| Striking Back: The 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre and Israel’s Deadly Response by Aaron J. Klein, 256 pages Jonathan Misirian 24 May 2006 Klein provides a nationalistic explanation of political assignation by detailing the Mossad’s methodical killings of high profile Palestinians. Revenge, deterrence and prevention are mentioned as the holy trinity of justification for these killings, leaving the reader to assume that maybe deterrence and prevention are just added to make the true motive more palatable. | God's Secretaries by Adam Nicolson, 304 pages Jonathan Misirian 19 September 2005 English Historian Nicolson, provides a thorough understanding of the cultural trends that were in play, which helped to shape what has become known as the King James Bible. An interesting irony from the book: The King James Bible was written -in part-to dispel the Puritan cause in England and yet it was adopted by these same Puritans as their text when they came to America. |
An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore, 328 pages Jonathan Misirian 28 August 2006 Is this a Gore-reinvention or a Gore-redemption? The author presents a detailed and honest appraisal of the global climate crisis.. the facts are indisputable as well as the photographic evidence. What isn’t answered is: ‘Is our current situation part of a consistent downward trend or is it part of a larger cyclical movement of changing climate patterns.’ |
ABSOLUTE WATCHMEN by Alan Moore, 446 pages Jonathan Misirian 07 August 2006 Moore’s the genius behind many of contemporary comics most insightful and introspective publications. This is a collection of a series of DC Comics from the mid 80’s. Multi-layered stories, existentialist angst, stunning graphics… all work together to make this collection a compelling read. |
Grand Deception by Alexander Klein, 382 pages Jonathan Misirian 21 May 2005 Tepid overview of hoaxes, spies, fake statues, and gullible people. |
Runaway by Alice Munro, 335 pages Jonathan Misirian 23 February 2005 Listed as one of the NYTimes Top 10 books of '04. Munro lets us know that the Canadians are as messed up as Americans. |
Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock by Andrew Beaujon, 276 pages Jonathan Misirian 27 July 2006 Billed as the first non-Christian in-depth look at Christian Rock, BPSML is a solid piece of writing. Beaujon sees both the camp and the soul of Christian Rock, providing the reader with ammunition against Christianity as well as hope because of it. |
Plan B: further thoughts on faith by Anne Lamott, 320 pages Jonathan Misirian 06 April 2005 Lamott writes from the fringes of Christianity. Lucid writing and revealing prose mark her work. Lamott expertly summarizes her faith in a way that is accessible to so many who feel disenfranchised by organized religion |
Age of Propaganda: The everyday use and abuse of persuasion by Anthony Pratkanis, 277 pages Jonathan Misirian 31 August 2005 Pratkanis provides a thorough overview of the history and modern use of persuasion. Advertising receives the brunt of the author’s work, but politics and religion also play significant roles. I found especially interesting the explanation of the granfalloon technique and how this helps to shape consumer behavior. |
Lipstick Jihad: A memior of growing up Iranian in America and American in Iran by Azadeh Moaveni, 249 pages Jonathan Misirian 25 December 2005 My third book on Iran this year. Moaveni, part of the Diaspora in America, returns to Iran as a reporter for US news outlets. Her personal experiences and insights into Iran, shows the duplicity of the ruling Mullah’s, the yearning for freedom by the youth, and the shortcomings of American foreign policy. Great read for those interested in an on-the-ground look at life in modern Iran. |
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, 358 pages Jonathan Misirian 28 January 2005 Fascinating account of life in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Nafisi weaves great literature in between discussion of the oppression that she endured. |
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich, 221 pages Jonathan Misirian 02 February 2005 Ehrenreich leaves her Blue State life, and takes up temporary residence working in what we would consider are menial jobs. At times poignant, biting, and revealing, the author shows us what it is like to work along the shadows of society. This comes as a great shock to her, but not to those of us who live and work along these margins. |
Consumed: How markets corrupt children, infantilize adults, and swallow citizens whole (2007) by Benjamin Barber, 402 pages Jonathan Misirian 18 June 2007 Barber’s tour de force is a critique of the way unbridled capitalism works to foment a puerile mindset among consumers. Barber reviews everything from politics to sports to Christian music, and connects the threads which show how our economic system manipulates those who are caught up in capitalism’s ebb. |
American Vertigo: Travelling America in the Footsteps of Tocqueville by Bernard-Henri Levy, 308 pages Jonathan Misirian 15 May 2006 The Atlantic sponsored a French philosopher to retrace Tocqueville’s travels across America. Levy’s insights are at times relevant and profound; but more often then not are reflective of his French weltanschauung. |
New Rules by Bill Maher, 228 pages Jonathan Misirian 10 March 2006 Maher's acerbic wit is on display in this brief collection of thoughts. A few laugh out loud comments are interspersed among his musings on everything from CNN to Michael Jackson. |
State of Denial (2006) by Bob Woodward, 560 pages Jonathan Misirian 11 January 2007 Masterful account of the failure of the Iraq war, voiced by the insiders themselves… Bush –who comes across as the intellectual light weight that he is, and Rumsfeld –the micromanager hawk -are shown as the main contributors to the failure in Iraq. The image of Bush and Cheney making fart jokes –during a White House meeting- while tens of thousands are dieing in the gulf –is one that sadly will not leave me anytime soon. |
Plan of Attack (2004) by Bob Woodward, 470 pages Jonathan Misirian 17 January 2007 Woodward’s 2nd volume traces the Bush administration’s internal plans to link Saddam with 9-11. The blood lust for war drove the administration to misconstrue intelligence, over play the WMD card, and cast aside any who presented a different option from all-out war. Powell is the tragic figure here, the diplomat - reluctant warrior, who sold the world the case for war with his UN speech, only to later regret his role. |
Bush at War (2002) by Bob Woodward, 400 pages Jonathan Misirian 21 January 2007 Woodward’s behind the scenes look at the planning and strategy that led to the 100 day Afghanistan War. At times compelling and moving, -especially recounting the inside events in response to the September 11th bombings of the WTC and the Pentagon. Bush’s own voice paints himself as more of a Texas Sheriff, then the leader of a bloodied nation. |
Outside is America: U2 in the U.S. by Carter Alan, 248 pages Jonathan Misirian 09 August 2005 Alan chronicles the rise of U2 within the U.S., from 1980-1992. Numerous first person interviews are combined with many published stories on the band -all of which provide insight into the earliest days when U2 moved threw 80 seat bars and clubs to selling out 20,000 seat arenas. |
Aloft by Chang-rae Lee, 376 pages Jonathan Misirian 02 August 2005 Aloft, reminds the reader that serious fiction exists. Written with a depth of prose rarely seen, Lee's narrative invites the reader to savor each line of text. Written in a similar vein as The Corrections, Aloft makes a great summer read. |
War Reporting for Cowards by Chris Ayers, 280 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 November 2005 Ayers, a 28 year old, self-described ‘war virgin’ went from being The London Times’ Hollywood reporter - to being embedded on the front lines of the US Military’s assault of Baghdad in 2003. This humorous and gritty account in the overwrought genre of war-reporting, stands out as Ayers shows the reader his spinelessness for all things manly and military. |
One Step Closer: Why U2 matters to those seeking God by Christian Scharen, 208 pages Jonathan Misirian 07 June 2006 In the growing field of books exploring U2’s religious convictions, One Step Closer, stands above the rest. Scharen’s take is unique, in that each chapter is about evenly divided between a biblical overview of a particular theme such as Love (not power), Prophecy as Judgment and Hope, Psalms as Thanksgiving and Lament, and Singing the Cross; and then a detailed exploration of the songs as well as quotes from the massive U2 discography. Scharen’s cogent overview reveals the heart that beats U2’s soul. |
Little Green Men by Christopher Buckley, 300 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 June 2006 Buckley, the satirical political novelist, and author of the critically acclaimed -though box office dud- Thank You For Smoking, uses his sharp wit to skewer Washington. Premise: a top-secret government agency behind cattle mutilations and ‘alien abductions’ is uncovered by a Tim Russert foil. |
No Way To Treat a First Lady by Christopher Buckley, 286 pages Jonathan Misirian 05 August 2006 Buckley serves up the political humor novel with the best of them. The President dies after schlepping a Hollywood movie star, and the First Lady is on trial for his death. Buckley leaves me laughing with his erudite word selection. A quick read for those looking to enjoy laughing and politics. |
Boomsday by Christopher Buckley, 318 pages Jonathan Misirian 16 July 2007 Buckley’s genius lays in his acerbic wit, and familial ability to use language to create the exact image that he wants. A master political-comedic novelist who continually makes me laugh out loud: e.g., a few years ago I was reading a short story of his about a director who was making a movie on the Royal Navy, the working title ‘Rum, Waves and Sodomy.’ Boomsday is a great summer read! |
In the Rose Garden of the Martyrs: A Memoir of Iran by Christopher de Bellaigue, 279 pages Jonathan Misirian 18 August 2005 de Bellaigue presents a first person account of modern Iran. As a young British reporter who lives in Tehran and married at Iranian, de Bellaigue portrays Iran in all of its hypocrisy and beauty. A stunning narrative of life, revolution and the tumult of modern Islam. |
God is not great: how religion poisons everything (2007) by Christopher Hitchens, 307 pages Jonathan Misirian 15 November 2007 …except the ability to write against it. Hitchens’ work is part of the modern trinity of works scortching religion, joining Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins on the best seller lists. |
The Watsons go to Birmingham – 1963 (1995) by Christopher Paul Curtis, 210 pages Jonathan Misirian 11 April 2008 Curtis wrote the draft for this, his first book, while working the automotive line at the Fisher Body Plant in Flint Michigan. In between shifts he put pen to paper and in the end won a Newbery and a Coretta Scott King award for excellent children’s literature. Set in Flint and Birmingham in the summer of 1963, this delightful story is about a family’s journey South, and their experience with racism. My son read this at school, then went on a class field trip to see this play performed at a local children’s theatre; and he recommended it to me. Wonderful. |
Chuck Klosterman IV: a decade of curious people and dangerous ideas (2006) by Chuck Klosterman, 374 pages Jonathan Misirian 04 April 2007 Klosterman, a free-lance writer for Spin and Esquire packs a 1-2 punch better then most of today’s contemporary pop-culture writers. There’s only a few authors that I’d consider buying after reading, one being Maryilynne Robinson’s Gilead, and the other, this collection of essays and stories that Klosterman penned over the past few years. His writing lacks pretension, and is packed with razor sharp insights about humanity and our entertainment culture. For those who enjoy reading about pop-culture… Klosterman IV is a must-read. |
Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a true story (2005) by Chuck Klosterman, 245 pages Jonathan Misirian 06 April 2007 Spin asked their writer to travel across the country and write a series of articles on locations where famous rock stars died. From these essays, derived this memorable account of this 16 day journey. Note: one must be love esoteric music references to understand all the ironic situations the author finds himself in. A good writer, working with average material. |
It Will Never Happen To Me; Children of alcoholics, as youngsters, adolescents, adults by Claudia Black, 183 pages Jonathan Misirian 13 May 2005 Sorting out my family, insightful overview into the roles that children play |
The Scratch of a Pen: 1763 and the Transformation of North America by Colin Calloway, 225 pages Jonathan Misirian 13 May 2006 Calloway presents a sociological overview of the effects of the Treaty of Paris upon North America. This book wasn’t concerned with the diplomatic history and the events that led to the Seven Year’s War. Rather, Calloway presents to the reader a fresh look at how this treaty brought significant change to the New World. |
Payton by Connie Payton, 237 pages Jonathan Misirian 16 January 2006 This collector’s book commemorating the life of Walter Payton is fulfilling both visually and emotionally. Lush photographs and a behind the scenes look at this great running back’s life, along with a commemorative DVD. |
Blankets by Craig Thompson, 582 pages Jonathan Misirian 01 March 2006 My skepticism vanished after reading but a few pages of this graphic novel. While comic-style literature has been relegated to kids and socially-awkward adults, Blankets elevates the art to a new level. I was unprepared for the combination of drawings and words, but was more then surprised at the power that a simple image conveyed… Thompson masterfully creates a compelling autobiography that deals with love and loss, faith and identity. |
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, 454 pages Jonathan Misirian 31 January 2005 I admit it, I came to this book with great skepticism, and immediately was drawn into the simple linear plot. An intriguing read. |
Transitioning by Dan Southerland, 240 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 March 2006 A decent read for those who have done no reading in the leadership field. Southerland lays out steps to help facilitate church growth |
The Image: A guide to pseudo-events in America (1992) by Daniel Boorstin, 335 pages Jonathan Misirian 30 June 2007 This reissued classic originally appeared in the late 60’s and is the definitive work on the rise of celebrity, the celebrity culture, and the reasons for the ‘image takes precedence over wisdom’ mentality that pervades all aspects of our current society. Boorstin’s eloquence drives this book, sadly his vision of the future is here, is entrenched and has spawned even more pseudo-events. |
Welcome to the Terrordome: The pain, politics and promise of sports (2007) by Dave Zirin, 258 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 Excellent book, documenting the intersection between sports and biting social commentary. Zirin shows the unique connection between these two realms and doesn’t hold back his criticism of our consumerist culture. Great read for all of those who love sports and who also keep their ears to the ground for sharp cultural analysis. |
The Gospel According to America: a meditation on a God-blessed, Christ haunted idea by David Dark, 166 pages Jonathan Misirian 07 November 2005 Dark desired to look at the ways that America is viewed as Christian and point out the inconsistencies that he sees. An easy task, but one that is blunted by a writing style that impedes the job. |
Americanism: The Fourth Great Western Religion (2007) by David Gelernter, 230 pages Jonathan Misirian 25 October 2007 This book was recommended to me as a 21st Century Swiftian- A Modest Proposal. The conceit: showing the hypocrisy of America –the idea- by comparing it to Jewish Zionism. Either Gelernter is rabidly on the far right, or he is brilliantly on the left. At times I didn’t know whether to chuckle or shake my head in disgust. Read for yourself and see if the author is mad or a genius. |
Dinner with a perfect stranger by David Gregory, 100 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 November 2005 Gregory presents a simple apologetic for faith in Christ, through a dinner conversation between a seeker and Jesus. |
The Edifice Complex: How the rich and powerful shape the world by Deyan Sudjic, 384 pages Jonathan Misirian 06 May 2006 Sudjic, an European architectural writer, displays his skills in this inviting and intriguing overview of the role that architecture plays in our culture and society. A mixture of architectural biography as well as a behind the scenes look at famous design competitions, Sudjic’s acerbic wit is evident in this engaging book |
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller, 242 pages Jonathan Misirian 27 June 2005 Miller's an excellent writer, who lives outside of the mainstream. He writes with an authenticity that is rare and refreshing. As he explores Christian Spirituality, he gently guides the reader into his life and heart. |
Searching for God Knows What (2004) by Donald Miller, 256 pages Jonathan Misirian 03 May 2008 Miller, the celebrated author of Blue Like Jazz, follows up with more ruminations on what it means to follow Christ. His strength is his relaxed writing style –you feel like you are having a conversation with a friend. His adept insights provide the reader with plenty to ponder, underline and internalize… excellent read. |
The Long Loneliness: An Autobiography (1952) by Dorothy Day, 284 pages Jonathan Misirian 20 August 2007 Day founded the Catholic Worker Movement which was an attempt to bring physical healing -to labor conditions which ensnared many, and to bring spiritual healing –to those laboring without hope. Day’s unpretentious prose alerts us to a heroine who’s conversion transformed her very soul. |
An Unquiet Mind by Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, 225 pages Jonathan Misirian 26 August 2005 An Unquiet Mind traces the path of manic-depressive illness in the author's life. Currently a professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, this personal account provides rich and lucid insights into the course of this illness. Dr. Jamison writes with tremendous clarity and grace. |
Rethinking Life and Death: the collapse of our traditional ethics by Dr. Peter Singer, 219 pages Jonathan Misirian 25 October 2005 Singer adeptly shows how modern technology forces societies to come to grips with the grey areas of life and death. Singer wrestles with challenging questions such as: When does life begin? Why is human life of greater worth then animal life? Singer’s most radical claim, that human life should only have a right to life, somewhere after the 28th day –after birth-, is one that draws the most criticism, and is also the one theme that he inadequately supports. |
It’s Not News, It’s Fark: how mass media tries to pass off crap as news (2007) by Drew Curtis, 268 pages Jonathan Misirian 18 July 2007 Curtis founded Fark.com as a hub where users can post junk news and then comment on it. This book is a combination of first-class media humor (jammed, with real life examples ), and slashing insight into how mediocre ‘news’ is force fed to us. For those who are sick of the slick. |
Chicago Blues: A New Collection of Crime Stories About the Real Windy City (2007) by Edited by Libby Fischer Hellman, 456 pages Jonathan Misirian 06 June 2008 Excellent collection of 21 short stories. These Chicago writers infuse elements of the Blues in with their stories of deception, gangsters, corruption, betrayal, and greed. |
The Blue Religion: New stories about cops, criminals and the chase (2008) by Edited by Michael Connelly, 374 pages Jonathan Misirian 23 May 2008 Last time I read a short story, probably high school. This collection of police short stories is a great introduction to the genre. 16 different authors assist the anthology in provide the reader with sharp writing, witty dialogue, and serviceable plots. |
The Real Toy Story: inside the rutless battle for America's youngest consumers (2007) by Eric Clark, 255 pages Jonathan Misirian 06 March 2007 The Real Toy Story, failed to live up to its hype. I had thought that this would be a great expose of the toy business, and instead it consisted of average reporting without any real mention of the 'ruthless battle' for children. No surprise to anyone that the toy industry has money as its number 1 goal. The chapters on Barbie don't provide anything more then what we already know.. icon, alien proportions, strict licensing agreements, and a lot of feminist critics....yawn. |
The old man and the sea by Ernest Hemingway, 92 pages Jonathan Misirian 09 October 2005 Hemingway's short masterpiece is an existentialist's dream. Forcing the reader to identify with the lonely fisherman and the absurdity of his life makes this novella an intriguing read. Sparse word choices and minimal dialogue show Hemingway’s skill at constructing a textured story. |
The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence For Belief by Francis Collins, 295 pages Jonathan Misirian 31 August 2006 As the head of the Human Genome Project, Collins writes with the authority of a respected scientist. The Language of God follows philosophers like Wolterstorff and Nash, yet is written for a more general crowd. Part personal spiritual discovery, part defense of theistic evolution; The Language of God shines light on the intersection of faith and reason. |
The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina by Frank Rich, 335 pages Jonathan Misirian 09 April 2007 Rich, a columnist for the NYTimes, describes the innumerable missteps of the Bush Administration, clearly making the point that the Administration’s drive to create their own reality surpassed their need for honesty. The bungling of the reasons for entering the Iraq War has been well documented in other books… For far too long Bush has chosen to be the national cheerleader, urging America forward in the fight against Terrorism, w/o bothering to ask questions like, ‘Is this the right fight?’ and, ‘How do we know when we’ve won?’ Sadly the cost of this mismanagement of the Iraq War is the lives of over 3100 American troops, and over 50,000 Iraqi civilians. |
The Brother’s Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 912 pages Jonathan Misirian 17 December 2007 One of my perennial favorites by FD. Every year at the advent of the first frost, I pick up a Dostoyevsky novel. I had wanted to read The Brothers last year, but the parallels to my life, were too striking (3 brothers –one in ministry, one in business –and the other in law enforcement- a recently deceased father, and wounds too fresh), and so prevented me from completing this masterpiece. |
Jawbreaker: The attack on Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda- A personal account by the CIA’s key field commander by Gary Berntsen, 325 pages Jonathan Misirian 07 July 2007 Berntsen was the CIA’s lead in-country commander who oversaw the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Hailed by military historians as an unparalleled military success, Berntsen provides a first hand account of the execution of the war in Afghanistan. A rugged country marked by warlords, numerous tribal factions, and impossible terrain, Afghanistan proved successful for the CIA and Special Forces, for the way they waged this unconventional war. Three themes stand out as to the cause of this military campaign: decentralizing key military decisions by field agents, a tremendous amount of cash (used to buy allegiances), and in the field advances in key acquisition and communication technology. |
Revolution by George Barna, 143 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 March 2006 Barna paints a picture of 20 million Christians disaffected with Church, who desire something more then what the Church can offer. Missing is the statistical analysis supporting his claims. |
Fundamentalism and American Culture: The Shaping of Twentieth Century Evangelicalism 1870-1925 by George Marsden, 231 pages Jonathan Misirian 30 May 2006 Marsden presents a detailed and readable account of the social/religious forces that worked to shape the movement called Fundamentalism. His analysis provides us with the foundation of the modern day ‘Religious Right.’ Marsden’s greatest contribution is in showing the complexity of the early movement; which makes me wonder why it is so narrowly defined today. |
The Gospel According to Hollywood (2007) by Greg Garrett, 174 pages Jonathan Misirian 23 May 2008 Garrett’s expansive range of movies is only matched by his insightful ability to connect deep spiritual truths, to the best and worst that Hollywood has to offer. A true fan of Film, the author brings out the Christian themes that inhabit so much of what Hollywood creates. |
Transforming Discipleship: making disciples a few at a time (2003) by Greg Ogden, 180 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 Good overview of various methods of teaching others about what it means to be a follower of Christ. |
The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the quest for political power is destroying the church (2006) by Gregory Boyd, 210 pages Jonathan Misirian 05 May 2007 The title betrays the book, in that this book is not a historical overview of American historical roots. In reality this book is a discussion the Kingdom of God and how this always counters the Kingdom of the World. A more in-depth treatment of these two competing motifs would help to strengthen this work, but regardless, it is a good first step at looking at the implications of using power and politics to advance God’s Kingdom. Boyd challenges the Christian to avoid the myths that tempt American Christians: the myth that we are a Christian nation, the myth of redemptive violence, the myth that might makes right, the myth that the end justifies the means, etc… |
Jonathan Franzen by How To Be Alone, 278 pages Jonathan Misirian 28 January 2005 A collection of articles by the author of the compelling, The Corrections. |
Teaching to Change Lives by Howard Hendricks, 152 pages Jonathan Misirian 05 April 2006 Hendricks is the dean of American Evangelical Seminarians, having taught and influenced many of today’s pastors and ministry leaders. This book is a compendium of his thoughts on the subject of teaching in the classroom. |
Saturday by Ian McEwan, 289 pages Jonathan Misirian 23 February 2006 A day in the life of a British neurosurgeon. In one 24 hour span he observes a fiery plane land at Heathrow, has sex with his wife, get caught up in an anti-war protest, is assaulted, plays squash, finds out his unmarried daughter is expecting, has his family terrorized, performs neurosurgery on the familial assailant, showers and has sex again with his wife. |
Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron, 252 pages Jonathan Misirian 11 January 2007 Cron presents a fictional account of a pastor’s discontent with his church, and his successive search for vocational meaning… St. Francis of Assisi is convincingly presented as the antidote for modern day pastoral malaise. |
When Nietzsche Wept (1992) by Irvin Yalom, 306 pages Jonathan Misirian 24 January 2007 For those passionate about the era that gave birth to psychoanalysis... When Nietzsche Wept weaves together a fictional account of Lou Salome, Josef Breuer, a young Sigmund Freud and Friedrich Nietzsche. This historical novel inter-twines these characters so that Yalom can give us his take on love, lust, marriage, life and meaning. |
The Bush Tragedy (2008) by Jacob Weisberg, 272 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 Excellent read. What separates this book from the numerous others that focus on the failure of Bush is that the author isn’t just putting forth a well-worn screed against the president. Weisberg covered Bush as a news reporter and has a great amount of respect for the man. That being said, this book delves into his psyche and really shows how little there is to be found. Bush, as we all know, isn’t an ideologue in any area, but rather is shown to be the result of familial forces, a brash will, and a center that is vaguely defined. Strongly recommended. |
The Iraq Study Group Report: The Way Forward- A New Approach by James Baker and Lee Hamilton, Co-chairs, 160 pages Jonathan Misirian 16 July 2007 Bush first rejected the formation of this bi-partisan group, then relented when political pressure came to bear on him. The ISG’s assessment of the current situation in Iraq is damning at best, and now that the report is over a year old, its themes and warnings continue to come to light. The American people, congress, top military generals in the field, and the international community have all expressed the need for a new approach, while our president continues ‘staying the course.’ |
The People’s Act of Love (2007) by James Meek, 390 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 September 2007 The People’s Act of Love is set in Siberia during the waning days of WWI. An escaped convict, a religious sect of castrates, a rouge Czech military unit, and a Communist battle group all form the central characters of this compelling novel. Reviewers scrambled over themselves to compare this work with Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. |
Shopping for God: how Christianity went from in your heart to in your face (2007) by James Twitchell, 324 pages Jonathan Misirian 07 May 2008 Twitchell, a self-described ‘apathiest’ writes from his position as a professor of advertising at the U. of Florida. His keen eye for explaining marketing trends made this book a great resource for understanding many of the advertising trends found in Evangelical Christianity. His assessment is sober, his insights are sharp, and his writing his excellent. |
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond, 427 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 February 2005 Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Diamond gives a convincing account of why some societies advance over others. Diamond answers the questions that are rarely asked? How did Pizarro over take the Inca nation? Why did Aboriginal societal development occur at a slower pace, then say in China? Comprehensive and complete. |
Sunday Money: Speed! Lust! Madness! Death! A Hot Lap Around America With Nascar. by Jeff MacGregor, 370 pages Jonathan Misirian 15 July 2006 Writing in the manner of Hunter S. Thompson, MacGregor and his wife motor-home their way across the US visiting every stop in the 2002 Nascar season. Emerging from their travels, is a book satisfies the curious and the committed Nascar fan. |
Blackwater: The rise of the world’s most powerful mercenary army (2007) by Jeremy Scahill, 382 pages Jonathan Misirian 17 November 2007 |
Jim and Casper Go to Church (2007) by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper, 170 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 An atheist teams up with a former pastor and visit 10 or so famous churches around the country. Excellent anecdotes from some of the bigger pastor names. Great insights and a delightful quick read. |
God's Politics by Jim Wallis, 374 pages Jonathan Misirian 25 March 2005 Wallis shoots both the Left -for excluding spirituality out of the public square and at the same time takes on the Right -for representing a very narrow band of moral issues. Currently on the NYTimes Best Seller List and with good reason. Our current outlets for religiously infused politics have left both sides weakened. |
The Great Awakening (2008) by Jim Wallis, 320 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 Seemed like a rehash of Walli’s God’s Politics. Little new ground broken in this mostly disappointing book. |
Waking the Dead by John Eldredge, 243 pages Jonathan Misirian 27 June 2005 Eldredge, author of Wild at Heart, returns to his similar theme of reclaiming the heart for Christ. Not as compelling as his WaH. |
The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House by John F. Harris, 504 pages Jonathan Misirian 03 March 2006 The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House Harris pulls together an insightful look into the character and personality that shaped Clinton’s 8 years in office. Both a sympathetic and unflattering Clinton emerges from the pages, which is probably the most accurate portrait of the man… His potential is only rivaled by his ability to self-destruct. A great read. |
The Innocent Man: murder and injustice in a small town (2006) by John Grisham, 368 pages Jonathan Misirian 10 July 2007 John ‘The’ Grisham’s first work of non-fiction, examines what happens in small town America, when the police, DA, and the local judge all collude to conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses, and rush to make a conviction. The result, two innocent men find themselves locked up on death row. Grisham examines the entire story, painting a picture of corruption, hopelessness, and innocence behind bars. After spending over a decade behind bars, the men are freed primarily through the work of the Innocence Project. Gripping and sickening all at the same time, The Innocent Man reveals the injustices of our judicial system in a very compelling manner. |
Into the Wild (1996) by John Krackauer, 208 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 Krackauer’s novel became a movie directed by Sean Penn. The author traces the steps of the young Christopher McCandless who leaves his well to do suburban family and hitch hikes across the country, ending up in Alaska, where he ultimately meets his demise. McCandless becomes a cult hero of sorts, the kind of wandering existentialist philosopher who embodies the freedom and spirit of adventure. |
Terrorist by John Updike, 320 pages Jonathan Misirian 28 September 2006 Updike revels in the different shades of grey that exist in our post 9/11 morally relevant society. His novel unites the lives and themes of radical Islamic cleric’s and their followers, the department of Homeland Security, a struggling painter, and an ethically bankrupt school guidance counselor… all of which leaves the reader to wonder if Updike’s didactic purpose goes too far. |
American Gospel: God, The Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation. by Jon Meacham, 399 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 August 2006 American Gospel is a gift to the polarizing debate regarding the historicity of religion’s role within America. Meacham deftly shows the failure of both the Right and the Left’s view of America’s religious roots. While both sides of the debate view the past through their skewed lenses, Meacham proposed a compelling argument for the role of religion w/n American politics. Expertly written, well documented, and truly fascinating! |
The Guards by Ken Bruen, 291 pages Jonathan Misirian 19 July 2006 My first dip into the crime-noir genre was a delightful swim. Bruen’s sparse style accentuates his word selection, making you feel as if you are reading a script to a 1940’s Bogart movie. |
The Killing of the Tinkers by Ken Bruen, 244 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 July 2006 Irish crime-noir writer Bruen’s second book in his Jack Taylor series. Taylor’s a down-and-out former policeman, who battles the bottle, his past, and memories of dead friends. Bruen’s sparse yet literate style of writing is like a Guinness: soft to the eyes and a hammer to your gut. |
The Magdalen Martyrs by Ken Bruen, 274 pages Jonathan Misirian 03 August 2006 Readers long for the mystical moment when the novel you are reading transcends into ‘literature.’ This occurs but once every dozen or so books and happily for me, did with The Magdalen Martyrs. Bruen’s style isn’t for all, reflecting the harsh conditions of the protagonist’s life. Death, street justice, drugs and death, all find there way into yet another compelling story. |
the Dramatist by Ken Bruen, 242 pages Jonathan Misirian 11 August 2006 The fourth installment in the Jack Taylor detective series, by crime-noir writer Ken Bruen. Somewhat disappointed by the now too-formulaic narrative development, yet Bruen’s style continues to impress. Sparse and acerbic, Bruen heroically brings the surprisingly sympathetic character of Jack Taylor to life. |
American Skin (2006) by Ken Bruen, 280 pages Jonathan Misirian 09 March 2007 Bruen’s back, perfecting his craft of writing sparse, literate, and violent crime noir. The genre is unique; in that for what it lacks in character development is made up in fast pace, lucid and taut writing. American Skin is Bruen’s attempt at moving the setting to the US, hence the adopting of Springsteen’s song as the title for the book. Murder, betrayal, love lost, and hard drinking...its all here. |
Calibre by Ken Bruen, 182 pages Jonathan Misirian 13 August 2007 Crime noir writer Bruen writes in a manner that makes you feel like you’ve been punched in the gut. His characters develop and speak in sparse, yet rich dialogue. This new series is set in a London police station, where the difference between the right and wrong is mostly absent. For those that like a quick read, an out-loud laugh or two, Bruen’s novels are for you. |
Vixen (2003) by Ken Bruen, 200 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 August 2007 Renegade London cops track down a ruthless killer, in this the second in Bruen’s Detective Brant series. Think The Shield, set in modern London |
Blitz, or Brant hits the blues by Ken Bruen, 268 pages Jonathan Misirian 13 September 2007 Literary crack. |
A Brief History of the Dead (2006) by Kevin Brockmeier, 252 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 March 2007 Brockmeier’s novel is set in two realities… one is the near future of those living, the other reality is the netherworld where recently deceased people ‘live’ for as long as they are remembered by those not yet dead. Brockmeier resurrects the Greek mythological Lethe, and makes the interplay between the two realities a source of rich insight |
Defending the Damned: Inside Chicago’s Cook County Public Defender’s Office (2007) by Kevin Davis, 308 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 August 2007 Davis follows a specific case, in which the defendant was charged with killing a Chicago police officer. Through the process, he receives unparalleled access to the Public Defenders strategy sessions, court hearings, and unfettered access to the family of slain officer. Davis humanizes a profession that many scorn, while shinning light on an at-times corrupt legal system. |
The Devil by Leo Tolstoy, 52 pages Jonathan Misirian 13 May 2005 Tolstoy's short stories are worth reading over and over again. The Devil is a study in the psychological affects of lust. |
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, 288 pages Jonathan Misirian 04 October 2005 Gladwell’s latest is in the same vein as his The Tipping Point, an insightful look into the world of social psychology. Blink reveals that through training our brains can make effective rapid decisions. Gladwell combines a wide variety of experiences to validate his theory of how our brains function. |
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, 247 pages Jonathan Misirian 21 February 2005 Fiction writing at its best. Gilead is the account of an elderly man writing to his young son. Gilead struck me as an American version of Turgenev's Fathers and Sons. Robinsons writes with a depth that is sadly missing from other novels. |
The Gospel According to the Simpsons by Mark Pinsky, 164 pages Jonathan Misirian 05 April 2006 Pinsky delivers a compelling study of the spiritual themes that dominate The Simpsons. His commentary is astute and refreshingly honest. A must read for all serious fans of the show. |
Tailgating, Sacks, and Salary Caps: How the NFL became the most successful sports league in History (2006) by Mark Yost, 250 pages Jonathan Misirian 12 May 2007 Yost, a sports writer, uses mostly-secondary sources for this unoriginal exploration into the fascinating world of the NFL. The NFL’s rise in revenue, market share, and viewership is truly a remarkable story; yet Yost falls victim to familiar techniques for 1st time writers: rehashing material already known, rehashing familiar interviews, and rehashing the same personalities that we are already aware of. |
Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith, 365 pages Jonathan Misirian 19 December 2005 The setting is the late 1970’s. A grisly crime occurs in Moscow. The KGB, an American executive, and a Russian detective play the main characters in this tepid novel. The author reveals the protagonist’s –Arkady- thoughts. Here’s a gem: ‘A stripped gun always struck Arkady as a cripple undressed.’ |
Spook by Mary Roach, 300 pages Jonathan Misirian 21 February 2006 The unfortunately named author pens a witty overview of her search for scientific proof of the afterlife. Roach delves into history as well as modern science and concludes her search with doubt and skepticism. |
Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs (2008) by Melody Petersen, 430 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 As an investigative reporter for The Times, Petersen presents a scathing indictment of an industry loosely regulated and focused on profits. Petersen digs deeply into the marketing of all sorts of medications and shows that the worst thing that could happen is that a disease could be cured! So to prevent a dramatic loss in profits, many companies are turning towards quality of life issues, turning them into previously unheard-of medical conditions and treating them with medication. Witness the recent ads for ‘restless leg syndrome’ or ‘overactive bladder.’ The strength of this book lies in the evidence of the dramatic increase in medication consumption, especially in children. Maybe ‘psycho’ Tom Cruise isn’t all that crazy? |
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis, 299 pages Jonathan Misirian 30 November 2006 Lewis weaves two intersecting stories: the rise in prominence and worth of the NFL’s Left Offensive Tackle and the rise of the most heralded high school player to play left tackle Michael Oher. Oher’s story is inspiring, for very few have survived the depths that were his life. An excellent read. |
The Meaning of Sports: Why Americans watch Baseball, Football and Basketball, and what they see when they do (2004) by Michael Mandelbaum, 332 pages Jonathan Misirian 01 March 2007 Professor of American foreign policy at John Hopkins University, and an avid sports enthusiast, Michael Mandelbaum follows Toffler’s overview of the three waves of civilization and identifies how our American sports leagues lines up with the agrarian, industrial, and now informational paradigms of society. A great report of the intersection of society and sports. |
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A natural history of Four Meals by Michael Pollan, 410 pages Jonathan Misirian 16 July 2006 Pollan writes masterfully. He traces the genesis of corn, beef, boar and chicken from the field to the kitchen table. His chapter on Animal Rights is truly exceptional. For those who love to read lucid writing and who enjoy eating a sumptuous meal. |
Dark Night of the Soul/Saint John of the Cross: With a new translation and introduction by Mirabai Starr (2002) by Mirabai Starr , 180 pages Jonathan Misirian 23 January 2007 St. John of the Cross, 16th Century Spanish Mystic popularized the phrase that so many of us use today. Our ‘dark night of the soul’ is that spiritual distance we feel when God seems to have abandoned us. John knew abandonment and torture, being caught up in the counter-reformation, but he also knew the love and depth that are found in the presence of God. |
Exclusion and Embrace by Miroslav Volf, 310 pages Jonathan Misirian 15 February 2006 Volf, professor at Yale Divinity School, presents the Prodigal Son narrative in Luke 15, as a model of national ethnic reconciliation. Volf writes from the perspective of Croatian caught in the midst of the Bosnian conflict. |
Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense (2006) by N.T. Wright, 256 pages Jonathan Misirian 20 April 2007 Wright is the Bishop of Durham in the Church of England and has that rare gift of being a top flight writer and a profound thinker. Simply Christian is his apologetic of Christianity. It is gripping, erudite, accessible, and engages the soul unlike most other apologetic books. |
Evil and the Justice of God (2006) by N.T. Wright, 176 pages Jonathan Misirian 05 May 2007 Wright shifts the focus from ‘why didn’t God do something to stop evil’ to ‘look at what God has done and is doing to help those in the face of evil.’ Wright is a profound thinker and lucid writer. He traces the biblical themes of God’s love for his people in the face of evil and presents a convincing look at how God –through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus –provided the ultimate answer for evil. |
Paul: In Fresh Perspective (2005) by N.T. Wright, 195 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 May 2007 Wright explores the Apostle Paul, his life and world- view. His forte is found in digging into the cultural setting in which Paul wrote and re-emphasizing the Jewish cultural and thought that captivated Paul. Another excellent treatment by Wright. |
Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole, 237 pages Jonathan Misirian 21 August 2006 Cole presents a series of principles collected from his experience as a non-traditional church planter. Cole looks at the church as a collection of individuals, not brick and mortar; and starts churches in parking lots, coffee houses and on the beach. Well written while avoiding popular models for church growth. |
Killing Bono by Neil McCormick, 358 pages Jonathan Misirian 28 January 2005 McCormick and Bono were friends in the same high school. McCormick's goal was to be in a band that changed the world. This book is an account of the failure of his dream, and the success of his friends, U2. |
In Tasmania by Nicholas Shakespeare, 370 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 September 2006 English author Shakespeare moves to Tasmania and discovers that his ancestors were of the first to bring Western culture to this remote island. Shakespeare finds that the history of his ancestors and of the country are linked together, in ways both stunning and shocking. In Tasmania, is a beautiful portrait of the country known as ‘Van Diemen’s Land.’ |
The Last Knight: The Twilight of the Middle Ages and the Birth of the Modern Era (2004) by Norman F. Cantor, 250 pages Jonathan Misirian 11 June 2007 Cantor’s brilliance lies in his passion for this time period. The retired Yale professor writes with a fluidity and mastery of the subject, that reading his work requires little effort of the reader. Cantor uses John of Gaunt as his foil to explain the transitional period of 14th century England. Most fascinating was Cantor’s discussion of historiography in the final chapter. |
Snow by Orhan Pamuk, 426 pages Jonathan Misirian 18 July 2005 Pamuk, sets his novel in the city of Kars, Turkey. A love story, a budding poet, and a local political race are all subplots to the main narrative; which is the tension between Islamicists and Reformers. There appear to be just a few Muslim countries where there is still a debate about the role of Islam. Pamuk is a Reformer, and in Snow, he makes his case. |
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (2002) by Patrick Lencioni, 230 pages Jonathan Misirian 17 March 2007 An extended parable about a team leader and the steps she took to bring her corporate team from chaos to cohesiveness. One really only needs to read the book’s final 30 or so pages, in which the author summarizes the five dysfunctions and provides steps to overcome them. |
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck, 340 pages Jonathan Misirian 09 January 2006 Buck became the first American woman to win a Nobel prize and a Pulitzer prize for literature. The Good Earth is the tale of the rise of a rural peasant family. Set in pre-revolutinary China, The Good Earth contains it all, love, loss, scandal and redemption. |
The Golden Compass (1995) by Philip Pullman, 400 pages Jonathan Misirian 10 November 2007 Pullman writes in the style of Lewis and Tolkien, however would abhor the connection to these two English writers. The author creates a mythological world, in which children are being captured by evil forces within The Church. In interviews given in the U.S., Pullman makes it clear that his desire is to use his books to destroy Christianity. |
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth, 391 pages Jonathan Misirian 01 March 2005 I suspect that this book was praised, not because of its content, but because of the potential similarity to today's political situation. A 'what if' historical account of Lindbergh ascending to the presidency in 1940, and the fear his anti-semitism brought to America. |
The Connecting Church by Randy Frazie, 248 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 March 2006 Presenting evidence from anthropology along with a pop-sociological bashing of suburbia, Frazie shows how the Church, through intentional small groups, can change the isolating trends affecting many today. |
No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam by Reza Aslan, 310 pages Jonathan Misirian 06 February 2006 Aslan details the history of Islam and provides the reader with a great overview of this religion. After reading this book, you are able to see the success and failure of Islam as it continues to develop. Aslan's approach counters Huntington's Clash of Civilization's view of Islam, and in my opinion greatly enhances the debate. |
Blind Faith by Richard Sloan, 295 pages Jonathan Misirian 11 January 2007 Sloan attempts to show the disastrous results when Faith and Medicine collide. Sadly, the weaknesses of the book outweigh the strengths… Sloan refers to the same two or three studies that back his point, and relies too heavily on anecdotal accounts for his main thesis. |
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, 198 pages Jonathan Misirian 25 July 2006 Velvet Elvis is a Blue Like Jazz for the Church. A fresh look at what following Jesus means for the Church today. Bell is a gifted story teller, able to link complex themes with everyday life. |
See No Evil by Robert Baer, 274 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 December 2005 Published a few months after 9/11, Baer’s first hand account of his career in the CIA reads both like Allen Dulles and Inspector Clueso. While, See No Evil would have benefited from a better editor, Baer’s story reveals the faults w/n the American Intelligence System, while offering slight hope for an improved future. |
Richistan: A Journey through the American wealth boom and the lives of the new rich (2007) by Robert Frank, 276 pages Jonathan Misirian 09 October 2007 I read the other day that 30% of the wealth is controlled by 1% of the people. This book details the lives of the 1%. Frank, the wealth reporter for the Wall Street Journal, takes the readers on a tour of the lives of the American Wealthy. We see their kids cringing at a $10m inheritance, 200ft Yacht owners leering in jealously at larger boats, and a couple not knowing how many people their homes employ (105). |
Imperial Grunts: The American Military on the Ground by Robert Kaplan, 421 pages Jonathan Misirian 12 November 2005 The first of planned series of books, Kaplan provides a masterful account of the fighting life of the American military. Living with Special Forces in Columbia, Philippines, Yemen, Afghanistan and Iraq afforded Kaplan unparalleled access from which he wrote a honest and gripping insiders-look at the American military in action. |
Hog Pilots, Blue Water Grunts (2007) by Robert Kaplan, 406 pages Jonathan Misirian 20 September 2007 Atlantic correspondent Kaplan, pens his second volume about the American Military. Following in the style of his highly acclaimed Imperial Grunts, Kaplan tours with the Navy and Air Force around the Pacific Rim. More then just provide a first-hand account of the US military, Kaplan delves into history and into future planning, providing the reader with a truly one of a kind look at the role of the military in the 21st Century. |
Ancient Future Faith: rethinking evangelicalism for a postmodern world by Robert Weber, 256 pages Jonathan Misirian 01 June 2006 Weber’s premesis is this: the church today is faced with a post-mdoern culture. The way to effectively combat postmodernity is to return to our ecclestiacal roots. Weber explores the ancient rites and practices of the church showing their relevance and promise for today. |
Five Skies (2007) by Ron Carlson, 256 pages Jonathan Misirian 03 June 2007 Carlson constructs a novel that deals with the true depths of the human soul. Three men working on a construction project in the Idaho summer, come to grips with their pasts and with each other. Carlson writes with an accuracy and simplicity that is sorely missing from most modern fiction. The splendid descriptions of the mountain and rivers are matched only by the themes of redemption and atonement. An excellent read! |
The Scandal of Evangelical Politics (2008) by Ronald J. Sider, 275 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 Sider, author of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, wrote this treaty in light of the crumbling of the religious right’s old guard. The strength of ‘Scandal’ is its first half, where he convincingly lays out a political philosophy that is grounded in scripture, but is absent from most of the current Christian political discourse. |
The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason by Sam Harris, 320 pages Jonathan Misirian 13 February 2006 The End of Faith: Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason Harris’ premise is that all religion is destructive and that people of any faith are at fault. Ask Pol Pot or Edie Amin how this approached worked for them. |
The Irresistible Revolution (2006) by Shane Claiborne, 367 pages Jonathan Misirian 27 March 2007 Claiborne is hard to pin down. He is unapologetically Christian and rejects most of the cultural trappings of the American church. His commitment to follow Jesus means that he makes his own clothes and shoes, lives in community with the homeless, and practices non-violence where-ever possible. Fascinating life: from living with Mother Theresa to doing an internship at Willow Creek, to traveling to Iraq. Excellent read for those dissatisfied with cultural Christianity. |
Krakatoa by Simon Winchester, 393 pages Jonathan Misirian 04 July 2005 Winchester's account of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa extends far beyond the volcanic ash and tsunamis. He chronicles every aspect of life in Indonesia, and employing the same skill that brought his, The Professor and the Madman, such success; writes a beautifully written piece of bio-investigative journalism. |
The Map That Changed The World by Simon Winchester, 320 pages Jonathan Misirian 27 September 2005 The content didn't live up to the title. Winchester, author of the sublime, The Professor and the Madman, unearthed the story of William Smith, an 19th century geologist, who’s work on sedimentary stratification helped to initiate a non-theistic world view of the creation of the world. |
Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis, 250 pages Jonathan Misirian 29 March 2006 Few comics deal with death as humorously as does Pearls… Bitter, existentialist ranting combined with minimalist comic strip art. |
Religious Literacy: What every American needs to know and doesn’t. (2007) by Stephen Prothero, 294 pages Jonathan Misirian 23 July 2007 The author of 2003’s award winning American Jesus, comes back with a book assailing American’s lack religious knowledge. I found Prothero’s argument, for mandatory religious education, compelling, especially b/c it didn’t come from the far right camp of Christianity. The book is divided roughly in half beginning with his argument for greater religious education, and concludes with an alphabetical list of religious terms and their descriptions. |
Last Night at the Lobster (2007) by Stewart O’Nan, 146 pages Jonathan Misirian 08 April 2008 Hailed as a modern story of our postmodern life, O’Nan’s gift lies in his simplicity and in his efforts to paint an accurate portrait of our way of life. A glorified short story, O’Nan follows the manager of a Red Lobster during the last shift before the store is closed. |
Off the Books: The Underground Economy of the Urban Poor (2006) by Sudhir Alladi Venkatesh, 426 pages Jonathan Misirian 04 July 2007 Professor Venkatesh lived on the near south side of Chicago for a few years, documenting the underground economy. An in-depth look at shopkeepers, pastors, gang leaders and regular people who work underneath the system, in order to make ends meet. |
Starbucked: a double tall tale of caffeine, commerce and culture (2007) by Taylor Clark, 294 pages Jonathan Misirian 27 June 2008 Rare is the book that wants you to send a note of thanks to the author, and for me, Starbucked is one of those books. For a first book, Clark writes with a sharp wit and a with a style that is truly a delight to read. Not a screed, nor an add for the company; but rather a well balanced look at this American and now international company. |
Newjack by Ted Conover, 319 pages Jonathan Misirian 31 March 2006 When the NY State Corrections refused journalist Conover access to write about the inside, Conover became a Corrections Officer. Stationed at the infamous Sing Sing for nearly a year, Newjack richly chronicles life within the prison walls. |
Ishi In Two Worlds (1961) by Theodora Kroeber, 256 pages Jonathan Misirian 19 December 2007 In 1910, a native American wandered out of the northern California wilderness, hungry and near death. Fate brought him to the University of Berkley and two young anthropology professors, who recognized him as the last Indian and the last vestige of a world nearly extinct. For the next 4 years Ishi lived at the museum and provided an invaluable ethno-linguistic resource of the Yana Indians. Written by the wife of one of the professors, this book contains a wealth of information about the closing of the frontier and the effects upon all those who lived there. |
The Exceptional Presenter (2007) by Timothy Koegel, 188 pages Jonathan Misirian 25 October 2007 Another recommendation, an excellent college level overview of speaking and presentation skills. |
Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy, 897 pages Jonathan Misirian 13 May 2005 You read Clancy for the same reason you catch an Adam Sandler movie: to temporarily put your mind on hold. |
Letters to a young evangelical (2006) by Tony Campolo, 280 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 August 2007 As America's Evanglicalism's gadfly, Campolo continues in his famous against-the-grain mode with the writing of this book. Using the conceit of writing to two young Christians, the author gives his 2 cents on every issue from Abortion to Islam. |
The Progress of Redemption by Willem VanGemeren, 474 pages Jonathan Misirian 14 July 2005 VanGemeren delivers a masterful overview of the biblical themes of Salvation and Redemption. He traces these themes throughout each book of the Bible, providing a complete and unified look at the work of Christ. |
Sahara Unveiled: A Journey Across the Desert by William Langewiesche, 310 pages Jonathan Misirian 19 May 2005 Langewiesche is an Atlantic correspondent, and the author of Unbuilding the World Trade Center. This account, traces the author’s trek across the desert. Always adept with his observations, Langewiesche provides a moving narrative of life and death in the Sahara. |
The Outlaw Sea (2004) by William Langewiesche, 239 pages Jonathan Misirian 06 February 2007 Talking with some friends about great authors sent me searching for another Langewiesche book. He narrates with superb precision and crisp writing, drawing the reader into the subject matter. The Outlaw Sea depicts the ¾ of the world as a vast, lawless, under-regulated and violent world that is foreign to so many. |
Accidents by Yael Hedaya, 453 pages Jonathan Misirian 17 April 2006 Hedaya’s first novel. A widower writer with precocious daughter falls in love with another writer, whose father dies. Set in modern Jerusalem, translated into English. |
On Beauty by Zadie Smith, 442 pages Jonathan Misirian 21 November 2005 Why do authors of modern novels feel the need to end the story w/o resolution? Smith writes a compelling story of the lives of the Besley family, set in a fictional uppity East-Coast university town. Smith’s writing talent is evident, the dialogue is natural, but the resolution leaves me empty. |