Review: Operation Pedestal: The Fleet That Battled to Malta, 1942

Operation Pedestal: The Fleet That Battled to Malta, 1942 by Sir Max Hastings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I ran into this book in my library app and was interested because I knew the battle. It is an epic one, with lots of drama and lots of opportunity for human interest. By itself, the saga of the tanker Ohio makes for riveting reading. So, I was looking forward to a interesting read.

And I wasn't disappointed. Hastings masterfully combines official accounts, historical archives and personal accounts into a sweeping, dramatic narrative of this last ditch attempt to resupply the fortress island, Malta. He engages with the controversies of the scholarship and of the experience of the convoy, giving his own informed opinion. He comes heavily down on the need for the convoy, as opposed to those who thought the effort wasn't worth the cost. But he does pay attention to the cost of the campaign, highlighting both the successes and failures of both sides. The result is a vivid narrative with a lot of human interest as well as examples of the best and worst of those in the battle.

This is really a superb book, deserving a place with the best war narratives. It is both deeply researched and profoundly human.

View all my reviews

Review: How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States

How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a superb book! Now, anyone who regularly reads my reviews knows that I like a good title, so I'm not ashamed to say that it was the title which was the hook for me. I mean, I took American history in school, but it isn't a major focus for me, but I was interested in this attempt to look at American imperialism, which is tricky subject, given that the Americans spend so much time denying their imperialism.

Immerwahr's approach is an interesting one, focusing primarily on how the Americans acquired an empire after the Spanish-American War and how they did their best to pretend they didn't. It follows that particular trick of the collective mind by tracking American relationship with their 'empire' right up to 9/11. Immerwahr's analysis is insightful, but the best sections are when he considers the creation of the pointalist empire of the post-World War II era, where the focus shifted from the acquisition of resources from colonies, to the creation of bases to safeguard American interests. Immerwahr makes the really interesting and convincing argument that it was the development of synthetics for many necessary items for industrialisation, which made this approach possible. Less depending on rubber or other natural products in Asia/Africa, the US was able to pursue de-colonization for itself and push it allies into following suit, while also maintaining an empire, which it could still deny.

Immerwahr is preceptive and a really wonderful story-teller/writer. He's well worth reading.

View all my reviews

Review: The Space Between Us: Conversations About Transforming Conflict

The Space Between Us: Conversations About Transforming Conflict by Betty Pries
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I love this book. I don't say that very often, but this is an excellent book on how to deal with conflict, from a mediator with a contemplative bent. So, I know, given my reading list, probably not surprising that I'm so enthusiastic about this book.

What I love about this book is that it isn't just a list of types and typologies, as so many of these books so often are and which can come off as how to manipulate everyone into a peace, which isn't especially peaceful. What Pries offers is an approach which looks at disagreements and conflicts as a chance to reflect on the kinds of relationships and commitments we take on and how we can learn from the conflicts which can so easily breakout even among those approaching each other in good will. She considers conflict theory, but infuses mindfulness and contemplative spirituality to help us monitor the inner landscape of us in conflict. It offers a truly human-sized way of approach conflict.

The tone of the book is both reflective and hopeful in a way that one doesn't find all the time. Pries is compassionate, even with the most difficult conflict, and really lives out the hope that conflict can lead to greater insights into ourselves and our relationships. I love that vision and I'm sure I'll be re-reading this book in the near future.

View all my reviews

Review: Nelson's Trafalgar: The Battle That Changed the World

Nelson's Trafalgar: The Battle That Changed the World by Roy A. Adkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an odd choice for me, I have to admit. Well, not the naval history nor necessarily the British navy, but it is quite early. I'm not especially interested in the 18th and 19th centuries and wooden ships are not especially interested for me. But, well, Trafalgar is Trafalgar, so I thought I'd try.

Adkin's book is an exciting read, based as it is both on the official reports of the battle and its leadup, but also on journals and an excellent understanding of the social history of the era. In fact, I'd say that the latter was the most interesting for me because Adkins does a really good job in giving a sense of what it was like on these wooden men-of-war, from basic living conditions to how they are fought. The result is a book which isn't just an account of a rather messy battle, but giving a vivid sense of warfare in this age (which, like any warfare, is horrific in its own particular way).

And, of course, Nelson looms large over the narrative. One can't really escape Nelson, of course, at Trafalgar and it was interesting to have a look at his biography again. I'm not sure Adkins fully makes Nelson feel human-there is still a lot of idolizing to cut through in the sources. But the picture is more 3D than most treatments.

This is a fascinating book of a fascinating episode in the history of European imperialisms. Trafalgar is still an icon for the British and still studied because of that. This book is a good contribution to that study.

View all my reviews

Review: Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition

Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition by Thomas Keating
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first of the books by Thomas Keating, a Cistercian monk in the US, who was very active in the Centering Prayer movement in the 70s and onwards. Open Mind Open Hearts is a classic in the genre and offers an introduction to contemplative prayer in general and to Centering Prayer in particular. Keating is erudite, but gentle in his approach. It isn't especially an easy read, but it is a good one, especially for those interested in prayer.

One of the things that I like about this book is that Keating keeps the instruction relatively short and ends each chapter with a series of questions which really illuminate the topic. Given that we are talking about prayer, which is a notoriously difficult topic to engage in because of the danger of making all of it seem abstract and unreachable, the question and answer style really helps with explaining the application of the Centering Prayer that Keating is most focused on.

For those interested in contemplative prayer, especially in its Christian form, this book is an essential read. And it well worth the effort.

View all my reviews

Review: Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem

Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem by Augustine Wetta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book because it was mentioned in a podcast on Benedictine spirituality (I can't even remember who the speaker was) and recommended highly. So, on my last online book buying spree, I added it because humility interests me. That seems odd because humility doesn't have the best rap, not unfairly because it is frequently used as a way to silence people or a highly useful tool for self-flagellation. But humlity, real humility, isn't a weapon to be used against oneself or someone else, but, as another speaker I ran into on a monastic site, 'knowing the truth about oneself- one's abilities and gifts, but also one's liabilities and weaknesses. And that is worth exploring for this middle aged guy, amid the competing demands for my attention that the world gives.

Augustine Wetta, a monk at St. Louis, Abbey, Missouri, provides a series of reflection on the well known section on humility in Benedict's Rule. The reflections combine connections to other parts of the Rule, scripture and his own experience. Wetta's writing is engaging and, sometimes, quite funny, but also manages moments of profundity. I used them as nighttime reflections, but that may not always fit. They were good to settled down to in the evening.

This book is worth keeping around (despite the instruction in the conclusion to give it away- I didn't :)) as a book of reflections, so that's what I'm doing. If you are drawn to Benedictine spirituality, this is worth reading.

View all my reviews

Review: Crying in H Mart

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a rather unexpected book for me, partly because it isn't history or science fiction or theology, but also in just how serendipitously I managed to get my hands on it. I just happened to be glancing at short videos on YouTube- the Brief but Spectacular series from PBSNewshour, and ran into the author's video on making the ordinary beautiful. That resonated with me, so I watched the video, which mentioned that Zauner also wrote a book on her mother's death. Since my mother passed away three months ago, I was intrigued, so I looked up the book in my library app. It turns out that Crying in H Mart is really popular, so I was looking at a 17 week wait, despite a crazy number of copies in the system. But, then, the app did something interesting and offered me a quick copy, if I thought I could read it in a week (I read it in two days). So, I figured that's no coincidence, so, of course, I read it.

The book is a reflection on the death of Zauner's Korean mother, when Zauner was in her mid-twenties. The author is tender and thoughtful and I found myself nodding as she mentioned reactions to aspects of her mother's last illness (although she was much more involved in the day to day care of her mother than I ever was for mine). She's very open about the conflicted elements of her relationships and conscious of how she contributed to those. As well, it is a loving reflection on her efforts to rediscover her Korean identity after her mother passed away, especially, but not necessarily limited to food. That's a hook for me, of course, because I love the connection of food and identity, as well as the fact that that was also one of the ways that my mother mediated her love to her family.

This really is a lovely book and I'm glad that I found my way to it. Despite the age difference between myself and the author, I resonated with the book and it really was quite helpful for me to read at this particular point in my life. So, very grateful to have the chance.

View all my reviews

Review: The Man in the High Castle

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: The Benedictine Way

The Benedictine Way by Wulstan Mork
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked up this book on Google Reads because, well, any look at my reading list can tell that I'm interested in monastic literature, especially from the point of view of how to apply it to my distinctly non-monastic life. This book is definitely a monastic book and its audience is definitely Mork's fellow monastics. It looks at the Benedictine life as a way of life as a mentality, which is a helpful approach even for this non-monastic. The reading was sometimes slow going and I actually re-read it right away because I wasn't absolutely sure I was taking it all in. But definitely worth the effort.

View all my reviews

Review: The Florentines: From Dante to Galileo: The Transformation of Western Civilization

The Florentines: From Dante to Galileo: The Transformation of Western Civilization by Paul Strathern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is another random find in my library app. I was looking for books on Italy in preparation for my impending Italy trip (March, 2023) and ran into this book. Since I was going to spend a couple of days in Florence, I thought knowing some of the history would be helpful.

Strathern's history of Florence is really well done. He manages to combine attention to the environment, politics and social setting with a vivid sense of the people who shaped Florence's history in the course of the 14th and 16th centuries. That was a tumultuous time, not only culturally amid the excitement of the Renaissance, but also politically, at a time when Italy's map was being re-made. Carefully researched and well explained, this book is an excellent introduction to Renaissance Florence.

So, if you're interested in the period or in Florence, this is a good entry point.

View all my reviews

Review: Uffizi Gallery: The Official Guide All of the Works

Uffizi Gallery: The Official Guide All of the Works by Gloria Fossi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I first picked this book up, of course, at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence in 2017, when I was on tour in Italy with students. My mission that year was to gather the guidebooks, so I could plan my succeeding trips to Italy better. It took me until I was on the cusp of the next trip to get around to reading it.

This is, of course, a guidebook, so not comprehensive, but it does give a good understanding of the Uffizi Gallery's collection and, just as important, the layout. The descriptions of the featured paintings are concise and interesting, so worth reading through to look for one's favourites. The translation sometimes produces slightly odd English, but nothing really difficult to read. And there is a list of all the art work in each room, which is actually quite helpful.

Definitely worth picking up for those who are interested, especially in Renaissance art.

View all my reviews

Review: The Mighty Hood: The Life & Death of the Royal Navy's Proudest Ship

The Mighty Hood: The Life & Death of the Royal Navy's Proudest Ship by Ernle Bradford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I ran into this book, while skimming books in my library app. I've always been fascinated by the Bismarck episode, so a book on the Hood was interesting to me. And this is a good book. It gives really a really vivid sense of what it was like to be on the Hood when it was first constructed and in its last years during World War II. The eyewitness account are interesting and the book is well-written.

But two concerns.

First, I was partly interested in this book because I was interested in the full history of the ship. And I got a lot of what I was interested in, but there is a curious gap in the early 1930s, which I found disappointing and distracting. In particular, I was interested in how the Hood's crew experienced the Invergordon mutiny in 1931, but there really is nothing here. That is, admittedly, a depressing subject, but it is part of the history and I wish some discussion was done on that.

Second, the overall tone is pretty patriotic. Harder questions could be asked, but really Bradford goes rather easy on the British Navy. That's a liability in this kind of writing, but just noting it here.

This book is still a good book to read and I think those interested in World War II naval history would find it an entertaining and interesting book to follow up on.

View all my reviews

Review: The Catacombs Of St. Callixtus History Archaeology Faith

The Catacombs Of St. Callixtus History Archaeology Faith by Antonio Baruffa
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is another one of the guidebooks, I'm re-reading in preparation for a return to Italy in March. This one deals with the Christian Catacombs along the Appian way, identified with Pope Callixtus I. Baruffa gives a pretty comprehensive look at these catacombs and of the Christian art found within it. In particular, he focuses on the initial excavations by De Rossi, who he quotes extensively. He goes literally room by room, outlining both the art and the inscriptions, giving details on who was buried there, in so far as he can. It is a very detailed account and useful for understanding the full scope of the book.

But two caveats:
First, the detail is pretty fine grained. That is, he literally talks about every inscription, every painting, which I found a little overwhelming. Some inscriptions have next to no information about them, so that can be confusing.

Second, the tone is relentlessly Catholic. Now, that isn't really a problem for me, as a Christian, I can resonate with it, but I note it for readers of my reviews who are not. The reverential tone can be off putting, I think, so be ready for it.

However, this is an important book on the Christian catacombs and helps illuminate Christian burial practices in antiquity, the make-up of the Church in Rome in the early Christian period and gives a clear impression of Christian art of that era.

View all my reviews

Review: In Praise of the Useless Life: A Monk’s Memoir

In Praise of the Useless Life: A Monk’s Memoir by Paul Quenon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I decided to have read this book because of another book, which often happens. Back in the spring, I read Quenon's book, co-written with Judith Valente, How To be, which is a book of letters between Valente, a well-known journalist and Benedictine oblate, and Quenon, a similarly well-known Trappist monk and poet (which I've also reviewed). This book intrigued me because I wanted to learn more about Quenon.

The first thing I have to say about this book is don't expect a linear narrative. Quenon's approach is reflective, so, while I think it roughly follows a chronology, it is hard to tell. He does talk a lot about Thomas Merton, for those of you who, like me, are interested in that and a fair a bit about the Abbey of Gethsemani. But he also talks much about his encounters with nature and with others. The book is a bit diffuse, but rewarding if read reflectively.

What I enjoyed about Quenon's memoir was just the reflective tone which evoked the place he was writing in. It is idiosyncratic and occasionally bewildering, but that is rather the charm of reading it. It is, ultimately, restful and that isn't something one can say about a lot of books.

View all my reviews

Review: The War for the Seas: A Maritime History of World War II

The War for the Seas: A Maritime History of World War II by Evan Mawdsley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I stumbled into this book, scrolling through the e-book offerings on my local library's borrowing app. I feel a bit of a nostalgia for the topic because I was deeply, deeply obsessed with World War II naval history since I encountered Grenfall's book on the Hunt for the Bismark back when I was in Grade 5 or something. So, suffice it to say, I've read a few books on the subject. But, as things do, I had rather lost touch with the subject, so this book made me want to see what was current these days in WWII naval history. And I'm glad i did.

Mawdsley's book is a really good history of the full scope of the war. And I mean full. He doesn't just focus on Britain vs Germany and the US vs Japan, as most writers do, but he also discusses what happened to the French and Italians and, even more rarely, the Russians. He writes both using interesting anecdotes, but also in carefully considered analysis. The result is a book whose breadth satisfies the desire for the big picture, with all the drama of the actions fought. He considers the great controversies, giving the fresh looks that have now available as archives open up and more and more ships are re-discovered where they sank. The result is a comprehensive and thoughtful volume which is very much worth reading.

This book really is a good starting point for someone considering the subject for the first time or for someone who wants to see where we are in the study of the war. It manages that elusive goal of all historians- to be readable and accurate. And that makes it worth looking up.

View all my reviews

Review: The National Architectural Museum of Naples

The National Architectural Museum of Naples by Rosanna Cappelli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this guidebook up from the Naples Archaeological Museum in 2017 and only now, on the even of a new trip in March, sat down to read it. It is a very good guidebook, not only giving the highlights of the collection, but also giving some history and context to how the collection was put together from various Renaissance antiquities collections and more recent excavations. It gives a good sense of the context of the museum.

The layout is pretty much as the Museum is laid out, of course. There is so much in the museum that it can't feature everything in every room, but includes the best known elements. It not only explains context for pieces, but also how they found their way into the collection, which is really useful for me as a teacher.

This is well worth picking up and reading, even after a visit. Oh, and visit the museum itself. If you're interested in Pompeii and Herculaneum ,much of the best known artistic works can be found here. And if you're interested in Renaissance collecting, this collection has an interesting history.

View all my reviews

Review: Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina

Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Michael Casey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This has been a slow read. Well, given that the book is on lectio divina, that shouldn't surprise because it doesn't make sense to skim read a book which is trying to tell one how to read more deeply and reflectively. Written by Michael Casey, a Cistercian monk at Tarrawarra Abbey, Australia, this book examines the practices around lectio divina, that way of monastic reading which serves as a form of contemplative practice in the Benedictine context.

Casey combines several important elements of this practice. He gives a strong theological, especially monastic, grounding to the practice, then he moves on to discussing practice in some detail. It is not easy reading, but I found both aspects very useful, even though I am distinctly a beginner in the practice. The text moves slowly, but encourages a deeper reading, which is kind of the point.

This is a really good, if not especially easy, read. Well worth the time I spent on it.

View all my reviews

Review: A Little History of Archaeology

A Little History of Archaeology by Brian M. Fagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a really enjoyable book which tells the story of archaeology as a discipline from the early days of genteel looting to the modern systematic and often non-invasive methods of learning from the material remains of the past. Fagan's book offers a vivid and enjoyable account of not only the sites, but the personalities behind the advancing science of archaeology.

Arranged in chapters coinciding with major discoveries or important personalities, Fagan tells, first and foremost, the stories of the excavators, but also the people discovered in the sites. He is enthusiastic and curious, engaging the reader with interesting details and interesting connections which characterize the archaeological world. Occasionally, his order can get confusing because it doesn't consistently follow chronological or geographical order strictly. However, each chapter is pretty self-contained and can be read in whatever order with real benefit.

This is a really enjoyable read, especially for those who are just starting their investigation of archaeology. Fagan is careful to define terms and focuses on clarity in his stories, so it is very readable.

View all my reviews

Review: A Little History of Archaeology

A Little History of Archaeology by Brian M. Fagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a really enjoyable book which tells the story of archaeology as a discipline from the early days of genteel looting to the modern systematic and often non-invasive methods of learning from the material remains of the past. Fagan's book offers a vivid and enjoyable account of not only the sites, but the personalities behind the advancing science of archaeology.

Arranged in chapters coinciding with major discoveries or important personalities, Fagan tells, first and foremost, the stories of the excavators, but also the people discovered in the sites. He is enthusiastic and curious, engaging the reader with interesting details and interesting connections which characterize the archaeological world. Occasionally, his order can get confusing because it doesn't consistently follow chronological or geographical order strictly. However, each chapter is pretty self-contained and can be read in whatever order with real benefit.

This is a really enjoyable read, especially for those who are just starting their investigation of archaeology. Fagan is careful to define terms and focuses on clarity in his stories, so it is very readable.

View all my reviews

Review: Alas, Babylon

Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I stumbled on this classic of science fiction nuclear apocolypse rather by accident. Dating from the late 50s, just prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis, this is a remarkably vivid vision of nuclear war from the vantage point of a small town in Florida. Retaining the rather optimistic view that some could survive the exchange of nuclear weapons (before ICBMs and submarine based ICBMs really came fully into use), it looks at the horror of the attack, but focuses especially on the challenges of the aftermath. It is an interesting study of human nature under terrible conditions, with a late 50s vibe.

It is a book of its age, of course. It is rampently sexist (surely, no woman could possible be a leader in her own right, just as an adjunct to the men in her life whose job is to protect her- that eye roll was repeatedly painful) and casually racist. But, not as racist as you might think. Frank does include black characters and, indeed, the black family down the road proves to be crucial for the survival of the small community through their technical know how and their use of an artesian well which guarantees fresh water. Oh yes, the sole, individualist libertarian hero, leading the whole community by virtue of his natural gifts of command and, eventually, his status as a US Army reserve officer. I'm not saying anything of these things are good, but, surprisingly, the story is so good, that it is still worth reading as an example of the era.

So, definitely worthwhile digging out this book. It deserves a place next to Fail Safe and Canticle for Leibowitz as excellent early examples of early apocalyptic fiction.

View all my reviews

Review: China Between Empires: The Northern and Southern Dynasties

China Between Empires: The Northern and Southern Dynasties by Mark Edward Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second volume of the History of Imperial China series and is a good follow-up to the first volume- the Qin and Han Dynasty volume. This volume looks at what happens to China after the Han dynasty and before the Tang dynasty could re-establish stability for a few centuries. The period is distinguished by smaller kingdoms, vying for control and by a burst of cultural creativity.

The structure of the book is similar to the first volume- analytical rather than narrative. That does mean that it is easy to lose track of the chronology, especially in a period as confused as this one. Lewis does keep the sense of continuity, but it can still be confusing to a novice.

This is worth reading and I'm already plotting to get the Tang Dynasty volume and continue the story.

View all my reviews

Review: Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton’s Catholic Vision

Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton’s Catholic Vision by Gregory K. Hillis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this biography of Thomas Merton in my library and really glad that I virtually picked it up. It is probably the best of the several I've read in the recent past.

What Hillis is trying to address is the conservative Catholic critique of Merton, that, in the later part of his life, he was drifting away from the Christian monasticism he originally exemplified towards an Eastern, Buddhist or non-Christian monasticism in his later life. Hillis addresses this by making a case (and a strong case, in my opinion) that Merton's writing and his monastic practice was always a very Catholic one, so his approach to Eastern monastics was in the spirit of dialogue, not a desire to change allegiances. I think Hillis makes his case, but then I'm sympathetic to Hillis' and, I think, Merton's dialogue style.

What I found most helpful in this book is the effort to engage in Merton's theological underpinnings. So many of the biographies I've read have focused on other things, but I had been looking for something to understand the background of what Merton was trying to say- both theologically and personally. Like most of us, Merton was a complex man and he was as unfaithful at times as he was faithful, so understanding what he was trying to do as well as what he did is really quite important. Hillis does this with a thorough understanding of Merton's writing (both published and journals) and a strong understanding of the theology behind it. I found myself learning more about Catholic, especially monastic, spirituality which was a plus.

I strongly recommend this book because it does take Merton seriously, both theologically, but also as a person. That is an achievement in any biography, but, with Merton, who rapidly becomes a cipher for whatever cause one might have (and this is both progressives and conservatives), that is a huge accomplishment.

View all my reviews

Review: The Alexiad

The Alexiad by Anna Comnena
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a re-read for me and one of the several books which got me into Byzantine history in the first place. But I hadn't read it in years, so I thought it might be fun to do so. It was harder going that I remembered, but worthwhile.

Anna Comnena is sometimes a difficult historian to work through. That is, her historical work is generally quite good. Her chronology can be a bit wonky, but that is true of a lot of ancient and mediaeval historians. And there are passages of truly insightful historical and character study which take one's breath away. But interspersed are passages of skin-creeping panegyric of her father that really can put one off. Now, I do understand that she had several axes to grind, most of them related to court politics, so one has to factor that in. But that can be off putting.

Still, she still deserves her place as one of the best historians in the Byzantine Empire, so well worth reading.

View all my reviews

Review: The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity

The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I stumbled on this book while on a bookstore raid in Winnipeg. I'd been keeping an eye out for a book like this because I've been assigned World History to teach this coming semester, so I was really needing a book which would cover pre-history and which would connect the Americas in more clear way. What I got was a book which did that and more.

It is, however, difficult to explain what this book really is. It talks about the origin of inequality, but it isn't really just that. It takes on the false dichotomy between Rousseau's Noble Savage and Hobbes "nasty, brutish and short' as the primal condition of humanity by suggesting that the picture is really more complex than either extreme conceives. It offers a comprehensive view of what anthropology and archaeology can tell us about prehistory, but with a twist.

That twist is that the authors look at the rise of civilization (already a problematic definition) with the critique of North American indigenous groups in the 18th century in mind. Their contention is that this critique, mediated through Enlightenment political debate, both indicates a complexity to the prehistory and may have influenced the anti-authoritarian spin of the last three centuries. From this critique, the authors suggest that the contemporary model which presumes that complex social structures demand a hierarchical form of governance isn't a given and, for much of human history, wasn't necessary. They consider where we got stuck into this opinion.

The key to this discussion, of course, is the indigenous critique, which is drawn from their appearance in European commentators. There are, of course, problems with that. Many critics dismiss these discussions as Graeco-Roman tropes in indigenous dress, but the authors insist that these are authentic political critiques. My own take is that it is possible that both are going on. I think there may well be a historical core, but that the writers, immersed in Graeco-Roman literature, may have used those images in the accounts. That makes them hard to interpret, but not necessarily impossible.

What you get with this book is an incredible erudite, but quite diffuse discussion about how we understand human societies in pre-history. I'm still trying to assimilate what I've learned and, of course, distill it for classroom work, but this is a fascinating book for those interested in the questions of what constitutes civilization and how humanity came to adopt it.

View all my reviews

Review: Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire

Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire by Judith Herrin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I decided to read this book because of Herrin's Ravenna book which I read in the spring. She is a gifted historian, but I already knew that because of some of her earlier scholarly works which I've read over the years. This is an excellent survey of the important elements of Byzantine history.

The structure is, like the Ravenna book, a bit episodic, in the sense that Dr. Herrin doesn't focus on a connected narrative, but in giving a sense of the times. That is a common approach I'm finding in more popular history books, especially for the Middle Ages. The aim here is to convince the reader that there is something intrinsically valuable about Byzantine history, which has been obscured over the centuries. For that, that's preaching to the choir, but I've been interested in the Byzantines for three or four decades, so that goes without saying. There is the standard defensiveness about the Renaissance and Enlightenment dismissal of the Middle Ages (the term itself is dismissive) as superstitious and of limited historical value, which being a Byzantinist only increases because of the Orientalist dismissal on top of the standard medievalist dismissal. Herrin is making a case that we need to pay attention to Byzantium.

This is a good survey of the important aspects of the Byzantine Empire and its legacy to the West. I do wonder sometimes how long we have to keep measure ourselves against the theoretical ideal of the West and fitting into its development. But that is probably the subject of another book.

View all my reviews

Review: The Privilege of Love: Camaldolese Benedictine Spirituality

The Privilege of Love: Camaldolese Benedictine Spirituality by Peter-Damian Belisle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this up, largely because I've been watching talks from the New Camaldoli Hermitage over Youtube over the last few years and this book kept getting referred to as the starting point of Camaldolese spirituality. And, since I really found that spirituality helpful for me, I thought this was worth getting.

This is, of course, a collection of essays on Camaldolese history, practice and theology by several authors, ranging from monks from the various communities to oblates and friends. All in English, they draw on the thousand year history of the Camaldolese communities, which, even among the rather de-centralized Benedictines, seem unusually diverse in approach. I found the essays helpful in understanding some of the confusing elements of Camaldolese monasticism and really enjoyed learning about them.

Like any collection, the essays are a wide range of styles and approaches. Some are pretty broad and give good background and context, others are much more specialized. But the volume is worth reading for those interested in Benedictine monasticism and the Camaldolese in particular.

View all my reviews

Review: How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living Dying, Purpose Prayer, Forgiveness Friendship

How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living Dying, Purpose Prayer, Forgiveness Friendship by Judith Valente
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was rather slow to pick up this book, considering that I motored through the Valente's other two books in the spring, and I'm not entirely sure why. So, I decided a couple of weeks ago to pick it up and I'm glad I did. This is written in the form of letters between Valente and Paul Quinon, a monk at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. They are set just before the outbreak of the pandemic and in the early stages, and reflect on life, vocation and so much more.

The letters are really quite lovely. They show great vulnerability and honesty and really resonated with much of my own experience over the last few years. I enjoyed their reflection and the genuine kindness in the correspondance. They take up each of the writer's daily struggles and reflect, really reflect on what those struggles mean. And I find that an irresistible combination.

I read these slowly, I'll note. I think that really is the best way. Read a couple at a time and take time to reflect on how it fits your life. You won't regret it .

View all my reviews

Review: How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living Dying, Purpose Prayer, Forgiveness Friendship

How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living Dying, Purpose Prayer, Forgiveness Friendship by Judith Valente
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was rather slow to pick up this book, considering that I motored through the Valente's other two books in the spring, and I'm not entirely sure why. So, I decided a couple of weeks ago to pick it up and I'm glad I did. This is written in the form of letters between Valente and Paul Quinon, a monk at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. They are set just before the outbreak of the pandemic and in the early stages, and reflect on life, vocation and so much more.

The letters are really quite lovely. They show great vulnerability and honesty and really resonated with much of my own experience over the last few years. I enjoyed their reflection and the genuine kindness in the correspondance. They take up each of the writer's daily struggles and reflect, really reflect on what those struggles mean. And I find that an irresistible combination.

I read these slowly, I'll note. I think that really is the best way. Read a couple at a time and take time to reflect on how it fits your life. You won't regret it .

View all my reviews

Review: The Early Chinese Empires: Qin and Han

The Early Chinese Empires: Qin and Han by Mark Edward Lewis
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I got this book because I was looking for a fairly comprehensive took on early China, as a way to expand my knowledge of the ancient world away from my familiar Graeco-Roman world. So I found this book which is the first of a series on Chinese history.

I enjoyed this book very much, although I did occasionally struggle to keep the period straight in my head. That is, of course, a sign of my unfamiliarity of the narrative of Chinese history, but was remedied by just going back and making sure I understood the sweep of the Qin and Han dynasties (well, add the Zhou as well). The structure is by topic, so the narrative is understood.

The result is a fascinating exploration of the politics, society and culture of ancient China, which really filled out a lot of what I didn't understand in my previous forays into Chinese history. As an introduction, this book is really quite excellent. It is clear and well supported by the sources. It is truly worth reading and I'm looking forward to starting the next in the series on the Tang dynasty.

View all my reviews

Review: Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History

Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History by John Dickson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a Christian book, but one with a difference. It is a book which tries to take seriously both the good that Christians have done in history and the evil that we have also done. It is written with the criticisms of the 'New Atheism' in mind, but also with a progressivist defence of what religion and, Christianity, brings to the historical record.

So, first off, I can't say I love the title. 'Bullies' sounds a false note for me, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps it feels like it trivializes the negative aspect just a trifle. The fact is that Christians over history have done some pretty evil stuff, far past the 'bullies' level would suggest, so I'm not entirely sure it is the best comparison to Saints. I'm not sure I quite know what I'd use, but it just sounds too weak.

That quibble aside, I generally liked this book. It is written in a popular style, so sometimes goes a little fast and loose with the evidence, but it isn't unsound. It does lay out a case that Christians also contributed constructively to the social fabric of the societies they found themselves in. It highlights their intellectual achievements, even in those periods that moderns dismiss as 'dark ages'.

I also like that it calls out that Renaissance/Enlightenment dismissal of the Middle Ages, which really isn't borne out in the vibrancy of those periods. The mediaeval age is a very different time to our own, but it wasn't without its own virtues and, yes, vices, just like our own time.

This is still a work of apologetics, even if it isn't aggressively or blindly pro-Christian. It is a chastened narrative, mindful of the wrongs that Christians have done over history, but also calling to mind the good. And that is really all anyone can ask in a historical narrative of any group.

View all my reviews

Review: New Seeds of Contemplation

New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is, of course, a classic in spiritual writing in the 20th century. It is Thomas Merton's introduction to the contemplative life, which he sees as accessible for anyone- monk, lay person, whoever. It is a series of reflections on how to contemplate God and his world, including many of the pitfalls and the joys, written in the inimitable Merton's prose.

Many of the things that I love about Merton comes out in the book. His writing is lovely, of course, but what captures me more is his inherent good sense and his commitment to the belief that contemplation is for all. This is a valuable starting point and a book that I wish I had read years ago. Of course, I'm not entirely sure I would have understood it years ago, if I truly understand it now. A re-reading or many re-readings, I think, are in my future.

My advice with this book is to take it slow. Don't try to read to much. Read a section, read it again, think about it, reflect on it. I read New Seeds on the subway over the course of three months, reading a small section. Frequently, I had to re-read a section two, three or four times over as many days to get a glimmer. Other sections were gloriously clear. But let all of it sink in, and, I think, you'll be better for it.

View all my reviews

Review: Thomas Merton: An Introduction to His Life, Teachings, and Practices

Thomas Merton: An Introduction to His Life, Teachings, and Practices by Jon M. Sweeney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

About a week and a half ago, I was thinking that I'd like to read a biography of Thomas Merton. As my followers will have noticed, I've been reading a fair bit of Merton in the last two or three years and I'm currently reading (slowly! as one should) New Seeds of Contemplation. And, of course, I'm reasonably familiar with Merton's life. But I thought a decent biography might be interested and this is the first one I decided to read- available through my local library app.

This is a sound biography. It uses the various sources-Merton's writings, journals, other perspectives- quite effectively to build a picture of the man. It also, interestingly, reflects on the ambivalence some Catholics feel towards Merton, who was and is popular as a spiritual writer, but who also wrote on issues of the day (many of which are surprisingly current today) quite critically. That is, of course, one of the reasons I like him so much, as a spiritual writer who is grounded in the issues of justice and peace.

Not much new and startling comes out of this book, but it is a good start in trying to understand the complex man that Merton was. So, well worth the read.

View all my reviews

Review: The Time of Troubles II

The Time of Troubles II by Harry Turtledove
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: Domestic Monastery

Domestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Truthfully, this was entirely an impulse purchase for me. I was looking for another book on the Chapters/Indigo website and this popped up. I knew the author, having read and enjoyed a couple of his books. And this blending of the secular everyday and monastic wisdom drew me, as you might expect from my reading list in the last few years. I'm glad I purchased it because this was, while a very slim volume, a wonderful discovery.

This very slim volume was sparked by an observation that Rohlheiser made about the common advice that, if one devotes an hour a day to prayer, one can't help advance spiritually. When he was challenged by a young mother who noted that she doesn't have that kind of time because all her waking hours are taken up with caring for children, Rohlheiser, with a wisdom he didn't know he had, noted that he thought that that mother didn't need to worry about that time because she is learning what the prayer is supposed to teach her- being selfless, caring for others. It is, although Rohlheiser doesn't really say this, because that childcare was a prayer just as work can be prayer.

What I like about this book is that it genuinely values the experience of those who do work in the everyday world of children, marriages and jobs. And that isn't always easy for a Catholic priest to see. I love that each of the chapters is almost a meditation on aspects of finding God in the every day. And, even if there are occasional false notes, those meditations are useful guides to reflection.

This really is a good book to consider one's relationship with God and with the everyday. Read it slowly, mediate, really think about how those interact in your life. It is worth the time spent.



View all my reviews

Review: Monastery Mornings: My Unusual Boyhood Among the Saints and Monks

Monastery Mornings: My Unusual Boyhood Among the Saints and Monks by Michael Patrick O'Brien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I ran into this book because of a webinar that I attended with this author and Kathleen Norris, so, of course, I had to hunt the book up. The book itself is a memoir in which the author talks about his relationship with the monks of the Trappist monastery, Monastery of Our Lady of the Trinity, now closed. It follows the author as a boy as he struggles to make sense of the normal stresses of growing up, mingled with the aftermath of abuse and marriage breakdown in the 60s and 70s.

The book really is quite lovely. O'Brien evokes a different time and talks about this community with genuine love and gratitude. The result is something of a reflection on Benedictine hospitality and the good that it brings. The way that the community takes him and his family in really sparks healing. Nor is that healing limited to this family. The presence of this monastery in a very Morman area was initially viewed with suspicion, but the monks steadily changed the minds of their neighbours through their persistent peaceableness.

This is really worth reading, both as a memoir and as a reflection of the impact of Benedictine spirituality. While this monastery is closed, it's impact still seems to linger.

View all my reviews

Review: Seven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus

Seven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus by James Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is another book that I read for a Christian Education series at church. It was a good choice, I must say, but, then, I really do like Father James Martin as a writer, so that was kind of a forgone conclusion. It is also an ideal Lent book, which is why we did it, with the added twist of getting some speakers to reflect on the words on their own as well.

This book originates in a series of reflections which Father Martin made on the Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ, during his crucifixion. The seven words (or sayings) are dispersed through Matthew, Luke and John as statements of Christ from the Cross. Martin reflects on them and applies them to various aspects of the Christian life. I know that that sounds pretty flat as a description, but the reflections are touching, occasionally funny and often profound. I appreciated Father Martin's insights and really enjoyed reading them.

This is a book to read slowly and reflectively. It is, as I said, ideal for Lent or Holy Week. And it is really quite short. Take your time with this and I think you'll see the benefits.

View all my reviews

Review: The Time of Troubles I

The Time of Troubles I by Harry Turtledove
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the start of a re-read of a Harry Turtledove Videssos series from the 90s. It bundles The Stolen Throne and Hammer and Anvil together in a story set in the Empires of Videssos and Makuran, which are basically the Byzantine and Sassanid Empires with working magic. The names are changed, of course, but we're talking about the crisis in Byzantium and Persia just prior to the Islamic invasions, when Byzantium was ruled by Heraclius I and Persia by Chosroes II.

The points of view are interesting when compared to the other Videssos series. The first half (The Stolen Throne) is based in Makuran instead of Videssos, and follows the adventures of a minor noble, Abivard, who, unexpectedly, gets involved in royal politics and emerges as the brother-in-law to the king. The second half (Hammer and Anvil) focuses on the minor general, Maniakes (a character in the first novel), who returns from exile from the back end of beyond to overthrow the tyrannical emperor of Videssos and then to try to restore the mess that that tyrant created.

The result is very, well, Harry Turtledove. The heroes are standard Turtledove fare- honest to a fault, thoughtful, politically savvy, clever. Yet, it is put together in aa convincing way as we see the two heroes navigating their (forgive the allusion) byzantine court politics. I enjoyed back in the 90s and I am enjoying it again. And, of course, I got the second book....

View all my reviews

Review: By Way of Grace: Moving from Faithfulness to Holiness

By Way of Grace: Moving from Faithfulness to Holiness by Paula Huston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think this is my third Paula Huston book inside of a year, which is a good thing mostly. I really do enjoy her writing and I enjoyed this book as well. It is written with that blend of personal reflection and theological connections which I enjoy.

The premise of the book is centred around the theological virtues and intersperses personal reflections on the virtue in question and theological discussion of the virtue. In this book, those two sections are really clearly marked, which is different from the other two books which interweave them more organically. The insights are still good and the theology is as well, but I found the more clear lines between the two experiences of virtue a little jarring at times. Both are valuable, but the transitions felt a little sharp at times.

This is only a minor criticism and I wonder how much of it is influenced by the rather rapid immersion I did with this author. I do that sometimes- discover a writer and then read everything quickly. That has its benefits, but it does mean by later in the process, I start going 'ah, that story', not dismissively, but as a little too much shorthand, which inhibits my ability to listen. So, I wonder if I was listening well to this book. A break and a re-read may be in order.

View all my reviews

Review: The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology: The World's Most Significant Sites and Cultural Treasures

The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology: The World's Most Significant Sites and Cultural Treasures by Aedeen Cremin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an odd review because I don't know a lot of people who read encyclopedias, but, then, apparently I do. And, really, while this is clearly a reference work, it is a good encyclopedia to read, given that it has a pretty narrow focus (ish, it is world archaeology, after all). That is, it's pretty comprehensive within a fairly narrow disciplinary focus.

The format is pretty straightforward. The guts of the encyclopedia are the entries on various of the most important archaeological sites in the world, along with short articles on various archaeological foci important to some of these sites. They are grouped geographically by region and represent a pretty thorough sampling of the most important sites and topics in archaeology from the paleolithic to the modern era. They are, of course, thumb-nail sketches, but they are written to address the main issues and questions which the reader can follow up on.

For anyone interested in archaeology, this is a very good book and well worth reading to get some familiarity with the archaeologies of various cultures and regions, as well as given the big picture look that we sometimes miss.

View all my reviews

Review: The Cross and the Lynching Tree

The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has been sitting on my wife's work theological shelf (I'm sure she's read it- just not me) for a while and the title has always intrigued me. It is a striking juxtaposition and, of course, the subject of the essays within combine a robust theology of the cross with an equally robust remembrance of the practice of lynching which was the Black experience in the US for several generations after the Civil War. It is a striking and painful contrast.

Cone's main thesis in the several essays has two threads. The first, is the Black recognition of the parallel between Jesus' death of the cross and the practice of lynching Black men, women and children perpetrated by the white community. Cone draws out that parallel clearly in the words of the victims themselves, their religious leaders, activists, artists. The recognition of that parallel fed the Black community through all those years of lynchings and explains many things about the vitality of the Black church and its reliance on Jesus through this time.

The second theme is the incomprehension of the white liberals or white Christians in seeing this parallel. This is true both of those sympathetic to the lynchers and those who were not. It is, as Cone suggests, an indictment on both white liberals and white Christians that we missed this and that we didn't push harder against lynching, insisting on, if anything, a gradualist approach at a time that people were dying. As someone who does try to take a moderate stance on many issues, it is a clear warning that there are times and places where moderation is not called for, but rather a cry for justice is what is needed.

This is a brilliant book and well worth reading. It does and should make the reader uncomfortable, especially if they're white. But that discomfort is a good thing.

View all my reviews

Review: Justinian

Justinian by H.N. Turteltaub
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting historical fiction offering, written by Harry Turtledove with a pseudonym, charting the story of the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian II Rhinotmetus (the slit-nosed), who qualifies as one the crazier of the crazy Byzantine Emperors. Mind you, I get the craziness of the second reign. I'm not sure I'd be best pleased with people who had cut my nose off.

The novel tells the tale of this Emperor by interposing a narrative featuring Justinian himself as the author, interposed by the reactions and additions of a fictional guardsman and loyal supporter of Justinian who corrects the main story from the prospect of twenty years later In the course of the story, we see various luminaries and future emperors appear and disappear from the story. The story itself is compelling and largely based on the Byzantines sources. That makes sense because Turtledove was studying Byzantine history before he because a sci-fi/fantasy writer.

The narrative itself is very much in Turtledove's style and is compelling. The fictional guardsman, Myakes, is a standard Turtledove hero- sensible, brave, loyal. Justinian, well, Justinian, he's a mess-spoiled, entitled, brilliant, stubborn, proud and ultimately crazy for revenge (again, not sure I'd be in a good mood if someone chopped my nose off). The story watches Justinian's first downfall, his recovery and his ultimate self-destruction in sometimes painful detail. Justinian is not an easy character, but he is vivid and is a study of a person undone by his faults. In that sense, he is a bit of a tragic hero.

This is book is worth reading and I enjoyed it a lot. A knowledge of Byzantine history is helpful, but not essential for reading this. But it is a fascinating story and an interesting reconstruction.

View all my reviews

Review: Twelve Ordinary Men

Twelve Ordinary Men by John F. MacArthur Jr.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of a men's group I belong to. I must admit that I was a little nervous about it when we starting, knowing MacArthur's reputation. I have to admit that that nervousness was rather justified.

This book is a compilation of a couple versions of sermon series on the lives of the twelve apostles. Now, as anyone who has some acquaintance with the Bible will quickly realise, that isn't necessarily an easy prospect. Some apostles are mentioned a lot in the Bible, so sketching their character isn't that difficult. Some, well, are hardly mentioned past the lists of apostles in each of the Gospels. MacArthur solves this by grouping the apostles at times and sometimes by extrapolating from the admittedly scanty information we have. The result is certainly a lively piece of writing which is highly readable and often helpful.

Yet, this book left a lot of sour notes for me. MacArthur does play a little fast and loose with the Biblial accounts at times, and especially in his deployment of Greek words to support his argument. That is subtle, but can lead to some false conclusions. In addition, there is very much a Christian self-help on manhood vibe under some of these biographies, which can get a bit frustrating because it very much feels forced a lot of the time.

I'm not sure I would recommend this book, without a lot of caveats. While readable, I'm not sure I trust its readings a lot of the time.

View all my reviews

Review: Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom-Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop

Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom-Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop by J.N.D. Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a re-read from my patristics reading craze in the early 2000s. I've had this in my library for years and read it a few times, but never got around to reviewing here, so here we go.

This is a biography of the Church Father, theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople and, above all, sermon writer, St. John Chrysostom (the Golden-Tongued). Written by J.N.D. Kelly, a giant in patristics from the last couple of generations, this is a thorough biography of this brilliant, if controversial figure. Kelly does a good job with the abundant sources for John's life (his own sermons and treatises, the histories of the big three fourth century church historians- Socrates Scholasticus, Sozomon and Theodoret of Cirrhus, as well as assorted saint's lives etc). He pieces together John's dramatic life, especially in his dealing with the imperial court of Arcadius.

It is a good, readable biography which explains much about John's career. The reconstructions make sense, although a thorough review would involved a lot of reading. It is a good introduction to this fascinating early Christian writer. Now, go out and find some of St. John's sermons, because they are worth reading on their own.

View all my reviews

Review: The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe

The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe by Matthew Gabriele
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those popularizing books on the Middle Ages (sorry, Bright Ages) which come out every once in a while, which are trying to make it clear that the Middle Ages were not a swamp of illiteracy, superstition and nastiness as Renaissance thinkings characterized it, but a vibrant and interesting time in its own right. As someone who is drawn to elements of the Middle Ages, I have to admit my sympathies here and now. It is tedious to constantly hear the tired, old characterizations of that era over and over again.

So, the author's answer is to call these years (roughly 450s to 1350s) the Bright Ages. I have to admit that my reaction to that was to wonder if was a bit 'Monty Python, Life of Brian "You Always have to Live on the Bright Side of Life'. And it is...a little. That is, unlike many takes on these years, the focus is on the positive and as a corrective it is useful. That said, the authors also don't shy away from the darker sides of those years too, so there is more balance than one normally finds in these kinds of books.

The writing is quite superb, if episodic. The authors focus on important moments in the period to give a sense of the culture, often anchoring it in great works of art. That means having a good sense of the general narrative of the mediaeval period is a good thing, otherwise, I can see getting a bit lost in the episodes. That said, the writing is beautiful and really insightful. The reflections on the Crusades in the era of the alt.right and the Black Plague in the age of COVID are particularly affecting for their connection to today. The breadth of the discussion, taking in not only Western Europe, but also the Byzantine and Islamic East (and south), is also fascinating, bringing in episodes which most people will not be aware of and revealing the connections within the mediaeval world which most people aren't aware of.

This is a really great book and worth taking time to savour.

View all my reviews

Review: Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys: A Native American Expression of the Jesus Way

Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys: A Native American Expression of the Jesus Way by Richard Twiss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is actually one of my wife's books, but I wanted to pick it up because I do think I need to diversify my theological reading. I'm glad I did because this takes an interesting approach to a critical question, that of acculturation. The perspective, of course, is an indigenous one and is taking on the heavy hand of Western conceptions of Christianity within indigenous communities. Twiss brings an abundance of experience in finding a new way to worship Christ within a specifically indigenous context, adapting such practices as drumming, singing and sweat lodges (to name a few) to a Christian one.

The main point of the book is the argument that this kind of incorporation of various indigenous practices into Christian worship is not only acceptable practice (contrary to those who argue that only the Western concepts are free of idolatry etc), but is preferential. His point that Christianity has always acculturated itself to the cultures it encounters is, for me, pretty transparently obvious- any look at Christian history such, for instance, the patristic era, will make that clear enough. However, I also recognize that the Western prejudice towards its own acculturated practices is so prevalent that the point has to be made and argued. And Twiss does that quite clearly.

This is a valuable book and, I think, an important one in order to understand what indigenous Christian spirituality contributes to the mosaic of Christian expressions.

View all my reviews

Review: Lectio Divina as Contemplative Pedagogy: Re-appropriating Monastic Practice for the Humanities

Lectio Divina as Contemplative Pedagogy: Re-appropriating Monastic Practice for the Humanities by Mary Keator
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was something of a chance purchase because I bought it pretty much sight unseen while looking around on my online bookstore. It intrigued me because it combined two parts of my life, my vocation as a teacher and interest in Benedictine spirituality. I mean, how could I leave this on the virtual shelf?

This book, of course, has to be understood within the context of the contemplative teaching movement, which has been gaining steam since the 1990s, with the writings, especially, of Parker Palmer, bell hicks and such educational commentators. It is an attempt to recover a spiritual focus on the whole learner by deepening the experience of learning through contemplative techniques. Much of the literature has tended to draw its inspiration from Buddhism or a secularized version of Buddhist thinking around mindfulness. This book caught my eye because it was trying to apply a specifically Christian spiritual discipline to contemplative learning.

The focus of the book is trying to use the spiritual practice of lectio divina, a monastic way of reading texts (especially the Bible) slowly and reflectively. Keator applies the lectio approach to her college literature courses, discusses the background to the practices, how one can reflect them in a modern classroom and what the pedagogical challenges are. She isn't the first to think of this- Maria Lichtmann did it before her- but what I like about this book is that she applies it very practically and gives suggestions about how to do it with a flesh and blood class. It is still a difficult process because it runs counter to so much in our culture- careerism, the speed of technology, the reluctance to dig deep. But Keator makes it feel possible.

A caveat though. This approach works best, I think, when the instructor has more or less total control over the curriculum. That is, it presumes that one person is making the decisions and can structure their course whatever way they like. I'm a high school teacher and, while I teach Latin and have that freedom, I also teach English and that is a little harder to manage. Full independence is difficult to achieve in a high school, which may explain why the contemplative teaching movement seems to be slower to catch on in that context.

However, I still think it is important to consider these insights and, honestly, I think this is going to be a book that I read and re-read several times to see what I can do. I may not be able to structure my whole course like this, but I think that I can take some of the insights and use them to good effect.

View all my reviews

Review: Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe

Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe by Judith Herrin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I ran into this book browsing the electronic offerings of my public library. I was searching for Byzantine books and this one, written by one of the more notable Byzantinists of this generation, leaped out at me. Ravenna,that bastion of Byzantine power in Italy, was, it turns out a labour of love for the author, who visited Ravenna when she was younger and was inspired by the fusion of Byzantine, Gothic and Roman art and architecture.

This book looks at the history of this remarkable city. That is not an easy task because, like many cities in the Mediterranean at this time, sources are lacking and there are substantial gaps in the records. Herrin uses written sources such as histories as well as inscriptions and physical evidence to produce a coherent narrative of this city from the fifth century, when it rose to prominence as the capital of the Western Roman Empire into the 9th century, as an outpost of Byzantine control until its fall to the Lombards. The story is complicated and more and more focused on the ecclesiastical politics which characterized the mediaeval era in Italy.

This is a fascinating book, which gives a clear sense of the history of Ravenna, but just as importantly, a real sense of the physical setting of the city and its art. I've never visited Ravenna on my various travels in Italy, but, I admit, this puts it firmly on my list.

View all my reviews

Review: A Bridge Too Far

A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a throwback to my high school days, when I read this book on a rather regular basis. It is an account, heavily based on eyewitnesses and on detailed archive research, of the ill-fated Operation Market-Garden, the British offensive in September of 1944, which sought to drive the German army out of the Netherlands and gain a bridgehead on the Rhine at Arnheim. The strategy to gain that objective was the most massive airborne landing in history, which was designed to capture the bridges along one highway leading to the Rhine bridge at Arnheim. Then, a armoured spearhead would push up that one highway and reach the Rhine within two days, establish a bridgehead and, maybe, even drive for Berlin. Conceived in the heady days of the liberation of France in the summer and fall of 1944, the plan assumed the Germans were close to collapse. Despite the heady optimism, one of the commanders, during the planning, wondered openly whether they might be trying to going one bridge too far.

The book offers a vivid narrative of the planning and execution of this ambitious and, well, rather fool-hardy offensive. It covers the over-confidence of the planners, who missed two battered SS panzer divisions who arrived in the Arnheim area to rest and the chaos as the troops on the ground faced both heavier than expected resistance, but also more difficult weather, logistics and support. Despite everything that went wrong, Ryan conveys an effort which almost, but not quite managed to succeed. His meticulous research gives a clear sense of what was going on at any point on both sides and among the Dutch civilians. It makes for fascinating reading.

Despite its age, this book is a classic in World War Ii battle history. It is so well written that it was even made into a movie, which popularized the story. It is a really worthwhile book to read for those who want to get a sense of what World War II was like on the ground.

View all my reviews

Review: Day by Day with Saint Benedict

Day by Day with Saint Benedict by Terrence G. Kardong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked this up just over a year ago and decided to use it as part of my daily spiritual routine each day for 2021. It is, as one suggests, a setting of readings organized daily throughout the year. The readings, equally obviously, are drawn from the Rule of Benedict, the handbook of monastic life. The excerpts are arranged by Father Terrence Kardong, of Assumption Abbey in North Dakota, who was a noted expert in the Rule of Benedict and Benedictine monk, who passed away recently.

The excerpts are arranged for each day and followed by some commentary on the day's excerpt, written by Father Kardong. The commentary ranges from giving background, connections to the monastic context and sometimes stories involving the principle at the time. They aren't arranged in the sequence they occur in the Rule. In fact, I'm not sure if I quite understand how they are organized. That could get a bit confusing at times, even for someone, like me, who is moderately familiar with the Rule.

I found it a helpful resource most days, but occasionally verging on abstruse or downright unclear. The stories are often amusing, but sometimes not clear about what their point is. There is much that is useful in this book, so it is definitely worth reading, but the organization can sometimes fight the final result.

View all my reviews