Clear, concise, interesting, and edifying, this Lutheran guidebook explains the key points of the faith in a simple (but never patronizing) manner. SpClear, concise, interesting, and edifying, this Lutheran guidebook explains the key points of the faith in a simple (but never patronizing) manner. Sprinkled with moments of humor and warmth, and containing personal anecdotes of the author's life, this book has much more of a human connection than many theology texts. It also offers guidance (that is, "tools") that can help Christians understand their faith and live accordingly. Very well thought-out and quite thought-provoking!
Merged review:
Clear, concise, interesting, and edifying, this Lutheran guidebook explains the key points of the faith in a simple (but never patronizing) manner. Sprinkled with moments of humor and warmth, and containing personal anecdotes of the author's life, this book has much more of a human connection than many theology texts. It also offers guidance (that is, "tools") that can help Christians understand their faith and live accordingly. Very well thought-out and quite thought-provoking!...more
Fantastic book, with clear writing and good explanations for the basic tenets of the faith. He does a fine job of explaining things for laymen, and heFantastic book, with clear writing and good explanations for the basic tenets of the faith. He does a fine job of explaining things for laymen, and he does not stray from the topic at hand. The result is a beautiful, concise read that neatly outlines the faith and is full of tremendous insight. I can't say that he fully answered all of my questions, but he answered a great many of them, and he gave me quite a lot to ponder. He has a knack for presenting old information in new ways, yet without abandoning church doctrine. The explanation of justification, given early on in the book, remains one of the loveliest I've ever read. His chapter on the sacraments was likewise enlightening. Highly recommended!...more
Our faith, clearly explained, simple and unpretentious, as a father would explain it to his children. I remain especially moved by Luther's analyses oOur faith, clearly explained, simple and unpretentious, as a father would explain it to his children. I remain especially moved by Luther's analyses of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. I am not wholly comfortable giving this book a rating, but I will say 5 stars, partly for its clarity in presenting theological ideas, and partly for how useful it has proved over the last several centuries. Dr. Martin Luther famously said, "You can burn all of my books except for two." This is one of the ones he would save....more
"As unyielding as the Holy Spirit is in the matter of maintaining and defending the doctrine of faith, so mild and merciful is he toward men for their"As unyielding as the Holy Spirit is in the matter of maintaining and defending the doctrine of faith, so mild and merciful is he toward men for their sins, as long as sinners repent." A beautiful treatise on justification—on grace, faith, and the goodness of Christ. Luther's writing is clear and powerful, and he draws many parallels between the church's struggles in the first century and the difficulties Luther faced in his own time. (He also suggests that modern Germans may be descended from the people of Galatia, so that's an interesting historical perspective.) He describes Paul's conversion, his interactions with the other apostles, and his disagreements with Peter. Luther explains Scripture by linking it to other Scriptures; here, he puts the epistle to the Galatians in context of Paul's other writings, of the Gospels, and of the Old Testament. An enlightening read that prompts much soul-searching and introspection, but which always brings the focus right where it belongs, on the saving work of Jesus.
A note on the edition: I couldn't find on Goodreads the particular edition I read. I listened to a digital audiobook version, and while it listed a publisher and a narrator, there was no listing of either translator or ISBN. This version made a reference to dollar amounts and mentioned prisoners being executed via the electric chair, so I have some questions about the method of the translator. I would hate to think that the anonymous translator was telling me what he thinks I'll understand, not what Luther actually said....more
Interesting, informative, and well-researched, this book is sure to delight any child who'd like to learn more about pirates. The book is highly readaInteresting, informative, and well-researched, this book is sure to delight any child who'd like to learn more about pirates. The book is highly readable, divided into chapters with 10 facts apiece, and these bite-size chunks are fun and quick without ever feeling simplistic. The content was well-chosen and offers a robust view of pirate life. Illustrations throughout add to the enjoyment....more
This was a bit disappointing. For one thing, there was very little information here. It's a very small book, and most of it is pictures, so that thereThis was a bit disappointing. For one thing, there was very little information here. It's a very small book, and most of it is pictures, so that there are maybe 3-4 sentences of text on a two-page spread. This seems strange to me; often, books with few words are intended for very young children, but the subject matter itself seems to be directed at a slightly older audience. Moreover, the information lacks detail and historical context. The book is filled with broad, sweeping claims, but there is little about specific pirates or events. Another disappointment was the subject matter: much of it doesn't apply specifically to pirates at all. For example, the author writes, "Cooks on pirate ships had little training and few supplies. They put salt on vegetables and meat to make it last longer. As time went on, food rotted. Cooks hid the rotten taste with spices." So the food was bad, and so the bad food was just one of many reasons why a life of golden-age piracy wasn't as glamorous as the movies would suggest. Fine. But this bad food wasn't unique to pirates. When I was in elementary school, in history class, we learned that salt was frequently used to preserve food in the days before refrigeration. It happened for centuries, with pirates and merchants and navy men, with pioneers and colonists and settlers, with different cultures, with normal everyday families preparing normal everyday meals. So it's a nice detail, sure, but it's hardly exclusive to pirates. I feel the same about much of the information here. Infection was tougher to treat before penicillin. Some pirates had infections. (Well, so did everyone else, right?) Some information about the ships and the battles, and about pirates codes, was more interesting. The author did a good job of defining certain technical words as they're encountered in the book, as well as in a glossary at the end, so that was nice. And the pictures themselves are quite interesting and fun. Consider this 2.5 stars.
An excellent resource for children that explains the myth of the kraken, the history of the myth, and the actual science that might account for the exAn excellent resource for children that explains the myth of the kraken, the history of the myth, and the actual science that might account for the existence of these tales. This book is clear, concise, well-sourced, and a lot of fun! Resources for further reading, a glossary, and even a listing of modern references to krakens make this book all the more useful. And of course, the many illustrations and photographs simply add to the joy....more
I may not be the most objective reviewer, living as I do so near to these wonders, but I heartily recommend this book. For aWow, what an amazing book!
I may not be the most objective reviewer, living as I do so near to these wonders, but I heartily recommend this book. For anyone who appreciates these lakes' beauty, who is awed by their presence, who enjoys time spent on the water or at the beach or in the surrounding region: this book is for you. If you have never seen them, you may enjoy learning about them. But if you have seen them—if you have ever lived where a baby's first words are Dada, Mama, and LakeEffect—then this book will be like coming home.
An in-depth (haha) look at the Great Lakes, covering their history, their ecology, their present environmental concerns, their surrounding areas (both American and Canadian), the people who have lived and worked on them, the weather patterns, the mechanics of sailing, the different types of ships, famous Great Lakes shipwrecks, the architecture of the bridges, firsthand accounts of adventures on the Lakes, contrasts with the salt oceans, and even observations from famous writers on the unique properties of these five massive bodies of water. And it's all interspersed with his own memoirs, in which he details his own adventures on the water.
The good: • Clear writing • Excellent detail • Explained complicated subject matter clearly • Well-sourced • Adventure! Excitement! Human drama! Survival and death on the Inland Seas! • Excellent treatment of people the author knew. His fellow shipmates felt well-crafted and nuanced. • Excellent treatment of the human history surrounding the lake. Details about different Native American nations who interacted with the lakes, as well as America, Canada, and European countries. • Took the time to explain the science involved • Warm, conversational tone • Information about famous events, places, and things that are connected to the lakes, such as the Edmund Fitzgerald disaster, the Great Chicago and Peshtigo fires, and the Mackinac Bridge. • Jerry Dennis's genuine love of these lakes shines through and informs the whole of the book
The bad: • Hey, maybe I'll think of something to put here.
Beautiful! Large, colorful images bring the tall ships to life. Paintings of famous ships, photographs of modern ships (or restored older vessels), anBeautiful! Large, colorful images bring the tall ships to life. Paintings of famous ships, photographs of modern ships (or restored older vessels), and detailed information offer a solid grounding of tall ships and the ways that they have been used and changed throughout the centuries. The text is informative but never dull, and I am pleased to say I learned quite a bit from reading this. For example, an old sea shanty I love has a reference to sounding in deep water, 45 fathoms. I couldn't figure this out, and even my dad, a naval officer, thought it strange to worry about the depth when one isn't in danger of running aground. Other versions of the song had different words and other details, such as discovering the white sand underneath the ocean, but all the variations mentioned that same depth. This book, which isn't even a songbook, cleared up the mystery! Modern technology allows for easier navigation, but back in the day, sea captains would take deep soundings as a way of determining a ship's location. The weights dropped to the bottom and hauled back up would often have a means of gathering a sample of the bottom to aid in this regard (hence the reference to white sand). And of course, our modern navy is well beyond all this. It's easy enough to say this book teaches new things; I'd like to add that this book is exceptional because the sort of information it provides feeds into and supports other areas of study (such as old sea music, some of which makes a LOT more sense now). There is information about the different types of sails, about specific ships, about the history of tall ships, and about the modern people who love these ships and still sail in them. A loving tribute to a powerful and majestic vessel....more
Well-organized and informative, this collection of Christmas trivia quizzes covers many different aspects of the holiday. Each topic has several quizzWell-organized and informative, this collection of Christmas trivia quizzes covers many different aspects of the holiday. Each topic has several quizzes, separated by age and difficulty, so that everyone from young children to grownups can find something for them. Educational, broad in scope, and yet never tedious, this book is sure to provide fun for the whole family....more
Well this was certainly different: a celebration of cats that’s too disturbing for me to recommend wholeheartedly to other cat-lovers.
What’s good: QuiWell this was certainly different: a celebration of cats that’s too disturbing for me to recommend wholeheartedly to other cat-lovers.
What’s good: Quite a lot. Beautiful illustrations, bite-sized chunks of information, a wide range of countries, historical context about felines, a timeline—the list goes on and on. I appreciated the mini-biographies for the 30 courageous cats, but I also liked that in between these sections, the author included things that expanded the focus beyond these 30 felines. For example, one section describes a cat’s physical characteristics. Another lists cats with amazing survival stories. These aren’t the 30 cats referred to in the title; they’re simply other cats who are noteworthy. Quick, informative, and fun.
What’s troubling: The cat deaths. Or maybe it’s not just the deaths themselves, but the vague way the book hints at them. For example, there was a cat sent into outer space. She survived the journey and returned safely to Earth. The author makes a big deal about saying that this cat survived the trip; she went to space and lived to tell about it. The author also says that scientists were interested in learning what effects the space travel had had on her brain. And that’s it. Except at the bottom of each cat’s page are the years for its birth and death, and this cat’s death year is the same as her spaceflight. So my initial reaction was horror, because it sounded as though she survived the journey only to be killed by the same scientists who sent her on the mission in the first place . . . and yet I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t stated outright, and so I was left to wonder about it. Eventually, I looked it up, and yes, it was exactly what it sounded like: she came home safely, and they killed her and examined her brain. And now I’m still horrified but also disgusted.
There were other cats whose violent ends are hinted at but never explicitly stated, such as the cat whom pilots took in their planes during WWII missions in 1945. It also died in 1945. (That isn’t a coincidence.) I can’t decide how I feel about this particular approach. I expect that she’s trying to shield her child viewers from something uncomfortable and upsetting, but she’s dropping enough hints that it might be unsettling anyway. And if the hints go unnoticed, then she’s perhaps being misleading. One final example that seems to go the other direction is that of Mrs. Chippy, a male cat who sailed on Ernest Shackleton’s ship. The cat was named Mrs. Chippy because he belonged to (and constantly followed) the ship’s carpenter, who was called Chippy. When the ship was destroyed by ice, Shackleton decided that they couldn’t risk taking the cat away with them. The author states that they gave the cat its favorite food, and that it lay down for a sleep from which it would never awake. So from this, I knew that the healthy cat was killed. But based on this text, I was picturing a cat freezing to death slowly on the ice, or perhaps drowning. I looked for more information online, and it looks as though the cat was shot. As much as I hate the idea, at least it was a much quicker death than I’d envisioned. So how much information is too little? Are kids going to imagine something that’s worse than it was? Or are children going to assume a happy ending where there wasn’t one, as with the cat in space? Would it have been better for some of these cats to have been left off altogether? I don’t know. I was so distressed after reading the section on Mrs. Chippy that I went back to re-read some of the happier chapters until I felt a little better. So this book was both the cause of and the cure for my disquiet.
To be fair, there were only a few cats with disturbing deaths. Many lived long lives and died of natural causes. Some are still alive at the moment. But between even this small amount of disturbing content and the confusing way that it was handled, I feel compelled to take off a star. I’m giving this one a 4....more
This oversized book will delight readers with its massive, colorful illustrations and its clear straightforward text. It covers a lot of ground withouThis oversized book will delight readers with its massive, colorful illustrations and its clear straightforward text. It covers a lot of ground without ever feeling rushed; it explains science and history and different cultural traditions without getting too bogged down in details. Informative, fun, and lovely—did I mention lovely?—this coffee table book for children brings a sense of wonder to this nature study....more
This fourth installment of Peter Hagboldt’s series of graded German readers builds on the vocabulary of the earlier installments. Most of the stories This fourth installment of Peter Hagboldt’s series of graded German readers builds on the vocabulary of the earlier installments. Most of the stories of this installment are longer than the anecdotes of the previous book, and what with that, the slightly more advanced writing, and the small amount of pictures, these tales took more effort and concentration to understand. I was glad for the challenge. This volume was also a logical progression from the previous one in terms of content. While volume three told unrelated stories that often connected to German history and culture, this volume is a part of German culture. These are yarns, tall tales, wild stories, adapted from years of repeated tellings. Eulenspiegel is a kind of prankster, while Münchhausen entertains listeners with tales of his remarkable (impossible!) exploits. This is a way to learn German by reading German folklore, and it’s quite the experience....more
I was a little unsure about this one at first. I had already read Adam C. English’s excellent work, The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus: The True Life I was a little unsure about this one at first. I had already read Adam C. English’s excellent work, The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra, and I wasn’t sure that I’d learn anything new from this much shorter study by William Bennett. I am happy to report that this account moves in a very different direction, takes an in-depth look at many different aspects both of Nicholas’ life and of his legend, and contains much information that was new to me.
Bennett’s goal here seems to have been to paint as complete a picture as possible. Although it is impossible to verify much of anything from Nicholas’ third- and fourth-century life, Bennett nevertheless is careful to indicate what elements are more grounded in historical context and which ones are more fanciful. He surprised me by sharing some of the more legendary tales, events that almost certainly were not history; he has included these stories as a way of tracking the saint’s fame and honor among various people in the centuries that followed his death. So this book isn’t just the history of the man: it’s also the history of the legend. And he follows those threads through the various reimaginings of St. Nicholas all the way up to the present day. The real St. Nicholas endured hardship and persecution; he is remembered for his participation in the Council of Nicaea in 325, as well as for his acts of charity. The modern St. Nicholas—for all the flying reindeer, red suit, bottle of Coke, and little elves—still reminds children of the importance of charity, kindness, and love. This book, then, is more than a history: it’s a celebration. Its description of Nicolas’ journey from man to saint to legend embraces all the stages of the experience, and it acknowledges all people of all times who have loved and shaped these stories. A loving portrait of a real human, and also of all the many ways that St. Nicholas continues to brighten the holiday season for children around the world....more
I delighted in reading this collection of anecdotes. Some were true accounts of real historical figures, while other stories felt more like fables. ThI delighted in reading this collection of anecdotes. Some were true accounts of real historical figures, while other stories felt more like fables. They were all quite interesting, and some were funny. The footnotes and illustrations were helpful, as was the glossary at the back, and I enjoyed several "Aha" moments as I understood the meaning of the tales I read. This is an excellent book for students of German to practice their vocabulary and language skills: the plots are clear, and the writing is not complex. Most of the sections are very short, only a few paragraphs, but they do get longer toward the end. Fantastic German language practice, with a little bit of history and human interest thrown in....more
This is perhaps the best-known version of La Belle et la Bête (and the only version I could find on Hoopla). It’s a much shorter adaptation of the oriThis is perhaps the best-known version of La Belle et la Bête (and the only version I could find on Hoopla). It’s a much shorter adaptation of the original story by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. It was sweet in places, and moving, but also it felt a bit rushed at times. I’m curious as to what was cut out, and while this version is decent in its own right, my overwhelming feeling upon finishing was simply a strong desire to read the original....more
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