An intimate, if underdeveloped, image of one woman’s growing faith.
A memoir about one woman’s quest to form a personal relationship with God.
Irene (My Priority, 2014, etc.) states in the introduction that “God most definitely does have a personally designed plan for each one of His beloved children,” and she shares the discovery of her own plan with the reader. Six years prior to the writing of the book, she “was not really into reading The Bible.” More recently, however, she has come to appreciate its many messages. The author describes herself as a divorced physical education teacher in Florida who has, in the past few years, attempted to more closely align herself with Christ’s teachings. As a single woman, she has become careful about whom she dates and wonders “how men of my age group will receive me in my new obedient lifestyle.” She has enjoyed giving people Bibles and consulting the teachings of pastors like Charles Stanley and Joel Osteen. She took a Christian cruise to Alaska, the details of which are scarce, though the reader is assured that there was “no gambling and no bars open for the entire cruise.” Irene conveys a positive feeling about the changes in her life and how she has adopted an “attitude of gratitude,” but endorsements of Christianity can come across as oversimplified; for example, the author states that at one point she “felt sad and lonely, but then realized God is protecting me and helping me stay free of temptation.” Aspects of the author’s secular life prove to be the most memorable, such as a near accident while boating on the Alafia River. The Bible is undoubtedly an important aspect of this memoir, but additional color about the author’s past (such as more information about her former attitude of “if in doubt let’s go for it”) would have added interest and nuance. One doesn’t question the author’s new religious commitment, but a clearer outline of how she came to have such a commitment is needed.
An intimate, if underdeveloped, image of one woman’s growing faith.Pub Date: Nov. 20, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4497-6303-9
Page Count: 274
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: July 2, 2018
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
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
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