Balmer (Religion/Barnard Coll.) compares the state of American Protestantism today with its boom in the '50s and suggests that a return to its antiestablishment and evangelical roots is needed. In 1950, Christian Century magazine ran a nationwide survey that resulted in 12 congregations being designated ``great churches'' and becoming the focus of a remarkable series of articles. Balmer offers us an account of his recent visits to these communities, devoting a chapter to each. He takes us to First Community Church, Columbus, Ohio, where he finds ``a kind of Jesus-helps-me-feel-good-about myself'' ethic and an easy alliance between middle-class life and mainline Protestantism. We visit First United Methodist, Orlando, Fla., where there has been both a decline in membership and an increase in staff. At Bellevue Baptist, Cordova, Tenn., the author is shown a video of the church's annual Celebrate America extravaganza, during which lines from the Declaration of Independence were interspersed with readings from the Bible; ``at the finale, red, white, and blue balloons descended from the rafters, the `worship center' looked for all the world like the National Republican Convention.'' In many cases, Balmer notices that ``diversity'' really means a lack of any clear beliefs, whereas a much-lauded sense of community turns out to signify ethnic homogeneity and a shared conservative outlook. Although he finds plenty to praise in these congregations, which have soldiered on through the vicissitudes of the post-'50s decades, Balmer (who is himself an evangelical) believes that a reversal of the general decline requires the mainline Protestants to learn from the evangelicals, distance themselves from the centers of power, and decide what they stand for. From the author of Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (1989) and host of the PBS series of the same title, another incisive critique of the US religious scene.
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-19-510086-7
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Oxford Univ.
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1995
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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