PositiveLibrary JournalIn crisp prose...Park argues convincingly that, far from being radical outsiders, Smith and his congregation were representative of American society of the time ... A perceptive study of a religion that has become a dominant force in American society. This work will appeal to anyone interested in the often-contentious history of religion in America.
Karen Armstrong
PositiveLibrary JournalThe author’s vast knowledge of world scriptures comes through on every page, as does her belief that all scripture reading must lead to compassion ... A scholarly yet accessible study of world scriptures, and an elegant argument for embracing them as they have traditionally been read. This will appeal to those who view scripture as a life-giving resource that enhances instead of restricts readers’ understanding to literal interpretation.
Melvin Konner
PositiveLibrary JournalExamining the scientific and cultural origins of religion, including the makeup of the human brain, Konner looks at religion sympathetically and thinks the world would be poorer if religion were to disappear, as those he calls the \'Quartet\' (Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and the late Christopher Hitchens) have hoped for ... While at times tough going, Konner’s argument in favor of religion is well stated, with numerous examples from many different fields to back up his argument.
John Barton
PositiveLibrary JournalAnglican priest and biblical scholar Barton...offers a lucid account of the history of the Bible ... A scholarly yet accessible history of the Bible as a work of literature and a sacred text that, while shared by Jews, Catholics, and Protestants, means something different for each.
Helen Prejean
PositiveLibrary JournalUnlike other recent memoirs by former nuns who look back, if not in anger, but at least in disgust, Prejean’s work shows how she’s remained a faithful, although at times combative, religious sister, reflecting pensively on her past and how it has shaped her current outlook. This account reads almost like a letter from a friend; the author is candid about intimate details of her life, ruminating on the trials and tribulations she experienced in adapting to the changes wrought by the Second Vatican Council, and not shying away from speaking about the sexual revolution and its effect on many religions ... A moving portrait of one Sister’s journey through change, and a meditation on how individuals and institutions grow and adapt. This will appeal to anyone who enjoys a forthright autobiography.
Margaret Leslie Davis
RaveLibrary JournalThis fascinating account ... deftly describes the lives and motives of the five identified modern owners [of the titular Gutenberg] ... Davis offers a gripping, well-researched account of the importance of books as cultural artifacts and of one particular work that transformed the world, as well as the lives of those who owned a copy, that will appeal especially to bibliophiles.
Catherine O'Donnell
PositiveLibrary JournalAvoiding hagiography, O\'Donnell...considers Seton\'s struggles as she tried to be simultaneously Mother to the women in the new religious community she\'d founded and mother to her own children. Making extensive use of archives, O\'Donnell recounts the story of a woman who struggled to embrace her new-found faith and with members of the clergy (both Episcopalian and Catholic) who challenged her decisions. The author situates Seton in the America of the times ... She further considers the role of slavery in the growth of early American Catholic institutions ... This well-documented study complements but does not replace Annabelle Melville\'s Elizabeth Bayley Seton.
