Evenhandedly critiquing left/right political extremes and writing clearly and with unimpeachable good sense, Guinness never...
A prolific author and Christian intellectual calls for a cease-fire in the destructive culture wars.
In 1963, JFK observed that, “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” Today, with pluralism more than ever a fact of American life, Guinness argues, new strategies are required to help us to live together with our deepest differences. Moreover, because the United States has yet to develop the levels of extremism found elsewhere, it retains the best chance for restoring civility and can act as a model for the rest of the world. In this extended essay, Guinness (Unspeakable: Facing Up to Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror, 2005, etc.) points to the Williamsburg Charter—which he co-authored in 1988 and immodestly dubs “the leading statement of American religious liberty in the twentieth century”—as an appropriate guide for erecting a modern framework within which important disagreements can be negotiated and settled peacefully. Focusing on the First Amendment’s clause regarding the free practice of religion, he cautions against the resolution of cultural differences by resorting to law (“a cudgel rather than scalpel”) and calls for reasoned political debate and a robust popular civility that relies on the forgotten art of persuasion. In the space between the free exercise and the anti-establishment clauses, he argues, the Founders created a society that fosters both strong religious convictions and strong political civility. This principle of separation of church and state, properly understood, holds the key to our uncivil dilemma. It’s folly, Guinness insists, for atheists or progressive universalists to call for a “naked” public square where religion must go begging for recognition, for there is no evidence to believe increasing modernization automatically means secularization. At the same time, believers cannot demand a “sacred” public square, where any one faith assumes preference or privilege. The rights and responsibilities must be the same for all.
Evenhandedly critiquing left/right political extremes and writing clearly and with unimpeachable good sense, Guinness never quite demonstrates how his worthy proposal will play out as it confronts divisive cultural issues like same-sex marriage or abortion.Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-06-135343-7
Page Count: 224
Publisher: HarperOne
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2007
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An enjoyable slice of 20th-century music journalism almost certain to provide something for most readers, no matter one’s...
Music journalist and musician Wald (Talking 'Bout Your Mama: The Dozens, Snaps, and the Deep Roots of Rap, 2014, etc.) focuses on one evening in music history to explain the evolution of contemporary music, especially folk, blues, and rock.
The date of that evening is July 25, 1965, at the Newport Folk Festival, where there was an unbelievably unexpected occurrence: singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, already a living legend in his early 20s, overriding the acoustic music that made him famous in favor of electronically based music, causing reactions ranging from adoration to intense resentment among other musicians, DJs, and record buyers. Dylan has told his own stories (those stories vary because that’s Dylan’s character), and plenty of other music journalists have explored the Dylan phenomenon. What sets Wald's book apart is his laser focus on that one date. The detailed recounting of what did and did not occur on stage and in the audience that night contains contradictory evidence sorted skillfully by the author. He offers a wealth of context; in fact, his account of Dylan's stage appearance does not arrive until 250 pages in. The author cites dozens of sources, well-known and otherwise, but the key storylines, other than Dylan, involve acoustic folk music guru Pete Seeger and the rich history of the Newport festival, a history that had created expectations smashed by Dylan. Furthermore, the appearances on the pages by other musicians—e.g., Joan Baez, the Weaver, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Dave Van Ronk, and Gordon Lightfoot—give the book enough of an expansive feel. Wald's personal knowledge seems encyclopedic, and his endnotes show how he ranged far beyond personal knowledge to produce the book.
An enjoyable slice of 20th-century music journalism almost certain to provide something for most readers, no matter one’s personal feelings about Dylan's music or persona.Pub Date: July 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-06-236668-9
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Dey Street/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 15, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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