Complex and alienating, but a bold effort.
A slim, textually dense attempt to change the conversation between believers and atheists.
Posner explores ancient and modern questions about God’s existence and power from the point of view of philosophical arguments regarding being, ontology and more. Along the way, he coins a variety of new or unusual terms, including “tranjects,” (transcendental objects) “obvents,” (object-events) and “primaverse,” which is seemingly a complement to multiverse (multiple universe). The book’s primaverse theory suggests that God resides (as far as such a statement is possible) in a place of essential being, a place that has always existed, as compared with an emergent being, or coming into being moment to moment. This is the author’s foundation for undermining underlying assumptions about the necessity of God’s existence and statements about God’s nature. While obviously conversant in the philosophers and theologians key to his argument, Posner provides little groundwork to set up his position, with the exception of briefly referencing important past thinkers. In contrast to the heavy prose, the book occasionally assumes a light tone, e.g., one section is called “Let’s Get Metaphysical,” and each chapter begins with a short play in the style of a Socratic dialogue. These tonal shifts give the book something of an identity crisis. His argument is difficult to enter into and engage with, potentially undermining its effectiveness. Posner’s work is likely to overwhelm lay readers, and his lack of citations may put off academics. Posner is clearly widely read and knowledgeable about the topic, but he could go further in helping readers along. Those willing to do their own heavy lifting regarding the history of philosophy and theology may be able to grapple with Posner’s book; readers not interested in doing so may be left in the dust.
Complex and alienating, but a bold effort.Pub Date: March 22, 2012
ISBN: 978-1936940240
Page Count: 140
Publisher: Metafisica
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Stricter than, say, Bergen Evans or W3 ("disinterested" means impartial — period), Strunk is in the last analysis...
Privately published by Strunk of Cornell in 1918 and revised by his student E. B. White in 1959, that "little book" is back again with more White updatings.
Stricter than, say, Bergen Evans or W3 ("disinterested" means impartial — period), Strunk is in the last analysis (whoops — "A bankrupt expression") a unique guide (which means "without like or equal").Pub Date: May 15, 1972
ISBN: 0205632645
Page Count: 105
Publisher: Macmillan
Review Posted Online: Oct. 28, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1972
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
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