Reviews by john umland
Saint Patrick
On 3/17 john umland wrote: Author Jonathan Rogers opens the book with some of the amusing and fantastic anecdotes about Patrick. The problem for the biographer of Patrick is that he only left two documents, but his admirers have enlarged this humble man's accounts to something greater than Jesus Christ. Rogers tries to work from ... In his own words and Patrick's
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
On 1/28 john umland wrote: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life is Donald Miller's latest exploration of the soul and a life well-lived. Miller sticks close to the writer's maxim, "write what you know." He knows nothing better than himself, so he writes about his inner struggles, insecurities, ... an early mid-life crisis
The Liturgical Year
On 12/21 john umland wrote: I received for review from Thomas Nelson publishers the first book in a new series called the Ancient Practices Series called The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life by Joan Chittister. I expected a book that was more encyclopaedic and almanac. However, this book is a liturgical ... something different for a low church Protestant
Five Cities That Ruled The World
On 11/12 john umland wrote: He enjoys sharing vignettes from the histories of Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, London, and New York, and, with the exception of New York, how Christianity affected and was affected by the cultures of those cities. The New York outlier makes this book read more like a collection of essays than a coherent ... 5 essays, not 1 book
The Search for God and Guinness
On 10/22 john umland wrote: I read a good book, recently sent to me for review by Thomas Nelson, called The Search for God and Guinness: A biography of the beer that changed the world by Stephen Mansfield. His purpose for writing the book is best summed up at the end in the bibliography. Mansfield writes, ...my purpose has been ... book report: The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield
The Expanded Bible
On 9/21 john umland wrote: As my kids get bigger and my house feels smaller, collections get squeezed out. At least I can keep bikes in the garage. But I do have a weakness for Bibles, translations and study Bibles. For the past year, I have been reading my Greek New Testament almost every morning then I re-read the chapter in ... book report: The Expanded Bible
Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl
On 7/28 john umland wrote: Notes from the Tilt-a-whirl by N.D. Wilson read like the carnival ride to me. It started off slow and bumpy then picked up speed and I lost myself in it then it bumpily delivered me to the end, longing for the enjoyable middle part. Wilson uses the imagery of the earth circling the sun and the changing ... book report: Notes from the Tilt-a-whirl by N.D. Wilson
Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions
On 6/19 john umland wrote: James Beverly has put together an 800 page reference for Evangelical Christians titled, Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions, A Comprehensive Introduction to the Religions of the World. Beverly is Professor of Christian Thought and Ethics at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, Ontario. He's published other ... book report - Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions by Beverly
Dred Scott's Revenge
On 5/7 john umland wrote: This book, Dred Scott's Revenge, might have been interesting if Napolitano did not stray from facts and history and try to argue for state's rights and secession in the Civil War. I thought I was reading a debate book by two authors talking past each other, but it was only one who would defeat himself ... book report: Dred Scott's Revenge (2009) by Andrew Napolitano
Christianity in Crisis: The 21st Century
On 4/4 john umland wrote: I think Hannegraf’s latest book, Christianity in Crisis, 21st Century, could have been half the length and twice as good. As he mentions in the preface, Twenty years ago, I began working on a book…., titled Christianity in Crisis, [that] unmasked the fatal flaws of a movement that threatens ... book report: Christianity in Crisis, 21st century by Hannegraf
The American Patriot's Almanac
On 1/19 john umland wrote: I'm a history fanatic. However, my readings of US history, especially in regards to its relations with native Americans, left my feelings of patriotism greatly diminished. We, as a country, have done so much wrong. Yet, The American Patriot's Almanac Daily Readings on America edited by Bill Bennett and ... book report: The American Patriot's Almanac Daily Readings on America
Boomtown
On 12/8 john umland wrote: I thought I'd give another children's book from Thomas Nelson another chance, even though I didn't enjoy my previous choice. This new book is for older children. It's full title is Boomtown: Chang's Famous Fireworks, by Nowen N. Particular a.k.a Marty Longé. If you want the short review, don't bother. ... book report: Boomtown by Nowen N. Particular
Moon Shines Down
On 11/20 john umland wrote: Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is one of my favorite books to read to small children, especially at bedtime. My youngest just turned nine so those days are long gone in my household. Sigh. I enjoyed so much the rhythm, cadence, and meter of that book. It just rolled off the tongue. I recently ... book report: The Moon Shines Down