Review: Miracle at Midway

Miracle at Midway by Gordon W. Prange
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm pretty sure this is a re-read, although it was so long ago that I read it that I feels new. The subject itself is pretty easy to figure out- the Battle of Midway, the turning point in the Pacific War. Prange and his co-authors take us through their account, based on exhaustive research and engagement with those who fought in the battle on both sides. The result is a compelling and detailed account of the battle- its leadup and aftermath as well.

This is still a very American book and you have to expect a certain American triumphalism. And, fair enough, this was a victory which was decisive as it was unexpected. The pummeling of the American fleet at Pearl Harbour and six months of constant victory made the Japanese complacent, but even with that, except for a crucial six minutes in which the Americans managed to unwittingly concentrate their dive bombers over the Japanese carriers, with all their fighters too low to intervene and carriers at their most incendiary, the Japanese were easily winning. Not the victory was all luck- the Japanese were sloppy and the Americans much less so. Be be warned about the tone.

Yet, this is still worth reading. It is a compelling underdog story and Prange brings the preparations and the battle to life.

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Review: Resurgence: Engaging With Indigenous Narratives and Cultural Expressions In and Beyond the Classroom (The Footbridge)

Resurgence: Engaging With Indigenous Narratives and Cultural Expressions In and Beyond the Classroom (The Footbridge) by Christine M'Lot
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this book from a workshop in my board on Indigenous Education. What this book is is is a collection of essays from Indigenous educators, artists, Knowledge Keepers about the theme of Resurgence. The essays are superb and are really useful for both educators in learning about the experience of Indigenous peoples, but also for use with students as a way of entering into this theme. They come with various reflections and questions for reflection as well as next steps, which are useful for teachers. The stories are moving and thoughtful, so will engage readers. Well worth reading!

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Review: The Prophetic Imagination

The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this book up to read largely because our youth minister was using it in their series on the prophets with the youth, so I figured it might be helpful to read it. I'm glad I did because this is one of those books whose influence goes well beyond people who have actually read it.

The basic idea of this book is to look at the Hebrew Testament prophets in light of their relationship to Israel and, especially to the kings.. Starting with Samuel and his very critical warnings about kingship before he appointed the first king of Israel, Saul, Bruggemann charts the role of the prophet in Israel in challenging the royal vision of God and giving hope as that vision continues to fail time and time again. The applicability of that critique continues to this day and is one of the reasons why this book resonates among contemporary, often progressive Christians.

I think my only caveat is that I think Bruggemann makes the distinction between the often syncretistic, power-driven royal religion and the prophets sometimes too sharply. Yes, there are an awful lot of abusive, unfaithful rulers in Israel and Judaea, but, every once in a while, either an unfaithful one shifts or a faithful ruler appears, and for a while, royal religion becomes faithful again. I think, if we take the Hebrew Testament as whole, the intention was that royal religion would coincide with the prophetic and, in the best of the kings, it does (David getting as close as anyone could). The failure of the kings doesn't change that.

But that disagreement aside, I think this is a superb book and well worth reading, not only for those seeking to understand the Hebrew Testaments, but also those contemplating a prophetic role in todays much different, yet no so different political realms.

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