In 2013, Kerry Nietz wrote Amish Vampires in Space. Fully embracing that genre-busting precedent, he followed it up in 2015 with Amish Zombies from Space. Now, four years later, he has continued the "Peril in Plain Space" series with Amish Werewolves of Space.
Like any good sequel, AWoS stands on it own. If you didn't read the first two books, you won't be lost in this story. However, Nietz drops plenty of hints and references to the first two books. New readers will have their curiosity piqued, and readers of the other books will have their memories pricked and will want to go back and read them again.
AWoS picks up a few years after the events of AZfS. The planet of Resolve has continued to grow as an Amish planet, but some "Englishers" (non-Amish) have moved in as well. Many of the Amish from the first books are still in the community, others are still in relationship with the Amish but no longer a part of the community. Nietz keeps the Amish values and lifestyles as part of the story, showing the contrast between the distant future technologies of space travel and medical marvels with those who still use horse and buggy and who resist using machines.
More than simply the Amish lifestyle, Nietz weaves in questions of the Christian faith throughout the story. The characters face ethical dilemmas regarding the use of violence, living lives of submission and forgiveness, and being subject to government authorities. More importantly, characters deal with questions of their own faith, and struggle with the balance of relying on God through prayer and taking action on their own.
The plot draws in elements of the first two PiPS novels. A group of teenagers have retained vampire qualities, and try to live peacefully in their community of superhumans. And on other planets, the zombie plague is invading and taking over. It's up to some of the people of Resolve, the vampire teens, and their new-found werewolf peer to, ultimately, save the galaxy.
Nietz ramps up the action in a hurry, giving the story a very cinematic, episodic feel. There's not a lot of time for the characters to catch their breath as the dominos fall and they have to make decisions about next steps or face foe after foe. Nietz writes about some traditional monsters, but his vampires, zombies, and werewolves aren't mystical or magical; this is sci-fi, not fantasy. Nietz is, refreshingly, more in to nanotech than magic spells. With lots of well-written action, solid character development, and a world view and story cycle that comes full circle with this third book, Nietz has outdone himself and completed this trilogy with a bang.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Love and F1rst Sight, by Josh Sundquist
Is it just me, or has disability/sickness become a chic theme in YA fiction? Big hits like Wonder and The Fault In Our Stars seem to have spawned a slew of imitators, for better or worse. I'm not opposed to the trend at all. Kids who read this fiction likely tend to grow in their empathy toward others. I have seen this personally in my daughter's classmates who read Out of My Mind.
Josh Sundquist's debut novel Love and F1rst Sight is an enjoyable addition to this genre. Will Porter awkwardly begins his first year at a mainstream school, after going to schools for the blind his entire life. Struggling to be independent and to fit in, he is determined to succeed in the world of the sighted. When he becomes a candidate for an experimental surgery that would give him sight, his life changes in ways he hadn't imagined.
The strength of Sundquist's narrative is his ability to convey the experience of blindness. I am not blind. Neither is Sundquist. But I suspect he spent a lot of time with blind people learning about their lives, experiences, and sensory worlds. When Will gains his sight after the surgery, Sundquist's descriptions of Will's acclimating to sight captivated and moved me.
The weakness of Love and F1rst SIght is that it devolves into a very standard teen love, break up, and reunion story. Of course you want them to get back together, but that last stretch of the book leading up to the reunion is way too unrealistic, irresponsible, and easy for my taste.
Even though it turns into a cheesy love story, Love and F1rst Sight has plenty going for it. Sundquist puts teenagers in a position of evaluating the importance of looks, of popularity, of compassion, of empathy. He seems to present a realistic and thoughtful portrayal of life with a visual disability. I was cheering for Will as he grew out of his insecurities and self-centeredness, and for his friends as they rallied around him.
Josh Sundquist's debut novel Love and F1rst Sight is an enjoyable addition to this genre. Will Porter awkwardly begins his first year at a mainstream school, after going to schools for the blind his entire life. Struggling to be independent and to fit in, he is determined to succeed in the world of the sighted. When he becomes a candidate for an experimental surgery that would give him sight, his life changes in ways he hadn't imagined.
The strength of Sundquist's narrative is his ability to convey the experience of blindness. I am not blind. Neither is Sundquist. But I suspect he spent a lot of time with blind people learning about their lives, experiences, and sensory worlds. When Will gains his sight after the surgery, Sundquist's descriptions of Will's acclimating to sight captivated and moved me.
The weakness of Love and F1rst SIght is that it devolves into a very standard teen love, break up, and reunion story. Of course you want them to get back together, but that last stretch of the book leading up to the reunion is way too unrealistic, irresponsible, and easy for my taste.
Even though it turns into a cheesy love story, Love and F1rst Sight has plenty going for it. Sundquist puts teenagers in a position of evaluating the importance of looks, of popularity, of compassion, of empathy. He seems to present a realistic and thoughtful portrayal of life with a visual disability. I was cheering for Will as he grew out of his insecurities and self-centeredness, and for his friends as they rallied around him.
Monday, October 28, 2019
The Book of Strange New Things, by Michel Faber
In The Book of Strange New Things, Michel Faber explores territory that is not frequently explored in sci-fi. What happens when an alien race is introduced to the gospel? It's an intriguing thought to me as a Christian, and Faber does a workable job of telling the story of a Christian missionary sent to another planet.
Peter is chosen by USIC to travel to their base on Oasis, where they are laying the groundwork for a human colony. The native inhabitants of Oasis are sentient, primitive in their technology (similar to Earth's Stone Age people), and have established trade with the human colony. To Peter's surprise, they have already been exposed to the Bible and have requested a human pastor to teach them about "The Book of Strange New Things."
While Peter is establishing relationships with this eager flock, his wife sends him messages about the declining situation back on Earth, where major natural disasters and political and social turmoil are rapidly decaying the social and economic fabric. Peter finds himself distracted and torn between the two worlds. The distance between him and his wife grows.
For much of this mellow, uneventful novel, I thought Faber was working up to some major conflict. Will Earth simply destroy itself, leaving the humans on Oasis as the last of their kind? Will the peaceful Oasis natives turn out to have some nefarious agenda? Will Peter go nuts? There are nudges in all of these directions, but ultimately the novel stays sort of boring. And maybe that's Faber's point.
There are lots of story-telling opportunities that go wasted. There are lots of theological explorations that go untouched. There are questions of cultural exchange and understanding that are only hinted at. It makes for a bland novel with an interesting premise.
Peter is chosen by USIC to travel to their base on Oasis, where they are laying the groundwork for a human colony. The native inhabitants of Oasis are sentient, primitive in their technology (similar to Earth's Stone Age people), and have established trade with the human colony. To Peter's surprise, they have already been exposed to the Bible and have requested a human pastor to teach them about "The Book of Strange New Things."
While Peter is establishing relationships with this eager flock, his wife sends him messages about the declining situation back on Earth, where major natural disasters and political and social turmoil are rapidly decaying the social and economic fabric. Peter finds himself distracted and torn between the two worlds. The distance between him and his wife grows.
For much of this mellow, uneventful novel, I thought Faber was working up to some major conflict. Will Earth simply destroy itself, leaving the humans on Oasis as the last of their kind? Will the peaceful Oasis natives turn out to have some nefarious agenda? Will Peter go nuts? There are nudges in all of these directions, but ultimately the novel stays sort of boring. And maybe that's Faber's point.
There are lots of story-telling opportunities that go wasted. There are lots of theological explorations that go untouched. There are questions of cultural exchange and understanding that are only hinted at. It makes for a bland novel with an interesting premise.
Friday, October 25, 2019
The Law, by Frederic Bastiat
Frederic Bastiat's The Law, first published in 1850, should be on the required reading list of all lawmakers and bureaucrats in the federal government. It's a short read, not much longer than an in-depth magazine article. But it packs a real punch in its criticism of the expansion of government power.
Central to Bastiat's argument is a criticism of "legal plunder." How do we recognize legal plunder? "See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime."
The whole idea of socialism is based on these premises: "the total inertness of mankind, the omnipotence of the law, and the infallibility of the legislature." If these premises are true, socialism might be viable. But none of the three are true, thus socialism is inevitably disastrous. Socialists' rejection of free choice and reliance on legislative lead down the road to communism.
The Law alone may not be enough to convince a socialist-leaning politician to change her ways, but there is enough material in this short book to provide a critic of socialism with lots of ammunition. There are plenty of inexpensive editions. Buy them in bulk and pass them around to your favorite policy maker or politician.
Central to Bastiat's argument is a criticism of "legal plunder." How do we recognize legal plunder? "See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime."
The whole idea of socialism is based on these premises: "the total inertness of mankind, the omnipotence of the law, and the infallibility of the legislature." If these premises are true, socialism might be viable. But none of the three are true, thus socialism is inevitably disastrous. Socialists' rejection of free choice and reliance on legislative lead down the road to communism.
The Law alone may not be enough to convince a socialist-leaning politician to change her ways, but there is enough material in this short book to provide a critic of socialism with lots of ammunition. There are plenty of inexpensive editions. Buy them in bulk and pass them around to your favorite policy maker or politician.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Free to Believe, by Luke Goodrich
Questions of religious freedom show up in the news from time to time. Depending on the sources you read, you can be forgiven for believing that religious freedom for Christians in America is under assault. Luke Goodrich, a lawyer for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, has been at the forefront of many high-profile religious liberty cases, including some he has argued--and won--at the U.S. Supreme Court. He is perfectly suited for bringing an informative and realistic assessment of the state of religious liberty in America in Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America.
I appreciate Goodrich's level-headed, practical approach to the subject. Too often, coverage of the religious liberty culture wars is strong on emotional appeal, weak on constitutional treatment. The emphasis is riling people up, whether for fund raising or simply to stir up emotions. Goodrich clarifies that sometimes the issues are more nuanced than they appear, and reassures readers that religious liberty in American may not be as fragile as the popular conservative Christian press implies.
To Goodrich, "religious freedom means the government, within reasonable limits, leaves religion alone as much as possible." He writes that religious freedom "is worth protecting because it benefits society, protects our other rights, and is a fundamental human right." Christians today readily acknowledge the history and importance of religious freedom in America, but most have a harder time coming to grips with the fact that "for the first time in American history, common Christian beliefs are view as incompatible with the prevailing culture."
As Goodrich looks at hot-button issues like abortion, gay rights, and Muslim influence, he promotes the model of the conscientious objector. Just as certain religious groups have won the right not to enlist in the military due to their religious objections, so should conscientious objectors have the right not to act in other ways that violate their religious principles. So Christians (and other objectors) should not be required to participate in medical procedures like abortion. They should have the option not to provide services for same-sex weddings. But many cases Goodrich discusses involve the Christians for who conscientious objection was not an option.
Goodrich brings a solid evangelical perspective, informed, first-hand experience with the cases, and a broad view of our diverse society. He reminds Christians to take a deep breath and recognize the expansive freedom we enjoy in the U.S. He reminds Christians that religious freedom for other faith groups can open the door to evangelism. He reminds Christians that sometimes "we are called not to 'win' but to be like Christ. That means we expect suffering, respond with joy, fear God, strive for peace, keep doing good, love our enemies, and care for one another in suffering." He sets exactly the right tone and makes me glad he's out there, defending religious freedom for all of us.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
I appreciate Goodrich's level-headed, practical approach to the subject. Too often, coverage of the religious liberty culture wars is strong on emotional appeal, weak on constitutional treatment. The emphasis is riling people up, whether for fund raising or simply to stir up emotions. Goodrich clarifies that sometimes the issues are more nuanced than they appear, and reassures readers that religious liberty in American may not be as fragile as the popular conservative Christian press implies.
To Goodrich, "religious freedom means the government, within reasonable limits, leaves religion alone as much as possible." He writes that religious freedom "is worth protecting because it benefits society, protects our other rights, and is a fundamental human right." Christians today readily acknowledge the history and importance of religious freedom in America, but most have a harder time coming to grips with the fact that "for the first time in American history, common Christian beliefs are view as incompatible with the prevailing culture."
As Goodrich looks at hot-button issues like abortion, gay rights, and Muslim influence, he promotes the model of the conscientious objector. Just as certain religious groups have won the right not to enlist in the military due to their religious objections, so should conscientious objectors have the right not to act in other ways that violate their religious principles. So Christians (and other objectors) should not be required to participate in medical procedures like abortion. They should have the option not to provide services for same-sex weddings. But many cases Goodrich discusses involve the Christians for who conscientious objection was not an option.
Goodrich brings a solid evangelical perspective, informed, first-hand experience with the cases, and a broad view of our diverse society. He reminds Christians to take a deep breath and recognize the expansive freedom we enjoy in the U.S. He reminds Christians that religious freedom for other faith groups can open the door to evangelism. He reminds Christians that sometimes "we are called not to 'win' but to be like Christ. That means we expect suffering, respond with joy, fear God, strive for peace, keep doing good, love our enemies, and care for one another in suffering." He sets exactly the right tone and makes me glad he's out there, defending religious freedom for all of us.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Monday, October 21, 2019
The Volunteer, by Jack Fairweather
This story is almost too crazy-sounding for real life. After the Nazi invasion of Poland, Witold Pilecki, a Polish military officer turned resistance fighter, volunteered to allow himself to be arrested so that the Nazis would send him to Auschwitz. Jack Fairweather tells Pilecki's story in The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz.
Taking a false identity, Pilecki was taken to Auschwitz, along with other political prisoners. At first, ethnic Poles, resistance fighters, and other political prisoners populated the camp. Although it was not yet a death camp, conditions were terrible and prisoners were treated brutally. Pilecki immediately began building a resistance network within the camp, seeking ways to bring the camp down and to get messages about the camp to the outside world.
During his stay at Auschwitz, the Nazis began experimenting with more efficient ways to kill prisoners. They developed the gas chambers and were constantly tweaking the methods of killing and disposing of the bodies. Auschwitz became less a camp for political prisoners and more and more a death camp for the extermination of the Jews.
Pilecki did manage to send reports through various means, but the stories that he and others were telling about Auschwitz and the Nazi's extermination plans in general were too unbelievable. It took a while for other nations' leaders to fully grasp that the numbers reporting the killing of the Jews were not exaggerated. The scope and scale of the Final Solution seemed beyond belief.
The Volunteer gathers first-hand accounts and presents a vivid history of Auschwitz, recording Pilecki's remarkable brilliance and bravery, as well as the hardships he suffered. For decades, his story went untold. After the Nazis lost the war, the Soviets took over. Resistance fighters like Pilecki were no happier with the Soviets' harsh rule than they were with the Nazis, so he continued to fight, and his story was silenced. Only after the fall of the USSR did his story come out.
I love the way Fairweather personalizes Pilecki's story, bringing it to life from a wide array of original source materials. Should my home country ever be invaded, I can only hope that many would have the guts and resourcefulness demonstrated by Witold Pilecki.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Taking a false identity, Pilecki was taken to Auschwitz, along with other political prisoners. At first, ethnic Poles, resistance fighters, and other political prisoners populated the camp. Although it was not yet a death camp, conditions were terrible and prisoners were treated brutally. Pilecki immediately began building a resistance network within the camp, seeking ways to bring the camp down and to get messages about the camp to the outside world.
During his stay at Auschwitz, the Nazis began experimenting with more efficient ways to kill prisoners. They developed the gas chambers and were constantly tweaking the methods of killing and disposing of the bodies. Auschwitz became less a camp for political prisoners and more and more a death camp for the extermination of the Jews.
Pilecki did manage to send reports through various means, but the stories that he and others were telling about Auschwitz and the Nazi's extermination plans in general were too unbelievable. It took a while for other nations' leaders to fully grasp that the numbers reporting the killing of the Jews were not exaggerated. The scope and scale of the Final Solution seemed beyond belief.
The Volunteer gathers first-hand accounts and presents a vivid history of Auschwitz, recording Pilecki's remarkable brilliance and bravery, as well as the hardships he suffered. For decades, his story went untold. After the Nazis lost the war, the Soviets took over. Resistance fighters like Pilecki were no happier with the Soviets' harsh rule than they were with the Nazis, so he continued to fight, and his story was silenced. Only after the fall of the USSR did his story come out.
I love the way Fairweather personalizes Pilecki's story, bringing it to life from a wide array of original source materials. Should my home country ever be invaded, I can only hope that many would have the guts and resourcefulness demonstrated by Witold Pilecki.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Friday, October 18, 2019
The Theft of America's Soul, by Phil Robertson
Phil Robertson is reliably funny and faithful. As the star of the show "Duck Dynasty" he brought his humor, faith, family, and, of course, his love of duck hunting into America's living rooms. In The Theft of America's Soul: Blowing the Lid Off the Lies That Are Destroying Our Country, he calls on the rest of the country to reject the lies of the devil and turn to God.
Robertson doesn't abandon his good humor and goofiness, even in this book about some very serious topics. For example, in a passage about his love of a strong cup of coffee, he writes, "one of the primary lies that threatens to steal the soul of America is this: European-named, lightly-tinted brown water filled with sugar and topped with whipped-cream swirl is the same thing as coffee." I would imagine a lot of coffee drinkers will drink to that!
Most of the book is deadly serious. I got a couple of impressions about Robertson and his faith. First of all, he is passionate about sharing Jesus with people. He is very open about his own wayward years. He grew up in church, but without really knowing Jesus. He got married young, and spent a lot of years drinking and whoring (his word). After his wife left him and his life hit bottom, he turned to God and became a passionate preacher. He doesn't miss many opportunities to spread the gospel.
The second impression sprouts from the first. Given his journey into faith, he tends toward a legalistic faith. Yes, he's calling people to turn to God and trust Jesus, but places a lot of emphasis on turning from sin. Even as I write that, I think, "Well, that's the gospel." To Robertson, it seems like he reverses the order: stop your sinful ways, then trust Jesus, placing the emphasis on the repentance and actions of the sinner. I think more in terms of: trust Jesus, then you will stop your sinful ways, placing the emphasis on the grace and power of God. I'm probably splitting hairs here. I think I just want to understand the strong legalistic streak I see in Robertson's writing.
I certainly am not faulting him for his passion for other people to know Jesus. He writes about preaching in the toughest prison in Louisiana, as well as sharing the gospel message with President Trump. There aren't many people who can communicate effectively across demographic groups the way Robertson can! Praise God that he has used his fame and media platform to consistently preach the gospel, even when it costs him.
If you enjoy "Duck Dynasty" you will certainly love The Theft of America's Soul. It's Robertson at his most passionate. Even if you're not a fan (I have never seen an episode), you will be challenged by Robertson's message that our nation needs to turn to God. His is a solid, common-sense, God-centered message.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Robertson doesn't abandon his good humor and goofiness, even in this book about some very serious topics. For example, in a passage about his love of a strong cup of coffee, he writes, "one of the primary lies that threatens to steal the soul of America is this: European-named, lightly-tinted brown water filled with sugar and topped with whipped-cream swirl is the same thing as coffee." I would imagine a lot of coffee drinkers will drink to that!
Most of the book is deadly serious. I got a couple of impressions about Robertson and his faith. First of all, he is passionate about sharing Jesus with people. He is very open about his own wayward years. He grew up in church, but without really knowing Jesus. He got married young, and spent a lot of years drinking and whoring (his word). After his wife left him and his life hit bottom, he turned to God and became a passionate preacher. He doesn't miss many opportunities to spread the gospel.
The second impression sprouts from the first. Given his journey into faith, he tends toward a legalistic faith. Yes, he's calling people to turn to God and trust Jesus, but places a lot of emphasis on turning from sin. Even as I write that, I think, "Well, that's the gospel." To Robertson, it seems like he reverses the order: stop your sinful ways, then trust Jesus, placing the emphasis on the repentance and actions of the sinner. I think more in terms of: trust Jesus, then you will stop your sinful ways, placing the emphasis on the grace and power of God. I'm probably splitting hairs here. I think I just want to understand the strong legalistic streak I see in Robertson's writing.
I certainly am not faulting him for his passion for other people to know Jesus. He writes about preaching in the toughest prison in Louisiana, as well as sharing the gospel message with President Trump. There aren't many people who can communicate effectively across demographic groups the way Robertson can! Praise God that he has used his fame and media platform to consistently preach the gospel, even when it costs him.
If you enjoy "Duck Dynasty" you will certainly love The Theft of America's Soul. It's Robertson at his most passionate. Even if you're not a fan (I have never seen an episode), you will be challenged by Robertson's message that our nation needs to turn to God. His is a solid, common-sense, God-centered message.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
The Last Astronaut, by David Wellington
Horror writer David Wellington, veteran of zombie novels, has turned to sci-fi in The Last Astronaut. He proves himself to be quite comfortable in this new genre. The last astronaut is Sally Jansen whose ill-fated mission basically ended the US space program. Now, years later, an alien object seems to be navigating toward earth, and Jansen is called on to lead a mission to intercept it.
I have to admit my bias--this is my favorite sci-fi genre: first contact, alien object. It reminded me a little of Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama, although it's been decades since I read that one. Jansen and crew arrive at the object only to discover that a private space mission has beat them to it, and the crew is nowhere to be found. Jansens crew enters the object to track down the other crew.
When it turns out that the object isn't a space ship, but an organic, living being, the story really gets interesting. Like viral microbes inside an animal, the human crew has to figure out how to communicate with the being, prevent it from crashing into the earth, and stay alive inside the alien environment.
The Last Astronaut took some unexpected turns and had some pleasant surprises. As you might expect, not everyone will survive this adventure, but survival looks different from what you do expect. Far be it from me to compare Wellington to Clarke; I don't imply that he can measure up. But hey, that's Clarke, who does? Wellington does hold his own and writes a good story that fits well in the adventure sci-fi/horror genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
I have to admit my bias--this is my favorite sci-fi genre: first contact, alien object. It reminded me a little of Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama, although it's been decades since I read that one. Jansen and crew arrive at the object only to discover that a private space mission has beat them to it, and the crew is nowhere to be found. Jansens crew enters the object to track down the other crew.
When it turns out that the object isn't a space ship, but an organic, living being, the story really gets interesting. Like viral microbes inside an animal, the human crew has to figure out how to communicate with the being, prevent it from crashing into the earth, and stay alive inside the alien environment.
The Last Astronaut took some unexpected turns and had some pleasant surprises. As you might expect, not everyone will survive this adventure, but survival looks different from what you do expect. Far be it from me to compare Wellington to Clarke; I don't imply that he can measure up. But hey, that's Clarke, who does? Wellington does hold his own and writes a good story that fits well in the adventure sci-fi/horror genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
We Were Liars, by E Lockhart
As a middle-aged man, I'm a little reluctant to pass judgment on a book that is clearly written for a teen audience. But no matter my generational bias and taste, I have to conclude that E. Lockhart's We Were Liars is a crummy book. I was already hating it pretty strongly by the time the big twist was revealed, and that made me like it even less.
A group of similar-aged cousins spend summers together on their extended family's island compound. The patriarch, his divorced daughters, and their children constitute the family now, the remnant who tries to hold together this New England old money dynasty. I have a hard time feeling sorry much for these privileged kids who begin to rebel against what they perceive as their stifling family traditions. Any sympathy I might have felt for them goes completely out the window when they decide that the best way to express their displeasure with their families' lifestyle choices is to burn down the main house on the island.
Lockhart checks off the boxes for a contemporary YA novel. Moody teens. Emerging social consciences. Rebellion. Avoidable tragedy. Mental illness. It all adds up to a book that angst-ridden teen girls will probably love, but that a normal human being will feel is a waste of time. I know I did.
A group of similar-aged cousins spend summers together on their extended family's island compound. The patriarch, his divorced daughters, and their children constitute the family now, the remnant who tries to hold together this New England old money dynasty. I have a hard time feeling sorry much for these privileged kids who begin to rebel against what they perceive as their stifling family traditions. Any sympathy I might have felt for them goes completely out the window when they decide that the best way to express their displeasure with their families' lifestyle choices is to burn down the main house on the island.
Lockhart checks off the boxes for a contemporary YA novel. Moody teens. Emerging social consciences. Rebellion. Avoidable tragedy. Mental illness. It all adds up to a book that angst-ridden teen girls will probably love, but that a normal human being will feel is a waste of time. I know I did.
Monday, October 14, 2019
The Judge, by Randy Singer
Randy Singer's faith-based legal fiction ranks right up there with the great authors of legal fiction. The Judge, which was originally published as The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney, may not be his best, but it's a good mix of suspense and thoughtful examination of faith.
Like a lot of decent books, The Judge is built around a rather ridiculous premise. First of all, a dying billionaire decides to sponsor a reality show on which participants, each representing a different religion, compete to see which religion comes out on top. Second of all, the Christian participant, a judge, has written a book defending Christianity which contains coded messages which he uses to communicate with his assistant.
The reality show, a Survivor-like affair where the contestants are isolated on a remote island, cut off from communication with the mainland, and which combines formal defenses of the various faith traditions with physical challenges, turns out to be rigged. Not only is the outcome rigged, someone is plotting to kill someone, but who is the killer and who is the target remains a secret.
The plot is manipulative and contrived, but nevertheless pretty fun to read. The "face-off" of faiths could have been more developed, but there were some nice hints of Christian apologetics woven into the story. I don't know if it's a sign of good writing, bad writing, or my own dim-wittedness, but the revelations and resolution came as a surprise to me. All in all, The Judge is full of surprises on many levels. I enjoyed it, but it didn't measure up to some of Singer's other work.
Like a lot of decent books, The Judge is built around a rather ridiculous premise. First of all, a dying billionaire decides to sponsor a reality show on which participants, each representing a different religion, compete to see which religion comes out on top. Second of all, the Christian participant, a judge, has written a book defending Christianity which contains coded messages which he uses to communicate with his assistant.
The reality show, a Survivor-like affair where the contestants are isolated on a remote island, cut off from communication with the mainland, and which combines formal defenses of the various faith traditions with physical challenges, turns out to be rigged. Not only is the outcome rigged, someone is plotting to kill someone, but who is the killer and who is the target remains a secret.
The plot is manipulative and contrived, but nevertheless pretty fun to read. The "face-off" of faiths could have been more developed, but there were some nice hints of Christian apologetics woven into the story. I don't know if it's a sign of good writing, bad writing, or my own dim-wittedness, but the revelations and resolution came as a surprise to me. All in all, The Judge is full of surprises on many levels. I enjoyed it, but it didn't measure up to some of Singer's other work.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Skoolie!, by Will Sutherland
Have you ever thought about living in a converted school bus or converting a bus to use as an RV? Neither have I. But after perusing Will Sutherland's Skoolie! How to Convert a School Bus or Van into a Tiny Home or Recreational Vehicle it doesn't sound too far-fetched and even seems pretty attractive. Sutherland takes readers step by step through the process of buying a used school bus, stripping the interior, and fitting it out for living space.
This sort of project is for the dedicated DIYer who is comfortable with a plumbing, carpentry, metal work, electricity, and more. Sutherland goes into a lot of detail that provides a good starting point for anyone taking on such a project. The greatest thing about this is cost. He pulled off this conversion for under $12,000. I haven't shopped for RVs lately, but I know this is a tiny fraction of what you might pay for a new or even a used RV of similar size and amenities. And as he points out, school buses are build more solidly than typical RVs.
I don't know that the Skoolie lifestyle is for me, but Sutherland tempts me to think about making it work. No property tax, mortgage, lawn care, utility bills, same old neighbors and same old view, the list goes on. Why not make it happen? By chronicling his own project and showing many examples of other Skoolies, Sutherland will show you the way.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Friday, October 11, 2019
How to Be a Perfect Christian, by The Babylon Bee
I picked up The Babylon Bee's How to Be a Perfect Christian thinking it might be little more than a compilation of articles from their their hilarious, satirical web site. That's not what it is, but I was far from disappointed. They manage to be profound by being absurd. The basic pattern is to take the opposite position of what a perfect Christian would be, and get you to laugh at ways in which you might tend toward that opposite position.
Their main audience is American evangelicals, and their main target is cultural conformity. They write, "to become perfect, you need to baptized in the glorious waters of Christian culture." You have to listen on to Christian music, watch only Christian movies, attend the most popular, trendy megachurch, and speak in fluent Christianese.
There are plenty of shades and allusions to Babylon Bee articles. If you've read the Bee for a while, you know what to expect in terms of tone and topics. I love the way they have taken that site and created this topical book. People who will likely enjoy this book the most are those who are in the midst of, or close to, popular modern evangelicalism. How to Be a Perfect Christian is like a funhouse mirror for us, distorting our images in a hilarious way while forcing us to reflect on what real flaws may be hiding under the surface.
Their main audience is American evangelicals, and their main target is cultural conformity. They write, "to become perfect, you need to baptized in the glorious waters of Christian culture." You have to listen on to Christian music, watch only Christian movies, attend the most popular, trendy megachurch, and speak in fluent Christianese.
There are plenty of shades and allusions to Babylon Bee articles. If you've read the Bee for a while, you know what to expect in terms of tone and topics. I love the way they have taken that site and created this topical book. People who will likely enjoy this book the most are those who are in the midst of, or close to, popular modern evangelicalism. How to Be a Perfect Christian is like a funhouse mirror for us, distorting our images in a hilarious way while forcing us to reflect on what real flaws may be hiding under the surface.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
After You Believe, by N.T. Wright
Have you ever finished a book and wanted to go right back to the beginning and reading it again? That's how I feel about N.T. Wright's After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters. In response to those who might say, or at least imply, that one's actions don't matter once someone is saved, since salvation in Christ is a free gift, never to be taken away, Wright writes this book as a "Yes, but. . . ." to that position.
Scriptural, densely argued, and deeply challenging, Wright explores the formation of Christian character and the fruit of following Jesus. Unfortunately, many, including some Christians, get caught up in morality without focusing on character. I love what Wright says about fruit. Fruit comes from within a plant; it's not stuck on. So it's a natural consequence of a plant's identity. However, he points out that a plant must be carefully tended, watered, pruned, and fed to produce good fruit. The implication is obvious and profound: building Christian character doesn't just happen.
I also appreciated his discussion of the classical virtues versus the Christian virtues. There is certainly some crossover and historical connection, but the Christian virtues of humility, chastity, and self-sacrifice set the Christian virtues apart. At no point does Wright veer into salvation by works, and he remains solidly within the parameters of grace. But neither does he leave the door open for hedonism and flagrant sin in the life of the Christian.
You will want to get a copy of this book, read it with pencil in hand, stop and meditate on what you have read from time to time, and apply what you are reading to your Christian walk. Then you will want to read it again.
Scriptural, densely argued, and deeply challenging, Wright explores the formation of Christian character and the fruit of following Jesus. Unfortunately, many, including some Christians, get caught up in morality without focusing on character. I love what Wright says about fruit. Fruit comes from within a plant; it's not stuck on. So it's a natural consequence of a plant's identity. However, he points out that a plant must be carefully tended, watered, pruned, and fed to produce good fruit. The implication is obvious and profound: building Christian character doesn't just happen.
I also appreciated his discussion of the classical virtues versus the Christian virtues. There is certainly some crossover and historical connection, but the Christian virtues of humility, chastity, and self-sacrifice set the Christian virtues apart. At no point does Wright veer into salvation by works, and he remains solidly within the parameters of grace. But neither does he leave the door open for hedonism and flagrant sin in the life of the Christian.
You will want to get a copy of this book, read it with pencil in hand, stop and meditate on what you have read from time to time, and apply what you are reading to your Christian walk. Then you will want to read it again.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Bullies, by Ben Shapiro
Ben Shapiro has built a reputation for being a lighting rod, drawing the thunderbolts of the left, who tend to riot when he comes to town. In Bullies: How the Left's Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences Americans, he describes this cultural phenomenon. It's not just Shapiro who gets targeted. All over the country, we see example after example of people who are or are perceived to be conservatives and/or Trump supporters being bullied, shouted down, and sometimes assaulted.
Shapiro actually wrote Bullies at the height of the Obama administration, and, sad to say, things have only gotten worse. He looks at race, class, and sex as trigger areas that bring out the bullies among us. It's not enough for someone on the left to disagree with a conservative position; they feel the need to shut it down. If a Christian baker doesn't want to bake a cake for a gay wedding, the couple can't just go to another bakery--they have to bully the baker, forcing him to shut down his business and argue his case before the supreme court.
The left wants more than tolerance. They want full acceptance, and they will bully their way to get it. For all the talk of Trump coarsening public discourse, Shapiro's account, all of which was written well before Trump entered the presidential race, has example after example of leftist bullies reducing public discourse to intimidation.
Shapiro actually wrote Bullies at the height of the Obama administration, and, sad to say, things have only gotten worse. He looks at race, class, and sex as trigger areas that bring out the bullies among us. It's not enough for someone on the left to disagree with a conservative position; they feel the need to shut it down. If a Christian baker doesn't want to bake a cake for a gay wedding, the couple can't just go to another bakery--they have to bully the baker, forcing him to shut down his business and argue his case before the supreme court.
The left wants more than tolerance. They want full acceptance, and they will bully their way to get it. For all the talk of Trump coarsening public discourse, Shapiro's account, all of which was written well before Trump entered the presidential race, has example after example of leftist bullies reducing public discourse to intimidation.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Stronger Than Death, by Rachel Pieh Jones
Maybe you've never heard of Annalena Tonelli. I know I hadn't before I picked up Rachel Pieh Jones's Stronger Than Death: How Annalena Tonelli Defied Terror and Tuberculosis in the Horn of Africa. But that's exactly how Annalena would want it. She served humbly yet heroically among poor Africans for decades, and never sought or desired any recognition she received.
Annalena was not a doctor or a nurse, but she functioned the way these roles would function. She was drawn to poor, nomadic people who are prone to get tuberculosis but whose nomadic lifestyles precluded treatment. She developed and promoted DOTS (directly observed therapy short-course) and set up a means by which people could erect their own huts on the clinic grounds so that they could stay close and get the medication and treatment they needed while maintaining a semblance of the lifestyle to which they are accustomed. She wasn't a medical professional, but her love for these poor, nomadic people led her to find means to serve and treat them and had an outsized impact on the treatment of TB among the poor.
Annalena was not a nun or a missionary, but her Italian Catholic upbringing informed and inspired her work among the poor. Although her roots were Christian, and she remained an observant Catholic throughout her life, her theological statements and lifestyle had plenty of ambiguity. For her, "God and the poor became one thing. For her to help people meant to help God, in the flesh of the poor." But working among Muslims in a Muslim nation, she kept her faith to herself. "She didn't want to convert anyone. . . . She said, "What's the difference?" She established Muslim schools for kids undergoing treatment so they could be trained in their faith. She explicitly avoided trying to teach Christianity or displace Muslim faith and traditions, even going so far as to enable and promote female genital mutilation. (She later advocated for its elimination.)
So her motives were and activities were not exactly evangelistic in the traditional sense of the word, but there is little question that she lived her faith and exemplified service in and to Christ. "Her motivation flowed out of the conviction that in the actual act of service she . . . revealed God and his love to a broken world. Through living in poverty, she would enter authentic and mutual relationship with the poor and through those relationships, she would experience Jesus." Would that more Christians lived with this perspective and commitment.
Rachel Pieh Jones is an American writer and expatriate who lived near Annalena in Somaliland. She didn't get to know Annalena well; she was assassinated not long after they met. But with access to Annalena's personal records and effects, she puts together a complete, moving account of Annalena's admirable, sacrificial life. Hagiography? To be sure; she's obviously a huge admirer. Will the Catholic church agree and make her a saint? As admirable as her life and works were, I don't know that she would meet the Church's level of orthodoxy. Nevertheless, her life, her commitment to serve and identify with the poor, and her willingness to sacrifice everything for those she's serving, make her an example all Christians--for that matter, all people--can seek to emulate.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Annalena was not a doctor or a nurse, but she functioned the way these roles would function. She was drawn to poor, nomadic people who are prone to get tuberculosis but whose nomadic lifestyles precluded treatment. She developed and promoted DOTS (directly observed therapy short-course) and set up a means by which people could erect their own huts on the clinic grounds so that they could stay close and get the medication and treatment they needed while maintaining a semblance of the lifestyle to which they are accustomed. She wasn't a medical professional, but her love for these poor, nomadic people led her to find means to serve and treat them and had an outsized impact on the treatment of TB among the poor.
Annalena was not a nun or a missionary, but her Italian Catholic upbringing informed and inspired her work among the poor. Although her roots were Christian, and she remained an observant Catholic throughout her life, her theological statements and lifestyle had plenty of ambiguity. For her, "God and the poor became one thing. For her to help people meant to help God, in the flesh of the poor." But working among Muslims in a Muslim nation, she kept her faith to herself. "She didn't want to convert anyone. . . . She said, "What's the difference?" She established Muslim schools for kids undergoing treatment so they could be trained in their faith. She explicitly avoided trying to teach Christianity or displace Muslim faith and traditions, even going so far as to enable and promote female genital mutilation. (She later advocated for its elimination.)
So her motives were and activities were not exactly evangelistic in the traditional sense of the word, but there is little question that she lived her faith and exemplified service in and to Christ. "Her motivation flowed out of the conviction that in the actual act of service she . . . revealed God and his love to a broken world. Through living in poverty, she would enter authentic and mutual relationship with the poor and through those relationships, she would experience Jesus." Would that more Christians lived with this perspective and commitment.
Rachel Pieh Jones is an American writer and expatriate who lived near Annalena in Somaliland. She didn't get to know Annalena well; she was assassinated not long after they met. But with access to Annalena's personal records and effects, she puts together a complete, moving account of Annalena's admirable, sacrificial life. Hagiography? To be sure; she's obviously a huge admirer. Will the Catholic church agree and make her a saint? As admirable as her life and works were, I don't know that she would meet the Church's level of orthodoxy. Nevertheless, her life, her commitment to serve and identify with the poor, and her willingness to sacrifice everything for those she's serving, make her an example all Christians--for that matter, all people--can seek to emulate.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Monday, October 7, 2019
Call Sign Chaos, by Jim Mattis
Jim Mattis may not have been a household name before President Trump nominated him as Secretary of Defense, but he's been a prominent, dedicated Marine officer for decades. In Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead, Mattis talks about his formative years, his military career, and, briefly, his time with Trump.
To the disappointment of many, Mattis makes clear that "I'm old-fashioned: I don't write about sitting presidents." So if you're looking for dirt on the Trump administration, or criticism from one who served under Trump, you'll have to wait until Trump is no longer president to hear from Mattis. That said, I'm not sure Mattis would be one to write a "tell-all" or critical book about Trump. He does say that he is pleased to have served under presidents of both parties, and that he has never made public his voting preferences.
So this book is not about politics, but about Mattis's experiences in the Marines and the lessons he's learned along the way. He earned his reputation for being outspoken, hard-edged, and effective at leadership and strategy. He fits any stereotypes I may have about Marine officers. He's not someone I would enjoy hanging out with, I don't think, but he is exactly the kind of person who I am glad to know is leading our military.
Military historians will be interested in Mattis's insider view of some the United States's conflicts in the Middle East. Their publishers will be pleased with Mattis's repeated insistence on the importance of the voracious consumption of military histories. Don't expect any great revelations, but you can certainly expect interesting insights and background on military conflicts of the last couple of decades.
To the disappointment of many, Mattis makes clear that "I'm old-fashioned: I don't write about sitting presidents." So if you're looking for dirt on the Trump administration, or criticism from one who served under Trump, you'll have to wait until Trump is no longer president to hear from Mattis. That said, I'm not sure Mattis would be one to write a "tell-all" or critical book about Trump. He does say that he is pleased to have served under presidents of both parties, and that he has never made public his voting preferences.
So this book is not about politics, but about Mattis's experiences in the Marines and the lessons he's learned along the way. He earned his reputation for being outspoken, hard-edged, and effective at leadership and strategy. He fits any stereotypes I may have about Marine officers. He's not someone I would enjoy hanging out with, I don't think, but he is exactly the kind of person who I am glad to know is leading our military.
Military historians will be interested in Mattis's insider view of some the United States's conflicts in the Middle East. Their publishers will be pleased with Mattis's repeated insistence on the importance of the voracious consumption of military histories. Don't expect any great revelations, but you can certainly expect interesting insights and background on military conflicts of the last couple of decades.
Friday, October 4, 2019
Chosen People, by Robert Whitlow
With Chosen People, Robert Whitlow takes his legal fiction game to the international level. Hana is an Arab Christian who grew up in Israel. She has mixed feelings about helping out with a case her firm has asked her to assist with. A mother was killed in Jerusalem while attempting to protect her daughter, and Hana's firm is building a case against the terrorists who killer her. Hana's reluctance is chipped away by the little girl, who wins Hana's heart. Speaking of winning hearts, when Hana travels to Israel to investigate the case, the local private investigator who assists her wins her heart as well.
Compared to Whitlow's other novels, Chosen People has less "legal" in the fiction, although it still deals with lawyers and legal themes. It also seems more romance-y than Whitlow's other books. These are not criticisms; I'm just noting some differences I see.
The background of the story is as interesting as the actual plot. Through Hana's character, Whitlow gives the perspective of a Christian living in Israel. She's no fan of the BDS movement. Having served in the military, and having graduated from Hebrew University law school, she has an appreciation for the structure and policies of Israel. Assuming her fictional character reflects the experiences of typical Arab Christians in Israel, this is a perspective not often heard.
I enjoyed Chosen People. It's a bit different from Whitlow's previous fiction. And here's some good news: Hana returns in Promised Land, to be released in January!
Compared to Whitlow's other novels, Chosen People has less "legal" in the fiction, although it still deals with lawyers and legal themes. It also seems more romance-y than Whitlow's other books. These are not criticisms; I'm just noting some differences I see.
The background of the story is as interesting as the actual plot. Through Hana's character, Whitlow gives the perspective of a Christian living in Israel. She's no fan of the BDS movement. Having served in the military, and having graduated from Hebrew University law school, she has an appreciation for the structure and policies of Israel. Assuming her fictional character reflects the experiences of typical Arab Christians in Israel, this is a perspective not often heard.
I enjoyed Chosen People. It's a bit different from Whitlow's previous fiction. And here's some good news: Hana returns in Promised Land, to be released in January!
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Lethal Agent, by Kyle Mills
Mitch Rapp just keeps getting tougher. Although Vince Flynn died a few years ago, Kyle Mills has kept up the exciting novels featuring Rapp as the super agent without whom the world might go to hell in a hand basket. In Lethal Agent, we learn that a nemesis from the past has survived and has launched a plot to deploy bioweapons in the U.S. He knows that from his cave hideout in Pakistan, he can never match the military prowess of the U.S., but with a virus in the right place, he can bring down a nation and the global economy.
Rapp and his men try to track down their foe in the desert, but fall into an ambush that they barely survive (and dozens of jihadists don't). After the jihadists try to use cartel smugglers to bring some anthrax into the U.S., Rapp gets on the case, going undercover with the cartel. While he's going to these great lengths to save the world, a senator with White House ambitions is trying to bring him down. Enemies within and without.
Is Rapp over-the-top? Is he so deadly and so hard to kill that he sometimes becomes cartoonishly unbelievable? Maybe. But that doesn't change the fact that Lethal Agent is as fun to read as the rest of the series. If you like the good guys to win, and the best country to dominate, wave the American flag, read Lethal Agent, and be thankful for our military and intelligence folks who are willing to go to great lengths to protect and serve.
Rapp and his men try to track down their foe in the desert, but fall into an ambush that they barely survive (and dozens of jihadists don't). After the jihadists try to use cartel smugglers to bring some anthrax into the U.S., Rapp gets on the case, going undercover with the cartel. While he's going to these great lengths to save the world, a senator with White House ambitions is trying to bring him down. Enemies within and without.
Is Rapp over-the-top? Is he so deadly and so hard to kill that he sometimes becomes cartoonishly unbelievable? Maybe. But that doesn't change the fact that Lethal Agent is as fun to read as the rest of the series. If you like the good guys to win, and the best country to dominate, wave the American flag, read Lethal Agent, and be thankful for our military and intelligence folks who are willing to go to great lengths to protect and serve.