This section will house book reviews until the doors of
wisdom to write my own books are fully open. The pattern which I hope to establish is
of reading repeating cycles of one Spiritual book, one Business
book, and one English book.
This is part of an overall directive
which states, in no uncertain terms, that books of mine not read
in 5 years, will be unapologetically and unremorsefully given
away. I had found myself in the unenviable position of having
well-stocked shelves of choice, well-organized books that sat
lonely and unread--close to 100 in all. At my anemic reading
rate of 1 book every 2 years, it would take me over 3 full
lifetimes to read those books. That was embarrassingly
unacceptable and precipitated my ambitious 5-year plan.
Incontrovertibly, this initiative will serve to
increase my overall knowledge, but additionally it is well-hoped
that such an exercise eases the way for the cultivation of
wisdom and prudence, sagaciousness and rectitude.
| Title:
The Spoken Word Revolution: Slam, Hip Hop & the Poetry of
a New Generation |
Authors: Mark Eleveld (Editor) & Marc Kelly
Smith (Narrator)
Date: October 10th, 2003
Length: 225 pages
Time to Read: 2 weeks
Category: Urban Poetry
Summary: Written and audio (on CD) samples of
spoken word--a new type of rhythmic poetry that has all
ready invaded many urban centers.
Analysis: Very engaging, especially the included CD
which included tracks not published in the book. It
progressed as an excellent history lesson into the origins
of this underground movement. Besides the occasional
swear, I would have to rate this very highly especially
since it inspired me to compose my own spoken word, "Love."
Recommended: Yes. Although expensive, certainly
worth the cultural education.
|
 |
| Title: The Trouble with Islam: A
wake-up call for honesty and change |
Author: Irshad Manji
Date: September 26th, 2003
Length: 237 pages
Time to Read: 1 week
Category: Religion, Islam
Summary: Mrs. Manji details her troubles growing up in
Islam's unquestioning orthodoxy and how she proposes that
Islam be changed to accommodate human rights and free
thinking.
Analysis: More than dispassionately presenting the
facts, Manji takes us on a polemic tour across the Muslim
world citing failing after failing. Her open questioning
of the full authenticity of the Koran dragged down an
otherwise logical and progressive argument. The
considerable amount of thought and research that was
invested was evident, as each point was well-supported. A
very strong blow to the Muslim 'establishment.'
Recommended: Yes. An enjoyable read without
academically religious jargon.BONUS: I had the
pleasure of hearing Irshad speak in Ottawa on October 2nd
in the Ottawa's Writer's Festival a few days after I
finished her controversial book.
Here are the pictures. |
 |
| Title: Seeking Faith: Is religion
really what you think it is? |
Author: Nathan Rutstein
Date: September 2nd, 2003
Length: 211 pages
Time to Read: 3 weeks
Category: Religion, Bahá'í Faith
Summary: A gentle look at spiritual growth and
religion's salubriousness.
Analysis: The Author takes us on a gradually
unfolding journey that begins by identifying our spiritual
needs and then calmly explores avenues to fulfill these
longings. Written in a very conciliatory and inclusive
tone, it leaves room for those at any stage of spiritual
growth to join him in his, sometimes personal, quest after
truth, meaning, and substance. Very authentic and
inspiring.
Recommended: Yes, unless you crave a more
challenging book replete with facts. |
 |
| Title: Unveiling the Hidden Words |
Author: Diana Malouf
Date: March 2003
Length: 215 pages
Time to Read: 3 weeks
Category: Religion, Bahá'í Faith
Summary: A very academic analysis of the translation
of the
Hidden Words (by Bahá'u'lláh).
Analysis: An exceptionally insightful work which
chronicles each translation from Arabic and Persian the
Hidden Words took and the norms and liberties the
translators took along the way. It has entirely changed
the way I view these words of wisdom and my appreciation
of any text that has been taken from its native script. (see
extended analysis)
Recommended: Yes, if you are prepared to tackle an
admittedly scholarly work. |
 |
| Title: The Aladdin Factor |
Author: Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen
Date: October 2002
Length: 265 pages
Time to Read: 10 weeks
Category: Self Help
Summary: How to ask for things.
Analysis: A nice thought that runs hundreds of
pages too long conveys that we
should fearlessly ask for things to materially advance.
Stuffed with anecdotes (not unexpected since this duo
also wrote "Chicken Soup for the Soul") this
mundane hodgepodge contains such banal advice as: ask politely,
ask creatively, ask in a nice voice, ask repeatedly, ask
at home, ask at school, ask at work. This was entertaining
because of the wide assortment of stories, but in the end
you would have done anything the book suggested just to
end this interminable mess. I will not go into the virtual
rejection of religious principles, advice which is
tantamount to begging and has a very materialistic slant.
Recommended: If you don't value your time there is
an insight to be gained from reading the book; but its not much more substantial then this advice,
"develop the ability and willingness to ask for what you
want in life." |
 |
Other books waiting to be reviewed: "The
Summons of the Lord of Hosts," "Gleanings
from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh," "Making
the Crooked Straight," "The
Kitáb-i-Iqan: the Book of Certitude," & "Take
on the Street." |
