Book Description
Talking Funny for Money is a two-CD voice-over workshop (with demonstrations by professional voice-over performers), accompanied by an exercise manual and companion text. If you're a person who's been gifted with vocal variety, a hard working actor who wants to expand your casting potential, or just someone who's been told, "You have an interesting sound," you may wish to consider a career in the cartoon/character/looping area of voice-overs. Pamela Lewis, an accomplished voice-over artist and coach, has developed a CD workshop for people who are curious about breaking into the exciting world of "talking funny for money." In this workshop, you will learn: how to assemble a competitive cartoon/character voice-over demo; shortcuts to mastering the most requested dialects, age groups and celebrity impersonations; film looping/dubbing technique and terminology; and the varied employment opportunities in the cartoon/character/looping world. This workshop is an excellent introduction to a creative and lucrative area of voice-overs. As Ms. Lewis puts it, "What could be better than making funny noises for a living?"
Customer Reviews:
Very good intro into vo work.......2006-08-25
This book has some great things on the included cd's, I found this more usefull than just reading becouse you can here how it should be done. This book also has a great glossery of industry terms that will help negotiate the terms of the field.
Average customer rating:
- And over and over and over...
- A classic triangle
- Fails structurally - and a rip of of Amis
- Dear Reader
- GOOSEBERRY
|
Talking It Over
Julian Barnes
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 British
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Literary
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Barnes, Julian
| ( B )
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Similar Items:
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Love, etc.
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Flaubert's Parrot
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A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters
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The Lemon Table
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England, England
ASIN: 0679736875
Release Date: 1992-10-27 |
Book Description
In this powerfully affecting Flaubert's Parrot gives readers a brilliant take on the deceptions that make up the quivering substrata of erotic love. "An interplay of serious thought and dazzling wit. . . . It's moving, it's funny, it's frightening . . . fiction at its best."--New York Times Book Review.
Customer Reviews:
And over and over and over..........2007-04-21
This is a book where a simple story of a love triangle is made more interesting by allowing the reader to view it from the perspectives of everyone involved (or everyone even remotely associated with the main three characters). However, the book seems to lack momentum may be because the unfolding of events is delayed when characters take their turns to talk about them.
A classic triangle.......2006-10-13
Julian Barnes's Talking It Over is told from the perspectives of three first-person narrators: Stuart, who is pedantic and slightly nerdy; the reserved, conflicted, and lovely Gillian; and Oliver, a flamboyant show-off in love with his own cleverness. Stuart marries Gillian, Oliver is their best friend who tags along with them all the time, and I'm willing to bet that you guess what happens next.
The plot is conventional, the characters never quite escape their stereotypical roles, yet somehow the book succeeds. Don't get me wrong; it's not Great Literature, nor is it Barnes's best work, but it's an engaging read nonetheless. Barnes does a good job of playing his three narrators against each other, and despite the fact that they never quite rise above their types, he eventually manages to show us the humanity that lies beneath the type. There are some nice lines and a few very well-written scenes. I like the way Barnes captures the feeling that exists between Gillian and Oliver as they sit in her attic studio day after day, and I love the moment when Gillian sees the secret flower petal on the shelf and swallows it--such a wonderfully subtle way of letting us know that she's crossed a line within herself, before she even knows it.
The book lost steam a bit towards the end. It seems that Barnes is better when is writing is fueled by the crackling sexual tension that exists in the first half of the narrative; once the tension is resolved, the story seems to go astray.
It was a compelling read, and very quick, but anyone seeking Barnes best work would be better of with A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters.
Fails structurally - and a rip of of Amis.......2006-02-09
For a start, for readers of Martin Amis's success, Barnes' novel seems like such an obvious rip off that it is hard to believe it wasn't intentional. The central tenets of Amis's novel - one successful dilletante male, the other hard working and mundane, a woman who doesn't say much, characters speak directly to the reader - are all followed in Talking it Over.
In addition, the structure of the book is weak. The narrative rests on the reader being drawn into Gillian first falling in love with Stuart (which you don't - how often does an attractive woman sign up for a dating agency then fall for a dull, needy, insecure man?) then Oliver (which is also unconvincing - he bungles the seduction, but she falls for him anyway). Barnes pads out this narrative with some interesting comment from the characters on love, life and sex, and some trademark humour, but pasting some wry social observation onto the page does not in itself make a good novel.
Actually, I found the sequel, Love etc. rather better, and far more convincingly done. You would have to read this novel as a stepping stone to that book, which picks up the lives of the characters after the cliffhanger at the end of Talking it Over.
Dear Reader.......2005-11-13
Steady nerdish Stuart and his best friend, flamboyant loser Oliver, are both in love with Gillian, who solves her dilemma by marrying both of them. It is set in 1980's London
It is told very cleverly (rather too cleverly) from the point of view of each of a cast of characters who write as if trying to get their own points of view across to the reader and analyze each others motives and criticize each other. Normally I dislike these fancy narrative devices (sometimes called post-modern, although you can trace them back to eighteenth century epistolary novels, and addressing the "dear reader") but Barnes does this so well that I was captivated.
The style becomes too fancy when Oliver is the narrator. He is fond of elaborate witticisms and bits of French. The best narrators were Val and the girl in the flower shop.
Barnes wrote a sequel "Love Etc" ten years later, which is set ten years later in the characters' lives. It is even better.
GOOSEBERRY.......2005-06-13
Not until I came to the end did I check the publication dates of this novel and John Mortimer's Dunster. Barnes has it. Talking It Over dates from 1991 and Dunster from 1992. Whether there was any communication between the authors regarding their stories, or whether the muse visited them independently, I have no idea at all. If the latter, the resemblance between the plot-lines is nothing less than startling. Safe and slightly dull financial professional has a showy and erratic best friend. Dull professional marries well, and wife deserts him for erratic and showy best friend, whom she then marries. The second marriage fails, partly through Aristotelian hamartia of best friend. The b/f gets his deserved comeuppance, this providing some cold and partial consolation to the wronged dull professional.
Julian Barnes is talented in the extreme. Not only is the book as well written as those familiar with his other work would expect, the plot gives him the opportunity to parade some of his own prejudices regarding the proper use of English, these prejudices being of course voiced by the characters in the book and not directly by the author (as if we would be fooled). In fact it is the persons of the drama who talk from first page to last, never the author for himself, and it is not just the three protagonists but the minor supporting cast as well. This device is very cleverly and adroitly used, again as we would expect, but I myself am sometimes inclined to find Barnes just a little too smart for his own good or for my appreciation as a reader. The start of the book is completely brilliant, for example, with the two lonely-hearts falling for each other, and the talkative Oliver playing gooseberry. His own discomfiture at being in this position and the way he talks too much in compensation are ultra-perceptive observation by the author, and I have the strong impression that he knows that himself. How the story then develops until the ousted Stuart finally becomes the unwanted presence that brings Oliver's downfall about is clever, original and convincing, or clever and original at least.
The whole book shows a sharp eye for character and situations, and an even sharper ear for how some kinds of people talk when they are forced to come to terms with their real thoughts and motivations. What I found very successful was the way Barnes keeps his distance from his characters and ensures that they are really talking for themselves rather than for himself. Every incident and every situation in this book challenges us to be judgmental, but if any judging is going to be done the author makes sure that we are left doing it. His style is also light, graceful and in the last degree skilful, and you will get through the book's 270 or so pages before you think.
Very readable, very persuasive and I suppose very recommendable. I gave Dunster 5 stars when I reviewed that, so I have no other option here.
Average customer rating:
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Talking Over the Years: A Handbook of Dynamic Psychotherapy with Older People
Sandra Evans
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Psychology & Counseling
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Psychotherapy, TA & NLP
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ASIN: 158391143X |
Book Description
It is now recognized that older adults can benefit from psychodynamic therapy. Talking Over the Years illuminates the psychodynamic theories of the twentieth century and turns its attentions to the thorny issues of ageing and the complications of later life. It provides detailed descriptions of psychoanalytic theory together with the use of psychodynamic concepts in clinical practice. Drawing on a wealth of clinical material, Talking Over the Years increases psychodynamic awareness, helping professionals become more sensitive to their patient's needs and informing psychiatric work with older people.
Average customer rating:
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Talking It Over
Julian Barnes
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
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ASIN: 033032098X |
Average customer rating:
- More Than Meets The Eye
- A Reassuring Read
- Helpful Read
- enlightening
- This book should get 10 stars
|
More Than Meets The Eye
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Suicide
| Death & Grief
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
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The Secret (Extended Edition)
ASIN: 0975387065
Release Date: 2005-06-09 |
Product Description
More Than Meets the Eye shares true stories and sheds light on euthanasia, suicide, near-death experience, hospice care and much more. Spirit visits by a deceased loved one are very common and show how we are still connected even after we leave the body behind.
You'll find comfort and peace about the mysterious process of transitioning back to God/Source in this delightful exploration into the unknown by an author who openly shares her soul. A welcome blend of intrigue, courage and adventure, that will open your mind, calm your spirit, alleviate your fear of death and lighten your heart.
Customer Reviews:
More Than Meets The Eye.......2007-08-23
The book touched on some subject that are sometimes considered taboo.
But, very important to look at them and understand them. Liked the book.
A Reassuring Read.......2006-09-28
This book offers something for everyone. Whether you are new to learning about the near death experience (NDE) or have studied the phenomenon for years, this title holds a number of insights. Filled with multiple personal stories told from several points of view (including friends and relatives of the departed as well as those who've experienced an NDE), the stories are enlightening and comforting.
Many people question what will happen in the hereafter. Perry's book offers reassurance and comfort to those who've recently lost a loved one or are questioning their own existence.
Helpful Read.......2006-06-06
I came upon this book at a time when I was looking for spiritual answers about Life/ Death and why we are here. The book spoke directly to some of the issues I was struggling with as well as areas of related interest. It is written in a manner that is easy to read without being condescending.
I appreciated the stories but even more the information about burial options, living wills and the commentary about how we handle death and the dead in our culture. I found the near death experiences and stories about contacting loved ones on the other side particularly comforting because they come from the experiences of average people, not folks preaching an ideology or trying to make a buck. I was also surprised to find my own experiences and developing beliefs validated by many of them.
My thanks to the author, this is one I'll hang on to.
enlightening.......2006-06-04
The book was serendipity. At age 55, I realized that I was on
the downhill slide, and white knuckling it, on the way down.
My fear of death led me in search of reassurance, answers,
and peace. This book gave it to me. The stories were told by
every day people and by the author as well. I felt a great
sense of relief and peace upon finishing the book.
Dale Morrison
This book should get 10 stars.......2006-03-14
This is a very powerful book. It has more information than the cover indicates. If you are spiritual this is a MUST READ. Yvonne Perry has a terrific writing style. The book directs you to websites with additional information. Highly recommended.
Average customer rating:
- Poor organization makes this book difficult to use effectively
|
Google Talking
Joshua Brashars , and
Johnny Long
Manufacturer: Syngress
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Privacy
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Hacking
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Network Security
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ASIN: 1597490555 |
Book Description
Nationwide and around the world, instant messaging use is growing, with more than 7 billion instant messages being sent every day worldwide, according to IDC. comScore Media Metrix reports that there are 250 million people across the globe--and nearly 80 million Americans--who regularly use instant messaging as a quick and convenient communications tool.
Google Talking takes communication to the next level, combining the awesome power of Text and Voice! This book teaches readers how to blow the lid off of Instant Messaging and Phone calls over the Internet.
This book will cover the program Google Talk in its entirety. From detailed information about each of its features, to a deep-down analysis of how it works. Also, we will cover real techniques from the computer programmers and hackers to bend and tweak the program to do exciting and unexpected things.
* Google has 41% of the search engine market making it by far the most commonly used search engine
* The Instant Messaging market has 250 million users world wide
* Google Talking will be the first book to hit the streets about Google Talk
Customer Reviews:
Poor organization makes this book difficult to use effectively.......2006-12-31
I don't use much Google Talk (most of the people I talk to use IRC, SILC, or AIM as real-time chat), but I have had the opportunity to use it some. I was looking forward to this book to see if it would be worthwhile to learn more about Google Talk and how to get more out of it. I have to say that I'm disappointed in the quality of the writing and the organization of the book. The writing tries to be cute and funny, but the clarity suffers dramatically for it (the requirements discussion in Chap 2, plug-ins in Chap 5, etc). Furthermore, the organization of the book jumps around too much, mixing core usage of GTalk and extra uses (ie video or audio chats) too much. If the book had kept a basic theme to it -- put the common stuff up front, then talk about extras slowly and with increasing complexity and rarity -- it would have helped. However, unlike many Syngress books, this one uses screen shots effectively and clearly.
Chapter 1 is sort of what you would expect it to be, an overview of many of the popular, modern chat clients: AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, ICQ. The author slams the competition and champions Google (Google fanboy-type stuff is pretty common throughout the book) as the savior of chat. Sadly, this overview is incomplete and limited, and sets the tone of the book.
Chapter 2 talks about installing Google Talk for Windows users, and spends a lot of time talking about tangential subject matter. This is where the book's main flaw -- poor organization and a lack of clarity -- really starts to show. The book wastes some space on requirements for video and audio chats (which are not core Google Talk uses), and really skimps on the installation.
Chapter 3 talks about using Google Talk for non-Windows users. This chapter is a bit muddled, and perhaps it's because the author isn't a native OS X or Linux user. A couple of things: really, any Jabber client can work (there are dozens), and Gaim is basically the same for Linux and other supported platforms.
Chapter 4 is perhaps the most poorly organized of them all. The chapter skips around in usage, talking about basic chat usage, contact management, then over to music listings, chatting, voice chats and voice mail, file sharing, and so on. The section on personalizing Gtalk is very poorly presented.
Chapter 5 is a lengthy, mishmash of a chapter on plugins. Had the author organized the plugins better this wouldn't have been so bad, but again, the quality of presentation keeps it unclear. I had to look at a few sections a couple of times to try and figure out what was going on, including the section on theme modification. I wound up more confused about these extensions as I went along. Not a very good thing in a book!
Chapter 6 talks about proxies (as you might find in a corporate environment, in a Tor situation, or with SSH tunnels). Sadly, the section on Tor talks more about Tor basics (very incomepletely) than about how to make GTalk work with Tor. Very lousy presentation of how to set up SSH tunnels, too, with incomplete steps at every turn.
Chapter 7 -- GTalk in the Enterprise -- is a neat idea, although it could have been implemented more completely. Because many enterprises have strict IM policies, they will either want to standardize on GTalk or ban it, and so both topics are (poorly, and incompletely) covered. I like this idea a lot, and I think this could have been more completely covered. I think that more books on applications should cover this sort of concept more often.
Two appendices round out the book. Appendix A covers video chats, and honestly should have been included in a standalone chapter devoted GTalk and video (and audio) chats, which would have cut down on a lot of the confusion in the "basic usage" chapter.
Appendix B covers free video calling software, and is kind of wierd -- it doesn't look like these apps integrate with GTalk, but rather would replace GTalk with video. I don't get why they're in the book, to be honest.
All in all not the best book I've read. I don't like writing negative reviews of books, but I have to be honest with this one: it's not well done. The organization is poor (it's downright confusing!), the writing is unclear (it tries to be too cute for its own good), and the coverage is weak and incomplete. If you want to learn how to use GTalk, look elsewhere, this one will not be of much use.
Average customer rating:
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Talking things over with Chekhov
John Ford Noonan
Manufacturer: S. French
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| African American
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| Women Writers
ASIN: 0573692432 |
Book Description
The conversations in Mr. and Dr. Talking It Over grow out of a philosophy that since humans have different points of view, conflict arises when one person, or group, refuses to recognize or accept another person's, or group's, differences. Mr. and Dr. struggles with ways to understand and embrace these differences, finally coming to a new definition of conflict - that it arises from self-deception. Such techniques as the `percept orientation', `no fault discussion', and `open-heart listening' are described and designed to decrease self-deception, hence foster the resolution of conflict.
Customer Reviews:
A pleasure to read.......2005-03-15
While out riding the moors in the Scottish Lowlands, Aimil and her elder brother were captured and taken captive by a group of Highlanders. Held for ransom, she is initially petrified and feared for their lives, for tales of the fierce MacGuin laird is legendary among the feuding Scottish clans. Commonly referred to as the Black Parlan, he is rumored to roast and eat babies and pick his teeth with their bones. But it doesn't take long before Aimil realizes that Parlan is both kind and reasonable and not the murderous and unmerciful laird that he is rumored to be.
But Aimil must now face another problem for the Black Parlan has set his sights on her magnificent horse, Elfking. When she refuses to give her beloved horse over to him, she is forced to make a choice: either give herself to him or hand over Elfking. Well no prize for guessing what her choice is. And so she gets to keep her magnificent white stallion and gains another one in the process.
Both of the main characters are very likable. Aimil is fiery, stubborn and beautiful, while Parlan is arrogant, sexy and oh-so-male. What makes this book so enjoyable is the humor. The verbal spats between Aimil and Parlan made me laugh. Throw in some hot love scenes as well, plus a great support from the secondary characters and you know you're in for a lot of fun reading. And to complicate the story further, there is the jealous ex-lover determined to get the hero back and that evil betrothed determined to destroy Aimil and Parlan. Those villains really will keep you hanging on to the end to see justice done.
Fun and entertaining, ELFKING'S LADY is a delightful read from start to finish. I would also recommend AMBER FLAME, which I consider to be even better than this.
A horse, a horse.......2000-05-26
We've all heard of my kingdom for a horse, but my virtue for a horse? Aimil, her brother, and her beloved stallion Elfking are captured by Parlan MacGuin. Parlan, a "stallion" in his own right, gives Aimil the choice of going free without her horse or becoming his mistress (consequently also losing her horse). A girl with her priorities straight, Aimil soon joins Parlan in his bed for some feisty rides. A jealous mistress and a cruel betrothed descend on the castle to wreak havoc. Parlan and Aimil are wed, kidnappings and shootings abound, and in the end (literally) Elfking's lady finds herself well loved indeed.
This book is one of Hannah's best.......1999-11-08
A young woman caught on a raid with her elder brother, Aimil is at first terrified knowing that the rumors of the Black Parlan are dark and dreadful. But Parlan is a shock to both siblings, for he proves that he's both noble, and reasonable. He's also very attracted to Aimil. The trouble is that the man who's been betrothed to Aimil since birth is demanding her return, and determined to destroy both her and her beloved Parlan, if he has to drag them both into the grave with him.
Book Description
All over the world, the metapsychics are honing their skills, learning to stretch their incredible minds far beyond the ken of ordinary humans. Most are dedicated to the harmony of the human soul. But some have darker intentions...
If the metapsychics succeed in uniting Earth's minds to take the next step up in human evolution, a place awaits humanity among the alien peoples of the fabulous Galactic Milieu. But if evil minds prevail in their bid for power, Earth will be cut off...and mankind forever doomed!
Customer Reviews:
A Mind is a terrible thing to waste.......2001-01-09
Human evolution has reached a new stage, and individuals are being born all over the world, with awesome mental abilities. Two of these, Rogi and Don Remillard, would change the world. Dons first born Denis, now a Professor of MetaPsychology, leads the World in the new Mental revolution, fighting to ensure that his fellow psychics can develope peacefully and freely. His evil brother Victor, intent on conquering the world, has a very different vision for the human Mind. Only one can prevail.
The benevolent aliens, led by the mysterious Family Ghost, must work through the humble offices of Rogi, to ensure that Denis and not Victor writes the script for mankinds future.
Black and white, good and evil, altruism and greed: Denis and Victor.
An intersection, in the mind of a visionary........1999-10-28
Concealed in the recesses of our minds hides an interminable predilection to believe in our own power as limited, and in that belief we do not achieve. This book is an eye popping extravaganza of realization, and a quintessential understanding of "Human Potential". You must experience this novel, for simple reading does it no justice.
For fans of Julian May's work this is a must have..........1998-10-14
Part II of the Intervention continues Uncle Rogi's accounting of the pre-intervention human operant saga. Finally the family ghost is identified. You realize that there is a large quantity of story left to be told. Read the other Mileau books as well.
A SEARCH.... SATIATED... EXPECTATIONS OVERWHELMED........1998-06-22
I read the Intervention, Part 1 way back in 1986... and I was waiting for Metaconcert to come out in 1987. I couldn't find one here in the Philippines. I tried all the bookstores, I tried putting out advertisements, I asked for it from friends, ( I even checked out the database of National Bookstore), until I bought my copy in 1998, right here at Amazon. I have read the others of this series, and my yearning for this book grew stronger.
This book is seen easily as a denouement to a great story began. But an omega and another alpha, mixed just right?This book fits the tab, and how it fits! Suffice to say that after reading this book, A yearning was satiated, and an expectation was overwhelmed. It was worth the money spent.
An effective curtain-raiser for the grand opera to follow.......1998-04-19
The principal human characters of Julian May's "Saga of Pliocene Exile" were refugees from the Galactic Milieu- a vast, benevolent confederation of psychically powerful races, of which humanity was the prodigal youngest member. In her two-volume "Intervention," we get our first look at the evolutionary steps that brought humanity to the brink of the Milieu.
Endearingly told largely from the viewpoint of Uncle Rogi Remillard- maverick great-uncle to some of the finest and most powerful minds of the Human Polity of the Milieu- "The Metaconcert" finishes the story of how metapsychic humanity avoided destruction and forced open the door to galactic citizenship. It's a broad canvas that involves five alien races, humans running the gamut from angelic to demonic, and politics that make the Byzantine empire look simple.
May calls this "a root-tale to the Galactic Milieu"; while it helps to have read the Pliocene books, the story begun in "The Surveillance," continued in "The Metaconcert" and finished in the Milieu Trilogy stands on its own as one of the most richly imagined futures in the science fiction of the last 20 years.
Book Description
Revised edition gives readable case studies, more material on conflict resolution and specific applications on how to transform culture from the mission field.
Customer Reviews:
Review of "Transforming Culture" for Pepperdine Missions class.......2005-12-14
Lingenfelter's book opens with the valuable point that Christians are pilgrims on earth, participants in the culture of Christ. Going beyond the differences between "collectivistic" cultures and "individualistic" cultures, he identifies five different social games (hierarchic, egalitarian, etc.) which determine cultural bias and are used in the rest of the book to help identify ideas such as property, privacy, family and authority, dispute resolution and communication, the concepts of borrowing and repaying, and of labor and patronage. He provides helpful grids and a quiz, all to help the reader to identify his or her own social game. This is all valuable for someone preparing to go into the mission field, as cultural bias is brought into mission along with other baggage. It is a book that should be read carefully and thoroughly, as it could be overwhelming for someone preparing to enter the mission field to recognize the responsibility to be sensitive to the cultural games of the people group while at the same time evangelizing to this group.
Lingenfelter's many examples (the Aukans, the Yapese, the Javanese) are interesting and it is valuable that he refers to all people he describes (including Westerners) as "people", bringing credibility to the idea of working against "monoculturalism", so that no one culture is better or more evolved than another. Lingenfelter works hard to stay true to the idea of living according to the culture of Christ. He emphasizes submission and the cross as guiding principles for missionaries, who should be seen as benefactors instead of as servants, reminding the reader that the mission belongs to Christ and not to the missionary or to the church. His point on leadership and how it is easy to give power to church leaders, is a very important point that should be noted for missionaries as well as for church leaders at home- are we placing to much emphasis on our leaders and not enough on God? Is leadership given based on seniority or based on skill? It is important to note that Lingenfelter does not (explicitly at least), place judgment on any single social game (the Authoritarian/Bureaucratic social game is not better or worse than the Egalitarian/Collective social game). The question to be asked at the end of the book is not even which game is "better" but rather to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each game, (admitting our own weaknesses can be humbling), while at the same time asking is the culture of the church conforming to the culture of Christ or to the culture of the world?
J. Wolfe, Graduate Student.......2005-12-14
Lingenfelter's work truly lives up to its subtitle, "A Challenge for Christian Mission." This work must be made elevated as a standard in the field of missiology, and must be on the shelf of every missionary's library and in the hands of every church mission board. This book will make all radically rethink their approach to integration within a target community. Lingenfelter deftly observes and analyzes cultures from across the globe and simplifies their social structures into four categories easy for understanding. An upcoming missionary should be aware of the social games that are played in his/her target group, and should furthermore be thinking on how to adapt him/herself and the message of the Gospel to be accepted by them. Lingenfelter's main premise is that he asks missionaries going abroad to take only the Gospel with them and instead of transferring their own culture with the Gospel to his/her target groups to allow the Gospel, and only the Gospel, to transform the culture of the target group while still allowing its indigenous sociological games to remain intact. Lingenfelter is speaking out against the imposing of Western styles of "doing church" on foreign target groups for mission work. His statement is quite valid.
Lingenfelter's work encompasses six sociological factors: property, labor and productivity, generosity and exchange, authority and the family, authority and community, and disputes, conflicts, and communication. He offers several cultural comparisons from his global research to illuminate his conclusions and to offer concrete examples of how one is able to adapt to new cultural standards and behaviors. He then calls for a transforming Gospel to be brought to these cultures, a Gospel that he defines as "a message free from cultural biases that acts only to liberate reached people from the powers of sin." This powerful message is an idea that has emerged in all new mission strategies. In fact, it is vital to continued success on the mission field.
Vital Information for Anyone Involved in Ministry!!.......2005-12-13
Sherwood Lingenfelter's book Transforming Culture is an instant classic not only for the student of missiology, but also for ministers and church leaders. With the demographics of the world constantly changing, it is evident that a paradigm shift must take place in order for God's people to be transformed into his likeness. Lingenfelter concerns himself with this very principle as he explores the human tendencies to reject and accept change within our modern culture.
The paradigm shift, Lingenfelter speaks of, is concerned with invoking change within what has labels an "individualistic" society. Not only do we live in a world that caters to our everyday needs, but we have the ability to turn our religious lives into that same consumerism which declares, "Have it your way!" How do we change our culture, or the culture we are working in, to draw the church in the "direction of the universals of faith?" Lingenfelter's book suggests that in order to change we must envision ourselves as "cross-cultural" people. Christians who minister within the contextualization of their culture can avoid the various "social games" in order to reach people in a way that impacts them in their own context.
Regarding ministers or students, this book is exactly what our churches and institutions have been in need of; a quantitative way in which to examine our congregations' health. For missionaries and Missiologists, Lingenfelter provides reliable statistics combined with practical ministry lessons to learn with which to analyze against the backdrop of the gospel. The importance of this book is that it is not only meant for these two groups. I believe that Lingenfelter speaks to a third group. For leaders of church ministries this book can be for you. Social games do not only affect foreign lands, but they also affect our church life. Lingenfelter writes this book with the purpose of identifying these social games (hiearchist, authoritarian, individualist, autonomy, and egalitarian), which can plague a ministry. In order to create an effective strategy for changing a culture you must identify the problem. The problem lies in our inability to break from the social models that encompass our cultures, which in turn cause a chain reaction of apathy and malignity. For this change to take place it is vital that we do not view culture as a neutral ground for communicating, but the vital entry point for transforming the dominant worldview.
From a biblical perspective, Transforming Culture contains appropriate scriptural basis for its principles along with case studies for the missionary who works within this context. It is clear that Lingenfelter writes from the mind of a Missiologist, presenting statistical data from foreign countries, while leaving room for application to other ministries. This book is a well-written, thought-provoking, guide for identifying the problems associated with both domestic and foreign ministries. With the help of Lingenfelter your church or ministry can move toward a contextualized worldview that will aid in transforming the culture around you.
How does the Gospel challenge ALL cultures?.......2005-12-11
Lingenfelter clearly lays out his purpose of this work towards the end of the first chapter, stating that it "is to help the reader comprehend the dimensions of our cultural prisons and discover some of the biblical keys that will allow us to unlock the chains of our cultural habits and the gates to our cultural walls." (21)
While Lingenfelter sets his book towards international missions and aiding the cross-cultural missionary, I felt he had much to say that applies to American Christianity. He addresses a question I think many authors stop short of: "What does it look like for the Gospel to transform a culture?" Naturally the Gospel will be in conflict with any and all cultures. (Even though we might not think it is with our American one.) "The contradiction between the pilgrim principle, with its emphasis on the universal church and other-worldliness, and the indigenous principle, with its emphasis on self-support, self-government, and self-propagation in independent this-worldliness, is implicit in all church ministries." (15) He is able to point out that cultures share a few things in common. "Culture, like a slot machine, is programmed to ensure that those who hold power win and the common players lose; when or if the organized agenda is violated, people frequently resort to violence to reestablish their programmed advantage." (16) Lingenfelter raises the point that, "when the Gospel challenges with power any worldview, unbelievers react to defend their view and may inflict great distress upon Christians." (17) He dives into exactly what it looks like for the Gospel to confront various cultures and societies.
As was mentioned by the other reviewers, Lingenfelter uses 5 different social games that subscribe to different combinations of "group" and "grid". He uses excellent illustrations from his experiences in missions to help the reader visualize these social games. Lingenfelter spends chapter three covering important aspects of social games - property, labor and productivity, generosity and exchange. Each society approaches these aspects differently. However, the Gospel calls for a response that breaks these accepted social games.
In chapters 6-8 he addresses the social games of authority in the family, authority within the community, and conflict/communication. In each of these areas he uses illustrations from various cultures such as the Yapese and Aukan, as well as biblical narratives.
By the end of the book, Lingenfelter has addressed many different aspects of cultures and has shown how the Gospel calls all aspects of all cultures to be transformed in some way or another. If what Jesus presents in Matthew is a new ethic and portrait for the kingdom of God, what Lingenfelter fleshes out is what the reality of the Kingdom of God looks like in various cultures. While the book does not spend a great deal of time on American churches, it indirectly offers full critiques to be placed on our current "Christian culture."
Liberating Yet Confined.......2005-05-08
Sherwood Lingenfelter is a well known author in the field of Church and culture. In his book Transforming Culture, he writes about "social and cultural systems" which exert "powerful pressure" both on the Church and on unredeemed society. These are "prisons of disobedience" of which Christians may often be largely unaware. Therefore we are called upon to "see clearly", so that we may "unlock the chains of our cultural habits and the gates to our cultural walls". The book contains several illuminating examples of Christians who do run into such cultural "walls".
For the purpose of identifying and recognising "prisons of disobedience", Lingenfelter employs a simple sociological model which originated in secular form with social anthropologist Mary Douglas. He uses this to "decipher the unique features of a social game and understand its social order". This draws out any one of five basic social games, which in turn should enable the Christian to submit to an existing social order "for the sake of the gospel and the glory of God". He sees the Christian as a "pilgrim", who "engages society through any and all of the five social games", thus becoming "a player" in the social games of culture, in the interests of his or her witness within that culture.
Lingenfelter's touchstone for interpreting and transforming culture is the sociological model described. This has a number of implications, not all of which I am able to comment on without reserve. Most importantly, instead of viewing Church and culture primarily in terms of one's relationship with Christ, he analyses these primarily in terms of his model. He describes how a missionary badly lost his sense of priority due to his "social values". In another example, a man displays serious cultural bias, "perhaps motivated by [...] values". We are "motivated by" social values, and "the issue is [...] the values that lie behind our attitudes". The question for Lingenfelter is, "What values compel us?"
I would offer by way of contrast that many Bible characters were compelled by a vision of the glory of the Lord. We serve a God of glory, power, and majesty, and as we give Him pre-eminence in our lives, all other things lose their primary value - including our culturally conditioned priorities. Therefore while Lingenfelter's model serves to make his subject matter interesting, uncomplicated, and accessible to the reader, and highlights some important issues of which the Christian should be aware, it really is too much fixated with culture and values, and lacks a "grander" Christian vision.
Books:
- The Aesthetics of Resistance, Volume 1: A Novel (Aesthetics of Resistance)
- The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing: A Contemporary Perspective on the Classical Tradition
- The Beast God Forgot to Invent: Novellas
- The Beautiful Room Is Empty: A Novel
- The Bowl Is Already Broken: A Novel
- The City and the Pillar: A Novel
- The Courage Consort
- The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah
- The Dork of Cork
- The Guns of August
Books Index
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