Eusebius: The Church History by Paul L. Maier

     Eusebius served as the Bishop of Caesarea. He has been called the “Father of Church History.” His ten books of Church History are some of the earliest surviving documents of the history of the Christian Church, with Eusebius often providing eyewitness accounts. His work also served in keeping the words of other great historians and Christians alive. He cites many works by others, as support for his history, which have no survived. These are words we would never know existed, except through Eusebius’ Church History.

     I don’t even pretend to attempt to review a work of this importance. What I will review briefly is this particular translation by Paul L. Maier. Maier opens by showing examples as to how his new translation is both accurate and easier to read. Throughout the text there are footnotes to help cite the quotations used by Eusebius and to add notes. Some notes add additional information that has since been discovered. Other notes show where history and research have shown things to be incorrect (though not in any way that would taint the work… mostly regarding dates) or unproven. At the end of each Book (chapter) Maier gives us a brief commentary both summarizing the Book and adding more information when needed. There are several pictures and maps to help the reader gain a better understanding. And Maier’s translation is very easy to read.

Again, the following rating and grade are not of Eusebius’ work, but of Maier’s translation.

1) Is it understandable? = 4.5
2) Presentation of Information = 5
3) Accuracy = removed from average
4) Quality of Writing = 4.5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 4.5

Average of  score 4.625
Overall grade = A-

Where to buy the book: CBD | Amazon | B&N

I checked this book out through my local library’s Interlibrary Loan program.

This was book 33 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

Mugabe and the White African: On PBS

One family’s stand for Justice – catch the story on PBS 7/26!

I’ll be blogging about the book Mugabe and the White African later this month, but I wanted to let you know that Point of View will air the documentary Mugabe and the White African on Tuesday, July 26th.

The film tells the story of Mike Campbell and his family of three generations of Zimbabwean farmers as they attempt to keep their farm under Mugabe’s “land reform.” Watch the trailer for the documentary below and visit the PBS Point of View website for your local listing. http://www.pbs.org/pov/tvschedule/

The book Mugabe and the White African (Lion Books, distributed by Kregel Publications, July 15, 2011, ISBN: 978-0-7459-5546-9, $14.95) written by Mike Campbell’s son-in-law Ben Freeth provides more detail regarding the family’s struggles and court battles.The book chronicles the deeply moving and life-threatening struggle of a Christian family from Zimbabwe to protect their legally owned farmland, to protect the lives and livelihoods of all those working on the farm, and to live to see justice.

Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A ‘Clockwork Orange’ state where racism, greed, and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled, and utterly compelling. 

-Mike Thomson, Radio Foreign Affairs Correspondent, BBC

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family’s land was “reclaimed” for redistribution by Mugabe’s government. But Ben’s family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe’s government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO. The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe’s men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts.

But the story doesn’t end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over–this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today’s hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances.

Read an Excerpt (PDF)

Read the Press Release

 

The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead

     Kit Livingstone is living an ordinary life in London when his great-grandfather, Cosimo, finds him and pulls him into an unbelievable adventure.  Cosimo tells Kit about ley lines. They exist all over the world. With knowledge of where they are and how to use them, a person can travel along them between universes. One can travel not only to another place, but another time. Problems arise as they are chased by the henchmen of someone who wants what they have a part of…. the Skin Map. One traveller began to figure out the secrets of the universe and created a code that had tattooed onto his torso. But the Skin Map is just the beginning, and there are things yet to be discovered.

     This is an excellent start to the series. Lawhead draws you in from the beginning and keeps you intrigued. A word of caution would be to pay attention at all times. Because the travellers are crossing both space and time, and because you follow different characters in different places jumping from one story to the next, it has the potential to lose some readers. It certainly keeps you on your toes. I was surprised more than once as the story unfolded, and I found nothing to be predictable, which was wonderful! I eagerly await the next installment.

1) Overall Plot = 5
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 4
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 4.5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 4.5

Average score of  4.6

Overall grade = A

You can read a sample on Stephen Lawhead’s Facebook page.

Check out the author’s website.

You can by the book here: CBD | Amazon | B&N

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Thomas Nelson (BookSneeze).

This was book 19 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

Wednesday Wonderings 6/1/11

Every Wednesday I’ll post a question related to books or reading. Just answer the question in the comments or post the link to your blog post where you copied the question and answered it.

Today’s Question: What is one of your favorite fictional relationships? The relationship could be between friends or family, or it could be a romatic relationship.

My Answer: I think “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle has one of the best brother/sister relationships ever between Meg and Charles Wallace.

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

      This allegory tells the tale of Christian, a man who sets out from his home in the City of Destruction to find eternal life in the Celestial City. After reading a certain book, Christian realizes that his some town is going to be destroyed by fire from Heaven, but he can’t figure out how to save himself or his family or friends. This puts  a heavy burden on Christian’s back, that he can’t get off. He soon meets a man named Evangelist who tells Christian where he must go to be freed of his burden and points him on the road to the Celestial City. Along the way, Christian meets several characters. Some help him on his journey, while others hinder him. Some try to kill him! He also comes to some interesting places, including the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

This is a timeless classic that still touches the lives of many today, though it was written in the 1600′s. Every Christian will recognize the places and people along the main character’s journey. This book should be read by everyone, especially those who have been disillusioned into thinking that the Bible promises an easy road to Christians. The imagery of the burden on Christian’s back is beautiful. The presentation of fellowship along the journey is beautiful as well. The symbolism of the law through Moses is wonderful. I could go on and on. Truly a must read!

1) Overall Plot = 5
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 5

Average score of 5

Overall grade = A

This was book 16 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

This was book 2 in my Classics challenge.

The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms by Brian L. Webster and David R. Beach

      “What you need to know, when you need to know it.” This Bible companion text is an excellent tool for referencing and applying the Psalms to our lives today.

     The first section works as an introduction to the Psalms in general. We see the different ways the Psalms can be used (songs, ceremony, prayer, the book of Psalms) as well as the different types of Psalms (hymns of praise/thanksgiving, laments, etc.). There is also a brief discussion on the superscriptions which begin some of the Psalms. There are further discussions on the poetry devices used, but what may be the most important part of this section is the part that discusses ways we can use the Psalms and apply them to our lives today.

     Part 2 is filled with charts for quick reference, including one that lists the types of Psalms, giving you all the Psalms that fall into that category. This makes it very easy to find the type of Psalm you are looking for, especially if you are using the Psalms as a form of prayer.

     Part 3 is where the discussion of the individual Psalms begins. Each Psalm is covered by one page of information, with the exception of Psalms 42 & 43, which are covered together on the same page. This page is broken down into seven sections:

1) Theme: gives the main idea of the Psalm
2) Type: gives the type of Psalm (hymn, lament, etc.)
3) Author: if the author is known
4) Background: the story behind the Psalm (if known)
5) Structure: looked at more from the poetic side. Talks of stanzas and lines and how they are broken down.
6) Special Notes: any unfamiliar words will be defined here. This area also lists other places in the Bible where the Psalm is referenced.
7) Reflection: gives us things to think about as to how we can apply the Psalm to our lives today. This area may also include additional scripture references.

The use of color and pictures on every page really draws you in, and the organization is wonderful. This is a great tool for an introductory study of the Psalms.

1) Is it understandable? = 5
2) Presentation of Information = 5
3) Accuracy = removed from average
4) Quality of Writing = 4
5) Overall Enjoyability = 4

Average of  score 4.5

Overall grade = B

Where to buy the book: CBD | Amazon | Zondervan

Check out my video review:

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Zondervan.

This was book 15 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

Book Giveaway: Following Jesus, the Servant King

 I’m giving away my copy of Jonathan Lunde’s Following Jesus, the Servant King. Check out the product page here. Read my review here.

The contest starts today and will end at midnight (Central time) on 5/13/11. I only have one copy of this book, so there will be only one winner chosen at random. I will post the winner after he/she has been notified.

I will personally be shipping the book directly to the winner, so I have to restrict entries to the 48 mainland states of the U.S.

To enter, simply reply to this post. What does it mean to follow Jesus? This contest is over. The winner will be announced soon.

Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley

      Melaia is a chantress at the Temple of the Most High. One night in the courtyard she witnesses the murder of a weary traveler and quickly finds herself in a world she thought only existed in old songs and stories. Angels and immortals locked in battle. The stairway to Heaven must be rebuilt, and Melaia is pushed into a journey where she will discover angels, draks, and herself.

     Breath of Angel is the first book in The Angeleon Circle series by Karyn Henley. Labeled as fantasy and marketed as Christian, it meets both categories well, but some may be skeptical at first, as I was. The Christian label is tested with the use of titles such as “priestess” and “chantress” and the treatment of angels. It takes awhile to start seeing some mild Christian metaphors, but they are there. This is why the category of Fantasy is so important. It allows liberty to be taken in certain areas to move the story forward, but nothing that would be deemed un-Christian. Even with the use of characters who are “chantresses” there is no use of “magic” in any way that would turn someone off, as one might expect.

     The story starts quick and moves along at a steady pace. Some of the characters, however, fell a little flat for me. Though not so much that it was a disappointment or a distraction. Overall, this is a good read, and it kept me interested to the end.

1) Overall Plot = 4
2) Characters = 3.5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 4

Average score of 4.3

Overall grade = B

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from WaterBrook Multnomah. Please rate my review here.

You can read an excerpt here or download Chapter One.
Check out Karyn Henley’s website here or her blog here.
Purchase the book here: CBD | Amazon | WaterBrook Multnomah

You can also watch my video review:

This was book 13 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

Wednesday Wonderings 4/20/11

Just answer the question in the comments or post the link to your blog post where you copied the question and answered it.

Today’s question: What’s the largest (# of pages) book that you’ve ever read? Did you enjoy it? Collections and multi-volume books don’t count.

My answer:
 Anna Karenina, coming in at 864 pages. Unfortunately, I did not like the book. I forced myself to finish it because it’s a classic, but I found most of it mind-numbing. I have read reviews of this particular translation that say this translation is just horrible and doesn’t do the text justice, so maybe that was it. Whatever the case, I doubt I’ll be reading it again anytime soon.

Teaser Tuesday 4/19/11

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser: Melaia curved her hand around the harp in its wraps, wondering if it could be the payment for a debt. She had a strong urge to return it to Benasin.

pg. 60
Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley