B Books

The beauty of this book is that so many letters, reviews, interviews etc. about/by so many artists are conveniently gathered in one place. On the whole, there isn't anything in here that you can't find elsewhere, such as in biographies of the individual artists. For example the letters contained in the opening section on "Post-Impressionism" from both Cezanne and Van Gogh are included in just about every biography on them.

The over-riding reason for buying this book is that so many are collected together. So, even for an artist that you might not like enough to go out and buy their biography, atleast you get an insight in to their thoughts/motives etc. In some cases this may spark your interest in a previously less favoured artist and appreciate their works from a new perspective.

Chipp covers all the main "isms" of modern art from Post-Impressionism (Cezanne) onwards. Each movement opens with a treatise detailing the main theories/artists/concepts/techniques that made it unique. This is followed by a comprehensive selection of articles/letters/interviews etc. concerning the main players i.e. the section of Expressionism includes writings from Nolde, Kandinsky, Kokoschka, Kirchner, Marc, Klee and Beckmann. One of my favourite pieces is by Stuart Davis. He's responding to a critic's recent review..."in your review you speak of your enthusiasm for my work and call me a "swell American painter". This attitude on your part I heartily approve, but you further state that my style is French and that if Picasso had never lived I would have had to think out a style of my own. Now is that nice Mr. McBride?" and off Davis goes in his defence. Superb.

Rather than reading about these various "isms" via the well meaning but often biased views of a expert art historian, here you get the views from the artists themselves.

For any art historians dealing with the modern art period this book has to be essential. And for general appreciators of art, as well as artists themselves, this book contains a wealth of information, and pays dividends to both intense study or just random browsing.

Since it's first publication in 1968 this book has formed the foundation of any respectable art library. I just checked the bibliography of more recent books on art history - this book is referenced extensively. In my opinion, if anyone is looking for an interesting and enjoyable introduction to the world of "Modern Art" they could do a lot worse than start here. And given the way that any one "ism" owes it's existence to the "isms" that came before it*, this almost reads like a novel.

*Regardless of Dali's utterances about Surrealism being a unique movement, unfounded by anything that came before, just go and have a look at the works of Hieronymous Bosch to see that wasn't the case.

Recommended!

Even if you are not interested in the arts but simply in thought process- I think you will find this book very interesting. You could say this is the history of modern art without pictures (although there are some pictures)- bringing the reader facinating insights into how different types of artists came to their philosophies of art, and of course, the world. Documented through personal letters, manifestos, and articles, the varity of different thoughts and beliefs catapolts just what art can be. To me it shows that art is a never ending universe of ideas- all connecting but all very individual just the same.

I just wanted to respond to the person before me. It sounds like contemporary art is way over your head. Please do not waist our time with long reviews about things you clearly do not understand.

How often had I looked at a painting of Van Gough and wondered what exactly was this great man thinking when he conceived and painted such a picture. Now by reading thru this excellent book, I can claw into the mind of artists themselves.

Not only educational, but inspiring. I not only learned about each artist and what when on during their time of certain artworks, but I was able to get inside their head. The words of the artist's in their letters were captivating. I was caught up in the reading. I especially enjoyed Matisse and Kandinsky. Kandinsky is very spiritual about his writing and gives a deep explanation of colors. Anyway, it is a great read. It was required for my history course, but I enjoyed it. Not very many in my class could understand what they were reading. I guess you not only need intellect, but sophistication. I liked it!

A timeless and sumptuous exploration of the fluidity of the ages and our spiritual connections, THOSE BEAUTIFUL EYES is a true feast for the senses.

From ancient Mesopotamia to modern-day San Francisco, in delicate yet masterful prose, this novel depicts the lives and fates of a village girl in service to a goddess, a dancer, and a film maker and his wife, while reflecting on the corrupting influence that the quest for recognition, power and wealth has on the soul. Ms Lutzky's wealth of historical research shines through without interfering with the sublime clarity of her tale - one that carries deep roots in Eastern philosophies. A sensual celebration of longing and loss, of the fragility of love and our forgotten past, this is literature of the highest order - an intelligent, deeply powerful book that cannot fail to leave the reader yearning for more. Highly recommended for fans of Isabel Allende or Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Lutzky's "Those Beautiful Eyes". Slipping back and forth through time kept me on my toes but the modern characters were so involving that I found myself wondering about them and where the story was headed...much as one would absently think about friends and their lives.

Of course I identified with certain characters and their struggles with life and relationships. Very convincing stuff. I suspect that Ms. Lutzky has indeed a connection to another time and place...a must read!

This is a "vanity press" book. If a writer such as Mrs. Lutzky cannot (it would seem) find an agent and that agent find a publisher, it merely indicates how distressed the book business is these days. Fortunately, yes, there are still many good writers and many agents/publishers to work with them. Of course, I may have this all wrong and it's a reprint of previously published material, but I do not believe that to be the case.

Whatever the case, this is no reflection on Those Beautiful Eyes nor the author. This is a stunning work of literature and I'm glad to see there are others who agree with my determination.

Other reviewers have given an overview of the contents of this beautiful novel, so I will only make a few remarks about my own experience in reading it. I bought this book on impulse, something I rarely do. I don't read novels for entertainment, but rather to be touched deeply at the feeling core of my being. Very few novels do that, but this one did. My love for ancient history was fed by the author's fine evocation of life in 2700 BCE, a time I well recall from a lifetime of dreams and reveries of Mohenjo-Daro.

The characters of Anarisha (in 2700 BC) and Maria (in modern times) are the most vividly drawn, and well brought to life by the strong supporting cast. I read this book slowly, savoring every word. The book is well-written enough to allow this kind of deep immersion without becoming thin or shallow. The ending was perhaps a bit contrived, but still satisfying.

I just finished the book this morning and I still cannot separate myself from it enough to give a fully objective evaluation. For one thing, there were a stunning number of coincidences between the dates and places in the book and those of my own life. This added much to my reading experience, but could not possibly be shared by very many other readers. For (only a very few of many) examples: Born in 1945; life changing month of June, 1963; entered UC Berkeley Fall, 1963 (I feel I knew the author then, but I can't be certain); first child born 1974; an unexpected tragic death in 1998; and far too many more to mention without boring you. And the Dhammapada, that constant companion and guide of my life. Certainly a part of my appreciation for this book was that the author was somehow, inexplicably, writing the story of my own life -- not merely the sense of it, which can be found in other books, but the details, which I don't know how she could have known.

A remarkable literary achievement, this book is "almost aesthetically perfect" like Michael Dagan's films. Ann, by pouring your life into this story, you have accomplished your life's work. Now it's time to go beyond being a Buddhist, and to become a Buddha.

A beautiful story of transcendence; transcendence of passion and will of a beautiful priestess in an ancient time to transcendence of time and space. A fascinating life journey that plays out in exotic sites across the world with seamless writing by the author. The colorful character of Anarishka stimulates the imagination. Anne Cowart Lutzky's writing is novel, intriguing, and absorbing. Highly recommended.

Coker has written a readable, entertaining, and comprehensive biography of the man who became, rather improbably, the greatest rapper of all time. Focusing on his life, his titanic talent, his character, and the intrinsic grace of his storytelling, this book does not dwell on the petty rivalries that engrossed the media and dominated most discussions about Biggie Smalls. This book is overwhelmingly positive; in fact, the author seems somewhat infatuated with the subject, and this is the only reason I do not give the book 5 stars. For instance, Coker does not dwell on how Biggie exaggerated the poverty and depravation of his childhood to a great degree. But overall it is a great book that gives a solid feel of the life and times of the King of N-Y, although it is a bit of a puff piece.

Book Review: The Life, Death, And Afterlife of Notorious Of Big

By: Cheo Hodon Coker






The Notorious B.I.G. aka "Biggie" has left the rap game in body, but his music lives

on. Unbelievable; The life, death, and afterlife of The Notorious Big which was written

By: Cheo Hodon Coker. I gave it a five star rating; because it gave a better

understanding of Biggie problems and emotion that he faced on the streets of Brooklyn,

New York to the Hills of Hollywood, California. Coker makes it clear that Biggie

conquered the music industry with his street rhythms to win number of awards. Never

the less he come short to explain why when Biggie saw his wife Faith they did not talk to

each other for the last time.


The book was a good Biography of Notorious Big. It rest; fill with a lot of street

talking just as know Biggie to talk on a day to day bases. The book makes it seem as if

McPherson 2




Biggie was the person telling the story that how good the book is. It also explores a lot

of interesting issues that not many people are willing to talk about. Biggie had attended

Catholic School and getting a lot of things from his mother, who was a teacher, young

Biggie did not have much to do.


By the age of 16 he had dropped out of High School and had become a crack dealer.

Coker often said in the book that biggie just wanted more. Sean Combs, a Music

Producer, who pay Biggie money to stop selling crack. Biggie would not stop

because he had just had a baby and the music was not giving him the money he wanted

Combs one time had to went down south to get Biggie, because Biggie was down there

selling crack. Biggie often says that he did not think that he could make it in the rap

game.

Then come the war "East Coast" VS "West Coast", which the Media put a lot of

paper to the Fire and made it bigger. It ended up with the death of Tupac death, and then

soon it would be Biggie turn.

Over the entire book was a success I would recommend that people take out of there

busy life and read this book, most of all the rappers in the music busy now. It would also

help to stop the "Beefing" of rappers.

This book is Big as biggie smallz, i always respected Biggie smallz and i always wanted to know who really was Christopher wallace and when you read it you just fell pain for his mother, cause christopher was the son every mother want to have, this nigga could have done everything to see the people around him happy, when you read this you see how Biggie would never done nothing whrong to 2pac ,every hip hop fan have to buy this cause we all know many things about 2pac life but finally we don't know nothing about Biggie smalls , before reading this i was taking Big as the best flow hip hop will never had, after reading this book i thing that this fella was the realest hip hop will never have , i want to tell all the 2pac fan who take Biggie as the so called greatest to never forgot that 2pac has 6 lps before his death and Biggie got 2 only, this nigga was at the begining of his career and he was on his way to be the mike anyone jordan , jackson of hip hop!at the reading of this book you see that the 2 dearly legend of hip hop was two friend with nothing in common but with everything complementary, so enjoy cause this may not be the best biography i've read it's arleady one of the best ... it's 25 years full of love, pain, drugs,sex, guns , talent,women and many more!

A must read for anyone interested in the history of hip hop. Before I read it, I had only heard of the Notorious B.I.G. Now I feel as though I know him - personally.

During the 90's, when gansta rap and the East coast vs. West coast fight broke out, I was too busy working on my Bachelor's and Master's degrees to pay much attention to anything else.
I had also heard of Suge Knight and Sean Combs, but only from newspaper reports. Reading this book really filled in a lot of the details for me. Suge Knight is portrayed in a postive light as really caring for his artists and seeing to it that they were treated right. He became violent only when he thought that those artists were being taken advantage of, and that they (as well as he) were losing part of the money they were entitled to. I had always wondered what had prompted this violent streak of his. I remember the newspapers would only report the latest incidents, never try to explain them. The book also explains what it is, in fact, that Sean Combs does. I had always wondered: Is he a rapper? A producer? An executive? And, how did he amass so much money? Combs had always been a mystery to me. To some extent, he still is, but the book goes a long way toward solving this riddle too.

This book explores many interesting puzzles like these and shows how intricate relationships within the hip hop community had become, even by the 90's. Biggie Smalls is portrayed as a flawed yet sympathetic character. At first, he's a child attending Catholic school in uniform, who feels different from all the others hanging out on the corner. His mother is a teacher, he's fatherless, and while not rich, he's by no means poor. His mother gets all the latest gear for him so he doesn't go out and get in trouble. As he grows older, however, the lure of quick profits grows stronger, so that by the time he's 16, he's dropped out of school and become a full-time crack dealer. The book wants us to believe this is so he can buy even more of the latest gear, and that he's never statisfied with what he's got. I'm not sure that that's the whole story, but surely his life was never as bleak as what he depicted later in some of his songs. One gets the feeling that somewhere along the line, something just isn't right - either with the world, or with Biggie. Then, once Biggie becomes a rap star, he says in the book that he never expected to, that rapping was just a hobby and that the profession he had actually chosen was that of the crack dealer. So, we're expected to believe that this rap star thing just happened as a fluke, and came just as much as a surprise to him as to the rest of the world. Maybe all this is so, but if it isn't, the book makes no alternative explanations, nor even attempts to. All we're left with, instead, is an incomplete portrayal of the man who would later become known as the Notorious BIG. All in all, despite the inadequacies in the portrayal, one is still able to admire and respect the genius and charisma of this man. This is both a tribute to the man and to the author. It makes us aware that even legends have character pitfalls, yet we're still able to remember and love them for who they were.

I am so glad that I read this book. This book glorified Biggie as a everyday fella not a superstar. How good of a person he was and what he did for others including the ones that hated on him, which were many.

This book gave a first account on how he went for "ashy to classy" and how hard he tried to keep it once he found out that he really had talent for music rather than talent for selling crack.

What I didn't know, but really didn't surprise me was how much of a playa Biggie was. He had his wife Faith, Lil' Kim and Charlie Baltimore and I am going to say that it was more than that. It bugged me out him and Faith never even spoke to each other when the saw each other on the night he died. I guess it is true that you never know that last time you may see someone for good.

I love the loyalty of his true friends from St. James, mainly Lil' Cease. This book also showed you how grimey Lil' Kim really is. What devastated me that most was how his relationship between him and Tupac just crumbled over bullsh--, straight bullsh--. If you ask me my opinion and this is just my opinion, I think Tupac what just in the wrong place at the wrong place, just like the rest of his situations. Now, don't get me wrong that's my boy too, he just makes bad judgements, just like Biggie staying out in Cali, like everything was cool.

Overall, this book was the best biography I ever read. It was straight up real, it made you feel as if Biggie was telling you the story of his life himself.

Later!!!

While on our first real "adventure" after 34 years of marriage, we wound up at a condo in Florence, OR.
My husband wasn't well, so we only walked a little in Old Florence, supper at Waterfront Depot and retired for the evening.
With no TV to watch, I looked for a magazine or book to browse through.
I picked up Capricorn Lady II and didn't want to set in down.
After I read about Florence, Eugene and Captain Dan being sick, I started to read passages to my husband.
Here we were in that very town, on an adventure like no other and "my captain" not well. I read until I couldn't anymore, I wanted to know their whole story.
Even though we are "land lovers", we still had so much in common with the author and her Captain.
The strength, courage and endurance Judith showed, time after time, helped me to deal with a sick husband a long way from home.
Capricorn Lady II was a blessing when I really needed a friend.
Once home, I found Voyage of the Capricorn Lady Book I, to read.....the rest of their story.

Sail along with Dan and Judi and the Lady in the second book of their life as they charter the best sailboat and motor yacht in the BVI. You can almost smell the briny sea and taste Judi's gourmet meals as page after page unfolds a story of life on the ocean and the people they encounter. After reading Judi's story, I felt a strong bond with her and now know why I admired her so much when chartering. Her books are a pure delight.

The Voyage of The Capricorn Lady is a voyage anyone can take without leaving your living room. From the moment I began reading, I understood that Judi was not only sharing with us a wonderful part of her life, but developing a bittersweet peace within herself as she wrote. She writes simply and beautifully as she takes us on a voyage of success, failure, and success, peppered with the determination and self doubt we all experience. As we come to know Judi and Dan, we can relate to their difficult choices, and we can rejoice in their happiness.

Throughout this journey, we are confident that Dan and Judi's business savvy, and devotion to family and each other will inspire them through their most difficult times.
These books are not only a tribute to a man by his wife, but a true to life experience of living a dream laced with laughter, danger,and above all love...

This is a true story of a man and a woman destined to meet and share a life of adventure, laughter, tragedy and love. From their first lunch together in 1964, to their last embrace in April 2003, Daniel Gilman and Judith Bauer epitomized the term "soul mates".
Book one takes us on their journey from the world of high level real estate, through an abrupt departure on their 40' sail boat Capricorn and finally to the Caribbean. The agony of leaving family and possessions behind is gradually softened by their new lives, new friends and a grand new world.
Through a tapestry of defeats and accomplishments, Judi takes us with her on a cruise through her most cherished years with her "Danny" by her side. We experience their hartache and their hard earned victories. As we sail with them on the Capricorn from island to island to the acquisition of their motor yacht, Capricorn Lady, we eat, swim, dive, and tour their stunningly beautiful yet at times unforgiving part of the world.

Judi's vivid and deeply personal account of their life together leaves the reader with an enticing anticipation for book two. These books are just not for those who shared the experience of a cruise with Dan and Judi. It is for the romantic, the gourmet, and the adventurer in all of us.

In Book 1, we meet Captain Dan and his "Capricorn Lady", Judi. Overcoming unbelievable personal challenges, they continue charting their course on the 71 foot luxury Trumpy Motor yacht. "Capricorn Lady" is a labor of love, and we live each moment with Dan and Judi. Charter guest stories are touching, funny and human nature at its best! Book 2 takes you on many trips around the British Virgins, and you feel like you are also escaping on the "Lady," savouring each adventure with the Gilmans and their guests. Book 2 is an intimate, loving tribute to Captain Dan. Judi has opened her heart and the diary of her life with her beloved husband. Readers will relate to her emotions and cheer her independance. Can hardly wait for Book 3!

The winds of change. But for all of the change that we have experienced in America, nothing much has truly changed at all. When W.E.B. Du Bois wrote The Souls of Black Folk in 1903, he spoke eloquently of the "color line" in America. It was his answer to the question, "How does it feel [add "black man"] to be a problem?" To that, his answer was, in so many words and paraphrased by me, "I'm not the problem, America has a problem--and that is the problem of the color line."

With amazing detail and a highly introspective look into this religious aspect of Du Bois' life, Edward J. Blum, a history teacher at San Diego State University, delves into the one aspect of Du Bois' life that remains open for debate to this day. The question of who or what did he believe in that inspired him to touch the minds, hearts, and the souls of folk in the way that he did. Some thought him a man of faith, but many men of faith begged to differ--questioning his beliefs and his faith, and he often left them wondering if he had any faith at all.

For a man whose writings and work often paralleled Bible stories, he appeared disconnected from church traditions and religiosity, but still connected to his faith in God. Today's community of Bible thumpers would have called him a "spiritualist," rather than a Christian.

Hallie Queen, says Blum, likened the chapter called 'Of our Spiritual Strivings' to the 137th Psalm in character and significance, and indeed, the struggle of the black man in America very much paralleled the struggle of the ancient Hebrews in Egypt. Had it not been for the lost sense of community and individual connectivity, the spiritual strivings of the American black man were exactly as those of the Hebrews, except that there were many "pharoahs" called 'the written law' rather than one ruler who could change his mind on a whim.

Blum re-examines Du Bois' life and his historical record from a different and refreshing perspective. It would appear to some that the black nationalism and black liberation theology of Du Bois' writings were diametrically opposed to religion, but Du Bois appears instead to be walking a tightrope between the two.

It has been rumored in the black community that whatever hurts whites devastates blacks. If, as Karl Marx said, religion is the 'opiate of the masses,' then for blacks, religion may be the cluster bomb that wiped out the effectiveness of the black church in handling the ongoing pressures of blackness in society. As tax laws changed and churches were cornered into losing their exemption status for protesting too loudly on the political scene, what amounted to a matter of exemptions for white churches became a matter of ending centuries of rhetoric against racial injustice in America for black churches. What was fought in court originated in church for most blacks, and if one were to say the church "weakened" the black man's political stance before, it was easier to say this move "watered it down."

The "weak" black church was the only podium from which a black man could take a calculated stand in the fight for equality and still be heard; but that church has traded out the speeches of justice in exchange for the speeches of prosperity. If Du Bois was both sinner and saint, it was not because he hated religion, but because he hated the use of religious entities to defraud, bully, and control the masses. He did not shun religion, but often used it to counter some of the traditions that men embraced.

In summary, the author comes close to the edge of defending the 'religion' of W.E.B. Du Bois, who died as misunderstood as he was when he lived, and yet he made a deep impact on all who have seen, heard, or read of him. He was labeled a radical, and was largely ignored by those who had hoped that his massive contributions would be buried along side of him, But, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, "history cannot ignore W.E.B. DuBois because history has to reflect truth, and Dr. DuBois was a tireless explorer and a gifted discoverer of social truths...his singular greatness lay in his quest for truth about his own people..."

In the final chapter, entitled The Passing of the Prophet, Blum repeats Du Bois' words of courage. "Beyond The Veil," he (Du Bois) wrote in 1897, ["the veil" being the insidious Color Line of our yesterdays and todays] lies an undiscovered country, a land of new things, of change, of experiment, of wild hope, and somber realization, of superlatives and italics - of wondrously blended poetry and prose." Blum states, "Du Bois inhabited that realm for much of his lifetime, let us strive to join him there."

Reviewed by Marjani
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

WEB DuBois:American Prophet is an absolute gem for in the ever expanding field of religious history. Blum's ability to analyze his sources and to use them to discover the spiritual side of DuBois allows the reader to understand the real DuBois. Blum is able to dismiss the idea that DuBois was secular in nature. A must have for all religious historians!!!!

This is a beautiful book, lucid, passionate, rigorous, and engaged. Blum's pathbreaking consideration of DuBois as a key religious figure in America transforms the "black church" model that has needlessly constrained the story of African American spiritual striving, and powerfully dislodges the religious/secular dividing line that has likewise constrained scholarship on DuBois in all of the disciplines that claim him. This is the beginning of a new and needed conversation on prophetic faith in America, one to which historians and scholars who might otherwise have little truck with religion may join their voices without apology.

This is without question the definitive study of Du Bois and his relationship to religion, faith, and the church. Not only is the scholarship top notch, but the prose are thoughtful, rich, and compelling. It is so well written, so well-researched, and so engaging for anyone interested in religion in American history, race and religion, and the genius of WEB Du Bois.

Blum delves in to so much with respectable sensitivity, and his analysis and insights go much deeper than all other biographers concerning Du Bois's relationship to religion.

Brilliant. Highly recommended for students, professors, people interested in religious studies, history, identity, etc.

Like many others I had long ago gained enormous respect for W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the outstanding leaders in race relations in the hundred years immediately after the American Civil War. As a writer, lecturer, scholar, and teacher he was a persistent voice for equality of opportunity, integration of society, and the civil rights of African Americans. I had never thought of him, however, as a religious thinker. That is, until now.

In this marvelous new book by Edward J. Blum, an historian at San Diego State University, Du Bois emerges as a major thinker in Christianity and the social gospel. As Blum demonstrates, Du Bois was in no small measure motivated by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, by the moral teachings of scripture, and by the thinking of theologians throughout the ages. And in this aspect of his life, like all others, Du Bois found ample scriptural and moral teaching advancing equality of all people. It is an eye-opening and unexplored aspect of Du Bois's character and one that all future investigators of his life and career will have to bring into the discussion of his other activities. As Blum shows, Du Bois's work cannot be understood absent his spiritual life.

This work is a fine analysis that progresses through a series of Du Bois's writings to probe the depths of his moral and spiritual beliefs. A major chapter on "The Souls of Black Folk," as only one example, demonstrates the significance of his seeking universal truth in religion. Part sociological analysis, literary criticism, and theological exploration, Blum's work on Du Bois offers a new avenue for understanding one of the towering figures in American race relations. It is a brilliant, authoritative, and seminal study that all scholars of U.S. religion, race relations, and the early twentieth century will find invaluable.

This collection of cartoons is hilarious. I picked this book up from the table at a garage sale and randomly turned to a page where the caption is "Intellectual." It shows a naked man on his hands and knees with a pipe running directly from his backside to a helmet on his head. He has a goatee and is smoking a pipe. There is a bookshelf containing books with titles like, "The Intellect", "Das Intellect" and "Intellect." I laughed so hard the woman running the sale asked me what I found so funny. Needless to say, I had to buy the book. While the other cartoons didn't quite generate that extreme reaction, I laughed my way through the book. If you are looking for more yuks in your life, then this book will satisfy that craving.

The drawings in this book are lifechanging. I have lived my life based on the lessons I learned from the drawing "Wasted lives and Useful lives", I never have, and never will give a gun to ducks. But most memorable of all is the fact that Angels appear when no one is looking. And why did it appear to a continental car? Why not an American car? How often do angels and saints appear when humans are not around to see them?

Hmmmmmmm. Much to consider. Now, where's that porcupine?

There was a Golden Era of cartooning in America and it began in the
early '70's with Kliban. Whack Your Porcupine is one of the ends of the
beginning. _Some of the gags are obvious and even a bit silly. The
Intellectual with his head connected to his butt by an electric cord is a
bit pathetic. But No Loitering is the only possible modern take on the
seven ages of man and woman.

But best of all is the title drawing. Whack your Porcupine? how preposterous,
how pefect. We're sure that no porcupines were hurt in making this
cartoon, but we suspect that many presuppositions were done to dark death.

--Lynn Hoffman, author of THE NEW SHORT COURSE IN WINE and
the novel bang BANG. ISBN 9781601640005

This book is hilarious, and I love to give it as a gift. Why is it out of print? Is the publisher crazy?

If you've ever enjoyed cartoon books, a whacked sense of humor, or have a lateral thinking skullcap, you'd better find this outrageous book, one of several I've collected over the years. Unfortunately, ol' Hap is no longer with us, but fortunately, he left a legacy of with that will not soon be seen by our generation.

Wonderfully refreshing, further demonstrates the need that Charismatics and Cessationists have one for another. I found myself agreeing with Grudem's assessment at the end.

This book is highly recommended for the seminarian, scholar or lay-person who seeks to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in the everyday life of a believer. While the book is written from a cessationist standpoint, the contributors argue that the third person of the Trinity is indispensible for the proper study of the Bible, for a right understanding of our emotions, for authentic worship in the local church, and for a Christ-centered love of all people. Of special note are Wallace's essay on "The Witness of the Holy Spirit in Rom 8:16," Averbeck's piece entitled "God, People, and the Bible," and Willie O. Peterson's work on "The Spirit in the Black Church." Perhaps the most moving section of the book, though, is Wallace's introduction entitled "The Uneasy Conscience of a Non-Charismatic Evangelical." Here, Wallace honestly writes of his struggle with God as he and his family came to terms with his son's cancer. The Bible alone was not a remedy for his grief; instead, a personal, existential experience of God was needed, and this came through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This book reminds us that whether we are scholars or lay-people, the goal of Bible study is not that we simply master the Scripture; instead, we must earnestly desire that the Scripture masters us by the life-changing work of the Spirit. Both cessationists and charismatics will appreciate this book's emphasis on the unique role of the Holy Spirit for the life and practice of the Church; in the end, the work proves to be a thoughtful, penetrating read.

In 1993, Chuck Swindoll authored "Flying Closer to the Flame: A Passion for the Holy Spirit." What that book was for the general non-charismatic Protestant lay person, "Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit?" is for the scholarly non-charismatic Protestant pastor, professor, and student.

The co-editors, Wallace and Sawyer, along with the nine other contributing authors, all write from the cessationist theological camp. Cessationists believe that the Bible teaches that the sign gift ministry of the Holy Spirit ceased at the close of the New Testament canon. These sign gifts (such as the gift of healing, miracle working, speaking in tongues, prophecy, etc.) were given to authenticate the apostolic ministry and message of inspired Scripture and not meant to be ongoing aspects of the Spirit's ministry in the believer throughout church history.

The purpose of "Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit?" is not to provide theological support for that view. Instead, that view is assumed. Rather, the purpose is to stretch their fellow cessationists to consider the ongoing, active, powerful, personal presence and ministry of the Spirit today in the experiential life of the non-charismatic Christian.

Wallace and Sawyer launch their edited work with candid narratives of their personal experience in the cessationist camp. When life crisis struck, their personal, academic approach to the Spirit was found wanting. At the same time, their theological convictions did not allow for a charismatic experience of the Spirit. Out of that tension, this book was born. How does a non-charismatic cessationist experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit?

The eleven assembled cessationist scholars address that question theologically, historically, and personally. As with any collaborative book, the linkage between various chapters can be choppy and the value of diverse chapters varies. However, over all, readers are exposed to a wide assortment of important theological examinations.

Before a summary overview, readers should understand, as noted in the opening paragraph of this review, that this book is not for those disinclined toward scholarly detail. Swindoll's book, though fifteen years old, is still the place to go for the lay non-charismatic wanting a practical theology of the Holy Spirit.

One of the central issues addressed is summarized by several of the authors in the disturbing picture of the cessationist "Trinity": Father, Son, and Holy Scripture." Yes, you read that right--Holy Scripture. Wallace and his co-writers sense that for many non-charismatics the Holy Scriptures have replaced the Holy Spirit. The authors ask readers to consider what the role of the Spirit is in their lives now that the canon is completed.

Wallace's chapter on the witness of the Spirit in Romans 8:16 is core to that discussion. In a nutshell, Wallace presents a joint ministry of Spirit and Scripture. Believers have confidence that they are Christians based upon the objective testimony of Scripture and the subjective witness of the Spirit. This dual, mingled role of Spirit and Scripture is emphasized throughout "Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit?"

Richard Averbeck, in his chapter on "God, People, and the Bible," does a fine job exploring the relationship between illumination and biblical scholarship. He also does an excellent job convicting the typical evangelical scholar of his/her failure to be dependent upon and open to the Spirit in the scholarly process.

"The Spirit in the Black Church" by Willie Peterson is one of those "worth the price of the book" chapters. For anyone wanting a handle on how black cessationist evangelicals handle the "tension" between the experience of the Spirit and the cessation of the sign gifts, this is the chapter to read. Peterson's blending of history, theology, culture, and current ministry is example-setting.

David Eckman's chapter on "The Holy Spirit and Emotions" should be required reading for all seminary professors, students, pastors, and Christian counselors. It provides the seeds for a much needed evangelical theology of emotions. Emotional intelligence has been a buzz word in secular writing for nearly two decades. Yet the Christian community still has not offered a practical biblical theology of emotionality. Eckman has laid the foundation.

Co-editor James Sawyer's concluding chapter "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Scriptures?" powerfully encapsulates the message of the book. Sawyer journeys with readers on an important historical trek which opens eyes to why cessationists have become so afraid of the Holy Spirit. His fascinating and ironic premise is that the same evangelicals who decry how the Enlightenment influenced liberal Christianity, were themselves influenced by Enlightenment rationalism. Ouch. You have to read it to appreciate it.

Overall, "Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit?" is a timely book that has already stirred up much needed conversation. Admittedly, a few chapters were uneven at times--seeming not to fit the overall flow of the book--as if they had been written for other venues (which is most likely true) and woven into the fabric of this book. Yet, that is minor in the overall scope of this important contribution to the field.

Perhaps the true "criticism" I have about this book is its failure to provide a "spiritual theology of the Holy Spirit." Before I explain that, I should say that in fairness to the authors, that was not the full intention of this book. So, my encouragement would be that they rejoin to write "volume two."

As I think about the theological process, I see at least four "types" of theologies: academic, historical, practical/pastoral, and spiritual. Academic theology (including systematic, biblical, exegetical, and lexical) explores the "What?" questions. As the label suggests, it is academic in nature. This book does a splendid job exploring the academic theology of the Holy Spirit from a cessationist perspective.

Historical theology explores the development of doctrine over time. It asks the "What then?" questions. This book also does an excellent job uncovering and presenting the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the evangelical tradition.

Spiritual theology asks the "So what?" questions. What are the implications for our lives of the academic truths discovered in the text? "Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit?" did a commendable job challenging readers to consider such implications. It presented many categories for the cessationist Christian to think through.

Practical/pastoral theology asks the "What now?" questions. How do we personally apply and how do we disciple, mentor, and guide others in the application of the text? Here is where I felt a level of disappointment with the book. As a pastor/counselor/professor/soul physician, I wanted more practical direction. We learned what not to do. We even learned what areas to think through. But we readers were not given many pictures of what this actually looks like in daily existence. We were not given many models of discipleship ministry. What exactly does it look like to equip and empower cessationist Christians to be filled with the Spirit, to be led by the Spirit, to express the fruit of the Spirit. While some of these topics were broached, the focus often failed to address fully the practical "what now?" questions. Again, no one book can "do it all." But a book emphasizing how cessationists can and should experience the empowering presence of the Spirit could "go there." I hope the next volume does so to a greater extent. That said, I still highly recommend this book. It deserves all five of its stars.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering," "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."

The authors of this book are coming out of the Bible Church movement and seminaries like Dallas Theological which have focused on the intellectual aspects of doing theology and Bible study to the detriment (say the authors) of the experiential and other aspects of the ministry of the third Person of the Trinity. This is an excellent and scholarly but irenic treatment of their realization that they (we) just might have been quenching the Spirit.

September 9, 2006

Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit?

"If the Holy Spirit did not die in the first century, what in the world is He doing today?" The answer(s) to this question are explored by eleven authors from a variety of different backgrounds and disciplines. Some of the authors will be quite familiar to most readers (e.g. J.I. Packer), while others will appear as new and helpful guides on their spiritual journey (e.g. Gerald Bray, Richard Averbeck and M. James Sawyer).

The high points of this book are many, but I will limit my comments to three areas:

1. It breaks fresh ground. Though the authors of these essays would certainly vary a bit on a number of issues, they all want to allow the Holy Spirit to be Lord of their lives (2Cor. 3:17). At the same time, they want to safeguard the authority of Scripture, and avoid some of the excesses that they have encountered. This form of cessationism is being tentatively called pneumatic Christianity.
The implications of this departure from the older form of cessationist thinking are nothing short of astounding. This book will serve as a focal point in the ongoing discussions about the work of the Holy Spirit today.
This work also breaks fresh ground by addressing topics rarely discussed in many circles. The Holy Spirit and the Arts by Reg Grant is a refreshing look at a much-neglected topic. Willie Peterson's The Spirit in the Black Church brings a fresh perspective to the table, and Jeff Louie's The Holy Spirit and the Local Church should be read by every Pastor and church leader.

2. Exemplary Methodology. The diverse backgrounds and disciplines of the authors help to round out the discussion. The essays complement one another across various fields of expertise (see especially the third and fifth essays by Daniel Wallace and M. James Sawyer).
Another useful feature of this book is the frequent insistence on the need to have a personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. While propositional truth is useful, and even necessary, we cannot reduce all of the Christian faith to propositions. The authors from the more academic disciplines seek to provide the practical implications of their writings to the reader.
In terms of useful methodology, I would like to highlight essay number five by Daniel Wallace, entitled, The Witness of the Spirit in Romans 8:16 Interpretation and Implications. This chapter addresses concerns and blends together insights from a number of disciplines: historical, theological, lexical and grammatical. The author frequently points the reader to some of the most useful works in New Testament Studies and is thorough in interacting with the relevant literature. However, Mr. Wallace, is not content to simply state his interpretation of the text, but presses on to flesh out its implications for the Christian life. This essay combines the diligence and analysis of a learned exegete with the passion of a preacher. This essay alone is worth the price of the book.

3. Irenic in Tone. One of the things the Holy Spirit is doing today is bringing unity to the body of Christ in answer to Jesus' prayer in John 17. This is evidenced by the irenic and thoughtful tone of the essays in this seminal publication.

Additional Comments

Although this work was primarily focused on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, an essay on the person of the Holy Spirit would serve as a welcome corrective to the trend toward depersonalizing the Holy Spirit and viewing him as an "energy" or "force". There were also a few minor typographical errors, which can be easily corrected.
Biblical Studies Press is to be commended for publishing this work, as is [...].

Conclusion

This book may prove to be one of the most significant works to be published in the last decade. It will certainly cause a stir in some quarters of Evangelicalism, which has imbibed from the wells of rationalism for far too long. I would highly recommend the prayerful reading of this book along with Wayne Grudem's very helpful response. If this book succeeds in bringing honor to God the Holy Spirit, then the Father and the Son will be very pleased indeed (Mt. 12:31-32).


Andrew Carr
La Rue, Ohio

Our daughter loves this book, after buying "Whose Knees Are These" she kept asking for its companion. We were not disappointed, its a frequent selection at nap and bedtime.

I purchased this book along with "Whose Knees are These?" for my twin boy and girl. They love these books. I think that they are excellent African-American books. Provide very positive images.

This book, along with its "brother" book "Whose Knees are These" have become our favorite gifts for children in our lives. The books are fun, original, and fast page-turners. My daughter loves to do the "This little piggie" game as we read it. We also appreciate the multi-ethnic illustrations. We think that it is great for all kinds of children to have books featuring all kinds of children!

WHOSE TOSE ARE THOSE is Jabari Asim's second board book for babies and toddlers in which the focus is on body parts. The text is playful and engaging and appeals to a child's excitement about themselves. The illustrations are the perfect complement and are bright and colorful, making them easily relatable to the words on the pages. Little girls, especially, will love the book as it clearly represents several of ther aspects, such as "the girl with the sparkling eyes and that cute button nose."

WHOSE TOES ARE THOSE is a perfect book to assist in teaching body parts and the beauty of even the simplest of things; in this case, toes. It fosters awareness of self-esteem and depictions of themselves in which children of color can recognize. From the rhyming text to the introduction of counting, this adorable book will become a favorite for children and parents alike.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I'll copy and edit my review of the matching book which I also own, "Whose Knees Are These," which features a little black boy. I have a new baby and I am seeking out books for black babies. I stumbled across this and I love it. I am buying a load of them for friends for the holidays--I'm planning ahead! I am glad to share my love of books with my son and better still that they feature children of color.

I read this series over the summer and compliment author Stephen Bly on a few levels. I'm not a horse person, I'm quite intimidated by anything bigger than a Golden Retriever. This series, and this book especially, made me feel like I was on vacation in Argenta too, watching all the fun unfold, and I wanted to jump on a horse and follow these characters as they galloped off to the sunset. The scenery depiction and town life felt so real I felt parched from the dust and in need to meet up with Dev if only for a few moments. This story had many laughs, deep, rich characters you truly get to know and care for, and a heart. Just like the Labor Day holiday signals the end of summer, turning the last page on this book was something I wasn't anxious to do.

Looking for an inexpensive get away? Journey with this series for a vacation you'll fondly remember and want to visit again and again.

I was given Wish I'd Known you Tears Ago as a gift. I read the book in one day...it's that good!

It's about a woman who basically runs to a place she loved as a little girl to rediscover herself. Towards the end of her journey she invites her college-aged daughter to join her in hopes of mending broken fences, and building a new bond.

Many strange things happen during the last days of summer that changes the woman's life forever...Will it be for the best? You'll have to read the book to find out.

One thing I can say is that you'll walk away with a few personal revelations of your own.

Stephen Bly is able to bring me to tears either with laughter or
pathos. How he can write so believably about females amazes me.
Having lived with school teachers and hearing their discussions
at holiday meals and family get togethers Develyn and her love
for her students mirrors several of the elementary teachers of
my various family members. But Mr. Bly doesn't stop with
believable characters, instead he keeps me reading to all hours
of the day and night to see what kind of "fix" his characters
will wind up in next.

Delaney perhaps was the least believable of the bunch since
most modern fillies would have solved the dilemma of pregnant
or not in the length of time it took to get to a pharmacy, get
back home and do the test. Then before they stewed for several
weeks would have repeated the test. However, the anguish Delaney
went through and the treatment of her mother throughout the
whole ordeal of pregnant or not parallels well with the relationship existing between daughters and mothers witnessed
in my own experience. With four sisters and myself and numerous
daughters the yin and yang of rearing girls does see-saw endlessly and never seems to be completely resolved with the
realization that both mothers and daughters can truly settle
down to a permanent and lasting peace of simply loving one
another undeservably/unreservably.

Cooper Tallon? What can I say except could we clone a few of
him for the widows of Texas. On the other hand I believe the
Hunter Burkes of the world may have been cloned already. Casey
Cree-Ryder's Jackson is every mother's wish for her daughters.
Which leads back to the fact that Stephen Bly does men quite
well also.

A wonderful tale of Wyoming and the yen most of us have of re-
visiting the wonderful times of our youth and resolving the
heartaches of our middle or senior seasons of life. Made me
want to revist the land of blue skys, wide open spaces and
typical Western people, culture and terrain.

What a hoot....you find yourself smiling or laughing out loud when reading this series. I think the heroine Develyn is capable of stimulating Stephen's creative powers in producing at least 3 more adventures. I didn't want Develyn's summer vacation to end. This is a fun set of novels to escape in....if you're due for a vacation...and there's none in the immediate future...get lost with Develyn and you'll feel as if you'd been there by her side.

A great conclusion to the Horse Dreams Trilogy. Well written contemporary western fiction. Have you known people who just seem to be able to make friends with anyone, from truck stop waitresses to wealthy ranchers, from precocious 10 year olds to eccentic senior citizens? Well, Devy-girl, the main character in this series is one of them! The characters are continuously developed through the trilogy. Each book allows you to get to know new characters, and yet the people you met and loved in the previous books are still continuing to grow and even surprise you in the last. Great life-lessons learned without being preachy. . . well at least it is in character for a middle-aged 5th grade teacher from Indiana.

I used this book with teens for a Bible study breakfast a few years back and have not found anything this GOOD!! wish there was another like it!

This was my first teen devotional, and I was impressed by the uniqueness of this book! This book really helped me a lot in my everyday life. I sensed God talk to me in the pages of this book. I belive it will help out a lot of teens, as it helped me. It features real day-to-day experiences that teens like me can relate. Once I started reading a page a day, I never stopped having my quiet time with the Lord!

What a blessing this book has been to me and my family. We have been using it for about a year in our devotions before we begin the day of homeschooling. A relative of mine who attends college, was looking for a devotional book for her Bible study group so we sent her one as well. I hope "the word has gotten out" on what a great book it is.

This is a great devotional for older youth. My kids were a bit young for some of the stories in there (like premarital sex, etc). When I realized it was too old for my 7 & 9 year olds, I gave it to my 12-year-old nephew.

I teach 8th grade English in a Christian Academy. Every morning I start off by reading a devotional from this book. I have no discipline problems, and I believe it to be because I start off each day with a devotional. I spent a lot of time searching for a book that I could use, and this one was by far the best.