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2013 -- What books have you read?

Discussion in 'Books & Publications Forum' started by Crabtownboy, Feb 14, 2013.

  1. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    I recently read, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas.

    Excellently researched and written giving valuable insights into his life and modem day martyr.
     
    #1 Crabtownboy, Feb 14, 2013
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  2. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Just finished:


    Judas and the Gospel of Jesus: Have We Missed the Truth about Christianity? by N.T. Wright.

    Interesting book on the recently translated, "The Gospel of Judas."

    The value of the book is not that we learn anything new about Jesus as we do not. But we do learn about the thinking of Gnostics, at least one branch of these folk, in the 2nd Century. And we also learn how there are shades of Gnosticism in some Protestant groups today.
     
  3. thjplgvp

    thjplgvp Member

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    edited post is below
     
    #3 thjplgvp, Feb 26, 2013
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  4. thjplgvp

    thjplgvp Member

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    I have read a lot of books. :) But currently I am reading three.

    The Naked Brain by Richard Restak which takes up the topic of neurology and how emotions, thought and even chemicals that affect our brain and ultimately affect our choices. He spends several chapters explaining how we respond to options in life while being influenced by advertising, people we trust and people we do not trust etc. I find the book fascinating.

    I am also reading Baptist Patriots and the American Revolution by William Cathart. It is not as clear as I would like and seems to jump around a bit without disclosing where he is headed non-the-less there is ample historical content and good foot notes. only 106 pages.

    Finally I am reading April 1865 by Jay Winik subtitled: The month that saved America. I just began reading and have not made it far but he begins the book with a good understanding of the war conditions of both the North and the South which were horrid to say the least. With both sides dealing with desertion primarily because their families were starving at home but also dealing with lack of clothing, bedding, food and medical attention and dysentery was also pretty rampant.

    If you enjoyed the film Lincoln with Daniel Day Lewis then this book will fill in the gaps. In the film, Lincoln refers to his dreams and history tells us that he believed that he die based on a dream he had. Though I have not gotten to that section yet in the book I understand that Winik deals with topic of Lincoln’s dreams in a very straight forward manner in later chapters of the book. I you happen to read this book or have read it I would appreciate your feedback.
     
  5. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I've been working through this book for a while now. It's really easy to read even though it's HUGE. LOL But I'm really enjoying reading it and try to read a little bit each day but many days I'm not able to find time to read. Even today I was hoping to read it while my car was being repaired but I ran into an old friend so I read one page. LOL
     
  6. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Just finished:

    "Pearl of China" by Anchee Min ... a fictional retelling of the story of Pearl Buck and her best friend from childhood, Willow. The book gives interesting insights into life in China prior to and after the Communist takeover, and descriptions of life under Mao.

    "The Titanic Murders" by Max Allen Collins. Were two murders committed on the Titanic prior to its hitting the iceberg and sinking? Interesting evidence, but there is no way to prove nor disprove the idea. The book is told from the view of Jacques Futrelle, the writer of mystery stories, who died when the Titanic went down. A number of his books can be downloaded and read free from: http://manybooks.net/authors/futrellej.html


    Futrelle's wife, May, survived the sinking of the Titanic, being saved by being placed on one of the lifeboats.

    There are many unanswered, and probably unanswerable mysteries surrounding the Titanic.
     
    #6 Crabtownboy, Feb 28, 2013
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  7. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    A Rage for Glory: The Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN by James Tertius de Kay

    James Tertius de Kay is one of the foremost naval historians of our day. A Rage for Glory is the first biography of Decatur in 75 years. Decatur's life is traced from childhood to his senseless death in a dual of honor. This is a very readable book.
     
  8. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Finally finished Bonhoeffer so I'm going to take a break and read a brainless fiction book. I think next up will be Parenting by God's Promises by Joel Beeke.
     
  9. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Let us know what "brainless" fiction you read. We all need a break from the heavier stuff on occasion.

    I purposely did not restrict this thread to "theological books only".
     
  10. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Amazon gives away a TON of "brainless" books for free all the time. I'm not sure which one I'll pick but through the two years I've had my Kindle, I've built up a library of almost 300 books of what I call "Vacation Reads" genre. :) You know - beach lit. I'm thinking South to Alaska might be a good one since we'll be heading to Florida in a few days. LOL
     
  11. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Your public library probably has books you can download and read on your Kindle.
     
  12. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    They do and I got one for my son but honestly, I have over 700 books on my Kindle, only 50 of them have been read. So I'm good for about another 20 years or so! LOL
     
  13. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    The Chicken Chronicles: Sitting with the Angels Who Have Returned with My Memories: Glorious, Rufus, Gertrude Stein, Splendor, Hortensia, Agnes of God, The Gladyses, & Babe: A Memoir

    by Alice Walker
     
  14. DiamondLady

    DiamondLady New Member

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    At the moment I'm doing a re-read of the End of State trio of sister books to the Left Behind series by Neesa Hart. I'm also reading Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow
     
  15. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    The Hindenburg Murders by Max Allan Collins.

    This is a good read with a very plausible explanation of what could have caused the fire that destroyed the Hindenburg.
     
  16. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Ester and Ruzya: How My Grandmothers Survived Hitler's War and Stalin's Peace.

    by Masha Gessen

    A fascinating read of the lives of two Jewish women in Russia during the very trying years under Stalin and the years of WW II when something like 27 million Russians were killed. No family was untouched by either Stalin or Hitler.

     
  17. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Ancient Israel: The Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings: A Translation with Commentary
    By Robert Alter

    This is the fifth book in Robert Alter's Translation and Commentary of the Hebrew Bible (others are The David Story, The Pentatuch, Psalms, The Wisdom books).
    It's much better than the current TV movie - and at 852 pages it's a heavy tome.


    Decision Making God’s Way, A New Model for Knowing God’s Will
    By Gary T. Meadors

    Index
    Part 1 Foundations for Knowing God’s Will
    Part 2 Biblical Patterns for Knowing God’s Will
    Part 3 Subjective Challenges to Knowing God’s Will
    Part 4 Reflections on God’s Will Applied

    Rob
     
  18. the hermit

    the hermit New Member
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    Wow ... I LOVED that book. I LOVED it. I'm contemplating reading it again. There were some statements in there that had my eyebrows raised however. Not that I necessarily disagree with any of Pastor Bohoeffer's beliefs per se, they just made me really think hard.
     
  19. the hermit

    the hermit New Member
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    Let's see ... 2013 ...

    David Brainerd: A Flame for God

    Made me really think hard about "counting the cost".

    Humility: True Greatness (C. J. Mahaney)

    Made me realize that pride is my absolute worst enemy among many other things.

    Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God

    Another EXCELLENT read.

    John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

    A pretty good book on the life of John Newton. And what a life it was!

    The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

    What can I say? A classic.

    Grace Abounding

    What a struggle John Bunyan had? What an excellent final result!

    Gipsy Smith: His Life and Work

    Pretty good read.

    That's all for 2013 so far.
     
  20. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Jacob: Unexpected Patriarch [LINK]
    By Yair Zakovitch, Yale University Press, 2012, 206 pp
    translated from the Hebrew by Valerie Zakovitch

    Drawing from both ancient and modern commentators, Zakovich examines the life of Jacob as presented in the scriptures.

    From Jacob stealing the birthright from Esau, his deception of Isaac, his dealings with Laban and return the promised land, eventually finishing up in Genesis 49 and 50 with his blessing and death, this book is a vibrant commentary providing unique insights into the life of Jacob and his family.

    Rob
     
    #20 Deacon, Mar 31, 2013
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