E-Books Books

This book was needed quick for a college class - thanks for making it easily accessible without having to leave the house to search for it.

This was a very interesting story, I enjoyed this book better than Their Eyes Were Watching God, and that says alot. The story of John Buddy is a turnpager and you will not be disappointed. The best I've read in a long time.

I loved this story. The story is so true to life for many women who are with men, who don't seem to be able to get it together, unless there is a woman making it happen.

The husband is a great orator, but isn't the kind of man he should be. His wife is his long suffering mate. I just love Zora's use of black dialet. It is so beautiful.

When I read the following excerpt, it felt like something hit me in the head. I was moved beyond words. It goes something like this: "Ah done been in sorrows kitchen, and ah done licked out all the pots; ah done died in grief and been buried in de bitter waters. Ah done rose from the dead lak Lazarus. Nothing can touch mah soul no mo!"

I highly recomment it.

I got an excellent book from this person. thank you so much. great doing business with you.

I always thought of Toni Morrison as the leader, the queen, and the matriarch of black women's fiction, but the more I read of Zora Neale Hurston, the more I feel that everyone else must have taken their cues from her!

Her writing is enchanting and thought provoking, her use of "black" language is absolutely delightful. The story and the characters are interesting in and of themselves. What makes this work really shine is the language, and the heritage and history that it preserves. She takes care to write the way that people speak, resulting a unorthodox spelling and usage that at first I had to say out loud in order to properly understand. (My grandmother didn't have to do that, though, and for that reason alone, she loved Zora Hurston.) Ms. Hurston also uses words, idioms and phrases that are unique to black america, and that my generation would likely have lost -- the news of the "Black Dispatch," "Old Hannah" rising, "hittin' a straight lick with a crooked stick." Some of the sayings I remember my Grandmother using, and some I remember using as a child. I found all of them interesting and beautiful, and I am grateful to Ms. Hurston for finding them valuable enough to put down.

James Parker's blood and tears narrative joins dozens of other Vietnam War books but deserves the top shelf for its breadth and sheer readability. Parker was one of the few who came early and stayed late, leading an Army platoon through firefights, death and occasional glory during the early U.S. buildup and watching, as a CIA case officer, the chaos and humiliation at the end, when the war had long since lost the support of most Americans.
Parker never wavers from believing that the cause - keeping a country free from a ferocious invader - was noble. He hangs the war's failure on a corrupt and inept South Vietnamese government and failed U.S. decision-making. If some readers find that thesis too uncomplicated, it hardly detracts from Parker's unflinching prose and relentless focus on the people that are the power of this book - youngsters he led who fought and died, fellow officers he loved as brothers, superiors good and not so good, tough and honorable South Vietnamese generals, officious Saigon bureaucrats and ordinary traumatized Vietnamese.
Parker captures the sense of fear and menace, the unreality and futility that are a soldier's daily grind, and in many instances what he calls the "randomness of war." A single misstep off a path and an officer friend is blown to bits by a mine. A fine tank commander laid into a body bag as his tour is soon to end. A fresh young private shot mistakenly by comrades. A stone-faced villager who trips a deadly explosion. Naked terror squirming through tunnels chasing wounded Vietcong. A trusted Vietnamese bodyguard left to fate unknown as the enemy tightens a noose around Saigon.
Parker's straightforward chronology makes compelling structure: unfocused young Southerner joins the Army, finds he has the stuff of an officer, earns medals and manhood in the jungle, survives his one-year tour, comes home to a strangely discordant nation, marries and goes back to college, joins the CIA, returns to Indochina for the end game of the "secret" war in Laos, then finally helps the frenzied exodus from crumbling, beaten South Vietnam - and from a spent and discredited policy.
The men stalking the jungle, firing the artillery, driving the tanks and piloting the jets and choppers will always be heroes to Parker, an unabashed fan of the concept of duty and country. When you meet the men in these pages - Peterson, Dunn, Woolley, Bratcher, Crash, McCoy, Castro, Ayers, Slippery Clunker Six, Duckett, Spencer and many more, it is hard not to buy into Parker's idea that there were indeed good and honorable aspects of this war.

Easy reading, fast-paced action, pithy, incisive commentary. Does not dwell on brutal details. James Parker presents the Vietnam war from the inside--not a pretty picture but a very good book from an author who is a gifted writer into the bargain.

From the humorous to the horrific...from tragedy to triumph...and a somber assessment of what really happened in Southeast Asia, this short and powerful book is essential reading for those considering work in the patriotic service.

If my son were to enter the service, I would require him to read Mr Parker's book. The details of how to survive Army life are staight forward and important. I found the book easy and enjoyable to read. Could not put it down. As with any super book, I often found myself looking at the number of pages left to read-the more the merrier. Mr. Parker has truely made something of himself and the people of the United States have reaped the benefits. Thank you Mr. Parker.

Last Man Out: A Personal Account of the Vietnam War by James E. Parker, Jr. is the best book I've read in a long time. If this author didn't have a tape recorder or a diary that he wrote in everyday then I have to say he has a most remarkable memory. James takes the reader back to his home in North Carolina and introduces his family and friends. He continues as he makes the decision to enlist in the Army at a time when others were already doing everything they could to avoid serving their country. The reader goes through Basic Training with James and his buddies at Fort Gordon, Georgia in February 1964. Two months later after being named "Outstanding Trainee" James reiterates some of his time while at his Advanced Infantry Training. You are there when he signs up for Officer Candidate School and while he waited to be selected. You go through that six-month course with him too beginning in November at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon graduation James goes to Jump School. From there the book gets even better. James first Permanent Party duty station was at Fort Riley, Kansas with the 1st Infantry Division. Then through his Tour of Duty in Vietnam. James told about an encounter with General William Westmoreland following a mission. The general flew in to review the troops, present medals and then was gone. It was a mere media event. When the general departed, another officer walked the line and took back the medals. After Nam James next assignment took him to Fort Ord in Monterey, California. He became the Officer-in-Charge of the 6th Army Area Drill Sergeant School. It was a great assignment. BUT James was thinking about leaving the Army but he "felt guilty about forsaking my duty, abandoning my obligation to country at a time of war." Unable to find a job that suited him he applied for and was accepted as a member of the Central Intelligence Agency. By September 1971 James was headed back to Southeast Asia "as a case officer in the Lao program, the CIA's largest covert operation." James was involved with several operations before heading stateside in 1973. He spoke openly about them. By January 1975 James was the only American left in Vi Thanh province. At that point he secured himself a "bodyguard." James wrote of the fall of Ban Me Thout, Hue, Da Nang, and Saigon. He took part in the evacuation of the Vietnamese who worked as agents for the CIA. He spoke of the problems encountered onboard the USS Vancouver and the transfer to the USNS Pioneer Contender. James Parker Jr. wrote an incredible account of his military and civilian service to our country and the people of South Vietnam. It is a book well worth reading. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet the author in person in 1998. AND I'm glad I took the time to read his book. You will be also.

Leader Effectiveness Training (L.E.T.)--The Foundation for Participative Management and Employee Involvement
Leadership is the "in" topic with top business schools like Harvard and Stanford. It is basically what students get judged upon. In the masses of books on this subject however, no other book goes to the deep roots of the relational approach generating unimposed leadership (the essence of leadership is that it speaks by itself, when it has to be imposed it is called authority).
This book offers a model for developping the skills generating instntly accepted leadership.
It is a must read not only for every student aiming at an MBA but also for every active business man (already gifted or not).
The beauty is that it is pleasant to read. It is not a boring student type of analysis. It is just lively, practical, based on solid common sense, but far reaching.
An added quality is that the style grasps the reader emotionally, and most people read it from cover to cover (a rare feat with business books).

This was the first training and book that I ever participated in on leadership. And, that was 21 years ago! It is still timely and effective. I was impressed in re-reading the book how much of the practices that I had incorporated and made my own. This training and book made a remarkable impact in my life.

If you want the basics on leadership in one bundle - then you want this book. Read it. Use it. Re-read it. Become a more effective and influential leader.

Good, but since I have already read the Parent Effectiveness Training it was a little redundant, and slow moving.

easy to read, we are using it for our class, communication and conflict resolution skills in our team.

I bought this book to use as a reference for a paper that I was writing on the subject of leadership for a communication class. The class had to do with small group communication. As I read Dr. Gordon's approach to leadership, I found that his participative management style was really what I was looking for and a great fit for how leadership can work effectively in a small group. Although the style of his book is definitely written as a "training" book for effective leadership, it has many thought provoking and practical insights that you can apply in many other areas of your life. We all find ourselves in groups throughout our lives in various and diverse situations and circumstances. This book offers some down to earth, common sense advice that you can take and apply when you find yourself as the "leader of the pack" so to speak.

I particularly enjoyed the section on " Doing it yourself - or with the groups help". I think that many people mistakenly believe that you have to use your power and manipulate people to be a good leader and to get a job done. Dr. Gordon shows the advantages of being a facilitator and drawing upon the strengths and resources of all members of the team.

The principles described in this book will not go out of style, because it deals with people communicating with people. Times may change, but leading people will still be the common factor that spans the ages. It can be a great tool for a new leader or for one who wants to brush up on their leadership skills. As a student, I know I'll be referring to it in future classes. This will definitely be one of those books that I'll keep on my bookshelf for future reference.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sir Sidney Poitier sharing his very personal life story with me and the world. What a legacy and gift that he will leave to us as his fans and admirers and to his great granddaughter. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs wisdom and quick life lessons.

Thank you so much Mr. Poitier for sharing yourself with me and the world. Because of you, film and industry has come of age.
My favorite movie of yours is "A Warm December" but I cannot find it anywhere! what's the deal on that? (smile)

Anyway, thanks again and God bless you.

Sincerely,
Rene' "Olufemi" Alexander
[...]

Very good book to read. He always did look shy. The book is very relaxing.

I must say thank you to Sir Sidney (as we call him in the Bahamas)for looking back over his life and sharing all the wonderful memories. We can all learn from his advice along with his great - granddughter. He has lived a fantastic life which would have made Horatio Alger proud. I have had the good fortune to have met him and he is always gracious and charming.
You will enjoy this book from cover to cover and get to peak inside the life of this great man who is respected all over the world.

I love this book, it is so personal, I wish I was not so lazy and do the same for my grand/greatgrand children.

For months, I've wanted to share some of my experiences with my granddaughters specifically and my grandchildren in general . . . but where to start, how much to share, which topics are taboo, how to share without influencing or preaching, etc.??? THANK YOU Mr. Poitier! I've only finished half the book, but already I know that I want all of my grandchildren to read it! In fact, I want everyone to read it.
I was struck by Mr. P's loving, honest and forgiving thoughts about life. I was warmed because he has struggled with many of the same notions most dreamers ponder: GOD? Relationships, hardships, money, self-discipline, determination, respect . . .
I'm sure I'll have more to type after I've finished the entire book, but before life happens, I wanted to say thanks and advise everyone, this is the book to read and share!

This book provides all the technical knowledge that is need for busy executives to seriously ponder about how to integrate moble solutions into their company's operations. What is amazing is the simple language that is used.

My favourite chapter is the Art of Mobility (Chap. 10).

Buy this book and it will give you immediate ROI!

Authors and consultants Ravi Kalakota and Marcia Robinson emphasize that the mobility revolution is in its early stages and provide insights on its anticipated stages of development. This insightful and authoritative book is well written and well organized. We from getAbstract recommend it to executives, managers and information-technology specialists, though general readers with a jones for high tech also will be blown away.

This book presents an excellent executive overview of the mobile applications landscape. The strength of the book is the unique perspective of extending "E-business" investments to the "M-business" -- mobile/multichannel -- environment. It presents the business side of mobile - CRM, SCM, Mobile Office and Mobile portals - without getting mired in the alphabet soup of 3G, GPRS, UMTS etc.

I am a newbiew to the whole mobile world. I was intimidated by all the technical jargon that was being thrown around. This book helped cut through the fog and provide a business perspective of "why businesses should care?" and "what apps make sense". I highly recommend this book.

The landscape of mobile enterprise applications is covered extremely well in this book. Unlike other books that talk primarily about consumer applications, the authors focus on leveraging existing investments in E-business and extending them into the mobile arena. Highly recommend this book if your company is beginning to think about Mobile Applications and next generation IT investments.

I finished reading this book to my older children (12 and 14) today. We all loved it. The book operates on many levels. It's the Chronicles of the life of an adolescent boy around 1910. It's also the story of a family's struggles and will to not only survive, but to thrive and to stand up for their beliefs. This book has encouraged my children to contribute more in our family, and to set up their own families with good principles. I would give this book 10 stars if there were 10 to give, and I can't recommend it highly enough as a great family read!

Wow these books are great! And you know the later the books the thicker they are. I think its because he remembers more about like his teen years than in his childhood. Well over all I would highly recommend this book. Yet like in a prior review these books do have some language but it shrinks in the text more and more. Buy this book and you wont be disappointed!

Highly recommended series. I recommend as an alternative to the Little House series for boys. Well written.

A reviewer asked for help regarding the names and volumes in this series. Here it is...

1. Little Britches
2. Man of the Family
3. The Home Ranch
4. Mary Emma & Company
5. The Fields of Home
6. Shaking the Nickel
7. The Dry Divide
8. Horse of a Different Color

Mr. Moody shares adventures of his life in this series. It's wonderful, but there is some foul language. Therefore, I would recommend reading the books aloud with older children (not for the preschool/early elementary crowd).

When Ralph Moody's father dies in the early spring of 1910, he's eleven years old, the senior boy in a family of five, and determined to support his mother and siblings. It's a rocky road, for his mother, even though she declares she'll "depend on" him as "her man," is equally determined that he must stay in school--which means he's restricted to nickel-an-hour boy-jobs for most of the year. And so, despite the title, this book is less about Ralph's helming the family than about the family's pulling together to support itself. They start a "cookery route," selling Mrs. Moody's New England food to neighbors; the children pick fruit, and Ralph rides in match races, breeds rabbits, and hires schoolmates with horses to keep the cattle from the incoming trail herds out of the residential lanes, as well as discovering that it's possible to supply the family's entire need for coal simply by picking up what has fallen off the tenders of passing trains. Like his father before him, he proves to be a shrewd trader and a clever inventor who comes up with a device on which to dry and repair the lace curtains from Denver's Brown Palace Hotel when his mother gets the idea of offering her services as a contract launderer. And he and his brothers and sisters get a surprise when, six months after their father's death, their mother has a sixth baby.

Besides Mary Emma Moody, who stands solidly in the midst of her young family and exemplifies the best type of "widder woman," the two most unforgettable characters in the book are Sheriff McGrath, a widower who tries awkwardly to court Ralph's mother, and Jerry McEnerney, the Irish section boss who, for all his early bluster, soon becomes the boy's friend and quietly arranges for him to obtain over 100 used railroad ties to haul away and sell. And though there are setbacks and mishaps, such as the vividly described spillage of an entire wagonload of cookery, the Moodys soldier on, until it begins to look as if they will be able to stay indefinitely in Ralph's beloved Colorado. But then Mary Emma incautiously shares a secret with a neighbor, and is subpoenaed to testify before the Grand Jury. Fearing that she will end by sending an innocent man to the gallows, she decides there is only one thing to do: take her children and secretly flee out of state to live with her brother in New England. And so one phase of Ralph's life ends and another begins, to be told in subsequent books. But the West will call him back, and he will never be fully free of its spell.

This is a funny, warmhearted, inspiring tale of a family determined to make its way without seeking charity, of its friends and neighbors, and of the beautiful land it loves. It would make a splendid family readaloud, or a good book to curl up with alone if you love stories of the West and of people who don't give up.

Melisande first appeared as a short story "Melisande Or, Long and Short Division" in her collection: Nine Unlikely Tales for Children. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1901. It is a humorous and thoughtful satirical adaptation of classic fairy tale themes.

Borrowing themes from Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, Gulliver's Travels and other classic fairy tales, Nesbit's story takes a mathematical approach to one of her often-used themes of magic wishes taken literally and going tragically wrong. In Melisande's case she is cursed at birth with baldness by a wicked fairy but her real problems begin when her mother uses another fairy's powers to wish she has "hair a yard long, and that it would grow an inch everyday, and grow twice as fast every time it was cut."

This 1990 ALA Notable Book is beautifully illustrated in full color by Patrick Lynch.

From one irritated, uninvited guest comes the gift of baldness. From one poorly worded wish comes out of control hair. Add one prince determined to find the solution. Mix in Melisande's need to rescue her island home. How does it turn out? It adds up to an enchanting tale that delights both young and old. I've used the book in elementary classes as well as college classes--both were mesmerized.

...Nesbit writes beautifully and is clever and unpredictable enough that without going over the kids' heads, the reading adult can enjoy it too. The illustrations are excellent; I just wish the hardcover version was available!

A century-old thoughtful twist on the fairy tale genre by a classic Children's writer (would love to see reviews of some of her other works). Melisande is a princess subject to the usual misfortune: a wicked fairy not invited to the christening casts an evil spell on her--"The Princess shall be bald." Not to worry the King has a wish he was given by his fairy godmother locked in his safe, the Princess may use it however she wishes when she comes of age. At that point, the Queen says,

"Dearest, for my sake, wish what I tell you to." "Why, of course I will," said Melisande. The Queen whispered in her ear, and Melisande nodded. Then she said, "I wish I had golden hair a yard long, and that it would grow an inch every day, and grow twice as fast every time it was cut..."
"Stop!" cried the King..."You've done about enough." For he had a mathematical mind and could do the sums about the grains of wheat on the chessboard...

You can imagine what happens next. According to the formula, they promise the Princess's hand in marriage to the Prince who can solve this problem. One unfortunate attempt leaves her growing into a giant a la Alice in Wonderland. The final solution is very clever and I won't spoil it for you. There is a great deal of humor throughout and it is illustrated very well, though I'm not an uberfan of Lynch's caricatures.

I remember this book from middle school. I told people the story, and everyone thought I made it up! I'm glad to see that it's in print, and not just a figment of my imagination. If you love fairy tales, you'll like this book. A little strange, but worth the read.

I'm so glad that all these bits about The WNU have been collected in one volume. I first got interested in PJF's concept when I read his Doc Savage bio. I've been lucky enough to track down a mint HC version of it...at a very reasonable price! This book has made me almost miss my Metro stop on more than one occasion. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, Tarzan, pulp heroes, or just want to read some very creative writing then you must buy this book. I plan on giving a couple as gifts this year.
I am also lucky enough to have been accepted into the Johns Hopkins University's Master of Arts in Writing Program. I showed this book to one of my instructors and he was fascinated by it. I gave him the nutshell explanation of WNU and told him that, after I get my degree, I would like to teach a course or two about it. If you are already an English/Writing teacher, please do the same. Let's srpead the fun around!!!

I have read this book and can only say that the "supposed scholarly articles" contained with are pretentious, and convoluted. The wold-newton writers pay no attention to continuity of previous created characters and canon. The authors tend to stray from a character's source material, established chronologies, and written canon to suit their own maligned purposes and agendas, often rewriting a character's whole history, so that they can delude themselves into the belief that they are true writers and being in some way creative. The articles are extremely distasteful, and in my opinion to distort the original source material does a true disservice to the original author. For a writer to state that they are unable to incorporate their own ideas about a character along with 99.9% of the previously published material reveals a true lack of imagination, creativity and writing skills. I would highly discourage anyone from wasting their time reading or heaven forbid purchasing this book. I checked it out from the library to read and have regretted it ever since.

Having read both this book from cover to cover and the reviews that are posted on this sight, I can only conclude that one of the reviewers has an axe to grind with one or more of the writers responsible. Don't let that sway you; this is an excellent book that, yes, occasionally offers up contradictory information - if you take the time to read the introductory portion CAREFULLY, you will note that not only does Mr. Eckert acknowledge as much, but goes on to state that this is part of the fun in the game these writers are playing. Some people should lighten up and learn how to have fun already!

This is a further exploration of the relationships in Philip Jose Farmer' s Wold Newton Universe, as seen in books like Tarzan Alive, Doc Savage - His Apocalyptic Life, and the Other Log of Phileas Fogg.

Myths for the Modern Age is worth it for the Captain Nemo is Moriarty piece alone, not to mention the fabulous cover, complete with Modesty Blaise!

Here you have a collection of essays that inter-relate various characters, families and other information, by several different authors, including a compatriot, as well as Eckert himself, not to mention Farmer himself, so you could call this an anthology.
Please be aware that this is not a novel, if that is what you are looking for.

Eckert has a passion for this stuff, yes, you could call it obsessive monomania, but that is what collecting, which is really what this is all about, 'collecting' characters into universes and relationships, and utter, utter, fandom.

He is also a Philip Jose Farmer expert, to boot.

This is just fantastic stuff. Check out his and Farmer's various websites too, they are great. There are also related mailing lists that are worth it, if you are interested to this level.

Something else I have found : if you ask these authors a question, or anything like that, they will answer. They are completely devoted.

Outstanding book, in presentation, content, and participation. I am sure Farmer is quite pleased.

5 out of 5

Philip Jose Farmer had created the Wold Newton Universe. The 'stargate' necessary to access that Universe is the book in question. Read it fast and by the end of it, you would be hooked. Read it slowly, you might feel sleepy. Neverthless, the book is wonderful.

I've tried several translations for morning devotions (4 & 6 year olds) and they actually seem to follow this through an entire passage! Some explanation but still.... Yea!

We recently adopted our 13 year old daughter from Russia and she is still learning to read and speak English. I did not want to get a kids' Bible story book because she is at an age where she needs to learn the teachings of Jesus. She had no religious background in Russia at all and everything is new to her. She really enjoys the devotionals and likes being able to check them off as we read them together. The topics are easy to relate to.

There are very few books that are interesting enough for a 13 year old and yet designed for a beginning reader. It took me a long time to find something that she would enjoy.

It helps you to understand the bible a little better, even if you are not a kid!!!

This is an excellent bible for all ages. It is easy enough for a 2nd grader and also great for anyone who wants an understanding of the Word of God. I am a primary Sunday School teacher with two young children. The children and I absolutely love it!

I bought this bible, so that I could read it to my 5 year old. I wanted a real bible, not a storybook bible, in language he could understand. He is in awanas, so he is learning lots of verses and I sometimes have problems explaining the context of the verses. So far, it is exactly what I expected. The language is easy to understand. My son is not old enough to use it as a devoltional bible, but it looks like it would be great.

Hans Kung is one of the greatest theogians of the 20th century - always out in front calling the Christian community forward while being deeply rooted in the Christian tradition. Although at times he tends to be "wordy", he has the ability to make one excited about being a disciple of Jesus and to belong to the Christian community.

This is an excellent book. I first read it 10 or more years ago. My copy is now marked over, underlined, written in and I keep returning to it like an old friend. It is next to my bed and next to my bible, my favorite book. He is an outstanding writer. The book is for believers and nonbelievers. His section on the cross of Christ is one that inspires me each time I read it "The cross of Christ....becomes an appeal to renounce a life steeped in selfishness....It means a brave life, undertaken by innumberable people, without fear even in the face of fatal risks, through struggle, suffering, death, in firm trust and hope in the goal of true freedom, love, humanity, eternal life. The offense, the sheer scandal, was turned into an amazing experience of salvation, the way of the cross into a possible way of life"
Read it. You will enjoy it.

In my 42-year career as a scientist I scarcely had time for religious education, meditation and inspiration. In my so-far 12 years of retirement I have been led to broadening my knowledge and appreciation of religion -- man's attempt to find spiritual meaning in the universe, a universe whose physical side man has so successfully investigated and revealed through science

The figure of Jesus has always been of utmost interest to me, particularly his human side -- and now of late, his spiritual significance. Jesus is without a doubt the most influential person who ever lived in Western society, witness the countless buildings and institutions that exist today in his wake. And yet it is extremely difficult to separate the mythical from the factual aspects of his life and death. This is where this book and a previous one I reviewed, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" by mathematical physicist John Davidson, have come to my sorely-needed rescue.

Kung's book is a thorough, brilliant, and ultimately convincing attempt to get at the heart of the motivation and end result of Jesus' short life on earth. I was led to Kung by a sermon I heard a number of years ago at a Unitarian Church in Ft. Collins, CO in which an excerpt from Kung's book described the difference between the end of Jesus' life and the deaths of other religious leaders. That sermon was powerful to me then, and still speaks to me today. It pointed out with Kung that whereas others died in old age, surrounded by their disciples and wives after satisfactorily accomplishing their mission, Jesus' early death was stark, brutal, and utterly cheerless. He was tortured, deserted by his followers -- seemingly even deserted by the personal God of whom he so ardently and sincerely spoke. Is this seeming abandonment at a young age by man and God the ultimate source of his meaning to mankind?

A respected Catholic theologian, Kung is unremittingly honest in his attempt to get at the truth of the times. In contrast to Schweitzer's somewhat impersonal theological style in "A Quest for the Historical Jesus", Kung's style results in a much more human narrative, drawing you convincingly into the times and mind of Jesus. The book is almost equally divided into two parts, half before and half after the death of Jesus. I must admit that I have read only the first half; the revelation of the meaning of Jesus' life is yet to be given by Kung. But even at this point I cannot resist encouraging others to pick up this amazingly insightful and thoughtful volume -- to peruse it, to underline and to savor it.

Man has learned to fathom many of the secrets of the universe, but they are limited to its non-spiritual aspects. This knowledge can lead either to exaltation and benefit from man's influence on earth, or to our death and destruction. The ultimate outcome of our reign on earth will be determined by spiritual aspects of our search for knowledge that so far, and maybe even in the long run, are inaccessible to science. They are immensely important to understand; this search is urgent for all to participate in. Kung's book, as well as Davidson's, provide significant steps to broadening our grasp of knowledge in this direction.

A friend lent me a copy, and I was so fascinated that when I had to return it I immediately bought my own copy. It is a very useful book for anyone with a serious interest in the purpose of life. 50 years ago, Hans Küng was a zealous young thologian, who, with others such as Joseph Ratzinger, or greater fame now, opened the eyes, at least temporarily, of many of the bishops at Vatican II Ecumenical Council to the vast store of truth to be found OUTSIDE the Catholic church.
His reputation as a formost theologian kept many of us away from his works, thinking they would be as difficult to follow as so many papal encyclicals.
Not so! Lucidity is his watchword, although he certainly gets prolix at times. The first time through, when he had outlined his proposed method of reasoning, I would skip through to the guts of his argument. Second time through, I'm taking it all in, as far as I can.

At 602 pages of text, ON BEING A CHRISTIAN is the definition of a tome. The style is no walk in the park: even taking into account that it's a translation from German, some of the passages are quite dense. The bottom line is, though, that it's worth the effort.

When this book first appeared in the 1970s, I hesitated to read it. Aside from the intimidating length of the work, I had the thought--if Kung is on the margins of Catholic theology, then what impact could his work have? Suffice it to say that I was neither a theologian nor a very astute young Catholic. However that may be, I was surprised to find that, except, perhaps, for matters pertaining to Church governance, Kung is hardly a leftist firebrand or a Bishop John Shelby Spong-like skeptic; Kung, essentially, is a fairly orthodox theologian, it seems to me. As a committed Catholic Christian, he's devoted, though, to scraping away the barnacles that have adhered to the mother ship of Roman Catholicism over the past two millennia.

Kung does not shy away from the difficult issues: in the course of ON BEING A CHRISTIAN, he tackles thorny issues like Karl Rahner's "Anonymous Christian" concept, the Resurrection, the Trinity, liberation theology, and a Christian's response to war, among many, many problems. I was often in awe of Kung's deft handling of these issues, but other times felt somewhat lost in the theological discourse. For instance, Kung accepts the "reality" of the Resurrection, but rejects the theological and historical necessity of the Empty Tomb. He claims that the disciples could not just have had some sort of self-realized epiphany after the death of Jesus; for the Christian movement to have taken off as it did, it must have been because the disciples of Jesus had a real experience of Jesus' resurrection. But since Kung also rejects the notion that a Christian must accept the violation of the physical laws of the universe, is he trying to have it both ways, or is it that his argument is simply beyond me? For Kung, what is *real* about the Resurrection?

Kung's root answer to what Christianity is about is given early on in the book: "Christianity exists only where the memory of Jesus Christ is activated in theory and practice" (p. 126). For Kung, Jesus is "in person the living, archetypal embodiment of his cause" (p. 545). One who accepts this Jesus in his or her life receives the call to be radically human. What ultimately counts in life is not accomplishments (not that accomplishments are bad), but trust (faith) in the Christ Jesus. In fact, Kung demonstrates from the opening section on "The Challenge of Modern Humanisms" throughout the course of this book, that the Christian as true humanist is the principle that underlies his concept of Christianity.

For a long time many people have encouraged me to read ON BEING A CHRISTIAN. I am heartily glad that I have finally followed their advice. I know that I will be returning to this book in the years ahead to revisit Kung's keen insights into what being a Christian truly means. In these days, when Christianity has been degraded and sold out as a tool of politicians, this is a book whose message should be read all the more to call us to metanoia, a change of heart.