jjvors in 2014 - What will he read?

Greeting fellow book lovers! The year has started slowly; I've only read 2 books so far, although "Memory of Light" by Robert Jordan is my current audio book--that will take a while.

Here is what I've read in the past: 2012 - 117 books http://www.librarything.com/topic/131709
2013 - 112 books http://www.librarything.com/topic/147798

Please suggest books! If you like (or hate!) something I've read, let me know what you think!

January Books

1 - Christian Endgame by Kenneth R. Samples
2 - When We Have Failed-What Next? by K.p. Yohannan
3 - On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes by Alexandra Horowitz
4 - A Memory of Light - Robert Jordan Brandon Sanderson
5 - The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson
6 - Rapunzel's Revenge by Dean Hale
7 - Calamity Jack by Dean Hale
8 - The Goose Girl (Books of Bayern) by Shannon Hale

February Books

9 - Beyond Jabez: Expanding Your Borders by Bruce Wilkinson
10 - In a Pit With a Lion On a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity … by Mark Batterson
11 - Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More by Mark Buchanan
12 - Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer by C. S. Lewis
13 - More Than a Theory: Revealing a Testable Model for Creation (Reasons to Believe)… by Hugh Ross
14 - Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

Welcome back!

On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes by Alexandra Horowitz is a delightful examination of our senses. The author takes walks with experts from different genera who provide varying perspectives on the urban environment that she walks every day. Ms. Horowitz begins by walking with her toddler and seeing what sees. She walks with a geologist, font designer, artist, insect expert, gait analyst, a blind person, a sound engineer, an urban biologist, and a dog. Every time I thought she had unveiled every possible dimension of the city, another layer was revealed.

Ms. Horowitz provides background information on each subject area and how our senses operate, as well as portraying her own family life, personality, and that of her Manhattan neighborhood. Anyone with a lively curiosity will enjoy this book.

It's good to be back, drneutron

The Horowitz book looks good - wishlisted! Thanks for the review!

Thanks! It was good. I'm glad the review helped you. I don't review every book I read. Most of them are "meh". But some books get me jazzed and I'll review them.

Okay then, that's good to know - so, if you list a book but don't review it, you don't really recommend it?

Also, I peeked at your profile, and I see that you're in Peoria? I drive through there on 74 pretty frequently on my way to visit my family!

I've lived in Peoria for 25 years now.

If I don't review a book, that doesn't mean it's bad or unworthy to read, it may just mean I don't have time to write a review or the book may be too esoteric to matter to the general public.

A more reliable guide as to my opinion is my star rating. I'm pretty harsh: 3 stars=average, 4 stars=well above average, recommended reading; 5 stars=outstanding with value that will last at least 50 years. Lord of the Rings=5 stars. Wheel of time=4 stars (in general, some books are 4, some are 3). I don't bother reading books below 3 stars.

Thanks for the explanation of your reviews and ratings. I'm looking forward to following your reads this year!

March

15 - Cuttlefish by Dave Freer
16 - The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath by Mark Buchanan
17 - Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick
18 - The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
19 - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
20 - Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Yo… by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
21 - David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell

April
22 - Raising Steam (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett
23 - Living by Faith, Not by Sight by K.P. Yohannan
24 - The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (14) by Alexander McCall Smith
25 - Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson
26 - Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, Book 2) by Brandon Sanderson
27 - The Clan of the Cave Bear: Earth's Children, Book One by Jean M. Auel
28 - A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller (1970)

The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan is perhaps the best book I've read on Sabbath keeping--and I've read a lot, having kept Sabbath for all 43 years of my Christian walk.

Mr. Buchanan, a pastor, doesn't get bogged down in do's and don'ts--rather he focuses on the wonderful benefits of Sabbath keeping and how much we need a break, a rest from our usual work. He relates how, despite being a pastor, he didn't keep any kind of Sabbath for years. He eventually got so sick he had to take a break, a Sabbatical from his pastorate. He found that humbling and educational for the benefits of the Sabbath. I found his candor and humility about his errors to be refreshing and made his case far stronger.

I recommend this book for any Christian who wishes to draw closer to God and doesn't currently observe any day of rest. It also is educational for any person of another faith who is curious about Christian Sabbath keeping.

One last point: although whether a Christian Sabbath should be celebrated on Saturday or Sunday is a divisive point, Mr. Buchanan completely bypasses the issue, focusing rather on the spirit and intent of the Sabbath--time devoted to God, every week.

Pastor Steve Furtick writes with candor and openness in his book "Crash the Chatterbox". "Chatterbox" refers to the incessant voice in our head that makes us doubt our worth, our accomplishments, and criticizes us for every error we make. Pastor Furtick shows us how to claim God's promises of worth and value, forgiveness for our sins, and support through troubles to inevitable success. That is spiritual success and value, not necessarily physical success and value. By no means is this a "health and wealth" prosperity gospel book. Pastor Furtick deals honestly with failure and disasters, tragedies and troubles that come to everyone's life. We can crash the chatterbox--we must work hard and persistently with God's help.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows was recommended to me by my friend who delighted in re-reading it. After reading it, I can see why.

Written as a series of letters after WW II from various characters to each other, the reader slowly forms an impression of each character as well as the people they talk about. By the end of the book, you know and love them all. Aside from delightful entertainment, you will learn a great deal about Guernsey during WW II, the German occupation, and the stalwart nature of the people of Guernsey.

Run to your local bookstore or library and get this book. Read it and savor it.

>15 jjvors:. I really loved that one, too.

Just stopping by to see how your reading is going, and to say thanks for the Gladwell recommendation!

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (14) by Alexander McCall Smith is another tender, warm, touching mystery, solved adeptly by Mma Ramotswe and her able associated Mma Makutse. Both live with their husbands in Gabarone Botswana and they handle affairs of the heart and business mysteries that people need solved.

The 14th novel in this beloved series has not grown old, nor tiresome. The characters we know and love are there, still solving daily problems with wisdom and gentleness.

You may read each novel in the series out of order, but long range developments like marriages and babies may not be surprises. Also, the long range character development becomes more apparent if you read them in the canonical order.

It's so good to know that the series isn't wearing thin. My mom is reading through them and then putting them aside for me. I just hope I can get round to them soon!

If you ever want to read something positive and uplifting, read one of these.

May

29 - The Last Hero: A Discworld Fable by Terry Pratchett
30 - 1636: The Kremlin Games (The Ring of Fire) by Eric Flint
31- A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd and His Sheep by Phillip Keller
32 - The Paradise War (The Song of Albion trilogy, Book 1) by Stephen R. Lawhead
33 - Dumbbell Training by Allen Hedrick
34 - The Valley of Horses (Earth's Children, Book 2) by Jean M. Auel
35 - Navigating Genesis by Hugh Ross

June

36 - The Mammoth Hunters (Earth's Children) by Jean M. Auel
37 - You Can Date Boys When You're Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics He Knows Very Little About by Dave Barry
38 - These are the Generations by Eric Foley
39 - The Silver Hand : Book Two in The Song of Albion Trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead
40 - The Heavenly Man : The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun by Brother Yun
41 - Revolutionaries: Men and Women in Every Century Who Advanced Christianity by Matt Brown
42 - The Future, Declassified: Megatrends That Will Undo the World Unless We Take Act… by Mathew Burrows
43 - The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
44 - Epic: The Story God Is Telling by John Eldredge

Looking at drneutron's library I saw The Mote In God's Eye and added it to my library. Here's my review:

The Mote in God's Eye is one of Larry Niven's best novels and one of the best science fiction books I have ever read. I read it first in the 80s when it came out and re-read it once in the 90s.

Why is it so good? Mr. Niven portrays aliens in a very interesting, yet non-human way. He enfolds some mysteries about them that are not revealed until the end of the book. He draws distinctions and contrasts between the aliens' strengths and weaknesses and humans'. He develops interesting characters among both the humans and aliens.

Additionally, he pulls in much good science concerning space travel, nuclear power, astronomy, and warfare. This is to be expected of any "hard" science fiction, but Niven does it as well as Heinlein, in my opinion.

Four stars and highly recommended reading!

The Paradise War by Stephen Lawhead, introduced me to Mr. Lawhead and I've been a devoted fan ever since. In this book, he imagines a parallel universe, connected by ancient cairns to England. The hero goes in and finds Albion, an idealization of England at its best. Life is more vivid, more beautiful, more breathtaking. The women are more beautiful, the men nobler, the kings more majestic. There are problems in paradise though. An ancient enemy reawakes and causes devastation. Since this world and our world are connected, disaster in one causes disaster in another. To solve the problems, an Oxford graduate student must change completely and become more than he ever imagined he could be.

Author Allen Hedrick provides a comprehensive "How To" manual showing and teaching you how to use dumbbells to develop your body for specific sports. Mr. Hedrick gives a brief history of dumbbells and then supplies a series of exercises and programs to develop agility, strength, and endurance. He covers training for muscle bulk, strength, power, endurance, and quickness. His training programs vary weights, repetitions, sets, and type of exercises. One of his key insights is to focus on whole body exercises, such as clean and jerk or snatch at the beginning of your training session, and then on individual body parts later in the session, when you're tired. He also varies the pace of the exercises depending upon one's training goal.

My major criticism is that the graphics and photographs and descriptions of the exercises are somewhat simplified and may be inadequate for a beginning weightlifter. I started weight training at 16 and I am familiar with most of the movements. The overall tone of the book seems to aim for experienced lifters or personal trainers. I feel the book could reach a broader audience with more detailed descriptions and more appealing graphics.

If you are a trainer or experienced with weightlifting, this book will be extremely useful in devising a training program to mean the demands of your individual sport.

Thought of you, Jeff, as we drove through (well, around) Peoria on Monday on our way back from vacation - hope you and yours are doing well!

New review of a new book to Library Thing: "Navigating Genesis" by Hugh Ross is an clear, accessible explanation of how the biblical book of Genesis, especially the creation and flood portions, fit comfortably with our current scientific understanding of space, time, geology, and biology. None of its science is controversial; science agrees with the Big Bang, the Cambrian explosion, the formation of the moon, the former state of the earth with an opaque atmosphere and water covered. The part that is surprising for both scientists and theologians is a detailed analysis of Genesis. Dr. Ross (he has a doctorate in astronomy) shows that the "days" of Genesis 1 are indeterminate periods of time and they correspond to the documented history of the earth. Using NASA satellite photos and recent geologic history, he shows the probable location of Eden and the Genesis flood.

Atheists and apologists will find much to interest them in this book. Aside from tying the Bible together with science, Dr. Ross also examines various views of Young Earth Creationism. I recommend this book for anyone interested in origins, the Bible, and science.

Thanks for thinking of us, scaifea! I saw your pictures; that was a long drive!

>27 jjvors: It *was* a long drive, but we broke it up over 3 days each way, which made it not too bad.

>28 scaifea: scaifea: If you ever wish to stay in Peoria, let us know! After July, we'll be empty nesters with a 5 bedroom house, a complete suite downstairs.

>29 jjvors: Oh, that's a lovely offer - thanks so much! Peoria is situated such that once we're there, we're only 3 hours from either our home or my parents', though. Perhaps lunch or dinner sometime while we're driving through, though?

Sounds good Amber. Send me an email or message and we'll arrange something.

These are the Generations by Eric Foley is an unbelievable, miraculous account of three generations of a family in North Korea, maintaining their family's tradition of Christianity through the past 60 years of Korean dictatorship. How miraculous? The grandfather stopped a Japanese army from destroying a local Church. He later saved his village from death and another one as well. Finally, he was led to destroy all the family Bibles, the day before a surprise raid by the North Korean police. These stories and others read more like additional chapters from the book of Acts than a recent history book. Read it, and be awed.

The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun is . . . wow. If you're interested in the recent history of China and the growth of Christianity there since the '70s, this is the book for you. If you're interested in how Christianity can be revived, this is the book for you. If you want to read current history that mirrors the book of Acts, this is the book for you. If you're a sceptic of Christianity, please read this book; it is the strongest testimony and proof I can imagine for Christianity.

Revolutionaries: Men and Women in Every Century Who Advanced Christianity by Matt Brown is a wonderful history of Christianity through 2,000 years of extraordinary leaders who had enormous impact in every century and in every country around the world. The book reads quickly and gives a whirlwind tour of Christian history from the first century to the 21st. What I appreciated the most was Mr. Brown highlighting lesser known evangelists like Alopen, who in the 7th century won thousands of Chinese of Jesus Christ. I also liked the fact he covered evangelists of Catholic and Protestant beliefs evenly, without bias.

As you finish the book, you'll be awed at what God has done through the Church for 2000 years. I can hardly wait for the next 2000!

I had great hopes for this book, The Future Declassified. The author, Matthew Burrows, was a former counselor for the National Intelligence Council, under Presidents Bush and Obama. The back cover reads, "In the tradition of Future Shock, a fascinating look at the world we might inhabit in 2030". I loved "Future Shock", both in the '70s when it came out and in the 2000s when I re-read it and saw how prescient it had been. I hoped "The Future Declassified" would be as good.

It isn't. It starts out well; Mr. Burrows outlines the major present trends that are in action. Unlike some futurists, he correctly identifies the demographic challenge China faces, beginning in 2020, when its population will drop due to the one child policy and selective abortions which have left a preponderance of males.

Mr. Burrows also points out the two-edged sword of individual empowerment--one person can impact many more easily. Worldwide, there are more people in the middle class than ever before in history. This will drive the worldwide economy--but will also threaten authoritarian regimes.

He doesn't not neglect the bio tech, big data, or 3D printing technologies. These too, can cause the economy to boom or put people out of work--or both. They can empower the individual and also make authoritarian governments more oppressive.

Sadly, he neglects a key influence: the role of religion worldwide. It was so obviously missing, I wonder if he consciously discounted the influence of the two major evangelical religions: Islam and Christianity on world events. Islam is in the news daily, both extremist and moderate groups and Christianity is a major force in the US, Africa, South America--and in China; a country he considers key to Asia.

Mr. Burrows finishes his book with a series of "what if" scenarios, based upon the trends he had previously identified. I feel they would have been more accurate had he taken religion's influence in culture.

Overall, the book is better than average in its genre, but barely. If Future Shock was 5 stars, this is 3 and a half.

"The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom is a modern classic of history, inspiration, and Christianity in action. Growing up in a Christian family in Holland Corrie ten Boom has many fascinating stories of romance and service as her sisters and brother get married, as her aunts and mother die, and she herself loses her true love and decides to grow into God's greater love. Corrie becomes the Netherland's first female watch repairer to help her father. She and her sister Betse and Nollie, and brother Willems all are involved in helping Jews as they flee from Nazi Germany into Holland during the 30s. Then the war comes and Holland is conquered. They now help the Jews hide in their own home. They become part of the Dutch underground resistance and their home becomes the center of Jewish hiding places. In 1944, they are caught and imprisoned, transferred from one prison to another and then Corrie and Betse go to Ravensbruck, the German concentration camp. There is much more and it is all inspirational. Corrie does not spare herself, but shows her fears and weaknesses through all the trials she faces. Read this book and be changed.

What is the greatest story ever told? What are the elements of great stories, great movies, great books, great plays? Why do these stories move us? Why do we perceive life as a story? Why do we want there to be a meaning to life? Why do we want to be heros and heroines?

John Eldredge answers all these questions and many more in his book Epic: The Story God Is Telling. He ties all human history to many contemporary popular stories like "Lord of the Rings", "The Chronicles of Narnia", "Titanic", "Star Wars", and "The Matrix. He covers the source of the human spirit and our inmost longings from the beginning to time to the far future. He explains the source of evil and suffering in the world and the ultimate destiny of mankind. What is that? "And they lived happily ever after."

Hi, Jeff! Just dropping by to say Happy July, and that I'm here, lurking, enjoying your reviews, but just haven't had anything to add...

July

45 - The Endless Knot: The Song of Albion Trilogy, Book 3 by Stephen R. Lawhead
46 - 1636: Commander Cantrell in the West Indies (The Ring of Fire) by Eric Flint
47 - Knowing Christ Today by Dallas Willard
48 - God Emperor of Didcot (Chronicles of Isambard Smith) by Toby Frost
49 - Space Captain Smith (Chronicles of Isambard Smith) by Toby Frost

August

50 -Oz: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz (Marvel)) by L. Frank Baum skottie young
51 - Wrath of the Lemming-men (Space Captain Smith Book 3) by Toby Frost
52 - Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
53 - The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker
54 - The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel
55 - Dark Currents: The Emperor's Edge Book 2 (The Emperor's Edge Fantasy A… by Lindsay Buroker
56 - To Sail a Darkling Sea by John Ringo
57 - Islands of Rage and Hope by John Ringo
58 - Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
59 - Cauldron of Ghosts (Crown of Slaves) by David Weber

Hi Amber! I get so few visitors, I'm happy to read your post! I spend more time on Facebook and Twitter. Busy times coming up! My son will get married in a week and a half, then we'll go to a family reunion in Cleveland the next week.

Oh, congrats to your son! Busy times, indeed. And safe travels to Cleveland!

In Knowing Christ Today, Dallas Willard addresses Christian epistemology: how do Christians know what they know is knowledge? He leads the read through the importance of knowledge and its definition. He shows how Christians have sure and testable knowledge of God and Christ. He tells why Christians must share their knowledge with all the world. Finally, he covers the special role that Christian pastors have in revealing this sure knowledge to the world.

Personal note here: my son got married yesterday! He and his bride are now honeymooning on Marco Island in FL.

Re-read To Sail a Darkling Sea, which I read last year. Still good. Listening to Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey in the car. Very funny read aloud. Full review to come.

Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" is a delightful romp through English society at the beginning of the 19th century. The plot centers around the heroine, Catherine Moreland, who has matured from a gawky teen to a fine young lady who is "almost pretty"--which she would consider a compliment. She travels with her neighbors, the Allens to visit Bath, her first journey from home and her first entrance into society. Jane Austen satirizes the hypocrisy of English society and the naivete of Catherine. She writes her book as a quasi-gothic romance and turns many of such romantic conventions upon their heads.

Greatly adding to my enjoyment of this book is the narration by Flo Gibson, who accurately and devastatingly portrays the various pompous and superficial characters through her vocal acting.

I had previously read a review that stated Jane Austen got side-tracked from her satire halfway through the book, moving it to more of a gothic romance. I disagree. Jane maintains her satiric edge throughout. When Catherine leaves Bath, she simply shifts her satiric objects from one group of people to another.

Originally written in 1798-99 when Jane was 24 years, I wonder if some of Catherine's experiences were somewhat like Jane's, and how much of the work was autobiographical, regarding Jane's own experiences in Bath. Not that I think Jane Austen was ever as naive a Catherine was; I think her naivete was exaggerated for comic effect.

Read and enjoy!

I haven't yet read that one, although it's on the list. Great review, Jeff!

September

60 - Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel
61 - Off Armageddon Reef AudiobookUnabridged (Audio CD) by -David Weber
62 - By Schism Rent Asunder by David Weber
63 - By Heresies Distressed (Safehold) by David Weber
64 - A Mighty Fortress (Safehold) by David Weber

October
65 - Grand Central Arena by Ryk E. Spoor
66 - The Short Victorious War (Honor Harrington #3) by David Weber
67 - Spheres of Influence (Grand Central Arena Book 2) by Ryk E. Spoor
68 - Boundary by Eric Flint
69 - Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You by John Ortberg
70 - World War I: The Definitive Visual History by R. G. Grant
71 - Threshold by Eric Flint
72 - Thrones, Dominations: A Lord Peter Wimsey / Harriet Vane Mystery by Dorothy L. Sayers
73 - Portal by Eric Flint (2014)
74 - How Firm a Foundation (Safehold) by David Weber

Thrones, Dominations by Dorothy Sayres and Jill Paton Walsh is a fitting end to the career of Lord Peter Wimsy and Harriet Vane. Ms. Sayres ceased writing it in 1937 and Jill Paton Walsh finished it after her death. This was the second time I had read the piece, this time via audio book. Ian Carmichael does an outstanding job with his various characterizations.

I truly could not tell where Dorothy Sayres writing left off and Ms. Walsh's began--a tribute to Ms. Walsh. The book has several clever and brilliant points to it: The opening chapter begins with two other characters observing Lord & Lady Wimsy and another couple, providing an introduction to the characters from a different points of view. Throughout the novel Harriet is writing a detective novel and discussing with Lord Peter on various murders and what is plausible within a novel, creating a delicious, self referential commentary upon the novel itself.

Interestingly, Jill Patton Walsh became enamored of Dorothy Sayres after reading "Gaudy Night", which caused her to attend Oxford. I recommend this novel highly and without reservation.

Finally hit 75! Two or three months later than usual.

Congrats on 75, Jeff!

November
75 - Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
76 - Midst Toil and Tribulation (Safehold) by David Weber
77 - Like a Mighty Army (Safehold) by David Weber
78 - Hearing God by Dallas Willard
79 - Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples by Francis Chan
80 - Saving Thanehaven by Catherine Jinks

December
81 - The Complete Lord of the Rings Trilogy Audio dramatization
82 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Book 1) by Alexander McCall Smith
83 - The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1) Unabridged, Audiobook Publisher: Recorded … by J.R.R. Tolkien
84 - A Call to Duty (Manticore Ascendant) by David Weber
85 - The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, Book 2) by J.R.R. Tolkien
86 - The Chemistry of the Blood by Dr. M R DeHaan
87 - Confessions (Oxford World's Classics) by Saint Augustine

Congrats!

In "Hearing God", Dallas Willard does a careful and detailed examination of the doctrine of hearing God's voice in every day life. First he examines whether this is a right and natural thing for a Christian to expect. He reviews various Biblical examples of listening to and hearing God. Dr. Willard documents why this is a right and natural experience for every Christian. He closes his book with practical steps to hearing God and what to do when God doesn't answer. He also explains that hearing God is NOT the most important thing for Christians and shows that faith, hope, and love are more important.

Morning, Jeff! Nice review!

In Multiply, Francis Chan does a wonderful job of explaining what Christianity is all about: making disciples. He then gives an overview of the whole Bible illustrating this theme from Genesis to Revelation. This book is very accessible to the new believer and non-Christian and explains Christianity's uniqueness very well.

Happy Christmas to you and yours, Jeff!

Happy Christmas and a happy New Year to you and your family, Amber/scaifea.

The Chemistry of the Blood by Dr. M R DeHaan is an unusual and moving collection of sermons tying the science behind blood and other aspects of the material world with Biblical revelation. Dr. DeHaan writes clearly about both technical topics and the Bible, so that a novice in either may understand him. He teaches and preaches Christianity so that all may understand it. I recommend this book, although some of the science is outdated since the book was written in 1943. Also some of the Biblical interpretations and applications may not be agreed to by everyone; but these are twigs, minor issues, compared to the trunk of the tree, Jesus Christ.

I finally read "Confessions" by Saint Augustine. That was one of my goals for the year and it took me the whole year to plow through the book. Augustine's approach is to provide endless detail on every one of his temptations and it took me a long time to cope with his obsession for detail and analysis. Once he was converted and began to relate what he knew of the Bible (about half way through the book), it became much more interesting to me, for I am much more familiar with the Bible than I am with the various heresies of the Manicheans, of which Augustine was once a disciple.

Augustine provides good insight into the Bible, particularly Genesis, as well as giving insight about the Trinity. Some of the things I had recently learned about Genesis (over the last 15 years--that's recent for me!) from other people Augustine teaches in this book.

Overall, this was a good way to end this year, reading the last 25 pages of this book. If you wish to read it, be patient. Look up the scriptures he cites, if you don't know them, and read an article or book about the Manicheans before you read his book.

Oh, Augustine. He's an interesting character, no?