Showing posts with label Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Show all posts

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Books of 2010

I stole this from another blogger.

1. Best book of 2010?
Christian Fiction: "Joshua," by Joseph Girzone. Its not a new one, but its a great one.

Secular Fiction: "My Brilliant Career," by Miles Franklin. Like, WOW!

2. Worst book of 2010?
"The Courteous Cad." It was a big let down.

3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010?
"Wild Flowers for Terezin."

4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010?
"To Kill a Mockingbird," by the prolific Harper Lee. I had tried to read it years ago and couldn't get into it. I could rave on and on about this one.

5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010?
"The Shack," by William P. Young. I actually read it in 2009, but I just can't get over it. It was so dynamic and it really revolutionized by outlook on God.

6. Best series you discovered in 2010?
I can't really think of any off the top of my head.

7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010?
Miles Franklin, Jean Webster, Harper Lee, Fanny Burney, Hannah Senesh... the list goes on.

8. Most hilarious read of 2010?
I rarely come across comedic books anymore. The last one that I read that was funny was Elizabeth Gaskell's "Wives and Daughters."

9. Most thrilling, irrestable book in 2010?
"Bonhoeffer," by Eric Metaxas.

10. Book you most anticipated in 2010?
"Wildflowers at Terezin."

11. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010?
"To Kill a Mockingbird."

12. Most memorable character in 2010?
Scout Finch.

13. Most beautifully written book in 2010?
"To Kill a Mockingbird."

14. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010?
"Joshua," by Joseph Girzone. It was a simple book that relayed an amazing story.

15. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read?
Both "Joshua" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." I had picked up both of them before but was highly offended by the curse word I stumbled on in "Joshua" (what a little prig I was). And "To Kill a Mockingbird" just didn't hook me the first time.

Monday, July 26, 2010

“Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy,” by Eric Metaxas

Who better to face the greatest evil of the 20th Century than a humble man of faith?









About the Author:
Eric Metaxas grew up in Danbury, Connecticut, and graduated Yale University in 1984. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery.” His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Atlantic Monthly, and he has appeared as a cultural commentator on CNN and Fox News. He is the founder and host of Socrates in the City, the acclaimed Manhattan speaker’s series on “life, God, and other small topics.” Eric lives in New York City with his wife and daughter. His website is ericmetaxas.com.







Book Description:
From the New York Times best-selling author of Amazing Grace, a groundbreaking biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the greatest heroes of the twentieth century, the man who stood up to Hitler. A definitive, deeply moving narrative, Bonhoeffer is a story of moral courage in the face of the monstrous evil that was Nazism. After discovering the fire of true faith in a Harlem church, Bonhoeffer returned to Germany and became one of the first to speak out against Hitler. As a double agent, he joined the plot to assassinate the Führer, and was hanged in Flossenberg concentration camp at age 39. Since his death, Bonhoeffer has grown to be one of the most fascinating, complex figures of the 20th century. Bonhoeffer presents a profoundly orthodox Christian theologian whose faith led him to boldly confront the greatest evil of the 20th century, and uncovers never-before-revealed facts, including the story of his passionate romance.


My Thoughts:
Never has there been a man like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and never will there be again, and “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy,” opens a window into the life of this great man. It isn’t a difficult read, but for me, even as a fast reader, it took me four or five days to complete. There is so much information on the man himself, the era and culture, and personal letters- all necessary to flesh out the character of Bonhoeffer. I’ve read my share of books on Bonhoeffer and while they were good, Metaxas’ is fantastic and a must-read for any Bonhoeffer enthusiast, Nazi Germany historian, Christian, and anyone else who requires reassurance that not every German in World War II was evil incarnate.