Lightweight spiritual encouragement for confident Christian women.
A Christian devotional, specifically aimed at a female readership.
Carpenter’s (Come Go with Me, 2017) definitively personal approach sets this book apart from others in its genre. Many devotionals are highly didactic or dependent upon the stories and thoughts of others, but each entry in this work speaks directly to readers themselves. For instance, in one entry, the author writes, “Please come with me for just a moment. Just stop whatever you are doing and drop those busy hands to your side.” Few devotionals narrow the divide between writer and reader to such an extent. Throughout, Carpenter speaks from her own worldview, telling of how she awakens before dawn, does chores, works with horses on her farm, and studies Scripture. However, this sense of familiarity may be as off-putting to some readers as it is endearing to others; the book’s ideal audience would be one of energetic, positive, and self-assured women, ready for like-minded Christian messages. For each day, the author offers a particular lesson, or simply a dominant thought. Entries are organized by monthly topics, such as “Memorable Christian Leaders” (February), “Women of the Bible” (August), “Jesus’ Miracles” (September), and “Not-So-Famous but Extraordinary Women” (November). It’s not unusual for Carpenter to reference the larger culture, mentioning chef Julia Child or basketball coach Jimmy Valvano, for example, with as much ease as she references Scripture. Rounding out each day’s message and lesson is a brief Bible quotation and an accompanying prayer, written by Sherry Shaw. Overall, this book is endearing and heartfelt. However, readers who are unsure of their faith or looking for deeply spiritualist resources may want to look elsewhere.
Lightweight spiritual encouragement for confident Christian women.Pub Date: July 30, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-5127-0513-3
Page Count: 350
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
One of the first black women to star in a television series (``Star Trek'') provides a valuable commentary on racism in the business, along with numerous sugarcoated stories about friends, fans, and family. Growing up in Robbins, a black-populated and black-governed town just outside of Chicago, Nichols began her singing and dancing career at the age of 14, touring nightclubs for many years. Nichols met Gene Roddenberry, later the producer of ``Star Trek,'' in 1963 when she was cast in an episode of one of his early television series. Her friendship with the married Roddenberry quickly turned into an affair. Nichols ended it when she discovered he was seeing someone else, although by her account, Roddenberry never quite forgave her for walking away. Nichols faced numerous racial and sexist barriers throughout her career, including conflict with the stuffed shirts of NBC around her role in ``Star Trek.'' Only after Nichols agreed to sign the contract did NBC executives learn that Roddenberry intended to hire a black woman as fourth in command on the Enterprise. They refused to honor the contract, but Roddenberry was free to hire her on a daily basis, which he did throughout the series. Nichols admits having felt humiliated not to be working under the same terms as the rest of the cast. Nichols also reveals the rocky relationship she and the entire cast had with William Shatner. Even though she occasionally offers kind words about Shatner's character and abilities, for the most part he is portrayed as arrogant and bossy. Nichols occasionally takes herself too seriously. Her speeches at ``Star Trek'' conventions often addressed the future of the space program. By her account, ``often, by the end of my speech, the fans would be crying, and I would be crying. Then we'd all be laughing.'' Nichols's story just doesn't have the expected punch from the woman involved with the first televised interracial kiss. But Trekkers will love the gossip. (40 b&w photos, not seen) (Author tour)
Pub Date: Oct. 19, 1994
ISBN: 0-399-13993-1
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1994
BOOK REVIEW
A leading critic of artificial intelligence research returns to the attack, attempting to lay the groundwork for an analysis of the true nature of intelligence. Building on his arguments in The Emperor's New Mind (not reviewed), Penrose (Mathematics/Oxford) begins by refuting the assertion that true intelligence can be attained—or even adequately simulated—by the strictly computational means to which current computers are ultimately limited. Much of his argument depends closely on the application of Gîdel's Undecidability Theorem to Turing machines—deep waters for laypeople, although the fundamentals of his argument are accessible to readers without sophisticated mathematical training. Having disposed of the central tenets of current AI research, Penrose then turns to an even more fundamental question: the actual foundations in modern physics (i.e., relativity and quantum theory) of the phenomenon of consciousness. Here much of his summary depends on fairly complex mathematical reasoning, although the key points are summarized for the general reader who has been willing to follow him so far. Penrose feels that a new physical synthesis, reconciling the paradoxes of quantum theory and bringing them into harmony with Einstein's gravitational theories, is ultimately necessary to explain the noncomputational elements of consciousness and intelligence. He speculates on the possible role of cellular structures called microtubules in creating a quantum phenomenon on a macroscopic scale within the brain, but grants that more research is needed to establish any connection between physical and mental phenomena. His conclusion steps back to a philosophical overview of the subject, paying homage to Plato, among others. A challenging examination of a central problem of modern philosophy, with no final answers but plenty of food for thought. (76 line drawings) (First printing of 50,000; $50,000 ad/promo)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-19-853978-9
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Oxford Univ.
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1994
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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