If you are an armchair traveler, a lover of history, or enjoy a deep dive into the cultural background of where you hope to go, you'll enjoy Posteguillo's book on Julius Caesar.
Key historical figures shape entire countries, and this book explores why Caesar made a lasting impact on a city, a country, and the Mediterranean region. I enjoyed the creative non-fiction, the descriptions, and the possibilities of what life may have been like around this towering man.
Well-researched and interesting.
For those who have no family history or wide-spread tribe of relatives, connection can be difficult. Throw in adulthood in the military for a sense of disconnection and homelessness. I enjoyed this and hoped for the surprise outcome that landed on the last pages.
Recommended for a commute, the beach, or a seat by the fireplace.
This one, supposing that a woman wrote works attributed to Shakespeare, builds on speculations of literary historians. It's interesting, engaging, and made me say, hmmm.
If you like the speculation of creative non-fiction and the back and forth of history and current day, you may love this one. As always, Picoult is a wonderful storyteller of possibilities.
★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
If you've ever been captured by an idea that has reshaped your life, you'll love this tale of pursuit. I liked the now-and-then exploration of life in Hugo's time. The genre of creative non-fiction allows for musings between what we actually can prove and what might or could have been. Bostridge combines facts and speculations in an engaging and interesting way.
Recommended for history buffs, for literature and Victor Hugo fans, and for the curious. Useful for academics as well as literary bystanders. Enjoy this unusual and engaging book (complete with photos.)
There are twists and turns at many points of history that open our understanding to what is there. There are dead ends and rabbit trails. I found the travels through thousands of years of mathematics fascinating. And, since I didn't stand in God's math line (but instead in his art and story line), you might really enjoy this as well.
Recommended for the curious and explorers.
Christofi swirls you through the history pages, narrow streets, and conflicts of a small island. Crucial throughout the human story, Cyprus is place just far enough away to require an effort but so close that it is worth fighting for.
Descriptive and well-researched, it's a worthy addition to books about the region. The photos are a bonus. If you are a history buff, if you have Mediterranean roots, or if you just like a good tale, this will be a joy to read.
It's a unique look at the architecture and history of a beautiful part of England. Combined art and words have always been part of this university town - enjoy a fresh look.
From his seat at Gorden Conwell and experience in missions and in the classroom, Schnabel knows how to pull together a book of theology that is readable and usable in the classroom.
A good addition to current textbooks on NT theology. Recommended for preachers, teachers, and the curious student of the NT.
Plus, I'd recommend it for students of religion who wonder what the fuss is about when Christians start quoting their scriptures or for those who consider themselves scholars but think it's time to leave Jesus and his teachings behind. This book might surprise you!
Our book group is reading this in March. The cover feels like it might be a girls-only book and my flip-through lands on a lot of long descriptions, which I usually skim through.
But I trust these readers. Starting on International Women's Day, I felt obligated to get through it for our book group meeting. I swiped down to turn on my iPhone reader, changed the setting to 1.5X reading speed ... and
was lost! What a marvelous immersion into culture and time (Ming Dynasty). (Similar to this book about women in Pakistan.) You'll want to read this book for its rich descriptions of the inner life of Chinese families in Chinese history. The isolation of individuals and competition for status between family members in the Confusion and Buddhist culture at that point are heart-breaking.
For me, it was an eye-opening reminder of the privileges women enjoy in the West today due to the influences of Christianity.
As a follower of Jesus, I am grateful that he offered a completely different view of human interaction: "Love each other, and in this way people will know you are my disciples." As God-with us, he invited women into his inner circles, as did the early church. Women supported his itinerary ministry and sat at his feet to learn. They were hosts, teacher, and leaders of the early churches (for example, Lydia the business woman, Priscilla the teacher, and Julia the apostle).
We don't have the names of all the male leaders in the New Testament writings, nor of all the women. Enough women's names are included to know they were highly valued and welcome to contribute - not just from a back courtyard, hidden away from sight or as men's possessions.
Yet by the time of the historical church, male leader often subverted and blocked the inclusion of female leaders. Take for example the medieval scribe who changed f. Junia's name to m. Junias, perhaps due to the "impossibility" in his mind of a female apostle.
That certainly doesn't align with the "everyone come, everyone be empowered by the Spirit, and everyone go and serve" of Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 11, and elsewhere.
Read this amazing novel - and your heart will be moved with the resilience and persistence of women throughout history.
And if you are a Christ-follower, thank God that both men and women are treasured in his sight because we are all created in his image, called to love him, and empowered to love and serve others in our unique ways, in our special callings. #ladytanscircleofwomen
Once the story grabs you, you'll be hooked. Don't let the modern cover fool you. In its pages are descriptions of food and wine, friendships and alliances, enemies and action.
This exciting story of protection and loyalty grips you with its behind-the-scenes calling in of favors and history. I thoroughly enjoyed every surprise and every twist.
Read it at night and prepare for vivid dreams of old places, good meals, and intrigue.
The author examines the psalm phrase by phrase through personal anecdotes, stories gleaned from friends and other sources, biblical scholarship, church history, and contemporary studies. Fugitt brings the scripture to life with a deep look into the implications of living out Psalm 23 as individuals and communities of faith.
Highly recommended for pastors and students of scripture and culture. It would make a great gift book as well.
This is a fascinating look at women's place in history. Social scientists and anthropologists interpret the scant evidence of history, since there are no survivors from various cultures. We have DNA samples, leftovers of writing and hospitality, worship, migration patterns, and settlements. A researcher's job is not just to read the evidence but to interpret it. Therefore, depending on the philosophy (and culture and religion) of the researcher, the findings can be diverse and exciting.
This volume interprets history through the lens of feminism and anti-patriarchy. Daeva present a well-documented trail of evidence, previous research, and current speculation. While I disagree with most of the author's conclusions, this book presents a wealth of research in anthropology, humanities, historical religious, and mythology.
Dive in if you dare - and see where she takes you. I'm the mom of three fine grown sons and a wonderful daughter. It's been clear from their first yelp that men and women are created differently and those differences show up from the time of birth. Whether our adult kids would agree with each other and Daeva on the evidence dissected and reworked, is not up for debate. The window you look out of determines your view of the street, no doubt about it.
As a descendent of German immigrants over several generations, this is especially interesting. The view of those on the ground makes for good and terrible stories. Hardly anyone went back to Europe if they made it to Canada or the USA or Brazil. But the homeland or Heimat never leaves you, no matter what generation you're in.
This was an interesting look at my past and how history is told and retold by those who experience it. Creative non-fiction, probably.
Would be especially interesting reading for those who went through WWII or are listening to stories from Grandma and Grandpa about those days, whether they were in Germany, the rest of Europe, or in the USA.
