You had me at 'Howdy'

**Disclaimer I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

The Charlatan's Boy is the most original novel that I have read since Harry Potter.  The voice is unique on the contemporary American stage and the setting created by the author is engaging, charming, and totally believable!  As a lover of Mark Twain's American satire, this book had a real draw for me.  The vocabulary, style of writing, and well-crafted narrative were a true joy to experience as a casual reader and a nice break from the heavier scholastic works that I have as part of my regular diet.

The story follows Grady, an orphan adopted by a showman in an imaginative world called Corenwald.  Picture the Old West or the Deep South of the Mark Twain styling placed on an island somewhere on the globe.  Initially, the cover and design were part of the draw and attraction for the story.  It's as though everything about this book draws you into the story created and told by Dr. Rogers.  Even the cover art and design are reminiscent of cowboys, snake oil salesmen, and itinerant "lecturers" common in the US during the late 19th century and into the early 20th.  From the first few words of the story you are introduced to a lovable hero.  We follow Grady and his "partner" in crime as they try to scrape and scheme their way to the fortune they know that is out there waiting for them.  Through swamps, cattle ranges, and podunk villages we follow one hilarious anecdote after another until the final moment of truth.

The book was a very fun read.  There are a few problems that keep it from being a five-star in my book.  The "reviews" on the back and inside covers make it a point to call it "faith fiction" or "if Mark Twain were a Christian" or "If C.S. Lewis wrote Huckleberry Finn".  I understand that the publisher is an organization which produces Religious books and that the author is a graduate of Furman University and is unashamed of his religious faith.  However, this book is NOT "faith fiction".  This book is an whimsical story which certainly has a biblical worldview and moral lessons, but it is not an allegory or "Christian" book a la much of the contemporary "religious fiction" available today.  If I were to pick this book up and read those reviews, having no interest in "faith fiction," I would put it back down again and not give it the time of day--let alone the fact that Mark Twain was a Christian and wrote incredibly powerful books with strong moral truths.

The book definitely falls flat at the end.  Everything was wonderful right up until the last two chapters.  I'm not sure if Dr. Rogers got bored, was rushed, or just had no better idea; but not only was this ending incredibly predictable, but it was a poorly written predictable ending!  I was completely sold on the story right up till the last six pages.  I'm still feeling as though I was robbed of a proper resolution.

So much missing

Defiant Joy, by Kevin Belmonte

It seems as though the growing interest among Protestants for more ancient Christian traditions has grown beyond the subtle religious symbolism of Tolkien and the quiet Catholocism of Lewis into the realm of Chesterton's bold religious affections. Orthodoxy is quoted in increasing frequency among the so-called "emergent movement," and a few of these authors are going so far as to list Chesterton among the most influential in their theology. Mr. Belmonte's work is a fair treatment of Chesterton's corpus, but sadly lacking in all that it leaves unsaid.

If you're simply looking for a biography out of casual curiosity (as I was), then this is a good introduction to the man in context. Everything you hope to find in a well written biography is present: date of birth, parentage, early education, rise to stardom among the literati, great works, and ultimate repose. You will see in this book a collection of quotation, strong support for the reputation carried by Chesterton among Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox. What you will not discover is a well crafted biography of the type Chesterton, his contemporaries, or even David McCullough have presented to the literate populace.

Mr. Belmonte's true weakness is that he has written his biography as though it were an undergraduate research paper. Everything is there to get an excellent grade in English Lit 401. He has a clear thesis statement, heavily annotated, and lots of hefty quotations. This has all been said by previous reviewers of this book. The strength of this particular work is that it introduces a very important figure in English (not only religious) literature.

Chesterton's influence is still being felt across the globe, and for the uninitiated, this is a good introduction to this great giant. Read this book, but don't stop here. Find other, more scholarly biographies and read them. More importantly, read the man himself! Both his fiction and non-fiction works are edifying, challenging, and a delight to the senses! Treat this book as a casual introduction at a cocktail party which leads to a lifelong friendship with one of the true literary brains of the 20th century.

Beyond Opinion

This is an excellent compilation of some of the best minds in Christian apologetics today.  Though not written by Ravi Zacharias, he has put together a wide selection of well-written and clearly explained essays on a variety of issues ranging from the veracity of Scripture to the exclusivity of Christ.  I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible these chapters were for the average reader.  I highly recommend this volume for your shelf and to be passed around to the people in your life with deep and burning questions about the nature of God and the importance of faith.

One of the true benefits of this piece of work is that it is written for people with no theological training, just questions.  The format is designed for easy use for finding an easy to read, concise, and challenging article about the question that is foremost on their mind without having to dig through chapter after chapter of tedious work irrelevant to their deepest need.  I am excited to recommend this book, and hope that you find it as enjoyable and encouraging a read as I did.

The Perfect Gift

If you're looking for the perfect Graduation or Father's Day present, then may I heartily recommend John C. Maxwell's "The Right to Lead."  Mr. Maxwell is a renowned speaker, preacher, and writer.  His books have provided inspiration and guidance for some of our nations top religious, business, and political leaders.  In "The Right to Lead," Mr. Maxwell provides in digest form some of his finest writing on the subject along with inspirational quotes and art.  This small, hardcover book will make a great gift for the graduate or special-someone in your life for Father's Day.  Small, easy to read, inspirational, and written with a purpose.  Not simply a book of platitudes, this book is written to challenge the would-be leader to take responsibility and earn the right to lead.

Dave Ramsey's The Money Answer Book

I'll admit it.  I'm a Ramsey-phile.  I drank the kool-aid last year, and I haven't looked back.  The best thing my wife and I did was sign up for the Financial Peace University class.  It was truly an investment in our future, and we have been blessed with small and large successes since June of 2008.  If you've never taken his class, read his books, or listened to his radio program, stop reading this review and check out www.daveramsey.com for more information.  If, by chance, you're actually interested in this review, then please keep reading.

For people like me, this book contains very little new information.  If you've already read The Total Money Makeover or Financial Peace (Revisited), then you know how the program works.  Seven Baby Steps, followed in succession, to help you manage your finances and bless others by your ability to build wealth and give it away.  This book is not really about the Baby Steps, though he does take time to mention them and go through them in detail throughout the book.  This book is really a Question and Answer book.  If you've listened to the radio program, then you know his style of taking questions and answering them as if he were "in your shoes."  This book is just that.  Taking highlights from the show/FAQ's about basic financial management and the Baby Steps, The Money Answer Book seeks to give direct, pointed, and concise information regarding a number of topics from debt to retirement.

When I read The Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace (Revisited), I was always asking questions.  What do we do if...?  What happens if...?  Is it important for us to...?  What if we can't...?  What does he mean by...?  This book handles those questions in a way that's easy to follow and implement right off!  I am really excited to read this book alongside of the other books, so that as questions pop up, I can reference what he has to say in The Money Answer Book!  Definitely get this book!  Even if you don't think you have questions, believe me, you have questions.  Get this book, read it, read it alongside of the others, read it while listening to the radio program.  You may just find the answer that you've been looking for!

Word of Promise, NT

This is an excellent Audio Bible. If you've purchased previous dramatized versions of the Bible, you understand the great depth of character and personality that comes from having multiple readers, sound effects, appropriate music, and good production quality. This series has them all. Stellar cast, breathtaking music, and very well produced. The words are written by someone who's infallible, so it's hard to really overlook the writer, but it's also kind of silly to put too much about that here. This is a great resource.

As a youth pastor, I'm always looking for ways to make the Bible come to life for my students. Using audio Bibles in the past has been something I've wanted to do, and I'm so thankful for this resource! What a great addition to our library! So glad that I picked this one up!

Life in the Zone

This is a great Bible study for men--specifically if they're sports minded in any way. There are testimonies of coaches, players, managers, and other figures in the sports industry who love Jesus and want to share what they've learned by placing their full trust in Him and following His lead in areas of character, marriage, parenting, work ethic, etc.

The 40 Day Plan idea is nice. It's easy to follow and builds on itself. It's not unique to this book, and (as a guy) I like knowing that I'm coming to the end of something. There were days when I felt like I could have skipped the lesson, but I'm glad I didn't. If you're looking for something to give to a high schooler, I would hold off. If you're looking at college to young adult, that's probably the youngest. I would definitely recommend this to a married man, working full time, and trying to keep his family, his faith, and his work in order. Definitely recommend.