An advice book that astutely recognizes that what benefits one partner ultimately benefits both.
A sometimes-humorous, biblically grounded guide for husbands seeking to enrich their marriages.
In 28 short, daily readings focused around four themes (“Bless Her Self,” “Bless Her Sense,” “Bless Her Status, “Bless Her Soul”), Bell applies the concept of “no strings attached” to the most committed of relationships. He suggests that husbands bless their wives with their thoughts, words and deeds, with no set expectations (“bless her daily with no strings attached, and just trust that she will do the same”). He believes rewards—including a deeper relationship with God—will then follow. The advice ranges from simple and straightforward (“Create time for your wife to take a nap”; “Open the door for your wife”) to the selfishly pragmatic (“listen to her…you’d rather her be having these conversations with you than with some other guy!”). The brief “Task to Consider” emphasizes suggesting things rather than commanding them. There’s no scolding here, just an upbeat acknowledgement of the overwhelming nature of modern life and an egalitarian perspective on marital roles: “The Bible doesn’t give us permission to bully our wives; it encourages us to bless them. We are men, not patriarchs!” A relaxed tone, a generous use of the phrase “my friend,” and references to hunting, fishing and triple-dog dares suggest familiarity with a rural audience and a sense of camaraderie with “macho men” who “mutter things under [their] breath, grunt, scratch and go to work.” Frequent Old and New Testament references and rationales further suggest that this book is aimed at a specific audience of Christian husbands, but the thoughtful contemplations and specific actions could benefit and strengthen any committed relationship. It also includes well-chosen, often entertaining thoughts and inspirations from George Washington, Mark Twain and Maya Angelou, among others.
An advice book that astutely recognizes that what benefits one partner ultimately benefits both.Pub Date: Dec. 25, 2013
ISBN: 978-1492774143
Page Count: 86
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2014
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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