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Filled with tortured souls ravaged by an alcoholic Wisconsin farmer, The Turtle Warrior, Mary Relindes Ellis's debut novel, is a depressing book. Having lied about his own military experience in WW II, John Lucas goads his eldest son, Jim, into "becoming a man" by fighting in Vietnam, wherein Jim goes missing and is presumed dead. The novel focuses almost exclusively on the dysfunctional Lucases, save for the neighboring couple that acts as surrogates to the children. The townspeople note: "John Lucas walked their streets like a film character, haunting them when they saw him in the bar, working at the mill, or driving on the road. He was a wrong turn personified. A wrong turn they might have taken, might still take."
Since Ellis is at her strongest with the first-person narratives of the rest of the nuclear family, and often writes eloquent prose, it is disappointing to have John's point of view glossed over with exposition, since he ultimately destroyed his own family. Everyone here has demons, and the imposed weightiness of the subject matter can be cumbersome at times (if anyone cries or laughs, it seems always to be done to the point of exhaustion). Debilitating addiction and crippling anguish make The Turtle Warrior a difficult journey, but one worth taking. --Michael Ferch
Book Description
The Turtle Warrior is the story of the Lucas family, who live in a beautiful and remote part of Wisconsin inhabited by working-class European immigrants and the Ojibwe. By 1967 the Lucas farm has fallen into disrepair, thanks to the hard drinking of John Lucas, who brutalizes his wife and two sons. When the eldest, James, escapes by enlisting to fight in Vietnam, he leaves young Bill alone to protect his mother with only his own will and the spirit of his brother to guide him. Beautifully written and deeply felt, The Turtle Warrior takes readers from the heartland of America to the battlefields of World War II and Vietnam weaving a haunting tale of an unforgettable world where the physical and spiritual, the past and the present, merge.
Customer Reviews:
This is one of the best .......2006-04-29
I wasn't certain about this book when I bought it, but I was not disappointed! You know abuse is going on, but it isn't directly dealt with through most of the book. I liked the way each person in the book had their own "story". It made it interesting and kept my attention. The ending made me cry.
An Amazing Study of the Effects of Grief.......2006-04-07
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 4:14 PM
Subject: The Turtle Warrior
I have finished the book, read her web blog and two reviews from Amazon.
I am really grateful for that taste of Wisconsin which is so familiar, but what the blog, and the reviews seem to miss was her skill at describing grief. How it stays so long, how it pops up from the most innocent encounter. How she allowed each of her characters to not only describe their grief but let us see their view of other's grief. And oh the different manifestations it takes. Crazy, abusive, silent, alcohol , transference (to Angel the dog). One of the reviewer said she skimmed over John Lucas. Maybe so. I can see her doing it for literary purposes....ie to insist he is a minor character...but maybe she just didn't know how to peer into what makes an abuser tick
Confusing and depressing read.......2006-03-05
First the good: The author is definitiely a gifted writer. She is able to paint a vivid picture of her characters and settings. The tone of the book is dark by design. Having said that, the book is overly depressing, and fairly predictable. I also found the jumping from character to charater in the first person often confusing. You often had to read several paragraphs into the chapter to figure out in who's head you were. Add to that the jumping forward and backwards in time is frustrating. Some chapters are told from the current perspective of a dead person.
Towards the end of the book it really starts to drag. It almost began to appear that she was trying to meet some committed page count. The story really goes no-where. However, if you live or lived in Northern Wisconsin, you might find some of the local color interesting.
Note to the author: Tree stands for hunting deer in Wisconsin were illegal during the time period in which your story occurs.
Deep, sensitive account of war and family.......2006-03-03
Like other reviewers I struggled a bit with the way the book is written -- the first person/third person narrative switches. But the depth of the story makes up for it. Character development is fantastic. I enjoyed the second half of the book the most and the increasing feeling of hope as the end was near. We all need a caring friend or neighbor to be there, no matter how bad it gets. I highly recommend this book.
The Turtle Warrior.......2006-02-16
This book will grip your heart and leave you with its imprint long after you are done reading it.
Book Description
This is yet another attempt to explain why I write what I write and why people in general sometimes have trouble understanding my reasoning. I have been doing this verbally and in writing since I first published Sword of Shannara. I guess I keep doing it because I feel so strongly about what I do. I want readers to look beyond preconceptions and first impressions. I want them to be open to what fantasy can be and how much fun it is to be a part of it. The funny thing is, I didn't set out to write fantasy. I just found my way there by trial and error. I have decided that it was fate that took me on that journey, and you never want to argue with fate.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting mini-biography.......2007-03-04
Terry Brooks gives an interesting mini-biography as well as a well-written introduction to the world of fantasy.
An interesting essay.......2006-10-02
This was a very interesting read for me. I have read seven of Mr. Brooks' fantasy books, so getting the "why" which eventually leads to the "how" was rewarding. Fantasy is a very difficult medium in which to write, for all of the reasons he lists in this article and more.
But fantasy also allows the writer to shrug off the shackles of the real world and, if you want, use it as allegory. Some of the greatest writers of our time have done so, to name two, Shakespeare and Hawthorne, although they didn't emply elves or "fantasy realms" to do so.
My take on this essay, which nicely illuminated the problems that fantasy writers have explaining themselves to others as to not be assumed insane, is that Mr. Brooks writes about elves because he wants to, he likes to, and those are the stories that come natural to him. That's really all the explanation anyone need give for why they write the stories they do.
Brooks writes about elves so we can read about elves ..........2006-03-17
Interesting to hear how Terry Brooks gets his inspiration and why he writes about elves. As a writer, I was eager to see if his mind works anything like mine. Kinda freaky to learn it does.
He looks like a handsome version of a little leprechaun to me, so I always thought his "relatives" were feeding him insider information. Grin!
Happy to learn he's only human ... like the rest of us hard-working writers. I always say that "writing a story is like sliding down a rainbow. ... The actual writing when one's imagination is free to wander is fuuuuuun. But marketing is like wading through a field of sticky, "chewed" bugglegum."
I wonder if Brooks would agree with me. - review by Betty Dravis, author of the Amazon Short "V.O."
An interesting look into the mind of a fantasy author........2005-07-15
Terry Brooks' short story gave me a unique look into the world of Fantasy authors. After reading his story, I was able to gain insights into what makes a successful fantasy story, and how Mr. Brooks defines himself in the oblique landscape of fiction authors.
I would recommend this story to anyone who has tried to, or wants to write fantasy stories, it gives some very helpful advice and observations.
Average customer rating:
- No Spoilers here. A simple review.
- Could be better
- Running the gauntlet
- Torin strikes again
- Lightweight Science Fiction
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The Better Part of Valor
Tanya Huff
Manufacturer: DAW
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Valor's Choice (Daw Book Collectors)
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A Confederation of Valor (omnibus)
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Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, Book 1)
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Fearless (The Lost Fleet, Book 2)
ASIN: 0756400627 |
Book Description
Best known for her Quarters series and vampire novels, Tanya Huff stunned critics and fans with Valor's Choice, her first military science fiction novel. This thrilling sequel follows the Confederation's investigation of a seemingly abandoned alien spaceship.
"Solid...entertaining...rousing military adventure." (Locus)
Customer Reviews:
No Spoilers here. A simple review........2007-01-10
Tanya Huff has the wonderful ability to create a diverse range of story scenarios from Alternative Universes to Future Fantasy. All have her unique tongue-firmly-in-cheek humor threaded through-out well-woven story-lines featuring strong, assertive female characters. As a series progresses, so does the character development though she does have the knack of introducing you, via a very strong first impression, to who and what the character is all about.
The Better Part of Valor is Future Fantasy (or Science Fantasy / Light Science Fiction) about an alien military coalition featuring a Terran female. She suffers with controlled finesse and deft expertise, as all non-commissioned officers suffer in any military organization; when placed under Officers mostly concerned with their own valiant role in the "Big Scheme of Things"
After saying all this, "The Better Part of Valor" is not as well developed as "Valor's Choice" and should not be used as the introduction to the "Torin Kerr" series. Get "Valor's Choice" first, or buy both, then enjoy this sequel.
There are unanswered aspects to the story that will lead to a third installment but it is still an enjoyable read and worth adding to your Tanya Huff library collection.
Could be better.......2006-12-22
After the initial excitement, I was very disappointed with the dialogue in this book. For example, in one place we are told that the members of the Marine squad are the best of the best. Then, Torin uses an explosive charge to blow a hole in a wall of a ship. Fine. But then Torin chastises one of her "best of the best" troops for taking to much ammo on a patrol because she doesn't want then shooting the place up. This type of conflictind dialogue made me wonder if the character was just arguing with the troops for the simple sake of argument. Fine for the coffee shop debate team, but no squad leader would ever rip up a squad member for minutae, especially on a squad supposedly composed of the best of the best, where each squad member supposedly knows what they are doing.
Bottom Line: Even though I believe that there is a critical shortage of good science fiction writing, and this bood starts well, I don't recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a quality science fiction yarn.
Running the gauntlet.......2005-07-02
I enjoy military science fiction if it's written by someone who was actually in the military, e.g. Elizabeth Moon (USMC, 1968-1971), Robert A. Heinlein (U. S. Navy 1929 - 1934), and Tanya Huff (three years as a cook in the Canadian Naval Reserve). All of these authors embody military ideals such as loyalty and valor into their characters, but also quickly disabuse their readers of any notion of the nobility of war itself. Their wars are mean and dirty. Their heroes are the grunts. Their god is the NCO.
In "The Better Part of Valor," sequel to "Valor's Choice," the heroine, Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr is 'rewarded' for her success on Silsviss, when General Morris detaches her from her platoon of Marines and puts her on a special assignment.
The special assignment proves to be a gigantic yellow spaceship of unknown origin, discovered by a salvager who was slightly lost in space at the time. Both the Confederation and the enemy Others manage to get parties aboard the alien ship, and that's when the fireworks begin. The ship reads minds and resents having holes blown in its walls. The latter action on the part of the Confederation scientists wipes out the airlock, plus the whole scientific mission, plus their equipment, save one little old tart-tongued alien. Luckily, Staff Sergeant Kerr's vain, glory-hogging captain is also rendered unconscious by the blast, so she is in charge.
Unfortunately, the bitchy news commentator and her assistant also survive to provide acerbic backchat to every tactic the Staff attempts to get her party of survivors out of the ship.
Meanwhile the alien ship keeps reforming itself and throwing the 'Bugs' (Others or servants of the Others) and Kerr's marines together in the race to reach another working airlock. There are firefights and heroic sacrifices galore.
The plot reminds me of an amalgam of several Star Trek and Star Trek NG episodes that could be classified as "This Whole Ship is a Trap, Captain!" or "Didn't we just come down this same corridor a few minutes ago?"
"The Better Part of Valor" is a fun read, not nearly as gory as the first book in the series. The Navy's vacuum jockeys get to zoom around in their fighters and take out Bugs while the Marines battle for the airlock inside the alien ship.
There is a slam-bang ending where the glory-hogging captain gets to perform one last valorous deed, even after he is dead.
The news commentator survives to tell her story.
Staff Sergeant Kerr--well who knows what happens to her, after her brief fling with the salvage captain? This book leaves many loose ends, such as the disappearance of the mysterious yellow ship after the Marines manage to break free of her.
And how can there not be a sequel when we don't even know who the Others really are? C'mon Ms. Huff, what happens next? Informed readers want to know.
Torin strikes again.......2004-12-04
Tanya Huff returns to the galaxy of the Confederation and super-competent Marine Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr in this military SF sequel to "Valor's Price".
The set-up is that humans, along with two other species, the di'Taykan and the Krai, are recruited into the Confederation, a union of highly advanced species, in order to provide it with the ability to defend itself against the violent Others, who are invading Confederation space. Other Confederation species have either never practiced warfare or have developed to the point where it is a part of their ancient history, so they need some less-advanced races to help out when they are faced with the requirement to resist military aggression.
Kerr's latest mission is to protect scientists while they examine an extremely large space ship which has been located, apparently drifting as a derelict, in Confederation space. In this I don't think Huff has really thought out her premise. The Confederation is supposed to be an ultra-advanced society of ancient races, but their technology, excepting SF-standard FTL space ships and artificial gravity, isn't really that impressive - there's very little that humans couldn't easily develop on their own by the date of this story, roughly early 23rd Century. Much of it seems downright primitive for a galaxy-spanning culture. They have no AI, no nanotechnology, and apparently no robotics - they seem to have no clue about sending unmanned scouts into potentially hazardous situations, for which they just use Marines. When they encounter this ship, which it soon becomes clear is truly advanced, the Confederation scientists are pretty much useless.
Apart from this conceptual problem, I liked nearly everything about this book. The plot is interesting, with unpredictable twists, and, unlike the prequel, Torin wasn't the only character who was properly developed. There's a sexual tension between Torin and the salvage operator who discovered the ship to keep a romantic subplot running. And there are political subplots in Torin's conflicts with General Morris, returned from the prequel, and the incompetent CO he has assigned to her unit, who is more familiar with - and more interested in - media relations than the mission.
Although I liked most of the story, I do agree with reviewers who said that there isn't much payoff at the end. But this novel is a diverting story and a pleasure to read.
Lightweight Science Fiction.......2004-09-22
I was less taken with this two-book series than most of the others who have commented. As several reviewers have noted, "The Better Part of Valor" is the second book of Huff's "Confederation" series. The two books do contain a few of the same characters, but are a series only in the sense that the "Nancy Drew" mysteries were a series; each story is pretty much independent of the other. While the story line is more interesting than "Valor's Choice", (basically a long drawn out battle of the Alamo with alien combatants), both books are pretty lightweight - Huff fluff.
The underlying premise behind this series is that there is a Confederation which originally consisted of a number of species sentient far longer than humankind who had evolved beyond the need to settle conflict by violence and organized combat. That is, until the arrival of the "Others" 150 years or so ago, an enemy which exercised it's predatory imperialism through merciless warfare and returned all the Confederation's diplomats "in a number of very small pieces". Since the original members of the Confederation were psychologically unable to fight, several younger species, including humans, were sought out and invited into the Confederation, primarily to be warriors to fight the advance of the Others. However, beyond providing the backdrop of a looming threat, the Others aren't an active factor in the first book and only play minor roll in "The Better Part of Valor".
Vaguely reminiscent of Arthur C. Clarke's "Rendezvous with Rama", the story begins with the assembling of a top secret expedition to investigate a huge (approximately 13 miles by 4.5 miles) artifact that appears to be a derelict vessel belonging to no known species. The company consists of several multi-species groups: a Marine detachment, scientists, the crew of the navel battle cruiser; and also the civilian salvage operator (CSO) who discovered the object because of a navigational error, a suspiciously improbable accident given the enormity of the universe. Staff Sergeant Torin Kerr, the heroine and only character of much substance, is the NCO in charge of the 12 member contingent of marines.
After gaining entry to the alien craft, the boarding party, consisting of the squad of marines, ten of the scientists, two reporters and the civilian CSO, are immediately trapped inside; obviously they are not on a dead ship as floors become quicksand, mazes of corridors morph from one configuration to another, areas within the ship become replicas of familiar places out of the memory of various individuals, etc. Eventually they discover there is also a party of Others on board and the race is on to be the first to get to a distant air lock. It becomes clear that a contest between the Confederation and the Others is being staged.
Reading this series I got a feeling a little like you do looking at one of those paint by the numbers pictures, as if it was written by some sort of fill in the blank process. As "literature", it isn't in the same league of, say, Theodore Sturgeon - or even Arthur C. Clarke. There is lots of dialogue, which could be all right, but much of it is juvenile, inane and way, WAY too Hollywood to represent real conversations of soldiers in combat. Although author Huff seems to want to be BAD, I thought it comical that she couldn't go all the way and make (...) a four letter word. The writing is such that I often had to slog through sessions of dialogue unsure of which character was doing the talking. Perhaps more than prosaists in other genre, many Science Fiction writers are prone to give their characters unpronounceable names and make up their own words (for which I sometimes never figure out the meaning). I nearly always find these practices annoying; Huff is not immune to this tack.
There are a variety of alien species, which could add a lot of real meat, but their development is so diaphanous as to leave you with little conception of what they were like - even some who are important characters; even the members of Kerr's own squad. No good word pictures of what they look like, their societies and technology, their worlds; little other than some of the characters are alien and look different from each other.
Finally, as others have mentioned, the story has no satisfying conclusion. The great quest of the story is to investigate this strange vessel, discover its technology, origin and, hopefully, the reason it is there. But the story answers none of theses questions nor even provides more than uncertain glimpses of what the Others may be like. The last sentence of the book seems to imply there will be another chapter of this series - don't think I'll bother with it.
Average customer rating:
- Good but not historic.
- Reworking the Alamo Myth
- A very enjoyable read
- An enigmatic character out of Texas History
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The Better Part of Valor: A Story of the Alamo
Trish Bennett
Manufacturer: Writers Club Press
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0595160158 |
Book Description
No event in human history has captured the imagination like the battle of the Alamo. It is a tale of bold men whose honor, courage and sacrifice made them heroes in the fight for Texas independence. The Better Part of Valor chronicles the 13-day siege of the Alamo fortress through the eyes of its commander, William Barret Travis, and Caroline Girard, a woman whose life would change forever one fateful day in March.
Customer Reviews:
Good but not historic........2003-03-29
Perhaps I have read too many books about the Alamo but Ms. Bennett took a bit too many liberties for me to rate it anything more than two stars. At one point she has Travis, the overall commander of the Alamo, slipping out alone in the still of the night to rescue his girlfriend from the entire Mexican Army! (What about his duty to his command?!) The fact that Travis slipped into San Antonio so easily, got on a horse and rode out of town (Hey! How'd they get across the San Antonio River? Did the Mexicans leave the bridges and fords unguarded?) almost undetected was laughable! Ms. Bennett also has Dr. John Sutherland staying in the Alamo throughout the siege and presumably dying there. In reality, Sutherland injured his knee when his horse fell with him after he rode out and spotted the first Mexican troops and so was sent out on the first day as a courier. She also has Dr. Amos Pollard come into the Alamo with the Heroic 32 from Gonzales. (Nope! He was already there!) And, Ms. Bennett continually screws up the geographic setting of the Alamo. At one point, she has Travis at the northwest corner with the 18 lber cannon looking into the heart of San Antonio. (Sorry, the 18 lber was in the southwest corner, and Travis would have had one heck of a time seeing the heart of San Antonio from the northwest corner!) However, Ms Bennett writes a wonderful love story. This seems to be the strongest part of the book and she has a nice way of capturing the feelings of her characters. Still, it was hard for me to get over the fact that in reality, Travis jumped on anything in a skirt, as attested to in his own diary. While Ms. Bennett is not a bad writer, she needs to do a bit more research on her next book. There are numerous books on the Alamo, it's too bad she didn't read a few of them before writing her story!
Reworking the Alamo Myth.......2002-10-30
"The Better Part of Valor" is a crisp, fast-paced read that tells the Alamo story from William Barret Travis's perspective. Travis has been neglected by novelists, but Trish Bennett breathes fresh life into the character, imagining him as a young swashbuckler. (Walter Lord once commented that Travis's image may have suffered damage from Amelia Williams's dissertation and Lawrence Harvey's priggish portrayal of the Alamo commander in John Wayne's movie, "The Alamo.)
The novel spans the thirteen days of siege, deriving its suspense from the "ticking clock" of dramatic irony. The historical Travis must have wrestled with the weight of command, given the grave consequences of his leadership. Ms. Bennett focuses her narrative on a relationship with the novel's female protagonist, and the doomed relationship serves as an effective metaphor for Travis's ambivalence.
The novel's most enjoyable aspect is the female protagonist. The object of Travis's affection, Caroline Girard is a worthy heroine, full of spit (literally) and vinegar; a character that was both believable and dramatically satisfying.
Despite the author's reliance on myth over accuracy (Ms. Bennett ignores the historical Travis's attempts to arrange terms of surrender), I found "The Better Part of Valor" to be a thoroughly enjoyable read, one that I would not hesitate to recommend.
A very enjoyable read.......2002-06-26
I know next to nothing about the Alamo other than the few basics one learns in U.S. History class. Ms. Bennett's book reveals the heroism of the Alamo's defenders through a love story that focuses on the fort's commander, William Travis, and a young woman named Caroline Girard.
I had a difficult time putting the book down and while I had a sinking feeling about how things would end, I utterly enjoyed the story Bennett had to tell. I hope she publishes again soon.
An enigmatic character out of Texas History.......2002-02-26
I liked this little book. As a long time student of the battle of the Alamo, I've found it's commander, William Barrett Travis, to be a rather enigmatic figure. Ms. Bennett fleshes his character out in a believable way, and weaves a nice little romance in with Alamo facts. A most enjoyable read as a romance with a good dollop of well researched hard historical fact. Ms. Bennett has done an excellent job!
Average customer rating:
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The better part of valor,
Basil Heatter
Manufacturer: DoubleDay
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Customer Reviews:
Absolutely Great!.......2006-11-01
By way of background, I should record that it was my privilege to study history at a great American history during the early seventies of the last century. Sadly though, I much abused this great privilege and probably concentrated more on my sport, wrestling, and on other, shall we say, extracurricular activities, to the expense of the serious study of the very important discipline of history. Thankfully, this important volume provides a much needed corrective to lessons first neglected.
The great Catholic historian, Hilaire Belloc, averred that "Europe is the Faith; and the Faith is Europe." On completing Father Laux's very important study, I can expand even on Belloc's proposition: Western Civilization is the Faith. And the Faith is best represented in Holy Church, the Mystical Body of Church. Father John's book is the history of Holy Church, and, therefore, it is truly the history of our civilization, writ large for all to see.
The book is beautifully written, and thoroughly documented. Father Laux deals skillfully and, yes, even lovingly, with all of the great epics of Holy Church, from her very beginnings at Pentacost to the Age of the Martyrs, the Arian deception, the Schism with the East, the Great Western Schism, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the horror of the French Revolution, and on into modern times. The books ends in the early forties, during the pontificate of Pius XII and the terrible times of the second world war. All told, it is a story of glory and tragedy. Indeed, it is the story of our world.
Father Laux ends by invoking the memory of the Pharisee who, in cautioning his compatriots relative to persecution of the early Church warned them that if this thing is of God, then whatever they strive to do to suppress it will be in vain. This Thing is the Mystical Body of Christ. And, as dark as things may seem from time to time, the gates of Hell shall surely not prevail against it.
We are deeply grateful to Father Laux for this wonderful and very important book. And we are equally grateful to the wonderful folks at TAN books of Rockford, Illinois for making available in this beautiful format.
A Good Comprehensive Guide on Catholic Church History.......2006-08-12
Father Laux's book titled CHURCH HISTORY is an excellent guide for those interested in the history of the Catholic Church. There is an obvious gap regarding the second half of the 20th century, but this book is still very useful.
Father Laux begins his study with the early Church. His materials are obviously selections from the Bible, but he also makes use of other documents that help explain the development of the early Catholic Church. Father Laux mentions that St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107 AD)was one of the first to use the term "Catholic Church." Readers should note that St. Ignatius of Antioch was a contemporary of St. John who is credited with writing the Gospel of John and Revelations or the Apocalypse. In other words the earliest Christians referred to themselves as Catholics and belonging to the Catholic (Universal Church). If this causes apoplexy among Protestants who define their religion by Catholic bashing, that is too bad because the sources are there.
Father Laux gives an interesting account of the survivial of the Catholic Church even as the central authority of the Roman Empire disintegrated. This is an important part of the history of the Catholic Church simply because the Catholic authroities maintained a disciplined organization which united Europeans when nothing else would. There were obvious exceptions to this trend, but the fact is that the Catholic Church united European men and women when there was political chaos during the Dark Ages (c. 500-750).
Father Laux's treatment of the monks and nuns is important. Father Laux presents a clear and incisive history of these forgotten heroes and heroines. The monks and nuns of the so-called dark ages preserved learning and Western Civilization. Father Laux cites these people for their devotion and tireless efforts. Readers should note that monks and nuns hand copied books including the Bible. They taught men how to drain swamps, clear land, farm, rotate crops, etc. The monastic schools and the schools organized for nuns were the only ones that existed until the development of the cathedral schools and universities which were developed later.
Father Laux did a credible job regarding the power struggles between the European secular rulers and Catholic authorities. For example readers should consult his explanation of the power struggle between the German ruler Henry IV (1056-1106)vs. Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085). These struggles were crucial for the survial of the Catholic Church if the Catholic authorities were to have credibility both as religious men and women and as the Universal Church rather than a national church with limited vision and narrow scope.
Father Laux does an outstanding job in detailing the history of the Catholic universities and the great philosophical achievement of the Scholastic scholars. One should note Father Laux's appreciation of St. Thomas Aguinas (1225-1274). Those who make the blunder that the Catholic authroities tried to keep men and women ignorant cannot explain that if this were so, then why the Catholic authorities promote universities to educate larger numbers of people.
Father Laux shows surprising objectivity in assessing the Renaissance Catholic Church and then explaining the Reformation. For example, he gives an honest and charitible view of Savanrola (1452-1498). Father Laux is clear that while Savanarola was executied for heresy, Savanarola exectuion was political. In other words, Father Laux praises a supposed heretic who was probably a decent man.
Father Laux's graphic descriptions of the events during the Reformation are specific and honest. Father Laux does not conceal some of the problems and corruption within the Catholic Church during the 15th and 16th centuries. Yet, Father Laux also gives high praise to the Counter Reformation and especially the work of the Jesuits. Readers should read FAther Laux's description of St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) and St. Francis Xavier (1509-1552). Part of the Counter Reformation included the significant work that Catholic missionaries did in the Americans beginning in the 16th century.
Father Laux has good details regarding the modern Catholic Church(modern to the publication date of the book). He explains the gradual loss of the land belonging to the Papal States. He deals with the challenge of "Modernity." Father Laux's assessments of modern Popes and dignatarie are worth reading.
While no one could write a complete history of the Catholic Church without producing something close to a five foot book shelf, Father Laux's book is a very good start. He is suprisingly honest and writes well. Father Laux refers readers to other sources. A good companion volume is Thomas Woods book titled HOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILT WESTERN CIVILIZATION. Father Laux's CHURCH HISTORY is well worth reading.
Good Completre Basic History of the Catholic Church.......2005-09-27
It starts from the time of Jesus Christ up to the reign of Pope Pius XII.
Church History by Fr. John Joseph Laux is an excellent, basic complete history of the Catholic Church.
It sums up the causes of the Inquisition, the Schism of King Henry VIII, beginning and end of Jansenism, and the end of the Papal States of Rome as well as the glorious monarchy of Italy once ruled by Blessed Pius IX.
This is not an outdated book because it published in the mid-20th century. History is never outdated even in the past. History is History. The facts from the past are still the same facts today.
Beware.......2002-03-06
The "current" in the title is 1944. This is a re-issue of a book first published in 1930.
There are interesting stories - but this is not a history that takes into account the second half of the 20th cnetury.
Excellent for both Catholic and non-Catholic.......2001-12-29
This book explains all of the questions that I, as a public-school-educated cradle (i.e., ignorant) Catholic, had about my religion.
After re-discovering my Catholic faith, I have been trying to explore the depths of my Church and its teachings. This book has helped me to put people, places, and events in their proper perspective.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in finding the roots of their Catholic faith.
Books:
- The Woman of Rome: A Novel (Italia)
- There's No Room for You, Maddie Morrison
- Trademarks of '20s & '30s
- Voice Through A Cloud
- Walking Towards Walden: A Pilgrimage in Search of Place
- War Nurse {A True Story of a Woman Who Lived, Loved and Suffered on the Western Front}
- We Don't Live Here Anymore: Three Novellas
- When Strange Gods Call
- Whiskey Priest
- Who Killed Palomino Molero?
Books Index
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