David I Rudel

For a beginner, the format of this book is excellent, with visuals for everyone. I especially liked the ten-move opening which is quite easy to learn in a short time. Purposes and plans are explained in a way that I could understand as I am learning new response in my game. But the one element that was exciting to me was that I could use and reuse the information. This is NOT a book you will read, digest and file away. The style of writing is geared to my way of learning, which is jumping in show more and doing, not just reading. Consider this book your roadmap along the way of chess openings. This would be the perfect gift for yourself or anyone wanting to learn chess in a practical way. (my apologies for a late review; for some reason, it did not get printed the first time around.) show less

I received this book as part of Early Reviewers, and was disappointed by it on several counts. Firstly, the editing and layout is quite sloppy (and the hipster Christian image on the cover is somewhat annoying, but that's a highly subjective quibble). Secondly, the book conveys a sense of self-importance that I feel is unwarranted. The author himself kept telling me that the work was hard and dense and difficult, but it really wasn't all that for me (then again, I am a philosophy major show more atheist with a definite interest in reading religion). If a work is challenging and important and life-altering and mind-changing, then it will prove itself as such after reading and doesn't have to assert it at every chapter beginning, middle, and end. On a related note, the constant informal fourth-wall breakage verges on ludicrous. Thirdly, both the book's title and sub-title are highly misinformative. The book is about the author's reflection and interpretation of Christianity and isn't a tight narrative on the Biblical view of who goes to Hell. The author is a nice person and communicated with me well, but that wasn't enough to redeem this flawed work. show less

A must-read to truly understand what Jesus had to say about hell, judgment, the things that matter, and even picking up hitchhikers (okay, Jesus didn't say anything about hitchhikers, but if he had a car, you know what He would do. And while its Biblical references are prodigious, the author has provided a quick and easy guide online to each citation. This was not an easy read, but for those who have given up on the church - such as myself - this gem has helped me get beyond that and back on show more the road, so to speak. show less

This was difficult at times. It's not a bad book, but it is flawed.

Flaw 1: He calls the Bible a "protestant" book. It's only protestant if you consider it has a shorter canon. The Bible before the sixteenth century were was written and compiled by Catholic/Orthodox bishops (there was no formal division when this work occurred).

Flaw 2: He does not engage with Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Many of his questions would've been answered if he had.

Flaw 3: He acts like he's the first person show more with these questions. He's not. His ego is distracting from the truth at times. show less