Book review--7 Men, by Eric Metaxas

Eric Metaxas' new book, Seven Men, and the Secret of their Greatness, is designed for the audience of his two best-known books, biographies of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce. "Seven Men" contains 7 mini-biographies of those two, plus George Washington, Chuck Colson, Jackie Robinson, Eric Liddell, and Pope John Paul II.  The length of each subject's story (20-36 pages) will make this book appeal  to many of those readers who want to know about someone's life without going into the kind of details found in full-length biographies which typically only are appreciated by enthusiastic fans and historians.

Although this book is intended for adults, the brevity of each bio makes it perfect for teens and preteens. I certainly think my 11-yr-old son will enjoy it.  The inclusion of two athletes as subjects will help ensure his interest.

When I first heard about "Seven Men" a few weeks ago, I was looking forward to it because I love a good telling of the story of a life well-led. But an unexpected bright spot is the author's introduction. Metaxas opens the book with a 14-page explanation of what true manhood is, and like the main body of the book, it's written in such a way that my kid can clearly grasp the message, one that needs to be heard by his generation.

As for the 7 stories themselves, they are well-told. This book reads well, and I recommend it for the 7 stories of the seven heroic figures, and also for the introduction.

(I received this book for free as part of the Booksneeze book review program. I offer an honest review and in return get to keep my copy of the book.)

I Am Legend: Someone Please Help Me Understand

I recently watched "I Am Legend" for the first time in a couple of years, and the 2nd time ever. I'm not a big zombie-movie guy, but this one is different. My first time watching this film left me satisfied with the notion that I had seen a well-thought-out, intelligent movie, not afraid to pull punches nor to explore important topics that go way beyond typical zombie/apocalyptic movie fare.

The second go-round, though, was disappointing. I noticed plot holes so blaring, so huge, they could not be ignored. I was left with an uneasy feeling that I had been duped the first time around, tricked into thinking I was watching something thought-provoking and cleverly put-together.

I'm holding out hope that the incongruencies I observed were based on some misunderstanding on my part. That's why I am inviting you, the reader, to help explain to me those items which are troubling me, and to assure me that the "I Am Legend" plot is not as full of holes as it appears. I really don't mind being corrected on this one.

1. In the scene where Robert (Will Smith) wakes up from hanging by one leg because he stepped into that trap, the zombies, accompanied by zombie dogs, are viewing the goings-on from the shadows, because there's still a sliver of sunlight left. Then the sunlight goes away, and the dogs come out, in full attack mode. But the non-dog zombies, who were right there with the dogs, did not come out and attack Robert. Why? Didn't the absence of sunlight open up a window of opportunity for them just like it did their pets?

2. In flashbacks, we are told that the government tried to contain the virus to Manhattan by keeping residents on the island, and blowing up all the bridges. But late in the story, Anna comes driving up to rescue Robert, and later she drives away from the island to Vermont, in the same car. How did she get to the island and then leave the island without a bridge?

3. At the end, the safe place in Vermont is protected by walls which seem about 10-12 feet tall. Maybe 15. But the zombies demonstrated that they can climb up multi-story buildings with ease. How is that little wall going to keep them out?

4. Anna saves Robert by shining her headlights, not real sunlight, on the zombies. So they obviously cannot stand artificial light. But when they invade his apartment, and go down to his lab, they have no problem being in a well-lit room.

5. Before Robert blows himself up, he tells Anna to stay in the little cubby-hole till dawn. What good will that do if they are inside?

6. The zombies are able to figure out where he lives when they follow Anna home, but why didn't they follow him home the previous day, when they had Robert hanging and attacked his dog? That occurred right at sundown.

I guess these will do for now. Somebody tell me the error of my ways, and restore my faith in "I Am Legend."

Book Review: What's Your Mark? by Jeremy Cowart

Although it is very common these days for Christian bookstores to carry titles which are essentially compilations of stories of ordinary individuals who used their God-given talents and gifts to touch the world, Jeremy Cowart found a way to produce such a book in a unique way.

Cowart, a photographer, combined his photos with the words of Annie Downs to tell the stories of 21 individuals and how they are affecting the world around them. Each chapter goes beyond a simple telling of the story by basing each one on a principle (examples: Look Past Yourself, Take a Risk, Connect). This tactic helps keep the reader focused on something bigger than the individual story.

Many of the subjects are unknown, but readers may be aware of Mark Burnett (producer of "Survivor" & The History Channel's "The Bible") Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel"), Bob Goff (author of "Love Does"), and Dan Cathy (Chick-Fil-A).  The last Person on the list is Jesus Himself.

"What's Your Mark?"'s title tells you that the book's intention is to cause the reader to focus on what they can do, a mission carried out even more by the cover, which is simply a frame with a mirror in the middle, as if to ask you, as you look into the mirror: What's your mark?

Besides the excellent photos and encouraging stories, the book of Mark is printed in its entirety, in manageable chunks.

I really like "What's Your Mark?" and recommend it. (I received a free copy for review purposes from the publisher)

Grammatically Correct Song Titles

Here we are: the moment you've all been waiting for. The unveiling of my Top Ten list of song titles (or well-known lyrics), corrected to reflect proper grammar:

10. There isn't any sunshine when she's gone.

9. I'm traveling along a highway, simultaneously thinking about seven different women, four of whom are possessive, two who are insincere and one who is a friend.

8.  I can't get any satisfaction.

7. We don’t need any education.

6. Your mother doesn't dance, nor does your father rock and/or roll.

5. There isn't anything that is going to stop us now.

4. Lie Down Sally.

3. I Still Haven't Found That for Which I Am Looking

2. Whip It Well.



and the Number One grammatically correct song title of all time:

(drum roll)

1. You're nothing, if not a hound dog.

The Problem I'm Having Regarding the Gun Control Debate

I like Facebook. While its usefulness may be debatable, there's no doubt that it can be enjoyable for those of us who like to engage in dialog. Whether it's a silly joke or a more serious topic, if there's a discussion going on regarding something I'm even mildly interested in, I want to jump in.

The last few months, countless discussions have come up regarding gun control, and how much our laws should be changed. Thing is, I have many friends who take both sides of the issue. All of them truly believe that if people will see things their way, more lives will be saved, and if their views are ignored, then more lives will be lost. And that's fine.  Passion about something you care about is a good thing.

That said, I saw something on Facebook last week that, several days later, is still very troubling to me. Before I tell you what it is, I want to be clear that I agree with those who say that:
(1) our Constitution gives citizens the right to protect themselves with weapons;
(2) any changes/alterations to that right, if any, should be addressed through due process.

On the other hand, I am not comfortable with the idea of using guns myself. There's a long list of reasons for this, but I'd rather not go into all that now.

But I will share that someone made a Facebook comment last week that really bothered me. No, it's better to say it grieved me. Someone, a conservative pro-gun-rights person from my church, posted a link to a story or video clip or something that backed up the pro-2nd Amendment position. Which is fine.

But then someone else from the church (not a FB friend of mine, though) commented:

(My paraphrase, because I don't recall the exact words)
"Hey, I know we are to love our enemies, and I want them to know God, but if someone threatens my family, I'll be more than happy to arrange their meeting with God as soon as possible." Then they ended their statement with a smiley face.

I am disgusted and saddened that so many professing believers have this hatefulness in their heart. If one must kill to protect their family, fine. But rejoicing in the idea of doing so is abhorrent and, IMO, not in the spirit of Christ.

Book Review: Things Not To Say To Someone Who Has Cancer, by Jo Hilder

Jo Hilder, a cancer survivor who lives in Australia, has written  something we all should read. I say all of us because, statistically, just about everyone reading this will know someone who faces cancer. I know I have a tendency to say insensitive things from time to time in all situations, but cancer is a situation which especially requires sensitivity.  Judging by the fact that Jon Acuff's "Stuff Christians Like" blog post about the same topic received hundreds of comments last June, this is a subject which needs addressing.

Hilder's experience as a cancer patient gave her an insight that we all can learn from, of course. But I have to say that when I read the title, I was afraid the book would be taking on a lecturing tone and would shine a light on all the buffoonish things I have said over the years. I am glad to say I was wrong.  "Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has Cancer" never condescends, never lectures, and never makes the reader feel discouraged by anything he might have said in the past. In fact, it's quite encouraging in many ways.

The tone of the book is not so much instructional as it is helpful. The author shares her observations and experiences, and these stories really helped me see how my words can be taken in a way I never intended.
Yes, I did wince a time or two as I read Hilder's stories about things she has heard from well-meaning folks not unlike myself. But I never felt like a heel; I simply learned. And that's the point.

I really liked this book, and I recommend it to you in the hopes you never have to apply it in your own life. That said, there's a pretty strong chance you will.


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author, for the purpose of providing an honest review.