Wow! This was a fascinating look at Laura Perry's journey into and through transitioning and God's bringing her out of that lifestyle. She explains thWow! This was a fascinating look at Laura Perry's journey into and through transitioning and God's bringing her out of that lifestyle. She explains that as a young child, her mother's saying that if either of the two baby boys that she had miscarried had survived, she would not have had Laura, made Laura feel unloved and unwanted. (How often we as parents can say things that hurt children without meaning to.) That made Laura wish that she was a boy. Then her mother and she did not understand each other's love languages. While her mother worked hard to show her that she loved her, Laura wanted time with her. Another big thing in Laura's journey was being molested by a friend's older brother.
Laura takes us through her rebellious teenage years, her health and weight problems, and her frantic desire for sex and love. Living as Jake at first brought her freedom, but gradually increased her fears that someone would not see her as a man.
Finally, she delights in the steps God made to draw her to Himself. She praises Him for His longsuffering with her.
Laura's writing vibrates with life and joy. She reaches out to those who are struggling with transgenderism with understanding and compassion. This would probably be a good book for an adult or older teen to read and certainly for family members who are trying to understand a loved one's thinking. Highly recommended....more
After Mee-Kyong's boyfriend beats her to the point of losing her baby, she kills him and escapes from North Korea into China with a trafficker and a bAfter Mee-Kyong's boyfriend beats her to the point of losing her baby, she kills him and escapes from North Korea into China with a trafficker and a beautiful young girl, Sun. The trafficker sells them to an innkeeper. Though Mee-Kyong tries to protect Sun, life takes a direction she never foresaw.
Although Roger Stern operates a business near the Chinese border with North Korea, he and his wife Juliette also operate an underground Bible school. They lead Koreans to the Lord, train them, and help those who choose to go back to North Korea to spread the gospel. Juliette, however, is having a hard time letting Hannah go back as Hannah has emotionally filled in for Juliette's daughter who has gone back to the U.S. for college.
Alana Terry takes the difficult reality of life in North Korea and turns it into a powerful story. I had to think about why she had some viewpoint characters from early in the story disappear, but I think she used to show readers what happens too often to people in North Korea.
At first, Terry's portrayal of Juliette irked me, but I think she showed her in a more realistic light as a flawed character who loves God and people, who reaches out to others even as she struggles against the Empty Nest.
This is a moving, dark, sometimes hard-to-read story with important messages about what some believers face and what some women endure. read...more
Although we've owned this book for several years, I only recently read it. It was surprisingly interesting. Charles Darwin is the patron saint of evolAlthough we've owned this book for several years, I only recently read it. It was surprisingly interesting. Charles Darwin is the patron saint of evolution, but Bergman, in this heavily footnoted book, knocks Darwin's halo askew.
Bergman divides the book into four sections. In the first section, he looks at Darwin's relationship to Christianity and his burgeoning agnosticism. He highlights Darwin's manipulation of his writing to make evolution more palatable to a scientific community still highly influenced by Christianity.
Next, he discusses Darwin's mental health problems, including agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder that kept Darwin reclusive unless his wife went somewhere with him. He also suffered depression, insomnia and a number of digestive problems. These problems seemed to worsen as he developed his theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest. Darwin struggled with the knowledge that his theory "killed God." He also had an inordinate passion for hunting, killing, and even torturing animals when he was young, something he later regretted.
The third section deals with Darwin and his theory. In his lifetime, peers accused him of plagiarizing his theory from Alfred Russell Wallace. This section also highlights his faulty research, such as not recording which island he got which type of finch from, and his theory of pangenesis. Pangenesis was the idea that the changes in your body because of your environment would be passed to your offspring. It has been debunked, for the most part. However, Darwin felt it was a necessary part of his theory because he recognized that he had no mechanism to explain the origin of life. "The problem with evolution is not the survival of the fittest, but the arrival of the fittest." (263)
Bergman concludes his study with the effects of the Darwinian theory on society. He verifies Darwin's racism, his belief in the inferiority of women, and his support for eugenics. Eugenics was the movement of breeding people to improve the species, which led to preventing people from being able to marry and have children, especially among Blacks, native Australians, and others. This idea later led to eliminating "inferior" races, such as Jews. Darwin's sons led the eugenics movement in Britain for years.
Although I found the first section slow and repetitive, most of the book was highly interesting. I found myself reaching for this book rather than the fiction I was also reading. Bergman's style does not require a lot of scientific knowledge though some helps. He does not overwhelm with technical jargon usually but writes for ordinary readers. He documents his work heavily. This is a highly worthwhile read....more
This is the second book that I've ready b Anthony Esolen . Though I'm not Roman Catholic, I found it encouraging and inspiring. He discusses how we caThis is the second book that I've ready b Anthony Esolen . Though I'm not Roman Catholic, I found it encouraging and inspiring. He discusses how we can rebuild our culture piece by piece. He describes such areas as beauty and its importance, the school, the family, manhood, womanhood, play, and more. References to classical literature and quotations by others complement his beautiful prose. I look forward to reading more by Esolen....more
Using his own experience, Vincent Vargas describes the mission of the U.S. Border Patrol, what motivates the members, what they do, and advancement opUsing his own experience, Vincent Vargas describes the mission of the U.S. Border Patrol, what motivates the members, what they do, and advancement opportunities. He gives a brief history of the service. He includes stories from other members of the service also and provides pictures.
The book was informative and interesting. Having grown up near the northern border, I was familiar with the Border Patrol, but I had no idea how much they did beyond capturing people who came across in other areas or people who tried to smuggle contraband. This is a very readable explanation of what these brave men and women do, their mindset, and their intensive training. This was not a political screed....more
Feminist Louise Perry challenges the feminist status quo on the ideas that men and women are just alike, that women should have aggressive sexual encoFeminist Louise Perry challenges the feminist status quo on the ideas that men and women are just alike, that women should have aggressive sexual encounters like men, and that the sexual liberation has been good for women.
We need to re-erect the social guard rails that have been torn down. And, in order to do that, we have to start by stating the obvious. Sex must be taken seriously. Men and women are different. Some desires are bad. Consent is not enough. Violence is not love. Loveless sex is not empowering. People are not products. Marriage is good. (p. 189)
Using statistics, anecdotes, and quotations, Perry argues each of the points above, showing that what feminism has attacked has hurt women, men, children and families. It has resulted in more fatherless children, more emotional turmoil, increased violence toward women, and more men turning away from healthy relationships with women. Her arguments are compelling and thought-provoking.
Her writing style is engaging. I recommend this book to those who are concerned about what is happening in our society.
I wish I had read this book years ago to help me understand the men in my life better. Esolen opens with the differences in strength between men and wI wish I had read this book years ago to help me understand the men in my life better. Esolen opens with the differences in strength between men and women. He does not denigrate women but lifts up the unique roles of childbearing and nurturance and inspiration of men (except for feminists). He openly states that his goal is to encourage boys and men in their understanding and view of manhood.
His second chapter uses a description of the difficulty and precision required to bring water to Rome from the springs several miles away in 400 B.C. is fascinating. And it was men's ways of thinking, working, and forming teams for the good of the civilization that accomplished the feat. His other chapters include men's teamwork in daily life, a man's role in the family, men's vision, and the Heavenly Father.
Esolen's writing reminds me of a cross between C.S. Lewis and Victor Davis Hanson's. His knowledge of history and philosophy offer an ease of reading. He strengthens his arguments with pertinent anecdotes and references.
As the grandmother of seven boys, I think we've needed books to build up our young men for a long time. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and plan to read more of his books....more
Ying Ma opens the book by telling of her life in China. Although her parents, brother, grandparents, and a couple of uncles lived in a two-bedroom apaYing Ma opens the book by telling of her life in China. Although her parents, brother, grandparents, and a couple of uncles lived in a two-bedroom apartment, she remembers those years with fondness. The orderliness of the classrooms helped her develop good learning skills. Over several years, her uncles and grandparents moved to the United States. When she was about ten, her family moved to Oakland, California, to share a squalid apartment with her grandparents in the ghetto. She and her brother hurried to learn English so that they could help her parents and grandparents with business transactions. Living in poverty was hard, but not nearly as hard as being the objects of racial hatred by some of their Black and hispanic neighbors. She describes her efforts to escape the ghetto. The book was short and fascinating. Ying came across as real with her simmering angry, her fear, and disappointment. The book showed a lot of the challenges, but it also offered hope. I hope to have my granddaughters read this book to help them understand the difficulties of immigrants and that there are possibilities to a better life through hard work and education ....more
This was the inspirational account of about three dozen Christians living and serving God in various countries in the world where Christianity is not This was the inspirational account of about three dozen Christians living and serving God in various countries in the world where Christianity is not allowed or is frowned upon. This worked well as a devotional book because of its short chapters and format. Each chapter told of a Christian living under persecution, most of whom Nettleton met, and how they not only survived but spiritually thrived despite their dire situations. Their personal circumstances varied, their countries varied, but their faith endured torture, threats, attempts on their lives.
Each chapter told a story of an individual, sometimes including Nettleton's conversations with them. Then Nettleton provided a challenging reflection, a prayer, a spot for a journal entry, and a comment from his personal journals. Sometimes he added quotes by others.
In the past I thought that reading of persecution would be daunting and discouraging. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is tremendously inspiring as you read of God's presence during dire circumstances. Reading of authentic Christianity lived out today without petty denominationalism or bickering over inconsequential things stirs the blood and inspires the heart. The challenge at the end hits the mark. I highly recommend this book to encourage your faith and your Christian walk....more
Temple Grandin compiled articles that she had written to form this book. She covered several broad topics from early education to getting and keeping Temple Grandin compiled articles that she had written to form this book. She covered several broad topics from early education to getting and keeping a job. Based on her own experiences, on years of working with children on the autism spectrum, and on medical and educational research, the book is very helpful for parents, teachers, and medical personnel dealing with these young people. She has a section of the book on drugs that may help or are sometimes used by people with autism, when to use them, what their side effects are. Grandin writes in a very practical, readable style with anecdotes of her experiences. Many of the articles include suggested reading lists which look helpful and useful. I hope to read more of her books....more
British feminist, Helen Joyce takes a hard look at the transgender movement and its effects on women and children. The first few chapters deal with t British feminist, Helen Joyce takes a hard look at the transgender movement and its effects on women and children. The first few chapters deal with the history and development of the movement. As she proceeds, she considers the sociological change in those considering themselves trans over the past several years from young boys to teenage girls. She also discusses the physical devastation for those who have surgeries. She includes single-sex spaces and the trauma many women feel at having to allow men in prison cells, bathrooms, and changing rooms. She concludes the book with some positives as women begin fighting back. This was a thoughtful, well-researched book. Anyone trying to educate him or herself on the issue would benefit from reading it....more
Although this was nonfiction, it was fast paced and exciting. It would make a great movie. The tension heightens as the climax approaches. No one exp Although this was nonfiction, it was fast paced and exciting. It would make a great movie. The tension heightens as the climax approaches. No one expected Kabul to fall to the Taliban as quickly as it did. Writer, outspoken critic of the Taliban, and women's rights activist, Homeira Qaderi intended to stay in Afghanistan to fight the Taliban, but her little boy was terrified and begged to leave. Homeira's family pleaded with her to leave. They knew her fame would put her high on the Taliban's list for vengeance. Sam Aronson was on vacation when the call came to U. S. State Department personnel to assist in the efforts to get American citizens and Afghans who had assisted in the overthrow of the Taliban out. As soon as he was accepted, Sam flew out to Afghanistan and the frantic efforts to get as many people out as possible. Zuckoff alternates perspectives until the final effort to get Homeira out. It's moving and powerful. Life is at stake and courage in evidence....more
This is a highly important book for anyone concerned about the transgender mania. Dr. Grossman gives the history of the movement and how and why so m This is a highly important book for anyone concerned about the transgender mania. Dr. Grossman gives the history of the movement and how and why so many institutions have succumbed to it despite the harm and the lack of long-term studies. She provides information about why several nations in Europe that led the way on transitioning are outlawing transitioning for young people. She offers guidance on how to talk to children, schools, medical personnel, lawyers and therapists. She has been a practicing psychiatrist for over 40 years. Initially, she rarely encountered patients with gender dysphoria, but now that is primarily the problem parents consult and engage her with. One of the interesting aspects that she provides evidence for is the social mania of much of what is going on, especially among girls. Another aspect is that most of these children and teenagers have had other social and emotional problems before deciding that they are trans. Most of the medical community pushing the trans ideology ignores those other problems, such as being physically or sexually abused, depression, being on the autism spectrum, and others and focus on transitioning as the answer to the problems the kids are having. She clearly and graphically explains what happens to a young person's body when he or she begins taking hormones or has body-changing surgery, and it is not pretty. I highly recommend this book. It is written with ordinary parents in mind. ...more
"I understood now how stories tell us who we are and who we're supposed to be. The best stories do more than show us that underdogs can triumph: they "I understood now how stories tell us who we are and who we're supposed to be. The best stories do more than show us that underdogs can triumph: they ignite hope within us and inspire us to do the same." (p. 273)
As his retirement nears, Florida game warden Jeff Babauta wants to do something to make a difference for the Florida wildlife he loves. When he is approached about going underground in the Everglades to catch alligator poachers, he reluctantly agrees to participate in Operation Alligator Thieves. He takes on the persona of Curtis Blackledge who is starting an alligator farm. As time passes, he finally finds his way into the midst of the poaching outfit, but his job becomes more difficult as he becomes friends with some of the men.
Author Rebecca Renner also investigates the legend of the greatest alligator poacher ever, Peg Brown. Meeting his son and some of his friends, she realizes that Brown had a great love for the Everglades and that poachers are not the biggest threat in the Everglades.
This true tale takes the reader into the Everglades where Renner's love for the land joins her compassion for the people who scratch a living from the area to touch the reader's heart. She paints the Everglades so beautifully that her love for the land carries the reader's heart with it.
Overcome by the peace of the place, I sat and listened as the purple cast of gloaming shifted into the evening dark, and the hot buzz of katydids gave way to the thousand voices of frogs and toads in chorus. (100)
The account confused me a little at first as I tried to switch from Jeff's story to Rebecca's search for the truth about Peg Brown. The double stories work themselves out. However, it increases tension as Jeff throws himself into his new character. It was a story that deepened my concern for the natural habitat and finding the balance between man and nature.
For anyone interested in China and its intentions, this is an important book to help you understand the strategies of China and its goal of replacing For anyone interested in China and its intentions, this is an important book to help you understand the strategies of China and its goal of replacing the U.S. as the world's predominant country. Some parts are fascinating, some a little dry, but it's well worth reading....more
When Asia Bible drank from a cup left at the well of her employer, she had no idea she would be at the center of a decade-long life and death struggleWhen Asia Bible drank from a cup left at the well of her employer, she had no idea she would be at the center of a decade-long life and death struggle in Pakistan that would alert the world to Pakistan's blasphemy laws. These laws have endangered and put to death innocent Muslims, Christians, and other minorities.
This moving account brought me to tears at times as she suffered abuse, loneliness, and terror in prison for a crime she didn't commit. I highly recommend this book....more
This is a complex story of the tensions in the Middle East and the perils Israel faces. It's extremely timely. The main characters are well developed This is a complex story of the tensions in the Middle East and the perils Israel faces. It's extremely timely. The main characters are well developed. However, I kept jumbling Nir's team in my mind. Thankfully, he has both a list of characters and a list of foreign phrases by language in the front. I kept a bookmark in the list of foreign phrases. Nir, the leader of a team of Mossad operatives, takes his team to Damascus to destroy a bunch of missiles to be used against Israel. They capture a Russian operative from the Wagner group who tells them of a Russian plot against Israel because its supplying of natural gas to the European market is cutting into Russia's profit. The rest of the story is the attempt to discover and stop the attack. Nicole, Nir's girlfriend and a Christian South African member of Nir's team, proves herself an exceptional undercover operative as well as technical assistant. She also steers him toward Christ. It was an exciting read....more
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