Book Description
Twenty-five years ago, when Pat Robertson and other radio and televangelists first spoke of the United States becoming a Christian nation that would build a global Christian empire, it was hard to take such hyperbolic rhetoric seriously. Today, such language no longer sounds like hyperbole but poses, instead, a very real threat to our freedom and our way of life. In American Fascists, Chris Hedges, veteran journalist and author of the National Book Award finalist War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, challenges the Christian Right's religious legitimacy and argues that at its core it is a mass movement fueled by unbridled nationalism and a hatred for the open society.
Hedges, who grew up in rural parishes in upstate New York where his father was a Presbyterian pastor, attacks the movement as someone steeped in the Bible and Christian tradition. He points to the hundreds of senators and members of Congress who have earned between 80 and 100 percent approval ratings from the three most influential Christian Right advocacy groups as one of many signs that the movement is burrowing deep inside the American government to subvert it. The movement's call to dismantle the wall between church and state and the intolerance it preaches against all who do not conform to its warped vision of a Christian America are pumped into tens of millions of American homes through Christian television and radio stations, as well as reinforced through the curriculum in Christian schools. The movement's yearning for apocalyptic violence and its assault on dispassionate, intellectual inquiry are laying the foundation for a new, frightening America.
American Fascists, which includes interviews and coverage of events such as pro-life rallies and weeklong classes on conversion techniques, examines the movement's origins, its driving motivations and its dark ideological underpinnings. Hedges argues that the movement currently resembles the young fascist movements in Italy and Germany in the 1920s and '30s, movements that often masked the full extent of their drive for totalitarianism and were willing to make concessions until they achieved unrivaled power. The Christian Right, like these early fascist movements, does not openly call for dictatorship, nor does it use
physical violence to suppress opposition. In short, the movement is not yet revolutionary. But the ideological architecture of a Christian fascism is being cemented in place. The movement has roused its followers to a fever pitch of despair and fury. All it will take, Hedges writes, is one more national crisis on the order of September 11 for the Christian Right to make a concerted drive to destroy American democracy. The movement awaits a crisis. At that moment they will reveal themselves for what they truly are -- the American heirs to fascism. Hedges issues a potent, impassioned warning. We face an imminent threat. His book reminds us of the dangers liberal, democratic societies face when they tolerate the intolerant.
Customer Reviews:
Read this Book - Watch this Documentary - Then weep.......2007-10-07
I knew nothing about this, but now that I do it helps.
"Our cup runneth over with Enron arrogance and integrity. To fully understand what has gone so very wrong in this country you have only to watch the documentary, 'The Smartest Guys in the Room.' You will come face to face with incomprehensible evil, and naturally, George H.W. Bush and family are right in the middle of it.
"'I went to Washington to challenge the soft bigotry of low expectations,' the president said in his campaign for reelection in September 2004. 'It's working. It's making a difference.' It is one of those deadly lies, which, by sheer repetition, is at length accepted by large numbers of Americans as, perhaps, a rough approximation of the truth. But it is not the truth, and it is not an innocent misstatement of the facts. It is a devious appeasement of the heartache of the parents of the poor and, if it is not forcefully resisted and denounced, it is going to lead our nation even further in a perilous direction."
I had never heard of this book or documentary, and now I know why. Most Americans do not want to deal with facts like these. They want to stay in Camelot, but all that, like Enron is going to end. And this time, it'll not be someone else's life savings, it will be their's, and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth all across this once great nation.
RAISES QUESTIONS AND SHEDS LIGHT.......2007-10-03
This rather incredible piece of scholarship raised some interesting questions:
What created the Fundamentalist Movement, and from where did it derive it followers?
What created the NRA, and to what Christian sects do its members belong?
Why did a government "by the people and for the people" give itself a Constitutional Right to Bear Arms"? And who will decide when and where those arms will be used?
Can now extinct religious strife be incited among the American Christian sects, or will they turn on those who are inciting them to religious strife?
To what ideological categories do those who have progressively secularlized the laws and schools belong?
Did the Christian God ever give His followers the right to practice Human sacrifice?
Did this author deliberately confuse his fantasies with reality?
Why is an excellent education so often not a cure for ingraind ideological prejudices?
Why is the Human the only species that is religious?
Who is afraid of Christian cultures?
Why do scare mongering books sell more copies?
What finally turns cultural wars into civil wars?
For thoughtful Americans who are unfamiliarity with this kind of fascist-baiting by elements in some of the popular press and schools, that has been going for at least 40 years, it sheds light on the fascist-baiting mentality. Historically, fascist-baiting is much older than this: it goes on everytime there is a new Christian revivalist movement.
Corporate Christo-Fascism's minds (and able-bodies) snatching.......2007-10-02
Upon finishing authoritative Chris Hedges's book (it's true: his credentials are impeccable), I think of a vision: arson fire set to a huge cinema theatre crowded with people distraught with sitcoms and "American Idol" and the like. Someone cries "Fire! Get out of here! but nobody seem to move, or grasp the full significance of the words, or the menace that now is full real. I sincerely hope the audience wakes up in time, that they render this a mere fantasy of the WASP Fundamentalists, and the American Christian right is not snatching minds and wills to such an alarming extent through false prophets and a false warrior Christ.
I knew W. Bush was their born-again Christian. I didn't know he had created by decree... (well, you'll see in the notes). From the innards Hedges exposes the connivance between corporate America and the powerful Dominionist leaders who in turn have their people's hands into the US Constitution to accommodate it to their own ends. For decades they've had the Economic and Political means. Now they're bent on really winning the hearts and minds of an intellectually challenged population so they'll be useful in the war against nonbelievers, who are us all who do not, and will not, share their distorted views or approve their robbing reality from under the feet of so many unwitting people.
Among the impressive images there is the gathering in a desert resort of the New Class, the rich who will be raptured into Heaven (the poor are condemned, they're nonbelievers), and how they consort with the Catholic right and especially with Israeli representatives. Of course they have a racist hatred of Arabs, who they count as the main nonbelievers to righteously destroy. Really, if they read their Bibles literally, they would see that Arabs are descended from Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar, both of them thrown into the desert by Sarah's hurt pride so Isaac will be the heir. They will read also that God talks to Hagar, pledges protection for them and Ishmael's descendants. Therefore per the Bible and other sources, both peoples -Jews and Arabs- are semitic, having Abraham as their ultimate father, and anyone hating Arabs is also being anti-semitic. It woudl seem that Jews -who've had their huge portion of suffering themselves, especially poor Jews- have appropriated the name "semite" for themselves. Especially in "The New Class" is evident the upside down reality the American Fascists have created for their followers to live in, as compared to what the authentic Jesus Christ really taught as His doctrine. Never mind that the true Jesus, though a rabbi by right, made Himself one of the poorest in his homeland, and never had the refinement to pronounce "thou" or "thine", surely speaking in Aramaic as the language of the fishermen and peasants in Judea. Never mind that what Jesus taught in Judea was "A new commandment I give unto thee, that thou lovest..." (aw shucks). Again: "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love your neighbor just as you love yourselves." Christ never qualified what kind of neighbor, whether they should be white Anglo-Saxon Protestant, Black, yellow, brown, whatever. He just said the word translated into Latin and Spanish as "the one right next to you", i.e., "próximo" or "prójimo".
Using the tactics of a refined Scientology (I know, I lost a friend to that greedy "church" here in Mexico), only now taking advantage of deeper religious roots, the American Christian Right aspire to resurrect Lord God of Hosts in the mind of anyone having the disgrace to be approached in a moment of despair, and aspire to prepare them to aide in the ultimate Apocalypse, which they will have one way or the other. Unlike Scientology, darker and more evil goals are at play. They masterly bide their time in accordance to US's rulers' bellicous schemes, say an attack on the Middle East, and uncannily coordinate it with the race toward nuclear war. For this purpose they use every resource, even "museums" that, lacking sound scientific bases, are more like childish theme parks so that followers can feel they've had a spiritual "coming-of-age".
As for Mr. D. James Kenndy totally false notion (which I doubt even he believes) that Catholicism is no more than a "cult", please note that the true Christ taught first to the Jews to fulfill the prophecies, then to the Gentiles so that salvation could reach the most hidden corners of the Earth. Upon the creation of Christianity the Catholic church became its visible representative, it is from Catholicism's mother lode that Protestantism was born, and it is both faiths' teachings that now Messrs. Kennedy, Dobson, Robertson and the like take unashamed advantage of to create their lying, lucrative dogmas. Then they seek total war on unbelievers to boot. Having never witnessed war, I think how stupidly glib must be comments on war from people who've never been in a battlefield or a massacre, never have seen or touched dead bodies, felt or smelled fresh blood, or witnessed the authentic despair of the survivors, who for the rest of their lives will be encroached by the most extreme post-traumatic stress which will go untreated for as long as Empire-minded Christian right persists in their dreams of Rapture and Political and Religious supremacy. Has anyone reader even have a war nightmare? Being under sniper fire in Oaxaca? Being in the middle of the nastiest massacre in a hospital-school in a field in a Central-American impoverished country? May God wake up decent Americans that they may join forces of reason to revive the true prestige of the United States of America, that is, not being the Ultimate Imperialist Force, but the Philosophical and Ethical Beacon the US was once considered to be. Keep in mind that the authentic Christ came as a watershed separating Israeli primitive tribes' Lord God of Hosts from the Authentic Superior God of Love; love to your neighbor: the one right next to you, anyplace, anytime.
What's my vested interest in this as a Mexican and an American (as I live in the American continent)? With Benedict XVI as Pope, Catholicism is grossly regressing into the right with all the resulting injustice. The American Christian Right use Catholics as allies and despise them. As a semi-preserved Catholic who read her Bible since she was ten, I knew of the massacres that the people of Israel justified as mandated by the God Lord of Hosts, I witnessed how Christ sent His Apostles to go and teach; he didn't specify who to teach or not. He just said Go and Teach. Poor (nonbelievers) in my country are poorer than ever in large part due to US-advocated policies; foreign priests are sent our way to urge the poor to accept their plight and wait for Heaven. I'm sure they'll go right into Heaven as they have lived for so long in Hell. Even the richer classes should see the convenience of not letting the lower classes (in their own country or otherwise) fall lower. The former slave Frederick Douglass once said, " Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe." I doubt Bush know who Douglass was, but any USAmerican who dares go out of his/her bubble will see this is a reality wherever the American supremacists have trodden on justice on this Earth.
I for one would argue that religions divide; if the true Christ is one with God, then only the authentic God unites. And that is precisely what Fascists do not want.
Very interesting reading........2007-09-27
I heard Mr. Hedges on C-Span the first time I ever heard of him. I cannot remember if it was a review or reading of the book. But what he said made me interested enough to read the book. I found it was very interesting and solid writing.
STORM WARNING RED.......2007-09-22
Everyone concerned with the rising tide of fascism in America under the guise of Christian religious fervor should read this book. People who kill in the name of Jesus Christ are beyond the pale -- devoid of truth and reason. Hedges nails them to the cross they burden others with. The only caveat is that Hedges seems to be as befuddled about Christianity as the ersatz Christians he excoriates. Perhaps he spent too much time in theological cemeteries. Nonetheless, his warning is timely and should be well heeded.
Book Description
For too long, religion has been a political plaything of theright-wing in this country. American churches seem more concerned with whatpeople do with their bodies than with their souls. Now, Kathleen KennedyTownsend issues a spiritual call to arms to those who feel like her thattoday's churches--Catholic and Protestant alike--are failing to promote thewelfare of those who depend upon them. After recounting her personal storyin one of the most prominent Catholic families in America, she shows howAmerica's neediest are now forgotten while their churches fight politicalbattles against abortion rights and homosexual marriages. She provides hopethrough powerful examples of individuals effecting change, from obscuresocial workers to The Purpose-Driven- Life's Rick Warren, and maintainsthat our individual actions can return our churches to their traditionalrole as shepherds to their flock.
Customer Reviews:
Mrs. Townson is out of touch.......2007-08-26
Mrs. Townson needs to learn a little more about how and why this Country were founded before she write a book on this subject.
Infact she should learn a litle more about the Book she wants to judge.
If this country were run like it was set to run by our Founding Fathers we would not have the problems we have today.
We have too many other ideas and agenda's being presented and we have followed them and are no longer a Christian country. If this keeps up we will be taken over by the Muslims, like they have said.
Mrs. Townson you have been listening to Uncle Ted for too long.
Fair and balanced commentary.......2007-08-16
I absolutely agree with the theme of this book. I came into the Catholic faith a few years ago in a parish that emphasized social justice above all else and it was a big reason behind my decision to become Catholic. I have since moved and cannot find a parish that makes this central tenet of Christianity a central part of their teachings. It's so sad but perhaps this book can help awaken people to these failings of our religious leaders and demand change.
A reminder of the gospels so many Christians have forgotten.......2007-08-01
Townsend's book is a necessary call to those who style themselves Christians yet imagine that they can pursue riches (Jesus was against riches and the rich: re especially Luke and the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (sometimes Lazarus and Dives, as Dives is Latin for rich man), advocate capital punishment (Jesus: let he who is without sin cast the first stone), love weapons (no warrant for that in the NT), ignore the plight of the poor and wretched, and justify any war at all, let alone aggressive war, as in Iraq.
Call for a Religious Left.......2007-07-27
In "Failing America's Faithful", RFK's oldest daughter states that the Christian church in the United States, has moved away from its traditional roles of providing charity and promoting social justice. Instead, churches are primarily involved in one or both of the following:
a. Political battles about personal moral issues (sex, abortion, etc.)
b. A type of "individualist" Christianity where participants emphasize their own spiritual growth and needs, and maybe perhaps those of their immediate community, but de-emphasizing, ignoring or even walling themselves off from the issues that affect society at large.
Along with the right-wing evangelicals and the mainstream Protestant denominations, Ms. Kennedy's own Catholic Church is up for criticism too; not only abortion but contraception is banned there, and women are not allowed to be priests. (A whole chapter is devoted to the position of women in the Catholic Church).
The book covers some of the Kennedy family history, including her own childhood experiences, as well as the Church's (both Protestant and Catholic) place in the labor, civil rights, and anti-war movements through the years. But within the past twenty years or so, public Christianity in the United States has largely been co-opted by the Right; the Left is now mostly secular, and often hostile to religion. There is a Religious Left, but it is relatively small and quiet.
According to Kennedy, a true "Christian Nation" would be actively involved in supporting causes such as civil rights, women's rights, welfare for the poor, environmental issues, etc. rather than being involved in moral judgements, supporting "business conservative" concerns such as lower taxes, or promoting individual spiritual comfort. Secularism alone will not bring about a more just nation; a spiritual basis is required. The relationship between religion and politics should not be a "wall" but a "window" where they can observe and influence each other, but not unduly.
Essentially, she's calling for a stronger "Christian Left" to counter the "Christian Right". This may already be happening in some form, with even the evangelicals taking a closer look at environmental issues and such, not just slavishly following the lead of the business conservatives.
My only real criticism of this book, is that Kennedy basically wants the church to switch from one set of political battles to another more in line with her own political beliefs. That's fine, but to be a church, and not just a secular charity or political action group, there should be a definite spiritual structure. I would have liked to see a little more Biblical support for some of her positions. But that's just me....
Progressive Christians should read this.......2007-07-21
If you think Christianity has potential, but has lost its way, read this. The author does a good job of pointing out the loss of direction of the dominant Christian faiths in American today. She especially points out the self-serving nature of Catholic and evangelical Christian religions and their neglect of the social gospel.
Book Description
A simple walk through Washington, D.C. began a profound journey of personal discovery and renewal for Newt Gingrich, one of America's most influential politicians and commentators. At the National Archives, the immortal words from the Declaration of Independence that we "are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights," jumped off the page and into his heart with the simple truth that from day one in our country's history, the Author of freedom was not the state nor even the Founding Fathers. Our basic human rights and freedoms were-and are-"Creator-endowed." Gingrich sounds a clarion call for us to recognize that the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that we hold so dear are inseparable from a sincere and humble acknowledgement that these gifts are only the Creator's to give. As a bonus, the book includes a "walking tour" of Washington, D.C.
Customer Reviews:
America, the Christian Nation Under God .......2007-09-26
This book was another top notch, highly informative conservative-traditionalist volume that speaks the truth that America is indeed a Christian Judeo nation at heart.
It is so vitally important for American culture to return to our moral religious values, and seek the historical truth that indeed the Founders were very spiritual people who upheld very Christian ideals in springing to life the American nation.
While Thomas Jefferson was a Deist (not an Atheist but one who believed that God had sprung the universe into life with little involvement in the affairs of man), many of the founders themselves were personally brought up in the Christian tradition. I can recall the miracle on Christmas when George Washington crossed the Delaware River to storm the Hessian base camp, or his Thanksgiving Day prayer.
One can come to the logical conclusion that the inspiration of the American idea was spawned from the both the secular notions of the Enlightenment era, and the philosophies of Christianity.
Regardless of those extremists out there who try to twist history into something that it wasn't for PC reasons or their own personal contempt for American Christian ideals, there is no United States of America with out the traditions and philosophies of Jesus Christ.
God, the Ten Commandments, & the teachings of the lord Jesus Christ will always be apart of America.
This is one fantastic book worth your time and money.
Rediscovering God in America.......2007-09-10
The book is an excellent reminder of the source of strength and wisdom that all our founders looked to as they made decisions concerning the founding of America. There is a clear discussion of the separations issue and the foolish conclusion that our leaders did not want God a part of public life. It reminds us of the importance that all leaders in the first 100 years of the country place on Christian faith.
faith is still here..........2007-07-26
Millionaire in 365 Days: The Daily Plan to Get There
America is the MOST faith based country in the world....But ???
Newt is such an interesting guy...it is worth reading to get a sense of the history of how our country's founders and there on saw faith as part of America.....buy it, if you have faith in America as well...
Outstanding.......2007-07-21
I read with interest how our founding fathers consistently built buildings with the reminders that there is a Supreme being, God, who has blessed us with this country, our constitution, and our democracy. There are so many nihilists around us that would destroy all of this. Evil does lurk in this world. A well writtent book, succinct but accurate with historical facts.
Great CD!.......2007-07-16
This CD is very helpful for anyone visiting our nation's capitol. I wish we'd had it before our visit.
Book Description
Does America, as George W. Bush has proclaimed, have a special mission, derived from God, to bring liberty and democracy to the world? How much influence does the Christian right have over U.S. foreign policy? And how should America deal with violent Islamist extremists?
Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state and bestselling author of Madam Secretary, offers a thoughtful and often surprising look at the role of religion in shaping America's approach to the world. Drawing upon her experiences while in office and her own deepest beliefs about morality, the United States, and the present state of world affairs, a woman noted for plain speaking offers her thoughts about the most controversial topics of our time.
Customer Reviews:
Ultimate Answer.......2007-10-06
I must confess I have been following her public life since she became Secretary of State. I am her most avid reader having read her memoir six times. I ended my last reading on that book almost two weeks ago, and I finished reading the mighty and the almighty in five days last friday. To the point, I expected her second volume not to be a research work, it seems as though if I had to talk about the Middle East in school, this book would definitely be my guidance on that matter.
Now in all seriousness, I expected this book to be more about her accomplishments in government, and her sharp insights regarding recent events. This book could've just as easily be called 'The Mighty, The Almighty and Middle East Conflicts'. Do NOT get me wrong, I am all for that, I do believe the Middle East is, will and has shaped the world in every single way. Religion must be taken seriously into account as a player in world events, definitely. I am not against the content nor the topics of this book. I just wanted it to be more 'Madeleiney', if you will.
Mrs. Albright, if you are, or someone who knows you, reading this, I want you to know I expect your third book to be the ultimate answer to today's US Government Administration failures.
An Admirable Lady!.......2007-09-16
I think very highly of Madeline Albright and respect her accomplishments very much. I feel that the book is a little difficult to read though and I had a hard time sticking with it. It is however filled with lots of facts and events that make it worth the dedication.
Return to High American Ideals.......2007-08-26
This book may be directed to the "choir," as other reviewers have noted, but even the choir needs some encouragement from time to time. We've been through a rough 8 years.
I'm with her in her final comment: "I will never accept, however, that the United States is not better than we have been these past few years; nor will I stop believing (or praying) that we will recover our balance and begin again -- and soon -- to command the world's respect, and our own."
Human beings are religious animals, and we do perceive things differently. It is important to be tolerant of the beliefs of others; many of us are seeking God the best way we know how.
Politics and religion are both valid aspects of human life, but they are not the same thing.
Intelligent work about the subtleties of foreign policy wrt religion.......2007-07-17
Ms. Albright starts the book by providing background on how Americans have best handled religion in general. She gives several quotes from the founding fathers:
"George Washington disclaimed any interest in whether people were 'Mohametans, Jews or Christians of any sect, or Atheists.' His sole concern was that they should have the right to exercise freedom of worship, expression, and thought."--Page 18.
She then almost ventures into political heresy by giving a meaningful historical-political context to the Jewish-Palestinian conflict: (I had not been aware of the extent to which power elites in the world had gotten on board the Zionist mission.)
The remainder of the book is full of background about Judaism, Christianity, but especially Islam, that few are aware of--certainly not the current gang at the helm. Well worth the read, though Ms. Albright does not appreciate, or acknowledge anyway, the role of the CIA in creating the "world of terror."
...
For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]
Brian Wright
Copyright 2007
Terrific.......2007-07-08
A great book written by a knowledgeable person. I treasured it and have shared it with friends.
Book Description
A popular look at the separation of church and state: what it is, what it isn't, and why it matters for the future of religion in America.
- An alarm-ringing but intelligent and fair-minded revelation of the backlash against traditional moral values, presented in an accessible and practical way using the sports analogy of fair play.
- Explains why religiously-informed moral values are under threat in a one-sided interpretation of church and state.
- Empowers readers by helping them to clarify confusing viewpoints and motivating them to act on what they believe.
Customer Reviews:
Blessed Are The Peacemakers -- If Richard Land Isn't Making Peace, It Isn't His Fault.......2007-10-05
When it comes to politics (or religion, though that is not the point here), most books come from the point of either why the author's political philosophy is right and/or why those who disagree with the author is wrong. The result is an increase in polarization. Some of the books along that line deserve to be written, but they help only in presenting the problem, not in solving it.
"The Divided States Of America" is written from the point of view of trying to heal the breach, of trying to reconcile Christian brothers that disagree on political issues (or possibly just fellow Americans).
Just as welcome, though, is the fact that Land is not promoting unity at the expense of convictions. Rather, his goal is to help others understand their differences. His success is indicated that Senator Joe Lieberman (D-Conn) wrote the foreward, and praise on the cover is written by former Secretary of State (under Clinton) Madeline Albright.
One major theme in this book is a proper understanding of separation of church and state. Land favors the ana-baptist approach, which is to have a pluralistic country where the state does not mandate a particular belief structure but tolerates all, while maintaining people in office the constitutional freedom to hold and express their religious view. The other view is the Assorted Crazy Loons Unleashed view, which basically is meant to intimidate people into not expressing their religious views, which is an essential part of a person.
Richard Land does an excellent job dealing with the following facts:
1. Persecution of Christians (particularly Baptists) by other Christians, including in American history, leading to the Ana-Baptist and also the constitutional view of Separation of Church And State.
2. There has been religious expression on the part of our government from George Washington on, that it isn't new with Bush, and that it wasn't considered a problem until someone made a mistake of trying to mandate secularalism as the state religion.
3. The militant effort of secularists to eliminate any hints of Christianity in society, which is not promoting religious liberty but hindering it.
Thank you, Rev. Land, for writing this needed book. Hope it succeeds in uniting true Christians in an area that is not an essential to faith.
MUST READ!.......2007-04-12
Dr. Land has done a great job with this book. He maps out a middle ground in the church/state separation debate that is very understandable. Both the novice and the expert will find the book readable, engaging, and thought-provoking. A lady at my church has already read the book and asked me to consider teaching a special six-week Sunday School class based on it. Anyone who wants to know a constitutionally acceptable, faith affirming position on church/state issues must read this book.
Thank you Dr. Land.......2007-04-03
Having been raised in the Southern Baptist church, I have been following Dr. Richard Land for many years & I would like to thank him for this excellent book. There is much too much shouting from the left & the right (although more often from the left)on what role & what kind of role that religion should play in American politics & culture. Anyone wishing to hear a rare & thoughtful balanced look should read this book as soon as possible.
Book Description
Finally, a book that captures the spirit of Notre Dame. One of the most famous universities in the world, Notre Dame has come to symbolize excellence and faith in action, which sets it apart as an institution and a place that has deeply influenced millions of people. Call it a mystique or grace; there is something about the lure and lore of Notre Dame that evokes admiration and respect. The Spirit of Notre Dame marks the first time that a single book collects the stories that personify the character that is uniquely Notre Dame.
Notre Dame is the Golden Dome, the Victory March, the Basilica, the Grotto, playing fields, dorms, chapels, the library, classrooms, and research centers. But most of all, it is people: from faith-filled visionaries and world-renowned scholars to celebrated coaches and athletes to professors, students, janitors and cooks, volunteers and friends. From the university’s bold founder, Rev. Edward Sorin, to American legends of the football field (and silver screen) Knute Rockne, the Gipper, and Rudy, Notre Dame is the setting for some of our culture’s most uplifting stories of perseverance in the face of tremendous odds. The Spirit of Notre Dame tells these stories and more . . . of miraclulous athletic comebacks and incredible victories against the odds, of the Notre Dame graduate who survived the Bataan Death March by focusing on the university, of football stars like Chris Zorich who overcame tough circumstances, and of walk-on players who realized their dreams of playing for the Fighting Irish. Included in these pages are stories of the women’s teams who have won national championships in basketball and soccer, and dedicated leaders such as Fathers Corby, Hesburgh, and Malloy; professors Frank O’Malley, Emil T. Hofman, and a line of great teachers whose blood is in the bricks; coaches Leahy, Ara, Holtz, Willingham, and McGraw; and a host of graduates like Dr. Tom Dooley and Judge Ann Williams who have devoted themselves to serving others both on the campus and in the world. Engaging, amusing, and inspiring, The Spirit of Notre Dame is the absolute essential title for the millions of people who have a place in their heart for the Fighting Irish.
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Gift !.......2005-10-04
I received this book as a gift, and the gift was more than just a book, it was the "gift of spirit of Notre Dame".
I went to a huge state university, and was little more than a number. At Notre Dame it must be so very different, the students become a part of a "family". They were nurtured, cared about and stayed a part of the school's extended family. What a wonderful feeling of warmth and security this must generate to those many students who were away from home!
The Langfords do an excellent job of re-creating Notre Dame's unusual history, and the determination of its staff to keep the college open despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
The stories of individual students were sensitively told -and I found myself in tears several times as I read this book.
Although I've not yet visited the school, I do want to go there to meet the staff and students , to see campus, especially the grotto that is so vividly described in the book, and to FEEL the Spirit of Notre Dame for myself.
It's a wonderful gift!
I've been waiting for such a book........2005-09-06
I'm surprised a book like this hasn't already been published--There are so many great stories from Notre Dame, some of them even part of American lore itself. As a graduate of the university I'm obviously not completely impartial, but I got a great deal of substance out of the stories that are told here. I would recommend this as the perfect gift to give anyone who has a fondness for Notre Dame.
Book Description
Mary Kay may be the most successful woman entrepreneur in the world today, but she started her company as a single mother supporting three children—using her total life savings of $5,000. Following her priorities—God first, family second, and career third—and some sound, savvy business strategies, she managed to create a multibillion-dollar international company as well as a fulfilling life that reflects her values. Here she reveals to you how she did it, how thousands of other women have done it, and how you can do it, too!
Mary Kay accomplished all her goals without any special advantage—without trying to be a "superwoman." Instead, she rediscovered the timeless secrets of true success and happiness and applied them in her life. These are the secrets she now shares with you.
In Mary Kay: You Can Have It All, you will discover how to:
• Become more confident personally and professionally
• Deal with the male ego
• Plan your work and work your plan
• Do well by doing good
• And much, much more!
Mary Kay will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book to the Mary Kay Ash Center for Cancer Immunotherapy Research at St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
Mary Kay Ash is the founder and chairman emeritus of Mary Kay Cosmetics Inc., listed among Fortune magazine's Most Admired Corporations in America and boasting annual retail sales of more than $1.5 billion.
Also available in Paperback.
Customer Reviews:
self-endorsement.......2007-01-02
This book is all about how great Mary Kay thinks Mary Kay is. Though I was interested in learning more about the company (I even was a Mary Kay consultant for a little while), the self-proclamation factor proved too frustrating. I could not even finish the book!
A Very Inspirational Book.......2006-02-28
What a great book, a great lady, who had a great business philosophy. A must read for anyone who wants to do their own thing.
AWESOME AND POWERFUL.......2003-02-09
I AM A MARY KAY CONSULTANT.I WAS A DEVOTED CUSTOMER FIRST.ONCE I WAS ON HER CUTTING EDGE COSMETICS, I DECIDED TO OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS BOOK GIVES YOU ALL OF THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO MAKE IT IN ANY BUSINESS. SHE GIVES YOU INSPIRATION AND MINDSET YOU NEED TO MAKE ALL OF YOUR DREAMS A REALITY. IF YOU BELIEVE IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT. I AM DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.REDUCING MY DEBT, INCREASING MY SELF ESTEEM AND SELF WORTH.DEFINATELY A MUST READ
anonymous.......2001-08-16
Mary Kay Ash is truly an inspiration to all women. Not only does she succeed she lets you know that there will be obstacles to overcome, but you can and will succeed if you keep your priorities in order GOD,Family, and career and work hard. Nothing comes in life easy and through perservence and a dream and goal setting there is nothing you can't do. I LOVED IT!!!
Changed the way I think!.......2001-01-19
Thank you Mary Kay Ash for writing the words that I needed to read! Mary Kay's ideas may seem old fashioned to some, but I found them to be refreshing. It's nice to be reminded once in a while that God and Family should come before Career. This book is an inspiration to all women (not just those who like cosmetics and skin care) who want to be the best they can be at whatever it is that they do. The book will keep all women grounded!
Average customer rating:
- Calculations are only as good as your numbers
- Pants on fire?
- Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
- Very Interesting
- History as Science Fiction
|
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
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Similar Items:
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History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
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History: Fiction or Science? Astronomical methods as applied to chronology. Ptolemy's Almagest. Chronology III
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ASIN: 2913621058 |
Book Description
Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.
Customer Reviews:
Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03
Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.
Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19
Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09
There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.
For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.
Very Interesting.......2007-03-07
It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.
History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10
Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.
I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.
Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.
Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.
I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.
This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
Book Description
After meals from garbage cans and dumpsters, night after night Mike and Sam found their beds under bridges and on the streets. They were forced to depend on the generosity and kindness of strangers as they panhandled to sustain their existence. For more than five months, the pair experienced firsthand the extreme pains of hunger, the constant uncertainty and danger of living on the streets, exhaustion, depression, and social rejectionâand all of this by their own choice. This is their story. Through Mike’s firsthand account, Under the Overpass provides important insight into the truths of the street and calls the younger generation of believers to take great risks of faith to bring Christ’s love to the neediest corners of the world.
âI Am Disgusting.â
Mike Yankoski’s life went from upper-middle class plush to scum-of-the-earth repulsive overnight. By his own choice. From the United States capital to San Diego, Mike and his traveling companion, Sam, journeyed as homeless men for five months. Not for a project or even in response to a dare. He needed to know if his faith in God was realâif he could actually be the Christian he said he was apart from the comforts he’d always known.
So with only a bag on his back, a guitar in his hand, and Sam by his side, he set out. And like any traveler in a foreign land, he returned a different man. Mike’s unusual, captivating, and challenging story will rock your own worldâ¦perhaps even change your life.
Pull out quote/sidebar/starburst:
âThoreau said, âSimplify, simplify, simplify!,’ but at that moment I couldn’t help wondering if I had gone too far.â
Endorsements: Please leave room for one more.
âMike Yankoski hangs out with alcoholics and drug addicts. He panhandles for bus fare and eats from dumpsters. Yes, he has guts. But he also has faith.â
Dean R. Hirsch
President, World Vision
âEveryone with a beating heart will benefit from reading this book.â
Kim Meeder
Bestselling author of Hope Rising
Story Behind the Book
âFaith is more than just an emphatic âAmen’ at the end of the sermon on Sunday morning. Frustrated with the feeling of having strong convictions and yet not being able to do anything about them, I began to understand Paul’s promise of contentment in Christ âwhether with everything or with nothing.’ What would it look like to give up the comfortable life and live homeless? Is God enough to sustain me? Is He trustworthy? Is He worth staking my life on? What happens if I die? Will I even survive? Such questions rang loudly in my mind as we decided to lay down everything in a full embrace of the homeless life. Some experiences were uncomfortable, some shocking, some disturbing, some hilarious, and still others frustrating, but five months of life on the streets has left us, our faith, and our lives forever changed.â
Customer Reviews:
An insight into poverty in the United States.......2007-10-11
Easy to read and full of observations and insights of who is living on the streets of the United States and what it's like to live there. A great read for anyone who lives in this country.
Every Christian.......2007-08-14
If you proclaim Jesus Christ and your Lord, you need to read this book. It will awaken the sleeping Christ living inside of you. Wanna know what Jesus would do, He would be about reaching out to people who need to be seen and loved. This book will shake your faith awake.
under the overpass.......2007-08-04
This book has launched a new ministry for our faith community. This book was first read by a youth in our senior high group and August 6th we began our ministry. Currently (August 2007), we have the privilege of knowing approximately 12 folks who literally live 'under the overpass.' Our friendships have grown. We meet the folks where their needs are. We are able to assist with their laundry, hygiene, medical needs and transportation thru various available resources. There is one couple who have been able to regularly attend our church services with the aide of transportation. Several of our friends have been able to assist with "Habitat for Humanity" (they thrive on working with a purposeful intention). We recently finished our vacation Bible school and one of our friends was able to assist with the set-up and running of our outside market place. These ARE our friends, and we are their trusted friends. Now that is God! Thanks to this young man and his travelmate for sharing their experience and igniting the 'ol Holy Spirit in us! We each are humbled that the Lord has selected "us" to be involved in His divine connection known as friendship. Thank You Jesus!
A must read .......2007-07-12
This was an awesome read in every sense of the word. A real eye-opener.
Changing the way.......2007-07-09
This book has truly changed my heart and my perspective towards homeless people. I feel compassion and a strong urge act out these emotions. It amazes me how one book can change my total outlook. I find myself stopping and talking to homeless whenever I see one. I give them granola bars and jamba juices and it makes me so happy to see their faces light up just knowing that someone cares for them. I would give this book to anyone to read because it challenges you to do what's right. As a Christian, this book put it straightforward and lets you know what is up.
Book Description
*The crucial Ohio get-out-the-vote effort that lifted Bush over Kerry.
*The Terri Schiavo controversy.
*The push for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
*Attacks on Roe v. Wade.
*“Intelligent design” in our science curriculum.
The evangelical right has pushed all of these initiatives, led by the immense behind-the-scenes influence of Dr. James Dobson, the founder and chairman of Focus on the Family: an organization that has grown from its roots as a local parenting advice center to a powerful ministry that broadcasts Dr. Dobson each day on more than 3,000 radio and 80 television stations in the U.S. alone. Dobson has supplanted Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Ralph Reed as the spokesman for tens of millions of American evangelical Christians--even though Dobson is not a minister, but a family therapist with a doctorate in child development.
Dobson maintains that the American political and social spectrums are firmly rooted in a centuries-old Christian tradition--one that has come under siege beginning in the 1960s, spear-headed by court rulings that have undermined the necessity of religion in public life. With the support of evangelical followers, Dobson has garnered more and support than many ever thought possible and has harnessed this power to wage a crusade in support of strengthening abortion restrictions and establishing anti-gay rights litigation.
The Jesus Machine is the first book to examine Focus on the Family as the cutting edge of the larger evangelical movement, backing what many view to be goals in common with the current political agenda of the Bush administration, as it works to become the voice of mainstream America.
Through exhaustive research, Dan Gilgoff, a Senior Reporter for US News & World Report, exposes the intricacies of the Focus on the Family’s rallying cry and the drastic implications they hold for the future of America’s political system.
Customer Reviews:
An important window into the evangelical political worldview.......2007-09-01
I am so glad I read this book. It is difficult for someone like me who believes that the intersection of religion and government is dangerous to the liberties I believe our country was founded on to understand why this movement acts in the way it does. This book helped me to see where they are coming from, without the divisive rhetoric that pervades most discussions of this topic.
I still found the evangelical vision for America a frightening one, and one I do not support, but a little knowledge about the movement helps remind me that these are human beings with deeply held beliefs, however frightening I may find them.
Very Well Written.......2007-08-24
Before reading this book, I expected that it would inevitably take sides on what has proven to be one of the most controversial issues in politics. I am pleased to report, however, that Gilgoff does an excellent job of keeping his own views and opinions (whatever they may be) out of the book, and instead relies on the facts he collected during extensive researching and interviewing. In addition, the book reads very well and flows smoothly; not at all like a textbook. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about the influence of religion in today's politics.
Name above all Names.......2007-08-14
Can we agree? This 2007 book has one of the most shameful titles in recent memory.
Still, please don't let yourself be too offended. Believers can still refer to these pages for top-flight reporting about contemporary national politics, seen through the prism of politically active evangelist Christians, especially author and radio personality Dr. James Dobson.
Use a book cover if you must. That way you won't miss this well-sourced and highly objective account of how evangelical activists helped swing our last presidential election. The author, a USNWR political reporter, obtains unprecedented access to back-room partisan maneuvering involving pastors and Capitol lobbyists. He describes in fighting among evangelicals that helps explain some rather surprising outcomes in recent U.S. Supreme Court nominations, U.S. Senate campaigns and failed attempts to amend the U.S. Constitution.
Church-going Americans vote differently. So, who will emerge to mobilize what could be the biggest single voting bloc in the 2008 election? Two things are clear, judging from this book's in-depth interviews with America's leading Christian public figures. First, there is no monolithic evangelical movement. Second, expect conservative American evangelicals to seek even greater involvement in partisan politics, despite their many disappointments chronicled here.
Next question: will new leaders like Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life), step forward on the national stage to mobilize American Christians? If so, we can pray that they re-read their NIV Men's Devotional Bible to remind themselves that Jesus did not call his followers to be "power brokers". This excellent political book offers a cautionary tale (or two) of how religious leaders and sometimes their followers too easily can lose sight of What Jesus Demands from the World, especially when we stop to consider the Great Commission.
Gilgoff on CSPAN.......2007-07-28
I just learned about Gilgoff's book a few minutes ago when Gilgoff appeared on CSPAN during it's book-talk program. It was aired on a Saturday afternoon and there had to be no more than 8 or so people in the audience. I found it interesting that Gilgoff told of receiving the "nastiest email I had ever received" from none other but the good Doctor Dobson himself. So, not having yet read the book, now my curiosity is piqued. I would like to learn what set off such a nasty response from Evangelical America's finest.
Misleading Title.......2007-07-01
Readers who pick up this book based on its provocative title are likely to be disappointed. It literally is a book about "how" evangelicals are winning, and definitely not a book about "why" they are winning. Gilgoff does an excellent job of talking about how the Evangelicals have grown and expanded, but doesn't provide very much analysis on how they were able to accomplish this beyond surface issues.
The book does not address the core question of whether this expansion is appropriate, nor does it really delve into the history of religion and politics in America. The book begins, essentially, by suggesting that before the modern evangelical movement, there was no serious or organized religious-political force in America, which is somewhat historically oblivious, particularly because Evangelicals themselves assert that religion has been a prominant aspect of our society since the beginning.
I would not say this is even a neutral book, because the net-effect of the book is simply to offer flattery and praise on the expansion of evangelicals because it doesn't touch any of the sensitive issues along the way.
All in all, I would not suggest that people read this book if they are looking for analysis on the subject of evangelicals in America, unless they are looking for a broad, decontextualized survery of the topic.
Books:
- Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
- Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas
- Big Box of Boynton: Barnyard Dance! Pajama Time! Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs!
- Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
- Buddhism without Beliefs
- Celtic Women's Spirituality: Accessing the Cauldron of Life
- Communion with God: An Uncommon Dialogue
- Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the
- Complete Audio Holy Bible: King James Version
- Conversations with God : An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 1)
Books Index
Books Home
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Letter to a Christian Nation
