Monday, May 27, 2019

The Rock, the Road and the Rabbi – Kathie Lee Gifford

This is the first book I have read by this author, and it was worth reading. Kathie Lee Gifford has traveled to Israel many times over the last four decades, and she wanted to pass on to readers her enthusiasm for what she has seen and learned in the Holy Land. Each chapter focuses on a location in Israel, and usually the author writes a few pages about what she learned and then asks Rabbi Jason Sobel or another expert to explain in more detail some aspect of the background of the places being visited. Kathie Lee Gifford focuses on the major sites important to Christianity, such as Bethlehem, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. She includes chapters on less-known places, such as Magdala, Caesarea Philippi, Bet Av, and Masada as well. This is not a scholarly book, but there is enough scholarship here that I think everyone will learn something (did you know it is very likely Jesus was NOT a carpenter?). The writing style is very engaging and conversational. Whether or not the Christian reader has been to Israel, I think this book makes one want to know more; it is a good introduction to the places of the Bible. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Grateful American - Gary Sinise

Gary Sinise is an actor who has a passion for supporting veterans. While I knew this because I've seen him for years on PBS at the Memorial Day Concert in Washington, DC, I did not know his background nor much about him as an actor since my TV and movie interests are narrow. His book, subtitled "A Journey from Self to Service" narrates just that, beginning with his childhood and moving to the present day. His personal history is an interesting one; Gary is very much a product of his time, as he came of age in the 1970s. The author's interest in the military stems from family relationships—some of his and his wife's relatives served in different wars, giving him a broad understanding of the importance of the military to America's freedom. Through a combination of others inviting him and his seeking opportunities to honor and support the military, I got the impression that his service in support of the military and veterans has become his life's work; acting almost sounds incidental now. The book is fairly well written, although there were times topics seem belabored. I noticed a couple of typos: on page 47, Neiman Marcus is misspelled as "Nieman Marcus". On page 202, "the" is omitted from: ". . . network execs recognized the opportunity for publicity when announcer could introduce me. . . ." I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the author or who is curious about how he came to be so supportive of the military. The book goes into great detail on both subjects, so readers must be motivated to know more in order for their interest to be held. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.