Veteran author Carmody (Religion/University of Tulsa; Contemporary Catholic Theology, 1980, etc.) delivers a soft- spoken primer on how to deal with times of crisis. This is no academic exercise for the author, who suffers from incurable bone cancer. Drawing on his own experience, that of friends and acquaintances, teachings from various religions, and a seemingly endless well of common sense and love, Carmody offers simple, solid advice that will be welcomed by almost anyone. As he sees it, we can meet our problems through five interrelated activities: thinking, feeling, sharing, deciding, and praying. Thinking involves gathering facts, facing them squarely, and picturing solutions. Feeling means accepting pain while overcoming anxiety through courage, faith, and trust. These noble qualities can be strengthened by sharing our plight with others, as well as helping them with their woes. Carmody recommends turning to family, friends, teachers, clergy, doctors, and counselors (the last only if they grasp the essential mystery of life). The most important sharing is with God (``Pour out your soul to the divine mystery, wait attentively, and you will never lack for wonder''). God, the author says, will help when it comes time for difficult decisions (in Carmody's case, whether to hazard a harrowing bone-marrow transplant), which must be made in a sober state, free from euphoria or depression. At the end comes prayer—Carmody outlines several methods, including Buddhist meditation and Christian contemplation—and abidance in the biblical virtues of faith, hope, and love. Reliable counsel for sufferers everywhere.
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-385-47120-3
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1993
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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