Category Archives: The Randleman Review

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Book Review – Kingdom’s Dawn by Chuck Black

Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck BlackA few weeks ago, my wife and I had the opportunity to attend the Florida Homeschool Convention. It was a great convention, with lots of incredible workshops and great resources. While we were there, we took a walk through the vendor’s area (actually, we took several walks through there…). My son was drawn to one particular table, holding a display of books… and swords.

My kids looked at the swords, I looked at the books, but we didn’t buy either. we had just moved to Florida, and extra funds were simply non-existent at the moment. As we browsed, though, I struck up a conversation with the guy behind the table, Chuck Black, author of Kingdom’s Dawn, and several other books.

A year ago, I read and reviewed Sir Rowan And The Camerian Conquest, the fifth book in Black’s Knights Of Arrethtrae series. That series is the follow-up series to The Kingdom series, of which Kingdom’s Dawn is the first. Chuck handed me Kingdom’s Dawn, asking if I would do the same again.

As Chuck and I talked, explained to me that The Kingdom series, and Kingdom’s Dawn, is written as an allegorical series of novels, attempting to capture the incredible story of the Bible. Kingdom’s Dawn covers the book of Genesis, describing Leinad’s adventures through life, including hearing about Creation, experiencing Noah’s Flood, and living through the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

Black has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of these stories, and inserting them into a storyline that captivates the minds of young boys. This is a series of books that I will be completely comfortable allowing my son to read, as he strives to understand the Bible, his faith, and his role in this world.

Chuck Black has developed and incredible resource with these books. The rest of the series will soon join them on my shelf. If you have younger children, especially boys, you should pick one up. It will be worth the cost, and whether your kids read it on their own, or you read it to them, it will be time well spent.

I really enjoyed this book. It brought me back to my childhood, when knights and swords were commonplace in my dreams. And this weekend, I plan to begin reading it chapter by chapter to my boys. And in the process, teach them a little bit more of what it means to be a man, with such qualities as chivalry, compassion and faith.

And it will be fun as we do it.

What resources have you enjoyed reading to your kids? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Kingdom’s Dawn, the first book in The Kingdom Series, by Chuck Black, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Chuck Black, the author, to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book review – Fearless by Eric Blehm

FearlessBiographies have been a solid staple of my reading diet for the past few months. Looking deep into the lives of great people is educational, inspiring, and helps me become more of the person that I’m created to be. For most of my life, I dreaded reading the biographies that was assigned to read, or given by friends and families. But recently, I have discovered that learning from the lives of others has incredible benefits for my life.

Last night, in tears, I finished Fearless, a biographical work on the life of Navy SEAL Adam Brown. But the term “biographical” doesn’t describe what this book really is. Fearless is a book about a man, displaying his failures as well as his successes, his patriotism, his courage, his love for his family and for his God. Fearless is better described as “inspirational”, “motivational”, and “life-changing”.

Fearless is the story of Adam Brown, a home-grown boy from Hot Springs, Arkansas. The story details his life and activities as a child and teenager, his descent into drug abuse after high school, and his climb out of that pit into the elite world of specialized Navy warfare as a member of Navy SEAL Team SIX.

Fearless is inspirational. Reading this story will encourage you to higher levels of love and service, for your family, your friends, your country. The life of Adam Brown will inspire you to love more, like Christ did.

Fearless is motivational. As you read of the injuries, the challenges, the setbacks, that Adam Brown overcame, you’ll quickly feel the confidence that you can achieve your dreams as well.

Fearless is life-changing. Very rarely do I tear up when I read a good story. Even more rarely do I cry. Fearless brought me to that point. In the life of Adam Brown, we see a man who loved everyone. His passion for his wife and children was overwhelming. His comradeship with his fellow teammates was deep and enduring. His compassion for the poor and oppressed Afghan children was incredible. And his desire to live for his Savior was awe-inspiring.

Adam Brown was living proof that “with God, all things are possible.” He lived his faith for all to see.

Fearless was so captivating that it was difficult to put it down, even though I knew how it had to end. In the act of protecting his fellow Navy SEALs, and American freedom, Adam Brown gave the ultimate sacrifice. And his story is well worth reading.

Do you read biographies? What is your favorite? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Fearless, by Eric Blehm, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – Empty Promises by Pete Wilson

Empty PromisesA few months ago, I picked up a copy of Timothy Keller’s book, Counterfeit Gods, and read it. Revealing the hidden and accepted idols in our lives, I was overwhelmed, and it impacted me deeply.

Last week, I started Pete Wilson’s new book, Empty Promises. Dealing with the same subject of idolatry, this book served to reinforce what I’d just read recently in Keller’s book.

When I started the book, I expected another feel-good type of book, like Wilson’s first book, Plan B. While challenging, it didn’t leave me with a lot of lasting change. That’s what I expected to receive from Empty Promises. But that’s not what I got.

In Empty Promises, Wilson delivers a hard hitting punch to the fact that we worship at the altar of many things that are not God. With chapters covering such topics as the idolatry of achievement, approval, power, appearance, success, and even religion, Wilson brings many hidden things to light, things that most of us, if we’re honest, would rather not deal with, because we are comfortable in the way things are.

Pete Wilson challenges that comfort.

The only negative with Empty Promises is this: Wilson has some theological hang-ups that he can’t seem to get over, and these rear their ugly heads occasionally throughout the book. They take on the form of petty ranting, and do nothing to add to the impact the book has; in fact, they detract from it somewhat.

However, in spite of that, Empty Promises is anything but that; it delivers.

This is a book that I know I will refer to again and again. I’d recommend that you pick up a copy and read it. You won’t be sorry.

Have you ever faced the reality of idolatry in your life? What resources have you found helpful? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Empty Promises, by Pete Wilson, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – Loving God With All Your Heart by Susie Hobson

Loving God With All Your HeartNot too long ago, a friend of mine with Nordskog Publishing gave me a copy of Susie Hobson’s book, Loving God With All Your Heart.

It’s a short book, easily read in a couple of hours, examining Jesus’ Greatest Commandment to love God with all our heart.

I wasn’t that impressed with the book overall. While there were places here and there that stood out as somewhat insightful, overall the book is not very challenging for spiritual growth.

I usually read with a pen and highlighter handy. This book simply offered nothing of significance for me, and the margins of this book remain blank.

In my opinion, there are other resources addressing the command to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, such as Primal, by Mark Batterson.

What is your favorite book or article on this topic? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Nordskog Publishing in order to read and review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – The Fourth Fisherman by Joe Kissack

The Fourth FishermanIt’s been a while since I read something so inspirational that it brought tears to my eyes. But that’s exactly what happened as I was finishing The Fourth Fisherman, by Joe Kissack.

In 2006, something happened that went largely unnoticed by the American media. Three Mexican fishermen were rescued near the coast of Australia, after being adrift at sea for over nine months. Embarking on a three day fishing trip off the western coast of Mexico, five men had no idea what was in store for them. Three of them made it. Two did not.

Unknown to these fishermen, TV executive Joe Kissack was falling deeper and deeper into a morass of his own making: work problems, alcohol, drugs, marriage and family struggles all contributing.

In The Fourth Fisherman, Kissack interweaves these two stories, telling each on it’s own, until the point where two world’s collide.

Written in a back-and-forth fashion, jumping from one narrative to the other for much of the book, The Fourth Fisherman isn’t so much about these two stories as it is about a third story: God’s story. As Kissack discovers that fact, everything starts to click. And the results are simply miraculous.

The things that happen, and they way that they unfold are truly inspirational. Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. I read most of it in one evening, finishing it the next day.

And I loved every bit of it.

I highly recommend that you pick up a copy and read it today. You’ll be glad that you did.

In your life, where do you most need to see God’s hand moving right now? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading The Fourth Fisherman, by Joe Kissack, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – The Founders’ Key by Larry P. Arnn

The Founders' KeyI quite typically enjoy reading books that are historical in nature, especially concerning our nation. I love reading about our founding, the strength of will that it took to accomplish, and I believe that we have drifted away from many of those principles in more recent history.

So I was excited to receive a copy of Larry P. Arnn’s The Founders’ Key. However, I was quite disappointed.

Subtitled The Divine and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What We Risk by Losing It, I was sure this would be an enlightening read. I was wrong.

I agree with much of the premises outlined by Arnn in The Founders’ Key. I just could not read it for any extended period of time without getting extremely bored.

What Arnn had to say was valid, and his point is quite accurate. But his style is dry and hard to take. Much of what he says has been written in other places, and his bibliography is full of other excellent resources containing similar discussions. But Arnn has alienated much of his audience with his dry prose. While I agree with most of what he says, I could barely make it though the way he said it.

The most redeeming aspect of the book comes in Part II: Foundational Readings. Here, Arnn has collected several fundamental American documents, gathering them into one convenient place for reference. These documents include:

  • The Declaration Of Independence
  • The Constitution of the United States of America
  • Federalist No. 10: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection (Continued)
  • Federalist No. 39: The Conformity of the Plan to Republican Principles
  • Federalist No. 48: These Departments Should Not be So Far Separated as to Have No Constitutional Control Over Each Other
  • Federalist No. 49: Method of Guarding Against the Encroachments of Any One Department of Government by Appealing to the People Through a Convention
  • Federalist No. 51: The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments
  • “Property” by James Madison

While fundamentally I agree with most of Arnn’s work here, and I love the collection of early American documents gathered, I was disappointed with The Founders’ Key. My recommendation is to save your money. If you need a collection of early American documents, try The Portable Patriot or The American Patriot’s Almanac. Like me, I’m sure you’ll like these much better.

Do you enjoy early American history? If not, what period is your favorite? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in purchasing The Portable Patriot or The American Patriot’s Almanac, you can find them at Amazon.com.  Click on either title to be taken to the appropriate Amazon.com page.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review And Contest – As One Devil To Another by Richard Platt

As One Devil To AnotherTyndale House Publishers recently gave me a copy of As One Devil To Another to read and review here on JeffRandleman.com. They also sent me a certificate for a free copy of the book by Richard Platt to give away. I’ll explain how you can enter to win that in a moment.

The Scenario

I am a huge fan of most of the work of C. S. Lewis. I’ve found very little written by him that I don’t like. He was a literary genius, as well as a brilliant theologian. Some of my favorite works by Lewis include Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, God In The Dock, and, of course, The Screwtape Letters.

The Review

When I first heard about As One Devil To Another, and that it was written in the same style as The Screwtape Letters, I was skeptical. I’ve read a few other books written in this genre made popular by Lewis, and was less than impressed with any of them. And so I wasn’t really expecting Richard Platt’s attempt to be any better.

However, once I started reading As One Devil To Another, I couldn’t put it down. It’s an easy read, which I finished in a couple of hours. But there is a lot of significant stuff floating beneath the surface of this collection of letters from a mentor demon to his protégé. Platt gives great insight to the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) deceptions that the enemy often uses to keep us from growing closer to the One he calls the Adversary (meaning God, of course).

The young demon, Scardagger, has just graduated from Temptation University, and has been assigned a human target and is overseen by his uncle and mentor, Slashreap. Through a series of letters from Slashreap, we see Scardagger’s progress in bringing down his target. We see the deceptions used to trip her up, and the tactics applied to distracting her from any meaningful events or relationships in her life that could draw her closer to God.

Platt weaves a brilliant narrative through these letters; one that seems almost to have been written by Lewis himself. After finishing the book, I had to admit that it was the best attempt in this genre I’ve seen since Lewis’ own work. I was impressed, and still am.

The Conclusion

I was completely fascinated with As One Devil To Another. Although I’m not sure I could have immersed myself into the mindset of the deceits described here to write such a book myself, Richard Platt did a phenomenal job with this book! I highly recommend that you read it!

As One Devil To Another CertificateThe Contest

Tyndale has graciously given me a certificate good for one copy of As One Devil To Another, redeemable at any bookstore where this book is sold. Here is what you’ll need to do to be eligible to win:

  • Leave a comment below, telling me why you’d like a copy of this book.
  • Retweet a link to this post, or post it on Facebook.
  • On Friday, May 18, I will randomly select a winner from the comments.

That’s it. Easy enough. And if you don’t win a free copy of As One Devil To Another, you can buy a copy for yourself. I would suggest you do so. I’m sure you’ll like it.

Do you have a favorite book by C. S. Lewis? If so, what is it? If not, who is your favorite author? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading As One Devil To Another, by Richard Platt, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“