Jackson the Iron-Willed Commander by Paul Vickery

This is the third book from “The Generals” collection I have read.  Like the previous two, I was not disappointed.  One of the things I look for in a good biography is the childhood of the person grewing up, what events shaped their life and whom they used as role models.  It was fascinating to follow along the path that Andrew Jackson choose, was forced into and the path most of us would not take because of the negative reaction from others.  Andrew Jackson was a strong willed and extremely determined individual.  His upbringing shaped many of the qualities he is famous for later in his life.  He never quit, never let failure detour him from what he knew was the right thing to and he listened to others but always when made up his own mind.  Jackson’s emotional and physical presented motivated and inspired soldiers who were half-starved, freezing to death and exhausted from marching.  The men that followed him accomplished many things others would not have attempted or deem it impossible.  In Andrew Jackson mind, nothing was impossible.  One of the many traits of Jackson was he did not sound like the other military leaders or presidents; he spoke in a simple language everyone could understand and related to.  If you like reading about military material this would be a book and the others from “The General” collection I would highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Greater by Steven Furtick

If you have never taken the time to read the Bible or have the desire to do so but still want to learn a one of the basis lessons then this book if for you.The book is written in such a manner that you do not have to worry about being a professor in theology to understand the topics. The book brings together the stories in the bible with modern day examples.The book is well written and should appeal to people at several different levels.The only disclaimer is if you read the Bible on a regular or semi-regular basis, you will already know many of the stories and messages that the author is telling. For the ones who are familiar with the Bible this will cover no real new ground. The author does take a common sense approach to looking into oneself and exploring the idea of why I am here and what did God intend for me to do.While some people the message is loud and clear, for most of us the message is difficult to find and rarely understood.His book concept and subject manner applies itself more as a tool for a religious discussion or a Bible study class.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

The Searchers by Joseph Loconte

The entire book is based on small portion of the Bible, specifically Luke 24:13-35.  Twenty-two lines of scripture that tell the story of two men walking back home after the tragic of Jesus being crucified.   How a stranger appeared while they were walking interested in what they had to say.  Later after they invited this stranger into their home they find out it is Jesus.  The author breaks down the story into logical sections and explains what is going and how it relates to situation we have seen, read and lived through.  While the subject matter does have high interest for me the bombardment of quotes from books from Tolkien, Lewis, Rowling and many other gifted writers caused the subject matter to be lost.  Frequently the message that the author saw as being relevant to the scripture took a around about way to deliver his point.  The author attempts several times, in each chapter, to relate the scripture to how we see this same situation from the human condition today.  The subject matter truly is interesting but it gets lost in the delivery.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

    

Coming Apart by Charles Murray

The author takes five decades of data and research to track and trend a new pattern, mainly focusing within white Americans. The primary focus in this book is on the new upper classes and the new lower classes. Looking into the new classes and how they came about, regarding their core behaviors and values. These behaviors and values are barely recognizable from behaviors and values let us say that would have been seen within the 1950 or prior. My first knee jerk reaction was this was this was caused by the financial differences but it was not. You will have to read the book to find the true reasons why these classes formed. Part of the book compares the cultural differences between the top and bottom of white American. The author goes into detail about how the upper class now lives in an isolated pocket. This pocket surrounds them with their own kind. This creates a lack of understanding about the mainstream America and the lower classes suffering from deteriorating family structures and community life. The book contains a great deal of data to support the findings of the author. If you are interested in what is happening in America today, this book will give you a view you may not have thought of before.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

What You Need to Know About Bible Prophecy by Max Anders

While the title of the book is rather intimidating, once you get into the book it’s surprisingly well laid out and informative.  The author in the beginning of the book states the book is easy to read, topics are easy to teach, it thoroughly biblical, it respectfully presents different evangelical positions and allows you to follow up with your own convictions and distinctions on a given issue.  At first I thought that was a lot to expect but the author comes through on everything he promises.  The material is well written and the best part is you can identify your position within each topic.  From a teaching standpoint, the author has provide research and shares other key points of views and why they believe as they do.  The amount of material presented in this book can provide for many weeks if not months of teaching materials.  If you have an adult bible study group or some form of religious discussion group this book has many topics that will provide hours of discussion points.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Mondays with my Old Pastor by Jose Luis Navajo

Inspirational, Insightful and Informative

When people reach their mid-life, some realize they may have taken the wrong career.  That can be quite a shock to most of us but it is a traumatic situation when you have been a pastor for several years.  The author tells his story of being at the crossroads, thinking about trying another vocation.  Through a suggestion from his wife, he goes to see a retired pastor, the one he replaced.  Through a series of Monday meetings, the author is able to re-evaluate his life, correct what has been wronged and redirect his life with more of a purpose toward Jesus.  Patterned much like the Bible the book is full of parables that help the reader to understand and better relate to the situation.  The best part of the book, without spoiling it, is at the end the Old Pastor gives a very special gift to the author.  This gift is intended to be passed on and shared with others.  I will put this book in a special place in my library.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Fearless by Eric Blehm

Perfect Memorial Day Read

Timing was perfect; I received my copy of Fearless by Eric Blehm the Friday before Memorial Day.  The book is a biography about Adam Brown.  The author does an excellent job of not sugar coating the remarkable story of this courageous man.  The author first drills down into Adam’s childhood to find how he was raised and what made him tick.  You could tell that at an early age he is destine to do something great.  Then you find out he is human and made a critical mistake that would haunt him the rest of his life, he got addicted to drugs.  At that time, his girl friend and future wife tried repeatedly to get him to quit.  Renewing his faith he digs deep to see that he should do to straighten out his messed up life.  He is introduced to the Navy Seal's and is driven to secede as a Special Forces member.  Even after he loses the sight in one eye, has four of his finger cut off, and replaced he still had the drive, determination and skill to make it into the elite of all Special Forces.  Adam Brown reminds us just how proud we should be for all the men and women who serve out great country.  His unselfish dedicated that eventually took his life should be a story told for generations to come. 

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.