Books read in 2009 by Orville Boyd Jenkins

Reading Goals Progress for 2010
Books I Read in 2009
Menu of All My Reading Lists
See all my book reviews on Amazon.com
See menu of all formal book reviews on this site

This list is my way of keeping myself accountable for the goals I have set, and for providing resources to others who may be interested in the topics I study. My goal for 2010 is 135 books.

Finished (130)

Abanes, Richard. Religions of the Stars. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House, 2009. 223p. (Abanes provides a serious and helpful introduction and overview of the various religions, east and west, old and modern, that Hollywood personalities belong to. He provides a good social setting for the rise of religious fervor among the Hollywood crowd, refuting the common popular view that Hollywood and the entertainment are irreligious or antireligious. He covers the main religions then closes with a comparison of the similarities and differences with Christianity as he understands it. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 10 July 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 10-16 July 2010. Religions (Culture and Trends)

Abbott, G. Great Escapes from the Tower of London. London: Heinemann, 1982. 115p. Bought 23 July 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 29-30 July 2010. History

Abdul-Ghafur, Saleemah, ed. Living Islam Out Loud: American Muslim Women Speak. Boston: Beacon Press, 2005. 209p. (Essays and poems by women born in America and raised as Muslims. Telling their stories and how they are forging a current identity as Muslims in a modern western secular setting. Many thoughtful ideas on viable Islamic adaptations that reject traditional cultural limitations and abuse of women found in some Islamic cultures. Patriotic, spiritual and dynamic women dealing with the realities facing them, and their positive interpretations of Quranic faith as a liberating force in their lives. This volume will provide rewarding insights into Islam. These essays are not somebody's unconsidered opinion about Islam and how it affects women. This is a set of personal testimonies of Muslim Women. This is the real deal – not just the negative, but the positive. See and learn of here of personal faith, not about a religion. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 5 August 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 19-20 August 2010. Faith and Life

Alda, Alan. Things I Overheard while Talking to Myself. Westminster, Maryland: Random House/Recorded Books, 2007. Audiobook. (This is a hilarious autobiography. You will learn many interesting details about life and the world, as well as show business.) Borrowed 4 May 2010. Heard 8-9 May 2010. Autobiography

Anderson, Keith B and G Patrick Benson. Religions in East Africa. Nairobi: Church of the Province of Kenya, 1985. 214p. Bought in Nairobi in the 1980s. Read 9-16 July 2010. Religions

Arterburn, Stephen and Sam Gallucci. Road Warrior. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2007. 173p. (This book is not exactly about Faith and Life, though the writers are Christians. The writers address a common American problem, dual in nature and related to patterns of business across the continent. Travel adds stress on relationships and distance between family family members. Arterburn and Gallucci describe out of their own experience and the testimonies of others how life on the road leads to a sense of personal disorientation and a strain on relationships with spouse and children. See my full review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 25 February 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 16-17 April 2010. Faith and Life

Axelrod, Alan. Revolutionary Management. Guilford, Connecticut: The Lyons Press, 2008. 246p. (Axelrod presents a thematic and historical analysis of the thought and principles of John Adams, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Axelrod analyzes the principles of management Adams articulates, analyzing his letters, diary and published essays, as well as his official acts while President of the republic. He has abstracted from Adams' prolific writings and records 126 Lessons expressing Adams' practical concerns and management approaches for business and politics. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 3 April 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 11-13 April 2010. American Politics and Culture

Baldwin, Stephen with Mark Tabb. The Unusual Suspect: My Calling to the New Hardcore Movement of Faith. NY: Warner Faith, 206. 286p. Bought 20 May 2010 in Richmond, Virginia. Read 21-22 May 2010. Faith and Life

Barrett, Paul M. American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion. NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. 304p. Bought 19 December 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 17-22 February 2010. Peoples and Cultures (Religions, Islam)

Bell, Rob. Jesus Wants to Save Christians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008. 218p. Bought 7 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 12-13 January 2010. Faith and Life

Bennett, Barbara. Soul of a Lion. Washington, DC: National Geographic, 2010. 292p. Received as a Publisher's Pre-Release Review Copy 28 August 2010. Read 29-31 August 2010. Science

Berman, Bob. Cosmic Adventure: Other Secrets Beyond the Night Sky. NY: Quill (HarperCollins), 2000. 255p. Bought 3 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 10-11 January 2010. Science (Astronomy)

Black, Amy E. Beyond and Right: Helping Christians Make Sense of American Politics. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. 254p. Bought 7 January 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 17-19 January 2009. Politics (Church and State)

Burge, Gary M. The Bible and the Land. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 109p. Bought 10 July 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 29 August 2010. Bible Backgrounds (Peoples and Cultures)

Burge, Gary M. Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller: Uncover the Ancient Culture, Discover Hidden Meanings. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 108p. Bought 17 June 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 17-18 June 2010. Bible Backgrounds (Peoples and Cultures)

Burridge, Richard A. Faith Odyssey: A Journey through Life. Grand Rapids/Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2003. 226p. Bought 29 April 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 12 May 2010. Faith and Life

Burstein, Andrew. Letters from the Head and Heart: Writings of Thomas Jefferson. Monticello: Thomas Jefferson Foundation, 2002. 100p. Bought 30 August 2003 in Monticello, Virginia. Read 28 August 2010. American Politics

Clarke, Arthur and Stephen Baxter. Time's Eye. NY: Del Rey (Ballantine), 2005. 364p. Read 17-19 May 2010. Sci Fi

Collins, Francis S. The Language of Life. NY: Harper, 2010. 368p. Borrowed 5 May 2010. Read 26-29 May 2010. Science

Copeland, Lori. A Case of Crooked Letters. Prince Frederick, Maryland: Tyndale Publishing/Recorded Books, 2004. Audiobook. (Set in the community of Morning Shade, Arkansas, this humourous mystery focuses on an explosion of chain letters promising vast riches to a hardhit Ozark Mountain village. The characters in this story were hilariously realistic. The interesting, diverting and highly entertaining local colour is recognizable to those of us with some connections and acquaintances in that region. This was my first Lori Copeland book, and I am amazed at the richness and depth of these characters and the rising suspense. I suggest you meet the interesting people of Morning Shade, Arkansas. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Borrowed 4 May 2010. Heard 29-30 May 2010. Fiction

Crowther, J G. Six Great Scientists. NY: Barnes and Noble, 1995. Borrowed 28 March 2010. Read 13-16 April 2010. Science

Cutter, Donald and Iris Engstrand. Quest for Empire: Spanish Settlement in the Southwest. Golden, Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing, 1996. 358p. Bought 23 July 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 30 July - 6 August 2010. History (Peoples and Culture)

DeConde, Alexander. Presidential Machismo: Executive Authority, Military Intervention and Foreign Relations. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2000. 391p. Bought 18 January 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 19-22 January 2010. Politics

Dent, Harry S, Jr. The Roaring 2000s. NY: Touchstone (Simon and Schuster), 1998. 319p. Bought 28 March 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 31 March - 2 April 2010. Business

DePalma, Anthony. Here: A Biography of the New American Continent. NY: Public Affairs (Perseus Books Group), 2001. 375p. (DePalma evaluates the common historical experiences of the cultural and political entities that make up the North American Continent. He likewise analyzes the similarities and differences between the three large geo-political entities of Canada, Mexico and the United States. See my full review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 3 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 13-19 March 2010. Peoples and Cultures (History)

Dubin, Eric. The Star Chamber: How Celebrities Go Free and Their Lawyers Become Famous. Beverly Hills, California: New Millennium, 2007. 214p. (Dubin was the plaintiff's lawyer in a civil suit against Robert Blake in the death of his wife Bonny Bakely. Dubin analyzes the situation with celebrity trials in the US. He writes from his own insider perspective to expose the double standard that often prevails. In balance, he tells in exciting detail his own experience in his own spectacular win against Blake, who had already been found not guilty in criminal court. He analyzes the cases of O J Simpson and Michael Jackson, among other less spectacular cases.) Bought 3 April 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 5-6 April 2010. American Politics and Culture (Legal)

Easterbrook, Gregg. Sonic Boom: Globalization at Sonic Speed. NY: Random House, 2009. 243p. Received 4 February 2010 as a Publisher's Preview Review Copy. Read 8-10 February 2010. Business

Estes, Douglas. SimChurch: Being the Church in the Virtual World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 256p. Bought 17 June 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 27-29 July 2010. Culture and Trends (Religion)

Faith, Curtis. Trading from Your Gut: How to Use Right Brain Instinct and Left Brain Smarts to Become a Master Trader. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: FT Press, 2010. 202p. (See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Received 4 January 2010 as a Publisher's Preview Review Copy. Read 6-8 January 2010. Business

Feinberg, Margaret. Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 214p. (The author explores different peoples' current lifestyles to gain insights into the ways of life and meanings of metaphors from the biblical texts to better understand its application to life. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 1 July 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 13-14 August 2010. Faith and Life

Ferguson, Craig. American on Purpose. NY: Harper, 2009. 268p. Bought 1 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 3-6 January 2010. Autobiography

Fitz-Gerald, Keith. The Rise of Financial Terrorism. Ferderick, Maryland: Money Map Report, 2010. 112p. Received as a gift 19 August 2010. Read 23-24 August 2010. Business

Foster, Charles. The Selfless Gene: Living with God and Darwin. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009. 283p. (Foster is a tutor at the University of Oxford, educated at the University of Cambridge. He writes here to analyze the reductionist bombasts of scientist Richard Dawkins, pointing out the logical errors and lack of evidence for many of Dawkins' claims for radical Darwinism against religious viewpoints as a whole. He likewise critiques the related radical Rationalist reductions of "creationism," pointing out rightly that Dawkins and the creationists make use of the same errors of logic and sweeping avoidance of evidence. (See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 6 May 2010. Read 9-11 May 2010. Philosophy (Science and Religion)

Foust, Dennis and William Tinsley and Brian Harbour. The Book of Acts: Toward Being a Missional Church. Dallas, Texas: BaptistWay Press, 2007. 163p. Received 14 February 2010. Read 14-15 February 2010. Bible

French, David. A Season of Justice: Defending the Rights of the Christian Home, Church and School. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2002. 213p. Bought 7 August 2010. Read 25-26 August 2010. American Politics and Culture (Church and State)

Fuller, Graham E. A World Without Islam. NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2010. 317p. (Released August 2010. Fuller, former Vice Chairman of the National Intelligence Council of the CIA, discusses in great detail and clarity the role of Islam as a social and cultural phenomenon in the world's cultures. Fuller analyzes the current militant phenomenon of radical Islamist terrorism in the light of history and concludes that with our without Islam, the same types of conflicts would have occurred because of other reasons. He finds that religion simply becomes the vehicle of protest based in ethnic or political attitudes, especially among oppressed groups. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Received 2 July 2010 as a Publisher's Preview Review Copy. Read 21-26 July 2010. Religions (World Politics)

Gellman, Barton. Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency. NY: Penguin Press, 2008. 483p. Bought 25 April 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 30 April - 3 May 2010. Politics (Biography)

Gesteland, Richard R. Cross-Cultural Business Behavior: Marketing, Negotiating and Managing Across Cultures. Copenhagen: Copenhagen Business School Press, 1999. 282p. Borrowed 22February 2010. Read 22-28 March 2010. Business

Glickman, Rosalene. Optimal Thinking. Prince Frederick, Maryland: Gildan Media/Recorded Books, 2007. Audiobook. (Optimal Thinking is presented as a more realistic and more productive alternative to "Positive Thinking," which Glickman says often deteriorates in to self-destructive wishful thinking. Glickman provides productive techniques and questions to ask about each type of decision, to enhance your enlightenment on issues you face and your systematic and practical thinking towards solutions.) Borrowed 9 February 2010. Heard 1 March 2010. Business/Personal Development

Gold, Dore. The Fight for Jerusalem: Radical Islam, the West, and the Future of the Holy City. Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing, 2007. 372p. Bought 9 June 2009 in Irving, Texas. Read 1-3 February 2010. History (Peoples and Cultures)

Gravel, Senator Mike and David Eisenbach. The Kingmakers. Beverly Hills: Phoenix Books, 2008. 204p. (This is a competent and focused analysis of trends and patterns in the American public News Media. Specifically considering the coverage of political events and election campaigns, the Senator finds clear patterns of myth-making and myth-breaking, which often determines and drives the news. Poor or non-existent background research is a major syndrome Gravel documents here. The media become simply a funnel for the story line and slogan emphases of the Administration or a particularly favoured personality. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 25 February 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 17-19 April 2010. American Politics and Culture

Gribbin, John and Mary. Annus Mirabilis: 1905, Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity. NY: Chamberlain Bros (Penguin), 2005. 310p. Bought 31 December 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 13-16 February 2010. Science

Gundry, Stanley N, series editor. Five Views on Sanctification. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. 254p. (A volume in the Counterpoints Series.) Bought 3 June 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 15-16 June 2010. Theology

Henry, Douglas V and Michael D Beaty, eds. Christianity and the Soul of the University: Faith as a Foundation for Intellectual Community. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006. 192p. Bought 29 April 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 14-15 May 2010. Faith and Life

Herringshaw, Mark. The Karma of Jesus: Do We Really Reap What We Sow? Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House, 2009. 207p. (This is a rewarding read, written in a flowing style that sweeps the reader pleasantly along on the wave of the author's reflections. Herringshaw tells us the story of conversations he has had with various people in his role as a teacher of religion. We are carried along with the author's own thoughts as he goes through backgrounds and possibilities in thoughtful, dynamic engagement of serious questions. He draws on current news stories, historical perspectives from important personages in history, characters and situation in popular entertainment, and the personal back story of the people he is engaging with. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 1 July 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 26-27 July 2010. Philosophy (Theology)

Hick, John. The Metaphor of God Incarnate. London: SCM Press, 2005. 204p. Bought 2 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 16-17 May 2010. Philosophy

Hijuelos, Oscar. A Simple Habana Melody. NY: Harper-Collins, 2002. 342p. Bought 3 June 2009 in Gainesville, Texas. Read 12-14 June 2010. Music (Fiction)

Hillerman, Tony. The Ghostway. Prince Frederick, Maryland: Curtis Brown/Recorded Books. 1990. Audiobook. Borrowed 4 May 2010. Heard 12, 26-27 May 2010. (A murder mystery set on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, and west to Los Angeles. This was a tight, well-developed story, intriguing and realistic. Hillerman develops serious and deep characters and portrays the cultural setting of the Navajo worldview and lifestyle.) Fiction

Hitchcock, Mark. The Apocalypse of Ahmadinejad: The Revelation of Iran's Nuclear Prophet. Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2007. 208p. Bought 7 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 25-26 February 2010. Religions (Shiite Islam)

Hopper, R J. The Early Greeks. NY: Barnes and Noble (Harper and Roe), 1977. 257p. Bought 3 August 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 24-25 August 2010. Peoples and Cultures (History)

Huggins, James Byron. A Wolf Story. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1993. 250p. Bought 10 December 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 20-25 April 2010. Fiction

Invisible Committee, The. The Coming Insurrection. Grand Haven, Michigan: Brilliance Audio, 2010. Audiobook. (This somewhat bizarre commentary on contemporary society and the building popular is set in France. This version is a translation from the original, which includes good endnotes that clarify some references to French agencies, governmental or commercial entities and revolutionary or terrorist groups. But American reader (hearer) will be instantly able to envision the analysis in the American context. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Received from the Publisher as a Preview Review Copy 30 July 2010. Heard 10-15 2010. American Politics and Culture

Kagan, Jerome. An Argument for Mind. New Haven/London: Yale University Press, 2006. 287p. (Kagan reviews the history of concepts of mind in Psychology, then critiques the previous schools of thought in light of recent experiments, including many of his own conducted over the past decades. He references experiments that followed individuals in many populations in different continents from birth to adulthood. His conclusion establishes that there are universal categories of mind and patterns of learning across human populations and social or family situations. He shows that early theories of psychology made up their categories and conclusions from deductions from assumptions rather than by actual observation and generalization from evidence. He concludes from the evidence of these many practical experiments and observations that there is a Mind in humans that cannot be accounted for by conditioning and behavioural training or childhood experience. He observes that there are universal moral and social values that appear to relate to this universal common Mind among all human cultures and populations. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) 28 September 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 12-14 May 2010. Psychology (Philosophy)

Kenny, Big and John Rich. Big and Rich: All Access. NY: Center street, 2007. 231p. (This is the autobiography of two musicians who came together, first in songwriting, then in stage performance, to combine country, rock, rap and Gospel styles in the music group Big and Rich.) Bought 25 April 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 17 June 2010. Music

Kenski, Kate and Bruce W Hardy and Kathleen Hall Jamieson. The Obama Victory: How Media, Money, and Message Shaped the 2008 Election. Oxford/NY: Oxford University Press, 2010. 378p. (See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Received from the Publisher as a Preview Review Copy 2 August 2010. Read 9-14 August 2010. American Politics and Culture

Kersten, Holger. Jesus Lived in India: His Unknown Life Before and after the Crucifixion. Boston/Melbourne: Element, 1994. 264p. Bought in Kenya in about 1996. Read 27-29 January 2010. Religions (Ahmadiyya Islam)

Kinzer, Stephen. Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds. NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001. 252p. Bought 15 October 2009 in Richmond, Texas. Read 27-29 April 2010. Peoples and Cultures

Kirkby, Mary-Ann. I Am Hutterite. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2010. 247p. (See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Received from the Publisher as a Preview Review Copy 2 July 2010. Read 7-9 August 2010. Peoples and Cultures

Lockyer, Herbert. All About God in Christ. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995. 154p. Received as a gift 28 July 2010. Read 17-18 August 2010. Bible

Manning, Brennan. The Signature of Jesus. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, 1996. 235p. Bought 7 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 11-12 February 2010. Faith and Life

Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. Orlando: Harvest (Harcourt), 2001. 401p. Bought 16 June 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 19-21 May 2010. Fiction (Philosophy)

Mathabane, Mark. Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa. NY: Free Press, 1986. 354p. Bought 18 January 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 5-8 July 2010. Autobiography (Peoples and Cultures)

Matthews, Rupert. Bigfoot: True-Life Encounters with Legendary Ape-Men. London: Arcturus, 2008. 208p. Bought 2 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 29-30 January 2010. Science

Mauldin, John. Just One Thing. Prince Frederick, Maryland: John Wiley/Recorded Books,2006. Audiobook. (Essays by successful traders and investors on the one thing they recommend as the key to successful investing.) Borrowed 28 December 2009. Heard 11-18 January 2010. Business

McBain, Ed. Fiddlers: A Novel of the 87th Precinct. Orlando: Otto Penzler (Harcourt), 2005. 259p. Bought 28 November 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 30 January - 1 February 2010. Fiction

McClaren, Brian D. Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises and a Revolution of Hope. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007. 327p. Bought 17 June 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 18-21 June 2010. Theology (Faith and Culture)

McClaren, Brian D and Tony Compolo. Adventures in Missing the Point. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. 286p. Bought 3 June 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 21-22 June 2010. Bible Backgrounds (Theology)

McGuckin, John A. A-Z of Origen. London: SCM Press, 2006. 228p. Bought 15 August 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 22-25 May 2010. Philosophy/Theology

McIntosh, Gary L. One Church Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. 222p. (McIntosh provides an excellent comparative summary of the generations of the 20th century and bridging into the 21st. In an American social context, he describes the formative events of each generations, the characteristics that developed as a result and the common attitudes and approaches to life this led to. He then provides a basis for communicating and building intergenerational communication. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 25 February 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 2-3 April 2010. Faith and Life

McKeown, J C. A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities: Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the World's Greatest Empire. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. 243p. (See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Received 28 June 2010 as a Publisher's Preview Review Copy. Read 30 June - 13 July 2010. Peoples and Cultures (History)

Mehta, Hemant. I Sold My Soul on eBay: Viewing Faith through and Atheist's Eyes. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2007. 210p. (This is a delightful and insightful book! Mehta is the atheist who auctioned off on eBay a chance for a Christian to have him go to a Christian church as an opportunity for the faith to make sense to him. He agreed to 1 hour for each $10. This is his story and his evaluation of the churches he visited, with some practical suggestions on how churches can communicate better to those who are not already Christians. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 25 February 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 19-22 March 2010. Religions (Faith and Life)

Miller, Donald. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009. Bought 27 February 2010, read 27-28 February 2010. Faith and Life

Miller, Stephen M. Big Dummies of the Bible. Nashville: W Publishing (Nelson), 2005. 151p. Bought 25 February 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 12-13 January 2010. Bible (Faith and Life)

Mitchard, Jacquelyn. Cage of Stars. Westminster, Maryland: Random House/Books on Tape, 2006. Audiobook. (This is a poignant inner look into the life of a Mormon family in Utah, told through the experiences of a young teen, Veronica Swan. The story revolves around the murder of Ronny's two younger sisters by a mentally-ill man. The murder scene occurs soon after the opening paragraphs of the book. But the opening scene, narrated by Ronny, is unclear, but seems to be discussing the death of the many who killed here sisters. The book resumes Ronny's narration of her experiences with the grieving family and on through her 16th birthday as she plans what to do with her future. We are uncertain where Ronny's experiences are leading her, but the tantalizing opening scene in LA lurks in the background of our minds, pushing us on to discover the rest of the story. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Borrowed 4 May 2010. Heard 8-9 May 2010. Fiction

Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name and Two Fates - A Story of Tragedy and Hope. NY: Spiegel and Grau (Random House), 2010. 251p. (See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Received 8 May 2010 as a Publisher's Preview Review Copy. Read 1 June 2010. Biography

Morgan, Giles. Byzantium. Edison, NJ: Chartwell, 2007. 158p. Bought 2 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 9-10 January 2010. History

Morrell, David. Scavenger. NY: Vanguard Press, 2007. 348p. Bought 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 21-23 August 2010. Fiction (Technology Thriller)

Moynagh, Michael. emergingchurch.intro. Oxford/Grand Rapids: Monarch Books, 2004. 253p. (Good, lively, practical, informative and motivating discussion of trends and personalities in what has come to be called The Emerging Church in contemporary America. The Emerging Church focuses on communication in real-life ordinary language and building relationships. The Good News is a life-integrated power and possibility, not just abstract information to learn, know, and repeat in prescribed form.) Bought in Arlington, Texas, and begun 27 March 2010. Finished 30 March 2010. Culture and Trends

Musharraf, Pervez. In the Line of Fire. NY: Free Press, 2006. 354p. Bought 16 April 2009 in Hagerstown, Maryland. Read 13-16 January 2010. Autobiography

Naidoo, Robbie. Brown Sugar. Ebook draft files. (A history of the Indians of South Africa. Naidoo outlines the history from arrival in 1860 when the first indentured workers came to work in the Sugar fields. He follows the economic and social development of the various ethnic and regional communities that have come to make up the Indians of South Africa. Naidoo discusses the social and economic niches of the major communities of Indians and describes how a new focus developed with a South African identity, and English as a mother tongue, with few if any ties to the original communities in India. Watch for release of this book in coming months.) Electronic Draft chapters received from the author in an email exchange discussing the Indians of South Africa and read 31 August 2010. Peoples and Cultures

Nelson, Larry M, etal. Wii Fit: Get Fit, Stay Fit. Arlington, Texas: Fielder Road Baptist Church, 2010. 127p. (A study of the themes in the book of James.) Received as a gift 4 April 2010. Read 7 April 2010. Bible (James)

O'Leary, De Lacy. Arabic Thought and Its Place in History. NY: Dover Publications, 2003 (reissue of original 1939 edition by Routledge and Kegan Paul). 327p. Bought 25 April 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 1-8 June 2010. Philosophy (Religions)

Oufkir, Malika. Freedom: The Story of My Second Life. NY: Hyperion (Miramax), 2006. 241p. Bought 3 April 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 4-5 May 2010. Biography (Religions-Islam)

Pagels, Elaine and Karen L King. Reading Judas. NY: Penguin Audio. 2007. Audiobook. (Commentary and discussion of the Gospel of Judas and other Gnostic literature. Pagels' critical comparison of New Testament and Judas texts was well-done and objectively evaluated. Includes a reading of the whole text of the Judas and an additional passage-by-passage textual commentary of vocabulary and cultural and philosophical backgrounds. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Borrowed 28 December 2009. Heard 3-11 January 2010. Biblical Backgrounds (History)

Palast, Greg. Armed Madhouse: A Secret History of the War over Oil in Iraq. NY: Dutton (Penguin), 2006. 360p. Bought 3 April 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 6-8 May 2010. American Politics

Palin, Sarah. Going Rogue: An American Life. NY: HarperAudio (HarperCollins), 2009. Audiobook, read by the author. Borrowed 26 December 2009. Heard 18-28 January 2010. Autobiography (Politics)

Park, Daundra Michele. Moonfire. Author's Draft for Review. 291p. Received electronic copy preview from the author in October 2009. Portions read 28-31 October 2009. Resumed January 2010, finished 11 February 2010. Literature (Gothic Adventure)

Parsons, Golden Keyes. In the Shadow of the Sun King. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008. 366p. Bought 12 May 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 4-8 February 2010. Historical Fiction

Patty, Sandi. Falling Forward. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007. 174p. Previously bought and read in 2008. New copy bought 25 April 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 15 August 2010. Faith and Life

Peterson, James C. Genetic Turning Points: The Ethics of Human Genetic Intervention. Grand Rapids/Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2001. 364p. Bought 3 June 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 9-12 June 2010. Philosophy (Ethics)/Science (Medical Genetics)

Phillips, Kevin. American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century. NY: Viking (Penguin), 2006. 462p. Bought 18 January 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 30 December 2009 - 2 January 2010. Politics (Culture and Trends)

Pinker, Steven. The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature. NY: Viking, 2007. 499p. Bought 2 October 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 24-27 January 2010. Science

Pope, Randy. The Intentional Church: Moving from Church Success to Community Transformation. Chicago: Moody, 2006. 222p. Bought 25 February 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 10-11 March 2010. Faith and Life

Prabhavananda, Swami and Christopher Isherwood, trans. The Song of God Bhagavad-Gita. NY: Harper and Bros, 1951. 191p. Bought 22 January 1971 in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Portions read previously. Read 23-24 Febraury 2010. Religions (Hinduism)

Proctor, Bob. It's Not About the Money. Prince Frederick, Maryland: Gildan Media/Recorded Books. 2009. Audiobook. (Proctor, a financial and life coach, sets out principles and mindsets for overcoming the financial victimization of a job-oriented approach to income. He provides practical steps to envision and plan your self-directed financial goals,and how to work for your passive income from business or investment.) Borrowed 29 January 2010. Heard 8-9 January 2010. Business

Rainer, Thom S. The Unchurched Next Door. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. 270p. Bought 1 July 2010. Read 26-27 August 2010. Faith and Life

Richardson, Don. Secrets of the Koran. Ventura, California: Regal Books, 2003. 260p. Borrowed and read 29 May 2010 in Greenbrier, Arkansas. Religions (Islam)

Ringe, Sharon H. Jesus, Liberation and the Biblical Jubilee: Images for Ethics and Christology. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985. 124p. (A study of Luke's theme of the Jubilee of Liberation in the Gospel. Based on the passage in Luke 4 where Jesus launches his public ministry by reading the passage from Isaiah 6:1-2 with Isaiah 58:6 in the synagogue at Nazareth. Ringe looks at the background of the Isaiah passages which lay the basis for Jesus' identification as the messenger of the Rule of God in terms of the Jubilee. Professor Ringe shows the care and detail we expect form Reformed scholars of the Bible. In the strong preaching tradition , to understand the proclamation of Jesus in the Nazareth synagogue, she goes back to the passages of Leviticus and Deuteronomy that describe the provisions of release from bondage and debt in the Jubilee Year. This is an excellent exegesis and social analysis. She looks at all passages in Luke, and references Acts, that might reflect this theme of liberation reflecting the Jubilee celebration of the Torah. Ringe keeps the focus on the passage as it comes to us and its meaning of this Good News proclamation of liberation and release in the rule of God for us in our society and the Church today. See this book on Amazon with my review.) Bought 10 July 2010. Read 27-28 August 2010. Bible (Theology)

Romero, Anthony D. In Defense of Our America: The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Age of Terror. NY: William Morrow (HarperCollins), 2007. 252p. Bought 28 May 2010 in Conway, Arkansas. Read 29-31 May 2010. American Politics

Rosenberg, Joel C. The Ezekiel Option. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 2005. 416p. Received as a gift in 2008. Read 12-19 July 2010. Fiction

Rovira, Alex and Fernando Trías de Bes. Good Luck. Prince Frederick, Maryland: John Wiley/Recorded Books. 2006. Audiobook. Borrowed 19 January 2010. Heard 1 February 2010. Business

Russinger, Greg and Alex Field, eds. Practitioners: Voices Within the Emerging Church. Ventura, California: Regal Books (Gospel Light), 2005. 254p. Bought in Arlington, Texas, 27 March 2010. Read 30-31 March 2010. Faith and Life

Seay, Chris. The Gospel According to Lost. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009. 195p. Received 2 February 2010 as a Publisher's Preview Review Copy. Read 3-4 February 2010. Faith and Life

Schaeffer's Investment Research, Inc. The Options Handbook. Cincinnati: Schaeffer's Investment Research, Inc, 2009. 61p. Accessed 18 August 2009 at http://www.schaeffersresearch.com/members/services/handbooks/pdfs/oa.pdf. Begun 31 December 2009, read various parts several times, finished 10 February 2010. Business

Sheridan, Eugene R. Jefferson and Religion. Monticello: Thomas Jefferson Foundation (Monticello Monograph Series), 1998. 83p. (Sheridan documents the well-known opposition of Jefferson to traditional forms of Christian faith, notably his rejection of the divinity of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity. Sheridan confirms Jefferson's general focus as a Deist, but details the progress and later influence of Unitarianism on Jefferson's thought over the decades of his productive life. Sheridan also, as expected, discusses Jefferson's famous and fervent advocacy for the separation of Church and State. See my review of this book on this website. See this book on Amazon with my review.) Bought 30 August 2003 in Monticello, Virginia. Read 28-29 August 2010. American Politics (Church and State)

Singer, Randy. The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2006. 211p. Bought 12 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 19-20 April 2010. Theology and Christian Faith (Religion and Culture)

Singh, Khushwant. The Sikhs Today. Bombay (Mumbai): Sangam Books (Priya Adarkar/Longman Orient), 1976. Bought September 1981 in Nairobi, Kenya. Read in 1981. Read again 31 August – 1 September 2010. Peoples and Cultures (Sikh)

Stevenson, John D. Restore Such a One. Mustang, Oklahoma: Tate Publishing, 2008. 170p. (A simple, but articulate plea for an approach of forgiveness and reconciliation for Christians who have fallen into sin. The author takes a deep look into the biblical examples from both the Hebrew scriptures and the Christian New Testament. He calls the church to repentance for the common arrogance, hypocrisy and class-concept of church membership and holiness. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 29 April 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 3-4 May 2010. Theology (Faith and Life)

Stim, Rich. Music Law: How to Run Your Band's Business. Berkeley, California: Nolo, 2009. 421p. (I was impressed with the practicality of this book. This book is written in normal English and can be used as a guide for your practical challenges. Every aspect of each sphere of a band's life in performance and finance is covered and forms and contracts printed in the book. The book includes a CD companion that contains all the contracts and support documents in the book. As with all Nolo products, the company website provides excellent legal updates and other support. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Received 4 February 2010 as a Publisher's Preview Review Copy. Read 25-27 April 2010. Business

Stimpson, George. A Book about the Bible. NY/London: Harper and Brothers, 1945. 509p. Received as a gift September 2009. Read 2-9 March 2010. Bible Backgrounds

Strobel, Lee. The Case for Easter. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. 95p. Received as a gift 4 April 2010. Read 6 April 2010. Theology

Sweeney, Jon M. Cloister Talks: Learning from My Friends the Monks. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2009. 157p. Bought 25 February 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 11-12 March 2010. Faith and Life

Sweet, Leonard. The Gospel According to Starbucks: Living a Grande Passion. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2007. 210p. (Sweet addresses the concept of community and connectedness, suggesting that the Starbucks phenomenon has become so pervasive because it meets a felt need in an atomized individualized society without community, which affects the church too. Starbucks becomes the metaphor for restoring community in modern society. He refocuses the modern western church on the pre-modern values of the original Gospel and the teachings of Jesus, valuing the human creation, not only as individuals, but as community. He reclaims the New Testament concept of redeeming nations and rebuilding communities through reconciliation with God and each other. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Bought 1 July 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 10-11 July 2010. Culture and Trends

Thesiger, Wilfred. The Life of My Choice. Glasgow: Fontana/Collins, 1988. 463p. Received as a gift July 2007. Partially read 2008. Read 15-17 August 2010. Autobiography (History)

Thiering, Barbara. Jesus of the Apocalypse: The Life of Jesus after the Crucifixion. London: Corgi Books, 1997. 572p. Bought 12 May 2008 in Edenvale, South Africa. Read 29-30 April 2010. History

Trigiani, Adriana. Home to Big Stone Gap. Westminster, Maryland: Glory of Everything/Books on Tape, 2006. Audiobook. (This is a lazy and tedious story described by the jacket notes as "this exquisite novel." This 9.5 hour recitation was about 8 hours too long. I don't recommend listening to this while you are driving alone on the freeway. This lazy, monotonous narrative is set in an Appalachian mountain community and deals with the personalities characteristic of a small town being forced to face the broader culture of the United States. The laudable intent of the author is to portray the deep cultural traits of this unique community. Cooks will perhaps be interested in the interminable recitation of recipes. I had trouble staying awake for these boring recitations of ingredients, hoping some more plot might finally happen. See my review of this book on this website. See the book with my review on Amazon.) Borrowed 4 May 2010. Heard 8-9 May 2010.

Trump, Donald and Bill Zanker. Think Big and Kick A-- in Business and Life. NY: Collins, 2007. 368p. Bought 31 December in Arlington, Texas. Read 8-9 January 2010. Business

Verma, Surendra. Why Aren't They Here?: The Question of Life on Other Worlds. Cambridge: Icon Books, 2007. 232p. Bought 2 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 22-24 January 2010. Science

Wallis, Jim. The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America. NY: HarperOne, 2008. 336p. (Wallis surveys the religious and political landscape of the United States to perceive and project into the future the relationship of religious movements to the US political and governmental system.) Bought 7 January 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 3-4 April 2010. Peoples and Cultures

Wattles, Wallace D. The Science of Being Great. Prince Frederick, Maryland: Gildan Media/Recorded Books. 2008. Audiobook. (Wattles combines insights and sources from Science, Theology and Mysticism into an eclectic metaphysical perspective on accomplishment and success. He develops a practical theory of how to draw upon the common power of the universe he sees as available through our spirit-intellect energies through creation. He draws heavily on biblical texts, especially the teachings of Jesus, for some unexpected understandings and connections on the topic of interest.) Borrowed 2 February 2010. Heard 13 February 2010. Philosophy (Faith and Life)

Weigel, George. Faith, Reason and the War against Jihadism. NY: Doubleday, 2007. 195p. Bought 17 June 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Read 4-5 July 2010. American Politics and Culture

Whitney, Russ. Building from Rags to Riches through Real Estate Wealth. NY: Fireside (Simon and Schuster), 1995. 283p. Bought in Richmond, Virginia, and portions read in January 2002. Read 4-8 June 2010. Business

Whitney, Russ. Building Wealth. Cape Coral, Florida: Whitney Education Group, 2000. 108p. (This is a manual of specific techniques and steps for practical success in the logistics and practices of real estate investment. Whitney makes reference to actual techniques he has used in deals he himself has done.) Bought in Richmond, Virginia, and portions read in January 2002. Read 29-30 June 2010. Business

Whitney, Russ. Keys to Real Estate: Financing, Locating and Analyzing. Cape Coral, Florida: Whitney Education Group, 2001. 106p. (This is a manual of steps and techniques for finding and evaluating properties and putting together financing for them. Very practical and well-analyzed.) Bought in Richmond, Virginia, and portions read in January 2002. Read 30 June - 5 July 2010. Business

Whitney, Russ. Overcoming the Hurdles and Pitfalls of Real Estate Investing: What the "How To" Books Don't Say. Cape Coral, Florida: Whitney Leadership Group, 2000 (2nd edition). 136p. (This is Russ Whitney's play-by-play testimonial account of his own experience in real estate. This is very clearly presented and detailed in documentation. The analysis and explanation he provides along the way comprises a significant component of mentorship to the comer to real estate investment. Whitney spends time explaining how he discovered, analyzed and negotiated deals. He explains the steps and factors in creative deal construction and approaches to financing.) Bought in January 2002 in Richmond, Virginia. Read 25-26 June 2010. Business

Willis, Avery. Making Disciples of Oral Learners. Pattya, Thailand/Bangalore, India: International Orality Network, 2005. 91p. Received 15 May 2010 in Rockville, Virginia. Read 17 May 2010. Peoples and Cultures

Wood, Gordon S. The Purpose of the Past: Reflections on the Use of History. NY: Penguin, 2008. 323p. Bought 18 December 2009. Read 7-10 April 2010. History

Yutang, Lin. From Pagan to Christian. Cleveland/NY: World Publishing Co, 1959. 251p. Bought 1985 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Read 26 February - 2 March 2010. Religions (Chinese Christianity)

Now Reading (1)
Planned (6)
Anderson, Mark S. Marothodi: The Historical Archaeology of an African Capital. Northamptonshire, England: Atikkam Media Limited, 2009. 278p. Ebook received from the author 2 September 2009. Read 2010. Peoples and Cultures (Tswana)

Armstrong, Karen. Holy War: The Crusades and their Impact on Today's World. NY: Anchor, 2001. 628p. Received as a gift February 2004. Read 2010. Religions

Barry, John M. Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America. NY: Touchstone, 1998. 524p. Bought 25 April 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Read 2010. History (Politics)

Marozzi, Justin. Tamerlane: Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World. 449p. London: Harper Perennial, 2004. Bought 21 December 2007 in Bedfordview, South Africa. Read 2010. History

Robertson, Archibald Thomas. The Gospel According to Luke (Volume 2 in Word Pictures in the New Testament). Nashville: Broadman Press. 1930 (reprint). 298p. Bought 10 September 2009 in Arlington, Texas. Partly read February 2010. Bible (Greek Language)

Waters, Steven E. Creating Wealth Without Risk. Ebook download: Tax Lien University, 2008. Accessed at http://www.taxlienuniversity.com/campaigns/new/index.php?ref=taxlienuniversity&source=catfish. Audiobook. (An audiobook training course on real estate tax liens and tax deeds. A 10-step system.) Downloaded 29 January 2010. Partly heard 12-14 February, 2010. Business

Books Music Video Enter keywords...

What I read in 2009
Menu of All My Reading Lists
See all my book reviews on Amazon.com
See menu of all formal book reviews on this site

Orville Jenkins Thoughts and Resources

Orville Jenkins Ideas and Interests