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Books (1540)

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- Miscellaneous Papers & The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1962
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- Sketches by Boz & Hard Times (1)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1960
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- Martin Chuzzlewit (113)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1961
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- Dombey and Son (1)
- Wholesale, Retail, & For Exportation
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1962
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- The Old Curiosity Shop & A Child's History of England (1)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1961
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- Nicholas Nickleby (193)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1961
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Pickwi-
ck Papers
- Pickwick Papers (324)
- Postumous Papers of The Pickwick Club
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1961
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- Oliver Twist and Great Expectations (1)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1962
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- David Copperfield (1308)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1962
  
  Finished (re-read) in 1979
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- Bleak House (426)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished in 1962
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- Who Made God? (4)
- Searching for a Theory of Everything
- By Edgar Andrews
- Finished in Feb 2010
  
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Who Made God?

2 people find this helpful
Searching for a theory of everything!

I found this book irresistible. It is more exciting than a novel. Professor Andrews writes with such consummate skill it is difficult to fault. Many today are influenced by the theory of evolution, including numerous Christians. This is, in many ways, understandable. Too few churches - I mean by tha ... (continue)

I found this book irresistible. It is more exciting than a novel. Professor Andrews writes with such consummate skill it is difficult to fault. Many today are influenced by the theory of evolution, including numerous Christians. This is, in many ways, understandable. Too few churches - I mean by that ministers of churches - attempt to bring the Biblical teaching on creation before their congregations. It may be that the ministers are incapable of doing so; are afraid of being ridiculed if they do; or, possible, are themselves enmeshed by the theory of evolution. Whatever may be the reason Christians are growing-up accepting evolution as a fact. The media make much of the theory so that there is a continuous run of films on TV, or articles in magazines, declaring as a fact this anti-Christian doctrine of Darwinism.
The book is not written by a rabid anti-evolutionist, but a well-qualified scientist who, as a Christian, faces the anger of atheist Richard Dawkins and his neo-Darwinists with well-argued scientific fact and analysis, in stating his belief in the Biblical doctrine of creation. Although written in simple terms, for those not familiar with Einstein's theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, string theory, etc., some of it is hard going, but it is well worth the effort. To explain some of the more exacting demands on those of us with a non-scientific background, Andrews uses such characters as a 'jelly pod' or even the well-known Sooty. He conjures up ferrets, steam engines, and toast together with large helpings of cereal and yoghurt to enable us to grasp the significance of his scientific arguments.
Professor Andrews possesses that rare ability to present scientific argument and theological teaching in a form that I found utterly compelling. Christians need to read this book. It is not only a wonderfully exciting read, it is fillip to one's faith in a time when the forces of darkness are raging against God's infallible Word.

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— Feb 10, 2010 | 2 feedbacks
- Tom Brown at Oxford (3)
- By Thomas Hughes
- Finished in 1982
  
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Tom Brown at Oxford

Tom Brown at Oxford! Delightful story!

"Not nearly so successful as 'Tom Brown's School Days'" said the book review. However, I found it a great joy to read. It has a much wider canvass than just Oxford and thus introduces the reader to other types of characters - in particular the villager Englebourn. The chapter entitles 'The Village C ... (continue)

"Not nearly so successful as 'Tom Brown's School Days'" said the book review. However, I found it a great joy to read. It has a much wider canvass than just Oxford and thus introduces the reader to other types of characters - in particular the villager Englebourn. The chapter entitles 'The Village Constable' is really superb. It reminds me so much of Thomas Hardy's 'Under the Greenwood Tree' - what with the feud over the introduction of an organ into the village church - and the conflict between those below, and those up in the gallery, concerning the music to be sung.
The book is typical of Victorian morality, but that is what makes it such a good book - a book with a challenge. The hero is not 'a bit of a prude,' indeed, he seems to have his fare share of wild living, but he is brought to see the error of his ways by some very different types of characters. They all have some effect upon him making him think about himself and about life.
The author doesn't go deeply into belief in God - Jesus is never mentioned by name - indeed, far less is said in this story than in 'Tom Brown's School Days.' But the moral tone is very strong, and is evident throughout the book: muscular Christianity, honesty, truth will out, etc. Of course this sort of writing is looked down upon today because the vast majority of authors have gone to the other extreme, it seems, of having no moral standards at all. This type of writing, however, filled boy's comics and had an influence for good. It sets standards and, according to some polls, people prefer a bit less violence and filth than is the norm among the media - books, TV, and films - today.
My only criticism is the story's weak ending. The last three or four pages are just not necessary - Tom become a grovelling toady. This is not in character with his former self. However, despite this I greatly enjoyed the book - its peep into life at Oxford in the 1840's, its view of political goings on in the country, and the scene of village domesticity.

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— Feb 6, 2010 | Add your feedback
- Bedlam (1)
- By Paul Chambers
- Finished in Feb 2010
  
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Bedlam

Bedlam: London's Hospital for the Mad!

An easy to read book, yet one that includes much detail about the treatment of insanity in this country over the last 800 years. The main subject of the author's investigation concerns the history of Bethlem Hospital, London, the oldest mental establishment in the world. Right from the early days th ... (continue)

An easy to read book, yet one that includes much detail about the treatment of insanity in this country over the last 800 years. The main subject of the author's investigation concerns the history of Bethlem Hospital, London, the oldest mental establishment in the world. Right from the early days these establishments were called Madhouses, and the treatment allotted those committed to such places was often brutal in the extreme.
Standard treatment in Bethlem was blood-letting, purgatives, vomits, and application of substances to the skin that would burn and blister. Although these 'treatments' had been used in some degree before at Bethlem they were applied with vigour under the reign of James Monro from 1728. He rarely visited patients, leaving the administration to the Apothecary. The result was that patients became physically weakened through blood loss and malnutrition.
Although over time this treatment of patients was questioned and queried by those who opposed such a regime, little could be done about it because the Governors retained absolute control of who had access to the establishment. Parliament had no say in what happened in Bethlem or, indeed, what happened at other private Madhouses springing up across the country.
The author reveals how over a very long period of time reformers began to find ways of getting details of what was happening in Bethlem to the outside world. Changes were made to the treatment of patients as a result, but the Governors resisted with all their might to prevent inspections and reports by outsiders. Eventually the pressure was so great that Parliament passed legislation that included even Bethlem: the reformers had triumphed at last.

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— Feb 4, 2010 | Add your feedback
- Rabble-rouser for Peace (1)
- The Authorised Biography of Desmond Tutu
- By John Allen
- Finished in Jan 2010
  
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Rabble-rouser for Peace

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He may be small - but what a mighty man!

We all know something about Tutu. For the last few decades he has filled the news headlines and been flashed across our television screens. His small stature, his infectious laugh, his bold stand against Apartheid - yes, I knew something about him. But did I really? No, definitely not! This magnific ... (continue)

We all know something about Tutu. For the last few decades he has filled the news headlines and been flashed across our television screens. His small stature, his infectious laugh, his bold stand against Apartheid - yes, I knew something about him. But did I really? No, definitely not! This magnificent biography by John Allen has altered that. Without a doubt this book has opened my eyes to the real Desmond Tutu. We follow him from his birth in Makoeteng in South Africa's North West Province to being a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, and a world-wide celebrity.
From his early days Tutu set out to fight oppression, but a stay in London (after a struggle to get a passport from the South African Government) on a study trip really opened his eyes to the oppression suffered by blacks in South Africa. He and his wife Leah could not get over the way they were treated by white people. He tells of being next to be served in the queue in the Midland Bank in Golders Green, when a man rushed in, in a great hurry, and wanted to jump the queue. The lady behind the counter told him, "Sorry it's his turn first" pointing to Tutu. He says he went back later to tell her, "You might not know what you did for me..." Another incident, of which he was fond of telling, was when he and Leah went to Trafalgar Square late at night, and asked directions of a white police officer. The officer in giving directions said something like, "No sir, yes ma'am." He says they went regularly just to hear an officer speak to them like, that even though they knew the way.
What stands out in this biography is Tutu's deep spirituality. When he was appointed General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches - considered to be a liberal / secular organisation at that time - he made immediate changes. He introduced compulsory daily staff prayers, regular Bible study, monthly Eucharist, and silent retreats. He said: "The church exists first and foremost to praise and glorify God and it cannot be otherwise for a council of churches. That is our first priority ....So for us prayer, meditation, Bible reading are not peripheral to our operations. These things are at the centre of our lives. We are not embarrassed to put God first .... Our pattern and example is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who could be man for others only because he was first and foremost a man of God, a man of prayer."
I just love his reply to John Humphreys the BBC's southern African correspondent in 1980. Tutu had stated that he thought Mandela would be prime minister within five to ten years. Humphreys had replied that Tutu was being hopelessly optimistic. Tutu would have none of it. He came back with, "Brother, the Christian faith is hopelessly optimistic because it's based on the faith of a guy who died on a Friday and everybody said it was utterly and completely hopeless - ignominious defeat. And Sunday He rose."
Tutu had an amazing composure in the presence of large crowd of hostile blacks facing down powerfully armed police with dogs. On one occasion he said to a police lieutenant that he'd need to lend him the megaphone if they were to avoid bloodshed. He took the megaphone, then proceeded to inspire the crowd with what appeared to the police to be provocative and inflammatory. Then he suddenly changed tack by asking the crowd a question. The crowd, not sure where he was leading them, responded slowly. But then, in what became his favourite tactic, he kept on repeating the question over and over again, getting the crowd chanting their replies in unison. When he thought their anger had subsided enough he told them they didn't have to prove themselves by suicidal fights with the police, but could go home proud of who they were, because one day they would be free.
But Tutu was not a fighter for blacks only. He was first and foremost someone who wanted to free people from the tyranny of Apartheid. He saw it as something that enslaved both blacks and whites. Time and again when the followers of the ANC and other groups wanted to, or did, resort to violence, he had to remind them that the whites also were made in the image of God. Tutu particularly emphasised this when he was appointed chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by Mandela after the end of Apartheid. Blacks were coming forward to the commission but, after many months, no whites. Things were not looking good. Then lawyers contacted the TRC to say they had clients who wanted to meet. The clients were a group of policemen who had murdered so many people they had no idea how many. The deputy chair of the Human Rights Violations Committee didn't want to meet them. She told Tutu, "We can't deal with these buggers." He told her bluntly that if she wanted to be on the TRC she had no choice. That meeting was the turning point for the commission. Tutu led the others around the room shaking hands with the policemen. He explained that the object of the commission was not revenge but reconciliation. It was to heal the nation. Tutu absolutely refused to accept that those responsible for the most monstrous, diabolical atrocities, were beyond redemption. This led to conflict but he had his way.
Tutu's favourite phrase regarding the South African nation was that it was a "rainbow" people. People made up of all sorts of distinct colours but related - depending on each other.
It is a magnificent biography. At times I have had to put the book down as my eyes have filled with tears at Tutu's love for people. The mother of James and John asked Jesus if they could sit next to Him in the glory. I don't know who will be there, but Tutu will be very close!

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— Jan 15, 2010 | 1 feedback
- The Future of Justification (11)
- A Response to N. T. Wright
- By John Piper
- Finished in Jan 2010
  
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The Future of Justification

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Justification by Faith: Piper combines clarity, scholarship and passion!

The New Perspective on justification by faith has over the years caused confusion for a number of Bible believing Christians. Here in this book John Piper deals with the arguments of N.T. Wright, one of the leading proponents of this rehashed view of justification. Basically, the problem is that the ... (continue)

The New Perspective on justification by faith has over the years caused confusion for a number of Bible believing Christians. Here in this book John Piper deals with the arguments of N.T. Wright, one of the leading proponents of this rehashed view of justification. Basically, the problem is that the Bishop thinks of God's righteousness as being God's covenant faithfulness, which cannot be imputed or reckoned to us sinners. This view might go down well with some scholars but it will appear totally alien to the vast majority of the believers in the pew. Wright's commentaries and books might offer light on many another theological subject for Christians, but as far as I'm concerned he's banging his head against a brick wall if he thinks he's going to change the view of the ordinary evangelical believer in the pew on this one!

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— Jan 2, 2010 | Add your feedback