Amazon.com
Thanks to the big screen, Evan Connell may be best known for Mr Bridge and Mrs Bridge, his-and-hers novels in which he recorded the tribulations of a Midwestern family. But Connell is no mere purveyor of WASPish minimalism. His greatest accomplishment to date is probably Son of the Morning Star, an account of Custer's foolish and fatal engagement at Little Big Horn, and Deus lo Volt! is cut from a similar historical cloth. This time, however, Connell has chosen a lengthier (and bloodier) conflict for his subject: Christendom's crusade against the Muslims.
Pope Urban set this so-called holy war in motion in 1095, when he urged a vast army to reclaim Jerusalem from those "Turks, Persians, Arabs, accursed, estranged from God, that have laid waste by fire and sword to the walls of Constantinople, to the Arm of Saint George." In no time at all, entire nations obliged him:
Does not a wheel turn slowly at first? Now faster, faster. Knights mortgaged their estates, great or small, farmers sold their plows, artisans their tools, each after his fashion preparing to liberate the Holy Land. Some who felt reluctant or undecided got unwelcome gifts to express contempt, a knitting needle, a distaff. Meanwhile the clerics of France distributed swords, staves, pilgrim wallets.
Rallying to the cry of Deus lo volt! ("God wills it!"), these liberators threw themselves at the ramparts of Jerusalem for nearly 200 years. The sheer duration of the conflict would tax the skills of almost any traditional novelist, which probably explains why Connell has instead produced a quasi-medieval chronicle--one of those kitchen-sink creations in which mighty battles lie cheek by jowl with domestic anecdotes, historical background, character sketches, and an abundance of miracles. His prose echoes the language of the period without ever lapsing into Prince Valiant-style mannerism, and the result is a fascinating hybrid of scholarship and swordplay. At times the carnage defies belief: "Here were Angevins and Normans thrusting through eyes, through mouths, chopping off hands or feet, so many Turks dropping that pilgrims stumbled over heaps of bodies on the sand." Among other things, however, Deus lo Volt! is an astonishing episode in the history of ethnic cleansing, which makes it not only a medieval epic but a disturbingly modern one. --Bob Brandeis
Book Description
From the best-selling author of Son of the Morning Star and Mrs. Bridge comes a magisterial tale of a great and terrible campaign, recounting one soldier's experiences of the defining war of Christendom.
"God wills it!" The year is 1095 and the most prominent leaders of the Christian world are assembled in a meadow in France. Deus lo volt! This cry is taken up, echoes forth, is carried on. The Crusades have started, and wave after wave of Christian pilgrims rush to assault the growing power of Muslims in the Holy Land. Two centuries long, it will become the defining war of the Western world.
"Magnificent stuff. Readers who have already been captivated by Connell's departures from conventional fictional form will be eager to follow him down this curious and remarkable book's intricate, pristine, and illuminating path." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"As presented by Connell, the medieval mind is a promiscuous mix of piety and brutality... Connell's antiquarian 'forgery,' which is in the line of novels like Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian, is a great feat of historical empathy." -Publishers Weekly
Customer Reviews:
Did not finish.......2007-09-01
I put this item on my wish list, purchased it in another book store, and finally got to read it. Only to be thoroughly disappointed with it. I was expecting something along the lines of a knight telling of his own experiences in the Crusades. Unfortunately, the author attempted to novelize the entire era without giving the reader a character to center his/her attention. I got extremely bored and had to quit reading it.I Set Before You This Day makes better recreational reading.
All Historical Books Should Be This Way.......2006-04-07
This book is great. I think of it as being the "Anabasis of the Crusaders".
The older style of english in this book is really simple to read, and its great how well all of the history is tied together in this narrative without ever getting sidetracked.
If you need a very good book to show you this history of the crusades as they were, this is the book.
Any movie based off of the Crusades should be built from this book.
The barbarism of the Christian Jihad in this book is far worse than I ever imagined. People can whine and cry about this book all that they want, and say that the author has certain biased views.
It doesnt matter, the book is objective and it tells the truth.
This is the best written historical book that Ive ever read, and it reminds me of the Anabasis of Xenophon, or the one by Arrian.
I thought it interesting how during the first crusade as the pilgrims were besieging the walls of Jerusalem, the Saracens inside were walking around with banners with Muhammad on them =)
a rollicking good ride with an authentic voice.......2006-01-04
This book is very entertaining. It took me about four tries to get through it, but I kept coming back for more. Since characters come and go over the more than a century and a half sweep of this narrative and there is no simple overarching plot, it doesn't suffer much from such sporadic reading, particularly if you have some prior knowledge of the history it covers.
Deus Lo Volt doesn't whitewash or demonize the history of the Crusades. It shows fools, villians, and flawed characters, but it also shows heroic and pious characters (such as the saintly King Louis IX). The brilliant device of using a 13th century crusader (with unexplained access to everything written about previous crusades by Christian or Mohammedan chroniclers) as the narrator adds a ring of authenticity and allows it to take, at least on the surface, a frankly and unawkwardly pro-Christian tone. What the real author's historical judgement is, whether he sympathizes with or means to mock the narrator's perspective of Faith and desire for Christianity to survive in the Holy Land, thus becomes irrelevant. Spared the prospects of either heavy-handed modernist moralizing and revisionist history or apologetics and romanticizing, we can just enjoy a rollicking good ride through an exciting period of history filled with colorful characters, gritty details, and amazing anecdotes. I only wish Ridley Scott had allowed us to have this much unpoliticized fun at the movies.
Incidentally, I've read a couple of history books on the Crusades and recognized many of the events related in this book. So, although Connell doesn't give sources or make any strong claims, I can believe Deus lo Volt!, at least in all of its main features, is basically history collected and presented in the form of an entertaining, novel-like chronical, rather than being historical fiction. If many of the asides and exotic anecdotes are fabricated, they sure are imaginative and enjoyable.
Enjoyable historical fiction.......2005-06-06
I liked it, and it kept my interest throughout. I was on a Crusades reading binge, and found this one of the more interesting books on that important two centuries of turmoil. If you like historical fiction, this is worth the read. Connell, I read somewhere, said that virtually the whole book is excerpts from translated accounts of crusaders and others of the period, so that he does not himself regard it as a volume of fiction; but it reads that way, and is quite enjoyable.
Interesting, but I prefer Agori's novel.......2003-04-12
This book relies on the traditional view of the Crusades. Too bad. The novel Defenders of the Holy Grail (with its great songs) relates more to current research and ties Jesus' family to the Crusader effort. Connell write well, but his "facts" are suspect. remember the Pope back then was whoever was strongest in Rome, and Godfrey's own uncle had been one of the Popes!! Get this, but get a copy of Defenders also.
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Deus Lo Volt! -Chronicle of the Crusades
Evan S. Connell
Manufacturer: Washington DC: Counterpoint Press, 2000
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0436205440 |
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Deus Lo Volt!
Evan S Connell
Manufacturer: Secker And Warburg
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PDBEC0 |
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- Delicious
- Good Stuff
- Yummy recipes; beautiful book; a little pedantic
- Great!
- Not One Bad Recipe
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Vegetarian Sandwiches: Fresh Fillings for Slices, Pockets, Wraps, and Rolls
Paulette Mitchell
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Sandwiches (Quick & Easy Series) (Quick & Easy (Silverback))
ASIN: 0811825019 |
Book Description
Goodbye, peanut butter and jelly! In this lively, easy-to-use cookbook, author Paulette Mitchell shares 75 recipes for delicious, healthy hand-held meals that will satisfy both vegetarians and omnivores alike. Think a veggie sandwich is just cheese and sprouts? Think again. Try brown-bagging it with Mexican Black-Bean Pitas, wowing a dinner party with elegant Pear Crostini, or satisfying a hungry crowd with Eggplant Parmesan Poor Boys. Plus, youÕll find great sandwich accompaniments such as Herbed Fresh Tomato-Carrot Soup and Potato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette. From tofu and tempeh to fresh veggies and grains, Vegetarian Sandwiches is a must-have for the lunchbox set.
Customer Reviews:
Delicious.......2007-08-01
This is a great little book - full of commonsense ideas for vegetarian fillings and delicious different fillings as well. I really like it and am glad I bought it.
Good Stuff.......2005-10-02
This recipe book is beautifully done, easy to read, and the pictures are great, too. I've only made one recipe - the Sweet Potato and Avacado Sandwich- easy to make and waaayyyy delicious!
Yummy recipes; beautiful book; a little pedantic.......2003-05-26
This is my second Paulette Mitchell book, and if you're an unsophisticated cook I'm sure the "Tips" she puts on every page will be helpful. I often find them somewhat patronizing, however - defining roma tomatoes, or describing spinach (!), or saying freshly ground pepper is better than pre-ground (well, duh), for example - really basic things like that. She seems to assume her readers are novices, as she did in her book "The 15-Minute Vegetarian Gourmet." Her recipes are great, though, and more sophisticated than her writing and those in her previous book. This book is gorgeous, and as a vegetarian I am always on the hunt for creative lunch ideas. She also has great ideas for preparing your pantry so you always have ingredients on hand to use in these recipes. All in all, a winner.
Great!.......2003-01-20
I had been looking for a book like this for awhile since on the weekends I like to throw together something for lunch but had been running out of ideas. This book got me going again. I love it! Everything I've tried has been great - vegetarians and non have liked everything I've made so far. There are some great spreads in here like the basil pesto, the hummus, the herb butter, the mushroom with almond spread, etc. These can be slathered on the bread and then just add veggies to that or you can do some of the full sandwiches like the Sweet Potato and Avocado sandwich, the grilled eggplant with olive/tomato spread sandwich, the dilled egg salad sandwich, veggie melts etc. Thumbs up on this one!
Not One Bad Recipe.......2001-10-09
In any cookbook, even the good ones, you can usually expect a few mediocre or outright terrible recipes. Not so with "Vegetarian Sandwiches." Every recipe I've tried is excellent. And best of all, the recipes are easy, quick and the ingredients are easy to find. Delicious!
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The Charitable Impulse: Ngos & Development in East & North-East Africa
Manufacturer: James Currey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1565491378 |
Book Description
This volume explores how development agencies are adapting to challenges, and particularly what issues face nongovernmental organizations.
Changes in the operational environment, specifically the growth in complex emergencies, have changed how NGOs work. The contributors, using case studies to illustrate their analysis, look at both development activity and war-related disaster relief to explore the limits and possibilities of the `charitable enterprise' for future humanitarian efforts. New key issues facing NGOs, such as the extent to which NGOs themselves are now a force in development, their subsidization by national governments, their role in promoting democracy and human rights, and their increasing work in conflict management, are explored.
This clear and highly readable book is aimed at students of international development and at those working in development agencies.
Amazon.com
Good news! Zebra Books is reissuing the early Shannon Drake classics. Fans will recognize Shannon (who also writes as Heather Graham and Heather Graham Possezzere) and her husband Dennis on the cover. This is the second time the couple have posed for one of Shannon's books. Beautifully written and incredibly complex, Ondine is set in England during the reign of Charles II. It offers readers everything from political intrigue, divided loyalties, treachery, and revenge, to sweet love and stronger bonds while weaving throughout the mythology of the undine water nymph as well as articulating the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.
Customer Reviews:
Complex plot that weaves through your imagination.......2007-02-20
I picked up this book at a used book store. I didn't have high hopes since I thought the cover was a bit cheesy, but to my pleasant surprise it turned out to be one of the best historical romances I've read.
Ondine is about to hang on the Tyburn Tree gallows (for poaching a deer) when she's unexpectedly rescued. Its traditional for the prisoners to be offered up in marriage as one last resort for reprieve before hanging. To her surprise the dashing and coldly handsome Count Warrick Chatham agrees to marry her. But unbeknownst to Ondine, Warrick marries her in order to use her as bait in a trap to catch the killer of his first wife Genevieve and their unborn child. In his mind, its ok to use Ondine in this dangerous game to catch a murderer, since she would have died anyway if he hadn't intervened. As clues unravel to the identity of the murderer, Ondine finds herself falling in love with her unexpected husband. But he doesn't seem to return her feelings as he's consumed by (she presumes) love for his first wife Geneive. I won't spoil the book by revealing who the murderer is but suffice it to say that when Warrick almost loses Ondine to the psychotic killer he realizes he loves her. However, Ondine believing her duty is done and that Warrick doesn't love her, flees his estate in order to exact some revenge of her own on the men who murdered her father, and also to clear her own name and that of her father's as traitors to the crown. Warrick loses his mind when he finds Ondine gone and travels to King Charles to demand her whereabouts from him. The King reveals Ondine's true identity as a duchess with a threat of treason hanging over her head. Warrick travels in disguise to keep an eye on Ondine and help her bring her father's murderers to justice and to clear her name. Eventually, everything gets worked out and they all live happily ever after. I loved how this book had so many plots and twists and turns, it kept me hooked. This is a book you won't be sorry you read.
READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY!!!.......2005-03-05
You will never find another historical romance as good as Ondine. With in depth characterization and a plot that is unlike any other romance novel I've ever read, this book is top notch. Also, this book shows that romance novels are not just women sighing over men, and men being barbarians, it shows that two people who love each other can and will work things out in the end, no matter how much they seem to hate each other in the beginning...or something like that....
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that Shannon Drake definately delivers with this extraordinary novel of romance and intrigue with a well thought out plot and great writing.
A Buried Treasure of a Read: Highly recommended.......2004-08-06
I did happen to read one other Shannon Drake novel that I couldn't put down: No Other Man. It was good but the other books in the series were too cliched and predictable. ONDINE is a great example of a book that has a nice balance of mystery, romance and intrique. I did like the fact that the couple seem to work together and communicate with each other and there didn't seem to be ridiculous plot contrivances for the sake of having one in the plot. I really enjoyed this novel and think it is a buried treasure of a read. Highly recommend this book.
Other authors I would recommend: Kathleen Eagle, Laura Kinsale, Connie Brockway and Judith Ivory.
Here's the Shannon Drake I'm used too..........2003-08-02
It seems to me that Shannon Drake is using the same plot in most of her books: heroine and hero are enemies, they are forced together, they fight for most of the book, and right when you are about to burn the book in frustration, they FINALLY realize that they love each other. A prime example of this is Princess of Fire.
Ondine, however, was, in my opinion, Drake's best book. It had a plot to it that supported the characters, versus a watered-down plot held together soley by the characters. It had the perfect mixture of plot, mystery, romance and history. There was character conflict, but not to the extent that she sometimes gets carried away to. I would definitely reccomend this book.
This book is my new favorite!!.......2003-05-08
What an excellent book! I had bought this book along with The King's Pleasure and was so disgusted with that book that I had to make myself pick up Ondine. But, am I glad that I did!! Now, this is the Shannon Drake that I am used to. What a beautiful love story! The love scenes were even touching. It left me wishing that the story would go on and on, but, then again maybe it is good that it ended when it did. I read the whole thing at work!! I couldn't help it, I couldn't put it down!!
Book Description
Combining the artistry of photographer Delilah Montoya with an informative introduction written by professor and librarian María Teresa Márquez, Women Boxers: The New Warriors explores the world of las malcriadas, those women who challenge society's views of femininity, violence, and physicality.
Montoya's photographs profile twelve powerful, devoted athletes who are taking advantage of the Women's Movement and the right to live, work, and box in a man's world. The boxers featured are from all over the United States, and include super bantamweight Jackie Chávez, holder of the IFBA Super Bantamweight Title, light middleweight Akondaye "Storm" Fountain, welterweight Christy "Coalminer's Daughter" Martin, and lightweight Mia "The Knockout" St. John, holder of the IBA Women's Lightweight Title and the IFBA Lightweight World Title.
The introductory essay succinctly traces the phenomenon of women boxers, noting that as early as 1728 boxing matches between women were reported in London newspapers. Since 1997, women's amateur boxing competitions have been held in Europe, Africa, and Asia; countries such as Egypt, India and Kazakhstan are among 28 countries represented in women's boxing organizations. And women's amateur boxing may be sanctioned soon for the first time as an Olympic sport.
In spite of the increased popularity of women's boxing, it remains controversial. Many still believe that women boxers are simply women who make a living by selling their bodies. Women boxers struggle to get televised matches and suitable prize money, and many boxing promoters refuse to support fights between female boxers.
With an essay by C. Ondine Chavoya tracing Montoya's artistic career, this is a rare and fascinating look at the sport of women's boxing.
Customer Reviews:
Great book on an underreported sports.......2007-06-12
Great action photographs; much needed recording of the lives of these under the radar athletes
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Ondine,: The story of a bird who was different
Maurice Machado Osborne
Manufacturer: Houghton, Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Children's Books | Subjects | Books | Baby-3 | Ages 4-8 | Ages 9-12 | Animals | Arts & Music | Books on Cassette | Books on CD | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Computers | Educational | History & Historical Fiction | Issues | Literature | Obsessions | People & Places | Popular Characters | Reference & Nonfiction | Religions | Science, Nature & How It Works | Series | Sports & Activities
ASIN: B0007E13E6 |
Customer Reviews:
"I'll show you the life of the mind!".......1998-07-07
Four short plays, seductive and fickle water nymphs with the visage of Audrey Hepburn, love that can animate sculpted statues, madwomen and the ghosts of those who've loved them... a universal celebration and recognition of small sacrifices and gestures hidden within grand tales of mythic proportions. Keep this book close for the rest of your eventful life.
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- new dimensions to Greek mythology
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Baby and Child Heroes in Ancient Greece (Traditions)
Corinne Ondine Pache
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
Greece | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0252029291 |
Customer Reviews:
new dimensions to Greek mythology.......2005-03-01
Baby and child figures in Greek mythology have been virtually ignored in favor of the outsized, colorful, or complex adult characters, But Pache--assistant professor of classics at Yale U.--discloses from research of Greek literary works and monuments, coins, vases, and other archaeological relics that young, often little more than infant, characters had an essential part in Greek mythology. Mostly, they represented "parental fears and sense of guilt" with regard to young children, including untimely deaths. In fact, where adult mythological figures were often related to a particular village or region, certain "child heroes...become Panhellenic figures at the center of some of the most important ancient religious festivals." In this study methodically and extensively covering previously neglected and in some cases previously unknown ground, Pache adds new dimensions to Greek mythology and its relation to the psychology and outlooks of the Greek classical civilization that is one of the primary sources of Western culture.
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- Thrilling read.
- Lovecraft stories too often overlooked
- HORROR AND FANTASY
- After Reading This, Who is Stephen King?
- Excellent "Lovecraftian" primer
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The Doom That Came to Sarnath (A Del Rey Book)
H.P. Lovecraft
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Lovecraft, H. P.
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ASIN: 0345331052
Release Date: 1991-09-13 |
Book Description
Calm yourself. There are 20 terrorizing short tales of mirth and murder awaiting your inspection, created by the master of horror, H.P. Lovecraft. Prepare for the fright of your life--it's within these pages....
Customer Reviews:
Thrilling read........2003-07-30
H.P lovecraft writes great horror stories and this is no exception he's probably one of the great horror story writers along with the likes of Poe. This book is made up of creative writing and conjours up distorted images in your head from the suspense that builds up to the climax toward the end. H.P Lovecraft's books tend to focus on the Horror/Fantasy genre and is the kind of horror material that involves creatures of a new breed and not so much a typical thriller story for example. The doom that came to sarnath definatley wipes the floor with alot of the modern horror stories that you see around and is an intense, shaded, wonderful, gripping book.
Lovecraft stories too often overlooked.......2002-03-11
This is a wonderful collection of some of Lovecraft's lesser known works, the majority of which come from his earlier writings. It is actually a pretty eclectic sampling of styles. One finds traditional horror, dream-enshrouded tales of unknown vistas, short "prose poems," collaborations with other writers, and even a science fiction story. While none of these stories can claim a place in the Cthulhu Mythos, several do presage its beginnings and offer glimpses of the universe of the Great Old Ones. "Nyarlathotep" introduces us to that dark god, "The Festival" refers to mouldy tomes such as the Necronomicon of the mad Arab Abdul Alhezred and offers us a glimpse of pagan practices, Polaris speaks of the Pnakotic manuscripts, and "The Nameless City" takes us deep underneath the desert sands to a forgotten abode of ancient, nonhuman creatures. Many of the tales take us to Dunsanian dream worlds where beauty and unearthly horror are separated by a veil of nothingness. "In the Walls of Eryx," cowritten with Kenneth Sterling, is very interesting in that it represents Lovecraft's only real foray into science fiction, a more than successful foray in my opinion. The only story I find less than first-rate is the tale "Imprisoned With the Pharoahs," a work ghost-written for Harry Houdini--passed off as a true story of the great magician's visit to Giza's pyramids; Houdini's presence as the protagonist makes the story seem forced and does not allow me to fully appreciate the elements of horror Lovecraft injects into the tale.
Lovecraft is, to some degree, an acquired taste, and for that reason I would not recommend this book for first-time readers. Any fan of Lovecraft will delight in these tales and mentally take note of every element that relates to the whole of his fiction, but the Lovecraft initiate may well become frustrated with the Dunsanian elements of many of these stories and may not fully appreciate the remarkable craftsmanship of the author; furthermore, the collaborations in this collection are clearly not Lovecraft's greatest works. Those looking for "horror" may well be disappointed, as will those seeking an introduction to the Cthulhu Mythos. While these stories can surely inspire delight and devotion among new Lovecraft readers, it is my feeling that they can be fully appreciated and understood only by those who are already familiar with Lovecraft's greater body of work.
HORROR AND FANTASY.......2001-07-11
I find it funny that there's a unicorn logo on the front cover of my copy of this book, saying that this work is Adult Fantasy. About the only thing Adult about H.P. Lovecraft is that he uses big words like "cacodaemoniacal". Although most of the works in this collection are fantasy, that doesn't mean that there isn't any horror to be had, either. Some of the stories in this excellent collection will give you more chills than the Sixth Sense ever did. Here's a brief synopsis of some of the stories in this book: THE OTHER GODS--One of my favorite fantasy pieces. It deals with mankind driving the gods up mountains. BEYOND THE WALL OF SLEEP--A primitive man from the mountains is put in an institution, where the main character discovers something extraordinary about the fellow. EX OBLIVIONE--Travel to a wonderful dream-world with a bronze gate that leads somewhere seemingly special. FROM BEYOND--This story reminded me much of The Sixth Sense. Lovecraft was never one for dialogue, but he did really well in this story. THE CATS OF ULTHAR--An elderly couple is suspected of cat-killing, but a boy passing through has thoughts of revenge. HONORABLE MENTIONS: The Tree, The Tomb, Polaris, What the Moon Brings, Hypnos, Nathicana, The Festival, The Nameless City, The Quest of Iranon, The Crawling Chaos, and In the Walls of Eryx. As you can see, you get lots of bang for your buck, so to speak. The stories are categorized, but they do not appear in chronological order--a partial chronology is included at the back. This is probably the best Lovecraft book I've read since The Best of H.P. Lovecraft. Both books are worth getting.
After Reading This, Who is Stephen King?.......2000-04-22
I thought Stephen King was a scary writer. I also thought Dean Koontz was. Then I finally got to reading some Lovecraft, and BOY I GOT SCARED! His particularly dark and disturbing tales of grue and the macabre are far surpassing the aeformentioned authors.
Excellent "Lovecraftian" primer.......2000-03-17
I read my first Lovecraft about fifteen years ago, and never looked back. This book is the one I recommend to my friends who have never read any of his work before. The book is laid out like none of the others I have seen, in that it is divided into separate sections, depending on the type of story, the time period it was written in, or the style Lovecraft was emulating at that time in his career. Also included are snippets of various letters Lovecraft wrote to friends and colleagues which shed an interesting light on where some of the stories came from. I read this book straight through from beginning to end, which is unusual for a collection of Lovecraft's, but in this case found it a very rewarding experience, because the layout is such that the reader gets a real feel for how Lovecraft's talent developed. If someone is looking for a good jumping-on point into the Lovecraft experience, this is an excellent one.
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THE DOOM THAT CAME TO SARNATH
H. P. LOVECRAFT
Manufacturer: BALLANTINE BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Carter, Lin
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ASIN: 0345021460 |
Product Description
The six Del Rey mass market paperbacks with covers by Michael Whelan
Book Description
While admitting that "describing what itís like to be Jewish is like describing snow," author Robert Schoen provides a smart and practical understanding of Judaism for a Christian audience. In What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew about Judaism, he presents readers with thoughtful insight into Judaism. Writing from the perspective of an "average Jewish American," Schoen points out the differences and highlights the similarities between Judaism and Christianity.
Readable chapters promote understanding and tolerance. Schoen discusses the different sects of Judaism and what they mean and believe; describes Jewish ceremonies, holidays, and festivals; and explains religious texts, symbols, religious apparel, and kosher food. Important historical and social issues including anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, Israel, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are also addressed. The book includes a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish words and a pronunciation guide.
Customer Reviews:
What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew About Judaism.......2007-09-24
This is a well-written book that gives a wealth of information to help the non-Jewish population understand their Jewish friends, their faith, or lack thereof, and their culture. I am enjoying it immensely.
You don't have to be Christian to love Schoen's book.......2007-09-18
As a Jew I frequently am asked by non-Jews about such things as Kaballah (which I know nothing about) and if I keep kosher (I don't, but I have a hard time explaining why I don't). When I hear phrases such as "Christian values" I want to say that they originally were Jewish values. When people wish me a happy Easter or merry Christmas, I want to explain to them why I don't celebrate either of those holidays and why Hannukah is not a big holiday for adult Jews without children.
Along came Schoen's book, and suddenly the answers are there, with simple explanations that are non-confrontational. With about 70 short chapters, Schoen has created a reference work that clearly explains how the religion is practiced in the US today, the holidays, the beliefs and the food.
Chapters cover Jewish weddings, bar mitzvahs, circumcisions and funerals. The different branches of Judaism from Orthodox to Reform are covered, as are the different holidays, the symbols, women and Judaism and social issues.
Schoen covers some of Jewish history including the Holocaust, but fortunately avoids partisan lectures about such controversies as supporting Israel and condemning radical Muslims.
This should be required reading for Jewish and non-Jewish schoolchildren alike. It is a reference work that need not be read cover to cover. One can simply go to a particular relevant chapter as needed, such as High Holidays, Intermarriage or Anti-Semitism. The glossary and pronunciation guide will help readers to understand the Yiddish words that are finding their ways into the American lexicon. Schoen has condensed information about nearly everything Jewish into an easy-to-read, 250 page book that could help us all understand one another a little better.
One of the Best..........2007-06-16
This is one of the best books about "Judaism for non-Jews" I've ever read. When I was studying for my conversion to Reform Judaism a couple of years ago, I referred to it constantly. It is very readable, and Mr. Schoen shares anecdotes from his own experiences that are pertinent to each topic he covers. Even now, I often go to this book when I have a question that requires an accurate but not highly technical answer.
One of my closest friends is a born-again Christian. When she came for a visit a few months ago, she attended synagogue with us and observed some of the religious rituals we perform at home. She has never had much exposure to Judaism, so she had lots of questions. When her birthday rolled around, I ordered a copy of this book from Amazon to send to her as a gift, thinking it would be just right. Well, I'll let her own words speak for her...this is an excerpt from the e-mail she wrote me when she received the book: "And the book...I've been reading it every time I sit down. It's just perfect. It really is easy to read, and I've already recognized some of the things I learned while I stayed with you guys. Very interesting."
In short, this is an excellent book!
great-full of information!.......2006-05-23
This book is great-simple to follow & full of information. I think it's a must read for every Catholic.Thanks Robert Schoen.
Good introduction, leaves one interested to learn more.......2006-04-08
I found myself in the odd position of minoring in Jewish Studies without knowing anything about modern Judaism (all the classes I've taken have been on the ancient period). Reading this book has been my first step toward remedying that.
This was an excellent introduction to modern Judaism. It did leave me with questions--but that's the job of a good introductory work, to show you that there is more out there to learn. The glossary (with pronunciations!) is also a good resource. I highly recommend this book.
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- Film Directors, 16th Edition (Film Directors)
- Flags in the Dust: The complete text of Faulkner's third novel, which appeared in a cut version as Sartoris
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- Futility or The Wreck of the Titan
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- Henry James: Complete Stories 1874-1884 (Library of America)
- Here's to You, Jesusa!
- Hitler's Niece: A Novel
- I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire (Ravenloft)
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