About
Longtime news reporter and editor now semi-retired in Daytona Beach area. Established KingChamp Books website in 2001, active in Abebooks, Biblio.
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Reviews (7)
Nov 22, 2018
Un poco Espanol better than none
A convenient quick fix for travellers heading to Spanish-speaking areas without time to learn Spanish formally. Small format is good for hip pockets or backpacks.
Jan 03, 2009
Historical Jesus, the short version
For those who want a simplified summary of what's been going on with "historical Jesus" research in recent decades, Russell Shorto offers an engaging overview. He examines the key findings about Jesus's life, starting with his birth, boyhood, baptism, ministry and, finally, his execution. He also looks at how traditionalists have responded to the so-called radical findings of the Jesus Seminar and its allies. Even the traditionalists, he notes, have softened their insistence on some concepts, such as the Virgin Birth. I especially liked the later chapters that discuss how some clergymen are trying to introduce these relatively new interpretations to their congregations. I also liked his on-the-scene reporting that describes various shrines in the Holy Land and what their historical authenticity might be (usually slight to none.) Shorto tries to be "balanced," according to journalism's precepts, but it's easy to see that his heart is with the Jesus Seminar crowd, although I suspect he still retains some sort of belief in the Resurrection.
Jul 23, 2008
Unlearning Sunday School lessons
Most of us have a Bible sitting around somewhere, gathering dust. Why leave it to clergymen or politicians to tell you what the Bible says? Read it yourself and come to your own conclusions. Kenneth C. Davis' handbook "Don't Know Much About the Bible" is an excellent book to help you get reacquainted with the Bible and more importantly, get updated on new interpretations, translations and archaelogical discoveries that may challenge the lessons you learned in Sunday school. Davis's book almost could be subtitled: Stuff the Nuns Never Taught You. It has lots of tales about everyday life in Biblical times, including the prostitutes, concubines, adulterers and bloodthirsty political leaders. Davis is not mocking the Bible, but presenting it as an amazing collection of tales about human failings and hope for redemption. Individual books are summarized succinctly, usually laced with humor. The book's many timelines are useful. One suggestion for improvement would be to add a few maps, showing how geographic names and boundaries in the Holy Land changed over the centuries. I have ordered several copies for my church to help entice our members into deeper and more frequent Bible study.
Caution: If you belong to a denomination that asserts that every word of the Bible is somehow "true" and in perfect harmony with every other word, you may find the Davis handbook upsetting or sacriligious.