A Single Pebble
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A Single Pebble by Hershey is brilliant.
  • A Single Pebble
  • Not Among Hersey's Greatest Works
  • Revisiting A Single Pebble
  • A Single Pebble
A Single Pebble
John Hersey
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Hersey, JohnHersey, John | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0394756975
Release Date: 1989-02-11

Book Description

A young American engineer sent to China to inspect the unruly Yangtze River travels up through the river's gorges searching for dam sites. Pulled on a junk hauled by forty-odd trackers, he is carried, too, into the settled, ancient way of life of the people of the Yangtze -- until the interplay of his life with theirs comes to a dramatic climax.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A Single Pebble by Hershey is brilliant........2005-06-16

Hershey has written a small, but very powerful book. It is full of whimsey and cultural contrasts. It entertains such questions as what is true progress. Indeed, it is a great book for group discussions.

4 out of 5 stars A Single Pebble.......2003-12-03

A single pebble is probably one of the few books in my life that I would read more than once. I like the clash between cultures because it is something we could all relate to if we have traveled to another country. The story is about a young engineer who goes on a journey up the Yangtze River trying to find a good spot to build a dam to make the river safer for boats. The young engineer is faced with many challenges such as the language barrier between himself and the boats crew and the fact that no one else on the boat wants him there because they think he is bad luck. He also starts to think that he is bad luck because on the trip their lead tracker falls into the river to his death, and he blammed the the trackers death on himself. Over all, the book was good with a mix of a little bit of action and some suspence to make you want to keep reading.

3 out of 5 stars Not Among Hersey's Greatest Works.......2003-07-19

Many of Hersey's other books are moving, memorable stories. A Bell for Adano and Hiroshima are among Hersey's best, and these books should be read by any well-rounded individual. A Single Pebble, however, is more forgetable. Hersey does do a good job presenting the clash between traditional Chinese culture and modern Western culture in the early twentieth century. However, the clash between the main character, an engineer representing Western culture, and another leading character, a boatsman representing traditional Chinese culture, is so artificially strong that the reader can sympathize with neither character or position. The book anticlimaxes and concludes with some overly abstract thoughts on the future of China. Ultimately, it is not a book of the same quality as many of Hersey's other works, nor is it a story of the same quality as other stories (in multiple media) that probe the differences between East Asian and Eurpoean culture.

5 out of 5 stars Revisiting A Single Pebble.......2001-11-15

Although published almost 50 years ago, this book deserves another look using a modern, critical lens. Overshadowed by Hersey's other works, specifically Hiroshima and A Bell for Adano, A Single Pebble offers a great deal to the reader. The book is far more than a fictionalized travelogue of a trip up the Yangtse River. It is a work that documents exposure to the acts and ideas of another culture by an American used to thinking of himself as representative of all that is modern and educated, and therefore all that is to be considered as desireable or superior. As a reader, I came away from the book with the idea that all that I think glitters may not be gold. It should be noted, however, that this is not an American-bashing book; both sides--the narrator and the Chinese people he meets--are guilty of a type of national myopia when viewing the "Other" in their midst. Those interested in Postcolonial and Cultural studies will find plenty to occupy them, whichever side of the debate they fall on.

4 out of 5 stars A Single Pebble.......2001-09-26

I was required to read the book "A Single Pebble," for summer reading. I thought it would be terrible, but I loved it. The book is a symbolic novel, about a boy that goes to china looking for a place to build a dam. He went there thinking he would be superior to all the others on the boat, but shortly realized he was looked down upon. The engineer experiences a culture shock, and is upset to find out the trackers, owner, and old pebble are upset that he wants to build a dam, even if it will help them. He later decides whether to blame himself for the death of a crew member- believing he killed himself as fear for change in the ways of the river. As he rides the junk, he learns of chinese tradition, fear, and superstitions, and faces the mighty power of the great Yangzee River
Great Modern Short Novels(Lost Horizon, Red Pony,Third Man, A Single Pebble, Light in the Piazza, Seize the Day, Breakfast at Tiffany's)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Great Modern Short Novels(Lost Horizon, Red Pony,Third Man, A Single Pebble, Light in the Piazza, Seize the Day, Breakfast at Tiffany's)
    Graham Greene, John Hersey, Elizabeth Spencer, Saul Bello, Truman Capote James Hilton John Steinbeck
    Manufacturer: Nelson Doubleday,Inc.
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover
    ASIN: B000MOIYN4
    A SINGLE PEBBLE
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      A SINGLE PEBBLE

      Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: B000H1FCEQ
      Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm (The Little Pebbles)
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • Wonderful Illustrations
      • A beautiful yet dark version of the classic fairy tale.
      • This brings back fond memories!
      • One of the best editions that you can buy!
      • Spectacular Illustrations
      Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm (The Little Pebbles)

      Manufacturer: Abbeville Press
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

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      ASIN: 0789207346

      Amazon.com

      The story of the beautiful princess who sleeps for a hundred years has captured the imaginations of children for an even longer period of time. How could everyone in a castle--even the flies on the walls--sleep for a century and then wake up? This magical, beautifully illustrated tale begins when the king excludes the most difficult fairy of the kingdom from a feast celebrating the birth of his beautiful daughter Briar Rose. Furious, the fairy storms in and curses the baby, pronouncing that on her fifteenth birthday she will be pricked by a distaff (from a spinning wheel) and fall down dead. The youngest fairy softens the curse to a century-long sleep. Despite the fact that the king burns all the spinning wheels in the kingdom, 15-year-old Briar Rose finds herself in the tower where the evil fairy and her fate await her. The drama of the spell unfurls as she and the other inhabitants of the castle fall instantly asleep, from courtiers to kitchen maids. Thorny briars--moodily captured by Trina Schart Hyman's masterful paintbrush--grow up around the castle. Hyman depicts those who died attempting to break through the maze of thorns to reach the legendary sleeping beauty in a nightmarish illustration. But goodness and true love prevail when the perfect prince does finally find his way through the thick vines.

      Hyman won a Caldecott Medal for her work in Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges, and her version of The Sleeping Beauty makes us believe in the magic of the spell. The scenes inside the castle are alive with color and movement and rich with details that children will devour eagerly. Moods and expressions are rendered exquisitely, especially those of the wild, red-haired beauty Briar Rose. This wonderful read-aloud classic is one of Hyman's best. (Ages 5 to 9)

      Book Description

      This charming series retells classic fairy tales with bright illustrations and a clever tone. The stories in the Little Pebbles series have been adapted for children today while respecting the richness and flavor of the original versions. The small size of the books and their warm, inviting illustrations will appeal to children, who will also love the game page at the end of each book and will want to read all the books in the series.

      The story of Sleeping Beauty is told here with simplicity and charm. Sixteen years after an angry fairy casts this spell, the princess pricks her finger on a spindle and the entire kingdom falls asleep--until one hundred years later a handsome prince rides up to the thorn-covered castle, awakens them all, and happily marries the beautiful girl.

      Other Details:
      36 full-color illustrations. 32 pages. 6 1/2 x 7 1/2" trim size. Published in 2001.

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Illustrations.......2004-08-16

      I had never heard of Trina Schart Hyman, let alone seen any of her illustrations as a child. When I saw the cover of this book however I was just drawn right in, there was no resisting her spell. Based on the traditional Grimms telling of the fairy tale there's nothing new in the plot, the illustrations is what really makes this special though is the illustrations, they're a little dark, but you can tell hours of painstaking detail was put into each picture. So if for no other reason buy this for the illustrations and nothing else, I promise it'll elicit hours of enjoyment looking through each one and seeing a new detail every time you look at each picture.

      4 out of 5 stars A beautiful yet dark version of the classic fairy tale........2004-04-25

      This is a very traditional telling of the Sleeping Beauty story, based on the fairy tale originally written down by the Brothers Grimm. There is no real innovation where the plot is concerned. What makes the book special is its beautiful illustrations. Trina Schart Hyman is a talented artist, and her drawings are a treat to look at. Each page is very nicely laid out, with the text set within the pictures (as opposed to having the text on blank pages and the pictures opposite, as is common). My only reservation is that some of the illustrations are quite dark and oppressive, and may bother very young children. The one that is most disturbing is the picture showing the dead and decaying bodies of Princess Briar Rose's many failed suitors caught in the thorny brambles around the castle. So I'd advise caution with the extremely young, but the book would be great for slightly older children. It is suitable either to be read aloud, or for the kids to read themselves. All in all, a beautiful telling of this classic story.

      5 out of 5 stars This brings back fond memories!.......2002-09-17

      Trina Schart Hyman entranced me with her illustrations of Snow White when I was just a child. This book, with all its wonderful depictions, is equally as rich and magical. I have always loved the way her drawings looked and she was a direct inspiration for me to take up illustration when I got to college. I definitely reccomend it. It is a lovely, well-written tale and anyone, young or old, will love it.

      5 out of 5 stars One of the best editions that you can buy!.......2001-12-23

      As soon as you see the cover, you will know this is an edition of Sleeping Beauty that you will want. You actually feel the joy of the baby's christening, and the hurt and turmoil of the wicked fairy's curse. The scenes in this book are medeieval looking and it even shows some of the seasons that pass. This might not be the way that you see Sleeping Beauty often depicted. The princess, Briar Rose has long red hair and she wears a knife around her waist, in true medieval princess style. This is definetly a good change for the story. With it's expressive wording and beautiful, unique illustrations, you will want to check out her other books such as Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and some others!!!!

      4 out of 5 stars Spectacular Illustrations.......2001-04-30

      This book tells the traditional story of Sleeping Beauty with magnificent language, accompanied by spectacular illustrations. As in the original, Sleeping Beauty's mother is told that her dream of having a child would finally come true and that she would have a baby girl. The Queen did have the baby girl and her husband was so pleased he threw the biggest and grandest birthday party. He invited all but one person and not inviting her was the result in a terrible spell cast upon his daughter, Briar Rose. The spell was to put her to sleep on her 15th birthday, in which it did, after she touched the spinning wheel. Only a handsome man could wake her from the spell, and many years later that is what one man did. By kissing her, she returned to life and brought the whole castle life back with her. What catches the reader's attention in this particular book is the depth and colors of the illustrations. The position of the text also is very relevant in this story. Each picture is extremely detailed and shows that a great amount of thought was put into completing each page. It is very unique that the placement of the words on each page is located in some form of an opening. The text is placed in open skies, doorways, and blank walls on each page. In the beginning of the book, when the tone is darker, opening words are placed in a smaller and darker area; when Sleeping Beauty is awoken, the tone is much livelier. An example of this transition is relevant on the first two pages of the book, from the time when you are told the Queen could not have children to the time she has given birth to a baby girl. The first picture has dark colors and the trees are scary, close together and representative of a dark tone. With a turn of the page the tone takes a great positive change with open skies, doves, and vibrant colors. The text on both pages is in the middle of the darkness and then in the middle of a window. The position of the text and the illustrations are key factors in determining the over all tone and mood of the story. This book tells such an amazing story with the pictures that words are not even necessary. Children can read this book and better understand because of the colors and detail that each picture possesses. The doves that are used on the page of the birth of Briar Rose and the end of the book symbolize her life and what joy she lived. The colors in general are also used a symbol for joy and sadness, with such powerful colors meaning and representing happy times.
      Tom Thumb: A Fairy Tale (Little Pebbles)
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • tom Thumb
      Tom Thumb: A Fairy Tale (Little Pebbles)
      Charles Perrault , and Molly Stevens
      Manufacturer: Abbeville Kids
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

      GeneralGeneral | Classics by Age | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
      EuropeanEuropean | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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      Perrault, CharlesPerrault, Charles | ( P ) | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
      ASIN: 0789206943

      Book Description

      The smallest of seven brothers, measuring no more than a thumb at birth, Tom is still the cleverest. When he and his brothers become lost in the woods, Tom devises a brilliant plan to save them all from a flesh-eating ogre!

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars tom Thumb.......2000-11-28

      Tom Thumb has always been my all-time favorite book when i was younger.
      The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats: A Fairy Tale (Little Pebbles)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats: A Fairy Tale (Little Pebbles)
        Jacob Grimm , Wilhelm Grimm , and Molly Stevens
        Manufacturer: Abbeville Kids
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

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        ASIN: 0789207354

        Book Description

        A poor shoemaker's shop is blessed with a nightly miracle: scraps of leather left on the worktable mysteriously become beautiful shoes that sell immediately the next day! When the shoemaker and his wife discover who has been bringing them good fortune, they show their gratitude by leaving a special Christmas gift.

        When a mother goat leaves her seven kids at home, a hungry wolf disguises himself as their returning mother and gobbles whole all but the youngest kid. But the mother goat thinks up an ingenious way to save all of her children and punish the wolf--by sewing rocks into his stomach!

        Other Details:
        36 full-color illustrations. 6 1/2 x 7 1/2" trim size.
        A SINGLE PEBBLE
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          A SINGLE PEBBLE
          John Hershey
          Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover
          ASIN: B000GR7ICU
          A Single Pebble
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            A Single Pebble
            John Hersey
            Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover
            ASIN: B000NUOCOW
            A Pocket Full Of Pebbles
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              A Pocket Full Of Pebbles
              Howard A. Losness
              Manufacturer: Mystery and Suspense Press
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Paperback

              GeneralGeneral | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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              ASIN: 0595306802

              Book Description

              Here are twelve stories from thriller writer Howard Losness, beginning with the tale of a man who refuses to act his age. You'll read about the deal he makes with a Mr. Sattan in return for his youth and the consequences thereof.

              Then there is Harm, who is living the good life with his wife and family, until the arrival of a letter announcing an additional member that he hadn't counted on, or even knew about.

              Charlie finds his dream girl and marries her, only to give everyone at the wedding reception the surprise of their lives.

              And then there is Paddy O'Toole, a gangster wannabe. Wait until you read what fate has in store for this fool.

              No collection of short stories would be complete without a 'Who done it'. In The Butler Did It, you'll discover Howard Losness' version of not one butler, but a plane full of them.

              In each of Howard Losness' short stories you will find yourself drawn into the lives and dilemmas that his characters create for themselves.

              Best-in-books, Lost Horizon, The Red Pony, The Third Man, A Single Pebble, The Light in the Piazza, Seize the Day
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                Best-in-books, Lost Horizon, The Red Pony, The Third Man, A Single Pebble, The Light in the Piazza, Seize the Day

                Manufacturer: Nelson Doubleday, Inc.
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Hardcover

                Steinbeck, JohnSteinbeck, John | Classics | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
                Greene, GrahamGreene, Graham | Classics | British | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
                ASIN: B000E0DVU2

                The Erevis Cale Trilogy - Forgotten Realms (Books I & II: Twilight Falling & Dawn Of Night)
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                  The Erevis Cale Trilogy - Forgotten Realms (Books I & II: Twilight Falling & Dawn Of Night)
                  Paul S. Kemp
                  Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Mass Market Paperback
                  ASIN: B000S6T7XW

                  Product Description

                  Partial Set includes first two books: Book I - Twilight Falling (ISBN# 0786929987) & Book II - Dawn Of Night (ISBN# 0786932252).

                  Ecolitan Prime (Ecolitan Matter)
                  Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                  • The Economics of Empire
                  Ecolitan Prime (Ecolitan Matter)
                  L. E. Modesitt Jr.
                  Manufacturer: Tor Books
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback

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                  1. Empire and Ecolitan: Two Complete Novels of the Galactic Empire: The Ecolitan Operation and The Ecologic Secession Empire and Ecolitan: Two Complete Novels of the Galactic Empire: The Ecolitan Operation and The Ecologic Secession
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                  ASIN: 0765308983

                  Book Description

                  his new omnibus from L.E. Modesitt includes the third and fourth of his four volume Ecolitan series, The Ecologic Envoy and The Ecolitan Enigma, both starring Nathaniel Whaler. Four hundred years after winning secession from the Terran Empire (as chronicled in the earlier omnibus, Empire Ecolitan), the star system Accord wants to sign a simple trade treaty with the Empire on microchip export tariffs. But if the agreement is so minor, why is Professor Nathaniel Whaler-chief economist at the Ecolitan Institute, and his world's top commando killer-chosen Accord's envoy? Because the Imperial capital is a maddening bureaucracy of sniveling diplomats, high profile figureheads, powers behind the throne, and spies-everywhere, spies. So the Envoy has to face red tape, politics, prejudice-and a gauntlet of kidnappers, assassins, snipers, and bombs. And some Ministry-but which?-doesn't want the treaty. In fact, some in the Empire still blame Accord for Earth's poisoning and for the defection of fifty star systems after the war between Imperial nuclear might and Ecolitan bio-ecological weaponry. A hidden cabal want to fight that war again-even if, this time, the entire galaxy dies. Only Nathaniel Whaler, the Ecologic Envoy, has the power to stop the catastrophe. This omnibus concludes one of L.E. Modesitt's most powerful science fiction series.

                  Customer Reviews:

                  5 out of 5 stars The Economics of Empire.......2004-06-11

                  Ecolitan Prime is an omnibus edition of the third and fourth novels in The Ecolitan Matter series according to the internal chronology. It includes The Ecologic Envoy and The Ecolitan Enigma.

                  Four centuries have passed since the Accordan Secession. Terra still bears the scars of ecological damage and the small planetary population seldom leaves the underground warrens. However, the Empire has otherwise recovered from the war and the Imperial navy has grown even stronger. Now the Empire has mostly assumed that Accord is no longer a major force in the galaxy and has started taking action to recover its former territory beyond the Rift, first subduing Haversol and then asking for tariff revisions in the trade with Accord.

                  In The Ecologic Envoy (1986), Ecolitan Professor Nathaniel Firstborne Whaler is appointed as Trade Envoy and sent to New Augusta. There he survives several assassination attempts and cordial, but frustrating discussions with Imperial bureaucrats. Then he has an interesting luncheon meeting with Sylvia Ferro-Maine, a former Imperial Intelligence agent and currently a member of Senator Helmsworth's staff, and they exchange a few truths.

                  In The Ecolitan Enigma (1997), Whaler returns to Accord in the company of Sylvia Ferro-Maine, who is promptly admitted as a Professor at the Ecolitan Institute. Shortly thereafter, the Institute is asked to conduct a study of the infrastructure economics of Artos, one of the New Avalon colony planets. The request seems strange, but the Institute has reasons of its own to allow the study. Whaler and Sylvia travel to Artos. After several so-called accidents, the Ecolitans begin to see a pattern in the local economy that indicates civil war. Meanwhile, the Empire is suffering from some form of ecological warfare and is close to going to war with Accord.

                  These stories involve Whaler and Sylvia in interstellar intrigue both within and without the boundaries of the Empire. Whaler and, in the latter novel, Sylvia are the center of numerous violent attacks. Whaler and Sylvia avoid major injury and death only by a combination of skill and luck.

                  In their spare time, Whaler and Sylvia discuss their personal conflicts and work out means of blending their solitary lives into a partnership. Whaler has a tendency to take charge of situations, but Sylvia has a better feel for relationships. Both must contribute if they are to solve these political dilemmas.

                  Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of political chicanery, military maneuvering, and public investigations together with a budding romance.

                  -Arthur W. Jordin

                  Biology Through the Eyes of Faith (Christian College Coalition Series)
                  Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
                  • This book should be required reading...
                  • Part Interesting; Part Laughable; Part Offensive
                  • An excellent and very unbiased view.
                  • Identifying the struggles for faith integration in biology
                  • Not a good book for discussion
                  Biology Through the Eyes of Faith (Christian College Coalition Series)
                  Richard T. Wright
                  Manufacturer: HarperOne
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback

                  GeneralGeneral | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
                  CreationismCreationism | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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                  4. Literature Through the Eyes of Faith: Christian College Coalition Series Literature Through the Eyes of Faith: Christian College Coalition Series
                  5. Essentials of The Living World Essentials of The Living World

                  ASIN: 0060696958

                  Book Description

                  Newly Revised
                  The Council of Christian Colleges and Universities Series

                  Stressing the biblical message of stewardship, biologist Richard T. Wright celebrates the study of God's creation and examines the interaction of the life sciences with society in medicine, genetics, and the environment. The author brings a biblical perspective to theories on origins, contrasting creationism, intelligent design, and evolution. Highlighting the unique nature of biology and its interaction with Christian thought, Wright demonstrates that Christian stewardship can be the key to a sustainable future.

                  This comprehensive work, one of a series cosponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, addresses the needs of the Christian student of biology to align science and faith. It demonstrates that the study of biology penetrates to the core of human existence and has much to contribute to the construction of a consistent Christian worldview.

                  Customer Reviews:

                  5 out of 5 stars This book should be required reading..........2007-09-05

                  for Christians studying biology and struggling with conflict between what they believe and what they are asked to learn. I have a dog-eared and valuable (to me) pre-publication copy of the first edition of this book that Dr. Wright himself gave me. I was one of his students many years ago when he taught Ecology and Evolution. That book helped me immensely, although I don't think I ever properly thanked him at the time. We used it in a discussion class my senior year, and it was wonderful to be able to talk with the author, even though I eventually came to my own conclusions on the matter of creation/evolution. It's greatest strength isn't in giving you the answers, because thinking for yourself was always paramount at the Christian college where I met Dr. Wright, but the book makes it clear that these difficulties make it even more important that Christians understand the issues in order to be good stewards. I teach at a secular college now, but I'm still going to recommend this book to my students that are struggling with this issue.

                  1 out of 5 stars Part Interesting; Part Laughable; Part Offensive.......2007-05-23

                  Wright's book has a few interesting chapters which are certainly worth serious consideration by college students. His basic approach is to 'bridge' the current academic gap found between the macroevolutionary naturalists who are currently in the majority at the high school and university level, and the creationists and ID proponents who are in the much smaller, but rapidly growing minority. In some areas, Wright shines in this role of mediator. However, in the area where it is most critical, namely the actual origin of man and the Biblical account, Wright plunges the reader into a laughable and ridiculous chasm of compromise that is both unsatisfying scientifically, and theologically. In a few key chapters in the middle of the book, Wright proposes that Adam and Eve could actually have been descendents of some prehistoric and 'prehuman' race that existed prior to the account in Genesis. This early male and female creatures were then plopped into the Garden of Eden by God to become the first fully developed humans! From this first family, the human race came.

                  This view has so many problems logically--it is almost too difficult to determine where to begin. First, Wright tries to hold on to many of the blatantly untenable and unscientific aspects of evolution. Namely, that by the 'creative' mechanisms of natural selection and mutation alone, humans evolved from 'lower primates'. God may have directed the process...but Wright plants seed of doubt throughout the reading. If macroevolution did in fact occur...is God therefore even necessary ? The creative agent now becomes random chance, natural selection, and mutation of genetic material, not God. This is at the very foundation of current macroevolutionary thought, and here is where Wright tries to build a bridge between evolutionists and creationists. However, this 'scientific bridge' one serious problem: it is impossible! There is not one recorded example in all the history of science where a mutation (brought about by everything from radiation to toxic waste) brought about a 'fitness-increasing' mutation. The idea that being blasted by radiation will bring about any change in the DNA or RNA that could increase the ability of a living creature to thrive in the world should ONLY be found in the comic books (think Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, etc...), but it is found taught as fact in every secular university in the world, and in many Christian colleges. However, if natural selection + mutation cannot produce an improved species in the laboratory, how could it have happened in the wild ? Of course, the evolutionist simply will say "Time..time--we just need more time and virtually anything is possible." But this is not science--it IS science fiction though.
                  This is the greatest flaw of Wright's text. He sacrifices Scripture on the alter of academic compromise, apparently in the hopes of building bridges between competing ideas. However, Wright only succeeds in adding confusion to the creation/evolution debate. If Genesis 1-3 is to be doubted, why not also John 3:16 or any other Scripture for that matter. Jesus spoke of Adam being created...never evolved. Since He was there and Darwin was not, why should any writer from a Christian perspective attempt to marginalize what Jesus so obviously taught, wile at the same time give credibility to Darwin's macroevolutionary philosophy ?

                  5 out of 5 stars An excellent and very unbiased view........2005-12-04

                  Unlike someone else from Abilene, TX, I found this book to be excellent, and so did all the other people I talked with who read this book for a discussion class. Bias to me is only presenting one view and igoring all the others, which is not what Wright has done. Having investigated thoroughly, he has an opinion, which he presents calmly and respectfully.

                  Wright's intended audience is Christians who have an interest in biology. Writing from that perspective, he goes to great links to connect with his audience and show that the current animosity between Christians and scientists, which is currently at frenzied levels in our culture, need not be. He thoroughly discusses the idea of worldviews, and how they shape our understanding of the world we live in.

                  One of the things he does best is calmly tackle issues like evolution, allowing Christians to consider the topic from the reasoned voice of a fellow believer who understands the science well. The book's not just about evolution though. Wright also examines medical, ethical, and environmental issues, all of which involve biology and beg for well reasoned Christian perspectives in our culture.

                  More than anything else, I suspect Wright's book has enabled hundreds (thousands?) of Christians, whether biology students or simply those interested in the subject, to develop a much stronger and more integrated faith, enjoying God's works in our world.

                  As a parting shot... For the reviewer that talked of Wright's bias and suggested that Wright's view is that God can be found nowhere else but rural nature, I highly beg to differ. Wright was simply pointing out one place where we've stopped seeing God because we never visit anymore. Romans 1:20 certainly gives a good perspective on this. And speaking of bias, isn't your perspective that we need not be concerned with God's creation in these rural places just that -- biased?

                  5 out of 5 stars Identifying the struggles for faith integration in biology.......2005-05-06

                  Biology through the Eyes of Faith [BEoF] attempts to make the reader aware of the struggles that occur with someone who professes a Christian faith (primarily evangelical or fundamental [EC]) with the current understandings of biological sciences and the impact that these science have had in our world. While Wight attempts to be neutral in his approach, as with most people who are passionate with their field of expertise, his biases break through. The reader can sense how his striving for practicing of both good science and being honest to his faith can be accomplished.

                  BEoF first introduces the reader to passion that someone in biology has for his/her profession. Wright then addresses how this person integrates his/her EC faith structure into biology and where conflicts occur. He addresses the varied EC faith/science integration approaches and attempts to identify the strengths and weakness of each. BEoF discusses many of the areas in biology that the EC community struggles; such as origins, genetic engineering, stem-cell research and the environment to name a few.

                  BEoF attempts to be fair yet truthful to both science and faith, but Wright's own struggles and biases show through. However, this honest approach to the struggles of faith/science integration help the reader to understand the complexity of the issues and makes them aware that there is not one view accepted within EC communities. Wright's attempt to address where these conflict occur is factual and brief. Here the book turns more philosophical that science oriented. But this is it's purpose; not to be the book on "Truth" or on "Biology", but to show that strongly faith-based individuals must and can address the issues of biology and faith.

                  If you want a book to support only one viewpoint, this is not the book. If you want a book that gives you the answers to all your questions, you will need to look elsewhere. If you want to read a book that describes the struggle in the EC community and helps to show why they must be a participant in biology, this will be a good read.

                  1 out of 5 stars Not a good book for discussion.......2004-04-18

                  This book might have appealed to me under different circumstances. It was required reading for "discussion" class I took and for this purpose it fell short. (I'm sure it wasn't designed for this) This book is terribly biased and even unfactual at times. Granted, Wright throws in terminology for all the different views (that part is factual) but he also has so many unfounded biases that it's hard to take him seriously. ("Is it not absolutely sinful that we who worship God so shut ourselves off from the creation in our cities and suburbs that we cannot even see God's works?") Does Wright think God only exists in rural nature? That's just one of several examples that lead me to this conclusion. I think this book is only good for learning terms - anything else, especially at a discussion level, is pointless.
                  Biology Through the Eyes of Faith
                  Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                  • New Edition
                  Biology Through the Eyes of Faith

                  Manufacturer: Inter-Varsity Press
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback

                  GeneralGeneral | Meditations | Reference | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
                  ASIN: 0851114237

                  Customer Reviews:

                  5 out of 5 stars New Edition.......2006-12-13

                  This book is a newer edition (2003) of the other Amazon listing.

                  Good book, really shows some thoughtful insight on how Christians can percieve evolution and other issues in Biology.
                  Biology Through the Eyes of Faith
                  Average customer rating: Not rated
                    Biology Through the Eyes of Faith
                    R.T. Wright
                    Manufacturer: Apollos
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Paperback
                    ASIN: B000PDI6JO

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