A Century Turns by William J. Bennett

William J. Bennett is a brilliant historian who leaves you feeling smarter. He is well known in our home for his book, The Book of Virtues. My mother read from it when I was a child. Now, I read it to my children. It's a wonderful book that belongs in every home.

With this, Bennett has published a new book called, A Century Turns: New Hopes, New Fears. Not only is this book well-written but it's also filled with loads of information. So much so that a person would not be able to read it all in one sitting. However, the reader will come away with greater knowledge of our country throughout the past twenty years.

This new book is a collection of information that begins at the 1988 election. The reader will learn a lot about the election and how it impacted America. Famous contenders during that election include Dan Quayle, George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis and many more. Being a child during the time of that election, I wasn't very aware of politics during that time. So I learned a lot.

Continuing on, the book discusses the Clinton era, the events surrounding the Rodney King fiasco and the uprise of the Republican party. The reader is then taken through the elections of George W. Bush and the War on Terror. As a reader, I love how Bennett includes the beautiful colored photographs of the many famous events that took place throughout the past twenty years.

The end of the book discusses the 2008 election and the newly elected president, Barack Obama. Bennett mentions that he "subtitled this book New Hopes, New Fears because of all the hope represented by the person and president of Barack Obama. But the fears are, indeed great as well (p. 273)."

For those who enjoy politics, history and the like, you will enjoy this book. America has gone through a lot these past twenty years and recapping on the past will bring the reader up to speed with the present. As previously mentioned, you will come away feeling smarter and you'll have a better understanding as to how we got to where we are today.

*** I received a free copy of this book to review through Book Sneeze.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (Insight Edition)

Dear Jane Austen Fans,

We all know the story of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. The Dashwood children loose their father and the prominent estate goes to the half-older brother, John. The sisters must move on to a lower standard of living together, a new little cottage. While living in Barton Cottage, the girls search to find love. This very beloved story is a true classic.

Excitingly, a new version of the book has just been released. This edition has everything a true fan could want in this book. There are several side notes throughout the book with very insightful trivia. Who knew that "furniture from this time period was far from comfortable since springs weren't used until 1828 (p. 119)?" Or that the "average life expectancy was only 40, but if you made it past 20 and were wealthy, you could hope to live nearly as long as we do today (p.41)."

At the end of the story, the reader will find a list of 12 questions for conversation. Although I wish it had questions instead at the end of each chapter, this book with it's side-notes and extras still make it a great addition to any fan's library. It would be great to use in a book club as well.

So my advice to you is to get this copy to add to your memorabilia wall of Austen books today! You'll be glad you did!

Sincerely,

Number One Austen Fan

**** I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for free to review.

Above the Angels-- The Wit and Wisdom of Motherhood

Note to others: I received this in my inbox from Above Rubies, a group that sends me newsletters. I thoroughly enjoyed what this Dr. had to say and agreed completely. I'm excited to see how his book will turn out. As a mother of three (and I hope to have more), I have been insulted by others for various things concerning motherhood.

For example, I've heard:
1. Wow, three is a lot. What a hardship! (When really, I feel blessed!)
2. Are you sure there aren't twins in there? (referring to my pregnant stomach, each pregnancy)
3. Is your milk made out of cream? Are you feeding that baby too much? (in reference to nursing and the size of my babies. Yes, they are chunky. But I love it!)
And the list goes on.

Furthermore, here's a piece about this upcoming book by this Dr. who discusses the frequent comments mothers get from others.

ABOVE THE ANGELS--THE WIT AND WISDOM OF MOTHERHOOD

The following is the introduction to the above book that Dr. Luke McLindon would like to produce:

There is a beautiful woman who has just given birth a week ago to her fifth son, I am the proud father.
The star of the show, without doubt, is my incredible wife.
Everybody agrees.
Everyone I meet has a comment to make about Madonna, whether they have met her or not.
Some comments made to me, her loving husband, are full of honour, others graceful, some polite, others tolerable and the occasional - absolutely insulting and downright disgraceful.
As a man and father, the lunacy of some comments gives me a fair indication from which phylum the protagonist hails, and provides good evidence for the theory of evolution.
As a woman and mother, however, the tolerable becomes intolerable and the insulting must be insulated, lest a raging fire of anguish is unleashed within a tender-loving feminine heart.
As I go about my business, which happens to be caring for mothers, I am struck by the repetitive narrative of insulting remarks relayed to me by many of these women.
It seems to me that everyone feels compelled (possibly obligated) to pass comment on a woman's family.
The larger the brood - the more rude.
Only yesterday a midwife, recently expecting her third - unknown to many, was concerned about what her mother would say. Was she being greedy? "After all you have two healthy children ... what more do you want?" This lovely woman was worried further by the fact that with her husband they pray more children will grace their family.
As a man and father I do not have the opportunity often to experience these comments first hand and unadulterated.
Often around the time of a birth I get a glimpse, and it gets a little clearer at each subsequent delivery.
Our new paediatrician (who was yet to be paid) whilst examining our newest arrival glibly asked "Did you have five on purpose?" Funny ... indeed.
But when they are as beautiful as ours, what can one say?
Of course WE did!
On the other hand, as a doctor, I do have the privileged position of being able to listen to women in the privacy of a consultation room.
I am becoming aware of a deep anguish brewing amongst many of them, especially those who are blessed with more than two in their brood.
To harangue these women is inexcusable.
They are bombarded by verbal abuse and destructive social pressure.
Like domestic violence, it comes often from the closest quarters - family and friends.
On the other hand, self-righteous total strangers will pass scathing comment without hesitation.
Women are being hurt, by the insensitivities of significant and insignificant others.
It is having an impact, and it is changing behaviours, mothers are reluctant to take (all) their children out in public.
Is it affecting family size? I do not know.
But I have yet to meet a woman who says she had too many children, the same cannot be said about the converse.
Too many I have cared for lament not bringing 'just one' more to the family.
The family of humankind is on the decline.
Throughout the western world we are facing a global climate change - a demographic winter.
Society's fertility rate is not at replacement level, we are not even close.
Mostly we enjoy the security of health and wealth, but our world's hope in the future is not reflected in our children.
Economic rationalists recognise a person makes a net contribution to society. Yes, even in developing nations.
If anything, society's reluctance to procreate tells of a pervasive hopelessness.
But there are others, who see children as more than work units, much more.
Children are a gift - the supreme gift.
They are the fruit of the mutual, selfless loving of husband and wife.
A temporal and spiritual participation in infinite love.
A gift carefully and deliberately given by a loving God, with all the essential graces a couple needs.
Children, to these loving families, are above the angels.
Creatures of body and soul, born of love.
It is to these families society owes much gratitude, for these families have hope in the future.
Hope in these children, who are the future.
Their trades and professions, their research and discoveries, their taxes and legislation is what will provide for the future.
But above all - their love of life.

Dr Luke McLindon MBBS, FRACGP from Australia
Australia spelling not changed.

Mikey's Home!

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The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield

From the author who wrote about The Faith of George W. Bush and The Faith of Barack Obama comes a book about the Guinness family and their impact on society. At first glance, one might ask how God and Guinness can be in the same title. However, in just the introduction of the book, the reader will become delighted to learn of the impact Guinness has made in Ireland to so many generations. Not only that but the Guinness family also were a very religious family.

I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of the book where the author wrote about the history of beer. He talks about the pilgrims and the importance of beer to them. He wrote about Charlemagne and the use of beer during that time. And he writes about beer and it's use during the beginning of America. My knowledge was thoroughly expanded and I appreciated the history lessons.

Being a Christian and growing up in a non-drinking family, I don't have much experience in this subject. To this day, I don't drink beer, partly because of the taste. Partly, I don't drink because of it's effect on some of our relatives who abused it. But I'm not against it if it's not overly consumed.

Furthermore, I learned a great deal about the Guinness family and the things they did for their employees. I found it interesting how they encouraged its employees to continue their education. Mainly, I enjoyed hearing about the way they treated their employees. I even learned the process of beer making. I had no idea how it was made.

This book is fascinating and the author did a great job presenting his material. From a Christian standpoint, he brought to attention a subject that is often avoided in the Christian community. For those who enjoy learning something new, you will enjoy this book. For those who want to understand the history of beer and how it affected society through the ages, you will enjoy this book. This book is full of information and was very well done. Thanks for the great read!