Is College Worth It? by William J. Bennett

 Subtitle is A Former United States Secretary of Education and a Liberal Arts Graduate Expose the Broken Promise of Higher Education. Publisher is Thomas Nelson.

I've heard the stories about college students who complete their degrees with thousands of dollars worth of student loan debt only to find that they can't get a job. Perhaps, you know a waitress who got a liberal arts degree and took the only job she could get because she has to make her student loan payments. Or, someone who has a job but can't buy a home because of student loan debt. Worse, there are people who started college, taking a student loan, and then had to drop out of school never to return. They have no degree but owe thousands on their student loan.

I've often wondered if college is indeed worth it if you must finance it with borrowed money. I've said that it would be better to work your way through, although it takes much longer to get the degree. A graduate who works his way through will have no debt, and he will also have work experience from the jobs he filled while going to school.

I'm so glad somebody like Bennett agrees with me! Except that he contends some people would be better off avoiding college altogether. Some people can make more money by learning trades which are much more in demand now than jobs that require a degree. Junior college and/or technical training might be more financially feasible than college. He maintains that some college degrees  might give the student a negative return on the investment. He says we must retool our thinking about college and its value, starting with the way we run our K-12 education systems. He gives statistics throughout, and he provides an extensive notes to support his points.

Bennett says the student loan program has driven up the cost of a college education. Not only that, but it's caused the colleges to develop a market-driven approach to their recruitment. Fitness centers and social life sometimes do more to attract students than academic programs. He goes into great detail on how the quality of college education has declined while the cost has gone up.

I encourage everyone who has a child in high school to read this book. Better yet, if you have a child in elementary school, read it now. Gone are the days when everyone "must" go to college. Some will be better off if they don't. Get the information you need as you and your child decide whether college is worth it.

William Bennett is well-known as Secretary of Education during the Reagan era and, more recently, as a conservative commentator. David Wilezol, co-writer, is also the associate producer for Bennett's radio show, Morning in America. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Persecuted, the Global Assault on Christians

 Did you know that, every day, somewhere in the world, Christians are shunned, tortured, and killed just for being Christian? It's true. But, why don't we hear about it on the evening news or in our newspapers?

Persecuted is a joint effort by three authors. Paul Marshall of the Hudson Institute is an expert on religious freedom, international relations, and radical Islam.  Lela Gilbert contributes to several news publications and is an adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute. Nina Shea, a senior fellow for the Hudson Institute, is an international human rights lawyer.

The authors describe incident after incident where people are abused, ostracized, or killed for their Christian faith. And, they have done their homework, having documented their claims with 62 pages of references and an extensive index. They offer three reasons Christians are persecuted. First, in Communist countries, Christianity is a threat to government control. These governments are called totalitarian because they want total control over the population. Second, in countries where Hinduism or Buddhism are prevalent, Christians are pariahs because they threaten the established social order. And, finally, where Islam flourishes, the Muslims want total dominance.

It's hard for Americans to identify with people who face danger for their faith. For now, at least, we can practice our faith freely. This is a hard book to read. It's full of examples of unspeakable horrors visited on people just for professing Christianity. And, we never see news reports or read articles in the mainstream media about these horrors. And, that is why everyone should read this book. We need to know about it before we can become outraged. And, we usually don't take action until our outrage moves us to action.

Check with your public library. Buy or borrow this book. Help raise awareness about this wherever you can. See the book summary on Thomas Nelson site.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Everything by Mary DeMuth

Subtitle: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

The title says it all. Everything---that's what you need to turn over to Jesus. Author Mary DeMuth says we should give all our troubles, our gifts, our joys and sorrows. But it's not a one-way street. As we give, find that what we get in return is far more valuable than anything we gave up. We become like Jesus.

The book is divided into three main sections:

• Head - What We Think
• Heart - Who We Are
• Hands - How We Live

In each section, Mary shares her struggles and triumphs. It reminded me of the saying, WWJD, "What would Jesus do?" In every situation, if we ask ourselves how Jesus would handle it, we learn to give up control. De Muth points out that, when the desire to control dies, you have "planted the seeds" of becoming like Jesus. Growth comes from the hard times, not from the easy ones.

I had heard of Mary DeMuth. I had even followed her on Twitter, but I had never read any of her work until now. She has an interesting history, having been abused and neglected as a child. She and her husband have served as missionaries overseas, though they now live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Mary's writing is straight-forward and well-organized. However, I had trouble reading more than a few pages at one sitting. Maybe it's because the material was so deeply personal. Or perhaps it was because it was not intended as a quick read. There are questions for reflection at the end of each chapter that help you apply the content in your own life. I give it four stars out of five.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Heaven Changes Everything by Todd & Sonja Burpo

Subtitle: Living Every Day with Eternity in Mind, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Have you read Heaven Is for Real? If not, you may be the only person who hasn't. It was released in 2010, has been on the best-seller list for weeks and weeks. And---it is still the #61 best-selling book on Amazon as of October 28, 2012. Heaven Changes Everything is a sequel of sorts in a daily reading format. The first book was written by Todd Burpo with ghost-writer, Lynn Vincent. This one is co-written by Todd and his wife, Sonja.

Each of the 42 chapters begins with a quote from Heaven Is for Real, followed by a one- or two-page essay by Todd or Sonja or both. Every reading ends with a life application question and a Bible verse. The Burpos explore how Colton's experience in heaven has altered the way they live their lives. They want this book to encourage those who are unsure about heaven, those who have lost children to miscarriage, or those who grieve for lost loved ones. And, they want people to know that Jesus loves the children and the people who work with them.

I think this book serves a very good purpose, but maybe it's not for everyone. I did not become so engrossed in the story that I could not put the book down as was the case with Heaven Is for Real. Perhaps it's not fair to compare the two books because the first book tells they story while this one expands on the original. If you fall into one of the target groups mentioned above, you will definitely benefit from reading it. It would also be a good gift for someone in one of those groups.

Browse the contents on Amazon here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Globequake by Wallace Henley

Subtitle: Living in the Unshakeable Kingdom While the World Falls Apart, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

It's about change. It's happening faster than ever before. Something big is coming. The question is, "What?" We're going somewhere in a hurry, but do we really know where? Are we like a swarm of lemmings heading over a cliff? Are we nearing the end of the world?

Author Wallace Henley asks similar questions in this biblically-based guide to surviving a "globequake." This is not an alarmist screed about approaching catastrophe. It is a reasoned guide to surviving whatever comes. Originally a journalist, Henley is a pastor who also has worked in government. The breadth of his experience gives him a unique view of how the world works and how Christians can rely on their faith to get them through.

Henley says there are things we can do to stabilize our world. He describes six spheres of influence where we can rely on God's truth to help us be grounded during any turmoil: Person, Church, Family, Education, Government, and Business-Marketplace. His main point is that we will never live in a perfect world. There is no Utopia. However, the solid foundation of faith will hold in confusion or calamity.

The book is well-written and logically organized. I read slowly because I found myself wanting to absorb each point before I went on. It's a book to study, not just to read through. Globequake is timely as people grow more and more disturbed about current events. I recommend it both for individual reading or for group study.

Amazon listing: Globequake: Living in the Unshakeable Kingdom While the World Falls Apart

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Grieving God's Way by Margaret Brownley

Subtitle: The Path to Lasting Hope and Healing. Thomas Nelson Publishers. I chose this book because I have experienced the loss of three loved ones in the past couple of years. I felt that, if the author could impress me, then she will have really accomplished something.

The promotional material for the book suggests that grief is not something you "get over." It's something you work through. God's way is to realize that grief is necessary, that it takes time, and that God is with you through it all. The most important point for me is that "getting over it" takes a long time. You might think you are fine, but something will remind you of your loved one, and you'll find yourself fighting despair all over again. The author says this is normal. That's why we need to work with our grief to truly heal. We can't just tamp it down and expect it not to come back.

Organized as a 90-day devotional or study, the book is divided into four sections:

• Healing the Grieving Body
• Healing the Grieving Soul
• Healing the Grieving Heart
• Healing the Grieving Spirit

Each day's reading features a scripture, a short discussion of the day's topic, a haiku by co-author Diana Ain, and a sidebar dealing with solutions. Another reviewer pointed out that the brevity of each day's reading is good because people who are grieving often have trouble concentrating. I agree with that assessment.

As began my read-through, I was skeptical. However, I am now persuaded to endorse the book and to go back and read it one day at a time. This would be a great gift book for friends who are grieving.

Check it out on Amazon.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander by Paul Vickery

This book is one of The Generals series published by Thomas Nelson. Others in the series include Washington, Grant, Lee, Sherman, Pershing, Patton, and MacArthur. Author Paul Vickery is on the history faculty at Oral Roberts University, and he also serves as a pastor.

I was interested in this book because I grew up in Tennessee not far from the city of Jackson, which was named for Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. "Old Hickory" was his nickname given to him by the men he commanded. Hickory wood is the hardest wood in North America. Jackson was a tough commander, driving himself as hard as he drove his men. But, they loved him for it and served him well.

Jackson was the first president to come from the heartland. He was not a member of the landed gentry or the elite of the northeastern states. He was orphaned young and joined the military as a teenager. He became a lawyer and a judge, but it appears his true calling was military leadership. His gift for making the right decisions propelled him from an unknown militia leader to the hero general who saved New Orleans in the War of 1812.

Famous for his hot temper and his many duels, Jackson became involved in politics as a result of his reputation as a military man. He was responsible in part for the founding of the Democratic party, although the original and the current versions bear little resemblance to each other.

The book is an easy read. You get the information without the scholarly language that you find in some historical books. Most of the content deals with his military exploits which are the basis for his fame. The author gives a good account of his dealings with Native Americans and the reasons for the decisions he made concerning them. The author brought out several instances where the slow speed of communications in those days complicated matters far more than we realize.

I recommend it for the simple fact that all Americans need to know more about Jackson and his iron will. Think of all the places in the US that are named for him: Jacksonville, FL; Jackson, MS; Jackson, GA; Jackson, TN. He was a truly great leader, and we need people like him these days, hard as hickory and consistent in sticking to principles.

The hard copy is on Amazon here. Kindle edition is found here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Coming Revolution by Dr. Richard Lee

Subtitle is Signs from America's Past that Signal Our Nations' Future.

Dr. Richard G. Lee, pastor of Atlanta's First Redeemer Church, has established himself as an advocate for conservative Christian values. A recurring theme in his books is "there's still hope." No matter how bad things seem, they are never so bad that God cannot show us the way back.

The Coming Revolution basically reminds us of how America came in to existence. The earliest settlers brought their Christian values with them, and those values shaped the thinking of the founders and the documents that created our form of government. It took faith and courage for our forebears to break away from British rule and establish a free country. Our freedoms are now threatened by a government gone wild. Dr. Lee reminds us that we still have people of faith and courage like our founders. And, it's possible for us to "revolt" by speaking up, participating in the process, and voting our conscience.

The author spent too much time reviewing the early history, but, in my opinion, not enough on the latter part where he tells the reader how to get involved in politics. Perhaps he was more aware than I am of how much the general public knows about American history. Some people might not like the fact that he supports the Tea Party movement. However, I think he lays out the conservative viewpoint very well without some of the hateful rhetoric that some commentators use.

All in all, I think every adult should read it to review American history and be aware of what's at stake in the coming elections. Sample and/or buy it on Amazon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Founders' Key by Larry P. Arnn

Subtitle is The Divine and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What We Risk by Losing It, published by Thomas Nelson.

In this election year, you may have heard a lot of talk about the Constitution of the United States, how our government officials have ignored it and how we need to "get back to the Constitution." According to the author, it all started with Franklin Delano Roosevelt who insisted that the Constitution was out-dated and that it should be "a living document," changing with the times. This is the view of the Progressive movement today. Roosevelt felt that the Declaration of Independence is a document that is "set in stone" and as valid today as the day it was written. Conservatives, on the other hand, believe that the Declaration and the Constitution function as a unit and that both are as valid today as when the Founders signed them.

The author, Dr. Larry Arnn, is president of Hillsdale College and has written on public policy, history, and politics for numerous media outlets. He points out the dangers of ignoring the Constitution. For example, we are supposed to have three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive. However, because those in power in these branches have ceded their power to government agencies that they themselves have set up, we now have a fourth branch, the bureaucracy. These agencies are not accountable to the people at all. The people that run them are not elected but appointed by political cronies. This is not what the founders intended when they established a government by consent of the governed.

My first thought when seeing the title of this book was, "Key to what?" The answer is "hope for a free people." Arnn effectively shows how the hope we are looking for is found in re-connecting the principles contained in our founding documents. He also includes the Declaration, the Constitution with all Amendments, and several of the Federalist Papers in the appendix.

I recommend this book, although I found it hard to follow at times. It made me want to refresh my memory on the content of the Declaration and Constitution. I think that's something we all need to do periodically. We, the people, are supposed to know how our government is supposed to function. It is also our responsibility to change the personnel in the government when they stray from the founding principles.

Check it out on Amazon using the "Look Inside" feature.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I Am a FOLLOWER by Leonard Sweet

"It's never been about leading" appears in very small print on the cover of this book. And that's the initial message. How did we Christians ever get so obsessed with leadership when Jesus explicitly asked us to be followers? In I Am a FOLLOWER: The Way, Truth, and Life of Following Jesus, Len Sweet asks that question and provides a framework for a return to "followership."

We should strive to be followers, guides, or coaches, people who follow Jesus and help others be followers, too. A leader usually is more accomplished and/or knowledgeable than the followers. To be a follower of Jesus (or "first follower"), all you have to do is follow, model yourself after Jesus. Then, as you follow, invite others to go with you. No special credentials required.

I chose this book because I heard the author speak at a writers' conference a couple of years ago. I was impressed with his knowledge of theology and the Bible. I think I bit off more than I could chew. It took me a long time to read it. I felt that he was saying the same thing over and over, just with different words and illustrations. He goes into great detail, even providing what he calls interactives at the end of each major section to help drive home his point. The interactives might include scripture to read, quotes from poetry, discussion questions, hymns to learn, URLs for videos online, and quotes from other authors.

I AM a Follower is not light reading, but it does have an essential message for today's church. I think it appeals more to theologians and pastors than "regular" people. However, I think it would be a great resource for a small group study.

Check it out on Amazon here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Year with Jesus by R. P. Nettelhorst

Subtitle: Daily Readings and Reflections on Jesus' Own Words, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Last year, this author gave us A Year with God, 365 daily readings using scriptures in which God speaks. See my review here. This book follows a similar format. Each page is about half scripture and half commentary. Pages are numbered, not dated, so that you can start at any point or skip around. The book is organized in twelve topical sections. You can see the topic list here.

I found it odd that there is no biographical information on the writer inside the book or on the cover. A quick search yielded this short bio on his blog. Nettelhorst is a professor of Bible and Biblical languages at California seminary. That gives him a unique perspective from which to write his commentary.

A quote from theologian William Barclay in the front matter tells us why we should read this book. "Jesus is not a figure in a book; He is a living presence." I think it would be a great gift for anyone, but especially for someone new to the Christian faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Where Has Oprah Taken Us? by Stephen Mansfield

"The Religious Influence of the World's Most Famous Woman" is the subtitle and the subject of this book. Funny, I never thought about Oprah's influence on religion. But, author Stephen Mansfield does a thorough job of examining and exposing Oprah's departure from the Christianity of her childhood. Yes, she talks like a Christian, but the doctrines and "spiritualities" she embraces are not Christian.

Mansfield, a New York Times best-selling author, first gives us Oprah's life history. She's the product of a dysfunctional family, yet she came to believe that she was destined to be famous and that she had a special purpose in the world. Yet, as it turns out, everything she does and aspires to was (and is) ultimately about her and her vision for herself. She became infatuated with New Age thinkers and adopted practices and doctrines of other world religions, primarily Hinduism. The author states that, for Oprah, the self replaces God and experience replaces truth.

Not a fan of Oprah myself, I will say that I found the book interesting. Mansfield gives you the facts, and, at the end of each chapter, he states his opinion about those facts. This portion is set in italics so that you will not be confused about what is fact and what is opinion. I liked this feature. So many authors and news reporters don't distinguish between the two. I found it refreshing.

Oprah has used her fame and fortune to help others. But, she's also done her fans a disservice by trying to influence their religion. I recommend the book to Oprah fans and foes alike.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Has God Spoken? by Hank Hanegraaff

Is the Bible really the word of God? Or is it just a book of interesting stories and poetry?  Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man of radio, is the author of this very thorough book purporting to prove that the Bible is divinely inspired and historically correct. The full title is Has God Spoken? Proof of the Bible's Divine Inspiration.

Hanegraaff sets out to prove that the Bible is God's message to everyone and that it is a true account of God's interaction with his people. He also intends to discount the Bible's critics, some of whom are noted professors.

He uses a number of anagrams to help readers remember his main points. The basic outline of the book is as follows:

• M represents the strength of the manuscript itself as many actual fragments have been located (accuracy of the text).
• A stands for the archaeological proofs that have been uncovered (historical accuracy).
• P is for the prophecy that has accurately predicted events.
• S represents the scriptural synergy found in the unity, consistency, and harmony of the sixty-six books.

In thorough and well-documented fashion, Hanegraaff organizes each main point with a new anagram as outline for the supporting chapters. The anagrams would be more useful if you took the time to memorize all of them before you start. I have to admit that I had trouble reading very much at a time. I think the book must be thoroughly studied rather than read straight through as I was trying to do.

Hanegraaff's critics point out that he has no seminary training, yet he certainly knows his Bible. His writing style is engaging, and he provides plentiful documentation in the end notes. I would recommend the book to anyone wanting to learn more about the Bible and its origins.

Check it out on Amazon.com where you can see the table of contents.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stained Glass Hearts by Patsy Clairmont

Subtitle: Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Author Patsy Clairmont is a Women of Faith speaker known for her knowledge of the Bible and her use of humor in her writing and speaking. I had never heard of Women of Faith or Clairmont before I read this book. I chose Stained Glass Hearts from the available books based on its title and cover. Plenty of book shoppers do the same thing, so I'm not alone.

The stained glass theme is interesting in that it is an example of how broken pieces can be assembled to create beauty. Clairmont wants us to understand that, no matter how "broken" our lives are, God can help us make something beautiful from the pieces. She uses stories from her own life along with Bible verses and quotes to illustrate her point. Each chapter ends with an Art Gallery. Here she connects various art forms to the content of the chapter. Sometimes she lists art works, poems, or Bible verses. Other times, she suggests music or provides web URLs that you can access to enhance your understanding of her point.

I enjoyed parts of the book, but some chapters felt like they would be more effective if they were spoken. I suspect that Clairmont has used some of this material in her speaking ministry. Some parts were very well-written, but others felt a bit disjointed. It can be a quick read if you don't tarry over the end-of-chapter material. It could be used as a study book, too.

Thomas Nelson, publisher of this book, is also the current owner of Women of Faith. It is common practice for speakers to sell their books at their speaking engagements. People who have heard Clairmont speak would probably appreciate this book more than someone, like myself, who had never heard of her. At $16.99 SRP, I don't think I would have bought this book off the shelf.

To summarize, I have mixed feelings about the book. I suggest that you go to Stained Glass Hearts on Amazon.com where you can use the Look Inside feature to check it out for yourself.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Be the People by Carol M. Swain, Ph.D.

Full title: Be the People: A Call to Reclaim America's Faith and Promise.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Every generation needs a new revolution.” The current generation is faced with a country that is drifting further and further away from the Christian principles on which it was founded. Be the People shows us the way back.

 Be the People sounds the alarm about America's decline. Author Carol M. Swain is a professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University. You might have seen her representing the conservative point of view on cable news interviews or panels. She's a Christian and a patriot who is concerned about the direction our country is taking--away from the Christian values that shaped our government and our culture.

Swain covers current topics like the breakdown of the family, immigration, the rule of law, racism, and racial politics. She maintains that we are losing our very identity as a nation by abandoning truth and justice as the founding fathers envisioned it. She gives historical background to show how we've arrived where we are today. She explains why our current situation is not consistent with Christian principles and with the founders' intentions.

But, she doesn't leave us in despair. She gives us hope by informing us that it is not too late. We can save our country and our culture if we go back to our founding documents and re-discover our true identity as a nation. At the end of each chapter, she suggests Action Points, things we can do to help. Also, on her website, she provides discussion questions for each chapter. The book's appendix includes The Ten Commandments, The Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. Swain recommends that we get familiar with them again so that we can put them into practice.

Have you ever read a book that was so thought-provoking and so true to your own thinking that you find yourself wishing you had written it? That's the way I felt as I read this book. I think every American citizen should read Be the People and take it to heart. Whether you call yourself liberal or conservative, you need to be aware of the information in this book.

Buy it on Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Book that Made Your World by Vishal Mangalwadi

Subtitle: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization.

The Holy Bible has influenced Western culture in ways that never occurred to me before I read this book. The author is from India, and that gives him a unique perspective from which to show us how the introduction of the Bible and Christianity changes a culture. He maintains that the West leads the world primarily because operates using Christian values set forth in the Bible.

The author shows how everything that's great about Western culture is based on Biblical principles. Without the influence of the Bible, democracy itself might not have developed. Everything from education to our medical system to the status of women is the result of Christian teachings, disseminated by the Bible. He also shares his distress over how the decline of Christian values in America and Europe threatens the exceptionalism that the Biblical foundation fostered.

The work is scholarly, but the personal stories the author shares keep it interesting for the average person. He includes an extensive index along with copious notes. He often compares Christian values to those of other religions, but I think he does it in a fair way. While some will think he is criticizing these religions, I think he's merely telling it like it is.

I must admit that I found it hard to read for very long at a time. I had a choice of a print version of the book or e-book version. I chose the e-book, and that was a mistake. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had the print version. With nonfiction, I like to go back occasionally to review previous material. This is harder to do in the electronic format. Suffice it to say that I recommend you get the print book. It's worth the extra cost.

Check it out on Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Johann Sebastian Bach by Rick Marschall

This biography of J. S. Bach is part of Thomas Nelson's Christian Encounters series. Author Rick Marschall has attempted to present the depth of Bach's Christian faith while also educating the reader about Bach's formidable place in music history. He points out that, while others have concentrated on Bach's music, his main objective is to let the world know that Bach was a devout Christian and Bible scholar. Bach's music was his life's work, but it was also an expression of his faith.

The author does a good job of describing Bach's professional and family life as well as cultural developments of Bach's time. Realizing that the average reader may not be familiar with Bach's music, the author spends some time describing his major works. I think he does not give enough emphasis to Bach's organ works, but that is probably because people just don't appreciate organ music nowadays.

I did not expect to learn much that I didn't already know. I majored in organ in college, and I wrote a couple of papers on Bach during those years. But, there were details about Bach's personal life that I had not read about before. Mainly, the author portrayed Bach as an outgoing, gregarious person. Other biographers made him seem as stuffy as his powdered wig. I knew that Bach always signed his compositions with SDG (Soli Deo Gloria, to God alone the glory). However I do not recall having heard that he wrote Jesu Juva (Jesus help me) at the beginnings.

My favorite Bach quote is found on page 78: "The aim and final reason of all music should be none else but the glory of God and refreshing the soul. Where this is not observed there will be no music, but only a devilish hubbub." I wonder what Bach would think of the stuff they call music today.

It was a fascinating read for me, but I wonder how it will be received by people not familiar with Bach. Don't be put off by your preconceived notions about Bach and his music. Read it to learn about his Christian faith and his devotion to his work. I commend Thomas Nelson for including Bach in this series.

Buy in on Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Fight of Our Lives by William Bennett with Seth Leibsohn

Subtitle: Knowing the Enemy, Speaking the Truth, and Choosing to Win the War Against Radical Islam, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

William Bennett is a conservative political pundit and author of a number of patriotic-themed books such as America: The Last Best Hope. The publisher describes the book's theme this way: "Want to know the dirty little secret in the war on terror? Some of us have already surrendered."

Do you remember where you were on 9-11-2001? Do you recall how you felt in the days following that tragedy? Members of Congress stood on the steps of the Capitol and sang "God Bless America." President Bush stood on the rubble of the World Trade Center and told the people, "I can hear you." And, America launched its War on Terror to bring the perpetrators to justice. We were together then, resolved to do justice and win the war.

Almost ten years later, some of us don't even realize that the war has not ended. We seem to have lost our will to obtain justice for the 9/11 victims and to protect ourselves from the terror threat.  Bin Laden is still at large. The perpetrators in custody have not been prosecuted. We seem more interested in not offending Muslims than in protecting ourselves.

Bennett begins with the Fort Hood incident and describes the peculiar treatment the Army gave the investigation. From there, he cites one incident after another where we seem to have lost our will to "call a spade a spade." Bennett's narrative is backed up with facts supported by extensive notes and a detailed index. I recommend this book to every American who is concerned about the future of our country. Whether you consider yourself conservative or liberal, you owe it to yourself, your children, and your grandchildren to read this book and take its message to heart. We are indeed in the fight of our lives.

Buy it on Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Band That Played On by Steve Turner

Subtitle: The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the TITANIC. Published by Thomas Nelson.

April 15, 1912---that's the date that the Titanic sank on her maiden voyage from England to New York. It was the newest, the biggest, the fanciest, and supposedly the safest passenger ship in the world. But, that wasn't enough. Because the ship didn't have enough lifeboats, a great many people died that night. Most of the staff went down with the ship.

The musicians, who had not played together before this trip, were asked to play during the evacuation of the ship. The thinking was that it would calm people down. When it was no longer possible to play inside, the band went to the deck and continued to play until the very last.

Never before has so much detail been provided about the members of the band, eight men who spent the last minutes of their lives inspiring others. Author Steve Turner is a journalist who has done a number of biographies. He takes that approach with this book, telling the story of the sinking but also devoting a chapter to each of the men in the band. He provides pictures and details about their lives that may be more than you want to know. He spends quite a bit of time on the conflicting reports about what the band was playing as the ship sank.

I found the topic fascinating, but it was a slow read. The information was presented in history-book style, and the reading felt more like homework than entertainment. This would be a good addition to public library shelves, as it includes details about the Titanic story that have not been told before. I think it would have created more interest in the band's story if this had been presented as historical fiction.


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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sabbath by Dan B. Allender

This is the third book in a eight-part series on ancient practices edited by Phyllis Tickle. Sabbath includes extensive notes, a bibliography, and a study guide so that it can be used in group study.

Allender points out that contemporary folk just do not understand the concept of Sabbath. First, he points out that keeping the Sabbath is a commandment of God, "Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy." If we seek to please God, then we must observe Sabbath.

The author reminds us that God wants us to celebrate Sabbath, not just spend the day at church and catching up on work. It is intended as a gift to us. Not only is it a day of rest, but it is also a day to do things we truly take delight in.

I have mixed feelings about the book. It was a slow read for me, perhaps because the book is intended for study rather than casual reading. The author's style is a bit "flowery" for me. The information he provides is useful, and many of the points he makes are valid. However, toward the end of the book, I grew tired of all the descriptions of how he has experimented with celebrating Sabbath. Some of it seemed a bit self-indulgent to me.

Pastors and Bible teachers, consider Sabbath as a group study resource for your church. But, first, make sure you study it yourself to be sure your theology coincides with Allender's.

Buy it on Amazon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  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  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”