3 comments about The House of the Lord: A Study of Holy Sanctuaries, Ancient and Modern.

1. An excellent book for those preparing to enter the temple, and for those who have already been.
   Written within the walls of the Salt Lake Temple by one of the greatest LDS scholars, this book is a must-read! This edition is a reprint of the original and it includes interesting early b/w photos of the interior of the Salt Lake Temple.



2. This book is a wonderful well written account on what Mormons believe about temple worship past and present. James Talmage was an Apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early twentieth century. Good for members preparing to enter the temple.



3. I have read over 400 books on LDS beliefs and this is a Top 25. A must read for all Latter-day Saints. Editor, All About Mormons web site.

2 comments about An Encyclopedia of Archetypal Symbolism: The Body.

1. George Elder was one of my professors of religion back in the 1980s. I have not seen him since then, but in discovering and reading through this work I could hear pieces of his lectures project from its pages, and recall the calm cadence of his voice during discussions of comparative religion, Christian theology, Freud and Jung. Although at the time I had not warmed-up to Jung (I was young and foolish, I suppose), I have since developed a great appreciation for both Jung and George Elder's lectures and vast learning.
   
   The Body is written in accessible and easy language, inviting all to explore its pages, which are filled (as befits a Jungian perspective) with provocative, archetypal imagery from across the spectrum of culture and religious thought, and across time. The book's size may suggest it is a "coffee table" volume, but it is far from it. However, those who would place it on their coffee tables may be wise - for their guests will, upon flipping through its pages, be pulled into a different world. They will be introduced to Jung's psychology and thought in the most seductive way, and I think they will have a hard time remembering the original purpose of their visit. And if they look closely and if there is time enough, they will see themselves, or at least that part of themselves that stares out from behind the mask of civility, reason, and control.
   
   Glad to see Dr. Elder is still in the game, and better than ever.



2. This is a beautiful book! Each aspect of the body, from the first chapter on the "Primordial Body," though the chapters on the bones, blood and systems of bodily functions, to the final chapter "Transformed Body," is covered in painstaking attention to detail. Each chapter is preceded by several lines of appropriate verse from a wide variety of authors and poets and includes many essay entries relating to the chapter's theme. For instance, the chapter on the eye begins with verse from Meister Eckhart and Ralph Waldo Emerson and includes the essays "The Eye of God," "The Eye of Horus," "A Cyclops," the "Conversion of St. Paul" [who was blinded by the light of Christ] and many other entries on the eye. The chapter on the skin begins with verse from Akiko Yosano and Peter Meinke and includes the essays "White Tara," the "Black Virgin of Einsiedeln," a "Tattooed Couple" and "Job Suffering from Boils," among other entries. Additionally, each of Dr. Elder's wonderfully articulate essays is accompanied by an appropriate, beautiful and interesting image. The image is first described in detail and then discussed in terms of cultural context, archetypal and psychological meaning. There is also a bibliography at the end of each entry. I would recommend this book for just about anyone! Whatever your profession or interests, this book is an endless source of information and fascination. The beauty of this book is its ability to garner acceptance for the body in its many shapes, sizes and colors, its peculiarities and quirks and even its defects! I guarantee, this book will not stay on your coffee table gathering dust.

1 comments about Imagining the Holy Land: Maps, Models, and Fantasy Travels.

1. The photographs, maps, travelers' accounts, physical reconstructions, and studies of the Bible that are the subject of this book once fired popular fantasies of the Holy Land. Nineteenth century visitors to the Chautauqua Institution used to walk through a large scale model of biblical Palestine, sometimes tucking a blade of grass into their pockets or purses. You can still take a tour and listen to Sunday evening lectures there. At the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904, a replica of Jerusalem covered eleven acres while today, some 300 miles to the southeast, a seven story high Christ of the Ozarks looks over a modern re-creation of the Holy Land set in the hills of Arkansas. For home viewing there were tours via stereoscopic photographs, lavishly illustrated books such as Picturesque Palestine, and the reports of scholars who passed through the American School of Oriental Research in Jerusalem. All reached for an illusory touch of the "real" in the midst of fantasies about the Holy Land, as may still be seen in a reader friendly book written by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan Reed, Excavating Jesus. These competing visions of the Holy Land were, and are, shaped by forms of Christianity and Judaism, and entangled with various political and ideological debates at home in America.

   David Gunn, Bradford Professor of Religion at Texas Christian University wrote that Imagining the Holy Land is "remarkable and important...not only pertinent to an understanding of biblical criticism and popular culture in America...but crucially important to a nuanced understanding of American public discourse about Middle Eastern affairs today."

1 comments about Toward Theology of Beauty (Theology).

1. Written prior to his 1999 book Enjoying the Beauty of God, this book serves as an informative introduction to the later work. John Navone introduces the reader to the subject of beauty within the Christian world and outlines the theological presuppositions necessary to develop a more complete theology of beauty for the contemporary church. Navone's style is at times confusing when refering to God/beauty/Beauty Itself etc. however, the overall tone of the book is both interesting and authoratative. Of particular value to the lay reader concerned with the subject of beauty within the Christian west, and the value of the recovery of beauty in contemporary belief. In chapter seven of this work Navone outlines the presuppositions that are necessary for a deeper formulation of a theology of beauty. This inclusion is very helpful. This book is what it purports to be - not an exhaustive treatise on beauty but a necessary prerequisite for further study and reflection. That Navone's book is followed in 1999 by Enjoying God's Beauty is not a surprise but a fitting conclusion to this book.

No comments about Christian Iconography : The History of Christian Art in the Middle Ages (2 volume set).

No comments about Brushing the Spirit: The Magical Art of Charan Sharma.

5 comments about Expressions of Faith.

1. Probably nothing or no one else has ever been the subject of more artwork or literature than Jesus of Nazareth. And if you look through this book you'll understand why. The amazing artwork and beautiful poetry and prose contained in these pages will do nothing less than uplift and inspire. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, Christian or not. It truly captures the gentle meekness and unfathomable love of the Savior in a Spirit of genuine devotion.



2. Greg Olsen is my favorite current artist of Christ. His exquisite paintings offer a picture of Christ which embodies both his mortal/human side and his immortal being. This particular book was a much appreciated gift. Olsen uses the warm colors of the palette to bring a sense of peace and concern, that emanates from the person we see in the pictures of Christ and the time period in which he lived. Of course, none of us can know what He truly looked like, but the readings and poems present in this book illustrate the compassionate Person he was, and that we all should try to be.

   These are the books that I leave out for others to see. These are the books I look through to find guidance and peace when the daily happenings of life get me down. The art and the writings remind me of what is truly important...the service and the love that we give to others.

   I hope to see more of Olsen's work in the future.

   Karen Sadler




3. Greg Olsen has a talent that seems to cross the bridges of time. In his book "Expressions of Faith" readers may feel that they are actually living during the time of Christ. His paintings have the ability to pull you into the scene, and you feel that pehaps it is you who the Savior is reaching out to save.

   Greg Olsen, has chosen some excellent poetry and has written some beautiful prose which complements his art. In my opinion, poetry is the art work of the mind, and art work is the poerty of the eye. Prose, is the heart that describes what the mind and the eye see. That is the secret of this book; it appeals to the heart, mind, and the eye.

   M.D. Cummings




4. Christian worship is a difficult thing to describe. But it must look an awful lot like this book. Buy it. Actually, buy two. If you enjoy communion with the Lord, you'll probably wear one out.



5. This is truly one of the most beautiful books I have seen in a long time. It would make a wonderful gift - one that should be out on a coffee table for all to see!

No comments about Ribbon Culture: Charity, Compassion and Public Awareness.

No comments about Signs of Grace: Religion and American Art in the Gilded Age.

2 comments about Sikh Art and Literature.

1. This book is a big let down. Save your money and get Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms. This is small, cheap, poor quality and boring in comparison



2. I ordered this book with great excitement - it promised so much. However I cannot describe the disappointment, actually I can and here it is: Published by the Sikh Foundation (who are they?) and edited by Kerry Brown (who is he?) it contains a number of papers delivered at an academic conference some years ago - in many respects a worthy and vital addition to the body of research into Sikh heritage. However it should really have remained an academic conference and a collection of papers - this is not a book. The writing, with a few notable exceptions (Sidhu, Lal and Stronge), is simply not accessible to most readers of this book. Most of the academics that have been asked to contribute seem to have some other agenda in the forefront of their minds. In one hilarious chapter on Sikh architecture, the writer (who clearly has a deep and passionate interest in Greek and Roman Architecture) seems to forget that he is writing for a Sikh audience and then casually remarks that there are some parallels and then goes on to finish his chapter about Early Greek temple architecture - very very weird. Before I look at the more redeeming features - the poor quality of the book's design and presentation must be noted. In 1999 there was an outpouring of excellent Sikh publications (Patwant Singh's The Sikhs, Warrior Saints, The Sikhs (Tiger Press), Psyche of the Soul and most notably the catalogue to the Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms (Ed Susan Stronge)) These books have gone a long way in redefining the quality of Sikh publications. `Sikh Art and Literature' however belongs to the Hemkunt Press school of publishing - this is a very cheaply produced book. The reproduction of the images is very poor indeed, most of the images are pixelated, blurred or just badly re produced. Some of the pictures are just plain embarrassing - it is worth paying for the book just to see the Polaroid of Khushawnt Singh ! This is not a book for the coffee table or your shelf This lack of attention to detail shows nothing but contempt for the subject matter and the unsuspecting reader. This is clearly a publication aimed at cashing in on the boom for Sikh books in 1999- well you got me! I hope that you don't fool too many others