Topherlytle
You absolutely should read this book!
What David Grann manages to do in “The Wager” is nothing short of exhilarating. Like his other books, Grann brings to life a moment in history with such skill that one can't help but be transported. Ingeniously structured and paced, “The Wager” reads like a soaring adventure novel filled with danger, intrigue, the best and worst of humanity, suffering, and endurance, all while examining imperialism and how stories shape perception.
Utterly riveting.
Understanding the context of Eastern Orthodoxy would be helpful for any reader of this book. Setting aside the fact that the “pilgrim” clearly cares more about the teaching of the early church leaders than the actual Bible, there are some thoughtful nuggets on which to dwell.
This is not a book I would recommend to anyone unless it were meant to be a part of a more extensive discussion about prayer, reliance on Christ, perspective, and the fallibility of all humans to embrace poor theology with good theology as they journey through this life.
I appreciate the care and insight in this book so much. Working with men who struggle with various forms of brokenness, I see the truth of what the author presents. This book is really a 4.5. Some men will balk at what is in this book, but I would argue that every man should read it. This book is an excellent addition to a man's library and would fit nicely on the shelf next to Jay Stringers “Unwanted.”
While this is not my favorite of Hendrix's books, it's still pretty good. I was hoping for more horror. However, there is still the great mix of comedy, heart, and terror that I have come to love. There are some great twists and a surprising amount of family trauma and its lasting impacts on future generations. 3.5.
In 1992, while in middle school, I picked up Jurassic Park and fell in love with reading. Michael Crichton always hooked me with his stories, and this one is no different.
“Eruption” is not the most profound book you will read, nor is it the best written, but it is enthralling. It knows exactly what it is and leans into it. It is the book version of a great summer blockbuster, filled with tension, excitement, science, mystery, and heartbreak.
I'm not sure this book knows what it wants to be. The description and cover lead you to believe it will be a scary “Relic” or “Jurassic Park” type book. It's not.
Did my Dino-loving soul geek out a bit? Yes. Was I scared? No. Did I get a little exhausted at some of the social commentary that seems forced in? Yes.
If I had gone into this book not expecting it to be something it's marketed as, I would have probably enjoyed it more. There are wafts of “The Lovely Bones”, “Night at the Museum”, and “The Shining” and it kind of works - but it just seems to have a bit of identity crisis.
Overall, I think it's a fine story of grief, regret, and the impacts those things have on a person 2.5
It is an absolutely fascinating book with gorgeous illustrations. While it is true I am a bit of a tree nerd, this book is approachable for anyone. Spanning the globe and giving bits of science, history, and culture, the author does a fantastic job of providing enough description to keep you reading but not so much that you are overwhelmed or bored.
Really, it's a 3.5. I want to be fair, as it is always easy for those with little skill in a particular area (me) to critique those who do (the author).
By and large, I enjoyed the book. The author is clearly talented. Most of the characters are well developed, with distinct personalities and traits, the world feels lived in, and her ability to write action and emotional chaos, are all great. Plus, dragons. Excellent, wonderfully thought-through dragons.
My primary issue stems from the fact that for decent chunks of the book, it feels like the author is trying to cast the widest net to further the appeal. While moments soar, others are bogged down with an almost intentional dumbing down of the language and motivation. The chapters involving sex seem unneeded, pointless, and unearned, and the descriptions used felt like listening to the vocabulary of a fourteen-year-old boy. The dialogue of one particular male character is mind-numbingly repetitive, and some of the moments meant to show the depth of the relationship come across as some of the most boring moments in the book.
I'm curious to see where the story goes and excited to see how she continues to world-build. It's a fine book and a fun read albeit a bit imperfect.
My expectations for this book may have been misplaced. I am not a trained professional, and there is certainly much to appreciate about this book. However, it seems lacking and overstuffed.
Like many books inviting readers into the world of deep self-work, psychology, emotions, and habits - it could have been more concise. If such a book is longer because of examples, history, or to grasp theory better - great, but there was a lot in this book that felt like it was saying the same thing repeatedly with no real intention other than to bulk it out.
This book can be great at helping you identify many things regarding emotionally immature parents and how that shows up and affects us. Consequently, it holds a mirror up to yourself and the potential for your emotional immaturity. However, there is very little practical advice, and it seems to focus more on the concept of “this is why you are the way you are” while almost divorcing any personal responsibility for how we show up in the world, or best practices to avoid the mistakes of those who helped shape us. To be fair, that may be a different book.
The book is not a waste of time, but I'm not sure it's one I would recommend above other selections.
I am a big fan of Brené Brown, and for the most part, I appreciated this book. As a whole, I believe our emotional lexicon is lacking. I, for one, who feels all the emotions, often do not know how to identify or give voice to the various existing feelings. This book does a beautiful job of defining and categorizing while giving you enough of an example to get your hands around each emotion.
My only dislikes were the far too often self-referencing and the formatting. Both of these are pretty nit-picky gripes, but the formatting, in particular, annoyed me. I am sure it was done with great intention and purpose; however, I don't know what that purpose is. Too big to hold with one hand and too heavy to read in bed without almost knocking myself out. I guess it is to be treated like a reference book, which it is in many ways. It just means I need a desk to read it. Lol.
Overall, I think any person can find value in this book.
More than a ghost story, more than a character study, and more than a mystery - Hidden Pictures is a wonderfully gripping tale that just hits on all levels for me. At times spooky, comical, harrowing, devastating, shocking, and hopeful, Jason Rekulak has crafted a story that feels familiar yet altogether original.
The story is engaging from the start and continues to pick up momentum throughout, culminating in a finale that left me at the edge of my seat as I loudly said words to the empty room in which I was reading.
Hidden Pictures is a book I will be recommending to many, and I'm ready to reread it to fully grasp how the pieces all came together.
This book really lands in the 3.5 zone. As a stand-alone, it's okay. I already knew much of the information and wrestled with the questions and implications he presented. As a book to be discussed in a group, this book would be a solid 4. The information is interesting, and the debates that come from the content are necessary. It's good stuff to wrestle through.
On the one hand, this book helps create a space that often does not exist for people of faith - A place to recognize sadness, depression, and doubt in a way that does not make you feel like you are all alone in the overwhelming emotions that come with such realities.
So often in the Christian world, we rely on pat answers of “just pray” or “have more faith” without ever recognizing those statements belabor the shame people feel when they still wrestle with doubt and sadness. These stories of people of faith are all relatable, eye-opening, and, oddly, comforting.
On the other hand, I had to take breaks with this book as reading about the struggles that often mirrored my own began to cause more profound sadness rather than hope.
For people who doubt and deal with depression, anxiety, and consistent sadness, this book can be helpful to realize you are not alone. I believe it graciously reminds the reader that God meets us where we are, and our struggles do not discount us from His love. Nor does it disqualify us from having meaningful impacts on the world around us. The reality that God uses all parts of us for His Kingdom is abundant in this book.
All that to say, take your time with this book. There is much to rest in but protect yourself from wallowing.
Let me make my bias clear from the get-go. I have always been fascinated with Theodore Roosevelt, exploration, and stories of survival - “The River of Doubt” checks all those boxes and then some. Written in a narrative format, this story is unexpected, much like the uncharted river at the heart of this retelling.
The author Candice Millard expertly paces this read with such visceral detail and historical context that it becomes one of those rare nonfiction books one just can't put down.
Fans of authors like Erik Larson and Jon Krakauer will immensely enjoy this book, as will any individual interested in the Amazon, Theodore Roosevelt, or exploration.
Would I recommend this book? I absolutely would. I believe it is a nuanced, albeit cluttered, conversation that far too many Christ followers are unwilling to have.
I have no doubt this book will offend people. For many conservative Christians, the ideas presented in the book are too soft, uncomfortable, and confusing. For nonreligious or progressive Christians, the ideas presented in this book are far too conservative and outdated. For the humanist zealots, this content is garbage wrapped in kindness. For the religious zealots, it will prove that Preston Sprinkle is trying to bring the “gay agenda” into the church. My guess is, for parents who's child is struggling with their identity, and for parents who themselves are struggling as their children struggle, this book will not give them the “how to” they are looking for.
However, for the broader population, this book is a helpful starting point. I think this book would absolutely be better in a small group discussion format with people of varying backgrounds and beliefs, but I believe there is plenty here to make anyone think. Even if it is uncomfortable and pushes up against their own biases or wants.
This is a great entry point for those wanting a general overview of best practices. If you are familiar with any of these topics, you won't learn anything new, but it could act as a reminder. This is a book you can quickly skim to get the overall gist so you can go dig into specific areas you want to cultivate.
I think it is important to note that this book is clearly designed for people whose identity is based on what they do, their achievements, and how others perceive or judge their success. While I think the practices presented can be very beneficial in any area of life, I would encourage caution. It takes very little work to find stories of burnout, suicide, abuse of power, addiction, and destroyed families because of an identity based on what you do, how much money you make, or your “success.”
I honestly have no idea how to rate this book. I have been told for years by people and lists that it is a must-read for every man. The strategic side of my brain is relished in the presented intentionality and forethought. The prideful portion of my brain wanted to latch on to everything to enable my own power and success. I am conflicted. As we see individuals wage war over everything and anything, we continue to make people our enemies. I am more interested in finding rational and strategic thoughts to build bridges, not conquer and subdue.