Jan 31 2011

The Narnia Code by Michael Ward

Like many evangelicals – heck, like a great many people period – my introduction to what you might call fantasy fiction was C.S. Lewis. I have read a decent amount of his writing as well as books about him.

I wouldn’t say I am quite as taken with him as some (there is an almost cultish aspect to many of his fans within evangelicalism) but I am a big fan of the Narnia series.

So when I heard about Planet Narnia by Michael Ward I was intrigued. Was there really a hidden code behind this famous series?  But the book was academic in nature not to mention long and expensive – so I never got around to reading it.

But the folks at Tyndale publishers had the bright idea to bring out a sort of slimed down introductory version called The Narnia Code: C. S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens.  I figured this was my chance to see what all the fuss was about.

Here are the basics:

Millions of readers have been captivated by C. S. Lewis’s famed Chronicles of Narnia, but why? What is it about these seven books that makes them so appealing? For more than half a century, scholars have attempted to find the organizing key—the “secret code”—to the beloved series, but it has remained a mystery. Until now.

In The Narnia Code, Michael Ward takes the reader through each of the seven Narnia books and reveals how each story embodies and expresses the characteristics of one of the seven planets of medieval cosmology—Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Luna, Mercury, Venus and Saturn—planets which Lewis described as “spiritual symbols of permanent value.”

How does medieval cosmology relate to the Christian underpinnings of the series? How did it impact Lewis’s depiction of Aslan, the Christlike character at the heart of the books? And why did Lewis keep this planetary inspiration a secret? Originally a ground-breaking scholarly work called Planet Narnia, this more accessible adaptation will answer all the questions.

Seems outrageous and interesting, right? Well, it is sort of both. I found the book interesting in concept but less successful in practice.

More thoughts below. Keep Reading

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , , , ,

Jan 30 2011

The Last Witch of Manhattan by Richard Lewis

I am a big fan of Richard Lewis. This has an interesting story behind it. As long time readers of this site might recall, I first heard of Richard Lewis when he emailed me about his upcoming book The Flame Tree way back in 2004. He politely asked if I might take a look and I agreed to do so.

I loved that book and have been reading him ever since. I have done interviews  and podcasts with him and try to keep in touch with him via email (he lives on the other side of the world).

I bring all this up to let you know I am not exactly unbiased when it comes to his writing.  But the good news is the risk reward on this particular deal leans heavily toward the reader (or should I say e-reader).

Lewis has a new book available via Amazon Digital Services called The Last Witch of Manhattan. And for a mere $2.99 it is a steal. That’s right, it is self-published. But please don’t let that dissuade you from reading this one.

Here is the blurb from Lewis:

Eldie’s mother, the last of the Balinese witches, has been abducted out of her Manhattan townhouse. Eldie’s explorer father has vanished while searching for his wife. Now somebody wants to kidnap Eldie’s invisible friend, Sam. With Sam’s help, Eldie must develop her powers in order to rescue her parents and prevent a cosmic rift. But as she discovers, her powers are dark and troubled.

Allow me to steal from a review on Amazon to sum it up:

Part supernatural, part sci-fi, part thriller, it is a complex, and might I add fresh, blend of science, Balinese and Judeo-Christian mythology centered around the proverbial clash between good and evil.

More on my take below. Keep Reading

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Jan 29 2011

The Basilisk’s Lair by R.L. LaFevers

The great review catch-up is on! Here is a quick report to kick things off …

School Library Journal:
Grade 3-5 Nate Fludd, budding beastologist, is back in an adventure even greater than his first. His Aunt Phil receives a telegram that a basilisk has escaped from the village of Bamako. The natives need her help, and soon Nate is racing on a camel, flying across the Sahara, and warding off crocodiles from a boat. Aunt Phil has two friendly weasels willing to do battle with the basilisk, and Nate’s troublemaking pet, Greasle, accompanies him every step of the way. The basilisk is terrifying, with it’s deadly venom and scales, and Nate musters all his courage to fight it and continues to wonder who freed the beast and what happened to his parents, who disappeared in Flight of the Phoenix (Houghton, 2009). Children who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed by the sequel, and those new to the series can easily pick up the story line. The action is nonstop, and the elements of fantasy, mystery, and humor will appeal to a wide audience. Murphy’s spot art and occasional full-page drawings carry the action along nicely.

I read the first book in this series of chapter books a year or so ago. When I saw The Basilisk’s Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2) at the library recently I decided to check out the second book. It made for a quick read before bed.

This one continues the theme and style of the series: new mythological beast presents new challenge; Nathaniel is not sure he is up to it; but in the end he finds a way.

Cute and well packaged series – not enough suspense or imagination for me to continue to read but recommended for age appropriate readers. (Grade 3–5)

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Jan 25 2011

The American Aircraft Factory in World War II by Bill Yenne

Most of us know that the United States was the “Arsenal of Democracy” in World War II.  We outproduced all of the combatants in all areas, including aircraft production.  American aircraft production exploded during the war.   This explosion is captured in Bill Yenne’s The American Aircraft Factory in World War II.

Yenne chronicles the growth of the American aircraft industry prior to and during World War II.  In the late 1930s, the industry was tiny compared to other countries and aircraft were built by craftsman.  Once war was declared in Europe, the industrial output began to change.  Companies were hesitant to follow the auto industry’s example of mass production for various reasons.  However, leaders in the industry were able to figure out ways to adapt mass production to the aircraft industry.  Aircraft production went from a few thousand in 1941 (total of combat and support aircraft) to more than 96,000 in 1944 (peak production year).

 Yenne tries his best to dress up hard numbers from the industry – you can only do so much with numbers of fighters, bombers, and transports that were produced each year.  The subject matter may be a little dry, but the information is worth the read.  For instance, it is interesting to learn how the companies subcontracted with each other in order to fill military requests for aircraft – it was a time when competitors put aside their competitiveness for the war effort.

It also is interesting to learn about how some of our major military aircraft corporations came into being.  Yenne describes how many of them were created by the same people who moved from creating one company and moving onto creating another one. 

This book shows one of the reasons (aircraft production) why the United States was the greatest industrial power coming out of World War II.

By Jeff Grim • Reviews • 0

Jan 18 2011

In the Mail: Where Does the Money Go?

Where Does the Money Go? Rev Ed: Your Guided Tour to the Federal Budget Crisis

Synopsis

Revised and Updated to Include the Probable Effects of the Great Recession, the Government Stimulus, and President Obama’s Health Care Overhaul

Federal debt will affect your savings, your retirement, your mortgage, your health care, and your children. How well do you understand the government decisions that will end up coming out of your pocket?

Here is essential information that every American citizen needs—and has the right—to know. This guide to deciphering the jargon of the country’s budget problem breaks down into plain English exactly what the fat cats in Washington are arguing about. Where Does the Money Go? covers everything from the country’s exploding federal debt to the fact that, for thirty-one out of the last thirty-five years, the country has spent more on government programs and services than it has collected in taxes. It also explores why elected leaders on both sides of the fence have so far failed to address this issue effectively and explains what you can do to protect your future.

By Kevin Holtsberry • In The Mail • 0 • Tags: , , , , , ,

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