Review: Defiant Joy -- The Remarkable Life and Impact of GK Chesterton

I love reading GKC ... he's always provocative, often humorous, and always spot-on with truths that transcend his time.  He is as pertinent today as when he was writing in the early 20th century.  He had an impact on many of his contemporaries -- not least of which, C.S. Lewis who credits GKC's writings with helping him find Christianity.

The above is why I jumped at the chance to review, Defiant Joy: The Remarkable Life and Impact of GK Chesterton by Kevin Belmonte.  Published by Thomas Nelson, this paperback with it's fairly cartoon-ish cover is a wonderful overview of GK's life, but more interestingly, the book is also a highly readable analysis of GKC's prolific production of the written word.  Belmonte, who obviously greatly admires this early 20th century writer, crafts a book that pays homage to GK's life, philosophy (as gleaned from his writings), and impact on others.

If you're looking for a biography of GK ... this is an ok starting point, but there are better biographies out there.  But if you're looking for an highly readable analysis and overview of GK's writings ... this is a wonderful book for you.  I thoroughly enjoyed the reading ... especially appreciating the excerpts from GK's own writings that illustrated Belmonte's points.  What better way to analyze than to use the actual words of the author being analyzed?

I highly recommend this book for high schoolers and up ... for all those interested in literary criticism, writing, and especially GOOD writing.  Excellent!

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DISCLAIMER:  I received this book as part of Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze program with the promise that I would write an honest review of the work.  The above post is my honest opinion of Defiant Joy.

 

Review: Softly and Tenderly

Maybe it's because Sara Evans (the co-author of Softly and Tenderly) is a country singer ... but this book sure starts out like the stereotypical CW song:  cheatin' men, illegitimate babies, cheatin' women, even the ubiquitous old pickup (actually there are TWO in the book!).  Seriously, this is so replete with cliches, I didn't know if I could get through it.

Basically, Jade Fitzgerald Benson -- a 31-year-old raised in a quirky Iowa family with her own problems finally finds her paradise:  married to the only son of THE family in a Tennessee town, owning two successful retro shops, and loving her life.  But then it all hits the fan and becomes a cliche-laden soap opera.  I really didn't think I'd make it past the first 20 pages or so.

But then the story hooked me ... maybe it was the hippy-mom dying of leukemia and all her quirkiness and love that she shared with all around her ... or maybe it was the character of the mother-in-law who had finally had enough of her cheating husband and went to Iowa with Jade and her dying mother, Beryl ... or maybe it was because the authors worked hard to imbue their story with the Christian faith and the themes of love, faith, hope and trust.  It really did turn into a great story ... nothing super deep or philosophical ... but perfect reading for a couple of afternoons over Christmas break when the house was quiet.

The only issue I have with the book is that it ends abruptly with only one of the plot-lines fully resolved ... all the others are still left up in the air.  Which may be why they do mention a third book (the first book, which I haven't read yet is titled The Sweet By and By  and talks about Jade marrying Max Benson) to be released in 2012.  I hate that!  I don't mind reading series or sequels, but I do think stories should have closure.  But that's just me. 

My "cut to the chase" recommendation?  This is a good read with good characterization and a Christian flavor.  A perfect book for a few days' reading. 

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Disclaimer:  I received a review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze program.  The above critique is my honest opinion of this work.



 

Review: The Secrets Beneath

Hmm ... this is one of those books that kind of left me ... cold, dissatisfied, hanging, ... what?  I don't know ... something is missing.

The basic plot of The Secrets Beneath is that a very inquisitive 13-year-old Amish girl, a fan of Nancy Drew stories, begins to notice odd goings-on next door -- a house that has long remained vacant is suddenly the scene of odd late-night visits by a couple of different men.  Further, Bekah (the protagonist) and her family play host to a cousin who comes to stay for the school-year with little explanation.  Poor Bekah ... it's killing her that she doesn't know what's going on and she MUST find out.  And therein lies the plot ... an inquisitive girl who gets into trouble and dangerous situations because of her curiousity.  The story is basically a long allegory for the adage: curiousity killed the cat.

But what is it about this book that I don't like?

First, it's purportedly written for tweens/teens but you don't really know that until you get into the story a bit.  The girl on the cover art is wistfully young, but otherwise much of the tone of the book doesn't ring true for a tween/teen read.  The dangers in the book are a bit too-threatening and scary especially since they're so very possible -- I don't know if I'd want my kids reading this scary side of new neighbors!  The coming-of-age portions are a bit over the top ... most girls mature before boys so having the boy interested in the girl without her realizing it just doesn't seem realistic and seems a bit forced. 

Further, for some reason, the author has set the novel in the fictional town of Middlefield, Ohio that hosts an Amish community but is also filled with "yankees".   But the "Amish-ness" of the book is really an unnecessary hook -- Bekah and her family could be any religion as the Amish aspect really has nothing to do with the story.  It's very odd.  In addition, the author takes the time to explain the differences between the Ohio Amish and the Pennsylvania Amish (from whence Bekah's cousin hales) but the characters just don't seem "Amish".  It's like an add-on to sell the book.

This is the second book in a series "The Mysteries of Middlefield".  Now, I haven't read the first one and I don't think I'd read others.  Maybe Kathleen Fuller, the author, needs to stick with writing adult novels and not try and tap the tween/teen market. 

Unfortunately, this was a very unsatisfying read that I could only recommend if a teen was desperate for something to read and it was this or something horrendous, like Goosebumps!

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Disclaimer:  I recieved this book as part of the Thomas Nelson review program, Book Sneeze.  The only requirement was that I read the book and post a review.  The above review is my honest reaction to this book.
 

Review: Dining with Joy

.As I've mentioned in past book reviews, occasionally I enjoy reading fluff -- books that are not high-brow, usually fiction and either romance or mystery ... books that I can lose myself in for the time while I'm reading.  With fluff reading, I don't expect much ... deep, provocative truths are not what I'm seeking in these types of books. 
Dining with Joy: a Lowcountry Romance, from Christian fiction author Rachel Hauck is such a book -- fluffy with an interesting story, characters and background information about South Carolina's lowcountry.  But, be forewarned: don't look too hard at the story-line as you might be disappointed. 

I had a very hard time with the main character:  on the surface, Joy Ballard is a hard-working successful 29yo ... she has a phenomenally successful cooking show but the problem is that she can't cook.  She and her staff and friends have been "covering" for her for the 4 years since she took over the show from her dad ... after a death-bed promise, no less.  All is cooking right along until Luke Redmond, a REAL cook, shows up in Beaufort, SC and sparks fly between the two.  Should Joy fess up and admit she's been living a lie ... should Luke, when he discovers her secret, continue to cover for her because he "loves" her ... and so the story goes.

Often, Joy turns to God and asks for help and guidance ... but then ignores EVERY opportunity to break the lie and accept the consequences.  When the denouement finally occurs, there are no adverse consequences for Joy -- all still love her ... she can get out of the show she's not been comfortable doing ... Luke loves ... all is well! 

If you want a fluffy, superficial read -- this is it; if you're looking for a deeper, more meaningful story ... this ain't it.

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I received this book as part of Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze blogger review program.  The review above is my honest reaction to this book.
 

Review: Adventures in Booga Booga Land

First, I have to say that I think this dvd would sell better if it was set somewhere else than "Booga Booga Land" ... it's just too goofy of a name. 

But, that aside, this is a pretty good cartoon for the kids. The Adventures in Booga Booga Land is an animated series made in Canada based on Richard Milner's allegories, compiled in his book Adventures in Booga Booga.  The dvd has three episodes which bring parables of Jesus into a new context -- that of BoogaBooga Land.  Marty the monkey and Gerard the giraffe are the "stars" of the series and work all different kinds of jobs ... which is how they get involved in the scenarios that evolve into the telling of the parables. 

All of the parables on this dvd are from Matthew:

1. the workers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16)
2. the wise and foolish builders (Matt 7:24-27)
3. the lamp under the bowl (Matt 5:14-16)

All are well done re-tellings (except for the third which doesn't have as clean a link between the Booga Booga story and the original parable).  My kids -- 7, 10, and 11 -- and I all liked the stories on the dvd.  The animation is well-done (especially at a time when most of the animation done for kids is cheesy computer-generated graphics or ugly).  The voices are appropriate (and cute with the Canadian accents!).  The music is not irritating but peppy and "fits" the stories.

Overall, I'd say this is a great dvd to show kids of all ages.  I wish they had a study-guide or resource at the end of discussing the links between these cartoons and the scriptures; definitely want to take advantage of the teachable moments engendered by these stories.

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Disclaimer:  I recd this dvd as part of the Book Sneeze program.  I promised to post a review of the product.  The words of the review above are  honest opinion of this dvd.
 

Review: A Leader's Heart

I love books.  I love books that are thought-provoking.  I love books that let me journal.  So when I got the chance to review John Maxwell's  devotional-journal that promised to nurture "a leader's heart" ... I jumped at the chance.  A Leader's Heart: 365-Day Devotional Journal by John Maxwell has just been re-published by Thomas Nelson Publishers under their "Countryman" imprint.

Unfortunately, this story has a sad ending:  I just can't like this book.  I think it's trying too hard to do everything -- a journal, a "devotional", a self-help book to grow leaders -- and ends up being nothing. 

I honestly tried hard to like it.  I browsed through it.  I read it.  I held it in my hands and smelled it.  I honestly tried.  But still no success.

First, the binding is all wrong.  It's a sewn-in binding for a book that is supposed to be used daily for writing thoughts.  A better choice would have been a looser binding (comb, spiral) OR wider margins with bigger lines for truly writing in.  A sewn-in binding would be great if the book didn't encourage the reader to write in the lines.  This just doesn't work for me.

Second, the book mixes scripture passages with quotes from Maxwell's previous volumes on leadership.  One or the other, but not both, would have worked better for me.  This would have worked if Maxwell had than added the question to either a scripture quote or a Maxwell quote (I also had a problem with the use of quotes from Maxwell's Leadership Bible but that's a personal pet peeve -- there is only one Bible).  Maybe there could have been a separate section with one or the other pithy quote.  But they're not pithy quotes -- their two-ton heavy with meaning.  On a daily basis, this might get a bit over the top.

Third, maybe it's because I'm a Catholic reading a very Protestant author, but the impression I get from the Maxwell quotes is that everyone should be, must be a leader and that is how we would witness to the Kingdom.  But that's not what Jesus said.  Jesus would have us follow Him.  Jesus told us, "the last shall be first".  Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom and put the Church as the leader on earth.  Maxwell's leadership maxims are great for the corporate board room but not for life -- but Maxwell's volume leads me to believe that he wants us to replicate the dog-eat-dog, climb the corporate ladder to success kind of lifestyle in our daily lives and in our spiritual lives.  

I'm sorry, I just can't like this one. 

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This book was obtained through Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze program which requires that I post a review after reading the volume.  The critique above is my honest review of this work. 

Review: Angel Song

Have you ever heard a snippet of song ... a haunting melody in a time of stress or joy ... a tune that you just can't shake?  That's the problem (which becomes a gift) for interior designer Anne Fletcher, the heroine of the latest summer fiction book I've read:  Angel Song by Sheila Walsh & Kathryn Cushman. 

This book is a great read ... one of the plethora of angel-based stories prevalent in today's Christian fiction market.  This one, though, is a step up from many with good plotting, excellent characterization, and a believable and emotionally-affecting story about God and faith and love.  Written by two Christian writers, this story kept me reading and turning the page and crying and smiling and just reveling in the fact that I was reading a good book.  I loved the way Anne's character slowly finds her faith ... slowly fixes her life ... slowly realizes that her stubborn pride are holding her back.  The other characters, particularly that of the young Down Syndrome boy who also hears angels, are not cloyingly sweet but rather just really good Southern characters who take the New York edge off Anne, like peeling an onion, slowly but surely until the book's end.

The authors have a slightly different take on faith than my Catholic one, but the story is a worthwhile read and the differences are minor and don't take anything away from the fact that this is one of those I'll pass on to my daughters ... a book to be read by others to show that trying to do it all on our own is not God's way ... and ends up leading to catastrophes rather than the faith-filled journey God desires for us all.

Highly recommend this one for ages high school and up ...

This book was sent me as part of Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze program.  The review is my honest opinion based on my reading of this charming novel.






 

Review: Sarah's Garden

I have a certain fascination with the Amish lifestyle -- I love their work-ethic, their simplicity, their community-lifestyle, their handcrafts.  I love reading about them, watching documentaries about them and even have visited some of their towns ... and gazed longingly on their work (can't afford to buy their lovely quilts and other handmades ... maybe someday!)

So I really enjoyed the opportunity to read and review Thomas Nelson's latest publication -- Sarah's Garden: A Patch of Heaven Novel by Kelly Long.  This book, a fictional account of a romance between an Amish woman and Englischer, is very well-written with lots of great detail about the Amish lifestyle I respect and admire.  Sarah, the twenty-year-old protagonist has a new neighbor: Englischer veterinarian, Dr. Grant Williams.  How she deals with her growing maturity and increasing love for an outsider, while experiencing the ever-changing rhythms of her own family is the general plot.

The food, crafts and lifestyle of the Amish are embraced in this story -- described in loving rather than derogatory passages -- Ms. Long obviously loves the Amish and what they do and why they do it.  Her story is a refreshing addition to the romance market -- a good story with good characters and a good theme.

I particularly enjoyed the conclusion of this story -- it fits with the overall characterizations and message that is basically a restating of the Gospel message where Jesus tells his disciples they must have no God before His God, they will potentially need to lose family, friends, and current lifestyle to embrace God's will and follow Him!  A basic tenet of the Catholic faith is that we must know, love and serve Him; this is reiterated throughout Sarah and Grant's story of believing in Der Herr.

I do have to say that the "voice" of this story is quite young -- Kelly Long must be a young author.  For instance, when describing Dr. Grant's servants, she describes them as "At nearly a spry sixty-years-old each" .... I know "spry" 80 year olds that would take great exception to such a comment!  Some of her other comments throughout the book betray the youth of the author.  Overall the book is a great relaxing read (especially in an air-conditioned room when the temp outside is pushing "upper 90s").  I also wish Ms. Long had included links to some of the amazing foods she mentions ... my mouth was watering my fingers were itching to make some of these things for my family.

Go ahead and give this book, Sarah's Garden a try -- for summer reading it really can't be beat.

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Disclaimer:  this book was given free as a part of Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze program.  The review above is my own, honest reaction to this book.

 

Review: The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances

God is the ultimate lover and therefore the ultimate example of forgiveness.  If you don't understand this very simple concept, than you just won't "get" Andy Andrews book, The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances. Written by a New York Times bestselling author, this book is a reprint of the book Island of Saints (published in 2005), but this new version published by Thomas Nelson Publishing includes a "where are they now" and study guide questions -- questions that will add much to the enjoyment and attainability of this book. 

The Heart Mender is a story within a story:  the book starts when the author finds some interesting items while pulling up an old wax myrtle on his property -- buttons, medals and photos sealed in an old can.  Thus, begins a quest to figure out what they are and why they are buried on a small island off the coast of Alabama.  

As he begins this search, the book goes back to 1942 America ... when the Germans are trawling the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, torpedoing American ships laden with supplies and oil.  The Fuhrer has decided that blowing civilian ships out of the water is a necessary part of the overall war-effort and the small, American coastal towns along the way witness the results -- bodies and boxes washed up on the shores of their once-quiet towns.

The book is part mystery, part spy-novel, part romance,part self-help book.  The reader's question while reading the book:  how much of Andrews' work is fact and how much fiction?  Could German spies have landed on the shore-towns?  Could this really have happened with little mention in our history classes?  
But Andrews' book is much more than the plot-line.  The most important aspect of this book is the method Andrews describes through his allegory; a method of how to heal even the most hardened of hearts hurt by the world, a method which is slowly revealed through the characters of this well-written story.  Basically, a method of how to heal the broken hearts of us all.

This is a GREAT read ... fast-paced story-line, believable characters and a message that goes deeper than a simple novel.  I highly recommend this one -- especially as summer reading.  The story would also make a great basis for a unit-study on WW2 and the German Kriegsmarine and their Unterseeboots which mauraded the American coast during 1942, a fact kept hidden for many years by all but the locals.

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This book was provided free through Thomas Nelson Publishing's Book Sneeze (where great books are contagious!) program.  I was required to write a review but all the comments above are my true view of this book.

Review: Wonders Never Cease

Let's face it: I'm a sucker for a book where the good guys triumph, the bad guys get their comeuppance, and all is right with the world again. I love the type of book where the author has the bad guys when each campaign ... each little battle ... but ultimately losing the war!

Wonders Never Cease by Tim Downs is just such a book.  Downs paints a picture of a could-have-been doctor who likes to cut corners and find the easy way ... regardless of who gets in his way.  Kemp McAvoy decides to pretend to be an angel for a past-her-prime actress that is laying in the hospital in a monitored coma. 

McAvoy could care less about the ethics of messing with the actress's medication to bring her to a semi-conscious state; he could care less that in playing an angel he is messing with Divine Intervention.  McAvoy is just hoping to reap the millions of dollar that can be made from a "near-death" experience.  With the help of a few other less-than-desirable characters, McAvoy just about wins the day.

But, as in life, God can make good from any situation -- even the most diabolical. 

Downs has got this type of novel down.  His characters are believable -- the good ones are not over-the-top goody-goodies while the bad ones are just lazy, self-absorbed types that I've met in real life (OK, maybe not as bad as McAvoy ... but close!).  The dialogue is smooth and the cadence of the story is amazing.  This is truly a page-turner with each event falling perfectly in place like toppling dominoes.

This book is not high literature (nor is it catechetically accurate regarding angels and their missions).  That said, the deeper meaning of love and trust, the writing style, the characterizations and the plot itself, are all well-developed and well-delivered.  This is definitely a recommended read for high school age and up ... a fun and exciting summer-time read!

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This book was received free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Sneeze review program. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I given any payment other than a free copy of the book. All the comments above are my honest reaction to this book.

Review: Lonestar Homecoming by Colleen Coble

Reading is a lot like eating.  As I get older, I try and eat (and read) mostly the good stuff ... the kind that will nourish both my body and soul; the superfoods of life.  But occasionally, I like to eat (and read!) the junk food -- the light, fluffy stuff that is pleasant for the moment but doesn't really last or having any deeper meaning.

Lonestar Homecoming by Colleen Coble was my "junk food" reading after my heavy Lenten-based reflective reading.  It's a light, fast-paced read ... no really "icky" scenes but nothing really deep.  The story is implausible but fun ... a Snickers bar for an afternoon when I just need something that's not going to tax me overmuch.

I liked this story but a few niggling things crept in: this book may have been better as a frontier-times story rather than a present day Mexican-American ganglord  story -- too much drama that was more harrowing then this light book warranted (particularly the violence threatened to the children ... a bit over the top for me).  Also, the romance was a bit too coincidental but all works out in the end and that's what makes junk food reading fun reading; the more implausible the more fun for me.  One thing that really struck me was the Christian element -- it seemed put on for publishing to this particular market; the mention of God and church was vague and not part of the characters' lives but rather tacked on in occasional scenes, interrupting the flow of the story.  If Christianity is going to be part of the book, the characters should be Christian throughout; I like my religious innuendo a little more subtle.

Overall, this is a good beach or rainy day read.  A wholesome love story that is chaste and full of forgiveness.  Suspend your disbelief, check your logic at the door and enjoy a junk-food read:  not great literature, but then sometimes we need a bit of marshamallow fluff after the spinach salad!

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This book was received free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Sneeze program. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I given any payment other than a free copy of the book. All the comments above are my honest reaction to this book.

Review: What's in a Word? Read it and find out!

I love words.

I love how the English language has so many words to describe a myriad of objects, thoughts and feelings.  I love how good authors can use the English language to create a "play on words", puns or subtle jokes that take the reader by surprise; I'm not talking highbrow academicians but folks like PG Wodehouse or GKChesterton.  I love to discover how words came to mean what they mean today ... often a very convoluted route that starts way back in ancient or medieval times.

Thus, I was delighted to see Webb Garrison's book, What's in a Word: Fascinating Stories of More than 350 Everyday Words and Phrases, republished this year by Thomas Nelson Publishers.   I wish the publishers had realized what a fun, oft-read book this will become -- they printed it on newsprint type pages that won't hold up to as much reading as we'll give this book.

Etymology, the study of word origins and meanings, is a fascinating topic.  Garrison says in the introduction that he was young when he first started his interest in and love of words and etymology; I was the same way -- it started when I was little (probably a result of my mom's interest in words).  One of my favorite professors in grad-school used to give us "cocktail tidbits" about words when he finished his econ lectures early.  I loved those tidbits and sought out more.  But the study of etymology can get a bit dry and boring; a bit more scientific than the tidbits shared by my prof.

Garrison's book succeeds in NOT being dry and boring; his book has wonderful one-or-two-paragraph explanations of words that we use everyday.  Words like "checkmate", "curfew", "lens" and "moccasin" are explained in a chatty, story-like format to ensure that the reader ENJOYS learning where these words originated.  Garrison also includes common phrases like "eleventh hour", "raising Cain", "on the spot" and "put on the dog", clearly and entertainingly elucidating their meanings and origins for the reader.

This would be a great book to give my 5th grade son as a break from his vocabulary work; or a high schooler when working on a paper; or even just to have lying about so that we can test each other's knowledge of words, learning a little bit in the process and enjoying the english language.

I love words. 

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This book was received free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Sneeze program.  I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I given any payment other than a free copy of the book. All the comments above are my honest reaction to this book.

Review: Winston Churchill by John Perry

Part of a new series from Thomas Nelson called "Christian Encounters", John Perry's quick-read biography of the amazing Winston Churchill is fabulous!  Detailing the great-man's life from birth at Blenheim to death 91 years later, Perry awakens an interest in the reader to pursue further information about this British statesman.

Churchill, born to an upper-crust family (who lost all their money through various vices) in 1874, spent much of his growing up years away from home.  According to Perry, Churchill's closest "family member" was his nanny of many years, Elizabeth Everest, from whom Churchill learned about love and family and religion and loyalty.  Churchill went on to study at Sandhurst for a military career which he parlayed into a reporting job with first-hand accounts of Cuban conflicts, the Boer war and Indian insurrections.  Churchill had these accounts -- reportedly more fictionalized than fact -- published into books that were popularly successful, launching his now-famous political career.  They also netted him quite an income that allowed him to live a life-style that his family funds wouldn't have been able to afford.

Churchill's popularity led him to run for Parliament -- as a member of the House of Commons in 1900.  His political career, begun under the reign of Queen Victoria, spanned more than 60 years.  But his finest hour, for which he is most remembered, would be his drive and spirit and oratory during the dark years of World War 2.  Churchill consistently mentions in his letters, journals and public speeches, that God saved him through many childhood illnesses and accidents ... carried him through the time of being a prisoner of war during the Boer War ... kept bringing him back to Parliament for the express reason to have Churchill as Prime Minister of Britain during the war-torn years of  1940-45.

Throughout this book, Perry gives us peeks at Churchill's spirtituality, his understanding of religion, and his "take" on God.  Because of his upbringing -- basically raised by an Anglican, anti-Catholic nanny -- Churchill never felt pulled to any specific organized religion.  During his time spent fighting and reporting conflict in the early 1900s, Churchill began to study religion -- to understand his place in the greater scheme of things.  It was at this time that Churchill finally synthesized his own spirituality -- God is in His heaven, watching over us all, but man makes his own opportunities and responds accordingly.  In other words, Churchill would give God credit for the things he himself couldn't do (protecting Churchill from harm or disease) but also had a healthy (if not, egocentric) believe in his own greatness.

A quick-read at just 157 pages, this book gives a great introduction to a man who stood only five-foot-eight and yet comes down to us through history as a giant among men.  I would recommend this for upper highschool years and above.  A cool thing that Thomas Nelson Publishers has done is create an online reading-group guide to this book, as well as all the books in their Christian Encounter series.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: A Century Turns: New Hopes, New Fears

So, what were you doing in 1989? 

I was a newly hired Delta Air Lines corporate ladder-climber, wielding a recent MBA, marriage license and a brand-new baby boy.  I was (and still am) a Catholic, conservative and Republican (in that order). It was the dawn of a new decade, the last of the 20th century and we all had hopes and fears for the country.

For the next 20 years America would experience bad times and good times -- Iraq and Katrina, housing booms and economic busts, deaths of amazing people and births of children saved from abortion, technology advances beyond anyone's imagining.  Our country would move from a white conservative president to a black liberal president with little social upheaval, something that would be considered a miracle in any other country but the US!

But what do we really know about those 20 years -- other than we now have blogs, Wii, text-messaging, and higher national debt and a recession?  Read William J. Bennett's latest, A Century Turns: New Hopes, New Fears, and you will get a very good picture of how we got from there to here, and even a glimpse of where we're headed. 

This is actually volume three of Bennett's American history series titled America: The Last Best Hope .  But this one shifts a bit from the previous two:  Volume 1 and 2 of the series deal with the times 1492-1914 and then 1914-1989.  Dr. Bennett was personally involved in just a bit of the history-making of the last part of volume 2, but very actively involved in the events of the next two decades.  In volume 3 we are given his own personal thoughts and remembrances of the past 20 years in light of American history and politics. 

Dr. Bennett, who held various government jobs (including head of the Department of Education under Ronald Reagan from 1985-88) and currently acts as the Washington Fellow of the Claremont Institute, is a noted conservative Republican who has a great love and interest in American history  and politics; further he wants to ensure that all Americans understand where we were and where we're going.   Because of his life experience, particularly as a Washington insider during the 20 years of this book, the reader gets a clear understanding of not just what happened but why and what it all means.  Now, Bennett's world-view is from a conservative (some would say, extremely conservative) viewpoint and yet his book attempts to give credit (or blame) where it is due, no matter which side of the aisle. 

From Bush Senior's one-term presidency, to the morally-questionable two terms of Clinton, through the war years and domestic issues of Bush Junior's two-terms to the eve of an American president who is not only African-American but is also a fairly unknown quantity in Washington circles (he was serving his first Senate term when he ran for election).  This book reads like a novel.  The writing is excellent, highly readable and informative.



The subtitle of this book is quite appropriate: new hope and new fears.  For the past 20 years we've seen the hope of new technologies which make our lives better and the fears of some of these technologies; we've seen the hope of new democracies and the fear of terrorism; we've lived through the hopes of housing booms and the fear of economic downturns.  And yet, we're still America ... we're still here and working through our problems and celebrating our successes.  As Bennett ends his book on the eve of Obama's first term in the White House ... yes, there is fear but there is a strong hope in the future.

One thing I didn't like about this book was whenever the conservative politicians would err, Bennett always seemed to have a footnote that mentioned he was against the event and warned the person.  Hind-sight is ALWAYS 20-20 and Bennett loses a little credibility in mentioning these, whether they're true or not.  Also, I thought his discussion of Obama's meteoric rise to the White House was a bit soft on information or analysis.  Other than those issues, I would recommend this book strongly to all American citizens who want to understand our Country's last 20 years!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”