book reviews

The Man Without a Face

26/7/2018

The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin

Masha Gessen

Riverhead Books

[Second Hand Hardback]

This was a gob hanging open book, it was such a good and so educational. I am not sure how objective it was, however it was telling a side of truth that really needs to be told.

I was also delighted to learn that Masha’s quality of writing has dramatically improved since I read her Pussy Riot book.

4/5

Empowered Evangelicals

26/7/2018

Bringing Together the Best of the Evangelical and Charismatic Worlds

Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

Ampelon Publishing

[Kindle eBook]

Oldie and a goodie. This was an excellent levelheaded book. I really enjoyed how it was so practical and down-to-earth, but yet encouraging and motivating. Both authors already had my respect, so it is no surprise that I liked this book.

4/5

Starting a New Church

26/7/2018

The Church Planter's Guide to Success

Moore, Ralph

Regal

[Kindle eBook]

I didn’t like this book, it was set way to deep in American culture and was way to misogynistic for me. It did have some good points in it and perhaps for many will be well worth the read.

2/5

The Invisible Mile

14/1/2018

David Coventry

Victoria University Press

[eBook]

This is a wild and beautiful fictionalised account of a New Zealand and Australian team that rode the 1928 Tour de France. At times the prose are quite stunning and left pictures that I struggled to dislodge from my thinking. There are a lot of drugs, anger and grief in the story and this often left me feeling lost and tripping. A well written book, the end is maybe a little disappointing, but well worth the read.

4/5

Anne of the Island

7/1/2018

L.M. Montgomery

Xist Classics

[eBook]

Fun book, I kind of started to like the town of Kingsport. I also enjoyed Anne's trips home and her interactions with Davy.

3/5

Anne of Avonlea

7/1/2018

L.M. Montgomery

Xist Classics

[eBook]

Much to girly and boring for me, however I did love and grieve Mathew.

2/5

Anne of Green Gables

7/1/2018

L.M. Montgomery

Xist Classics

[eBook]

This was a lovely book, I really delighted in the character of Anne. I am not sure how realistic Anne's orphaned child personality is displayed, but still a lovely book.

3/5

Fleshmarket Close

4/12/2017

(Inspector Rebus #15)

Ian Rankin

Orion

[Secondhand paperback]

This is the best Rankin book that I have read. It followed the theme of illegal immigration and lead us through quite a realistic scenario. All the usual characters were there and at their best.

Excellent book.

A Very Expensive Poison: The Definitive Story of the Murder of Litvinenko and Russia's War with the West

4/12/2017

Luke Harding

Guardian Faber Publishing

[eBook]

Ummm, this was a fascinating insight in to the life and death of Litvinenko, it was also an eye-opening look in to the Kremlin and Russian politics. The book was well written and well presented, but with a fee spelling mistakes. At times it was a little hard to understand where the book was going, however overall it is still a very good book and one that I highly recommend.

Crucible of Fire: The Church Confronts Apartheid

2/12/2017

by Jim Wallis (Editor), Joyce Hollyday (Editor), Michael Curry (Editor)

Orbis Books

[Secondhand paperback]

Fantastic and inspirational book embracing the intersection of South African apartheid and the liberation force of the Christian Church. The text’s various sermons and interviews spark freedom in to the yet (at the time) to be fulfilled dream of parity for the people of South Africa.

An encouraging read in hindsight and a must read for people still struggling within the grips of tyranny.