The Journeys of Paul Books

In "A Good Round," Paul Zingg introduces us to Scotland, its favorite game, golf, and play of some of its splendidly varied courses. He and I share experience of St. Andrews, Old and New Courses, Muirfield, and North Berwick--West Course. His accounts of the two Open Championship links ring true, but I appreciated especially much his treatment of Berwick, one of my five favorites anywhere, because it's old, unusual, even idiosyncratic, challenging, and fun. His account of Cruden Bay, including its physical and historic setting, proved equally appealing, especially when combined in one chapter with Carnoustie, the 1999 Open venue. Throughout the book, Zingg discusses the golf course architects who laid out in good Scots' fashion the courses described. He also lays down powerful strokes in support of golf's heritage and traditions, including the virtues of walking while playing. This made me cheer. Sadly, he also indicates at several points that we golfers are losing many of the old ways and standards, suffering changes that truly diminish the nature and quality of our sporting endeavor. His last chapter, which carries the masterful Ben Hogan from victory at Carnoustie to victory at Pennsylvania's Merion, Zingg's own membership course, applies a masterful stroke in bringing together a great champion and two great courses, one on each side of the Atlantic. As Zingg acknowledges, "A Good Round" was inspired partly by Michael Murphy's classic "Golf in the Kingdom." This proved a perfect vision to emulate, convincing me that Murphy's golf idyllic deserved another reading too.

Given the reputation of F.F.Bruce for scholarship in NT studies, I was surprised when this book arrived to find that it was more of a picture book than one of biblical content. While it is certainly more than just a picture book with captions, it did not have the academic content that I was anticipating. The material provided on the various places that Paul traveled and planted churches was of the highest quality...as one would expect from Bruce. However, it did not provide me with the depth of material for which I was searching.

I read this book for an African History class at Tulane University. I am really shocked that it's commercially available-- I think the edition I read was actually from 1867.

The travel narrative itself is really interesting and there are engravings demonstrating what du Chaillu saw in Africa. I remember thinking he seemed pretty liberal and open-minded and not overly racist. He was pretty much the first white guy in a lot of the areas he visited. If I had $109 to spare right now I'd definitely get a copy for myself and one for my friend who also read this book for the same class.

This novel describes Saddam Hussein's war on Iran in the 1980's from the point of view of an Iranian soldier. In some ways it resembles Anthony Swofford's non-fiction book "Jarhead." In both books the central character is somewhat alienated, and not a "true believer" in the war he is fighting. Dehqan's hero, Naser, takes time from school and goes to the front to fight alongside his friends. After searing scenes of combat, in which many of his friends are killed, he gets on a bus and goes back home. Dehqan is a master of understatement and the contrast between the action described and the calm language used to describe it is striking. The original Persian version of this book sold thousands of copies in Iran and is described as "one of the most popular Persian novels about the Iran-Iraq war." The translator provides an illuminating introduction which puts the novel into context -- political and religious leaders in Iran were emphasizing the glory of martyrdom. This book was a deliberate rejection of the attempt to politicize and glorify the soldiers and their sacrifices.


I found it to be a good read, and a fascinating glimpse into a very different culture.

While it is fictional it does help bring the story of Luke to a new understanding. I found it exciting.

|This is a great read about a novice paddler who paddled around the 'Rock'. While the ranting is of some interest, it gets in the way of the paddling experience which will be most readers' interest. Still, it's a good read and a good picture of paddling conditions in Newfoundland.

Despite what you would think from the way this book is advertized, it really isn't a travelogue through early 20th Century Tibet. Only 2 chapters are really devoted to this. The rest of it is an account of Dorje Zodba's reflections on Tibetan culture and customs, and this is presented in a rather cut and dry manner, not that different from a typical anthropological or sociological survey. Again, despite what you would think, the vaunted viewpoint of the author (both Christian and Buddhist influenced) does not deliver the variations of insight or spark of tension you would expect. Dorje doesn't really bring either to obvious reflection on the task. So why 4 stars? Because, even though its tone isn't that different from many other books, there are a lot of interesting details brought out due to the author being Tibetan and having grown up in the culture, yet having an analytical distance from it, caused by his exposure to Western methods of information gathering. Of particular note is the fact that this account was written before Tibetans had fully realized that not everything in their culture was politically correct or should be aired too openly, so you gain a more realistic picture of their lives before the Communist takeover and Western idealisms about their culture.

From the Back of the Book.

The map of Liberia was virtually blank, the interior marked 'cannibals'. It was a far cry from the literary London of 1935, and the marvellous result of the exploration was Journey without Maps. But the gifted young author was not travelling alone. His twenty three year old cousin Barbara had rashly agreed to go with him, also busy taking notes in the jungle.

Too Late to Turn Back contains the humourous, foot-sore and richly evocative African adventure of a young woman who set out from the world of Saki and the Savoy Grill and returned quite profoundly changed.

Every pastor needs to take the opportunity and read Bishop Morton's book. The book deals with the break-down of a pastor, and his restoration. Many pastor must realize that they can not be all things to all people. Read it to get the full understanding of why sometimes our kingdoms fall.

Title: The Wonderful Journey
Author Name: Paul Geraghty
Review Off the Story

Sam's grandmother has come from far away to live with his family, and she and Sam share a close relationship. Gran tells wonderful stories about all the places she has been, and her imagination is so great that she is able to take Sam on journeys to these places with her. They have a special place, in the railway yard where they go and where she tells her stories among 'the smell of steel and the shudder of engines'. When she tells Sam that it is time for her to fly away, he is worried that he won't see her again, but he comes to realise that he will be able to be with her through his memories and her stories. Death is not mentioned as such, but it is apparent that gran's disappearance is just that.
What I liked/disliked

* The beginning was not exciting.
* I liked the idea of Sam being able to take his own imaginative journeys.
* I disliked the idea of Gran dying.
* The fact that Sam could imagine Gran was the exciting part.
Main characters

The main two characters were Gran and Sam, this made the story exciting.