book reviews - Christian Library Journal

Hockman-Wert have compiled more than 300
contributed recipes featuring fresh produce in
Simply in Season. Divided into the four seasons
plus All Seasons, the mostly simple recipes
highlight fresh fruit and vegetables that can be
grown or bought from local farmers and farmers
markets. Entrees do include some meats, and
Mennonite style dishes are scattered throughout.
The premise is of preparing and consuming
nutritious food with minimal environmental
impact. Short notes and paragraphs through the
book ask probing questions, highlight health and
economic insights, and challenge readers to
consider how their food habits affect others.
Simply in Season presents a host of tasty and
uncomplicated recipes in a context of being
responsible toward creation, society, and one’s
health. The notes, serving suggestions, and
variations add interest to the pages. A wealth of
resources increases the book’ usefulness: a fruit
and vegetable guide, list of resources on food
production, food, faith and the environment, and
curricula about responsible eating. Included are
a glossary of cooking and preparation terms,
alternative protein listing, whole grains and
flours, substitutions and equivalents. Recipes
are indexed by title and by key ingredient.
Simply in Season presents worthwhile
information and interesting, creative recipes that
point toward a holistic view of body and earth
care.
Karen Schmidt, BA. Freelance Writer/Editor, Camano Island,
Washington.
The world's most powerful leadership
principle : how to become a servant leader
/ James C. Hunter. LCCN 2003028103.
New York : WaterBrook, 2004.
HBB, 140005334X, list price: $23.00.
658.4/092. Leadership; Leadership--Moral and ethical
aspects. 224 p. ; 22 cm.
Adult. Rating : 2.
The World’s Most Powerful Leadership
Principle describes the principles of servant
leadership and presents a 3-step process to effect
change. The author takes the slant that
“leadership development and character
development are one” and carries this theme
throughout the book.
This book is an elementary introduction to
servant leadership; it does not cover any new
ground. It is best suited for those who are
unfamiliar with servant leadership and need a
general framework for understanding its
principles. Overall the book lacks depth and
breadth in the treatment of servant leadership
and portrays a superficial view. The author does
support some of his claims about leadership
development with his own experiences and
gives a few brief references to generally
accepted management principles, but even this
does not give credence to the book.
The author fails to achieve one of his goals of
the book which was to provide some ways for
practical application of the servant leadership
principles. After having read the book, one is
still left with the unanswered question as to how
to implement servant leadership in a meaningful
way.
Shirley Copeland, Ed.D., Education Consultant, Freelance Book
Reviewer, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Serving the good and the great : the
amazing true story of Violet Liddle / Violet
Liddle as told to Mary Batchelor. LCCN
2004016140. Grand Rapids : Zondervan,
2004.
PAP, 0310253950, list price: $12.99.
941.084/092 or B. Liddle, Violet, 1922-; Women
domestics--Great Britain--Biography; Baptists--Great
Britain--Biography; Number 10 Downing Street
(London, England); World War, 1939-1945--Personal
narratives, British; Great Britain--Biography. 195 p. :
ill. ; 21 cm.
Adult (Grades 10-12). Rating : 4.
“Every small scrap of experience has come
together to prepare me for the next stage in my
life. It’s been a pattern not of my own but of
God’s making, and therefore it’s been the best.”
This heartfelt attitude is evident throughout
Serving the Good and the Great, an
autobiographical and historical look at what life
was like in England during World War II
through the eyes of Violet Liddle, a British
domestic servant. Among many of Liddle’s
remembrances and encounters the reader is able
to travel vicariously to the peaceful English
countryside manor of George Bernard Shaw, to
the bustling city of London when Winston
Churchill resided at 10 Downing Street, and
onto the contemporary movie set of Gosford
Park.
Throughout the book are subset paragraphs to
include added detail about a particular person or
situation that is mentioned in the text. Also
included is a glossary of people, abbreviations,
and terms. This helpful and thorough
information is useful when explaining
unfamiliar British terminology and would also
be helpful to a younger reader gaining accurate,
historical insight.
Called to be a missionary at the age of fourteen
Liddle constantly searched for ways to be
involved in mission work, primarily through
involvement in local church congregations.
Despite never able to pursue full-time
missionary work, it is evident that she
ministered in non-traditional ways as she
worked for some exceptional individuals, whom
she saw as ordinary people.
The story of this extraordinary woman will
inspire readers of all ages to search for ways to
be used of God where they are.
Sarah Jo Burkhead, BM. Freelance Writer, Saint Clair, Missouri.
ADULT NONFICTION
Jesus : an intimate portrait of the man, his
land, and his people / Leith Anderson.
LCCN 2004024407. Minneapolis :
Bethany House, 2005.
HBB, 0764224794, list price: $19.99.
B or 232.9/01. Jesus Christ--Biography. 363 p. :
maps ; 24 cm.
Adult (Grades 10-12). Rating : 5.
Jesus : An Intimate Portrait of the Man, His
Land, and His People is a new biography
written by Leith Anderson about the life of Jesus
Christ. This book gives detailed descriptions of
accounts written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John in the Bible, and presents them
chronologically from his birth to his last days on
earth.
The product of years of extensive research,
Jesus is an interesting and informative book for
Christians and non-Christians alike. Side notes
and detailed explanations of historical and
political issues of Jesus’ time will enlighten the
reader. Written in simple language, I highly
recommend this book for anyone interested in
learning more about the life of the man from
humble beginnings who became the greatest
man to ever walk the earth.
Sherri Myers. Freelance Writer, Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
A life with purpose : Reverend Rick
Warren, the most inspiring pastor or our
time / George Mair. LCCN 2005295661.
New York : Berkley Books, 2005.
HBB, 0425201740, list price: $19.95.
B or 286/.1/092. Warren, Richard, 1954-; Christian
biography; Protestants--Clergy--Biography; Protestant
churches--United States--Growth. 211 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.
Adult (Grades 10-12). Rating : 3.
A Life With Purpose is a brief but relevant look
at the life of Saddleback pastor and Purpose
Driven point man, Rick Warren. The author
includes an introduction into church history in
America, as well as a description of the people
who helped Warren shape his unique ministry
outlook. He addresses Warren’s ministry
experiences up to the present in a general way.
Also, a good portion of the book is dedicated to
the nuts and bolts of church growth as laid out
by Warren at Saddleback, and is written from a
decidedly pro-Warren perspective.
The book tends to be simplistic and straight
forward, but is worth reading for the solid
biographical information on Warren. Warren’s
passion and perseverance can be an inspiration
to church leaders or to a younger generation in
search of unique and authentic leaders. The
book does a good job capturing Warren’s heart
for reaching people for Jesus, and points out that
although Warren leads a mega church, he is by
no means a mega millionaire. He pours much of
the money that comes in back into the ministry
as he looks to extend their efforts internationally.
Warren’s life story has the potential of igniting
passion within the lives of those who refuse the
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