For Men Only

For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide To The Inner Lives Of Women

By: Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn

Another self-help book parading itself as christian. Christian authors need to learn that self-help is not a christian thing. Write a self-help book or a christian one. But don’t mix the two. When you do you get a book that is neither good for any spiritual purpose or for self-help purposes. This book won’t change your life unless your totally clueless. If that’s the case you sure don’t have a woman you need to learn about to begin with. Waste of time and money.

Thank you to Multnomah/Waterbrook for sending me a free copy of this book for a review.

Nearing Home

Nearing Home: Life, Faith And Finishing Well

By: Billy Graham

Nearing Home by Billy Graham is just another one of his pointless books like all of his other pointless books. It’s filled with useless impractical advice that can’t benefit anyone in the real world. It has boring stories and illustrations sure to put the worst insomniac to sleep. It also contains the same “gospel” he’s been preaching his whole life. Easy-believism that’s suppose to make you happier and make your life better but that actually drives people away from religion when they find out that God made no such promise and they’ve been relying on a lie. There is nothing in this book worth reading and nothing that hasn’t been said a million times. Ultimately, if you enjoy the endless babbling of this half-insane religious charlatan you’ll not see the problem with this book. I’m sick of the repackaging and reselling of the same old thing over and over in religious books that never helps to begin with. Don’t waste your money. I do not recommend this book, not in the least. Billy Graham is nothing more than a glorified but sub-par motivational speaker out to make a few bucks. Well, he’ll never make another penny of me. What a disappointment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com&gt; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html&gt; : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Decision Points

Decision Points

By: George W. Bush

Decision Points is a presidential autobiography which serves essentially as a sequel to Bush’s earlier pre-presidential biography named A Charge To Keep. Obviously if you’re a Bush-hater you need not bother with the book. Anyone else may gain insight into the presidency and on of the personal character of George Bush. Still heavily political. I would only recommend it for one who is a regular reader of biography and politics.

Thank you to Multnomah/Waterbrook for sending me a free copy of this book for a review.

The Book Of Man

The Book Of Man: Readings On The Path To Manhood

By: William J. Bennett

The Book Of Man was actually quite good. William Bennett overall has produced some very good books (at least the ones I’ve read). This book is in line with his better works. This book, obviously, is geared towards men. It covers topics such as war, work and women. The book has little writing by Bill Bennett himself but is mostly composed of exerts from prominent men of the past ranging from Ronald Reagan to Aristotle to Alexis De Tocqueville to George Washington to G.K. Chesterton to William Bennett himself. It’s enjoyable not only from a practical every day life perspective for men of today but also from a historical perspective. It sets forth a high standard for men to attain and calls them to higher responsibility and integrity. The one disclaimer I’ll place is that because it’s all various quotes it doesn’t have the smooth flow of a regular book. So it may not be that enjoyable for some. If that is so consider reading it as a devotional (though I don’t know how many entries it has exactly so it may take a long time to get through devotionally). Anyways, I recommend it for all men. Definitely a great read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com&gt; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html&gt; : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

More Lost Than Found

More Lost Than Found: Finding A Way Back To Faith

By: Jared Herd

This book is just riddled with errors. I won’t even try to deal with them all but will focus on what I think is the biggest problem (which also is the biggest problem in most Christian books, songs and churches) and that is an essential misunderstanding of the message of Jesus Christ in the Gospel. I’m thoroughly convinced that Jared herd is a theological liberal. I believe this is the reason he misunderstands the Gospel. This quote should say it all. Page 89: “Christianity in its origins was about the ideas that Jesus taught, about a new way of connecting with God through what Jesus taught.” That’s a really serious error. Christianity is about what Jesus did, not taught. It’s about being reconciled to God through what Jesus did on the Cross and NOT about connecting to Him through some good teachings. He is so blatantly liberal that two  pages later he claims U2 singer Paul “Bono” Hewson is better preaching the message of Jesus than the churches. This book has a lot more errors for sure. But this brief look on how the author doesn’t even know what Christianity is about should be more than ample support for my conclusion that you should avoid this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com&gt; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html&gt; : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Game On

Game On: Find Your Purpose-Pursue Your Dream

By: Emmitt Smith

Well, it’s a self help book. Specifically it’s about setting goals and carrying through on them. It’s not really that unique content wise as far as self help books go. The only big difference is it’s written by a football player so it may appeal to sports fan who regularly wouldn’t read something like this. Actually, you may just enjoy the book for all the football it contains (my favorite part). And yes, it’s a Christian book because of the frequent use of Scripture but it certainly isn’t very theologically profound. Either way, I think it’s worth reading if your a sports fan.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for this review.

The God Pocket

The God Pocket: He Owns It. You Carry It. Suddenly, Everything Changes.

By: Bruce Wilkinson and David Kopp

Bruce Wilkinson has a history of being very close to the prosperity gospel (example: The Prayer Of Jabez). I do not see a blatant prosperity gospel in his writings but I think he really pushes it again here. He does a good thing by encouraging people to give to those in need (which is what the book is all about) but I’m a little troubled by how he believes that God will automatically reign material blessings on you if you do and uses this as a motivation to give. This is really closer to the modern tithe theory than the prosperity gospel and in fairness I don’t recall him suggesting you write him a check to get rich. Anyways, I do give him much credit for encouraging charity but think he should rethink his theology of giving and how he motivates people to do so. Not a total lose but I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who isn’t well grounded in their theology.

Thank you to Multnomah/Waterbrook for sending me a free copy of this book for a review.

Your 100 Day Prayer

Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power Of Actively Waiting On God

By: John Snyder

Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power Of Actively Waiting On God by John Snyder is pretty run of the mill. I tend to give pretty similar reviews to most modern christian books being released because they are so similar. I’m dying to read a book with something different that isn’t heresy. This is not that book. Do you read devotionals? Do you read books on prayer? If you answered yes to either of these I recommend you pass on this book. It’ not really a bad book. If you’ve never read a christian book it’s just fine (though I certainly would recommend a better book for your first christian book) but it’s just not good enough for someone who reads regularly. The book promises clarity about God’s provision and a mature faith. It does not and cannot provide either. Christian growth cannot be had through a quick fix get fit overnight type of program. The book promises too much. So it’s not all negative I recommend the book True Freedom by Oliver North and Brian Smith if you want a good book on prayer. This book is just another in a long line of disappointing christian books being released today. Sorry, just isn’t worth reading.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com&gt; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html&gt; : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Runner’s Devotional

The Runner’s Devotional: Inspiration And Motivation For Life’s Journey… On And Off The Road

By: Dana Niesluchowski and Dave Veerman

This book is a weekly devotional that was meant to span an entire year (52 weeks). Each week contains a running log, tips on running, inspiration from the Scriptures, and personal stories from  people. It’s a mediocre devotional but a good resource to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Further, the entries are very short so you really only read one day a week so it isn’t really time consuming or a hassle to add to your regular mountain of devotionals you may be reading.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for this review.

Dug Down Deep

Dug Down Deep: Building Your Life On Truths That Last

By: Joshua Harris

This book is a total disappointment. It’s billed as a systematic theology but is not. It’s theological but at such a low level it’s insulting. The author himself, I feel, is really the problem. Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t a heretic (I don’t think) he’s just a very low level teacher and a walking cliche factory. He gets a lot of hype but is totally unsatisfying for a mature believer. This book is the same. It’s getting hyped but not really very satisfying for a mature believer. This book is only fitting for the naive and still not very good for them. Sorry, Joshua Harris disappoints again.

Thank you to Multnomah/Waterbrook for sending me a free copy of this book for a review.