Conscientious, scholarly, and accessible.
346601
John Jay [1745-1829] has long deserved a full-length scholarly biography and here he receives one that does honor to subject and author alike.  First-time author Walter Stahr, a practicing attorney specializing in international law, has done prodigious work in the original sources and the scholarly literature and presents his findings capably and responsibly.  He blends rigorous scholarship with clear and direct prose.  His work deserves a wide and grateful audience.  I have one caveat.  Having worked on John Jay myself, I respectfully dissent from Mr. Stahr's argument that historians have neglected Jay because of his religious and political conservatism.  I think, rather, that there are three major reasons for the previous neglect of Jay.  First, until the great body of his papers found a home at Columbia University, thanks to the labors of Richard B. Morris, the sources needed for a fuller understanding of Jay and his career were not readily available, and the availability of sources often shapes the kinds and varieties of scholarship that historians and biographers can undertake.  Second, by one of those unfortunate historical accidents, Jay was not a signer of either the Declaration of Independence [indeed, he was a reluctant revolutionary until 4 July 1776] or the Constitution of the United States.  Signers and Framers tend to get more attention from later writers than those who were neither signers nor framers.  Third, not only Jay but all members of the early [pre-1801] Supreme Court have been eclipsed by the titanic figure of John Marshall.  In any event, Stahr's biography should spark a reconsideration of Jay's life and career and a re-evaluation of his place in the establishment of the United States.
1080455
Michael A. R. Graves is one of the leading authorities on Elizabethan parliaments, so one might expect his book on the leading Elizabethan statesman to be good.  And in many ways it is.  Wide-ranging and erudite,  in easily-digested short segments concerning various modules of William  Cecil's career, 'Burghley' offers an excellent if condensed overview of the  achievements of Elizabeth I's chief adviser.  Unlike earlier books on the  subject, 'Burghley' does not pursue every minute (and often unnecessary)  aspect of his career.  However, during some sections of the book, Graves'  love for the minutiae of politics and economics becomes apparent, although  regrettably is not likewise communicated to the reader.  The final chapter  is therefore extremely welcome and useful, containing a subjective but  learned analysis of Burghley the man.  The sheer vastness of Burghley's  surviving documentation makes the task of his biographer an incredibly  daunting one, and in my opinion, Graves has done a commendable job.  Although not recommended for the casual reader with a passing interest in  Burghley's life, the book is excellently suited to students of Elizabethan  politics, for whom it was clearly written.  For the purpose of last-minute  cramming or essay research, this slim volume is a welcome and detailed  alternative to the considerably thicker, more in-depth tomes of Hume, Read,  Beckingsale, et al.
980829
The title may be grandiose, but this book delivers on its claims. Even better, it is ultra readable. Complex info is largely digestible. It is enlivened with whimsical anecdotes and side commentary on the people who made our world. We are kept aware of the humanity and failings of our intellectual giants so that the whole adventure is warm and endearing rather than  the crushing weight the topic suggests.

The extra graphics of the Special Illustrated Edition aren't essential, but they do add real pleasure that seems appropriate to such a daunting task.

I would love to see this book on every senior school reading list. Public debate would be a lot better for it.
2908932
Justo establishes a rather well based description of Medieval Christian theology and philosophy.  He explains Augustine and the other fathers of the Church in a scholarly objective sense.  He does not hide from Christian controversies, but addresses them in a manner that simplifies the matter for even the casual reader.  This is certainly worth reading for those who are casually interested in Church history, but who are not scholars.
238943
The depth and the visual finery of this book makes the studying a genuine pleasure.  A substantial contribution...Thank you, thank you...
3034461
I read the book from cover to cover over a couple of weeks, as a general reader interested in Christian origins. It is a textbook that nicely bridges the gap between scholarly and popular. Numerous boxes focusing on specific points of interest add value without interrupting the flow. Glossary, supplemental reading recommendations, concise chapter summaries . . . all add up to a very fine overview of a complicated topic, with usable leads to sources of further information. Ehrman provides his own view of some controversial issues (Jesus as apocalyptic Jewish prophet, for example), but I thought did so appropriately in context and with due recognition of other views.
4180342
Without doubt, this is a most lucid, elegant, and scholarly study--a rare conjunction of qualities in any scholarly enterprise --of a complex, cantankerous, and creative university don of the high Middle Ages.  The seasoned author, of course, needs no further encomium.
2279707
Helpful taxonomically and in terms of theological substance.
943111
I had the pleasure of taking a course with Prof. Ray at the University of Florida (and enjoying his band, the Vulgar Boatmen, at campus gigs). It is certainly helpful to be grounded in cultural and critical theories to extract the most satisfaction from this work. The writing is crisp and elegant; the scholarship illuminating. As the signature art form of the twentieth century film deserves this level of trenchant analysis and genuine affection. Perhaps the highest praise I can offer is that you will eagerly anticipate the holidays to watch reruns of It's a Wonderful Life.
3203714
This is a scholarly, thoroughly researched and articulated analysis of Our Lady, and how the image has symbolized several cultural transformations.  Dr. Sanchez makes a compelling argument, within an enjoyable read.
392470
I appreciate this book for several reasons. First, Yoder is an important figure in 20th-century theology and it is good to see robust engagement with his work. Second, the Stone-Campbell tradition is sometimes known -- not entirely without warrant -- for insularity, and the particular circumstances of this book's genesis speak to what I think is a renewed sense of, well, radical ecumenicity. Third, I appreciate the breadth of engagement and the depth of scholarship represented by the various submissions. They vary somewhat in strength and relevance, but certainly the aggregate offers a multifaceted and fascinating look at this important figure, and is helpful collection of secondary sources. Finally, I enjoy the (hopefully intentional) double entendre of the title -- that the selections are, to some extent, about Yoder's ecumenism, but the simple fact that scholars in the Stone-Campbell movement were willing to engage the work of a Mennonite scholar who taught for part of his career at a high-profile Catholic university also exemplifies that ecumenicity. Kudos to Nugent and the other contributors for a fine work.
2427030
The book offers an overview of Nicholas Wolterstorff's theory of rationality and scholarly practice. It is a published dissertation, and so focuses determinedly on that one topic (and not, for instance, on Wolterstorff's ideas on other topics, such as teaching or art) and sticks to systematic exposition of the concepts without many examples, so it is not a light read. Nevertheless, Wolterstorff's theory is one of the most cogent and important attempts to describe a positive role for belief in theory construction and weighing, and anyone interested in the recent resurgence of interest in the relationship between religion and higher education who has not already examined Wolterstorff's work will find here a lucid and helpful exposition. Even having read much of Wolterstorff's work, I found it helpful to have the themes brought together systematically.
4345018
Reverend Kindle has written a book that is scholarly, on the one hand, while being understandable for the non-scholarly.  It is chock-ful of relevant history and anecdotal material as well as practical suggestions for congregations who want to become Open and Affirming.
4693669
When I was an undergraduate in the late 50s and early 60s, the amount of material available in English on many aspects of the medieval period was slim; today, 50 years on, there is a large library available in English and many other languages.  Before I retired, I returned to a scheduled discipline by re-entering the medieval studies by joining the Center for Medieval Studies at the U of Minnesota-Minneapolis.  I have been pleasantly surprised at what is on offer and since 1995 have been in regular attendance at seminars, lecturers, special workshops -- you name it.  This book was mentioned in passing at one of those presentations on 'how does one get rid of a pope' -- in this case, Anacletus II, one of the captivity crowd of popes.  The greater surprise was to find that this book reflects at a papacy that is trying to do two things at once:  a) justify its existence as "the" power of the West by having supposedly been given the Western Roman Empire by the Eastern Roman emperor Constantine in the spurious document, The Donation of Constantine.  The resulting political organization involved proving that the pope was greatest of all by adopting the trappings of empire that still exist to this day in Vatican.  And 2) be in the forefront of intellectual and scientific study lead by Franciscan writers.  This 241-page book carefully looks at those developments and reveals a papacy that is interested in new learning and science (gasp) while establishing its primary political power in the West.  Within the discussion of body, we walk carefully through the perception of the pope as the physical embodiment of the church, as the vicar of Christ, and as a human being.  The result is that we have a much clearer definition of what the Roman Catholic Church means when it talks about the multifaceted 'person of the pope'.  In order to maintain the health of the church, it was necessary to assure the pope's physical and spiritual health were maintained so that he will preside over all his areas of responsibility well and wisely as he had less than Peter's Years to live.  We have a wonderful review of science, itself now becoming an independent study, as reflected in the work of Roger Bacon (on light and vision) and many other writers (cardinals) on the same and related subjects -- this all predates Bishop Butler's "To Be is to Be Perceived".  The author reveals a curial court that is interested in investigative science and how we learn more about the body as an object in its own right.  We discover that by the time of the Plague the curial court no longer was interested in this emerging field and so by the time Galileo brings his research to bear, the pope can say that this was nonsense and consequently the Church acquires its reputation (still held by many) that religion and science don't stand in the same room together, let alone enlighten each other.  The period covered in this book could also be titled:  The Scientific Age of the Papacy.  For those who like to read footnotes, this book provides 104 pages of them if one is fluent in Latin.  I found the book to be well-written, lucid, and a joy -- I finished it in three days of interrupted reading.  For those interested in the intellectual developments at this time away from the papal curia, reading Dr. Mary Franklin-Brown's book, Reading the World: encyclopedic writing in the scholastic age.  Both books are published by the University of Chicago.
59095
Matthew Poole has put together a marvelous work. He separates the verses and the individual phrases within the verses to make his comments easy to follow and ideal for quick reference. The print is small, so there's a great deal of information on each page. Poole does a good job of referencing some of the other verses that pertain to a passage's particular subject matter. And the language is actually somewhat easy to read when compared with some of the other older commentaries.
One of the things I am especially pleased with is that, in some cases, he gives various interpretations of a word's meaning or sometimes even the whole point that is intended. It's not that he's swaying in his understanding. It seems to be a simple acknowledgement of uncertainty. So instead of guessing, as some do, he communicates the different perspectives. And often he will let the reader know to which interpretation he leans.
The only drawback is his comments sometimes lack enough detail. Anyone like me, who not only wants to know what it means but why, better be prepared to do the research if this is important. Poole doesn't always explain how he arrived at a particular understanding and he doesn't give a great deal of historical data either. But in researching these things myself, I generally find Poole to be on target with what I'm able to conclude.
In my opinion, either Matthew Poole or Matthew Henry is the first commentary set a student should consider, depending on preference. Both cover the whole Bible. Both are very handsome sets of books (unless you purchase the Matthew Henry commentary in one book). And most importantly both are the scholarly works of men who have a passion for God's word. However, I slightly favor Poole's comments simply because they're an easier read.
4272033
It has been decades ago that I first encountered Benjamin Franklin's autobiography - a good-sized chunk of it, at least. It was part of my massive American lit textbook. The excerpt in the text dealt mainly with Franklin's unusual approach to self improvement. That reading became a benchmark for me through years of pondering how one does, after all, encourage virtue and character. Are these a grace (as in St. Paul's theology), or are they the result of deliberate effort and commitment? Well, that suffices to introduce this abridged and edited version of Franklin's classic. It is a good thing when a scholar with credentials makes aging literature accessible to a contemporary audience. And that, it strikes me, is the major value of Dan Runyon's book. I read it over the course of several evenings and thoroughly enjoyed it. Reading American history through the aging genius of Ben Franklin is a bit like having a front-row seat at some of the major events of our early history. His perspective on General Braddock's catastrophic  defeat by the French and Indians is as sensible as it is authentic. His sympathetic portrayal of the great British preacher George Whitfield is a reminder that before mass media, there were some figures who commanded huge audiences. A delightfully entertaining and informative read.
2922250
Over the course of the eight lectures in this Modern Scholar course entitled "How to Think: The Liberal Arts and Their Enduring Value," Professor Michael D. C. Drout offers an insightful approach to why students, scholars, and society should value the liberal arts. Up front, I want to note that Dr. Drout advocated his arguments in a measured, close to earth (it is the liberal arts, so keeping some altitude is essential) sometimes humorous approach. He does not lapse in an academic cadence intended to showcase his vocabulary and grasp of the obscure. (I've heard other lecturers pontificate to the point that they veered toward buffoonery.)

Dr. Drout, without giving away the main story lines, traces the evolution of the liberal arts from the surviving knowledge and literature we have from Greek and Roman scholars, philosophers, and scientists. He articulates how the core liberal arts came into being and how certain disciplines, once considered as liberal arts, broke off and become full-fledged disciplines in their own right, in large measure, he argues, because they developed rigorous systems and methods allowing their knowledge to be evaluated and tested. He tracks this progression through the Middle Ages, showing how knowledge and culture can be lost, up to modern times.

Dr. Drout explores how the liberal arts are somewhat messy and challenging, requiring constant reevaluation and rebalancing. I'm being much too simple here, but his ideas of how the liberal arts prepare people to think, to lead, to solve complex problems. Drout calls these skills "the tools to rule," and makes an argument that these skills are essential to the education of leaders in all fields. It is the mastering of a field---well, actually, part of a field, the commitment to learn, study, and decide on the basis of study, criticism, debate, and research that train the brain for what will come later in life. And he is spot on. (I made the same argument, albeit on a much simpler level, as part of a panel discussion called "Liberal Arts and the World of Work in the late '70s).

As a medieval scholar, Drout knows a bit about the potential perils of specialization. He also shows how specialization requires applying knowledge and techniques from multiple fields to fully understand literature and the arts. His analysis of what one needs to understand in order to approach and really appreciate the epic poem "Beowulf" comprises one lecture, and if one only had time to listen to one lecture, then the 6th one would be highly recommended. Here Drout articulates so well why studying literature requires a breadth of knowledge and research beyond the pages of a text and the words therein.

Though science, economics, and government jostle for attention and dominance, Drout suggests that mastering the liberal arts prepares one to excel in those fields as well. It's a tantalizing thesis, and one I want to believe, as it mirrors much of my own life's work. But I think Drout's insistence that the mastery of the liberal arts is the best way to hone one's mind and sharpen one's problem solving skills is a bit soft and would require a more in depth look at what leaders skills leaders in various fields gained through other channels of scholarship and education..

Drout keeps a refreshing perspective on liberal arts and how it relates to society and to work. He also touches on the role of the liberal arts as a correction on the prevailing views of a society, how the they serve as a way to illustrate, eviscerate, and illuminate the stagnant dogmas and fossilized (Drout uses that word several times and it drives home his point) institutions of cultures.

For the record, I listened to these lectures on CDs, not via Audible. I would recommend these lectures to a range of folks, including students contemplating the trajectory of their academic life to business leaders and politicians who seek to better their skills and their resistance to the corrupting forces of power and profit. Sorry, I slipped into my liberal arts superiority complex. Dr. Drout warns against doing that, too.