American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith

American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith

National Museum of American History

A compendium by the Smithsonian

Copyright © 2017 The Smithsonian Institute

Published by Smithsonian Books

This well illustrated book by the Smithsonian Institute is meant to be a companion volume to an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. It celebrates America's democracy from the American Revolution until present day.

Photographed extensively, there many pieces of the exhibit included in this work. With a forward by John Gray and an introduction by Harry R. Rubinstein there are 5 major chapters to this book.

Chapter One: The Great Leap: A Government Based Solely on "the People" - by Barbara Clark Smith

Chapter Two: A Vote, A Voice - by Lisa Kathleen Graddy

Chapter Three: The Machinery of Democracy - by William L. Bird

Chapter Four: Beyond the Ballot: The Right to Petition - by Harry R. Rubenstein

Chapter Five: Creating Citizens - by Grace Cohen Grossman and Harry R. Rubenstein

Photographs are in black and white, which in many ways only makes them even more remarkable. This book should be part of our high school or college students curriculum. A wonderful look at history, through the historical artifacts that helped to shape it.

I give this book five stars.

A big thumbs up.

And my personal highly recommended award.

You can purchase this book here. It is available in hardcover.

****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine for review. The opinions above are solely those of this blogs author.

The Coming Apostasy - Hitchcock and Kinley

The Coming Apostasy

by

Mark Hitchcock and Jeff Kinley

Copyright ©2017 Mark Hitchcock & Jeff Kinley

Tyndale Publishers

ISBN: 978-1-4964-1407-6

When was the last time you heard a sermon that really hit you where it hurt?

Like most of us today, we've become desensitized to what the gospel really teaches us. We've had political and societal leaders convince us that it's okay to allow certain things to go on in our world. It's politically incorrect to stand up against the morals, or rather lack thereof, that we see in the world around us. And yet, where are our preachers? Where are those old fire and brimstone Bible thumpers who would shout the roof down when preaching? Where have they all gone?

There are a few around. There are a few good Christians still standing around. Or rather, mulling around. Not really saying much. Why is that? Fear of being turned on?

Celebrities in our country who stand up and proclaim their Christianity are turned on. Sports players are turned on when they are heard to say that they prayed, or trusted in God. Our teachers, the most precious aid in this world in helping to establish our children's morals and belief's, are not allowed to mention God in the classroom. The Pledge of Allegiance can no longer be said in the classrooms today because of the line "one nation under God".

When was the last time you heard a preacher stand up and actually preach against transgender individuals, homosexuals, or abortion? Few do.

This my friend, is called apostasy. And Hitchcock and Kinley are here to guide you through this maze of worldly teaching. The two team up to tear apart the current trend from teachers today. Ministers, laypersons, and politics.

Are today's ministers simply telling the people what they want to hear? Are the "skipping over" all that nasty, politically incorrect "stuff" we find in the Bible?

"The great apostasy is coming, but is it closer than we imagine?", states the back cover of this book.

There are difficult times coming, Hitchcock and Kinley can help keep you on the path that is straight and narrow that leads to Heaven. Don't be fooled. The path that leads to destruction is wide, and many can fit across it's width and length.

We must stand up for what we believe in. And we must face ridicule if it comes. Or even worse. But we must press on, telling the good news, but preaching against what is sending so many straight to the gates of Hell.

I believe every Christian should read this book.

I give this five stars.

A big thumbs up.

And my personal highly recommended award.

This book can be purchased here on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback. Or here on Tyndale.

****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Tyndale Publishing for review. The opinions above are solely those of the author of this blog.

Gone Without a Trace - Mary Torjussen

Gone Without A Trace

by

Mary Torjussen

Copyright © 2017 Mary Torjussen

Berkley Publishing

ISBN: 9780399585012

What if you woke up one morning and found your lover missing? But not just missing, completely erased! As if he had never even existed.

This is what happens to Hannah in Torjussen's story.

Every photograph, phone call, texts, all wiped from her phone. All of his social media accounts are gone. Four years wiped away over night.

Hannah must struggle to discover what has happened to her boyfriend. She must search, delving deeper and deeper into the unknown to find him.

And during all of this, Hannah discovers someone has been, and is, watching her. Even in her private spaces at home.

This suspenseful novel will keep you on your toes!

Torjussen tells a great story, I only wish the characters had a little more depth to them. It almost seems one dimensional. Otherwise, what a great novel!

I am giving this novel five stars.

And a big thumbs up!

You can purchase this book here. It is available in both Kindle and paperback editions.

****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine for  review. The opinions above are solely those of this blog's author.

The Devil's Feast - M.J. Carter

The Devils Feast

by M. J. Carter

Copyright © 2017 Orlando Books

G.P. Putnam's Sons publishers

This book has us travel back to 1842 London. (Already fell for it right there!) And back to another Blake and Avery novel! Fun!

You know that Carter will leave you on the edge of your seat! I tried to read it through in a single sitting, but had to put it down for some rest. But I hated to!

The Reform is London's newest gentleman's club, and a death there causes a "hush up".

Avery begins the mystery alone. But soon finds himself with some help to try to solve this "who dunnit".

Afraid I'll give away too much, let me say that if you're a Blake and Avery fan, you've got to read this one! And if you haven't read any of the novels, why not? Get started now. I am sure that you, too, will not want to put it down until you've devoured every page!

I give this book five stars.

A big thumbs up.

And my personal highly recommended award.

This book can be purchased here. It is available in Kindle reader, Hardback, and in audio.

****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine for review. The opinions above are solely those of this blog's author.

The Angels Share by James Markert

The Angels Share

by

James Markert

Copyright © 2017 James Markert

Thomas Nelson publisher

This book was a well written story about a drifter who comes to town after the Prohibition era has ended. The town's legacy is the old bourbon distillery, and they need a boost to get it going again.

The drifter dies. And his graveside becomes a pilgrimage for those seeking miracles. And they're getting them.

Lies and deceit are hidden within these pages. Revenge. Mystery. Romance. And miracles.

Afraid I will give too much away, I will simply say the author does not leave you wanting for a better read!

I give this book five stars.

I give it a big thumbs up.

And my personal highly recommended award.

You can find this book here. It is available for Kindle reader. And is in paperback as well as hardcover.

****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine for review. The opinions above are solely those of this blogs author.

Listen to the Lambs by Daniel Black

Listen to the Lambs

by

Daniel Black

Copyright © 2016 Daniel Black

St. Martin's Press

ISBN: 978-1-250-07847-6

This is the first Daniel Black novel I've read. And I can't praise this writer enough! A wonderful storyteller, Black puts you in the midst of the story, and you will see it all in your mind's eye! You won't want to put this book down!

When a married man, and father, leaves his past behind in search of a "possession-less" lifestyle, he has no idea what may be called of him. To what sacrifices he will truly have to make.

Follow this man as he comes to have friends, who have no idea what true sacrifice is until Lazarus Love III comes into their lives.

I can promise you, this book has a sift enough pace you simply won't want to put it down, and you won't want it to end!

I give this book five stars.

A big thumbs up.

And my personal highly recommended award.

You can find this book here. It is available for Kindle reader, and as a paperback.

****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine for review. The comments above are solely those of this blog's author.

Finding God In My Loneliness by Lydia Brownback

Finding God In My Loneliness

by

Lydia Brownback

Copyright © 2017

Published by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois

ISBN: 978-1-4335-5393-6

As far as I am concerned, this author is one of the best Christian writers for women today. With several great books already under her belt, Brownback doesn't disappoint with this one!

Finding God in My Loneliness is for today's generation of women. Faced with a huge social media, workplace connections, church connections, children's teachers, coaches, etc., you wonder how any woman could feel loneliness today! Yet so many do.

That "instant" texting keeps you in touch with friends. Yes, instantly. So many pore over Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and so many more social sites on the computer. And yet, there is no physical touch. No real connection. I mean really, if you stopped posting on Facebook, today, how long would it be before, or if, someone called you on the phone to check and make sure you are okay? (Bet we've all thought of that when we were feeling low!)

Brownback guides today's women back to the spiritualistic connection that can sway that loneliness we feel. That divine touch that can make us feel engulfed in loving arms. Back to that sweet moment when He whispers in our ear, "You are never alone!".

I give this book five stars.

A big thumbs up.

And my highly recommended award.

This book can be purchased from most major Christian book retailers. You can also purchase it here. It is available in both Kindle reader, and in paperback.

****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine for review. All comments above are solely those of this blog's author.

Chasing Contentment by Erik Raymond

Chasing Contentment

by

Erik Raymond

copyright©2017 by Erik Raymond

Published by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois

ISBN: 978-1-4335-5366-0

This is an extraordinary book. And comes at a most opportune time. Today. The today that we as a people live in.

We live in a world that demands us stay in tune with it. To seek its pleasures and treasures. Some of which are unlikely, and unattainable. At a time when we are living in economic hardships and crisis, so many of us cannot get everything we want. Or everything we desire.

We live in a world that demands we get our every desire fulfilled! We raise our children to begin making demands on the "instant gratification" process starting in infancy. And when they reach adulthood, they cannot help that they are unable to cope.

We live in a world of instant marriages. Along with the instant divorce. Individuals are marrying today with the attitude that "well, if it doesn't work out we can always get divorced".

We know we cannot reach contentment on our own. It is impossible.

Raymond guides us back to where we can find that true contentment. The one that will give us peace in whatever situation we find ourselves. Back to where the things of this world become unimportant, and the things of the spirit are where we should be seeking contentment.

I give this book five stars.

A big thumbs up.

And my personal recommendation award.

You can purchase this book here. It is available in Kindle edition, paperback, and as an audible CD. It would make a great study book for a group!

****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for a fair and impartial review. All comments on this product above are solely those of this blogs author.

Vegangelical by Sarah Withrow King

Vegangelical

How Caring for Animals Can Shape Your Faith

by

Sarah Withrow King

©2016 Sarah Withrow King

Zondervan

ISBN 9780310522379

This book was a quick read for me. Too quick. So, I sat back and slowed down. And instead of devouring it, as I did the first time, I really read it. I tested it against the Scripture, and I was amazed.

As a Christian, I have thought many of the same thoughts the writer expressed in this book. But I never took the time to really soul search how I personally feel about the subject.

And that subject is Is it okay for a Christian to eat meat? Aren't the animals we consume also a part of God's great overall creation? Or is it wrong?

The author, Sarah Withrow King, takes us through her personal look at Scriptures and at what they have come to mean to her. She doesn't say it's a sin to eat meat, or animal by products. But she tells us how she interprets many of the Scriptures to mean that we should be good caretakers of all creatures.

The author takes you on a journey of introspect, never telling you that you must think as she does, but instead gives you the facts, offers you Scripture, and allows you to make up your own minds regarding this matter.

It did allow me to look at eating meat and consuming or using animal by products through the eyes of one who has chosen to follow Scripture as I feel God has set in my heart to do so. Not following a "religion", but my heart. My spirit. Allowing God to speak to me as I read.

This book has made a profound change in my life. A very profound change. It has lead me to a different path. One that will not be easy for me to take, but one I am compelled to follow. That of veganism.

I don't believe I will ever be the same again.

I give this book Five Stars.

A big Thumbs Up.

I won't tell you that I recommend this book. But I will say this: if you have had any questions in your mind regarding Christianity and veganism, then this is the book you will want to partner with your Bible to get to some soul searching. To get to your own answers.

I feel inept at writing this review, that's how life changing it has been for me.

And if you read it, and don't think veganism is for you, I hope you will at least be more aware of where your meat, and animal by products, including dairy, leather products and cosmetics, even pharmaceuticals, come from. How the treatment of animals has laid wide open a gap of cruelty and inhumane treatment to how well you enjoy the products you use. The alternatives are easily affordable and available.

Let us all become good stewards of those creatures, great and small, who share this planet with us.

You can purchase this book on Amazon.com here. It is available in a Kindle edition for $9.99 and a paperback edition for $10.92.

DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The opinions above are solely those of this blog's author.

What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear by Danielle Ofri, MD

What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear

b y

Danielle Ofri, MD

©2017 by Danielle Ofri

Beacon Press Books

ISBN 9780807062630

I have found a new favorite author! At least in this book!

I have been saying for years that a physician needed to write a book that addressed the communication needed between a doctor and his/her patient. As a nurse, I am often confronted with patients that tell me their doctor doesn't understand them, that their doctor doesn't listen to a thing they say, that their doctor is in cahoots with big pharma and gets a kickback on giving them drugs and that's why they prescribe medication that doesn't work but keeps them coming back for more visits. And it goes on and on!

Ofri addresses these concerns. And she tells how both physician and patient can work together to come to some wonderful advances in patient care.

I can't praise Ofri enough for writing this book. It should become mandatory reading for all physicians, and medical staff! If we had been required to read this during my years in nursing school, it would have saved me a lot of trial and error before I came to a method that works for me. As I am sure there are many physicians who have read this and felt the same!

I give this book Five Stars.

And a big Thumbs Up.

I also give this my personal Highly Recommended Award.

DISCLAIMER: The above book was provided by Beacon Press in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The opinions listed above are solely those of this blog's author.

10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

10 Things I Can See From Here

by Carrie Mac

IMPRINT: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: February 28, 2017

ISBN: 978-0-399-55625-8

320 pages

Randon House Children's Books Publicity, Penguin RandomHouse

To say this book was not what I expected, is far beyond what I read.

I expected this to be a book suitable for children 14 and up. And perhaps in the nasty, sexual society we have come to call norm, it is.

Don't get me wrong. The author is fantastic! And spun a golden story that could leave you breathless! And given half a chance, most tween's or teens would find themselves lost in the imagery nthe writer is capable of!

However, what was not made known in the preview I read of the book, is that it deals with homosexualism coming of age.

As a Christian, I cannot find the book worth the paper it is printed on! I was compelled to put the book down in several areas, and ask the Lord to guide me to the next area that was worthy of my reading.

I believe the author is extremely talented. Her gift is very much akin to such great writers as Louisa Mae Alcott, as she wrote Little Women. Or even that of J.K. Rowling as she wrote the Harry Potter series. That's how great this author is, which is why I kept going back, and asking God for the review that was deserved, and not simply scathing because I do not see eye to eye with the author on homosexuals.

Believe me when I say that I love the homosexuals. Just as I love the drunkards and the thieves. God demands our love for people, all people. It does not mean that we have to condone their behavior. But through our love, help them to see His way, and how He can become all things to them.

I don't want to get into a religious debate regarding this book, which does not endorse any behavior. Instead, it is a coming of age book. The story is beautifully written. And just as beautifully told. Would I feel different if the two people were not homosexuals? I probably would. So, as a person who writes previews, let me take that out of the equation and be very fair.

The author is so talented, I can see her becoming the next great writer of our time, if handled by the right firm. Her work is exquisite. The story line is not only believable, but she takes you there. You find yourself in each and every seen.

At the very end, the main character has truly found herself, and is on her way to being the adult she was, perhaps, meant to be. The description of the bioluminescent ocean water is spot on! It does remind you of fairies dancing in the sky, only just beneath the waters edge! And swimming at night with it, is life changing! It really is!

Although I would not want my 14 year old to read this book, I still feel in fairness that I must give this writer Five Stars,

I also give it a big Thumbs Up.

I cannot however recommend it for those 14 and older, and Penguin Random House has done. For mature readers only.

Perhaps I am too old fashioned. But our children learn way too early about sex today. And let's throw in what it means to be gay, and accepted, or not. And why some people hate them for it. Well, it's a bit much. I know we can't keep them from learning about it. But I won't be party to putting this kind of material in their hands either. Let me keep them innocent for as long as I can. There's plenty of time for them to learn alternative lifestyles in just a few years.

I would not add this to my church library. And therefore I wouldn't add it to my home library.

DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The above opinions are solely those of this blog's author.