While it remains laudably honest, this book will likely appeal mostly to Christian readers with similar views.
A semiautobiographical collection of opinions examines Christianity and contemporary topics.
Early in her debut work, Walton offers the admonishment that “when God tells people what I am telling them in my Books and Blogs on Judgment Day it will be TOO LATE for people to do anything about it.” What follows is an assortment of topics about which the author expresses passionate views. These range from the understanding that Satan is deceptive with his appearance—“I am talking about making sure people understand he does not come dressed with two horns”—to the idea that if Hillary Clinton had won the 2016 presidential election, “it would have FORCED ‘The Rapture.’ ” Intermingled among such subjects, many of which have come from the author’s blog (www.godssystem.com), are bits of personal history. There is the time the author spent living in her car, her ongoing campaign to control her weight, and how she kept a list of people to pray for regularly. There are also single sentences of great importance that appear in capital letters. These range from the idea that “GOD HAS A VISION FOR ALL OF OUR LIVES” to “IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ANIMAL ALWAYS BE CAREFUL AROUND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THEM AND ALWAYS CLEAN UP AFTER THEM.” Needless to say, the wide-ranging, candid book presents a great deal of intriguing material in a fashion that is nothing short of fiery. But the fervent passages sometimes become muddled. In addition to jumping from topic to topic, the book offers many sentiments that are awkwardly phrased. For example, the author mentions playing the lottery and how “the next ticket I purchased was the ‘Mega Millions,’ which Established it.” It is not entirely clear what is being established here. While the author fearlessly addresses controversial issues, these are not handled in subtle ways. At one point, she shares her firm position against the legalization of same-sex marriages: “While gays are celebrating their marriage victory they might as well start celebrating molestation too.” Although such statements are unapologetically incendiary, more nuanced insights would allow for illumination instead of one-dimensional shock.
While it remains laudably honest, this book will likely appeal mostly to Christian readers with similar views.Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2017
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 335
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Review Posted Online: Nov. 24, 2017
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
Well-told and admonitory.
Young-rags-to-mature-riches memoir by broker and motivational speaker Gardner.
Born and raised in the Milwaukee ghetto, the author pulled himself up from considerable disadvantage. He was fatherless, and his adored mother wasn’t always around; once, as a child, he spied her at a family funeral accompanied by a prison guard. When beautiful, evanescent Moms was there, Chris also had to deal with Freddie “I ain’t your goddamn daddy!” Triplett, one of the meanest stepfathers in recent literature. Chris did “the dozens” with the homies, boosted a bit and in the course of youthful adventure was raped. His heroes were Miles Davis, James Brown and Muhammad Ali. Meanwhile, at the behest of Moms, he developed a fondness for reading. He joined the Navy and became a medic (preparing badass Marines for proctology), and a proficient lab technician. Moving up in San Francisco, married and then divorced, he sold medical supplies. He was recruited as a trainee at Dean Witter just around the time he became a homeless single father. All his belongings in a shopping cart, Gardner sometimes slept with his young son at the office (apparently undiscovered by the night cleaning crew). The two also frequently bedded down in a public restroom. After Gardner’s talents were finally appreciated by the firm of Bear Stearns, his American Dream became real. He got the cool duds, hot car and fine ladies so coveted from afar back in the day. He even had a meeting with Nelson Mandela. Through it all, he remained a prideful parent. His own no-daddy blues are gone now.
Well-told and admonitory.Pub Date: June 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-06-074486-3
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Amistad/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2006
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