Drive-By Book Reviews

Frustrating though it was, the weeks we spent without internet access did give me the chance to catch up on some reading. What follows are some quick reviews of some of the better books I have read over the last couple months.
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton

Part of an ongoing project to read Chesterton’s works. Orthodoxy is without a doubt one of the GKC classics, and deservedly so. A ringing defense of Christianity in the face of rising skepticism and apathy–very relevant today, though written over a century ago. As always, he loses me when his defense of Christianity veers into a defense of Rome.
Rapid Rating: If you are at all interested in Christian apologetics, you must read this book.
Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith by John Jackson Miller

What if there were a lost civilization made up entirely of the Sith? What would it be like? Author John Jackson Miller takes up this idea in his series of six short works, available (for now) as free e-books on Amazon.
Rapid Rating: Some great escapist reading–even better if you happen to be a Star Wars fan.
Adopted for Life by Russel D. Moore

Dr. Moore speaks with a passion born of experience as he advocates adoption. He is the father of two boys, adopted as infants from an orphanage in Russia. Yet the basis for the book is not merely sociological or experiential. Rather, it is deeply theological. The entire work is laced with references and analogies to the believer’s adoption in Christ.
Rapid Rating: Six stars out of five. If you have adopted, are thinking of adopting, know someone who has adopted, or have been adopted into the family of Christ, you should really read this book.
The New Jerusalem by G.K. Chesterton

Another in my quest for Chesterton. This is a travel journal of sorts, recounting the author’s visit to the Holy Land. Much of the material is dated, but there are the usual pearls of wisdom and insight one can expect in any Chesterton work. He makes some interesting points about the Crusades, and his observations on the (then theoretical) Jewish nation are fascinating.
Chesterton succeeded in making annoying me, however, with some of his comments about the Jewish people. In particular, he criticized them for taking on European names, conveniently ignoring the fact that they were required to do so to escape persecution by his beloved Roman Catholics.
Rapid Rating: Not the greatest of Chesterton’s works, but still worth the read.
A Concise History of Brazil by Boris Fausto

Meticulously researched and masterfully translated, this book is a great resource for anybody looking for a straightforward, largely unbiased history of Brazil. Even though I have spent the last twenty-two years studying my adopted land, I learned many things through this book.
Rapid Rating: Want to know about Brazil? This is a great place to start.
These and other great books are available at our Amazon Bookstore. Please go and check it out. A purchase there will send a small contribution to this ministry!