Book Reviews:
Patton, The Pursuit of Destiny
by Agostino Von Hassell and Ed Breslin
Stephen Mansfield, Series Edition published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
According to the authors of this book, the Oscar-winning movie, Patton that portrayed General George S. Patton, Jr.exaggerated his character flaws and sensationalized his eccentricities. They attribute this to the fact that the Patton’s rival, General Omar N. Bradley, served as the film’s chief consultant.
Like the movie, this book doesn’t pull any punches when describing Patton’s stormy personality, egregious acts of impropriety, and use of extreme profanity, but defends Patton on the ground of his self discipline, dedication to duty, brilliant field maneuvers, and love for his troops–even though he was castigated for slapping battle-weary soldiers on two separate occasions.
Patton faced two demons in his life–his extreme fear of cowardice, which led him to appear arrogant and foolhardy, and his inability to stifle his hatred for Communism. Coming from a long line of military heroes, he feared he might not be able to live up to the illustrious history of his forebears.
The book describes Patton’s early life growing up on his family’s estate near Los Angeles, California, his love for horses and guns, his education at VMI and West Point, his marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Beatrice, his participation in the Olympics, and his many military exploits and honors.
The authors regard Patton as the best combat general the Allies had because of his mastery of rapid armored warefare, calling him the father of American tank warefare and the best field general the U. S. Army had in World War II.
Those who enjoy military history will find much to interest them in this book which was provided to me without charge as part of the Booksneeze program of Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Reviewed by Carole Ledbetter, author of “Who Am I Now? Growing Through Life’s Changing Seasons.”
Other Book Reviews:
DIVINE DESIGN,
40 DAYS OF SPIRITUAL MAKEOVER
BY SHARLA FRITZ
Published by Concordia, July 1, 2010
Sharla Fritz has penned a fascinating eight-week Bible study on spiritual renewal. Confessing her weakness for makeover shows such as “What Not to Wear,” Sharla includes the following topics: Wardrobe Woes, Controlling Behavior, Worry, Pride, Envy, Selfishness, Bitterness, and A Look In the Mirror in her list of chapters. Her parting words in the final pages of the book tell how any woman can possess the best in spiritual garments. The book includes scripture, along with application questions and illustrations. The “wardrobe” theme is cleverly used throughout. A great Bible study for individuals or small groups. This book is a winner!
Carole Ledbetter
July 3, 2010
Published by Thomas Nelson, December, 2009
Thin Places, A Memoir
By Mary DeMuth
Zondervan, 2010
What is a “thin place?”
“The Celts define a ‘thin place’ as a place where heaven and the physical world collide, one of those serendipitous territories where eternity and the mundane meet,” says Mary DeMuth in the introduction to her recent book, Thin Places, a Memoir.
In this book, Mary E. DeMuth, painfully and beautifully, relates many of the “thin places” in her childhood, places that provided spaces for God to work healing and restoration of her damaged sense of security. With openness and vulnerability, she tells her story of neglect and sexual abuse throughout her childhood years.
She writes in lyrical and beautiful prose, even when the subject matter is heartbreaking.
Mary’s struggle to let go of her childhood hurts is not over, and she continues to express her pain through her writing. She describes the “marks” she bears and her inability to erase them. Those who have traveled similar paths will find understanding and hope, but no pat answers.
Mary tells of the joy she has found in a loving marriage and her delight in her children, even while describing herself as a “frail, needy mommy who doesn’t parent perfectly.”
This is the third of Mary’s books that I have reviewed. I see her growing as a gifted writer. In reading this memoir, I better understand the allusions to abuse in her earlier works of fiction.
Like many writers, Mary writes out of her pain, and victims of abuse will identify with her. Readers will gain insight into the experience of those who have suffered in this way and found God the only perfect Father.
Reviewed by Carole Ledbetter
February, 2010
The Gospel According to LOST by Chris Seay
Book Review by Carole Ledbetter
Suppose your plane crashed and you were stranded for months on a desert island, forced to survive along with a group of fellow passengers. How would it change you?
Fans of the TV series LOST will find similar questions to ponder in Chris Seay’s recent book, The Gospel According to Lost.
As a reviewer for Thomas Nelson, I chose to review this book.
Since I had never viewed Lost, you might wonder why I chose this particular book? It’s because I’m interested in how the Christian message can be contextualized in programs such as LOST, which drew over 23 million viewers.
I rented forty-five episodes from my nearby video store—way too many. They didn’t have Season One, but they did have Seasons Two, Three, and Four. I sampled a few episodes from each season, and then I read the book. I have to say it was a fun read!
Those who have enjoyed the mystery-filled television series will appreciate the book, because the author analyzes the various characters and attempts to show how they begin to change as a result of their island adventure.
The main character, John Locke, described in the book as a “man of faith,” carries the name of a famous English philosopher who believed the search for truth to be the highest good for which a human being could strive.
The John Locke in the TV program vies with Jack Shephard, the resident “man of science” for leadership of the group of “Losties,” who share the island with the “Others,” who were already on the island when the fated plane crash occurred.
Various characters from the TV series are examined in the book. Hurley, described as the “Patron Saint of Blessed Losers,” is said to be the “most morally grounded on the show.” The beautiful Kate Austen is described as a true leader whom people choose to follow. James (Sawyer) Ford, the lovable “con man, “ Eko, the warlord priest, Jin Soo Kwan and his wife, Sun; Benjamin, the mysterious Jacob and the others round out the cast.
“The island has a way of recognizing each castaway’s Achilles’ heel and bringing about a healing journey as each confronts his or her weaknesses,” says Seay.
Those who found the many flashbacks in the televised episodes confusing will find the explanations in the book helpful.
In the powerful and enigmatic Jacob, the author sees parallels to the biblical character, Jacob, which provide clues that guide the story.
I’d have to admit that without reading the book, I wouldn’t have caught the various biblical and philosophical insights the author sees. But then I only viewed a limited number of the episodes—perhaps a dozen out of over a hundred. Fans of the television series will more likely concur with the writer’s thoughts.
I found The Gospel According to Lost a thought-provoking book that I’d recommend to fans of LOST, or to anyone who might want to tune in on February 2 for the 6th and final season—which promises to provide answers to the mysteries of the island and its inhabitants. I’ve marked my calendar!
Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain
By Paul Meier and David L. Henderson
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishing
What Doesn’t Kill You Might Make You Strong
Books on pain and struggle appeal to many people because we all go through difficulties in our lives. This one is especially timely, given the current economic slowdown, middle-east wars, unemployment, and other problems confronting society. While the book doesn’t address these problems directly, it can help people who are coping with distress by turning their attention to the thought that God can replace our losses with greater gains.
Meier and Henderson share seven universal struggles: Injustice, Rejection, Loneliness, Loss, Discipline, Failure, and Death. I love the quote that opens the book at the Introduction: “I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born,” says the Lord, Isaiah 66:9 NCV.
The book is biblically based and well researched. Believers who have read other books of this type may not find a lot of new ground, but it is good to be reminded of truths we may have learned and forgotten.
I found much to underline in my copy of the book.
The section on loss was particularly helpful. In the chapter titled, “What Have You Got to Lose?” the authors touch on losses the average person doesn’t automatically think about, such as significance, time, love, luxuries and control. This chapter is followed by “What Have You Got to Gain?” which covers possible gains that come from enduring the pain of loss and intimates that those gains are worth the sacrifices.
Helpful application sections throughout the book provide food for thought or discussion.
The chapter titled, “Know Yourself,” lists pride as one reason for refusal to change, as well as fear of losing control. In the chapter on Death, emphasis is placed on the power of resurrection hope. “The blessings of eternal life start as soon as “the Life” (Jesus) takes control of our own lives,” state the authors.
Many good quotes in this book:
“The power to cope with the pain is in focusing on its purpose,” is found in the chapter on the Power of the Purpose.
The authors define true success as contentment in life, stressing that contentment does not necessitate complacency. While we strive for excellence, we live our lives with the mentality that “if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that, but if He does not, we will not be devastated.” James 4:15 Those who find that kind of success are the envy of the world, according to Meier and Henderson.
This is an interesting book that blends psychiatry and spiritually in a biblical way. Not too difficult for the average reader to understand.
See other reviews by Carole Ledbetter at
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caroleledbetter’s blogCarole Ledbetter
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About "Who Am I Now? Growing Through Life's Changing Seasons"
tricia Says:
excellent book review “Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain” I like you you always list the pros and cons within your reviews that grant a pure effect. Love, Trish.