I’ve never been much of a fan of audio books. I guess they have their purpose, and I know many people who love listening to them. I just find them inconvenient, especially if the material requires my mind to process a lot of information.
So it was with trepidation that I decided to review Focus on the Family’s Radio Theater presentation of Oliver Twist. My daughters and I listened to this over several days as we traveled back and forth from our church.
I have to admit, I was surprised at how easily I adjusted to an audio book, especially one that tells a compelling story, such as this one.
The quality of the radio theater was amazing as well. The actors portraying the numerous characters did an excellent job, and really brought the story to life.
This set comes packaged in a very eye-appealing sleeve, holding the five CDs and 1 DVD set.
My kids and I loved listening to Oliver Twist, and we plan to add to our audio book collection in the near future.
This is our first audio drama. What else should we pick up and listen to? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you are interested in listening to Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, presented by Focus On The Family, 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.“
I am a history buff. I love reading history, biographies, and historical novels, especially those covering early American times, from colonial to the westward expansion.
I also love reading the history of the locality where I call home. In this case, the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Over the past few days, I’ve read through Paul Vickery’s biography of Andrew Jackson. It’s called Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander, and is part of the Thomas Nelson series The Generals. I’ve read and reviewed a couple of other biographies in this series as well, covering the lives of Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and Robert E. Lee. Fascinating lives, all of them.
Jackson is just as well written as the others were. In fact, I was especially intrigued with the portions of Andrew Jackson’s military career that brought him to Florida. I don’t think he came anywhere near where we now live; that all happened north of my location. But I found it fascinating nonetheless.
Jackson was born into a poor family and was orphaned at the age of fifteen. With no family or social standing to rely on, Jackson was truly a self-made man. As a military commander, he instilled discipline and strength in all of those under his command, expecting nothing from them that he didn’t also expect from himself. In fact, he pushed himself to the limits of his health and strength, and beyond, in order to serve and lead his men.
Jackson inspired the men under his command. In response to his strength of character, they bestowed upon him the nickname of “Old Hickory,” which lasted throughout his lifetime, and even to today.
Because of Andrew Jackson, America gained and held onto much of the south, and he defeated the British at New Orleans in the War of 1812. He expelled the Spanish from their holdings in Florida. And he quelled violent uprisings from parts of the Creek and Cherokee tribes, called the Red Sticks.
As a military commander, Jackson was decisive and inspiring. And as a President, he gave us a taste of nationalism for the very first time.
Despite controversy surrounding his policies on Native Americans and his military exploits, Jackson was one of our nation’s strongest leaders, at a time when strength was extremely necessary.
I loved reading Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander, and if you are a student of American history, I’m sure you will as well. I suggest you grab a copy.
While Jackson was an impressive leader, he’s not my favorite President. Both Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan hold that place for me. Who is your favorite American leader? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you are interested in reading Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander, by Paul Vickery, you can purchase it at Amazon.com in both print and for the Kindle.
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.“
I was fascinated as I read The Genius Of Ancient Man.
I was sitting at a new coffee shop in Brooksville, FL, trying them out. I had decided to read some of this book while I was there. A couple of hours and several cups of coffee later, I closed the book, having finished it completely.
Needless to say, I was completely engrossed in it, from start to finish.
Don Landis, along with a team from Jackson Hole Bible College, has done an excellent job creating a concise account detailing some of the magnificent findings from around the world that do not fit the evolutionary premise that early man was primitive. In fact, artifacts and structures from around the world indicate that mankind was much more advanced than we give them credit for, possibly more advanced than we are today!
The Genius Of Ancient Man begins where any book about early history should, with a discussion of worldviews. Many of these artifacts are unexplainable by evolutionary premises. But a biblical worldview encompasses them nicely.
Before digging too deeply into my thoughts about the book, check out the official trailer:
The Genius Of Ancient Man is an excellent resource, filled with extensively researched information, and lots of fascinating photos, charts, and diagrams.
Landis and his team examine dozens of different examples, such as the importance of mountains to mankind, how it fits within a biblical framework, and how mankind attempted to duplicate them with towering structures all over the world, from the pyramids of Giza to Chichen Itza to Machu Picchu.
They look at the evidence that suggests mankind was extremely technologically advanced at the time of the dispersion from the tower of Babel. Exploring such topics as building methods, astronomy, and ancient artifacts discovered all around the world, Landis and his team show how mankind was able to accomplish significant feats that defy explanation in an evolutionary worldview.
With other chapters looking at the similarities in religious stories and legends, worldwide travel, music and art, and more, The Genius Of Ancient Man is full of astonishing findings that describe the potential that ancient man may have been able to reach.
Finally, the end of the book contains a list of biblical axioms; truths that should be understood universally, laying the foundation for a deeper understanding of God’s Word. That list, in itself, can be instrumental in educating people how to defend their faith. I know these concise principles will find their way into my teaching ministry.
Already, this book has become a frequently used resource for my personal study, and an excellent teaching resource for my family and ministry.
I suggest that you grab a copy today, and be prepared to spend the evening devouring it. I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down.
The Genius Of Ancient Man is truly evolution’s nightmare!
Have you ever wondered just how advanced early man may have been? What are your ideas on this? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
I highly recommend that you add The Genius Of Ancient Man: Evolution’s Nightmare, edited by Don Landis, with Jackson Hole Bible College, to your library. You can purchase it at Amazon.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master 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.“
Even though I have a Kindle, as well as the Kindle app on my iPad, I haven’t been much of an ebook reader. I simply prefer to read the print version. I have nothing against the electronic format, it’s just my personal preference.
However, I recently was given an electronic copy of Ken Ham’s book Dinosaurs For Kids. The opportunities for sharing this book with my kids, especially my eight-year-old son, have been almost endless.
We have been reading and re-reading page after page from this incredible resource.
Detailing the existence of dinosaurs from a biblical perspective, instead of an evolutionary one, Ken Ham has developed a fascinating resource in the enhanced version. With dozens of pop up descriptions of different dinos and their lifestyles, Dinosaurs For Kids gives the reader more information than could possibly fit into the print version of the book.
Dinosaurs For Kids covers all aspects of the existence of dinosaurs, from creation to to fall, from the flood to the fossil record, Ham gives a concise yet detailed account of these magnificent creatures. He also helps to dispel some of the evolutionary deceptions surrounding dinosaurs that are too readily accepted today.
Dinosaurs For Kids displays vivid images, and gives tons of detailed information about some of the most fascinating parts of God’s creation. My family really enjoyed it. I’m sure you will as well.
My favorite dinosaur is the plesiosaurus, a long-neck aquatic dinosaur that has been reportedly seen in Papua New Guinea. What’s yours ? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you are interested in readingDinosaurs For Kids, by Ken Ham, you can purchase the enhanced ebook at iTunes, or the print version at Amazon.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master 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.“
My favorite part of the Bible is the early history found in the first eleven chapters of Genesis. I believe these accounts of early history are crucial to the foundation of understanding the rest of the Bible.
It’s frustrating to me that so many write these passages off as unnecessary, or worse, unbelievable.
So, I greatly appreciate the fact that Ken Ham has written a short book detailing the account of the very first people, called The True Account Of Adam And Eve.
Here’s the book trailer:
Written simply, The True Account Of Adam And Eve is easily readable in a very short time. It’s also easy to understand, making it an excellent resource for sharing with your children.
Paired with The True Story Of Noah’s Ark, you have a concise and easy to read account of two of early man’s most significant events.
Ken Ham and Answers In Genesis have created yet another resource to help combat biblical illiteracy, and help secure a biblical worldview in the lives of our children.
I recommend that you grab a copy of The True Account Of Adam And Eve, and share it with your kids today.
My favorite part of the Bible is the early part of Genesis. What is your? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
I highly recommend that you add The True Account Of Adam And Eve, by Ken Ham, to your library. You can purchase it at Amazon.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master 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.“
I mean, we have such an amazing variety of creative resources to aid our lives. Have you ever wondered where they came from?
I have.
And now I know where some of the items I’ve wondered about originated, thanks to Ray Comfort and Jeffrey Seto’s new book, Made In Heaven.
Filled with interesting descriptions of the inspiration for such things as Velcro, adaptive fabrics, jet propulsion, and robotic prosthetics, just to name a few of the more than thirty items found here, Made In Heaven is a fascinating book.
Check out the book’s trailer to see what I mean:
Many of the things described in these pages seem like science-fiction; in fact, they were science-fiction in the not-too-distant past. But with continual advances in technology, and close scrutiny of God’s own handiwork, many such items are becoming a reality. The few dozen detailed here are just a sample of the hundreds of inventions inspired by Creation.
While I knew of several of these amazing inventions, many more of them were new to me, and a few were inspired by things I never imagined possible.
Authors Comfort and Seto did an incredible job of putting together the descriptions found here. You can find more about Ray Comfort and his other resources at LivingWaters.com. Jeffrey Seto is an Aerospace Engineer in the field of experimental research and development.
I loved reading Made In Heaven. My kids were captivated by the book. And I’m sure you will be as well.
What examples do you know of where man copied nature to develop something? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
I highly recommend that you add Made In Heaven, by Ray Comfort and Jeffrey Seto, to your library. You can purchase it at Amazon.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master 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.“
Yesterday, I posted my review of Chris Fabry’s new book, Borders Of The Heart.
Tyndale House Publishers has provided this Q & A session with the author to give you some insight about this excellent new book.
Q: Your newest novel, Borders of the Heart, addresses heavy topics such as illegal immigration, the U.S./Mexico drug trade and the cost of compassion. Where did you get your inspiration for the book?
A: Our family moved to Arizona in 2008 and since then I’ve known I wanted to write about this area of the country, a rich, desert existence with problems and possibilities. This book is not as much an “issue” book as it is a book about people who have to deal with lots of those issues as part of their daily lives. I don’t have an ax to grind on the topics, but I did want to show how real people are affected by these contemporary topics.
Q: Several of the characters in Borders of the Heart are dealing with things from their past. What lessons do your characters learn along the way?
A: The past is huge for each of us. I’m convinced many are “stuck” by something in the past that holds us back from being all God wants us to be. A reader will walk through that process with the main character, J.D., and I’m hoping they’ll see an authentic struggle.
Q: J.D. Jessup is faced with a very difficult moral dilemma when he weighs the decision to follow his boss’ very clear direction or his own heart when he discovers Maria near death. What lessons does this story provide for your readers?
A: Every choice we make in life comes with a cost. If we say yes to one thing, we may have to say no to something else. The choice J.D. makes is a good choice, and even good choices can lead to disastrous and deadly results. Can you believe that God is involved in even the difficult circumstances? I think that’s a huge reveal in this story for me. Does everything have to work out perfectly in the end in order for God to be glorified?
I’ve never been much of a fan of audio books. I guess they have their purpose, and I know many people who love listening to them. I just find them inconvenient, especially if the material requires my mind to process a lot of information.
