"MacArthur: America's General" by Mitchell Yockelson ~ Book Review

MacArthur: America's General By Mitch Yockelson / Thomas Nelson During a military career that spanned fifty-two years and included service in three major wars, Douglas MacArthur was adored by the publoc and the soldiers who served under his comman on the battlefields of the Western Front, the Pacific Theater, and Korea. Living in the shadow of his famous father, Arthur MacArthur, Douglas set forth on a path to achieve greatness as a gentleman, scholar, and hero. Such aspirations earned him more than 100 military decorations, including the Medal of Honor. His life was not without flaws, however, and this intimate biography critically examines controversies such as MacArthur's response to the Bonus Marchers in 1932, and his outspoken criticism of President Truman that led to his dismissal from the Army he so dearly loved. Douglas MacArthur was a national icon, and this book is a fitting tribute.

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As a homeschooling mom  always on the lookout for good materials and resources to add to our library, I was thrilled with the opportunity to receive this book for review.  In a world where our country's history is being rewritten in most textbooks and most of our Christian heritage is being left out, I wish to provide my children with ample examples of true accounts of our leader's ~ current and past ~ lives and beliefs.

While no man in history is perfect and MacArthur was no exception, I felt the author did a very thorough job of depicting his strengths and weaknesses, revealing the challenging leader he was who embodied strong character and perseverance.  The reader is taken into battle with the general, and also privileged to take a look at his personal life and the beliefs and family that helped to shape the man of excellence and strong leader that he became.

I am glad to add this book to our collection, and know that with two boys who are fascinated with the military and war-related facts and information that it will be read again by them.....and I can feel good about them reading it.  

This book was provided by BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.  

"The Final Summit" by Andy Andrews ~ Thomas Nelson Book Review

The Final Summit By Andy Andrews / Thomas Nelson From the best-selling author of The Traveler's Gift comes a riveting narrative exploring the question of what to do when you don't know what to do! Follow David Ponder as he and a cast of history's best and brightest attempt to save the human race---in only five tries! 224 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

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Having previously read the prequel to this book, The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews, I was looking forward to reading this one.

In a last attempt to save civilization, the main character as a Time Traveler, is asked by the angel Gabriel, "Gabriel poses a question to the two of them, “What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?”" and  guided in his thinking and decisions by famous historical characters providing the wealth of their wisdom and experiences.  While this should have provided some interesting scenarios (it did in the first book),  I struggled to stay interested in the story and was rather disappointed that in a work from a Christian author, the solution to mankind's problems was mankind himself rather than using the opportunity to point others to Christ.

Although the first book didn't blatantly point the reader to Christ either and was rather subtle about it, I felt this one totally missed the mark.  Many of the scenarios with the historical characters seemed to me almost pointless and silly at times.

I honestly really, really wanted to like this book.....esp. because I really, really liked the first one.  I found that I had to force myself to finish it, and my irritation with the redundancy of the story line grew as it went on.  I think I may have even rolled my eyes a few times and as chapter after chapter went on, I eventually gave up on finding the answer I was certain would be there.

The Final Summit  is a very positive book and, unfortunately, a very politically correct book.  In our very "politically correct" society, I feel that we are  lacking the depth and truth that we hunger for.  Theologically, this book is weak and although a work of fiction, a great opportunity to point those who are searching for the answer to society's ~ and mankind's ~ salvation in such a creative way is completely missed.  The correct answer ~ the only True answer ~ would be found in Christ and only in Him.

This book was provided by BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.

"Max On Life" by Max Lucado ~ Book Review

Book Description:


"We have questions. Child-like inquiries. And deep, heavy ones.

In more than twenty-five years of writing and ministry, Max Lucado has been the receiving line for thousands of such questions. The questions come in letters, e-mails, even on Dunkin Donuts napkins. In Max on Life he offers thoughtful answers to more than 150 of the most pressing questions on topics ranging from hope to hurt, from home to the hereafter.

Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions—parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships—as well as to the profound: Is God really listening?

A special addendum includes Max’s advice on writing and publishing.

Including topical and scriptural indexes and filled with classic Lucado encouragement and insight, Max on Life will quickly become a favorite resource for pastors and ministry leaders as well as new and mature believers."

I'm going to come right out and admit it......I'm a big Max Lucado fan.   I have almost all of his books.   So, when I saw this e-book up for review through Book Sneeze, I jumped at the chance to get it for free. =)

This book is not like any of his other books that I have read.  As the description states, it is a collection of the most often asked questions that he has collected over the years and his answers to them.  As always, he is easy to understand and his answers are Biblically grounded.  Perhaps because I am blessed to have attended a strong Bible-believing church for years, none of his answers jumped out at me and grabbed me in some of the "Ahhh-ha!" moments I sometimes find in his writing. 

The questions he answers are organized and answered in the following categories:

• Hope:  God, Grace, and "Why Am I Here?"
• Hope:  Conflicts, Calamities, and "Why Me?"
• Help:   Prayer, Scripture, and "Why Church?"
• Him/Her:  Sex, Romance, and "Any Chance of a Second Chance?"
• Home:  Diapers, Disagreements, and "Any Hope for Prodigals?"
• Haves/Have Nots:  Work, Money, and "Where's the Lifeline?"
• Hereafter:  Cemeteries, Heaven, Hell and "Who Goes Where?"

None of his answers go into great depth, but I do believe this book would be a good starting place for a new Christian and does cover a lot of questions with very sound answers rooted in the Word of God. With my children growing up and asking many of these questions as they do,  I  plan on keeping this as a resource for them as well as to pass on to others to whom I think it would be useful. 

For those who may not be firmly grounded in a solid evangelical church with a pastor of their own, this book and it's insights could be very valuable.   Max Lucado speaks in this book as if he is speaking to his own church.  His answers are not over-your-head or condescending, but rather are "spoken" with shepherd's heart in his desire to draw Christians closer together and closer to the One for whom he wished to draw you ultimately to.

This book was provided by the publisher through  BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.