If you're a fan of President Obama, you'll hate this book before opening it. If you are not a fan, you will love it.
Michelle Malkin is not a fan of President Obama and his administration. That is why she jumped into the cash cow of Obama-bashing-book-writing. Her contribution is Culture of Corruption.
"The era of hope and change is dead...and it only took six months in office to kill it." While this may be a true statement (I lost my job during President Obama's economic recovery), Malkin's book is full of the kind of smearing we tired from in politics.
After pointing out the troubles President Obama had with his cabinet nominees, she spends the rest of the book finding how many ways she can write the word, "Cronies". (About every other paragraph)
This seems fitting as the subtitle is "Obama and his team of tax cheats, crooks, and cronies" but beating the same drum for 289 pages.
A bright spot for this book is the number of notes. It would do the advocates and complainers good to do the research for themselves before they commit to vicious response.
Following the opening chapter detailing the problems President Obama had nominating his cabinet, we read a thrashing towards his wife Michelle, anger against his Vice President, and his Cabinet members and their fellow Czars.
The information given about the Czars was particularly interesting. Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, if you can skip past the overuse of the words, "cronies" and "nepotism", it might do you some intellectual good to jump in on the research Malkin has tried to do.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Earth
I enjoy watching nature shows. I like watching the predator chase down the rabbit or even when the rabbit sneaks away. I know I'm going to get a lesson on saving the animal's habitat and, sue me, I enjoy it.
Then I watched Disney's Earth DVD.
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I need to explain why I don't like this film.
If you have already seen the documentary that Discovery and the BBC released called Planet Earth, you have seen Disney's earth. They essentially trimmed down the nature shots so it can be seen as a film, and added James Earl Jones as the narrator.
Because this is a slimmer Planet Earth, the shots are still phenominal. But they are the same exact shots we've already seen.
If you haven't seen Planet Earth, you need to rent it.
If you don't have the attention span for a multi-disc documentary like Planet Earth, rent Earth.
Then I watched Disney's Earth DVD.
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I need to explain why I don't like this film.
If you have already seen the documentary that Discovery and the BBC released called Planet Earth, you have seen Disney's earth. They essentially trimmed down the nature shots so it can be seen as a film, and added James Earl Jones as the narrator.
Because this is a slimmer Planet Earth, the shots are still phenominal. But they are the same exact shots we've already seen.
If you haven't seen Planet Earth, you need to rent it.
If you don't have the attention span for a multi-disc documentary like Planet Earth, rent Earth.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tea with Hezbollah by Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis
Ted Dekker has travelled to the Middle East to sit with the leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas and others to ask them what they think of Jesus' teaching of love your enemies.
Tea With Hezbollah is not a political book. It is not a religious book. But it is a book that deals with those issues on top of a story about a girl named Nicole.
Ted and his friend, Carl, decided to travel throughout the Middle East and learn from some of those Americans perceive to be our enemies. You'll experience their fears and joys as you ride along in the back alleys of Beruit, Bethlehem, Saudi Arabia and others. The recorded conversations in the book might surprise you. Who would imagine that leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas would have families they love dearly?
They ask questions like, "what makes you cry" and "what is your favorite joke". The purpose being to show that these men are human beings and not just a thing to be feared.
People who are adamantly pro-Israel may have trouble enjoying this book. Neo-Cons will bemoan the "bleeding-hearts" of the authors.
But don't be fooled. This experience that is now in book form will be the start of learning to love our enemies.
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
Tea With Hezbollah is not a political book. It is not a religious book. But it is a book that deals with those issues on top of a story about a girl named Nicole.
Ted and his friend, Carl, decided to travel throughout the Middle East and learn from some of those Americans perceive to be our enemies. You'll experience their fears and joys as you ride along in the back alleys of Beruit, Bethlehem, Saudi Arabia and others. The recorded conversations in the book might surprise you. Who would imagine that leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas would have families they love dearly?
They ask questions like, "what makes you cry" and "what is your favorite joke". The purpose being to show that these men are human beings and not just a thing to be feared.
People who are adamantly pro-Israel may have trouble enjoying this book. Neo-Cons will bemoan the "bleeding-hearts" of the authors.
But don't be fooled. This experience that is now in book form will be the start of learning to love our enemies.
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris
Dug Down Deep is a theology book for latte drinkers. Although it's thin, Joshua Harris does reference enough tome writers for those who want to dig deeper in their studies.
This book is part theology, part personal story. Imagine if Donald Miller had more schooling and wrote a book - this work is what you would get.
Harris is best known for his first book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye. While that had the touch of controversy in place, Dug Down Deep allows the reader to experience the truth of God without boring them.
The chapters contain subtitles that give clues to the content including:
"God is utterly different from me. And that is utterly wonderful."
"When we read the Bible, it opens us up. It reads us."
"Jesus is unique. And he came to accomplish something that no one else could."
"I longed to know that God was present, that I was doing more than singing songs to the ceiling."
"Here's what deflates my arrogance faster than anything else; trying to live the truth I have."
Harris explains that followers of Christ need to continue their studies within Scripture. It shouldn't be dry and tiresome. Church members become more like Christ when they practice these discipleship measures he preaches.
These aren't new ideas or practices, Harris just adds the personal touch with story.
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
This book is part theology, part personal story. Imagine if Donald Miller had more schooling and wrote a book - this work is what you would get.
Harris is best known for his first book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye. While that had the touch of controversy in place, Dug Down Deep allows the reader to experience the truth of God without boring them.
The chapters contain subtitles that give clues to the content including:
"God is utterly different from me. And that is utterly wonderful."
"When we read the Bible, it opens us up. It reads us."
"Jesus is unique. And he came to accomplish something that no one else could."
"I longed to know that God was present, that I was doing more than singing songs to the ceiling."
"Here's what deflates my arrogance faster than anything else; trying to live the truth I have."
Harris explains that followers of Christ need to continue their studies within Scripture. It shouldn't be dry and tiresome. Church members become more like Christ when they practice these discipleship measures he preaches.
These aren't new ideas or practices, Harris just adds the personal touch with story.
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Futurist by Rebecca Keegan
In The Futurist, you will get a short insider look at the world of James Cameron.
Beginning with his growing up on the Canadian side of Niagra Falls, getting to skip a few grades because of his intellect and finishin with his work on Avatar, author Rebecca Keegan was able to chat with the film maker and his friends to give us this perfectly-timed bio/film-ography.
Known for first two The Terminator movies, Aliens, Titanic and now Avatar, James Cameron is a genius. By the time you finish the first chapter of The Futurist, you will understand a little of the mind behind the movies. And he can do it all - better than the experts. He was the one who came up with the Terminator designs, he was the one who drew the artwork for Aliens.
Each chapter is devoted to a specific movie in chronological order in which they were made.
You'll get to see the relationship with Arnold as The Terminator and fellow biker, how Bill Paxton seems to appear in almost all of Cameron's films, and how women are always depicted as the strong hero in every one of his movies.
The Futurist is by all means biased toward Mr Cameron. You will read about his fury and dictator style of leadership on the set. But those are all defended and thrown aside because this man is brilliant.
Seriously, he has the two biggest money-making movies of all time under his belt.
Besides the film information, you learn a few things about his multiple marriages and partnerships. You learn how he helped create Digital Domain and then stormed out and quit as CEO, and how he wrestles with the fickle relationship of studio executives.
This book is for anyone enjoying Avatar, or any of James Cameron's films. Or for any movie buff.
Beginning with his growing up on the Canadian side of Niagra Falls, getting to skip a few grades because of his intellect and finishin with his work on Avatar, author Rebecca Keegan was able to chat with the film maker and his friends to give us this perfectly-timed bio/film-ography.
Known for first two The Terminator movies, Aliens, Titanic and now Avatar, James Cameron is a genius. By the time you finish the first chapter of The Futurist, you will understand a little of the mind behind the movies. And he can do it all - better than the experts. He was the one who came up with the Terminator designs, he was the one who drew the artwork for Aliens.
Each chapter is devoted to a specific movie in chronological order in which they were made.
You'll get to see the relationship with Arnold as The Terminator and fellow biker, how Bill Paxton seems to appear in almost all of Cameron's films, and how women are always depicted as the strong hero in every one of his movies.
The Futurist is by all means biased toward Mr Cameron. You will read about his fury and dictator style of leadership on the set. But those are all defended and thrown aside because this man is brilliant.
Seriously, he has the two biggest money-making movies of all time under his belt.
Besides the film information, you learn a few things about his multiple marriages and partnerships. You learn how he helped create Digital Domain and then stormed out and quit as CEO, and how he wrestles with the fickle relationship of studio executives.
This book is for anyone enjoying Avatar, or any of James Cameron's films. Or for any movie buff.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Challenge of Easter by N.T. Wright
This is a small gift book just in time for Easter. There isn't anything new from the author; the publisher has just tossed in a few bits from his earlier book, The Challenge of Jesus.
However, seeing as this is N.T. Wright, the words are still worth the 20 minutes it will take you to read one chapter of The Challenge of Easter.
This is not for fans of the Left Behind series (ie popcorn easy reading). N.T. Wright uses his vast experience and puts them to words. You would be wise to spend at least one day in consuming this book. Even 64 pages are mind-stretching when you're reading Wright's work.
However, seeing as this is N.T. Wright, the words are still worth the 20 minutes it will take you to read one chapter of The Challenge of Easter.
This is not for fans of the Left Behind series (ie popcorn easy reading). N.T. Wright uses his vast experience and puts them to words. You would be wise to spend at least one day in consuming this book. Even 64 pages are mind-stretching when you're reading Wright's work.
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