Excellent story, but the politics & religion, for me, was a bit difficult to read.
587853
While I am not a political person due to all the lies, corruption and downright disgusting acts of the political process, I very much enjoyed Ed's book. Since the idea of politics rubs me so wrong for so many of the reasons Ed describes in his book, when he got really deep into the chain of event details, I just had to skip a few pages here and there. Sorry Ed. I am so impressed to read about an honest and trustworthy politician and lawyer! The two just don't seem to go together in these days and for that, I applaud this gentleman in the highest regard. (Yes, I sound jaded, but with the political and legal system as it is today, who wouldn't be?)

I couldn't put the book down for a huge percentage of his book. When he told of his life growing up, his entrance into the Marines, his family and adventures, I was right in the story beside him. He wrote it so well. When he spoke of his beautiful bride, Lana, I could just feel the love oozing out of the pages of the book. Such a love story to be honored!

Sadly, for me, the religious parts of the book were difficult for me to read. Having been a lifelong Christian and losing my faith about four years ago when I was, of all things... in a really in depth bible study class when various truths started to rub me the wrong way and I started asking lots and lots of questions and received no credible answers. After seeing through so many things that only previously my faith held me to believe, I reluctantly and very sadly gave up on it. So it was tough reading how Ed was declaring God's handiwork when, for me, it is no longer faith, but science. For those who believe, however, his acceptance is a triumph of highest esteem, that is for sure.

All in all, I really loved this book and applaud Ed for a life well lived. I wish he and Lana all the very best.
2454186
I struggled a bit with how many stars to give this book, because on the one hand, it was a compelling read, and especially in the second half I could not put it down because I really wanted to see how it was going to unfold. I also really loved certain spiritual teachings and aspects of the book, and the descriptions of places, which evoked the stark desert setting very well. However, there were some aspects of the writing and the tone that bothered me, and so I couldn't quite give it a 5-star rating.

This is a retelling of Jesus' life and teachings, including many of the most well-known stories from the New Testament. I was surprised to see some reviewers saying this isn't the case, because with the use of A.D. dating on the chapters, and events from the New Testament corresponding to these dates, it's hard to read it any other way. Several contemporary novels, from&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Da-Vinci-Code/dp/0307474275/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Da Vinci Code</a>&nbsp;to Chopra's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Jesus-A-Story-of-Enlightenment/dp/B0041T4NZY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment</a>, have attempted to reimagine Jesus' life, but this is by far the most creative and radical of those I have read. I don't want to give everything away (although some reviewers have done so), so will keep this rather vague, but basically, Jesus' teachings are presented here as nature-based, and based on feminine spirituality teachings revolving around the life-giving force of the 'Great Mother.' 'The Way' bears a lot of similarity to feminine nature-based spirituality as presented by writers and teachers such as Riane Eisler in her classic&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Chalice-and-the-Blade-Our-History-Our-Future/dp/0062502891/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future</a>&nbsp;and Merlin Stone in her&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/When-God-Was-a-Woman/dp/015696158X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">When God Was a Woman</a>&nbsp;(both mentioned by the author in her acknowledgements.)

As I mentioned, the story pulled me along, mostly because I really wanted to see how it was going to dovetail with the conventional versions of Jesus' life. I also felt the writing evoked the stark desert setting well. However, I found most of the characters very one-dimensional. They each seemed to represent a certain trait or plot point, and didn't have a lot of depth beyond that. I was particularly bothered by the portrayal of men in this book, all of whom are monstrously violent, damaged, or both. The only exception, Solomon, who serves as a male guardian of 'the way', disappears in the second half of the book.

This one-dimensional portrayal of men, and the fact that philosophically in the book this is tied to the representation of God as male and vengeful, while the Great Mother wholly represents wisdom and compassion, sets up a spiritual polemic that bothered me. It came across as God as Father=male violence vs. Goddess as Mother=female compassion, and that was a little too simple a representation for me. I kept hoping for some kind of balance to emerge - a positive male character, or a philosophical appreciation for both mother and father, male and female, but it never happened. So I felt the book was very polemical, and honestly even outdated, as I view that kind of thinking as the first wave of women's spirituality, and it has evolved since then.

However, I feel this book is absolutely worth a read, because it is so different and thought-provoking. So please, read it yourself and make up your own mind!
4934832
Very good story, but also very hard to read.  I could only do it in small doses, as my mother had Alzheimer's, and it was hard to read more than a chapter at a time.  Interesting point of view.
4711717
It was a great story, but I had a hard time remembering all the characters over the period of time that I read it.
4372374
Well written and I appreciated the insight into PTSD and the difficulties our soldiers have when they come home.  Nice families, nice story line. I only had to give it a 3 because the religious aspect distracted from the story line for me me personally.  That said, there are many for whom the praying throughout the book is just what makes them relate to the characters and story.  If you like Christian romance then this would br a great read for you.  If that's not your cup of tea then try another author.
4233815
Janie's story is fascinating. I found the character development very good and enjoyed the basic story line. However, I had a very difficult time concentrating every time I picked up the book and began reading again because it is written in the vernacular of the time and place. I understand that Ms Hurston was trying to convey a strong sense of who Janie is, but I feel it detracts heavily from the whole reading experience in this book.
394003
I think its a great book but a little too much on the religion side. I still recommend reading it.
3509012
The story was good, but you have to take time to pay attention to the dateline as you read, which would make it confusing if you put it down for any length of time.
I appreciate the testimony!
4486272
You have to be very far right on the religious scale of thought to buy into the kind of God that would punish so many people.
Perhaps you just need to believe only in the old testament God.  Still, the story makes for a good read even if you don't buy into the far right wing unforgiving God described in the story.
2743227
It was really great to get the bigger history picture and understand how the history of Rome impacted the history of the middle east.  The history was well done and I learned a lot that i was unaware of.  I was disheartened to see that they still portray Mary Magdeline as a prostitute though.  Heckeven the pope decreed that this was not true.  I also thought it would have been more complete if they had mentioned the Gospel of Judas (which portrays an entirely different story of the night Jesus was arrested); that way the reader would have all of the facts and make up their own minds.  Some of the book felt a little spoon fed, but in general I loved it.
924720
Story was very very good and I enjoyed it very much, however,the politics was obvious and irritating to me and I probably will not purchase Noel Hynd publications again for that reason.
472769
I learned a lot from this book, and enjoyed it even if some areas seemed to drag along, but hey that's just politics...  If you're not already familiar with this history, you may have more difficulty following the characters.

I did feel that some information was repeated to often, I found myself wondering if I had somehow rewound the book a few times. haha.
153042
I did not have the opportunity to read The Sacred Cipher which is the forerunner of The Brotherhood Conspiracy by Terry Brennan. I wish I had because getting "into" the story of The Brotherhood Conspiracy would have been much easier to understand. The plethora, somewhat overwhelming at times, of characters was disconcerting to this reader.

The main character, Tom Bohannon, has previously discovered a Third Temple of God for the Israelites and it was hidden under the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. He and others on his original discovery team are again drawn into the world of international politics and the clash of and warring struggle between religious factions in the Jerusalem area and on international scene.

Tom's team delves into the most minute thread of evidence that would lead them to more discoveries involving the Temple Mount, they encounter danger from the Israelites, Muslim, and others intent on preventing more discoveries. It is intriguing to see how national and religious history, political interests from several nations, and the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious factions are layered one upon the other in the plots and twists of the story.

The Brotherhood Conspiracy can be read as a stand-alone book, but I highly recommend reading The Sacred Cipher first if able. The Brotherhood Conspiracy is highly enjoyable and a treat to read.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review. No compensation was received. Opinions expressed are solely my own.
695981
The one thing I wasn't too fond of was the delve into Christianity. I know it was integral to the story. To me, though, it felt a little too sure of "God" and, me being pagan, it sat strangely. I'm not really sure how else to put it in words. I DID really enjoy the book.
398373
For the most part this was a great book and a really good read. the middle of the book however becomes a bit difficult and uninteresting to read. It could have done without several chapters that go on and on about philosophical reasons to believe in God. I'm sure if you are looking to buy a book about raising your kids "beyond belief", you've already made up your mind about Christianity/God/etc. Plus as a skeptic, I found it very difficult to read things that weren't scientifically/rationally based.
Other than that, however, the book had many good points including how to handle death, holidays, family, etc. Overall good book!
1530617
In some ways this was a difficult book for me to read. Not that it is a difficult book but the topic made it difficult for me to read.

A chapter or two into it I went to read something about the author as I was sure this book had to have been written by a Palestinian as it seemed so anti-Israeli to me. I was surprised to see that the author is an American Jewish woman.

As a Jew, and someone who is strongly supportive of the right of Israel to exist in peace, the book certainly presented a viewpoint that I had not previously considered. It was sobering to read, to say the least, and upsetting to me at many times.

But it was a good story and well-written and certainly a book that I would encourage everyone to read.
1542043
I liked the basic premise of the book and the general story, but the religious aspect got very overwhelming at times.  I probably wouldn't have purchased the book if I had known what a dominant part Christianity would play.  I respect all religious views, but I don't need to be hit over the head with it so-to-speak.