Recommend a book
April 30th, 2007I did one of these “Recommend a book” things a couple of months ago, but thought I might try it again. After all, I imagine some folks have finished books over the past couple of months that they weren’t reading at the time.
So, what have you been reading lately, and what do you recommend?
God of the Towel by Jim McGuiggan
Anything by David Halberstam. All of his books are terrific. I was sad to hear about his passing last week.
For preachers, Preparing Expository Sermons by Ramesh Richards.
Fiction, The Last Juror by John Grisham. I just finished it and would say it is one of his better works. (And that is saying a lot!)
Fiction, Jeff Shaara’s latest The Rising Tide. I’ve enjoyed all of Shaara’s historical fiction. He brings the reality of human limitation to these historical giants like Rommel, Eisenhower, Montgomery.
Non fiction: Vern Poythress, Redeeming Science. A trip into the philosophy of science assuming a Christian perspective, and examines conclusions about science that non-Christians have drawn. I think his “seeing the Trinity in science” argument is a bit of a stretch but overall it’s challenging and thought provoking.
The Cheater’s Guide to Baseball by Derek Zumsteg.
I’ve had that one on my list, Peter. It’s pretty good?
Good idea Tim. It is great to exchange book list so that others can know what is worth reading and what is a waste of time. This is why I do so many reviews on my blog, and I love to read reviews that others have written.
Here is some of what I have read so far this year (the underlined titles are the ones that I would highly recommend):
Foundations of Grace by Steve Lawson (577 pgs)
Job by Charles Swindoll (371 pgs)
The Faithful Preacher by Anyabwile (187 pgs)
The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steve Lawson (137 pgs)
The Reformation: how a monk and a mallet changed the world by Stephen Nichols (159 pgs)
Listening to the Beliefs of the Emerging Church ed. Webber (240 pgs)
Spirit Empowered Preaching by Azurda (192 pgs)
The Truth War by MacArthur (239 pgs)
An Educated Choice: Advice for Parents of College-Bound Students by Frank A. Brock (139 pgs)
Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation by Graeme Goldsworthy (341)
just kidding about the underline, i thought I could use code in the comments section.
Which ones should be underlined?
Praying for Gil Hodges
Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero
Two I’ve recently read that I’d recommend to others are:
Non-fiction: The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church by Reggie McNeal
Fiction: Lord Foulgrin’s Letters : How to Strike Back at the Tyrant by Deceiving and Destroying His Human Vermin by Randy Alcorn
Yeah, it has some pretty funny stuff, and it’s short enough to knock out in a weekend or so.
I would highly recommend, “How People Change” by Tim Lane and Paul David Tripp. I have found the fruit of studying this material to be quite beneficial in all areas: discipleship, evangelism, preaching, teaching, and personal development. I highly recommend it. Some good reviews can be found at my blog and supplemental material as well.
I recommend “Lincoln” by David Herbert Donald. The comparisons in this biography to our current administration are amazing. Add on to the fact that Lincoln was also considered an “idiot & tyrant.” It also shows how quick Americans were to get out of the Civil War because it “was lost.”
I realized the importance of finishing the war in Iraq with victory, no defeat. What would have happened if Lincoln caved to the anti-war criticism?
I’m telling you this book opened my eyes to how “history does seem to repeat itself.” I don’t necessarily agree with all of Bush’s decisions. But I learned that if we win in Iraq, this will be an administration remembered just like Lincoln’s. Which makes you wonder why everyone seems to be bent on undermining his presidency–history can end up giving a black eye to his critics–which is what they want to avoid.
Anyhow, it’s a great book.
I’d reccomennd A Mind For God by James Emory White. We are going to be giving it to our students who are graduating this June because it is a good primer for Christian thought and the alternative worldviews. Fiarly short as well. i have a link to it on my site.
I’m thinking about buying “The Cheater’s Guide to Baseball.”
I bought “My Father’s Secret War” by Lucinda Franks. I haven’t been able to read it yet, because my mom took it and read it, but she said it was good.
I read What Would Jesus Do? a number of years back; it is based on In His Steps. It was a good book then in that it caused me to think about how my life should be reflecting the radiance of the glory of Christ in all I do, say and think.
I recently picked it back up again as I tend to focus on the theological to the detriment of the practical. This book has helped to motivate me to be more instead of just knowing more. I am not saying that the all the theological implications are right, but I am saying that it is a good book that God has used in the past and is currently using to spur me on to good works.
It is really cheap on Amazon. I think I got mine for a penney plus a few dollars in shipping. I bet you could even use Tim’s Amazon link up top there to buy it
j razz
A great book on parenting is Loving Your Child Too Much by Tim Clinton and Gary Sibcy. The sub-title says a great deal - “Staying Close to Your Kids Without Overportecting, Overindulging or Over controlling”
“Miracles” by CS Lewis
Just received and read “Led by the Spirit” by Jim Elliff - though only 30-something pages, this is the best, most biblically balanced work on this subject I’ve seen. It avoids both pitfalls of neo-mysticism and anti-mysticism.
Nixon: The Education of a Politician (1913-1962), by Stephen Ambrose. This is volume one of a three volume series.
David Wells, No Place for Truth
George Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture
George Marsden, Reforming Fundamentalism: Fuller Seminary and the New Evangelicalism
Francis Schaeffer, The Great Evangelical Disaster
Edward Larson, Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion
Joel Carpenter, Revive Us Again: The Reawakening of American Fundamentalism
Mark Dever, Polity
All were delightful and incredibly insightful reads forced upon my soul by Dr. Shawn Wright.
I recommend “Divine Nobodies” by Jim Palmer (not the pitcher from the O’s!).
It was real, honest and it resonated with some of my own personal struggles.
Silence - Shusaku Endo
About Dutch missionaries who go loning for an apostate in Japan. Very powerful and gripping. It will leave you shuddering over the beauty of redemption.
The Everlasting Man - Chesterton
Very thought-provoking about the absudities and intelligences of Modernism in comparison to Everlasting Truth.
Prayer - Phillip Yancey
Insightful and exploratory. It helps to undertand the purpose of prayer and its wonder.
Davita’s Harp - Chaim Potok
A great writer. He tells a story that leaves you wishing for more. All of his books are great. Especially this and “My Name is Asher Lev”.
Non-Fiction: While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within, by Bruce Bawer
Fiction: The Last Jihad, by Joel Rosenberg (also, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option, and The Copper Scroll)
Bawer’s book has been on my list, too. I saw on your blog that you enjoyed it. I’m going to have to buy it pretty soon.
Tim,
Sorry I did not get back to you, I was out sick yesterday. Here are the books from the previous list that I would highly recommend for all readers:
Foundations of Grace by Steve Lawson (577 pgs)
The Faithful Preacher by Anyabwile (187 pgs)
The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steve Lawson (137 pgs)
The Reformation: how a monk and a mallet changed the world by Stephen Nichols (159 pgs)
The Truth War by MacArthur (239 pgs)
The ones I left out are not necessarily bad(some are); some of them are just aimed towards preachers and would not be helpful for the average reader.
The First Emancipator - Andrew Levy
Intriguing, yet little known story of Robert Carter III and the largest emancipation of slaves by any individual owner. Interesting especially of the role of religion in his life, and the reasons the story is so unknown.
When the Darkness Does Not Life - John Piper
Great little book on Christians and depression. Available for free download from Desiring God.
The Last Christian Generation - Josh McDowell
One word? Unsettling.
“Attributes of God” by Arthur Pink
Non-Fiction “Ghost Wars - The Secret History of the CIA in Afghanistan” - Steve Coll
Non-Fiction - “Every Man, God’s Man” - Stephen Arterburn and Kenny Luck.
Fiction - Any of the “24 Declassified” novels. Quick and easy reads in case your in need of a 24 fix in between seasons. Typically written by Marc Cerasini or John Whitman.
I highly recommend ‘Letters from Home, Our Father’s Message of Love’ - it is the best book I have read in many years.
All of the lines of this book are taken from the Bible, organised into discrete topics and paraphrased into the first person so that it reads like God has written a series of Letters directly to the reader - it is very powerful and moving.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
WALDEN by Michael T. Dolan
Dakota by Kathleen Norris