5 out of 5 stars *****
This Audiobook is a pleasure because of its subject and enthusiasm of the author in his presentation. Drout's understanding of Tolkien from his personal perspective captivates an audience in this scholastic effort to explain the genius behind Western literature's most widely read author. This student's appreciation of the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and the Silmarillion is greater and fresher in my mind now that I finish this class by a real Tolkien fan, Michael D.C. Drout.
5 out of 5 stars *****
This is a well written, true story about espionage and investigation by those who are elite in their field and how bureaucracy between agencies can bog down efficient efforts to resolve cases. The job takes its toll on families and personnel as intrigue and intellect carry this interesting plot without hot pursuits and buckets of blood.
Joe Navarro is the protagonist and author. Opportunists, Clyde Conrad and Rod Ramsey, are genius antagonists. George Newbern narrates through the protagonist, who has an uncanny ability to read body language and retain details without taking notes. Minor characters are fleshed out enough to support major characters and contribute their personal qualities necessary for continuity and flow in this drama of perilous possibilities that can topple power in a precarious world. Thank God for the talent and integrity of the duty-bound men like Joe Navarro.
5 out of 5 *****
My faith is deeper and apologetics stronger after listening to The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Timothy Keller narrates his book that talks to our innate soul. He produces evidence and corroboration of what the Bible says today as legitimate to what is presupposed to be the Word of God. More than this, Keller appeals to that center in all of us that we call a conscience. It is in this realm that we sense wrong from right and question ethics and morality. The greater theme is our search for that which is greater than ourselves.
Society is trending toward separation of God from the secular. Logic and reasoning dictates that if we accept a triune God then such a separation is impossible since the Creator is intimate with His creation. Non-believers and skeptics rely on their own assumptions that fall short of explaining the uniformity of the universe. For us believers practice of our faith becomes harder but not impossible in today's environment.
Some say that God would never punish His creatures He loves. They have many questions about the nature of God and arrive at a conclusion that permits them to have it their way without fear of any consequences for their actions. This way of thinking comes from those who won't accept the Bible as His Word. Many assume their answers to their questions without even reading the Bible which is authoritative and distinct when it answers such concerns.
A profound idea comes out of this book about judgment. On the Day of Judgment we may say to God, "Thy will be done," but Jesus will turn our very words on us, "Thy will be done." If I live my life for myself and exercise my will for my personal benefit, then my life does not depict what my words intend. God is not condemning anyone to Hell; rather, we condemn ourselves to Hell by the choices we make while here, on Earth.
