Book Description
Led Zeppelin was the hottest, hardest, horniest, most hedonistic group in rock history. Their parties defined 60s and 70s excess, their concerts were long, loud and thrilling. Based on interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, here is the truth behind the genius of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and the late John Bonham.
Customer Reviews:
a look into the power and magic of Led Zepplin.......2007-07-28
This is a well researched book that is also well chronicled. The personalities of the band are captured descriptively, especially the chemistry between them. The details of the business strategies of Led Zepplin manager Peter Grant, along with the episodes of the 11 American tours, are well documented.
This band produced 9 albums and changed the dynamics of the rock music business by dint of their power and uniqueness.
The book starts out recounting Jimmy Page's time with the Yardbirds (Grant was the manager), the groups dissolution, and the formation of a new group called The New Yardbirds. That name wasn't going to fly; so, as the new group started to tour, they adopted the Led Zepplin name.
The genius of Jimmy Page is given due attention by Davis. Page really was the mastermind of the group; some have made the claim that it was Page's group, as if the others were just backing him up. Not even close to the truth.
Although Robert Plant wrote many of the lyrics and was the flashy front man; and John Paul Jones was the musical anchor of the group; and Bonham had his uniqueness as the drummer - it was Jimmy Page who conceived most of the songs and produced each album as if he was the group's midwife, which he was.
Those of us who remember seeing Page playing his double necked Gibson with the flourishes of his bow . . . well, we had our minds permanently blown. Led Zepplin was an experiment in rock history that surpassed anyone's notions of power and magic. The four band members had such a rare chemistry that held the whole thing together and moved it all forward. And "Stairway to Heaven" was the creative pinnacle of their 12 years together.
This book is not without its blemishes however. Davis spends too much time with the debauchery and the party scences - the chicks, drugs, and booze go with the territory for most rock groups; so what. The chronicling of the 11 American tours gets uneven and sloppy at points, especially by overfocusing on incidentals and tour manager Richard Cole's role as the bands' den mother. Cole's role was vital; but his tendencies towards barbarism deflect alot from the positive aspects of Led Zepplin's history.
And since this was an unauthorized narrative, the sensational and sleazy are promoted too much is some of the chapters. Yet, in spite of the defects, this is a pretty decent read about one of the most remarkable chapers in rock history.
Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts
Must read for Zeppelin fans..........2007-07-05
I don't understand the criticisms of this book. Sure, there are some lurid details of Zeppelin's hooligan antics. Yes, they were surrounded (manipulated?) by opportunistic thugs who were major contributors to the mayhem and excess that filled the wake of their road shows. True, one of these thugs (Richard Cole) is quoted more frequently than any other source in the book. But, taken with a grain of salt, this book tells the story and gives more insight into its principals than any other book I've read. It's very readable and even adds a chapter which follows the surviving members through the 90's.
If you want a book that focuses on Zep's music, influences, and musical context (and skips the antics), try Keith Shadwick's excellent 2005 book. It's well researched and more cerebral but a much more difficult read and gives much less insight into the people that made up the band.
THE book on Led Zep.......2007-06-01
This is absolutely THE book about Led Zeppelin. It fills in the cracks and digs for more.
It never gets tired or old. EVER!
great rock n' roll story.......2007-02-17
I am a huge Led Zepp fan; that aside I really enjoyed this book. It gives you all the details about the band, their triumphs, and tragedies. It describes Rock and Roll excess like no other. It is never dull or dry, and is very well written. Probably the best book on Led Zeppelin. If you are a Led Zepp fan, then this is the book for you.
Good read.......2007-02-01
Davis did his research and wrote a workmanlike book. Nothing wrong, but no literary "fireworks" thus 4 of 5 stars.
Book Description
A lively, hard-hitting biography of the pro-business, pro-Jesus, anti-government, anti-environment House majority leader who is driving today's congressional agenda.
With The Hammer, Lou Dubose and Jan Reid track the rise of Tom DeLay from owner of a pest control business to unremarkable, and hard-partying, Texas legislator (his nickname was "Hot Tub Tom"), to the congressional pinnacle of power. DeLay is the representative who has called the Environmental Protection Agency "the Gestapo of government," that he drove what he dubbed "The Campaign" to impeach Bill Clinton because Clinton lacked a "biblical worldview," that he didn't serve in Vietnam because too many minorities had signed up leaving no room for people like him, and recently stated any House adoption of a revised bill reinstating tax credits for poor families "ain't going to happen." DeLay is bold--a majority leader with extraordinary powers and extraordinary ambition--and whether he is maneuvering to redistrict Texas congressional seats or flying to Israel to critique the president, he uses that power to shape our politics here and abroad. It is time a proper introduction was made to this man, the only member of the House to keep half a dozen bullwhips on his office wall and a copy of the Ten Commandments on the windowsill.
Customer Reviews:
The Hammer Gets Nailed.......2006-04-24
The interesting thing about this is the subject rather than the writing or the style of the book. I found that I labored reading this rather than enjoying it. However, it does get three stars because it was revealing about Tom Delay whom the author presented as interesting and disturbing, an American Machiavelli.
We learn a little bit of his character by his pettiness in his reaction to lawsuits against him, and his membership in a club that, using a play on words, has the initials KKK. These things give a little glimpse into the man's vindictiveness and racism. We also learn about Delay's utter insensitivity toward others with such pronouncements explaining why he didn't serve in the army--because enlistments were being taken by Blacks and Latinos, and he did not want to deny them the high pay that the Army was providing. Gee, that was big of him.
Such insensitivity turns to the pathological in his defense of "free market economics" in American Samoa. An unscrupulous asian businessman named Tan needed labor to have his products reach American markets. Convincing dirt poor Asians that their family members will get jobs in America, they go further in debt to pay the thousands of dollars required for job selection. The unwitting worker deplanes on American territory (American Samoa) and works under sweatshop conditions fourteen hours a day. They live in a virtual barracks with little sustenance, privacy or sanitation. Managers impregnate these defenseless female employees who are then forced to have abortions. In the meantime, they get further into debt producing clothes that proudly bear the title, "American made." Even Delay applauds the free-market economics and capitalism in Samoa.
We learn that during his stay in a swanky Samoan hotel, his time on the golf links, and at sumptuous banquets, desperate workers are trying to pass notes to him and his entourage to let him know of the desperate conditions under which they labor. Oblivious, Delay will block any attempt by congress to enact or improve working conditions on the island. One wonders if any of those notes addressed the forced abortions to which he is so opposed in this country!
His machiavellian skill is evident in congress as he extends the deadlines of votes for some old-fashioned arm-twisting and bribery. This true-to-life ogre may have changed the way congress does business forever. He shuts out the traditional bi-partisan debate on bills, and even demands what he expects from lobbyists--rather than the other way around. He is ultimately censured several times by a bi-partisan ethics committee.
Update: Tom Delay has since resigned his seat in disgrace, and will probably, or at least hopefully, go to jail. We must hope that his congressional legacy is not allowed to continue.
Recently a convention which held the theme that Christians are being persecuted in this country called Tom Delay a fine christian man. The main speaker said that they (I guess that means the rest of us) were after Delay because of his Christian faith, and his belief in Jesus Christ.
The one good thing about being the victim is, you don't have to accept responsibility for your actions.
Amen!
Tom Delay.......2006-04-07
Reading this book? Good. Following Tom Delay's antics? Interesting. Watching his unfolding ethics problems? Informative. Seeing him leave Congress? Priceless.
Interesting!.......2006-02-05
This book was okay. It had great info. It's a great book to learn about the corupt tactics Tom DeLay and the GOP (Greed and Oil Party). If you'r a Molly Ivans fan you will love this book!
Excellent Expose of How DeLay Worked!.......2006-01-17
One of the Republican reforms implemented after the 1994 takeover of the House was to greatly reduce the power of formerly powerful committee chairmen who had presided with baronial independence based on a rigid system of seniority. Now there is a six-year limit on their chairmanships, support staff have been cut one-third (limiting their ability to analyze issues), each party's study groups were eliminated (provided brief summaries of bills), and the Speaker has the ability to appoint/replace chairmen. This new environment provided the power vacuum for Majority Leader DeLay to grab power.
DeLay dodged Vietnam service via student and marriage deferments. DeLay first ran for Congress after the EPA banned Mirex - one of the few chemicals that kill fire ants. This was particularly offensive to DeLay who had been an exterminator, albeit a marginally successful one. (The IRS had filed liens in '79, '80, '83 for failure to pay withheld income and Social Security taxes from DeLay's employees.) DeLay had been a three-term member of the Texas legislature (few remember him at that time) at the time he first ran for Congress in 1984.
DeLay's first focus was the pornography and banality of grants supported by the National Endowment for the Arts - with a few others from Texas the result was an $8 million cut in their funding. DeLay was a heavy drinker at the time, but after seeing one of Dr. James Dobson's TV presentations he became very upset about now spending much time with his daughter, and he became a "Born-Again" Baptist.
DeLay got on the Republican Committee on Committees as a freshman, making him part of those who allocate seats and can thereby cultivate favor. Upon re-election DeLay moved to the powerful Appropriations Committee, though that never was his real interest.
1994 was a banner year for House Republicans. Between Hillary's healthcare reform bill (supported by President Clinton, but massacred by insurance companies), Clinton's support for gays in the military (created upsetness among evangelical Christians), and the assault weapons ban (prompted the NRA to donate $70 million to support candidates to its liking), the Republicans took control. DeLay got into the practice of using his PAC to buy loyalty of members by contributing to their campaigns and providing training for political candidates he supported; he furthered his strength by also getting lobbyists on his rolodex to also help support those same candidates directly. DeLay became the Republican Whip, and selected Hastert as chief deputy.
Moving further, DeLay started the "K Street Project" - lobbyists united behind the concept of freeing business from government taxation and regulation. (When asked, DeLay replied that he could not think of a Federal regulation he would keep intact.) Saipan (an American protectorate) offers an example of DeLay's regulation-free utopia - DeLay worked to prevent U.S. labor laws from applying there, leaving intact the practice of $3/hour wages, less deductions for food and lodging (ten to a room), large fees assessed outsiders to enter for a job, and minimal benefits, and forcing acceptance of an Enron (large DeLay donor) proposal for a new power-plant.
Dubose moves on to summaries of various DeLay protégés in charge of fund-raising that skirted laws limiting the amounts from individuals and corporations - the process involved shuffling funds, and where possible, also hiding IDs. While some of the participants were forced to pay fines, others maneuvered around to achieve dismissal of their case. DeLay, however, was untouched.
Another key DeLay action, according to Dubose, was his forcing the House to go beyond voting censure of President Clinton for the Lewinsky affair, to the much bigger act of impeachment.
DeLay's greatest "innovation" was forcing lobbying groups to accept Republican approval of those filling key leadership positions - those that did not simply did not get access. DeLay forced the issue when he pulled a key piece of legislation for the Electronic Industries Alliance on copyright protection that had been worked on for over a year when they moved to hire a Democrat head. (DeLay was later censured by the House Ethics Committee over this action; regardless, the practice of approving lobbying group leadership remains firmly in place.) Criteria considered were three: 1)Is the applicant a Republican? 2)How much has he/she contributed to the Republican party, candidates, and PACs? 3)Has the applicant contributed to the Democrat part, candidates, and PACs? Lobbyists are now told to lean on House members to whom they have contributed money and tell them how the party wants them to vote.
DeLay and Rove then joined forces to change Texas districting to favor Republicans. The first outcome was that 18 of 21 hand-picked conservative Republicans won Texas legislative races, taking over the law-making in that state. They then redistricted ("gerrymandered" according to opponents) so that 5 - 7 more Republicans would win election to Congress, as well as defeat some of Bush's sharpest critics. (DeLay has been indicted by local officials for his role in financing this transition.)
DeLay supports Israel (forced Bush to withdraw support for Palestine), solicits money from Jewish groups, and looks forward to "The Day" (Apocalypse).
DeLay's greatest vulnerability at this time appears to be his close association with lobbyists Jack Abramoff, charter member of DeLay's K-Street "kitchen cabinet" lobbying group. Abramoff and associates took $45 million in Indian tribe lobbying fees - over the same time period G.M.'s total lobbying was less, as was the big four in pharmaceuticals. This amount was about 25% of one tribes entire budget - reportedly squeezed out of them through scare tactics.
"The Hammer" does a good job of explaining the source of Congressman DeLay's power, and is interesting reading.
my teacher.......2006-01-08
said taht it is just like nixon times now. i give it five because it is bye bye for tom. He lied now he pays!! Soon all those who lied about the WAR, Peo-Ple will pay. It will be all Democrats in 2008!!!
Book Description
What are the outward manifestations of an inspired faith? Is it possible to be truly saved and still be constantly aware of the presence of sin? May a minister of God's Word experience the same human frailties that trouble his parishioners? Here is a powerful novel on the theme of spiritual regeneration. Three Swedish pastors learn the necessity of relying on God's grace and promises the hard way -- through failing in their pastoral duties, through public humiliation, through self-doubt, through an inability to accept God's promise of forgiveness and sonship in their own lives, and through divisions and quarreling among their parishioners. Ultimately, each rejects the temptations of self-serving pride and over-reliance on works and permits the Holy Spirit to work through him for the glory of God and the continued ministry of the gospel.
Customer Reviews:
Law/Gospel distinction - the forgotten doctrine of the Reformation.......2006-07-26
This is an excellent book and much needed for evangelicals in our day. Although this is laden with some Lutheran thought that I theologically disagree with (being a Reformed Baptist), so that a small amount of discernment is required, from my point of view, the thrust of the book is about Christ alone as the sole foundation of our hope and the distinction between Law and Gospel. For one who generally does not read novels, this book is welcome both for these theological reasons and for the interest in the stories themselves. There is much comfort in this book for wounded souls and much to awaken the seasoned believer to about the nature of grace in comparison to our lowly condition.
Touches a nerve.......2006-05-26
Bo Giertz' The Hammer of God should be read by anyone entering the pastorate. The book is divided into three novellas, each set in a different era in a particular area of Sweden. Each novella basically follows the same story: A nominally Christian pastor recently graduates from a modernist university and gets assigned, against his desires, to a country parish. He soon undergoes a kind of conversion experience as he is faced with the realities of parish life, especially with the existential questions of his parishoners, and finds that despite all his formal training, his faith is only nominal at best and he really doesn't know anything about God, until a simple parishoner witnesses the truth of the gospel to him. Newly converted and aware of his own sins, the preacher then begins to passionately preach the law of God bringing some revival to their churches, but as those revivals petter off, he is surprised to find that he is only half-converted, because he must also learn about the doctrine of justication by faith alone, which is the necessary complement to the law, and the heart of the gospel. At the same time, he discovers the richness of Lutheran orthodoxy over and against other modernist, pietistic and anabaptist movements happening around the parish.
Over all, I thought this was a really good book, and I would recommend it to anyone, even to those who are not Lutheran (I'm still a Baptist). Unfortunately, this particular edition is riddled with typos, more than I've seen in any book by a major publisher. So I can only give it 4 stars, rather than 5.
Orthodoxy New as the Morning.......2006-03-21
This book was commended by a good friend who is also I believe one of the few remaining orthodox pastors in his church body. The treatment it provides of issues such as "simul sanctus et peccator" (at the same time saint and sinner), the long-ignored Office of the Keys ("Whatever sins you bind on earth will be bound in heaven"), Christ Only, the individual's mode of "participation" in justification, and a host of other doctrinal issues was tremendously refreshing. The Hammer is relentless, and the Gospel is sweet. The orthodox views of Christ, of Scripture, of Salvation, of Sanctification, and of Christian life are all made new as the morning. I loved it!
Novel on Law + Gospel.......2006-02-05
This well-written novel, though dated, tells the story of three young pastors coming to grips with how ministry works - and doesn't work. Highly Recommended.
The Hammer of God.......2005-09-07
This book is an excellent recap of basic Lutheran doctrine and it's roots in the Swedish Church from the 1800's to the middle of the 20th century. It explores the difference between Gospel and Law in a way that is easily understood and contributes to spiritual growth. The only criticism I have is that the book has way too many typos. I'm sure Augsburg is capable of better proofreading.
Book Description
Using scholarship and personal spiritual experiences, Swain Wodening explores modern Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, a religion closely related to Asatru. With practical information on Wyrd, Heathen virtues, dieties, Hammer of the Gods strives to revive the spirit of Anglo-Saxon Heathenry. Additonional topics covered include the Anglo-Saxon runes and seiðr, as well as rites for births, namings, marriages, funerals, land takings, and worshipping the Gods.
Because of the scarcity of information about the ancient religion of the ancestors of the English people, this book also draws heavily on the mythology and religious lore of the related Scandinavian tribes, which was better preserved. It is therefore suited for practioners of Asatru as well.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent beginner's book on Anglo-Saxon heathenry.......2007-08-26
"Hammer of the Gods" deals in detail, on a beginner's level, with Anglo-Saxon heathen beliefs and practices, and there has not been before or since a book that is as comprehensive on that particular aspect of heathenry. The book itself is very polished and professional, and the only disagreement I might make with its contents is that the author chooses to go with an interpretation that the Anglo-Saxons believed in 9 worlds rather than 7, despite plain literary evidence to the contrary, without really spelling out a cogent case for why he makes this assumption. (Although in fairness he does *acknowledge* the problem, so it's certainly not a deal-killer for me.) Definitely worth getting if you're interested in A-S heathenry.
Needs an Editor.......2006-12-18
The total lack of proofreading was really distracting as I read this book. Sometimes the author's meaning is obscured by typos. Hopefully his other works are written with more care. Still, the subject matter is important and not widely covered elsewhere.
Rather scholarly, but contains much wrorth reading.......2006-11-14
I liked this book. It was a rather scholarly tome, and didn't have the flavor of the typical new age 101 stuff. It was worth reading. It stays on my bookshelf, and I am using it as reference.
Timeless Classic.......2005-08-29
Others have already lauded Swain for his greta works and contributions so I won't bore the reader with that. This is an excellent read and does the job quite nicely. Hail Swain!
A "must read" for the practitioner of Anglo-Saxon Heathenry........2005-02-08
"Hammer of the Gods" is an outstanding book reflecting the true spirit of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. Though similar to their Norse cousins, here we are given an in-depth look at the tradition through the eyes of the ancient `Anglo-Saxons'.
Herein one finds a description of the Gods of the pantheon of the people: such as Woden, Thor, Frigga, and Heimdall.
We read of the Holy Tides - Yule, Eostre, Litha (Midsummer), Harvest, and Winterfylleth, etc.
We read of the Rites of Life, with ceremonies for birth, name giving, blot, symbel, oath, wedding, and funeral.
Learn of the Runes, runic meditation and divination, and how to make a runic talisman.
The author, Swain Wodening, has done excellence research, combined with 20+ years practical experience in Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, to produce a book that is a "must read" for anyone with an interest in these things.
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Hammer of the Gods (Myth Quest)
John Whitman
Manufacturer: Skylark
ProductGroup: Book
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The Minotaur (MythQuest, 1)
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Minokichi (Myth Quest)
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Red Wolf's Daughter (MythQuest)
ASIN: 0553487604
Release Date: 2003-01-14 |
Book Description
Loki, the trickster god of Norse legends, lies chained to a rock, tortured by the venomous fangs of a serpent as punishment for offending Thor. Alex enters the myth as Loki’s son, Vali, and refuses to let his “father” face such a horrible fate. But if he acts to rescue Loki, will he destroy the very fabric of the universe? His sister Cleo watches his adventures from the computer monitor and advises Alex when she can, but ultimately, the decision is his.
Customer Reviews:
If I had a Hammer.........2004-02-23
The "device" to take the kids into t he world of myth makes the story almost believable, and the open look of the page and easy to read text will make this an easy reading adventure for fifth graders who need to build reading stamina.
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Hammer of the Gods (The Viking Saga, Book 4)
Christopher Tebbetts
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Action & Adventure
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Land of the Dead (The Viking Saga, Book 3)
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ASIN: 0142500321 |
Book Description
You were there when mild-mannered Zack Gilman was unexpectedly thrown back to ninth-century Scandinavia where he met a tribe of Viking warriors who bore a remarkable resemblance to people from back home in modern-day Minneapolis. You witnessed as he fulfilled the ancient prophecy and succeeded in finding the first two treasures of Yggdrasil's Chest. Now travel back to the ninth century with Zack once again as he goes to Asgard, the home of the norse gods, in search of the last of Yggdrasil's treasures-and the final answer to the Prophecy of the Lost Boy.
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- Arthur C. Clarke could have done so much better...
- A good story which would have deserved better characters and social analysis
- Major disappointment from a Master
- Arthur C. Clarke always has his finger on sci-fi's pulse!
- Average book of an average writer
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Hammer of God
Arthur C. Clarke
Manufacturer: Spectra
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Binding: Hardcover
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Songs of Distant Earth
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Rama II: The Sequel to Rendezvous with Rama
ASIN: 0553095579
Release Date: 1993-06-01 |
Book Description
In the year 2110 technology has cured most of our worries. But even as humankind enters a new golden age, an amateur astronomer points his telescope at just the right corner of the night sky and sees disaster hurtling toward Earth: a chunk of rock that could annihilate civilization. While a few fanatics welcome the apocalyptic destruction as a sign from God, the greatest scientific minds of Earth desperately search for a way to avoid the inevitable. On board the starship Goliath Captain Robert Singh and his crew must race against time to redirect the meteor form its deadly collision course. Suddenly they find themselves on the most important mission in human history--a mission whose success may require the ultimate sacrifice.
Customer Reviews:
Arthur C. Clarke could have done so much better..........2007-08-09
This book's plot idea is one that may have been done to death already, but when Arthur C. Clarke writes about impeding doom as a result of Earth being hit by an asteroid, it should be an interesting read. Which, in this case, isn't. If I was asked to describe the book in one word, I would say it was hollow. If I had some leeway, i might have added "dry" and "boring" as well.
The chapters are so incredibly small that nothing can be described in any great detail. Character development is virtually non-existent (come to think of it, not a single character really stands out), and so many bits and pieces are interspersed here and there that prevent the reader from following the main plot. The most striking example that comes to my mind is the story about the Lunar Olympics. Cute, but completely out of place, as it is not related to the rest of the book in any meaningful way.
In summary, this book had nothing to offer me, and it's gone back to the bookself to gather dust for another century or so. The fact that it was written by so illustrious an author further adds to the disappointment. This could have been a much better book...
A good story which would have deserved better characters and social analysis.......2005-10-09
This is a good execution of a theme which has by now become a classic: that of an asteroid menacing the existence of planet Earth. Clarke is as usual a precursor and treats the subject with his typical style and insight, but the book is not without weaknesses. The character of captain Singh, for example, while developed at length during the first part of the book, seems to lose its definition at the end of the story.
More importantly, the treatment of the social impact of the menace and its consequences is somewhat naive. For example, one would imagine that on Earth, the news of the sabotage would have caused the Reborn to be chased down. The handling of social aspects has never been Clarke's strength, but this is maybe what gives his novels this color so familiar to science fiction enthusiasts around the planet.
Overall, this remains an good read, all the more because it touches on a subject which actually concerns all of mankind and deserves awareness. It certainly fares much better than the movies on a similar subject that appeared in theaters in 1998, Armageddon and Deep Impact.
Major disappointment from a Master.......2005-03-09
There's no doubt Arthur C. Clarke is a master of the sci-fi genre, especially when it comes to 'hard' sci-fi. I rank '2001,' the Rama series and even 'Fountains' among the true classics of modern literature. That said, Clarke fell far short of his own high standard in 'Hammer'. The plot consists of a re-hash of the doomsday asteroid scenario popular today (although he conceived it in the 1970s). There is minimal character development. The writing style (brief, 1-page snipets resembling news bulletins) produces boredom, as I kept waiting for some real action. Finally, the end is simply atrocious, and utterly predictable. Some commenters have stated they enjoyed "learning some science" from this book. I would respond that even the scientific background is lacking, and there are much 'harder' comet stories out there.
For those seeking end-of-the-world-from-an-asteroid stories, I recommend 'Lucifer's Hammer,' another tale set in the 1970s but one which thoroughly explores the concept and aftermath. Try Clarke's other novels, but steer clear of this one.
Arthur C. Clarke always has his finger on sci-fi's pulse!.......2004-06-19
And this book proves it again when early in humanity's twenty-second century, after all "ills" have been more or less taken care of, including starvation, an astronomer learns that the death of this "perfect" human civilization is hurtling toward it. A fascinating read, even if it is much shorter than other Clarke novels. Add it to such books as: "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Puppet Masters", "2001", "2010", "Rendezvous with Rama", "Ringworld", all the "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" books, as well as books as new to the genre as "Advent of the Corps" and others.
Average book of an average writer.......2004-06-03
Well, as you can see I am not one of the Clark's fans out there, I rather call myself mindless idiot who brags about the books a lot more than he is worth of :)
I hate to write here about what is going on in the books, about that you can read in blurbs that are posted all around the web. I much more prefer to comment. Now what we have here is the average story. When I say average I mean that you will not fall in love with the characters, you will have feeling that you read that story before and that it isn't anything new about it, and mere development and it's deus ex machina ending will not satisfy you. This book does not stand out of the crowd...
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- Interesting and sometimes moving story of two brothers
- His brother's Journey to Hasidic Judaism
- No condemnation -- just honesty
- Everyone is on a journey
- Brotherly love is more powerful than religion
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Chosen By God: A Brother's Journey
Joshua Hammer
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0786886013 |
Book Description
Josh never conceived that Tony would end up in an arranged marriage and devoting his life to the Torah in a closed, cloistered world in which outsiders were not welcome. As Josh follows his brothers metamorphic path he grows to better understand his brother, as well as the most frightening and exotic territory for a foreign correspondent: his own family (Dani Shapiro).
Customer Reviews:
Interesting and sometimes moving story of two brothers.......2002-05-17
Like most books written about a family member, this book in the end is at least as much about the author than his brother. While discovering his estranged brother's newly religious life, the author inadvertently (advertently?) really tells you a bunch about himself. And he does not come across as a particularly nice guy, at least as a younger man. As someone else mentions, the first half the book is inferior to the second, full of his whining.
Another intersting facet is how rarely the authors of such books relfect on their own lives. The author's father comes across as rigid and intolerant (typical of those on the left who preach tolerance for everything but are intolerant for those who disagree with them), a sometimes financial and marital failure. The author comes across at times as selfish and self-absorbed, lacking any roots of his own. Only the mother seems to be a decent person where her children are involved. In the end, who has the better life - Tuvia or Joshua or Joshua's father?
His brother's Journey to Hasidic Judaism.......2001-12-07
Hammer's book felt like a letter to a friend, describing in detail his cross section of feelings toward his brother's dramatic changes into the extreme world of Hasidic Judaism. Hammer's emotions change throughout the book - confusion, anger, amazement, and to a lesser degree, understanding. The distance between the brothers also seemed due to the religious brother's poor social skills and identity that had nothing to do with religious observant. Although this wasn't a "wow" book, it was a very touching story.
No condemnation -- just honesty.......2001-06-19
Having walked at least part of Hammer's brother's journey into Orthodox Judaism, I wasn't sure what to expect from "Chosen by God," but was braced for scathing "objective" journalistic condemnation of the religious and particularly Chassidic lifestyle. Surprisingly, though, there was none of that here. Instead, this book tells the heartfelt story of Hammer's quest to understand not only his brother but his own Jewish spiritual leanings.
There are no cheap epiphanies in this book: Hammer doesn't come away a "convert", and neither can he bring his brother Tuvia back from the edge of extremism where even his wife Ahuvah feels he may get hurt. Rather, they find common ground: with hard work and compromise on both sides, they manage to cultivate a vocabulary that bridges their two very different worlds.
Neither brother, it becomes clear through Hammer's sensitive narrative, is "right" -- but they manage to speak to each other with love and come to respect each other's journeys.
A book like this will certainly have many fans among those who seek to denigrate "ultra-Orthodox" Judaism -- it is scathingly honest about the poverty and even criminal activity of a few of its adherents. But if that's all you're looking for, you will hate this book for its honest, truthful portrayal of the beauty and excitement of traditional Jewish spirituality.
Though Hammer initially suspected he'd lost his brother to a cult, he comes away from his journey accepting that this IS who his brother was all along: an extremist, perhaps, but one for whom Judaism is a good fit after all. The conclusions of this book aren't the usual trite condemnations of one lifestyle or another, but they are satisfying and real, which makes this book's contribution truly meaningful, rather than merely sensationalistic.
Everyone is on a journey.......2001-05-09
This was an educating book regarding the journey of one brother into spiritual enlightenment while the older brother made a journey to human understanding. While we may not all agree that Fundamentalism (regardless of whether it is Jewish, Christian, or Islamic) is the answer, this book may help each of us to understand our relatives and friends that take that road. Worth the read, although the author is a little too close to some of the subject matter to be completely objective.
Brotherly love is more powerful than religion.......2000-11-21
This book is a testiment to the power of brotherly love and acceptance. Josh Hammer has opened his eyes and heart to the transformation of his younger brother, Tony, from a directionless, lost soul to a devoted Hasidic Jew. Josh's apparent objectivity is never far removed from his personal feelings. He struggles with learning much about himself as he struggles to understand his brother and the life Tony has chosen sequestered in a world of faith and devotion to G-d. While not universal to all Baalei T'shuva (Returners to the faith), the book does give a realistic portrayal of the difficulties of the family in dealing Tony's transformation.
Average customer rating:
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The HAMMER OF GOD
Cannon
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Customer Reviews:
Very short but exciting.......2000-04-04
There are many police books which are not out of ordinary and this was not an exception. However,the character of the serial killer is really out of ordinary, or, his motive for killing, to be exact.In his mysterious mind, he somehow found death penalty a ''must do'' action for his victims who 'deserved' their final fate after being seen/heard insulting the holy concepts the killer was devoted to. Great excitement in a police story, especially the last scene is stunning. As it is out of print , just by a second hand copy as soon as you see it. Have FUN!
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