Book Description
A classic dog story, told by one of America's best writers.
Customer Reviews:
Nop's Trials: One of The Most Excellent Books I Have Ever Read.......2006-03-05
Nop's Trials, by Donald McCaig, is a heart-warming story of Lewis Burkholder's prize border collie, who is stolen while wandering a bit to far with the puppy. He is then, of course abused by redneck Grady Gumm, who is later killed in the end of the story. Nop, the main character, is then transported all over the place by dog abusers, dog lovers, dog haters, and dog users. This is a story where you will be happy at some times, be sad, cry, and feel the pain of Lewis' determined journey to find his best friend, Nop. If you havn't read this story, I reccommend you read it now!!
AWESOME book.......2005-11-20
If you have or are thinking of getting a border collie this book will give you insight (good and bad) into their head. They aren't like other dogs...but I saw my border collies in "Nop". Excellent way of explaining and describing factual things that sprinkle through this book. If you liked the Lad books of old; Lassie Come Home and others you'll like this book. Highly recommended for dog lovers.
Horrified!.......2005-03-17
Being the dog lover I am, and living with two amazing border collies, I had high HOPES for this book. However, after getting only to page 44, I felt sick and horrified! I couldn't believe I was actually reading this. This is by far the worst book I can remember, and I will not spend anymore time discussing it. My only hope is that I can save someone else from wasting time and dealing with such agony.
Heartwarming but heartbreaking.......2003-04-25
This is a fantastic book for dog lovers, and Border Collie fans in particular. Written in a very readable style, with subtle humor and warmth, it is hard to put down. I especially liked the insights into the thoughts of the individual dogs, and their "conversations". It is very obvious that the author both loves and understands dogs. However, I did find some scenes concerning the abuse of dogs to be highly upsetting, even though the actual abuse was not generally graphic but the results were obvious. To be made aware that people treat animals so inhumanely left me feeling very distressed although the book, as a whole, was wonderful.
For Dog & Animal Lovers.......2003-02-21
I first read a condensed version of this story years ago, and it haunted me. I had to learn what I was missing and was highly pleased recently to attain a copy of this complete book for my very own. McCaig writes in a very simplistic, to the point style which flows smoothly and quickly, telling a story of how an honest, hardworking farm man loses his newest stockdog in an unfortunate series of events which only seem to bring the two even closer together at the end. Nop's trials describe not only Border Collie stockdog trials--herding sheep and such for prizes--but the trials he must endure just surviving, wondering if he will ever see his master again or work again on his farm. It is intriguing to note that while you may occasionally "hear" what the dog's point of view is, he is speaking in his own dog language which humans may interpret or misinterpret as they will. A great read for any age, there are a few disturbing scenes described which may upset very young or particularly zealous animal lovers of any kind. Overall, this book deserves its place with all the other great animal stories like Watership Down, Tailchaser's Song, Firebringer, White Fang, The Black Stallion, and The Plague Dogs.
Book Description
The sequel to Nop's Trials, about a woman and her remarkable border collie
Customer Reviews:
Excellent writing.......2007-03-09
Donald McCaig is an excellent writer. He just contributed a new introduction to "Adam's Task: Calling Animals by Name," by Vicki Hearne. The whole book is worth reading, but the intro is the icing on the cake. If you are an animal trainer, an animal lover, or just a Donald McCaig fan, it's definitely worth checking out.
Couldn't put it down........2007-02-12
This is a must read but an emotional ride. Be prepared. A fine and exhausting story. I was up all night with it and loved it. Not a dissapointment. You become so tied to this dog that you can't put the book down.
Very engaging and throroughly enjoyable.
A Book for Border Collie Lovers.......2006-10-30
I purchased and read this book because my wife and I have a 2 year old border collie that we have raised from practically birth. We do not work her in herding events or agility at this time, but understand what her breed is all about. Due to this, I struggled to identify with the show events in the book, but really enjoyed the story of the bond between pet and person. Some of the story was a bit cheesy to me, but I felt overall the book was very worth reading and provided much insight into the bond with border collies and the show curcuit. I also enjoy how this book lets the dog have a voice of sorts in the book. I would recommend this book for dog lovers and especially border collie lovers such as myself.
Get Hooked on Border Collies and Sheepherding Trials.......2004-10-15
Mr. McCaig's writing evokes the hardscrabble lot of the book's characters, human and canine, and it grips the reader's attention until the end.
Through descriptions of farm life and sheepherding trials, the author traverses excruciating pain, redeemed finally by the love a man has for his daughter and her Border Collie.
Mr. McCaig thoroughly understands Border Collies, sheepherding trials, and people. He is personally active in the sheepherd trial community; his experience imbues his story with realism.
More trials, more hope for Penny.......2003-04-25
I found this book very touching. I felt an enormous sense of compassion for Penny and understood her frantic efforts to escape from her overwhelming grief. Although her choices seemed very foreign to me, I felt that I could empathize with her. She often seemed blind to others and their needs, and their efforts to help her, because her own hurts were so enormous. But, her wonderful dog, Hope, was marvelous and, like dogs tend to be, nonjudgemental. Penny's mistakes were realistic, and I think she finally learned from them. The dawning of her ability to move on and begin a new life at the end of the book was sensitively done in the author's easy-reading and unpretentious style. I found this a book for reading over and over again. It did not leave me with the disturbing images that Nop's Trials did.
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Nop's Trials
Donald McCaig
Manufacturer: Crown Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000INX1FU |
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Nop's Trials
Donald McCaig
Manufacturer: Quality Paperback
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 5960079658 |
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Nop's Trials
Donald McCaig
Manufacturer: Warner Books Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KY2EJQ |
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Nop's Trials
Donald McCaig
Manufacturer: Lyons & Burford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SAVJQ6 |
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Nop's Trials
Donald McCaig
Manufacturer: Recorded Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: B000J6GERI |
Product Description
Unabridged on 7 tapes.
Product Description
Four novels condensed into one volume.
Book Description
THE LEGEND
In the 18th Dynasty of Egypt, there was born a love that could never be broken - that of a young queen and a great warrior. And while the warrior's duty to combat the infidel was strict, and though his beloved was the wife of pharaoh, the two would be separated only by death. And then only for a time.
THE LOVERS
Elizabeth Summers came to the dig at Akhetaten in 1892. Great things were being discovered! English archaeologists had made huge advances and Egypt's fantastic history was being laid bare. But Elizabeth was not destined to simply study history - she was to be a part of it. Swept away by desert raiders, the pale beauty found herself in the arms of a great sheikh. And while Elizabeth didn't know whether she was the reincarnation of an ancient queen, she realized that in this man's arms she had found her destiny.
Customer Reviews:
Great New Author.......2005-02-08
I really enjoyed this book by Bonnie Vanak....it is original and the characters are so different. The heroine in this novel is an adventureous out to discover treasure in a foreign land, the hero is of an ancient tribe bound to protect the treasure. When the hero sets out to protect the tomb of his ancestors and the characters meet,the chemistry is explosive. To protect the integrity of the tomb, he kidnaps our heroine who is being blackmailed into excavating more than she should. The passion between the two is hotter than the surrounding desert and of course, they can't resist each other. Ms. Vanak will be on my must read list from now on.
Delightful read!.......2004-10-12
I just finished this book, and now I'm off to look for other books by Bonnie Vanak. This is the first Egyptian historical I've read, and I want more!
Mystically Exciting.......2003-10-04
Setting - Egypt 1892 - American Elizabeth Summers has always wanted to be accepted as an archaeologist. She travels to Egypt with two purposes in mind - one to meet with her Uncle on an archaeological dig and the other to find a cure for her sick grandmother. Elizabeth had found an old papyrus that told of a special artifact, the Almha, that contained special writings for a cure. Unfortunately, being a woman, she would only be assigned the mundane tasks of cataloguing the findings.
Sheik Jabari and his desert warriors were honor bound to keep the Almha safe from infidels and routinely send warriors to the dig to monitor their activities. During a raid to frighten off the workers Jabari is first introduced to Elizabeth who has just arrived. Jabari overcome at seeing this beautiful, blond, and brave woman among the diggers soon decides, that because he understands English better, he is best suited to discover what is going on. He goes undercover pretending to be a worker and also to discover just what it is about Elizabeth that attracts him.
With what appears to be a mystical connection to the long dead queen who originally hid the Almha, Elizabeth realizes where the artifact is hidden and attempts to unearth it. Jabari, discovering her about to unearth the Almha, and rather than kill her on the spot, as tradition would dictate, abducts her so that the artifact remains hidden and brings her to his harem. Although, there exists a strong attraction between Elizabeth and Jabari to begin with, when he sees a dove shaped birthmark on her, he believes that she is the reincarnation of Queen Kiya, whom the ancient prophecy claims that one day she would return. He knows that for the good of his people he must marry her - but more than that - for himself as she's captured his heart.
This is a fast-paced tale that hooks the reader from the first chapter when Jabari sees Elizabeth among the excavators. The story is fast-paced and loaded with action and stimulating dialog, and a plethora of interesting and colorful secondary characters. The love developed between the lead protaganists is wonderfully and sensually done and the mystical reincarnation aspect is a unique touch that simply adds more enjoyment to this wonderful love story as East meets West. Tension and suspense leading up to the conclusion in the final chapters will leave you fully satisfied with this fabulous read and leave you yearning for more and looking forward to the next tale in this series.
Hot and sensual paranormal romance.......2003-05-23
In 1892, Elizabeth Summers travels to the Egyptian desert to join her uncle on an archeological dig in the ancient city of Akhetaten. She desperately wants to find the Almha, a large gold disk supposedly buried in the ancient city; it purportedly possesses strong powers and ancient remedies. She needs the disk to hopefully find a cure for her grandmother's tuberculosis; however, her uncle wants it for an entirely different reason. Despite her vast knowledge of the Egypt's 18th Dynasty, her uncle will only allow her to assist in the cataloging of the dig site's discoveries. Possessing a papyrus she found in her grandmother's attic and strange images/memories she does not understand, Elizabeth sets out on a secret dig where she not only locates the Almha but meets her destiny in fulfilling an ancient prophecy.
Jabari bin Tarik Hassid, Sheik of the Kahmsin warriors, is a descendant of a long line of warriors sworn to guard the Almha from discovery and destroy any efforts to unearth the disk. Posing as a field worker (Asim) to spy on the "infidels", Jabari soon finds he cannot deny the strong attraction he feels for Elizabeth. When she unearths the Almha, he cannot find the strength to follow his tribe's tradition and destroy her, so he spirits her away to his harem to spare her life. Overcome by his lust he sets out to seduce her only to find out she is not only his fated bride but possibly the answer to his tribe's prayers.
I highly recommend reading this enchanting love story full of romance, sensuality and adventure. Bonnie Vanack demonstrates a true skill in making her characters not only human but humorous as well. I really enjoyed the plot, found it well-paced and the dialogue between Jabari and Elizabeth had me chuckling at the idiosyncrasies of Middle Eastern men and "modern" British women. The secondary characters, Uncle Nahid, Nkosi (Jabari's grandfather), Badra (a member of Jabari's harem) and Nazim (Jabari's best friend) not only made the story well rounded but added another key piece to this wonderful tale. I can't wait to read Nazim's story, "For A Warrior's Heart", currently in the works based on Bonnie's website. Happy reading!
A romance you'll dig!.......2002-11-16
The Falcon and the Dove tells the story of Jabari, a warrior sheikh, and Elizabeth, an American archeologist, who, at the turn of the 19th century, play out a love story that began during the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. Weaving fact and fiction, author Bonnie Vanak takes readers on an exciting journey into a foreign land and time to offer the familiar thrill of romance fiction. And she does it with strong characters, snappy dialog, a sense of humor and, of course, lots of steamy romance.
Although the hero and heroine have much ground to cover to find each other (and like each other!)it's a trip well worth taking.
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The Falcon and the Dove
Manufacturer: Harlequin Historical
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 0373304099 |
Average customer rating:
- VERY good novel!
- A Great Read
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The Falcon & the Dove (Masquerade Large Print)
Paula Marshall
Manufacturer: Chivers North Amer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books
Romance | Large Print | Formats | Books
ASIN: 0263135497 |
Customer Reviews:
VERY good novel!.......2004-06-22
I agree absolutely with the other reviewer. This book is hard to put down. It's not full of sex; it's sensual & it's got a really loveable hero & heroine.
Piero takes the heroine, Bianca, as a wife, though he doesn't love her, but the way he helps her to grow into a strong, determined woman worthy of BEING loved, becomes more important than the fact that he doesn't love her initially. And then when he does fall in love with her -- well, you just have to read it yourself, to discover the brilliance of this resolution. Paula Marshall is a wonderful author and this is, simply, a great romance.
A Great Read.......2002-06-07
This is a great book by Paulla Marshall. It tells the story of Bianca and Piero. Bianca is a plain Jane and Piero is a handsome young Commander. It follows their married life and the difficulties they face in their path to true love. Bianca is a great heroine who has to disguise herself as a boy, by order of her husband, to survive the day to day livings in an army camp. The book is full of adventure and one of the best historical romances I've ever read.
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Falcon and the Dove (Dales Romance Library)
Jeanne Montague
Manufacturer: Ulverscroft Large Print
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books
Romance | Large Print | Formats | Books
ASIN: 1853896829 |
Book Description
In nearly two dozen novels about the Humanx Commonwealth, Alan Dean Foster has fascinated readers with his brilliantly imagined interstellar realm–where humans, thranx, AAnn, and other species strive to work together to put the common good above selfish ends. But renewed efforts at cooperation prove that familiarity breeds contempt. Diuturnity’s Dawn is the third thrilling novel in The Founding of the Commonwealth, a spectacular space adventure that traces the perilous early years of this remarkable universe.
From the beginning, while sharing the Orion Arm of the galaxy, contact between humankind and the thranx has been tenuous at best. Yet nearly a century after first contact, the likelihood of closer human/thranx relations is as far away as ever. Humans still find these insectlike beings physically repulsive, a distaste the thranx return in kind. At times the cordial veneer barely conceals the suspicion and distrust boiling just below the surface.
Yet idealists on both sides refuse to surrender their dreams of achieving a thranx/human alliance. Among the most dedicated are a minor diplomat named Fanielle Anjou and her thranx counterpart. Others intend to make sure such a liaison never comes to pass . . . by any means necessary.
For these xenophobes, the upcoming Humanx Inter-Cultural Fair, the first wholly cross-species event, is a hideous confirmation of their worst fears. Zealots on both sides vow it will be the last of its kind, no matter how many must die. In the coming conflagration Fanielle holds the key to triumph but only if she can outwit those desperate to silence her forever.
Meanwhile, on a faraway planet, the duplicitous AAnn watch intently as archaeologists labor to discover what happened to an advanced human race that perished thousands of years ago. For the answers contain grave consequences for human, thranx, and AAnn alike . . .
Customer Reviews:
good read for commonwealth fans.......2003-03-10
Diuturnity's Dawn contains many familiar elements found in ADF's previous commonwealth books. Never figured out what Diuturnity meant. Fringe fanatic groups bent on death and destruction, ancient alien archaeology hinting at an approaching great evil force, heroic female diplomat committed to bringing humanity and thranx together. All of that stuff was sorta boring actually. But the book was saved by ADF's introduction of the United Church... I love those guys! ADF didn't devote enough of the book to the Church and its founding, but he does include a couple of chapters that follow two of the first padres of the United Church, Briann and his thranx brother, as they spread the gospel of the Church and deal with the terrorists. I think the best part of the Flinx books were when Flinx traveled w/ Bran Tse Mallory and his thranx buddy, the two United Church Peace Enforcers. One especially memorable part in, I think it was Orphan Star? or maybe Tar Aiym Krang, dealt w/ Bran Tse Mallory's flashback to when he and his thranx bro were paired up in a Stingership fighter.
anyways, if for nothing else, Diuturnity's Dawn is well worth grabbing for the few chapters that it deals with the beginnings of the United Church.
The Founding: Book Three.......2002-10-15
Long after coming to learn that they have more in common than outward appearances would hint at, as well as having joined together to fight a common foe (the Pitar), the Human/Thranx now must fight the most dangerous of enemy. Themselves.
Xenophobe Isolationist Extremists, both Thranx and Human, join together (the irony is not overlooked) to try and destroy the tightening bonds of the growing Commonwealth movement. Meanwhile, on a recently settled planet, unwitting humans are under attack from the devious AAnn. The Terrorist threats eventually dovetail, but sadly to do not come together as well as might have.
ADF's final book in his Founding Trilogy is funny and entertaining, but lacks an energetic spark. His fans should enjoy it, but the tale could have been more.
A Pre-emptive Book Review.......2002-02-28
Amazon says that I'll be the first person to review this book! How can I pass on an opportunity like that? How is it possible to review a book you have never read? I don't know but I'll give it a try.
I gave this book 4 stars based on his many other books set in the "Commonwealth", mainly the Flinx series and the first 2 books in this particular series, all of which I have read. I like Alan Dean Fosters' writing. His work is consistent with strong character development and good plot pacing.
The "Commonwealth " series concentrates on the early days of Human / Thranx contact and those events which shaped the formation of the "Commonwealth".
I have found this author to be entertaining regardless of the genre he is writing in and have yet to be disappointed with one of his books. Allthough his books written in series can stand alone, my recommendation is to check out books 1 and 2 of this series.
I am buying this book as soon as I finish this review.
SKM
Amazon.com
Though a spate of religious quest books have appeared in recent years, Johnson's book is neither a search for the historical Jesus nor a quasi-mystical personal odyssey. Johnson, it seems, is perfectly happy with the faith of his father and as accustomed to the Catholic Church "as a much-loved old teddy bear or a favorite armchair or a smelly old favorite dog." A journalist and historian, Johnson has written an apologia in which he answers such basic questions as "What is God, then?" and "Is there an alternative to God?" His answers surprise, provoke, and even provide comfort.
Book Description
In this probing, challenging and personal account of his feelings about God and religion, Paul Johnson shares with others the strength and comfort of his own faith. Informed by his great knowledge of history, The Quest for God is written with force, lucidity and eloquence by the author of Intellectuals, Modern Times, A History of the Jews and other works.
Customer Reviews:
One Jewish reader comments .......2005-07-27
I do not really have any interest in Catholic doctrine. Many of the subjects Johnson writes about I know little or nothing about.
But what I did find in the book is a deep personal quest of an individual to be in relation with a personal God. I found the story of this quest and of Johnson's faith instructive and illuminating.
I think that anyone who takes the idea of a personal God seriously will be able to learn from this work.
I contrast this work by the way with the much touted work of Karen Armstrong who however much she writes about God reveals only her disbelief.
Johnson is a person of religious faith and this work is one the reading of which will I am certain inspire and deepen the religious faith of others.
Structured religion vs. identity-cause "new religions".......2005-05-15
Johnson's belief comes down to this: "Conscience exists" and who else could have put it there but God? (p.3/66) "Without God death is horrific." (p.32) With God, death can be seen to have meaning, a purpose, and a hope. Humanists made their case against religion, peaking in the 1880s, offering an alternitive view. Prometheans viewed belief in religion, in theological religion as the "enemy of mankind". (p.19) Johnson states that environmentalism, racial politics, anti-globalization et al. are modern claimants herein; as alternitives to religion, filling the vacumn in the hearts and souls of the members of these movements left by the waning within themselves of formal religion. (p.84) Society doesn't evince the restraints it once did as much anymore, consequently. Johnson laments this, arguing that only structured religion can impose these restraints in human appetities. (p.23) Persistance in prayer is the essence of supplication. (p.185) That's why churches and their spires were so big and tall amidst peoples communities. They were designed to instill awe in those same people as well as being erected to "show the glory of God". (p.75) But toward what end? Judism is about moral behavior too, the author admits, but since Jews reject Jesus he rejects their religion as an equel to his own. He respects others religions, he says, but nevertheless is in favor of converting everyone to Catholicism. People desire structure in their lives, Johnson states, but the Catholic church can only offer such structure if it adheres to strict historical religious doctrine: anti-abortion, maintaining celibacy for priests, etc. Although this, at least in part, has accounted for its decline, paradoxically. How to solve this conundrum, though, is not addressed by the author. In the meantime a fair number of people are embracing, in Johnson's view, seemingly alternitive religions such as those existing under the banner of anti-globalization, militant environmentalism, and other such causes. It used to be that those individuals inclined toward such structure as offered by religious belief embraced fascism or marxism when conventional religions failed them in some way. Now such individuals embrace crusades against globalization and/or in support of militant environmentalist causes. Johnson acknowedges that fewer and fewer people in western countries practice their religion, but takes solace that "the number of those prepared to state their disbelief in God openly and specifically is minute." (p.2) It's as if people have had their thoughts of heaven stilled, in some measure, while retaining some of the fear that hell was seemingly designed to instill in individuals. Hence the attraction of utopian political systems, anti-globalization and militant environmentalist movements. It's not particularly rational to embrace such, but then again neither is religious belief inherently rational. But we have had increasingly more of the former (especially in Europe of late) owing to the perceived failure of ecclesiastical religion to remain as relevent as Mr. Johnson, among others, would desire it to be in our world of today. Thanks for considering my thoughts on this book. God bless.
What the World Needs Now ..........2003-06-07
...
It is no accident that this unapologetic blow for conservative Catholicism was written by a layman. The same spring that saw HarperCollins release The Quest for God saw Oxford University Press publish academic Steven Pals' Seven Theories of Religion. All but one (Mircea Eliade) of the theorists Pals discusses see religion as dependent on some other phenomenon. That means that they have not so much a theory of religion, as a theory of x, whereby x is NOT religion. Religion then becomes so much "garbage," as when computer scientists speak of "GIGO: garbage in, garbage out." Religion, politics, accounting, sports: Same difference.
Not so, says Paul Johnson, who goes to great lengths to make clear that only God is God. In a time when militant secularists insist on seeing God as a front for politics, Johnson says, "No! There is no substitute for the real thing." According to Johnson, it is the secularists who are deluding themselves with God-substitutes, which he sees as the cause of the twentieth century's genocidal history.
Although Johnson begins a bit pompously, and even weirdly, with some bad science, after the first two chapters this book becomes quite charming, exhibiting a droll sense of humor and, at times, a refreshing modesty. However, to appreciate Johnson's modesty, one must be able to countenance the notion that a belief in moral absolutes can accommodate tolerance towards those with whom one disagrees on doctrine. Thus, if you believe that all values (or principles or virtues) are relative; have an absolute contempt for anyone who disagrees with you; and third, believe in showing "no tolerance for the intolerant!," then this book is probably not for you. If, on the other hand, you are at all curious about Catholicism; you feel that unlimited access to abortion on demand for young girls, and detailed, public school instruction in safe "fisting" by the Gay Men's Health Crisis are not quite the answers to what ails us; or if you have deep spiritual yearnings, then you could do worse than devote a day or so to The Quest for God.
While barely 200 pages long, and written by a popular historian used to having closer to one thousand oversized pages to get the job done, Quest... is an incredibly meaty -- but not overstuffing -- meal. In summing up his own life and work, Johnson recalls his childhood, the famous and not-so-famous whose paths he has crossed, and tells quite a bit of church and secular history. The personal anecdotes and capsule histories, often coming from his historical studies, all bear on Johnson's quest(ion): How does one live, and die, in the proper Christian manner?
There is much of philosophical substance here, yet Johnson is at once both more personal and more philosophical than most academic texts I see on philosophy of religion. The successors to the social gospel, whether feminists, Afrocentrists, or even gay activists, see in religion no more than a worldly, political tool. Some sharp, less politicized minds, on the other hand, offer merely arid analysis; both sides seem to have lost sight of the prize. Johnson hasn't. And so, his philosophical considerations are guided always by the same, simple consideration: How best may I serve God, and thereby, hope to attain Heaven?
If you're a Christian, that's what it's all about. Of course, it may well be harder for a Catholic to keep matters in perspective, as a 2000-year-old tradition of bad theology has rejoiced in complicating matters. With great good humor, Johnson seeks to explain some of these complications as briefly as possible without needlessly confusing or alienating the reader.
"Catholicism - the Holy Roman Catholic Church - Rome - the Scarlet Woman - the Whore of Babylon -- has no terrors for me because I am as used to it as a much-loved old teddy bear or a favorite armchair or a smelly old favorite dog.... I have, as it were, been married to the church all my life and am used to her ways, be they slatternly or tiresome, noble, loving, admirable, foolish or insupportable.... I have a fondness for old institutions which have high pretensions but are also timeworn and manipulable, theoretically rigid but in practice accommodating, which demand everything but will settle in practice for less, often much less."
In sixteen brief chapters, Johnson tussles with contemporary conflicts and perennial problems: The challenges of atheism, feminism, environmentalism and gay activism; the nature of God; the problem of evil; the consequences of there possibly being other rational beings in the cosmos; the roles of dogma and authority, respectively, in the Church; the relationship of Christians to Jews; death; Judgment Day; Hell; Heaven; and the role of prayer. Finally, he has appended some prayers he has composed for the reader's possible inspiration and use.
Johnson notes, early on, that "the most extraordinary thing about the twentieth century was the failure of God to die." He believes that, rather than costing men their faith, the atrocities of the twentieth century actually turned them towards God.
The biggest problem I have with The Quest for God is with Johnson's insistence in the one moment that God is inconceivable in terms of petty, human emotions, and his description in the next of God as "angry" or "impatient." If even Paul Johnson confounds the human with the godly, no wonder the rest of us are so confused!
Informative but confusing mix of seemingly incongruous views.......2002-10-07
was great in the first fifty pages. Johnson
shows clear-headed thinking and tears apart many of the destructive
forces in our world, Feminism being one of the many. Like Chesterton
before him, Johnson (up to this point in the book at least)
does not let trendy thinking and popular
ideology cloud his judgement. All seemed well and good until about
a quarter of the way through, where he
turns about face and calls himself a Feminist;
promulgates ordaining of female priests; and denounces meat eating,
since we have so many wonderful substitutes for meat given
the advances in food science, etc. (I can't for the life of
me imagine what kind of food he is referring to but it
doesn't sound as delicious as a good pork chop or
even a hamburger). Nevertheless Johnson is a brilliant scholar,
and his knowledge of Western civilization is profound and
almost always helps us to enrich our knowledge.
As for the commendable parts of
his book I would cite two: 1. as a means of comprehending
the experiences of a British Catholic; and 2. his illumination, a la C.S. Lewis, of some
of the deeper meanings of Christian life.
On the other hand it is a big mistake to consider him
a conservative Catholic. For while
his thinking is soundly orthodox (small 'o') Christian on some issues,
it is brazenly contra-Magisterium on others.
Good if taken on it's own terms.......2002-07-20
Perhaps the negative reviewers neglected to read Johnson's prefatory remarks: he doesn't claim to be a theologian nor is he out to convert others to his singular Christianity. He merely explains his beliefs. And he does so with his usual verve.
Imagine praying to Sammuel Johnson or Jane Austen for intercession!(Perhaps he will convince you.) Read the book to understand the author not the Catholic faith. Oh, and big surprise, Johnson doesn't approve of homosexuality. But give him a chance to explain his views. He's not the beast some of the more touchy reviewers make him out to be.
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Eves Pilgrimage: A Woman's Quest for the City of God
Tina Beattie
Manufacturer: Burns & Oates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0860123235 |
Books:
- Not a Sparrow Falls
- Pavilion of Women
- Perfume Legends: French Feminine Fragrances
- Pocketful of Names
- Queenmaker: A Novel of King David's Queen
- Sam's Letters to Jennifer
- Short Cuts: Selected Stories
- Slowness: A Novel
- Speak Rwanda: A Novel
- Star Bright!: A Christmas Story
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
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- El Asesinato de Tutankamon: La Verdadera Historia
- Doing Business with Libya
- Sanfords Guide to Brush-McCoy Pottery Book-2
Nop's Hope: A Novel by the Author of Nop's Trials
Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men: Searching through Scotland for a Border Collie
A Useful Dog
Running to the Mountain: A Midlife Adventure
An American Homeplace (Virginia Bookshelf)
