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Paul B. (PabloRafael) - Reviews

1 to 20 of 20
Asphalt Jesus: Finding a New Christian Faith Along the Highways of America
Review Date: 1/19/2012


I very much enjoyed "Asphalt Jesus". I was expecting it to be a collection of anecdotes about the trip from Phoenix to Washington DC. Instead, however, it was a well-written discussion of Christian principles that takes place in the context of the walk.

All Christians and non-Christians could benefit from reading this book and gaining a new perspective.


The Astonished Heart: Reclaiming the Good News from the Lost-and-Found of Church History
Review Date: 8/10/2017


A very interesting book that gives a lot of valuable insight and information. I had not thought of the evolution of Christianity in quite this way before. I don't agree with the author on all the points he made, but it was good food for thought. The writing style is informal and easy to read.


Buddhism Is Not What You Think : Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs
Buddhism Is Not What You Think : Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs
Author: Steve Hagen
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.1/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 1/11/2021


An easily readable book, but it seems to spend 90% of it's chapters explaining what Zen Buddhism is NOT. I did not find it very informative.


Christ on Trial: How the Gospel Unsettles Our Judgment
Christ on Trial: How the Gospel Unsettles Our Judgment
Author: Rowan Williams
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 12/15/2009


Rowan Williams shares his insights into the trial of Jesus as recorded by the various Gospel authors. This book has a lot of substance to it, but it is not an easy read. It is scholarly and deep. For people who like difficult theological writing this book would be a jewel. Unfortunately I do not enjoy struggling with what I read so I did not find this book to my liking.


The Condensed Book of Mormon
The Condensed Book of Mormon
Author: Curtis Larson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 1/15/2015


I was hoping for a book that would tell the story of the book of Mormon. (I just do not have the energy to try to plow through the entire thing). This book is just too abbreviated to do that well.


A Dynamic God: Living an Unconventional Catholic Faith
A Dynamic God: Living an Unconventional Catholic Faith
Author: Nancy Mairs
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 1/19/2010


Nancy Mairs is a vibrant author with deep spiritual insight. I appreciate her views on life and spirituality even though I have a tendency to disagree with them. (That's OK, not everyone has to agree with me.) I consider myself rather liberal in my Christian beliefs, but her views are much more liberal than mine. She does not necessarily even consider herself a Christian.

A good book for someone wanting to explore the idea of spirituality outside of the traditional church.


Flying, Falling, Catching: An Unlikely Story of Finding Freedom
Review Date: 4/16/2023


This book is about Henri Nouwen not by Henri Nouwen. The author seems to know all of his thoughts and motivations. I found that hard to accept. If it were put forward as a fiction book, I would understand it.

It is all about Henri's fascination with a troop of circus acrobats. The story goes back and forth between that and the narrative of his having a heart attack. I don't think that writing style works. It comes across as forced and artificial.

In the end I did not see where his fascination with this group of acrobats had any deeper meaning than just that. The whole story did not resonate with me at all. My though was, "He is fascinated with these circus acrobats; so what?"


Review Date: 9/7/2011
Helpful Score: 1


There are a lot of good ideas and things to think about in Brian McLaren's book. That being said I must admit that I did not find this book to be more than moderately enlightening. It is worth reading but not one of my "must read" religious-themed books.


God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time
God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time
Author: Desmond Tutu
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 9/6/2009
Helpful Score: 1


Desmond Tutu has written a great summation of the Christian faith in this small book. If someone asked me just what being a Christian was all about, I would recommend this book. There was nothing revolutionary or contraversial in this book from my point of view, just a message about the grace of God in our world and our response to that love.


A History of the Middle East
A History of the Middle East
Author: Peter Mansfield
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.8/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 7/6/2023


This book in well-researched and has a lot of information. It reads like a list of facts and events, however. There are too many people and events listed and not enough context. A big-picture approach would have more readable.


The Mysterious Valley
The Mysterious Valley
Author: Christopher O'Brien
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 11/1/2022


Not much to this book except a list of unexplained sightings: lights, animal mutilations etc. Also deals quite a bit with the story of "Snippy" the horse. No coherent story or theme.


On Being Catholic
On Being Catholic
Author: Thomas Howard
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 4/14/2012
Helpful Score: 1


An excellent explanation of the Catholic faith. Thomas Howard clears up many of the misconceptions that outsiders have about that faith. He makes a strong statement as to how the sacramental nature of the Catholic Church makes it much more than just a meeting.


Psalms Now
Psalms Now
Author: Leslie F. Brandt
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 9/11/2010


A nice collection of paraphrases of the Psalms. This book is a classic. It was written in a time when the LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) was a little less rigid than it is now. Leslie Brandt has a flowing poetic style of writing. A very useful book in prayers and devotions.


Rediscovering Catholicism
Rediscovering Catholicism
Author: Matthew Kelly
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 6/13/2012


I really did get a lot out of Matthew Kelly's book "Rediscovering Catholicism". He offers practical ways for a person to work on energizing one's own spiritual faith as well as that of the church. This is a book that all Catholics should read, and would also be valuable for those in other churches in the sacramental tradition. I am an Episcopalian and found the book to be very applicable to my own personal journey and that of my congregation.


The River of Doubt : Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
The River of Doubt : Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
Author: Candice Millard
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 95
Review Date: 9/9/2021


A well-written, fast-paced work of nonfiction. Fascinating from start to finish.


The Sea Around Us
The Sea Around Us
Author: Rachel Carson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 4/28/2023


This is an interesting book that is well written and thoroughly researched. It is hard to give it a rating since the information is so outdated. It is less valuable as a science resource and more valuable as a history of what we knew in 1951.


Standing for Something : 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes
Review Date: 8/26/2014


A book with a lot of common-sense advice. You will find a lot of good advice here, but nothing that will make you stop and think. It is a very "in the box" philosophy that Gordon Hinckley presents.


A Walk in the Woods
A Walk in the Woods
Author: Bill Bryson
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 119
Review Date: 2/24/2014


Though the writing style of Bill Bryson is quite enjoyable, the book was a disappointment for me. He did not hike all of the Appalachian trail. He only hiked the southern end and then just bits and pieces of the rest. The New Jersey and New York section were skipped, and he totally gave up on the section in Maine after a few days. I was looking forward to experiencing a complete hike of the Appalachian trail.


A Wing and a Prayer: A Message of Faith and Hope
A Wing and a Prayer: A Message of Faith and Hope
Author: Katharine Jefferts Schori
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 12/15/2009
Helpful Score: 2


Katherine Jefferts-Schori shares many personal stories that make the reader think about what it truly means to be a Christian. Each chapter is a separate story or theme. Her insight and wisdom are profound. An easily readable but substantive book that can be enjoyed by Episcopalians and non-Episcopalians alike.


The Wright Brothers
The Wright Brothers
Author: David McCullough
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 37
Review Date: 2/22/2023


The writing is excellent. I expect no less from David McCullough. The first part of the book is very interesting. The latter part of the book is less so. The lives of the Wright brothers are just not that interesting once they have developed the airplane. The endless demonstrations, marketing and ceremonies later in the book makes for rather dull reading.


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