Book Description
The Most Amazing Thing, is the extravagant narrative of Desmond Ruck, a midlife down-and-outer who stumbles into a big-crime shootout, escapes in a van filled with billions, and journeys across America in a series of bizarre encounters and close escapes. Safe at last, Ruck embarks on a number of outsized philanthropic ventures. But his largesse and compassion get him into really big trouble.
Customer Reviews:
The Most Amazing novel -- .......2005-09-30
This most amazing novel guides you through a colorful world that captures the imagination. Before you begin reading about Desmond Ruck's adventures, find a comfortable chair because your mind will ignore your body. Like some spiritual master with a bottle of Wharton's, you'll be transported into a new dimension. It's a wheel squealing ride across America's Highway to Heaven.
Think the fast pace of the Da Vinci Code, only more intense, as if Hunter S. Thompson wrote this adventure while still in Vegas, then Gunter Grass added his Rabelaisian sauce, and Mark Twain polished it up while in a good mood.
An Amazing Adventure.......2003-11-24
This is a wonderful book. The most amazing thing about it is the author's imagination. It concerns the adventures of one Desmond Ruck, a man bigger than most physically and larger than most morally. He stumbles upon a Bill-Gates-size fortune in negotiable bonds and a beautiful South American bookkeeper somehow connected to it, who keeps disappearing into the clutches of assorted nefarious groups from whom he keeps trying to rescue her. If I found a trillion dollars, I don't know what I'd do with it. But Desmond Ruck knows what to do with it. No futile attempts to reform campaign finance or to enjoy himself kicking up his heels in Cannes. He is a rescuer. At the same time, he is a practical man (actually a carpenter), so, once he gets past some pretty awful situations and figures out how to cash in some of those bonds, he goes in for practical rescues. He rescues people. First, a paraplegic old geezer, then a pair of brutally isolated and abused teenagers, and then -- working his way up -- the inhabitants of a bawdy house (he provides them with college scholarships) and an orphanage (he provides it with a luxurious boarding-school ranch in the Southwest), and so on. At the end, after putting Desmond through an incredible series of misadventures, the author manages to wrap up every single solitary detail, every surreptitious subtext and sidelong glance, into a smashing conclusion that kept me smiling optimistically for days.
Breakthrough.......2001-12-11
Robert Grudin is both a prolific and intelligent writer. Most of his work rquires careful reading and thought, a more cerebral approach. In The Most Amazing Thing, Grudin reached a new level as an author. Every reader wishes the implied intimacy associated with the notion that this book was written for him or her. Few writers, of course, ever achieve this intimacy with the reader. I believed that Grudin was writing this book to and for me and further that many other readers will believe the same. Great writers, like Mark Twain, routinely write or wrote on this level. This appears to be a new Grudin and one that I hope will continue to serve us tasty morsels. I recemmned this book to anyone since it seems to communicate feelings of fun without any effort by the reader.
Pleasing and fast read.......2001-12-09
(...). Imagine a combination of Candide and "Forrest Gump" except with a lucid and intelligent narrator/protagonist and you'll be close. Add in an author inspired by Rabelais and possessing a strong humanist spine and you can start to smack the taste in your mouth. Combine these with a lean over to one side and slightly to the back at the strained pop and contemporary culture references and you'll get its overall sense. The main nuisance was the faintly antiseptic feeling of one who wants to write about being in the mud, but hasn't ever quite dipped in. Many will find it a riot, others who have led a riotous life will find it charming, but not ever quite "there". It's provocative and fantastic as it aspires to much while never standing still, like many ambitious books, waving its hands in your face demanding: "I am an important book!" This novel wants to entertain, and does copiously, but may evoke chuckles and smirks when it aspires for comedic gasps and release.
A truly amazing book.......2001-12-09
This book immediately captures your attention and makes you smile. The hero is just so darned likable. I thought it was going to be the story of how the initial grabber resolves itself, but no such predictability here. It soon becomes clear that this is as much saga as story, as much fable as fiction, and the odyssey just won't stop. It's a ripping good yarn that works on myriad levels. I recommend it with enthusiasm to anyone needing an escape, an excuse, a hero, a redemption, a purpose, or a good laugh.
Amazon.com
You don't need expensive instruments to appreciate the beauty of the night sky, as Bob Berman exuberantly demonstrates in Secrets of the Night Sky. Berman takes you on a tour of the night sky, pointing out its highlights and its history, along with a wealth of practical tips and tricks, such as how to categorize satellites that appear overhead. Secrets of the Night Sky is not only a how-to manual for enjoying the celestial sphere but is also a painless introduction to the science of cosmology. With a flair for analogies, Berman imparts a visceral understanding of the scale of stellar objects. And in case your explorations do lead you to buy a telescope, the book's appendices contain a variety of no-nonsense advice that may save you from getting fleeced.
Book Description
From blue moons to Betelgeuse, it's all in this witty, fact-packed, profusely illustrated guide to the heavens by the author of Discover magazine's popular "Night Watchman" column.
Customer Reviews:
A great basic astronomy read for the casual observer........2006-01-30
I first read this book when in the Navy stationed in Japan, I would read it on the train to and from Tokyo and Yokosuka. It was light, enjoyable reading about what you can see in the night sky. Now I am reading again to refresh my memory of constellations, stars, Jupiters moons and how to see satellites. My daughter loves stars and I want to refresh my basic knowlege so I can stimulate her curiosity as we view the sights together. I cannot think of a better text to do so. It is a quick read and filled with intersting facts about spacial relationships, space travel and just the magnitude of it all. If there is a down spot it would be the frequent analogies of size and distance which really become meaningless after a point. Still the text will give the lay reader a vocubulary and understanding of the night sky in an easy to read, fun text, what more can you ask for?
Great author........2005-02-24
This book is one of the most informative and entertaining I have ever read. The author provides the information is such a way that you want to keep reading about why there are really more than 24 hours in a day. Anyway, it's a great book, very interesting, very well written. Buy it.
A wonderful book.......2003-09-18
I have been in amateur astronomy for 15 years, and this is one of my favorite books, for beginner or astronomy hobbyist. This is, mercifully, NOT a textbook. You can learn your way around the sky with Raymo's "365 Starry Nights" (also an excellent book), but Berman supplies the humor. The beauty of the night sky is, unfortunatly, a "secret," as few people know anything about it! Let Bob Berman describe the scene up there, get yourself a star chart, and get outdoors!
General knowledge only.......2003-06-14
This book is probably intended for the vast masses that want and look for general information about the universe. The writer indeed contribute a little bit of amazing information about the sizes of stars but many pages are wasted on tidbits which contribute nothing for the science of astronomy. The book is written in light English with not so many words in every page. The diagrams and pictures are of a very low quality and it is very difficult to understand the names of the stars in the diagrams. The pictures are simply disappointing and the paper quality is low as well. The book is as far as possible from a scientific book. Don't come closer to this book if you are after the science of astronomy.
sky at night.......2003-04-12
Very good book for the lovers of sky , especially at night..
beautiful examination and imagination... lovely and kind
Average customer rating:
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In Search of the Most Amazing Thing: Children, Education, and Computers
Thomas F. F. Snyder , and
Jane Palmer
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley (C)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 020116437X |
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The Most Amazing, Incredible, Fantastic, Wonderful Thing
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1419615165
Release Date: 2005-11-09 |
Book Description
What is the most amazing, incredible, fantastic, and wonderful thing that a child could receive? In this heartwarming story, Grandma Bunny gives young Abbey a very special birthday gift. When Abbey opens the box, she is thrilled by what's inside.
The word of her birthday gift quickly gets around to all of Abbey's friends. No one knows exactly what it is, except that it is the most amazing, incredible, fantastic, wonderful thing! Each one of them has their own idea of what it could be; imaginations run wild and excitement grows as everyone gathers to see Abbey and learn the identity of this wonderful birthday gift.
Even children not yet reading will love the colorful illustrations, and enjoy hearing the story as read to them by their family.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Modern Applications News, published by Thomson Gale on May 1, 2006. The length of the article is 708 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: $12 an hour? Hard to believe: what's the most amazing thing about the past hundred years? Inventions like cars, appliances, computers and television come to mind. The amazing communications revolution? The Internet? Space travel? Those are all good candidates. Here's another one: the constant rise in American workers' standard of living.
Author: George Weimer
Publication:
Modern Applications News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 40
Issue: 5
Page: 60(1)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
- Amazing
- The Once and Future King
- Avalon: Intreging
- Bland Cliches
- Fitting Conclusion to Lawhead's Arthurian Epic
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Avalon:: The Return of King Arthur
Stephen R. Lawhead
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Grail (The Pendragon Cycle, Book 5)
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Pendragon: Book Four of the Pendragon Cycle
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Taliesin: Book One of the Pendragon Cycle
ASIN: 0380977028
Release Date: 1999-09-07 |
Book Description
The hour fortold has come at last! Edward the Ninth, reprobate King of England, is dead and a proud an venerable institution is to be buried with him. A new political order--encouraged by an ambitious Prime Minister and supported by a public wearied by a succession of royal scandals--is about to render the old obsolete. With signed abdications of all potential throne claimants already in P.M. Thomas Waring's hands, it is a near-certainty that the British monarchy will not survive the twenty-first century.
But in the Scottish Highlands, a young man makes a remarkable discovery that will change the seemingly unaltered path of his beleaguered nation. For Captain James Arthur Stuart is not the commoner he has always believed himself to be, but rather the scion of an obscure branch of the royal family, raised in ignorance of his true station. Even more astonishing, the monarch-to-be does not merely share the name of the legendary King of Summer--he is, in fact, King Arthur reborn!
Claiming a throune, however, is one thing, while holding it is quite another, as James--now ruling the land as Arthur II--turns to those most beloved and most loyal for support, guidance, and assistance: his adored wife, Jennifer; his best friend, Calum; and his enigmantic and mystical advisor, a certain Mr. Embries.. better known as "Merlin." Their road will be rocky and perilous, and there are powerful enemies arrayed against them--not only Prime Minister Waring and his ruthless political machine, but the forces of an ancient, far more potent , destructive evil. For Arthur is not the only one who has returned--and Merlin's magic is not the only sorcery that has survived the centuries.
With Avalon, one of the premier voices in the literature of the fantastic offers us an unparalleled adventure as replete with bravery, treacher, romance, and magic as the beloved tales of the Table Round, yet cast in a setting as recognizably real as that which surrounds us.
Download Description
It has been fortold: In the hour of Britain's greatest need, King Arthur will return to rescue his people.
In Portugal, the reprobate King Edward the Ninth has died by his own hand.
In England, a dark scenario conceived by the power-hungry Prime Minister, Thomas Waring, is about to be realized: the total destruction of the British monarchy in the twenty-first century.
And in the Scottish Highlands, a mystical emissary named Mr. Embries--better known as "Merlin"--informs a young captain that he is next in line to occupy the throne. For James Arthur Stuart is not the commoner he has always believed himself to be--he is Arthur, the legendary King of Summer, reborn. But the road to England's salvation is rocky and dangerous, with powerful waiting to ambush: Waring and his ruthless political machine...and the agents of an ancient, far more potent evil. For Arthur is not the only one who has returned from the mists of legend. And Merlin's magic is not the only sorcery that has survived the centuries.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing.......2006-12-04
A High King has risen out of the midst of his people. By his side stand a wise councilor, a beautiful Queen, and faithful companions. This man has a vision of peace and prosperity, but to make that dream a reality he must overcome a terrible evil and a petty Prime Minister. That's right; Arthur is no longer a mythical figure from the dark ages. He lives on in Steven R. Lawhead's masterpiece about near-future England.
Everything changes when King Edward the Ninth dies and leaves the government with the means to dissolve the monarchy. For most of England, this event comes almost as relief. The monarchy has been in steady decline and nearly everyone is saying "good riddance" to the whole thing. James Stewart only wants to hold-on to the home that was left for him by his parents and which is being battled over by numerous people with claims to the property. When James comes home and discovers a man -who identifies himself only as Embries -his life changes completely. This book does not take the story of King Arthur and magically transform it into a modern tale. It carries it on, fulfilling the prophecy of Arthur's return. "The throne of Britain shall become an iniquity to the nation, and a reproach to the people, ere Arthur returns. But, when Avallon shall rise again in Llyonesse, and the Thamesis reverse its course, then also shall Arthur take up the kingship of his nation once more."- Anerin, the Black Book of Anerin (ca. 643)-preface of Avalon. Avalon goes far beyond the traditions of Arthurian tales, and yet the Old World feel and enchantment remain unchanged. Whether or not he ever drew a breath or sword, Arthur inspired anyone who heard his tale. Now we have a new hero; James Stuart.
Lawhead's genius is apparent in his characterizations. No matter how absurd the idea of a reincarnated King Arthur may seem, James is completely believable. He is confident and modest, and feels like a real person. I found myself wishing that I could be present at one of his awe-inspiring speeches. Arthur's closest friends and allies have also reappeared. Everyone fits into modern society perfectly, while retaining qualities that instantly identify them. Jenny is strong, and supportive; just as before, she is James' backbone. Cal McKay is James' fiercely loyal best friend; "the brother James' parents never got around to giving him." Even Prime Minister Waring is portrayed flawlessly as the ladder climbing politician whose entire life's work is crumbling out from under him.
This book has something for everyone; Arthurian legend, political intrigue, fantasy, romance, adventure -you name it. There are places where suspended disbelief is necessary, but in a book this amazing it doesn't matter. At just over 400 pages, Avalon is not a book for someone looking for a quick read, but once you start, putting it down ceases to be an option.
Stephen R. Lawhead is the author of many other wonderful books. His works include The Pendragon Cycle, the Dragon King Trilogy, and The Song of Albion trilogy. The Pendragon Cycle is recommended for anyone who would like more background on Lawhead's version of King Arthur's tale; it consists of five books, each of which tells a story leading up to or about Arthur, beginning with that of his grandfather; Taliesin. Avalon can certainly stand by itself, but these novels give further insight into the story.
The Once and Future King.......2006-08-02
England is in turmoil. The ineffective king, Edward the Ninth, has committed suicide. Prime Minister Thomas Waring is one referendum away from abolishing the monarcy. And James Arthur Stuart, a Scottish commoner and former army officer, is about to find out that he is the rightful heir to the throne. "Avalon", the final book in Stephen Lawhead's 'Pendragon Cycle', is a fitting conclusion to the Arthurian legend of a king who was, and will be again.
When James Arthur Stuart finds out he is heir to the throne, he is dumbfounded to say the least; and when he is told that he is the legendary King Arthur reborn, he finds himself remembering his previous life in spite of his doubts. It is his task, along with his advisor M. Embries, better known as Merlin, to reignite the British peoples desire for a monarcy and defeat the power-hungry Waring at dangerous cost. Set in a modern/near-future time, "Avalon" is a departure from the rest of the series. Yet Lawhead brings the same intensity to detail and legend to the last book of the series. Mixed into James' life is a cast of characters from Arthurian legend, and the circumstances of his life fall uniquely in line with that of Arthur's own upbringing. While the plots of the previous five books have played out on battlefields full of blood and gore, "Avalon" is played out in the field of politics, an all too telling look at a probable reality.
Lawhead has done a tremendous job at bringing the Arthurian legends to new life. While there are moments in "Avalon" that are trite and push the limits of reality, the story is a fitting piece of the legendary puzzle. Although it already pushes 500 pages, the ending seems to come too quickly for all the previous buildup, and leaves readers wishing for just a little more.
Avalon: Intreging .......2005-08-04
This story is intreging and has an interensting view on the return of King Author. It acts as a prolog to the Pendragon Cycle.
Bland Cliches.......2004-10-25
Stephen Lawhead has always been hit and miss with me. Some of his books I've really enjoyed (The Song of Albion series), others not so much (The Celtic Crusades). This book falls into the "not so much" category. The characters are bland, cardboard cut-outs of previous incarnations; the motivation behind many of the characters is thin at best; and the writing seems like it was called in. If you're a Lawhead fanatic, you'll love this book. If you're a fan of Arthurian legends, there are better choices out there.
Fitting Conclusion to Lawhead's Arthurian Epic.......2004-09-19
Avalon is the final book in Lawhead's wonderful Pendragon series. Unlike the other books in the series, it is set during conteporary times when England is threatened by an evil so great that only a revitalized monarchy can save it. Enter James Arthur Stuart, an army officer, who is told by an old man named Merlin that he is the legitimate heir to the throne. It turned out that he was conceived in secret and his existence hidden, raised by a foster family, in much the same way as King Arthur was. Lawhead adds contemporary versions of Arthur's knights and advisors as well as his enemies. Sometimes this book gets lost in Lawhead's rather grandiosse style which fits much better with the ancient rather than the contemporary, but overall, this is an enjoyable and interesting novel. A fitting conclusion to the King Arthur story.
Book Description
Something evil lurks beneath the shimmering city of Merlina Dangerous wizards have taken over several small planets in a far corner of the galaxy but without the use of modern weapons of any kind. What's going on out there? While some of the Daystar crew believe the wizards possess a deadly evil force, others say it's just a mixture of myth and fairy tale. But Merlina is not the only place where something is not right. The Daystar has a new surgeon on board, Dr. Temple Cole. While polite, intelligent, and extremely beautiful, she is definitely hiding something. Can the crew uncover her secret before it's too late? Join the young Space Rangers as they seek to divert the wicked plans of the wizards. Share in their excitement as they see the power of Jesus conquer the evil forces of Satan. See how the crew of the Daystar learns that riches don't necessarily bring happiness, and things that look good on the outside can be rotten to the core.
Customer Reviews:
Sci Fi from a Christian Perspective.......2001-08-03
This is the second book in a series of ten about the voyages of the Daystar, a ship built from scrap that takes on, and completes missions that are to "delicate" for the rest of the Intergalatic Fleet. Captian Edge is a man of many talents, a former "scoundrel", rather like Han Solo. However, instead of having to deal with a 3 meter tall furry creature, Edge's problem is a motley crew of Academy rejects.. Collectively known as the "Junior Space Rangers". Their unofficial leader is a girl of 15 named Jerusha Ericson. She is a general expert of spacecraft, and has an uncanny ability to know what people are thinking. Then next individual is Raina St. Clair, a small girl of 14, communications expert. The third is Mei-Lani, an oriental girl of thirteen years. She is an expert in Languages and history. Then there is Heck Jordan, Electronics; Ringo Smith, Computers; and Dai Bando, a very strong and fast individual. This book is about using the power of Jesus' name to over come evil. The Daystar has been sent to Merlina, a planet with a dark history and even darker powers. The wizards of Merlina have enslaved the people with a power not stopped by technology, and it is up to our budding Christian to stop them... before the rangers are killed themselves. This book also adds a new crew person to the ship... the beautiful and mysterious surgeon Temple Cole. Now that she has taken Captian Edge's heart, what will she do with it?
Good.......2000-05-28
This is a pretty good book. It conveys the character's personalities very well, and it has a pretty good plot.
Product Description
4 Med Sz PBs
Average customer rating:
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Genesis Project: Heirs of Ashes
Fanthorpe ,
Gathercoal , and
Ramsey
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1412083990
Release Date: 2006-06-30 |
Book Description
From Ravania Entertainment and Trafford Publishing comes the continuation of the Genesis Project series, Genesis Project: Heirs of Ashes. Heirs of Ashes is a fast moving adventure novel that takes readers to different worlds and places in an age long, long ago. Combining the fantasy and science-fiction genres the book includes wizards, dragons, great sword battles, and all the things readers of fantasy have come to love, set on the back drop of an intergalactic community. The story is one of love, loss and survival in an age of conflict an uncertainty. Heirs of Ashes is set three years after the end of a war between the Kasna Republik and the Planetary Empire. The Kasna were once the greatest power in the known worlds, but they fell to the power of the Empire and are now a scattered people. The Empire was set to take control of the stars, but in their greatest hour of glory, the known worlds were invaded by an alien race: Durinians. Monsters of terrible power, the Durinians destroy everything that stands in their way. After three years of war with the Durinians, the Empire is falling to their might. Now, only an alliance with former enemies will save the Empire and all the beings of the known worlds. Heroes from both sides of the war must stand together. Enemies must become allies. In this time of conflict, one woman, who is important to both the agents of light and darkness will be drawn into the war. Hardened by losses and dark torments, the woman is reluctant to become involved. However, unbeknownst to her, she is the catalyst and in the end, she will change everything...
Product Description
Four pack Set of Books One through
Four in original shrink wrap
Book Description
Written by one of this country's leading experts on American Judaism, this book offers a snapshot of Orthodoxy Jewry in the United States, asking how the community has evolved in the years since World War II and where it is headed in the future. Incorporating rich details of everyday life, fine-grained observations of cultural practices, descriptions of educational institutions, and more, Samuel Heilman delineates the varieties of Jewish Orthodox groups, focusing in particular on the contest between the proudly parochial, contra-acculturative haredi Orthodoxy and the accomodationist modern Orthodoxy over the future of this religious community. What emerges overall is a picture of an Orthodox Jewry that has gained both in numbers and intensity and that has moved farther to the religious right as it struggles to define itself and to maintain age-old traditions in the midst of modernity, secularization, technological advances, and the pervasiveness of contemporary American culture.
Customer Reviews:
mostly insightful, occasionally superficial .......2007-01-14
The basic purpose of this book is to explain the growth of hareidi Orthodoxy (that is, Orthodox Judaism that tends to be not particularly interested in Americanization, and more interested in religious stringency) as opposed to modern Orthodoxy (which tends to combine strict adherence to traditional religious practices with Americanization). The two forms of Orthodoxy are not separate denominations, but merely divergent tendencies within the Orthodox movement- more analogous to vague categories such as "conservative" and "moderate" than to membership organizations such as "Democrats" and "Republicans." Both tendencies flow out of the same tradition, and a person or synagogue can be "hareidi" in certain respects and "modern" in others.
Heilman suggests that hareidi forms of Orthodoxy have grown and that modern Orthodoxy has become more strict. (This conclusion is based on more conjecture than data; however, it is not clear to me that there is any easy way of proving the point). Why? Heilman lists the following possible causes:
1. As American culture has become more permissive on sexual matters, the American mainstream has become less attractive to Orthodox Jews (who oppose premarital sex and homosexuality).
2. As modern Orthodox Jews have become more educated and materially succesful, fewer modern Orthodox Jews have become interested in less renumerative fields such as Jewish education and the rabbinate. As a result, modern Orthodox children are often educated by teachers and rabbis from hareidi backgrounds.
3. Hareidim tend to have more children than modern Orthodox Jews; as in other religions, demography favors traditionalism.
As other reviewers pointed out, this book focuses heavily on metropolitan New York where hareidi Jews tend to live. I would love to read a book showing how these tendencies play out in communities too small to support hareidi-oriented synagogues and neighborhoods - but to be fair, that's not really the book Heilman set out to write.
An Important Topic.......2006-10-10
This was a well written book that provided many reasons for the apparent shift to the right amongst Orthodox Jews in America. Especially interesting were the analysis of the day school movement, and the lack of modern orthodox educators in this field. I thought that the book should have focused more on American Orthodoxy as a whole rather than just looking at a few neighborhoods in New York. Also, Heilman didn't really address the fact that much of this right wing shift may be on the superficial level only having to do with outward appearances. I thought the section devoted to analyzing posters was too long and didn't really add to the thesis of the book. Even with these weaknesses, I am glad that Heilman wrote this book, and I hope more books on the social aspects of Orthodox culture will be published in the future.
Disappointing.......2006-09-28
Overall, I found this book disappointing. In its defense, its basic thesis of the movement of Jewish American Orthodoxy towards the `right' (more closed and intensely religious) is interesting, and I am sure accurate, and Heilman's analysis of its evolution is insightful and well-researched. However, I was extremely bothered by the lack of any attempt to portray Hareidi society through the prism of its own value system, or in fact any attempt to understand their values at all. Heilman accepts his own world view as absolute and obvious to the reader, and in this context denigrates a society with an entirely different set of goals and aspirations. Examples of this include his assumption of the primacy of feminism and the worth of secular culture. Hareidi society has its own worldview which, although too complex to elaborate on here, has valid and very real reasons for its hierarchy of values, reasons which Heilman completely disparages or ignores. (For an example of a book that is not written by a religious author, yet is able to appreciate Hareidim from their own perspective try "Real Jews" by Noah Efron). In general, I found his view of religion as a mere sociological construct (i.e. a defensive reaction to the Holocaust) to be grossly insensitive to the Hareidi intense religious belief founded on thousands of years of tradition.
The latter half of the book I found a pathetic attempt to draw conclusions from insignificant pieces of information. For example the juxtaposition of poster A condemning something to a poster advertising B implies that poster A is condemning B as well. Or two posters (put out by the same company) advertising two different types of music indicates that the community is embattled over the appropriateness of one type of music.
In conclusion, although I eagerly awaited this book and found a fraction of it interesting and intelligent, my overall impression is negative due to the authors biased approach and manipulative use of insignificant information.
Fascinating Book.......2006-08-31
This book brings Samuel Heilman back to looking at American Jewish Orthodoxy. His trenchant and persuasive analysis shows how and why there is a move to the religious right among America's Orthodox Jews. The book also provides facinating analyses of the role of the Holocaust in all this, provides a good review of the numbers of Jews who are Orthodox in its various streams and then takes us into the neighborhoods and the institutions for a closer look, including a review of posters. There's even a hilarious and revealing look at the orthodox on the internet. A great read!
Book Description
What is the ancient Christian understanding of today's UFO sightings? What is behind the Charismatic Movement? What phenomena are assaulting Christianity in our modern world? How can Christians avoid being caught up in the Apostasy?
ORTHODOXY AND THE RELIGION OF THE FUTURE examines in eight chapters these and similar questions facing Christians in the contemporary world. The religious phenomena of today are symptoms of a "new religious consciousness" that is preparing the world religion of the future. Phenomena such as Yoga, Zen, Tantra, Transcendental Meditation, Maharaj-ji, Hare Krishna, UFOs, the Charismatic Movement and Jonestown are presented in contrast to the Orthodox Patristic standard of spiritual life, without the understanding of which, in the coming time of antichrist, it will scarcely be possible for Christians to be saved.
This work is a concise and unequivocal Orthodox statement on contemporary trends; its urgent message rings loud and clear. Viewed from a foundation based in Patristic teachings, the spiritual movements of the day are clearly various spiritual deceptions that have existed since the beginning of the Church, rather than the achievements of a new religious consciousness. Addressing soberly and directly the trends of pseudo-spirituality which loom enticingly today, ORTHODOXY AND THE RELIGION OF THE FUTURE provides a beacon of discernment in these times of widespread spiritual deception. The book examines a broad spectrum of issues facing modern Christians--each from the perspective of the early Church Fathers. As the "New Age" is becoming a household concept and is moving into wider acceptance by mainstream society, the "new religious consciousness" can be seen progressing precisely along the lines described by the late Fr. Seraphim
Customer Reviews:
Ahead of it's time.......2007-05-26
Fr. Seraphim Rose, an Orthodox Monk, outlines of the dangers facing the Church today in this dated (1975), yet still very pertinent book. In Fr. Seraphim's direct and blunt style, he argues that Eastern Orthodoxy holds the answers for the spiritual chaos going on in the world today. In this book, he reveals the assaults of New Age thought on Christianity today and confronts the influences of eastern meditation, yoga, Zen and other fads on the western mind. He shows the dangers of the increasingly popular movements of witchcraft, shamanism, Gnosticism, Kabbalah and other New Age cults. He even takes on the popularity of UFO belief, and describes it's demonic roots. He explains how these neo-pagan practices are incapable of solving man's problems and do not lead to his salvation, because they are satanic.
The book ends with an Epilogue to the Fifth Edition, by Heiromonk Damascene (Fr. Seraphim died in 1982). The Epilogue seamlessly brings Fr. Seraphim to the issues of today, and demonstrates that Fr. Seraphim's thoughts were far ahead of his time. The popularity of neo-paganism is still with us, as evidenced in books and movies glamorizing witchcraft, vampires, séances, and other occult practices. Many Christian churches syncretisticly incorporate the same trends of the faddish New Age movement, such as charismatics who channel the Holy Spirit, holistic health programs, meditation workshops, and yoga classes. The global warming movement is taking on a cult-like following, closely resembling Gaia nature-worship. The early Gnostic practices that were condemned by the Fathers of the Orthodox Church are today promoted by scholars such as Elaine Pagels, and authors Ken Wilber and Dan Brown.
The wide-spread acceptance of these manifestations reveals the ignorance of many Christians, who remain oblivious to the presence of Satan in the world today. Fr. Seraphim encourage us to adhere to the True Christianity, with roots in Patristic standands of spiritual life and refined teachings on spiritual discernment, in order to see, and resist, the deceptions of these New Age movements.
LATE GREAT PLANET EARTH: the orthodox version.......2007-04-20
I am an Orthodox Christian, first of all. I am not a fan of Fr Seraphim Rose at all. He is the perfect embodiment of hyper-traditionalism, and ultra-orthodoxy. I have several friends who have attended St Vladamirs Seminary and they agree with me about Fr Rose's peculiar beliefs (such as the gnostic idea of toll-houses and Creationism), and how he should not be recomended to inquirers. While I do not doubt Fr Rose's zeal for the faith, and his own vast education, he seems to shun intellectualism and tolerance.
This book is sensationalist and often resembles the same steams of thought in Protestantism, in Orthodox terms, that Fr Rose is trying to dismantle. He believes that only the Orthodox like him, will go inherit eternal life with Christ. He refused to commune with other Orthodox jurisdictions while he was alive, and discounted scientific theories accepted by other Orthodox theologians (such as Lossky, Ware, Schmemmen) such as evolution. While one can learn alot from his works, he is not the theologian many make him out to be, there are many many better options out there, especially published by SVS Press.
His passion for the Church seems to have pushed him over the edge, and often his accusations against other faiths and christian denominations is often fantastical and undocumented. The paranoia of aliens, for instance is quite ridiculous. I have been advised by my own priest and other seminary graduates to stay away for the most part from Fr Rose's books. There are some who seem to have made Fr Rose a saint already, but I believe that is premature.
If you want books that concern Creation, Ecumenicalism, Truth, Dogma and other Faiths, I would recomend all of SVS Press Foundations series by Frs Peter C. Bouteneff, John Breck, John Garvey, and also Lossky's Mystical Theology and Bishop Ware's Orthodox Way and Fr Schemmemens For the Life of the World. There is no polemics in these books, but educated and informed dialogue that are extremely edifying spiritually. Not the cloistered, medieval, tired prejudices of Fr Rose. And if you do choose to read his works, please remember he is not a saint, nor a Father,nor a seminarian, read with caution and in the light of other Orthodox Theologians, many of Fr Rose's ramblings are not Traditions, but "traditions" with a lowercase 't'.
How a Leading Orthodox Theologian Views the World.......2006-05-01
This book includes material from so many sources that it is almost an anthology. The final chapter, on the charismatic movement, is extremely thought provoking, as is the chapter on alien encounters, which Rose believes to be encounters with living demons. Rose is not nearly so wise as he is made out to be on the book cover reviews, but he does follow some paths and reach some conclusions that I have never seen before, and that seem remarkably inevitable if one thinks clearly. One of his primary points is that you can come to God only through Jesus, that most spiritual experiences of people in various religions are real, that any spiritual experience not of God is of the Devil, and finally, that only the Orthodox church has the power to confer the blessings of God. In other words, anyone who is not Orthodox is a devil worshipper. The intriguing thing is that this conclusion requires the belief that the devil can inspire acts of love, caring, and moral courage. I don't think so. Lots of other great stuff to think about in this book.
A disciple of Truth.......2006-04-11
Eugene, a.k.a. Father Seraphim Rose, was studying for a Master's degree in Chinese language so he could penetrate more deeply into the study of Chinese religion and philosophy when he converted to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Consequently, he understood very well Eastern religious spirituality and its relation to western religion (see "Christ the Eternal Tao"). He was not a bigot. Contrary to the beliefs of many modern people, a bigot is one who holds any opinion ignorantly and inflexibly; it is not intended to refer to those who hold certain currently unpopular opinions. There is more real bigotry in many of these reviews than Father Seraphim ever included in any of his writings. He was not a bigot, but he was enamored of a Truth, and he found the locus of this truth to be contained in the Eastern Orthodox Faith. He never said that there was no truth in other religious traditions. That being said, I understand why those who are outside this faith might have trouble with this book. The truth is, it's not addressed to them, but to the faithful of the Orthodox Church. He is not trying to insult the Charismatic who has learned to love Jesus in that context, or even the Hindu who derives strength and comfort from their religious practice, but to demonstrate the incompatability of these things with the ancient Christian Faith which Orthodox Christians hold, and is a warning to them to hold to the truths of their faith, and not to tolerate having them altered or watered down. The title does not identify Orthodoxy as "The Religion Of The Future", but instead contrasts it to this religion, which is being formed by those who have betrayed the truths of their own faith tradition in order to join with like-minded people in a congregation of those who have ceased to believe in truth. It is not outdated; these things are still with us. Father Seraphim may have believed the Religion of the Future to be more imminent than it actually was, but he wasn't wrong in identifying the components of the system, or the spirit which animates it, which is far from the sober and rigorous spirit of traditional Christianity, and does indeed seem close to the spirituality of the Charismatic movement in its emphasis on emotional expression (and de-emphasis on emotional discipline). Probably the most fascinating part of the book to me was the part where he deals with the UFO phenomenon. Father Seraphim was very well-read in Patristic literature, and was able to identify similarities in the accounts of the struggles of the ascetic Fathers with Demonic deception, and the contemporary activities of UFO's, concluding that they are the same kind of event, adapted to a modern, rather than a pre-modern imagination. I was interested to learn that secular investigators have determined UFO's to be psychic rather than material phenomena; I hadn't known this previously. These things aren't just Father Seraphim's opinions; anyone who holds to the traditional views of the Church will say the same. Father Seraphim differs only in being somewhat more cognizant of contemporary culture, and thereby better suited to present the traditional perspectives to modern readers. The current edition has an epilouge by Father Damascene updating the information contained in the book which is almost as good as the book itself. Reading this book, more than any other single factor, drew me into the Orthodox Church, because I found articulated here an absolute and uncompromising adherence to Truth, very refreshing to one coming from the Rock of Jello which is modern Protestantism. However, I can give only a conditional recommendation. It could be better organised. For those outside the Orthodox Church, realise it is addressed to those in the Church, and read only if you wish to learn of the perspectives of the traditional Orthodox faith without any beating around the bush. Those who are in the Church who think the Church must adapt itself to the currents of prevailing modern opinion are going to hate it, but those who experience the Church as the Faith "once delivered to the Apostles" will find here an unshakable rock of faith, founded on a Truth which transcends the world.
Thoughtful guess at the shape of things to come.......2006-02-17
I don't know if Fr. Seraphim Rose is correct about flying saucers and UFO's being essentially Satanic manifestations--but it makes as much or more sense than anything else I've read on the topic. Certainly many of the advocates of such things exhibit a religious tone in their belief. I don't know how close the end times are, but it seems as if Fr. Seraphim has put his finger on a number of trends that are congruent with prophecy.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from U.S. Catholic, published by Claretian Publications on October 1, 2003. The length of the article is 725 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Gambling with the future: America's political orthodoxy demands a free market for everything except new ideas.(margin notes)(the Policy Analysis Market)
Author: Kevin Clarke
Publication:
U.S. Catholic (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2003
Publisher: Claretian Publications
Volume: 68
Issue: 10
Page: 35(1)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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