Pat Rock on Jan 31st, 2006Jimmy Carter — Our Endangered Values
Jimmy Carter has a new book out in which he takes direct aim at the current level of the mixing of religion and politics in American life. It’s called Our Endangered Values and there is a great review of it at the New York Review of Books.
The review itself uses the book as a [...]
Pat Rock on Jun 23rd, 2005Aquadoodiloop Reviews John Dominic Crossan
I just finished reading these two books back to back, as part of my summer theology/biblical studies reading list.
It may surprise you to know that an education at an evangelical christian college isn’t exactly well rounded. So recently I made a reading list for myself of theology and biblical studies books far outside the [...]
Pat Rock on Apr 29th, 2005Aquadoodiloop reviews: I Am Legend
Book: I Am Legend
by: Richard Matheson
Im not sure really what led me to this book. I am sitting here really trying to remember because I think it’s a good story, but I’m coming up blank. Maybe I was doing some reading on the place of the Monster in modern literature.
And this short story [...]
Pat Rock on Apr 28th, 2005Aquadoodiloop reviews: Country & Blues Guitar for the Musically Hopeless
Book: Country & Blues Guitar for the Musically Hopeless
by: Carol McComb
I’ve owned two guitars, several ‘guitar for beginner’ books, and taken lessons at various points.
I am still the worst guitar player ever.
This book is just a landmark along the trail of crushed musical ambitions.
Pat Rock on Apr 27th, 2005Aquadoodiloop reviews: Rivethead: Tales from the Assembly Line
Book: Rivethead: Tales from the Assembly Line
by: Ben Hamper
If you have ever wanted to read first hand what class war in America looks like from the front line of the assembly lines then this is the book for you.
Pat Rock on Apr 26th, 2005Aquadoodiloop reviews: Last Call
Book: Last Call
by: Tim Powers
Powers creates an absolutely stunning alternate reality involving poker, tarot, Arthurian legends and jungian archetypes.
I stumbled on this book totally randomly during highschool and it prompted me to go out and buy a tarot deck, and a book in order to try to get a grasp on some of the stuff [...]
Pat Rock on Apr 25th, 2005Aquadoodiloop reviews: Expiration Date : A Novel
Book: Expiration Date : A Novel
by: Tim Powers
A kind of sequel to Power’s “Last Call,” but it never really reaches the same level as “Last Call.”
Pat Rock on Apr 24th, 2005Aquadoodiloop reviews: Earthquake Weather (Tor Fantasy)
Book: Earthquake Weather (Tor Fantasy)
by: Tim Powers
The final book in the series started by Powers’ “Last Call.” It has all the same fault as “Expiriation Date.” Which is to say that its written in some kind of popular novel voice that belies how good of writer Tim Powers really is.
Pat Rock on Apr 23rd, 2005Aquadoodiloop reviews: Hearts In Atlantis
Book: Hearts In Atlantis
by: Stephen King
Let’s be honest. Stephen King is at best only a kind of writer. But he can really conceive and deliver a story with believable characters. And he writes from his gut with an intensity a lot of more studied writers can’t attain.
In spite of the fact that [...]
Pat Rock on Apr 22nd, 2005Aquadoodiloop reviews: Children of the Mind (Ender Wiggin Saga)
Book: Children of the Mind (Ender Wiggin Saga)
by: Orson Scott Card
Children of the Mind is the final book in the ender saga.
What comes to mind about this book is that Card takes the most honest look at the way humans try to posses one another I’ve ever seen in fiction.
I can’t really describe what he [...]