A Paulist priest examines physical, emotional and spiritual comfort.
Hoover (Pastoral Studies/Loyola Univ.; Soundbyte Spirituality, 2002, etc.) opens the final chapter of this book-length homily with the admission that “this journey into comfort turned out differently than I expected.” He had planned to pile up stories demonstrating a contemporary “comfort gap,” in which “affluent cushiness” produces indifference toward the world’s have-nots, but he found the evidence more nuanced. The result is a comprehensive survey of the pursuit of comfort in all spheres—at home, work and play, alone and with others, around the nation and abroad, ancient and modern. In different hands, this well-written account might have turned pedantic, but Hoover is unfailingly generous and never pious. Sub-chapter headings like “Shit and Angels Happen” and “Psycho-God” will delight or disappoint different readers. Some may find his reliance on personal anecdote a tad heavy, but the widely traveled Hoover draws liberally from diverse acquaintances and experiences and balances these musings with evidence from anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, literature and every major religion. Sources range from scripture to Mark Twain, scientific journals to Mae West and the U.S. Census Bureau to Malcolm X. Lurking always in the background is comfort’s shadow, discomfort. Hoover uses a light touch to make his points about the dangers of too much comfort and too little challenge. An interesting—and yes, comfortable—read, but fundamentalists of all stripes and those who cannot sit still for a long sermon may want to pass.
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59448-548-0
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Riverhead
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2011
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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