it be in the Dark Ages, our time, or the 3 future periods of mankind- a highly suspect proposition in the post-9/11 world. This is but a minor quibble, though, for the overriding point is it's a good tale- whose overall narrative takes precedent over any individual.

Although most post-Apocalyptic tales tend to be either to too gloomy or too optimistic, A Canticle For Leibowitz strikes a believable balance. Would that its subjects could do the same the book would be as superfluous as the devotion to the Blessed shopping list!

Editorial Review:

In the depths of the Utah desert, long after the Flame Deluge has scoured the earth clean, a monk of the Order of Saint Leibowitz has made a miraculous discovery: holy relics from the life of the great saint himself, including the blessed blueprint, the sacred shopping list, and the hallowed shrine of the Fallout Shelter.

In a terrifying age of darkness and decay, these artifacts could be the keys to mankind's salvation. But as the mystery at the core of this groundbreaking novel unfolds, it is the search itself—for meaning, for truth, for love—that offers hope for humanity's rebirth from the ashes.