A Bounty of Books

Originally written in 1986, this revised and updated edition contains the original text with more current statistics and anecdotes when a significant change has occurred. Otherwise, as Shipler states in the Foreword to the Revised Edition, "the descriptions from the mid-1980s contain many elements of today, and so remain useful as a look at what has been and, probably, what will be. This edition roves back and forth between then and now, for in the Middle East, the past is never past; old wounds never seem to heal."  As one reads the book, it is clear what is original material from the first edition, and what has been updated for this edition.

Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The VeggieTales Bible uses the New International Reader's Version and is specifically geared toward children. It is hard backed and standard book size, so it wouldn't be good for little children. The NIrV is written on a level that would be easy for the average 7 or 8 year old to read and understand. I would put the recommended age range for this bible to be 7-11.

At the beginning of each book, there is a page long introduction that includes a summary and key features of the book such as important people, verses, themes, and stories. Scattered throughout the text of each book are particular verses that are highlighted to memorize. Other verses are highlighted as important concepts. 

There are ten, four page comics throughout The VeggieTales Bible that tell a condensed version of ten of the VeggieTales stories that tell bible stories. At the end of the bible, there is an "Index to Veggie Values" that guides children to verses dealing with specific topics such as forgiveness, pride, and trusting God. After that, there is a dictionary that gives a simple definition of potentially unfamiliar words and phrases such as Baal, judge, and Zion. The last few pages of the Bible are left blank except for lines for notes.

All of these features are easy to understand and be used by children. Overall, The VeggieTales Bible is full of color and formatted in such a way that is attractive to children. The features included are helpful and will help children gain a deeper understanding of the biblical text. I'd recommend this bible to anyone looking for a bible specifically geared toward children. Please note, this is a review of this particular bible, not the NIrV translation. 

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The Confessions of X by Suzanne Wolfe is a fictionalized account of the woman St. Augustine of Hippo was in a relationship with for many years prior to his conversion. She is the mother of his son Adeodatus, and while she is referred to in Augustine's Confessions, she is never named.

Not much is known about this woman, though she played an important part in Augustine's life and eventual conversion. In Wolfe's version, she is the daughter of a poor tradesman who is left in the care of an emotionally distant aunt and uncle. It is her status as a non-Roman citizen of the lower class that prevents a formal marriage between her and Augustine, not a lack of love or devotion. They live as man and wife for many years before his ambition creates a crisis point for them. Without giving anything away, the story continues to follow X's life until the moment of Augustine's death.

I was intrigued by learning more about the life of this unnamed woman. While Wolfe admits she took some dramatic license (which she points out and corrects in a note at the end), I really appreciate her creating a believable and engaging story within the framework of the few known facts. The Confessions of X starts somewhat slowly, and includes much more description than dialogue, of which I am normally not a fan. However, after the first few chapters, I was invested in X and what happened to her, and the story flowed effortlessly. It was entertaining and easy to read. Historical fiction can sometimes be spoiled because the ending is known. This was not at all the case with this book. I was connected to the characters and felt the events with the surprise and dismay they did.

Overall, I would recommend The Confessions of X by Suzanne Wolfe to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, a bit of romance, the plight of women in the ancient world, or the life of St. Augustine.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Sandcastle Kings: Meeting Jesus in a Spiritually Bankrupt World by Rich Wilkerson Jr. discusses the futility of building one's life on anything but Jesus Christ. Using four characters found in Luke 7, Wilkerson discusses the problems with building one's life on the things of this world such as relationships, money, power, fame, or even religion.

Before reading this book, I knew enough about Wilkerson to be interested, but not enough to know for sure if he and his message were something I could get behind. Sandcastle Kings removed any doubt that Wilkerson is a man whose faith is relatable while not compromising any element of the Gospel. This book is filled with scripture and everything points back to Christ. While not a deep theological treatise, Sandcastle Kings is full of solid theology applied in a way that is both encouraging for the long time believer, and easily accessible for those just checking things out.

I like this understated design of this book. It's easy to read and fits with the message that the point is Jesus, not anything else. I'd recommend Sandcastle Kings to anyone interested in the message of Christianity on any level. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Wilkerson.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

(Un)Qualified: How God Uses Broken People to Do Big Things by Steven Furtick is a book about exactly what it sounds like - how God uses the broken parts of His people to accomplish His goals. As God's people, we should embrace our broken parts, not because we aren't seeking wholeness, but because it's through the brokenness that God brings about wholeness.

Those who have read Crash the Chatterbox by Furtick (which I review here) will find familiar themes in (Un)Qualified. Using personal stories, as well as examples from people found in scripture, Furtick highlights the importance of what he calls "the third word." This is the word that we use to describe ourselves when we say "I am ___." I am brave. I am stupid. I am....whatever third word we use has the power to shape how we see ourselves and how we interact with the world. Furtick challenges his readers to examine their third words in light of what God's third words about them.

Those who struggle with seeing past their faults will benefit from this book, especially those who are believers. Accepting God's third words about us is vital to our identity as believers. Furtick's style is conversational and easy to read. (Un)Qualified is slightly redundant; however, for those in the midst of this particular struggle, I think repetition of the truth is key to victory, so in this case, redundancy isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

When Lions Roar: The Churchills and the Kennedys by Thomas Maier is an examination of the relationship between two dynastic families of the twentieth century: the Churchills and the Kennedys. When two families as powerful as these two have as many connections and relationships as the Churchills and Kennedys did, it is bound to not just provide interesting fodder for gossip columns, but to be historically significant as well.

The relationship between the Churchills and the Kennedys spanned three generations, two continents, and one world war. While the families briefly met socially in the late 1930s, their relationship really started when Joseph P. Kennedy was appointed the U.S. ambassador to the Court of St. James. When Lions Roar gives some background information on the patriarch of each family, but the majority of the book centers on the official roles that brought these two families together, and how those roles and relationships affected the relationship of the U.S. and Britain. It chronicles both the public and private ups and downs of the relationships mainly among Joe Kennedy Sr., Winston Churchill, Randolph Churchill, and John F. Kennedy, though other family members and their interactions are also mentioned.

When Lions Roar is a fascinating read. It is very well written and though it is full of detail and quotes from both spoken and written texts, the pace never gets bogged down. Maier focuses on two main relationships throughout this book. The main focus of course is on the relationship between the two families. However, there is a secondary focus on the relationship within each family, particularly that of father and son. How the two fathers interacted with their children was quite different. Towards the end of the book, Maier briefly explores how these different types of interactions produced very different kinds of sons.

Anyone interested in either family will find When Lions Roar a satisfying read. So will those interested in the relationship between the U.S. and Britain, especially leading up to and during WWII.

Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255