Yeah, yeah I know this is not an actual book instead it's an audio version of one of the greatest books ever written. The Bible is still one of the greatest selling books of all times. Recently Inspired By...Media Group has come up with one of the most entertainging audio versions of the Bible that I have listened to. The Bible Experience is a nineteen disc TNIV translation of the New Testament and is read by some of todays mostnotable African American celebrities, clergy and musicians like Denzel Washington, Cuba Gooding Jr., T.D. Jakes, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett and many, many more (almost 200 more). Not only is The Bible Experience an audio recording of the New Testament by notable readers but it is also a dramatization with a great cinematic musical score and soundtrack that brings the listener to back about 2000 years to the time when Jesus walked the earth.
The Bible Experience is defintely THE best audio production of the Bible PERIOD. It is an entertaining and captivating dramatization of the Bible. A nice addition to this set is a carrying case and a DVD with liner notes and a "making of" video. Whether you are a Bible scholar or somone who has never read the New Testament I think you will agree that this is a quality recording that every person, no matter what stage of life they're in will certainly want to a copy of The Bible Experience.
Dick Stieglitz may not be a rocket scientist but he is a nuclear engineer and has a PhD to go with it. He is a man who has had a lot of success in his life. He has started and run several very successful companies, led flourishing careers, and enjoyed a comfortable life. He also has seen hardships. From his rough beginnings in an orphanage to marital separation to dealing with a troubled and rebellious daughter Dick has had to encounter the darker side of life as well. We all go through our own ups and downs, but what sets Dr. Stieglitz apart from the rest of us is that he put into writing his battle with change and shares the tools that he used to help confront its dragons.
The first thing that struck me when I began flipping through the pages of Dr. Stieglitz’s ‘self help’ book for change was the honesty and frankness of his style. On page one he unveils his life story and moves through the successes and failures that have taken his life for its ride. His need for control was what led him to success and also primed him for failure. He uses this as a springboard for confronting change in our lives. Change is inevitable and we can’t hide from it; we get caught when we try to impose our old ways upon an ever-changing new world. The book is geared to help the individual adapt to the change that is sure to enter their life and how to actually use change to their advantage. This is not your typical book as there isn’t a linear order that must be followed for the book to be effective. In fact Dick recommends that the reader flip through the book and read and apply only the sections that seem to be most relevant. He is straightforward with the fact that he does not have all the answers and that even the tips he has written aren’t universal truths. The beauty of ‘Taming the Dragons of Change’ is that while one section of the book may not apply in the slightest to you the reader, the following chapter may be that pearl of wisdom you needed. The book is very easy to pick through and perfect for readers who don’t have a lot of time to devote to reading. The short essays lend themselves to the reader with the start and stop lifestyle. Another thing that I liked about this book was that he draws solely from his own stories and experiences. The honesty in his writing makes it approachable and gives reassurances that “this stuff really works.” He doesn’t harp on the cliché’s that litter most ‘self help’ books he just writes about where he’s been and how he’s made it through.
I enjoyed ‘Taming the Dragons of Change.’ The down to earth flow helps to keep things in perspective and allows this book to shine among the millions that have filled the genre. The biggest plus for me was that I could flip through and read what I thought looked interesting. Dick has a lot of insights from his past four decades of growing and changing and uses the pages of this book to express some of them in a very approachable manner. It isn’t the perfect book, as there were a few excerpts that didn’t connect with me but when it was all said and done I was glad that I read it. It provides fuel for introspection and will help equip the reader for the inevitable change that plagues us all.
Reviewed by Ben Black
Paul Robertson is an up and coming author who is who is making a grand entrance into the Christian Fiction world with his debut novel The Heir. This thrilling story is filled with suspense, deception and power which is guaranteed to keep you engaged from the opening page to the pinnacle conclusion.
Jason Boyer has just inherited over a billion dollars from his father who unexpectedly died in a car accident. Before his his father's passing Jason and his wife found ways to live off of his fathers meager allowance of $30,000 a month with no responsibilities and best of all no fame. Then on the day of reading his fahter's will Boyer finds (much to his displeasure) that he left his entire estate to him worth billions of dollars and in one day is one of America's richest and most powerful men. This is a dream come true for most people but not for Jason as he finds that this money could be the ruin of him and his family. As people around him are endangered Boyer also learns that his father's death may not have been an accident and it looks like he is the prime suspect. After much soul searching and counsel Jason Boyer sets out to fix what his father had broken and to set things right for the good of the people.
The Heir is a spellbinding novel of power, murder, money and trickery and poses the question without actually asking... "What would you do if you inherited a vast amount of money and you realize it was gained from illicit and illegal means?" As stated this is a Christian Fiction novel but there certainly is not a blatant Christian agenda to the book and that's what makes this a genuine read. The Heir is simply what it is... a fantastic read with a great storyline. I look forward to future novels from Paul Robertson.
Leadership and self improvement books are a dime a dozen and I admit that I am a sucker for a book with the word "leadership" in the title. After reading literally dozens of books on the subject I have found that most have no new ideas and all of them have far too many pages and too many points. Then I picked up the new book from author, international speaker and president of Sanborn Associates Inc. Mark Sanborn You Don't Need A Title To Be A Leader and I was thrilled to stumble upon such a small book packed with practical insights as to how to be a leader where ever you are in life.
Sanborn says that leadership is not about position or titles but is "shown through everyday actions" and how we influence people around us. He goes on to give six principles of leadership which include The Power of Self Mastery, The Power of Focus, The Power with People, The Power of Persuasive Communication, The Power of Execution and The Power of Giving.
You Don't Need A Title To Be A Leader is a great book for any person who aspires to be a leader. Not only did I get a ton of practical advice of the power of influence, but I was able to read this book in less than two hours. So not only is this a practical book on leadership but it is straight and to the point.
Ted DeKker is quickly becoming one of the most sought after authors in the Christian fiction world. Why is this so? Because he writes some dang good books! (Sorry about the bad grammar). Christian fiction has been coming a long way in the past few years and much of the reason is due in part to Ted DeKker. So if you are a fan like I am, you eagerly anticipate his new novels when they become available and I nearly wet myself waiting for my copy of his latest novel Skin to arrive. Dare I say that this is his best novel to date! Not only is it well written but it is filled with suspense, mystery, fear and at times is just weird. There were actually times when I felt like I wasn’t even reading a Christian fiction novel, which is always a good sign. There is nothing worse that reading a book that has an agenda and it drives it into the ground thus killing a story with potential. From what I gather there is not an apparent agenda, but just a classic good verse evil story with a Nightmare on Elm Street style ending to it. I can’t tell you the ending but hopefully you’ll know what I mean when you read it.
Skin is a story about love, beauty, ugliness, power of the mind and revenge. Summerville is a small town in Nevada and it’s a town with very little trouble. Colt Jackson is a cop who has moved to Summerville from Las Vegas to get away from all of the evil that he faced in the big city to have a more “normal” life. Until… one day a report of a shooting comes in and after further investigation Colt finds a message that reads “Hello Colt. It’s payback time. Red” and Colt’s life is sent into a tailspin of death, murder and torture all at the hands of a maniacal killer who calls himself Red and is seeking revenge. Colt eventually meets up with four other individuals who all have one thing in common… Red wants them dead. Each are faced with decisions that can put the fate of hundreds of people including themselves in their hands.
From the opening chapter to the closing epilogue Skin is a rollercoaster ride of suspense, love and mystery with a new twist around each corner. Skin is hands down DeKker’s best effort to date. If you have not read any books from Ted DeKker Skin would be a great book to start with. If you are a true fan to the core then this book will NOT disappoint, especially if you enjoyed Thr3e. When April roles around, I would encourage you to do whatever you need to do, legally, to get your hands on this novel.
Bestselling author Tim Green has returned with his latest work of fiction titled American Outrage. Green is the author of thirteen books, eleven thrillers and two works of non-fiction (which include New York Times bestseller The Dark Side of the Game). American Outrage is his twelfth novel set to be released in April of 2007 and I must say, it is a GREAT book!
American Outrage is a thriller about the life of “tabloid journalism”. Jake Carlson is a journalist for the one of America’s sensationalist TV news show American Outrage. Carlson is used to digging up dirty laundry on high profile individuals and exposing the public to the shocking antics of these people. Jake lives a lavish life in the spotlight and as a result often neglects the needs of his adopted son Sam. Sam is having a hard time since the death of his mother and trouble seems to find him wherever he goes. Frustrated with the way the kids in school make fun of him Sam asks his father to use his celebrity pull to find out who his “real” mother was. Jake reluctantly agrees to help him search her out. In the process of investigating Jake is exposed to the shocking secrets that he uncovers that include the Albanian Mafia, a corrupt politician and an illegal child trafficking ring. When secrets start unraveling Jake Carlson finds Sam’s and his life in immediate danger and must struggle to get the truth out to the people so that justice may be served.
American Outrage grabbed my attention from the opening pages all the way to the nail biting conclusion. Tim Green has crafted a story that engages the reader and drags him into a novel that is nearly impossible to put down once it’s started. It has all the components (conspiracy, murder, shady politics etc.) to make a thrilling read. American Outrage is one of the best thriller’s of 2007 thus far.
