Conservative Book Talk

When I travel, I usually stop by the library and pick up a few audio books to “read.” I need something to help me stay awake when I’m on the road for 10-15 hours straight. When I get to the library, I always have the same problem: which book is worth listening to? I usually pick authors I know; after a while, that doesn’t work since the books may be checked out or the library doesn’t have them. Ergo, I pick from books that look clean and interesting. If I have heard of a book, that helps immensely otherwise I make a judgment call. Sometimes, I choose wisely while at other times, I choose poorly. This was not one of the former.

This story started out well, with a great plot idea: Isaac Newton and Ellis, his rough and tumble side-kick / bodyguard seek out the source of counterfeit coins. Think Sherlock Holmes and Watson. They aren’t a complete copy as they have many differences. Newton is a better man then Holmes, but Watson is a much better man then his Ellis. The story is intriguing and well written and Newton easily applies the latest scientific knowledge of his day to the case.

The problem revealed itself from an unlikely source. I had been telling someone about the book and they checked up on a few reviews. This is when I wish that I had had internet at the library while browsing the books. Apparently, there was an objectionable scene in the book. I figured that I would just skip the scene and keep moving as it would take to long to get a new book on my iPod for the trip. Besides, with so few objectionable elements so far, how bad could it be? Heh…. Famous last words. Really, I thought they kept this kind of material in a different section of the library. I stopped the book.

There are two minor objections left (the prior being the *big* one). One would be the mild profanity. The other was the portrayal of Netwon as a heretic. Literally, Kerr has Newton denying the deity of Christ:Arianism. Newton’s assistant, Ellis, (from whose perspective the story is told), goes further to reject his belief in any God at all as a result of Newton’s science. I find this troubling as it was completely unnecessary to the plot. The point of Newton’s heresy was building as a tool for his enemies to take him down with. The assistant’s heresy? Completely out of line with the plot and felt preachy.

Now I was of the understanding that Newton was a genuine Christian. Does anyone know anything to the contrary? Or is this merely an attempt to strip Christianity of one of its greatest scientists as he seriously undermines the teaching and philosophy of modern scientists?

Tags: Dark Matter, Historical Fiction, Isaac Newton, Matt Gardenghi, Philip Keller, Science

Since everyone is talking about the new movie Twilight that just came out, I decided I wanted to read the book. With minimal knowledge about the story, I borrowed the book.

The Summary: Twilight is about a high school girl named Bella who chooses to go live with her father in a place called Forks, Washington. It is here that she meets the Cullen family who has a very dark secret. She is immediately drawn to Edward Cullen. After a sudden whirlwind romance, Bella discovers that Edward is not just any high school boy. Instead he is a vampire. Basically the story weaves in the idea of an immortal and mortal having a relationship.

Author Background: The background of the author can sometimes give insight to the underlying themes within the author’s work. Stephenie Meyer is a Mormon who graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU). She does not believe in pre-marital sex, but does not oppose objectionable elements or themes.

Positive: Actually the story contains very little positives unless one would like to view the “good” vampires as a positive. And even in the story the “good” vampires struggle with human blood lust.

Negative: First of all, the concept of vampires is associated with the demonic world. The author hints at this early on in her work. Except she leaves the reader feeling that her vampires are not demonic so it is acceptable. With this aside, the story is all about teen romance, passion, and lust. The story portrays the vampire Edward’s lust as lust for Bella’s blood, but the reader can draw more from this by the actions depicted by the author. The story has multiple suggestive scenes and uses some language. In addition the main character lies throughout the entire book, but claims to despise lying. Bella continually refers to Edward as god-like. This philosophy is acceptable within the Mormon circle, but is doctrinally incorrect. And last but not least, the quality of writing is extremely poor. Many will overlook the writing, because of the storyline and characters.

Conclusion: I do not recommend this book or movie. It is certain to capture the interest of anyone who picks it up, including people lacking the ability to filter out the philosophies within the work.

Tags: Bram Stoker, Emily Gardenghi, Stephenie Meyer, Twilight, Vampires, Youth Fiction

Note: This book is out of print, so find a good used copy. Most book websites told me I could get a new one, but what they meant was… special order a printing. Verrry expensive, and its already not a cheap book.

The life of one of England’s least-well known kings, by a college professor, at 636 pages; you’re already asleep, right? I picked this book up at the library on a school research project, and was so engrossed, I had to buy it. The details just kind of pop out the page and start create a courtly atmosphere right there on the page. Beware, if you buy it online, the picture is deciving: 636 pages of size ten single spaced typing. Its not a weekend read. But, as I will hopefully convince you below, its worth every minute.

PLOT: Henry II, successful invader at 14, married to the queen of France by 19, and king of a disorderly lawless kingdom that’d been in civil war for over 20 years by the age of 21. He held together an empire that spanned England, Wales, and half of modern France, gave birth to three kings in the Angevian line, and set many of the precedents of English law that we hold dear today. Henry was an enigma in his day: military genius, family failure, strong governmental control in an era when local barons had held sway for generations, staunch traditionalist, patron of the church, and reviled by prominent churchmen (namely Thomas Becket). The end of his life was ignomius, mainly because he didn’t discipline his children or fully destroy the villain of Europe at the time (the king of France). Overall, his influence led to many things including the flowering of chivalry and the development of the rule of law.

CON: Henry II is not the ideal role model. He was so indifferent to public opinion that he allowed scandalous rumors to go unquenched (creating the myth of Thomas Becket, who I never liked). His choice of wife was politically motivated (not uncommon), and his failure to have a strong relationship with her led to many problems. They didn’t have a picturesque marriage: the kids were divided between his and hers favorites, and eventually she led the lot of them into open rebellion against their father; not once but twice. The author is relatively discreet about all the killing that results, but even so, the bloody nature of the era can’t be entirely hidden.

PRO: W. L. Warren has an amazing prose style. His words ebb and flow in eloquent sentences that bring the era to life. Better still, its in words that the average person can understand (and if you don’t, just hang on: whole chapters are devoted to explaining unusal concepts and words from the era. Plus, there’s a glossary with page references). And the historical significance of this king cannot be minimized.

“Henry II’s consolidation and defense of his authority rested upon his mastery of the art of warfare, which in turn rested upon his ability to turn his capital resources into available wealth. Henry’s technique for enhancing his wealth was not conquest and plunder but efficient management. Of course, if this had been all, Henry II might have been remembered merely as an efficient exploiter; but it was not all, for it was Henry’s genius was to make efficient management synonymous with sound government.”

OVERALL: Highly recommended, especially to those interested in the era of knights in shining armor.

Tags: England, Henry II, History, Sincerelyornot, Warren