A DOUBTER'S GUIDE TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Saturday, July 23, 2016

A DOUBTER'S GUIDED TO THE
TEN COMMANDMENTS
How, For Better Or Worse, Our Ideas About
The Good Life Come From Moses And Jesus
By John Dickson

OVERVIEW: In A Doubter's Guide to the Ten Commandments, bestselling author John Dickson explores how these ten ancient instructions have not only changed our world but show us what the Good Life looks like as well. Whether or not one believes in the Bible, these instructions open up a window to the Western world and on our own souls.

AUTHOR: John Dickson (PhD, Ancient History) is an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie University, Founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity, and Senior Minister of  St. Andrew's Roseville. The author of more than a dozen books, he is the host of two major historical documentaries for Australian television, and is a busy public speaker, university lecturer, and media commentator.

MY REVIEW: This is a good book about an important subject. It is well written but not an "easy" read. It is practical but scholarly and therefore needs to be read slowly and meditated upon. "Skeptics and believers alike will find fresh insights and new topics of discussion, and, quite possibly, renewed bones of contention as they take a deeper look at the Ten Commandments that have helped shape our world."

Dickson explains each of the Ten Commandments in their original Hebrew context. And then he also explains how Mose's commandments were "transposed" by Jesus into a melody being sung even today. We still turn to them to discuss what constitutes the Good. This book should be of value to your whether you are a believer or a doubter. It is an interesting account of the influence of the Ten Commandments in moral decisions. The book offers inspiration for the Good life itself. Dickson wrote the book hoping to show that this most ancient of Western traditions is as current as Google and Wikipedia—more so. I think he accomplished that. I recommend this book to all who are interested in morality and genuine ethical freedom.

(I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

BARONS OF THE BELTWAY

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

BARONS OF THE BELTWAY
Inside The Princely World Of Our
Washington Elite—And How To 
Overthrow Them
By Michelle Fields

OVERVIEW: In Barons of the Beltway, Michelle Fields exposes the hidden perks, the freebies, and the ego stroking that define life for a political class that is out of touch and out to lunch. Put under the spotlight are figures such as Congress woman Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and Vice President Joe Biden, who continue to abuse their power, build their personal fortunes, and climb up the Washington ladder. And, while our Founding fathers started a revolution to break away from an entrenched aristocracy, it's clear that America is beginning to have one of its own. This book reveals how to overthrow our political class in order to return to the principles the Founding Fathers originally envisioned for America—a country of greater opportunity that we can pass on to the next generations.

AUTHOR: Michelle Fields is a political reporter who has held positions at Fox News, Breitbart, PJ Media, and the Daily Caller. In addition to her reporting work, Michelle has appeared on C-SPAN, CNBC, Sky News, and various programs on the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.

MY REVIEW: Barons of the Beltway is the story of a political class that has lost its way and lost touch with the people it is supposed to serve. I am very interested in that story and it's my opinion that you should be too. So I'm recommending this good book to all Americans interested in the waste and corruption in government politics. Fields doesn't just point out the waste and corruption. She tells how everyday Americans can take the country back from those who distort its values for personal gain.

Michelle Fields is an excellent story teller. She takes you behind the scenes. She takes you where not many have dared to go. You will laugh to keep from crying. Two of my favorite chapters are, Do as We Say, Not as We Do and Narcissism: "Extreme Selfishness, with a Grandiose View of One's Own talents and a Craving for Admiration."

Fields reveals that today our public servants are chauffeured to their Capitol Hill offices by town cars even when they live only two blocks away. They enjoy their own taxpayer-subsidized Senate Hair Care Services, vacation with their families in exotic locations for free, and exempt themselves and their friends from the laws that they create.

Again, the most important part of this book is that it gives a way to overthrow the Washington elite and get rid of the corruption.

(I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.)