I love to read. And I'm sure there are many here who also enjoy it.
I'm reading three books at once - as usual. (In addition to doing some study about psycotropic pharmacology for work.)
First - "The Mind of God - The Scientific Basis for a Rational World" By Paul Davies.
Review From Library Journal
This time Davies (coauthor of The Matter Myth , LJ 3/1/92) takes on the big philosophical questions raised by our increasing understanding of how the universe works: How did it all start? Why is there a universe at all? Is there a God and, if so, has He/She any limitations? That is, could the laws of physics have been different? Who made the laws? Why are we here? Could there be a universe devoid of life? Many people feel that these issues fall into the realm of religion, not science. The message of Davies's book is that most of these questions are unanswerable but only people with an appreciation of modern science can understand how deep they really are. Davies is an excellent writer about science per se and its philosophical implications. A worthwhile acquisition for all science collections.
- Harold D. Shane, Baruch Coll., CUNY
This time Davies (coauthor of The Matter Myth , LJ 3/1/92) takes on the big philosophical questions raised by our increasing understanding of how the universe works: How did it all start? Why is there a universe at all? Is there a God and, if so, has He/She any limitations? That is, could the laws of physics have been different? Who made the laws? Why are we here? Could there be a universe devoid of life? Many people feel that these issues fall into the realm of religion, not science. The message of Davies's book is that most of these questions are unanswerable but only people with an appreciation of modern science can understand how deep they really are. Davies is an excellent writer about science per se and its philosophical implications. A worthwhile acquisition for all science collections.
- Harold D. Shane, Baruch Coll., CUNY
My Review - I've only just started reading this book and I'm still in Chapter one. So far I've done a lot of underlining and highlighting, and I think the author is asking all the right questions. "My Review" - to be continued as I progress.
Second - "Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews -- A History" By James Carroll
Review From Publishers Weekly
Part history, part memoir, this hefty tome by novelist Carroll (Mortal Friends, etc.) traces the record of anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism in the Catholic Church, suggesting that centuries of animus culminated in the Holocaust. Carroll also traces the development of his own thinking about Judaism: as a Catholic seminarian, he knew no Jews and little about Judaism, except what he learned in classrooms, i.e., that Judaism had been superceded by Christ's new covenant. As a young priest at Boston U (which his colleagues disparagingly referred to as B-Jew, since so many Jews were enrolled), Carroll began to spend time with rabbis and Jewish students whose political and social commitments he found congenial. Eventually he left the priesthood; his increased discomfort with the Church's attitudes toward Judaism played no small part in that decision. But this book is more than guilty Catholic breast-beating. It also offers a sweeping look at instances of anti-Jewish sentiment throughout European history, from the blood libel to the Dreyfus affair, from the Inquisition to Auschwitz. Carroll offers fresh, provocative analysis, as in his discussion of the idea that the God of the Jews is a judgmental God concerned with law, whereas Jesus is about loveDa foundation of much anti-Semitism. Carroll argues that Jesus' emphasis on love was his most Jewish attribute. Carroll makes these incisive arguments in his characteristically vigorous prose; fans of An American Requiem, his National Book Award-winning memoir, won't be disappointed. This magisterial work will satisfy Jewish and Christians readers alike, challenging both to a renewed conversation with one another.
Part history, part memoir, this hefty tome by novelist Carroll (Mortal Friends, etc.) traces the record of anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism in the Catholic Church, suggesting that centuries of animus culminated in the Holocaust. Carroll also traces the development of his own thinking about Judaism: as a Catholic seminarian, he knew no Jews and little about Judaism, except what he learned in classrooms, i.e., that Judaism had been superceded by Christ's new covenant. As a young priest at Boston U (which his colleagues disparagingly referred to as B-Jew, since so many Jews were enrolled), Carroll began to spend time with rabbis and Jewish students whose political and social commitments he found congenial. Eventually he left the priesthood; his increased discomfort with the Church's attitudes toward Judaism played no small part in that decision. But this book is more than guilty Catholic breast-beating. It also offers a sweeping look at instances of anti-Jewish sentiment throughout European history, from the blood libel to the Dreyfus affair, from the Inquisition to Auschwitz. Carroll offers fresh, provocative analysis, as in his discussion of the idea that the God of the Jews is a judgmental God concerned with law, whereas Jesus is about loveDa foundation of much anti-Semitism. Carroll argues that Jesus' emphasis on love was his most Jewish attribute. Carroll makes these incisive arguments in his characteristically vigorous prose; fans of An American Requiem, his National Book Award-winning memoir, won't be disappointed. This magisterial work will satisfy Jewish and Christians readers alike, challenging both to a renewed conversation with one another.
My Review - Fascinating book! While I have done much study about the history of the church, especially in the time of Constantine, this book is different from my past study. The personal aspects of this priest is honest and eye opening. He's an astute enough writer to take you along on the journey with him, as he discovers just what was propaganda, and just what was truth, in his sojourn through his years as a jesuit priest. Excellent history and personal insight you won't hear from the pulpit. I adore the analytical eye of the author, and he's even humorous at some points. Many are crying that this book is anti-Catholic. I totally disagree. It simply tells the truth. I'm very much enjoying reading this HUGE 768 page book.
Third - "The Road to Wealth" By Suze Orman
Review From Library Journal
The queen of money advice tells you how to get out of debt, plan your retirement, buy stocks, and much, much more.
The queen of money advice tells you how to get out of debt, plan your retirement, buy stocks, and much, much more.
My Review - An absolute "YAWN". But, a necessary one. So, why am I reading it - you ask? Because I started it. If I start it, I have to finish it. There's some good advice in there, I just am not at all interested in money. Someone gave me this book as a gift, so that's another reason to read it.
I'm always interested in what's out there that's worth reading - so I'd like to hear . . .
What are YOU reading right now?
