4 comments about Jazz Notes: Improvisations on Blue Like Jazz.

1. Allow me to begin with a short excerpt:
   
   "Many of our attempts to understand and define the Christian faith have only cheapened it. I can no more understand the totality of God than the pancake I made for breakfast understands my complexity." (page 101)
   
   Buy one for your car, put one in your iPod, keep one in the office, have one in every bathroom, and make sure one is on your night stand. A perfect gift for a friend. What can I say, I adore Donald Miller's stuff, even when Thomas Nelson published this remix of his classic, Blue Like Jazz.
   
   That being said, the audio CD that accompanies the book is a dismal disappointment. Somebody at TN had the bright idea to mix some awful background music with Don reading a selection of his prose. Hey, Thomas Nelson --- kill the background music!!! It was a terrible distraction when one is attempting to focus on the essence of what Don is saying...it didn't work.
   
   A great contribution. A wonderful gift for a friend. Use the CD as a flying saucer with your neighbor's barking dog whose is chained up in their backyard 24-7.
   
   In summary, reading Donald Miller has this effect on me, "Wonder is the feeling we get when we do just that --- let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow. And I don't believe that there is any better worship than wonder." (p. 109).
   
   Thank you Thomas-Nelson and Donald Miller



2. Have you read Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz" yet? If not, you may be in lagging behind. This bestselling 2003 book, written in a Kerouac stream-of-thought personal essay style with a touch of Anne Lamott's irreverence (that makes you feel guilty for laughing at religious people) and some honest down-to-earth self-deprecating genuineness seems to have touched a chord in people worldwide. So far, the book subtitled "Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality" has sold more than a million copies and not only remains among the top selling inspirational books in the nation, but each year it outsells the previous year--for five straight years after its publication. That is phenomenal in any market.
   
   Anyone who has read "Blue Like Jazz' can never forget Miller's opening story. He writes:
   
   "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.
   
   "After that I liked jazz music.
   
   "Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.
   
   "I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened."
   
   After that, who would not want to read what follows? But for those who have yet to climb aboard, I might suggest that you look into a shorter version of the book: a little hardback gift book entitled "Jazz Notes: Improvisations on Blue Like Jazz." It is a just-released selection of excerpts from "Blue Like Jazz," a sort of literary equivalent of a remix CD--cool sound-bytes combined with brand new material that offers the reader an inside look at some Miller's unforgettable--and outrageous--characters. "Jazz Notes" is the essential Donald Miller with non-religious (often irreligious) reflections on how his incredible spiritual odyssey started; what happened to him that helped him experience grace and faith for the first time, right smack in the middle of one of America's most liberal colleges; a recasting of the marvelous "confession booth" account; and how he discovered a surprising way to really love other people--and himself. On top of all that, "Jazz Notes" includes a bonus audio CD of some of the book's timely excerpts read by Miller.
   
   Of course, not everyone will like "Jazz Notes," or for that matter "Blue Like Jazz." For some Donald Miller is a bit too earthy, too worldly, too cynical. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. But even the most shocked among Miller's readers will probably find themselves chuckling uncomfortably at the inconsistencies that plague modern Christianity or else squirming before the mirror this insightful young "prophet to postmoderns" sets before us.



3. I have a lot of friends who simply would not devote the time to reading the original Blue Like Jazz, so Jazz Notes has been a great gift-book alternative. It focuses on the key elements of the original book, and I found the several pages of new material interesting.
   
   I could say the same thing about the "bonus disc." A disc that clocks in under one hour is a good alternative to listening to hours upon hours of Don Miller reading his book, especially given that his spoken-word delivery isn't as dynamic as his words on a page.



4. I am extremely irritated to have wasted my money on this. I am a huge fan of Don's work, have read Blue Like Jazz multiple times as well as his other books, have bought and listened to his MP3 recordings on his website, and read his blog occasionally.
   
   So I was really excited to have some improvisations on one of my favorite Christian books. I knew that there would be some repeat between this and Blue Like Jazz, but the promised "brand new material" and the audio CD that came with it were a total waste.
   
   First, let's be clear about what this is: The book itself is a small hardcover gift book, half the size of a normal book and 139 pages long (so you get about 60 pages of material). The material itself is about 5 chapters from Blue Like Jazz which have been abridged and modified slightly to fit into this small format - nothing new.
   
   The so-called "new material" is 25 paragraphs about where the people from the book are now (nothing depthy or that provided any further connection to the people), a tiny bit about Don's new book, the movie version of Blue, and how it feels to have a bestselling book/ thanks to loyal fans. As an avid reader of Don's work, I have read just about all of it before - the same stuff is touched on for free in his blog.
   
   The enclosed audio CD is 45 minutes long and is excerpts from Blue Like Jazz, the audio book. Zero new info. I hoped it might be actual jazz songs that inspired him, or something different from what I had just read. But they basically packaged the audio version and the book version together, so the content is nearly identical on the CD and book.
   
   I'll give this two stars instead of one just because if you have a friend who hates to read and will never read the real book Blue Like Jazz, this might be a good gift. They don't even have to read it, they can listen. But that's the only reason I can see anyone buying this instead of Blue Like Jazz.
   
   This was a total waste of money for me and I am really disappointed in Don for agreeing to publish this. The title and misleading info on it makes me feel like he and the publishers hoped that more than a few diehard fans would purchase this book, believing there actually was some new material in here as advertised.
   
   I feel lied to by someone that I look to for moral insights. I am disappointed to say the least.

5 comments about Tying Rocks to Clouds.

1. The author, William Elliot is someone you might know, the boy living next door, who went away to the University, whose parents died when he was young, someone who was raised by loving parents, that is, until they died when he was a teen. He keeps alive the values and love his parents showed him but he is searching for something. He is looking for meaning - meaning to their death and his loss. He was a psychology major at the University of Wisconsin when he conceived of interviewing the "wise and spiritual" people who are alive today. His method was deceptively simple ... he sought answers to 25 - 30 questions that might unlock the secrets to his dilemma. Questions such as, "What is the meaning or purpose of life?" "Do you believe in G-d or Ulitmate Reality?" "Why is there suffering, evil in the world? and What is its cause?" "What is important to you?" "What are the three most important problems in life?" He was dissuaded from pursuing this endeavor, to write a book about his conversation with the "wise and spiritual" people whom he interviewed. He overcame challenges and obstacles to interview the people on his list, all the while holding firmly to his goal. He met and interviewed: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ram Dass, Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller, Jean Houston, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Rabbi Harold Kushner, psychologist Albert Ellis, psychologist B.F. Skinner, Pir Vilayat Khan, Frances Vaughn, Stephen Levine and even Mother Theresa. He interviewed a total of 21 high-profile persons deemed 'wise and spiritual' by modern standards. The author does not interpret the answers for us, instead he writes out the answers given to him by each person interviewed. In some cases, he writes an introduction prior to the interview, letting the reader know how he managed to get an appointment or interview with the "important" person or else he describes some interesting event or circumstance concerning the interview. He seldom makes a judgement about the person or what they said ... his writing style is matter-of-fact and straight forward. This style of writing makes the book a valuable and worthwile reading experience. It is as if, you, yourself, decided what questions to ask and took the time to write out the answers, sometimes, in utter amazement, that you snagged the interview with his or her eminence ... The author also made a trek to Nepal to meditate and visit one of the most spiritual climates and areas of the world. We learn of his experiences and interactions with people he met there. This book is recommended for anyone who has any interest in spirituality or has read any book by the persons whom the author interviewed. It can be said the author found the truth which he was seeking ... Erika Borsos (erikab93)



2. This is an excellent book, not only for people who are looking for answers, but for people who believe they have them. It offers insight into the minds of some of the great thinkers of our time, but more importantly, it offers a glimpse of the importance of seeking : to find things for which we didn't even know we were seeking.



3. What started as the personal journey of one man to answer some of the mysteries of life turns out to be a discovery of universal truths that are common to all. The spiritual growth of mankind is at critical point as current events (9/11/01) unfold and the more we all understand how similar our journeys are if we are able to make the connection of rocks to clouds. A truly enriching book for people of all backgrounds and interests.



4. I used this book for a study session with 10 other people (common everyday Christians). Most felt that the language was a little bit above their understanding, and many had to really "work" at trying to understand what was being said. Over all I thought that the book gave a very good overview of perspectives that most Christians don't want to engage. Elliott was interesting, and I think that the average person would get lost in most of the interviews because of the language barriers if they weren't familiar with many terms and different religions and or spiritual sources used in this book. It was a little long and I am not sure if anything was resolved, but, we never though we would find the answer in this book. I just hope Mr. Elliott grew from and through it.



5. This book took the author a long time to finish and just the project itself is an inspiration. The resulting product is a wonderful heart warming book. I got this book from the library and in the end had to buy it. You should too.

1 comments about Saint Ignatius and the Company of Jesus (Vision Books).

1. I believe Saint Ignatius of Loyola to be the most faithful servant of God. As a young Christian reader I love to read about saints. August Derleth sure has a way with words! Ignatius was truly a Saint. For me reading this book was like making a friend. I hope you have the same experience I did. "Make a friend".

5 comments about Apostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God's End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth (Apostles).

1. Every Christian needs to read this bookApostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God's End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth (Apostles)



2. This is an awesome book, it explains the apostlic movement and why it is a GOD movement.....I enjoyed it and learned alot from it.



3. I've read alot books about the whole prophet and apostle teachings, but this book was the best of the best. David Cannistraci was my Pastor and I read his book and have the audio teaching on the subject, but Bill Hammon to me is the most accurate writter on the subject. Most of the men or women who have written such books have all been under his teaching's. I am so grieved by the negative reviews I've seen, being warned myself by God not to take Prophecy in contempt and seeing the fire of God comming from this mans mouth, and just being under the anointing God has placed on this mans life makes me quiver at the thought of saying anything bad about him!!!!!!!! He goe's into the Church history and what each denomination has brought into the Church. Read it and see for yourself. I have many of his audio teachings and he's just a fun guy to be around.



4. This book is a powerful overview of what God has been doing throughout the ages and what He's bringing together in this world for His glorious return. I believe this is the authoritative book to read on the moving of God in these end-times. I recommend it highly to everyone that wants to be on the cutting edge of what the Lord is doing today. This book, alongside the prophetic series by Dr. Hamon is inspirational and motivational.



5. It used to be we were looking for the prophets who would lead us to Christ, now it's apostles. This book will have the misguided lining up as 'apostle wanna-be's'. Is Jesus not capable of leading his church anymore that we have to keep seeking after specially gifted leaders? Read this book with caution - any writing that encourages Christians to be looking for 'a person' with special giftings who they can call an apostle is dangerous. You're paving the way for anti-Christ, who will be the perfect prophet and apostle all rolled into one.

4 comments about From Slave to Priest: A Biography of the Reverend Augustine Tolton (1854 - 1897) : First Black American Priest of the United States.

1. This book is an excellent look into the life struggles that African Americans faced long after their freedom was granted. A sensitive account of the real fear, sacrifice and patient endurance that this young man and his family endured. It is a testament to his faith in God and willingness to adjust his own expectations and accept God's plan for his life; he was always a tool for spreading the love of God and salvation through Christ. If ever there was an account of someone taking lemons and making lemonaide, this is it!



2. Sr. Caroline Hemesath recounts for us the inspirational story of the first black Catholic priest in the United States with this book (originally published in 1973 and re-issued in 2006). Although she did a fair amount of research and interviews for the book (as evidenced by the bibliography), Sr. Hemesath presents Fr. Tolton's life in a series of fictionalized vignettes, a sort of "speculative biography." The result is, if not 100% accurate, extremely readable and provides a good picture of what Fr. Tolton's life was probably like.
   
   She is particularly adept at presenting the trials Fr. Tolton endured: the constant rejection by seminaries in his own country, the years spent building up money to pay for studies in Rome, the harassment at the hands of a fellow priest in Quincy. His was not a happy life, insofar as he never seems to have found a place to truly call home where he could be a simple pastor (which seems to have been his only real wish).
   
   On the other hand, his trials never diminished his love of the Church, even in its human brokenness, and Sr. Hemesath gives us a real sense of Fr. Tolton's anguish -- a cross of racism, hate and bigotry -- and joys in his life. Rather than bemoan his fortune Fr. Tolton sought one thing only: to serve God and his people. I highly recommend this book.



3. This book was recommended as a book for my high schooler to read while studying the Recovery period of American History. I read it while on vacation and couldn't put it down. The story of Augustine Tolton is sad and poignant, yet so inspiring. This man had a true calling, and had the inner strength and grace to persevere against overwhelming obstacles. The undying support of his mother, as well as a few mentors, are inspirational examples of true charity and moral courage. Even after becoming a priest, Tolton remained a slave -- a willing slave to the duties of his state in life, a slave of love and of service, which is what God demands of all. If this book becomes available on CD, I would like to get it for all of the truly devoted priests that I know.



4. How does one write a review about book like this? The title alone tells such an incredible story, you know you will have to read it. Augustine Tolton was born a slave of wonderful parents. His father escaped slavery and fought and died for the Union Army in the Civil War. His mother made a dangerous journey North with three small children to find a better life for her children.
   
   Augustine Tolton wanted more than anything to be a priest, to bring Jesus to all people, and yet he was denied entrance into the seminaries in the United States because he was black. Finally, after many years of being turned away, he was received into the seminary in Rome through the efforts of priest friends of his. His life was not long, and yet the work he did was incredible despite the many obstacles he faced. Often times God calls others to finish the work started by great people. Father Augustine Tolton was truly a Man of God.

5 comments about Mormonism, Mama & Me.

1. Back when "Mormonism, Mama, and Me" was first published in 1980 a rare 1830 Book of Mormon was offered to anyone who could disprove the claims made in this book.
   
   The book was a family heirloom and, for those of you who are unaware of this, an 1830 would be a First Edition and extremely rare! Granny Geer was a descendant of John Lee, the notorious villain (or scapegoat if you prefer) of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. He was the adopted Son of Brigham Young and the only person tried and executed for the massacre.
   
   Granny Geer died in 1999 and I've wondered for a while what happened to that book. So when I stumbled across Granny Geer's MySpace page I sent the family an email and here's how they replied:
   
   "As long as Thelma was alive no one could claim the book, of course, so when she passed away it was given to her daughter along w/other family treasures."
   
   Since I figured that I probably wasn't the only one curious about that book I thought that I'd put this post up here on the Amazon's book list.
   
   And I hope that you all enjoy this noteworthy ex-Mormon testimony book that is filled with interesting historical gems regarding this fascinating non-Christian cult through Granny Geer's story.
   
   And, while I'm in the neighborhood, here are some other books on Mormon history that you might enjoy (with a focus on the Mountain Meadows Massacre since I mentioned it).
   
   Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee, Including the Life of Brigham Young
   
   John D. Lee (1812-1877): Zealot Pioneer Builder Scapegoat (Western Frontiersman Series, Volume IX)
   
   Writings of John D. Lee
   
   The Mountain Meadows Massacre
   
   Massacre at Mountain Meadows
   
   The Mormon Mountain Meadows Massacre: From the Diary of John I. Ginn
   
   American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857
   
   September Dawn DVD
   
   September Dawn Book



2. Good Lord, I should have known. Any time an author's name appears in quotes, be warned. Granny Greer's book begins with a tantalizing offer to any believing Mormon who can successfully dispute facts presented: A first edition print of The Book of Mormon circa 1830, valued at $7,000. This book attempts to unwrap the history and intentions of the Mormon Church, but unlike other more objective disucssions, this book appears to have the goal of dissuading readers from recognizing that Mormonism is Christian. Translation for this reader? Nothing wrong with religious extremes, but Mormonism isn't the "right" extreme. I've heard that song and dance before, ironically when I was learning how to be a good Mormon. This was a woopsie read and I finished it reluctantly then dropped it in the recycling bin.



3. I have read several books on Mormonism and was a little put off by the author's folksy style at first, but once I got into the meat of the book I found it to be very informative and seemed to be well researched and documented. Very interesting subject. Well worth reading.



4. This is a great book, shining the light of truth on the darkness of Joseph Smith's deceitful prophesy.



5. I received a copy of this as a missionary in Texas in 1996. I skimmed through it and found many errors and what appeared to be intentional misrepresentations of the Mormon church, its doctrines, and its members.
   
   If you receive a copy of this book, I suggest you take an honest look at it, write a complaint letter (this is what I did), and mail the book and the letter back to the publisher. They need to be reminded they are making money off of making a mockery of an extraordinary religious faith, and that is unethical, if not immoral. It is absolutely NOT what Jesus would do. It is what Jesus had done to him.

5 comments about My Struggle for Freedom: Memoirs.

1. A very well written, in-depth look at the life of one of the 20th Century's greatest theologians. Kung also happens to be one of the most controversial theologians due to his official disciplining by the Curia's Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (FMR: Holy Office).
   
   Although I found this autobiographical memoir particularly engaging and interesting, it only covers half of Kung's life. In great detail, Kung introduces us to his upbringing, family, Roman theological education, French graduate work, early scholarly career, his appointment as a Council Peritus and then essentially concludes this work with the close of the Second Vatican Council. On at least two occasions, he refers to the "second volume of this work" which implies he will write the rest of his biography at a later time. For this I truly hope since what many consider to be his most fascinating saga (the revoking of his license to teach Roman Catholic Theology and battle with the CDF) has not yet been approached.
   
   All in all, it is a wonderful, occasionally overly descriptive work that is a must read for those interested in the lives of major theological figures. Kung also presents a unique perspective of the Second Vatican Council which has not been seen to date.
   
   I highly recommend this book!



2. Hans Kung has give us a look into what made the Swiss theologian a strong force for individual freedom within the Catholic Church during the last half of the 20th Century. Given the independence of Switzerland, it little wonder Professor Kung was a force for bring the Catholic Church into the modern age. This first volume covers his chilhood, his advisor role at the Second Vatican Council and end with Paul VI's Humane Vitae.



3. Fascinating reading for those interested in the background of the Vatican II council sessions and Kung's part in them; and in the development of his theology. And for understanding who he is, getting behind the media picture of the young theological "radical". What emerges is that the Vatican's biggest problem with Kung is that they don't scare him, can't browbeat him, and are arguing with a man trained in their own methods.
   
   Oddly, the book is written (or translated?) all in the present tense, which can be confusing at times, when some use of past tense might distinguish between what Kung thought at the time and thinks now. I don't know if this is the translator, or the author himself; at times it gets annoying and tedious, even occasionally sounding pompous, which is not characteristic of Kung judging from everything else (and that's practically his entire opus available in English) I've read of his work.
   
   At any rate, the use of present tense is strange even in a memoir; I encountered it once previously in a biography, and almost couldn't finish that book.
   
   Kung's memoir also contains some assessments of others (including the late and current popes) that come off unkind and "snarky", which also doesn't seem typical of Kung, even in dealing with opponents, who I think he typically confounds by courteously sticking to his position and insisting on truth. I can't help wondering if some of the "snarkiness" is also a product of the translation.
   
   Also, there are, as noted by a previous reviewer, some odd translation errors, such as calling the USA Secretary of the Treasury "Finance Minister"; again, perhaps translation, or could be the translator trying to stay "true" (unnecessarily, in my view) to Kung's German? I have ordered the German edition (along with the new "Islam" volume) out of curiosity on this point. My German is labored, but I'm anxious to get started on the Islam volume, which could problably prove dangerous to Kung himself if it goes in the direction I suspect (urging modernization by subjecting the Islamic "scriptures" to exegesis, historical and form criticism commonly applied now for decades in Christian scriptural scholarship.)



4. As a theology student at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. during the time of Vatican II, I was constantly in tune with what was taking place in Rome. Many of our professors made bi-weekly trips to Rome when the Council was in session and would bring back the details.
   Kung's memoirs adds the inside story to complete the picture. It is a lengthy, yet fascinating review of the various Vatican II designers and participants. Better yet, you get an excellent understanding of the reform and why it was ended before it could take hold. And the knowledge of the author comes through. It's no wonder that Kung was the top theologian and primary behind-the-scenes designer of it all. I eagerly await his second volumn.



5. This is going to take a long time to digest. I escaped from constraint by going into philosophy instead of seminary. But my impression has always been that the Church had a place for inquiry as long as you did not disrupt everyone else as you moved from reflective thinking stage to stage in your personal quest. I further thought that as you reached the highest levels you would realize that what the Church teaches was right all along. Beware thinking that the concrete interpretations you have as a young person are the only ways to interpret what was to be believed. I have found the statments of faith, for example Fides et Ratio, to be masterpieces of saying many things at once in many ways. You only fail when you try to impose one interpretation or one level on everyone else. My way or the highway. Now reading this I wonder if my Protestant friends do not have a point.

5 comments about We Belong to the Land: The Story of a Palestinian Israeli Who Lives for Peace and Reconciliation (Erma Konya Kess Lives of the Just and Virtuous Series).

1. I have just completed reading this book a second time and I became compelled to write a review. The book is fantastic! I would love to see this book as reading material in high school classrooms. I would have loved to have it as a reading assignment when I was in high school. It teaches that we are all capable of being compassionate towards others and capable of building a greater world for all of to live in. I think it goes beyond the religion. To me, this book is right there on the list next to Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Both are must reads for all. If only the American media actually reported news, we would all know of all the things that happen in the world, instead of just hearing a bias viewpoint.
   
   "All countries keep their citizens oppressed to one degree or another. The countries that are best at it are better at hiding it from their citizens."



2. I bought this to support this peace maker in Israel. He operates the largest private school in Israel and has both Israeli and Palestinian students in class. It works.



3. In Blood Brothers, Abuna mentions the massacre/mass grave in Gish very briefly. Abuna's motivation has been, and continues to be the search (and work) for peace. Yet there are those who dispute him because the truth is too hard to swallow. Abuna does not write a polemic and is not apologetic in his views. He simply and deeply wants peace. I am not a religious person at all, but I am from Gish. Members of my family in 1948 were instructed by jewish soldiers to collect the dead bodies from roof tops and narrow alleys and move them to the mass burial place in Gish. All of us kids [of Gish] knew where that spot was and we never played near it. Some people will accept the truth only when it fits their beliefs. But unless we learn from history and come to terms with certain atrocities (both palestinian and israeli), peace has no chance.



4. Elias Chacour is a man of peace and a man of God. He has been awarded the World Methodist Peace Prize for his efforts, as well as many other accolades. He has brought together people of many faiths and races and broken down barriers of hate and discrimination without himself succumbing to these forces. At the same time, he has told the story of Palestine's tragedy just as it is. I am a Palestinian Christian and I can attest to the accuracy of his facts. His Web site (look under Mar Elias College) tells of the great things he and his supporters around the world have done to educate Palestinian youth who were denied the opportunity to learn by the Israeli school system. The review by Lars399 is stilted, particularly as it is influenced by Maronite Christians whose allegiance to Israel and hatred for Palestinians is a well known fact. Lars was duped. This book is a great eye-opener and a useful starting point for understanding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially for American Christians who are so influenced by the one-sided media blitz after 9/11 and the Iraq war.



5. If all people thought and lived like Abuna Chacour war would not exsist. A true follower of Jesus Christ, Abuna truly walks the walk and talks the talk. How can anyone Not read these books and how can anyone having read them not believed every word as gospel? American Christians especially supporters of Zionism need to wake up and realize what they are really supporting. How silly to think that we can hurry the return of Christ by blindly supporting Isreal (the Zionist and their supporters) and their ungodly actions. REALLY humans hurrying the RETURN of Christ? How silly. One must also know that not all Jews in the Middle East support Zionism. One question that needs to be asked is where have all the Christians gone that once lived in the land where Christ walked? People do your research. Are we not told to question/test all things?

3 comments about Her Heart Can See: The Life and Hymns of Fanny J. Crosby (Library of Religious Biography Series).

1. I purchased this book as a teaching tool for my music classes this year. So far, I'm over half way through the book, it is more of a history of New York and early America than a story of Fanny Crosby. Instead of learning about her, I'm reading about how the Irish and the catholics didn't get along and other political problems of the day. it's ok to put the person in the setting, but the setting is the focus. The writer even questions the character of Crosby by always being skeptical of her positive outlook on life. Although, she always has to come back and say that everything she wrote did point to that fact. I've been very unimpressed.



2. I came to this book knowing very little beyond the sentimental inspirational "Story Behind the Hymns" profiles provided by the religious press. You will go away understanding her world and understand how influential she was in that world. The book places Fanny Crosby in the context of her age, when American Protestantism was at the peak of its influence on society. It explains how she fit into society, she was either related to--or knew--most of the people who held social or political power in the Northeast during the 19th century. This was before Church life had become marginalized from American Life.
   
   One would expect to discover about Crosby's hymns and the growth of Evangelicalism. But one will also learn about the education of the blind, social work, the growth of the Music Publishing industry and the development of copyright law! You will also discover that--yes she was related to Bing Crosby and had a close relative who became a Mormon!
   
   If you read this book, you will receive a great exposure to a wide scope of American life and how one women experienced it with everything but her eyes! A producer at PBS's "The American Experience" could very well use this book as a keystone to developing a wonderful documentary.



3. People in the latter nineteenth century and early twentieth century(and those today who know of her) considered Fanny Crosby to have been one of the greatest persons who ever lived. They very well may have been right. This tiny (4'9") woman, blinded shortly after birth, wrote over 10,000 gospel hymns, many of which survive today, such as, 'Near the Cross', 'Blessed Assurance', 'To God be the Glory' and others(see the Cyber Hymnal for a partial listing). Having lived her life in poverty for the most part, she wrote her timeless hymns for the masses to enjoy. Fanny knew and conversed with the greats of her era: Presidents Lincoln, Van Buren, Polk, and Cleveland; Gen. Winfield Scott, Henry Clay, Dwight L. Moody, Ira Sankey, Eliza Edmunds Hewitt, Horace Greeley, and many others. She had a troubled marriage, where she and her legally-blind spouse were separated for many years. She was truly the servant of all, and was sought out by the high and low for counsel and prayer. Active for many years on New York City's rescue mission circuit, she was a speaker for whom crowds would line up around a city block and wait for hours to hear. An active member of the International Order of The King's Daughters and Sons, she also aided the city of Bridgeport(CT)with their missions on skid row. I would urge anyone to read this wonderful biography of a chosen soul who taught the world many lessons, chiefest among them that, no matter one's disability in life, one can truly excel. Get yourself a copy of this book and enter a more gentle, humble, and pious age where the things of God were held in major importance by persons in all stations of life.

4 comments about Mazel Tov: Celebrities' Bar and Bat Mitzvah Memories.

1. this was a great book. i bought it for my daughter whose bat mitzvah is in a few weeks and she loved it. it was so funny to see the pictures of the celebs and their bar and bat mitzvahs. great gift for anyone who has had or is having a bat mitzvah.



2. Great book. I bought two copies to give as gifts. I started reading one and never gave it away - it was so funny and interesting. Really interesting to see the celebrities were just like everyone else when they were 13 -



3. My husband thought I'd like this book after he saw a feature about it on the Today show. I think one of the authors is a contributor to the show with Hollywood gossip.
   
   It's not a bad book but, it could have been much better. The pictures are great! The funniest bit is about Howie Mandel--not much of a surprise since he's a funny guy. Quite a few of the subjects like Noah Wyle and Richard Dreyfuss didn't even have Bar Mitzvahs. Why were they included?
   
   For the most part, the choice of celebrities left something to be desired. It could have been a much better book and more input from the parents and significant others or people who were in attendance would have improved the stories.
   
   If I didn't already have the book, I think I would have waited until it hit the "Bargain Bins" to purchase it.



4. I first read of this book in the NY Times Book Review, & showed it to my mom-in-law. She seemed very interested, & so gave it to her as part of her birthday gift. She is an avid reader who likes intellectual stimulation. She found the book to be well written & fascinating.