Sciolist

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“This is an extremely thorough, if not massive commentary on the first 24 chapters of the Old Testament book of Ezekiel by Wheaton Old Testament professor, Daniel Block. Block's thematic summary is that the people of God are being judged for four pillars of spiritual pride: trust in the...”

“This is an extremely thorough, if not massive commentary on the first 24 chapters of the Old Testament book of Ezekiel by Wheaton Old Testament professor, Daniel Block. Block's thematic summary is that the people of God are being judged for four pillars of spiritual pride: trust in the Davidic/Kingship covenant, Yahweh's abiding presence in Jerusalem, Israel the Land, and Yahweh's unique covenant with the people of the Land. Without a foundation of faith and obedience, this pride produced bloodshed, injustice and spiritual harlotry. Block unravels the unique literary style of Ezekiel - a pattern of "halving oracles," the two parts linked by a literary coda. My only critique was that I wished for more New Testament references as this book is foundational for understanding books like the Book of Revelation as well as prophecies regarding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Overall, however, this is an excellent commentary. I especially appreciated the weighty analysis and the practical "Theological Implications" at the end of each unit. I am now anticipating studying Block's second volume in the commentary on chapters 25-48.”

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tapbirds would like to own a book.

tapbirds plans to read a book. (see 3 more books added to shelf)

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tapbirds reviewed a book.

“In the author's postscript, Yu Hua discusses the genesis of the idea for his novel: "I once heard an American folk song entitled 'Old Black Joe.' The song was about an elderly black slave who experienced a life's worth of hardships, including the passing of his entire family - yet he still looked...”

“In the author's postscript, Yu Hua discusses the genesis of the idea for his novel: "I once heard an American folk song entitled 'Old Black Joe.' The song was about an elderly black slave who experienced a life's worth of hardships, including the passing of his entire family - yet he still looked upon the world with eyes of kindness, offering not the slightest complaint. After being so deeply moved by this song I decided to write my next novel - that novel was 'To Live.'" The story spans four decades of Chinese history beginning with the Second Sino-Japanese War, civil war between Nationalists and Communists, the founding of the People's Republic of China, and ending with the Cultural Revolution and the current reform era. The story begins when protagonist Fugui as a wealthy young man squanders his family wealth by gambling and hedonistic living. During the course of the story, the impoverished Fugui learns that life has more to offer than simply wealth. The Communist system is not portrayed as intrinsically evil, or as social savior. Rather life is truly the theme and the goal of this heart-warming and heart-rending story, perhaps best captured in the words of the Chinese folk-saying:
'In my younger days I wandered amuck,
At middle age I wanted to stash everything in a trunk,
And that I'm old I've become a monk.'
The story contains subtle symbolism, however not so subtle as to have prevented the novel from originally being banned in China. That was a major cultural loss for China during that period. This is the best novel I've read thus far in 2013, and I highly recommend the read.”

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tapbirds reviewed a book.

“I rate this collection of short stories by Canadian writer Alice Munro 3+ stars. As the author notes, the stories are in rough chronological sequence. I rate the earlier stories from the 1960's and 1970's lower than I would rate the later stories from the 1980's. The earlier stories seem...”

“I rate this collection of short stories by Canadian writer Alice Munro 3+ stars. As the author notes, the stories are in rough chronological sequence. I rate the earlier stories from the 1960's and 1970's lower than I would rate the later stories from the 1980's. The earlier stories seem repetitive both in theme and character; it seemed liked the same story of a divorcee reflecting on past actions kept being retold. However the latter stories seem to have more depth and I appreciated the depth and talent of Alice Munro in stories like Miles City, Montana and Meneseteung. Though never straying far from her Canadian homeland or her divorcee heroines, the author seemed to develop her plots and characters to a greater degree. Perhaps an overarching theme throughout all the stories might be gleaned from the last story entitled Vandals: "that some women, women like herself, might be always on the lookout for an insanity that could contain them" (p.640). Overall, I felt that these were good, not great stories.”

tapbirds reviewed a book.

“This is an excellent and scholarly summary of the major Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. The format is helpful and well-organized, allowing for comparison of each belief system. Each religion is discussed within a framework of ten sections: (1)...”

“This is an excellent and scholarly summary of the major Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. The format is helpful and well-organized, allowing for comparison of each belief system. Each religion is discussed within a framework of ten sections: (1) Introduction (or summary), (2) Origins and Historical Development, (3) Aspects of the Divine, (4) Sacred Texts, (5) Sacred Persons, (6) Ethical Principles, (7) Sacred Space, (8) Sacred Time, (9) Death and the Afterlife, and (10) Society and Religion. Except for the introduction, each section ends with a pertinent quote from a historical primary text plus the author's commentary. I started reading this work prior to being asked to teach a high school comparative religion course; I'm very thankful that I have it as a resource. However regardless of the reason for reading this work, the reader will be able to glean much about the beliefs and practices of those who adhere to Eastern religions and teachings.”

tapbirds reviewed a book.

“Biographer Ari Hoogenboom notes, "Hayes has suffered more than most presidents at the hand of writers who have judged him in a context divorced from his times" (p.536). What were the accomplishments of the successor to Presidents Grant, Johnson and Lincoln? First, he was truly a warrior. ...”

“Biographer Ari Hoogenboom notes, "Hayes has suffered more than most presidents at the hand of writers who have judged him in a context divorced from his times" (p.536). What were the accomplishments of the successor to Presidents Grant, Johnson and Lincoln? First, he was truly a warrior. During the American Civil War he was wounded in battle more than any other President. Second, as a Republican officeholder, he championed civil-service reform, voting-rights for former slaves, stabilized the gold standard monetary system, education and prison reforms, and a humane American-native policy. So what does Hoogenboom consider to have been Hayes biggest shortcoming as President? That he campaigned and fulfilled his promise to be a one-term president. Fulfilling this promise limited his ability to effect lasting change on important issues that could have shaped national policy for future generations. Yet even in one term, Rutherford Hayes was able to initiate programs and establish a standard of honesty which could (and should) be emulated in future generations. Hayes characterized his Presidency as being "radical in thought (and principle), and conservative in method (and conduct)." The nation would do well to have more office-holders who are equally radical and conservative.”

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tapbirds reviewed a book.

“An incredible, swirling, entwined story from beginning to end. The novel starts with the downward descent of two men falling from a London-bound jet plane ripped apart by terrorist bomb. The two men's lives are enjoined at this point in time by means of their respective fantastical, surreal solo...”

“An incredible, swirling, entwined story from beginning to end. The novel starts with the downward descent of two men falling from a London-bound jet plane ripped apart by terrorist bomb. The two men's lives are enjoined at this point in time by means of their respective fantastical, surreal solo journeys. One becomes a goat-like satyr, the other has dreams of the archangel Gabriel and Mohammed the prophet. The surrealistic swirling story concludes in a fantastic crescendo, leaving the reader with questions. Who were these two men? Perhaps Rushdie provided clues when he stated that they were "types of self" and "that evil may not be as far beneath our surfaces as we like to say it is. - That, in fact, we fall towards it naturally, that is not against our natures" (p.442f). I found this novel to be more intriguing than "Midnight's Children," and more risqué (hence only 4 stars), and finally, somewhat baffling. I'm baffled as to why it earned Salman Rushdie a fatwa from the Ayatollah Khomeini.”