Cresting the Hill

image from here

Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12)

The first month in my forties has not gone as expected.  A pandemic, crashing economies, disrupted lives, social distancing and little prospect of improvement on the horizon.  Times of trial and change are a good time to reflect; here's what I've learned through 40 years, which is (on average) half-way through this life (though there's certainly no guarantee).

1) The hardest lesson

It's not about me.  I'm continually learning this one . . . and continually failing at it.  When you look a how we react to things in life, our first thought is about self.  "How does COVID-19 affect me?" is the current question.  I'm sad because we had to cancel visits and vacations, the weeks to come are uncertain, and I miss being with people. See where my heart is?  Entirely on me and how this situation affects me.  Not on the thousands who are ill, the medical workers scrambling, the people out of jobs (or those working double time).

Our focus on self is, unfortunately, the default. In 'normal' times, we strive to accumulate: possessions, status, experiences, power, popularity, you name it.  Behind it all is this unspoken focus on self.  It's all about me.  Me me me me me.  But it's not.

Jesus sums up the law in Matthew 22:35-40:

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Love God with all you have.  Love others as yourself.  When Adam and Eve sinned, they broke fellowship with God and became evil.  We, as their descendants, are the same. But evil isn't doing the worst things we can do- instead, it is breaking God's law.  And God's law is summed up as loving God first and others as yourself.  We fail to do that every single day.  We love ourselves first and God and others maybe (or not at all).  We'll love if it's convenient, when we feel like it, or if it makes us feel good. Even when we obey God, it can be for wrong reasons, thinking to gain leverage over him through our conduct. Yes, all of our sins come down to this idea that somehow, it's about me.  That I'm in charge, and I can do as I want.  But the Lord is in charge, and it's not about me.  It remains a difficult lesson.

2) The greatest truth

Jesus loves me. Our sin and focus on self shows that we don't want God.  We want his blessing, his stuff, his approval, but not a relationship with him.  God knows we don't want him or seek him (see Romans 3). Yet- and this is miraculous- He wants us.

John 3:16: 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  

God is perfect, so he could not overlook or ignore our sin.  We, on our own, could never be without sin- and the wages of sin is death. But God wanted to be with us so much he gave his Son in our place; Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins.  He died our death for us, so we could live with him.  While we were still enemies, he endured the cross 'for the joy set before him'- being with us.  Those who have faith in God are saved, by God's grace alone.  We cannot grasp a love so deep.  

3) The joyful duty

Be a living sacrifice. In Romans 12, after eleven chapters summarizing the doctrine of the gospel beautifully, Paul tells us how to respond: be living sacrifices.  A confusing term, to be sure, but it means be continually pouring out yourself for God and others (remember the summary of the law from point 1).  He goes on in the chapter to explain how you do so: namely, by using the gifts you have been given to serve others.

We all have gifts, and as Spider-man would say, with great power comes great responsibility.  Our responsibility- our joyful duty- is not to do good so God saves us, it's the inverse: God has saved us, so we do good.  Those who believe in Jesus are saved.  And those who are saved will show it through their conduct.  "Be holy, for I am holy," says the Lord, and Jesus frequently says it this way: "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  To repent means turn away (from evil) and do what God commands, which we know is to love God and others.  We do that when we use our gifts to help others: provide for our family, encourage our friends, strengthen our coworkers.  Protect the weak.  Feed the hungry.  Heal the sick.

It's not easy.  Though saved, we remain weak in our flesh, and our members war against our inner being.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Hence, we fail- often- and we're commanded to forgive each other- often. We confess, we repent, and keep going. Thankfully, God equips and strengthens us to do this work.  He works in us, and without him we can do nothing.  So it's not a matter of working our way into his good graces, but resting and trusting in him as we use the gifts he has given us to serve him and others.

Concluding Thoughts

Whether I'm halfway through my life or near the end, like John Newton, I increasingly see the end of the matter:

"I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."

Those two truths explain everything in the world.  They're both fundamental, yet we all need to spend our lives reminding ourselves of them.  And note, the truths of life are not age- or situation-dependent.  Our condition, God's love, and our resulting responsibilities don't change.  Being 40 doesn't change it.  COVID-19 doesn't change it. The mandate to be a living sacrifice through using our gifts to serve others doesn't come with a proviso like "until you retire" or "unless you get sick."  It's a lifelong charge.

Now, how we use our gifts to serve others may change, because our gifts and situations will likely change.  My body at 40 cannot do what it did at 20. Physical/mental decay and infirmities may render us unable to perform what we once did, forcing us to help in new ways. COVID-19 may alter our lives for months (years?) to come, forcing many to adjust plans and change how they serve others.  Yet the overall mandate is clear, from Ecclesiastes 12:13:

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  

The responsibility remains unchanged, the challenge remains daunting, but our hope remains sure, for nothing can separate us from God's love. 

Germany: Memories of a Nation (Neil MacGregor)

In Germany: Memories of a Nation, Neil MacGregor (former director of the British Museum) walks us through German history using objects (art, buildings, literature, money, etc.) from its past.  As such, this is not a chronological, nor complete, walk through time.  Instead, it is a series of independent (yet interrelated) chapters, each giving insight to a different aspect of German history, language, and culture.  And it is outstanding.

I've read a handful of books are different parts of German history, but sought something more comprehensive.  MacGregor pulls off an impressive feat: he manages to paint a picture of a land, making the reader understand its people and past, without the standard approach to these topics.  Illustrations abound (I'd estimate 40% of the 560 pages are pictures), helping the reader track the discussions. I learned a lot, and now have a desire to visit some of the objects discussed.  But be warned: this is not for those who need a comprehensive historical recap.  For example, World Wars I and II aren't discussed in any detail, save through things that revisit the horrors and legacies of those times.  You won't learn details of what caused WWI, how Hitler came to power, and the like.  But what you do get is a series of 'cameos'  (as one reviewer put it) that give perhaps more insight into Germany than a dry retelling of events as they occurred.  If you read one book on Germany, read this.

Rating: A

The Shadow Rising (Robert Jordan)

Rand al'Thor is holed up in the fortress at Tear after proclaiming himself the Dragon Reborn.  As he pores over ancient texts seeking prophecies, a surprise attack shakes him to action, and he sets off with Egwene, Moiraine, Lan and Mat to the Waste, where he seeks to enter the forbidden city of the Aiel and learn its mysteries.  Meanwhile, Perrin, Loial and Faile return to Perrin's childhood home of Emond's Field, looking to help the people ward off both the increasing Trolloc attacks and the mistrusting White Cloaks (who are looking to arrest Perrin).  And Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom, and others go to Tanchico, where dreamwalking tells them the Black Ajah await- with a plot to enslave Rand. In all cases, the heroes face insurmountable odds and hopeless situations . . . who will prevail?

The story remains good, but chinks are starting to show.  Some uneven pacing leaves some events and characters insufficiently explored while others get far too much treatment.  The visions and dreamwalking got confusing and hard to follow in places.  Still, there were interesting plot twists (totally unforeseen in some cases) and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Rating: A-

The Top Ten: Games

There's a lot of good in games. I've played (and reviewed) over 100 games on this blog (see the main games page), and it remains a life goal to design one.  That said, choosing my top ten was exceedingly difficult, perhaps because it's possible to 'solve' those you play too frequently.

Solving a game means that players may find a strategy that's more likely to work than others, and default to that.  This creates "strategic collapse:" one or two options are clearly superior.  Since good games need meaningful choices, obviously better strategies reduce the experience: the choice is no longer meaningful.  It becomes a race to see who can execute the known strategy first.  Characteristics of Games does a good job explaining this.

In today's saturated games market, it's easy to play a game only a few times and not explore it enough to detect such a flaw (if one exists).  But the more you play, the more you might notice.  And games get boring fast once they're solved.  Many board game fans play each game surprisingly few times, in part for this reason.

Enough about this; on to the list.

1. Magic: the Gathering

Produced: 1993-present
Magic defined a genre and launched the collectible card game craze of the mid-90s.  Impressive that it's still going strong almost 30 years later.  I play Magic more than any other game; it gets around the 'solved' problem by consistently releasing new sets of cards that change the options. I like this game so much I recently started another blog dedicated to it.

2. Star Wars Miniatures

Produced: 2003-2010
I have many good memories playing Star Wars Miniatures with friends over the years, during its run and since.  Another collectible game, this one focused on building squads of Star Wars characters and sending them against your opponent(s) in battles to the death.  Several maps (each showcasing a different world familiar to the Star Wars universe) varied the experience, as did the squad customization.  I even participated in two Star Wars Miniatures German Championship tournaments.  (I did really poorly in both.)

3.  Clank!

The objective of Clank! is straightforward: get into the dungeon, get a lot of treasure, and get out before the dragon kills you.  It's also a deck-building game, which means you buy cards on your turns to be shuffled into your deck and used in future rounds.  The cards help you navigate the dungeon in different ways, so buy wisely.  Clank! is a lot of fun and has released several expansions/variants over the years after its initial release in 2016.

4. Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a tile-laying game with elements similar to Carcassonne (see 9 below).  But rather than a blind draw, Isle of Skye has an interesting bidding mechanic that helps you get the tiles you want (or price them away from your competition), and you're each constructing separate maps (rather than contributing to one big one).  This 2015 release is a lot of fun and worth a look.

5. Pandemic (and variants)

Four strains of viruses are taking over the world, and it's up to you and your team to stop them. This is a cooperative game, meaning you're all on the same team fighting the game itself.  That in itself is a lot of fun.  But the other thing I enjoy is its system- each turn, you get 4 actions (you can move, cure viruses, or do other things based on the character you have).  This "action point allowance" system is (to me) a great mechanic and enables meaningful decisions every single turn.  And the viruses spreading each turn is a naturally suspenseful concept that keeps everyone engaged and on their toes.  Since this initial offering in 2008, many variants to this system have been released, looking at different themes (like science fiction and history), all with variations on the same core mechanics.  Check this series out, unless the theme hits too close to home at the moment.

6. 5-Minute Dungeon

This 2017 "real-time" (nobody has turns, everyone goes at once) cooperative experience lasts only five minutes and is frenetic fun for kids and adults alike.  The goal is to get through a 'dungeon' (a stack of 'boss' and 'minion' cards) in five minutes or less.  You do this by playing card(s) from your hands with symbols matching the type and number on a given enemy card.  Once met, the enemy is discarded, allowing you to face the next.  As soon as you play a card, draw a card.  It's fast and fun.

7. Fantasy Realms

In concept, it's very simple.  Draw a card (from the discard pile or draw deck), discard a card. When there are 10 cards in the discard pile, the game is over. Then, points are tallied: each card gives more bonuses (or penalties) for the other cards in your hand.  This 2017 offering is simple but offers depth.

8. Bang! The Dice Game

Toss-up here between this 2013 party game and King of Tokyo.  Both are fast-moving "take that" games that are really fun.

9. Carcassonne

Released in 2000, this is one of the trailblazing games that helped make tabletop gaming 'mainstream.' Carcassonne is a tile-laying game: draw a tile, add it to the common map, place your meeples, and score points based on certain features as they're completed.  A nice concept, done well.

10. Dragonwood

I was torn between this 2015 game and Tournament at Camelot.  Both are card-based games with twists, and both are excellent.  In Dragonwood, your goal is to defeat monsters by attacking them with combinations of cards and dice rolls.  It's a simple concept done well, and my kids love it.  I do, too.

Honorable Mention: Star Wars CCG

Produced: 1995-2001
This card game needs to be mentioned because it changed my life, for better or worse.  I had a starter deck when it came out, but didn't do much with it.  Fast forward to college.  The year was 2002, and the game had just announced its end.  Sellers were scrambling to sell off their stock, and I saw booster boxes for as little as $10-$20 (they had been $70+ retail).  I scooped them up, resulting in the largest package I've ever received (I still remember my mom's disapproving look when it arrived).  I amassed a huge collection, and randomly met someone at Penn State who played.  We would end up playing every Sunday afternoon, and it was awesome.

Like Magic, Star Wars CCG is a customizable game where you build a deck of cards and duke it out against your opponent.  (It's one of the few games that gave Magic a run for its money in the mid-90s.)  Unlike Magic, this game really isn't that great- it had several significant flaws that make it clear (in hindsight) that its days were numbered.  I still maintain a small collection, but have sold most of my lot- thankfully, for amazing prices, as there's still a healthy (if small) fan base that has driven demand way up.

Flaws aside, it had enough good qualities about it to find a special place in my heart, and for that, it deserves inclusion.  Fun fact: the company that produced it, Decipher, was making cards before the prequel movies and much of the Star Wars Expanded Universe had been released.  As a result, the company was given the freedom to create some characters (or name the obscure ones in the movies).  Their decisions would become 'canon' until Disney scrapped the EU.

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Happy gaming, everyone.

The Top Ten: European Travels

We've lived in Europe for just over eight years total: 2007-11 (Germany), 2011-14 (England), and 2018-present (Germany).  While we never traveled much in the USA, our European excursions have been numerous.  And why not?  Europe is so much smaller and easier to navigate, with breathtaking scenery, history, and culture.  Below are our top ten European destinations.

The Swiss Alps

1. The Alps

The Alps are hands-down our favorite place.  On Earth.  We've visited parts in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, and hope to explore the French and Italian portions of this beautiful mountain range if God permits.

2. The Ruined Abbeys of England

When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, he unwittingly established dozens of picturesque ruins popular with tourists today.  My favorite is Rievaulx Abbey, but they're all a peaceful reminder of what's permanent in this world- and what isn't.

3. Krakow, Poland

Experience a roller coaster of emotions with a trip to Krakow.  Visit nearby Auschwitz for a sober reminder of humanity's evil, then tour the salt mine for one of the most impressive sights you'll ever see.  Spend your other days enjoying the city's castle, numerous churches, and outstanding food.

4. The Rhein River region

A local specialty, I could happily wander the vineyards, forests, and castles of the Rhein river for weeks.  We do drives like this frequently.

4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber

A well-preserved Medieval walled town, we've visited this city more times than I can remember.  It's touristy, yes, but authentic and a great day out.

5. The Scottish Highlands

We did this twice: as a family trip, and just me and my brother. Beautiful and desolate . . . I loved visiting, but am glad my ancestors left.

6. Wales

A trip to South Wales remains one of my favorite trips from our time in England, and the castles of North Wales are spectacular, too.

7. Prague, Czech Republic

Eastern Europe is magical, and Prague is one of the best places to experience it.

8. The Forests of Luxembourg

The Mullerthal region of Luxembourg has such lovely forests and rock formations.

9. Brugges, Belgium

The Venice of the North, it's possible- and advisable- to eat nothing but waffles during your entire stay.

10. Verdun, France

Traveling isn't all about enjoyment; it's also important to visit sites reminding us of the sacrifice of those who came before.  This WWI battlefield is the most haunting I've ever seen (from either World War) in Europe, and that's saying something.  I'd also recommend visiting war cemeteries (in Belgium or Luxembourg).

The Top Ten: Books (Misc.)

I was debating how far to take my "top ten" series in books, having already covered a fair amount of ground (see previous posts).  I'll just wrap up "miscellaneous" as my last topic, touching on all categories I've missed so far or didn't read enough of to warrant separate entries.  The below selections may be fiction, mystery, graphic novel, star wars, gaming, thriller, etc.  Those read in my "pre-blog" days won't have links.  Regardless of genre, check these below titles out.

image from here

1. The Watchmen (Alan Moore)

Don't be fooled: graphic novels aren't just for kids or dorks.  Crafting a story with words and pictures, beautifully interwoven, is no small feat.  I've read a lot of graphic novels (mostly in the Star Wars or Batman vein), and The Watchmen is outstanding, thought-provoking, and an interesting look at man's quest for meaning.  Other excellent graphic novels: Batman: Black Mirror and Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison.

2. Angels & Demons (Dan Brown)

I read this book (set in Rome) while touring Rome, and it made a great trip even better.  Brown has come under fire for his works (especially The Da Vinci Code), but he's an excellent writer, and his thrillers are page-turners like few others I've ever read.  And, they're fiction, which is why I don't get worked up about them.

3. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Agatha Christie)

If you've never read Agatha Christie, shame on you.  She is the queen of mystery for a reason. Her books are short and brilliant.  This is one of her best.

4. Endurance (Alfred Lansing)

Is this a history book?  Leadership volume?  It's hard to say; many view it as the latter.  Regardless, this account of Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose ship was stranded in the Antarctic one hundred years ago, is an unbelievable story of . . . endurance.

5. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Seth Grahame-Smith)

Grahame-Smith's style is unique: he mashes history, fantasy, the bizarre, and the macabre into gripping fictional tales. And I can't put his books down.  (I still remember reading Unholy Night in one day.)  This tale pits the famous American President as out for revenge against vampires who killed his parents (I think; it's been a while).  The sequel was also good.

6. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (John le Carré)

Perhaps the best spy novel I've read, this is about a British agent during the Cold War (1960's).  I also recommend Fatherland by Robert  Harris (his is set in a 1960's world, but where Germany won WWII), and The Red Fox by Anthony Hyde (1980's, looking at the Anastasia legend).

7. The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes stories are always excellent; The Hound might be the best.

8. Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett) 

Dealing with the construction of a (fictional) cathedral over generations, Pillars of the Earth is excellent, if at times unnecessarily graphic, historical fiction.  The sequel (World Without End) is set in the same world, deals with the time of the plague, and is also good.

9. The Thrawn Trilogy (Timothy Zahn)

I've read over 100 Star Wars books in my life.  Almost all of them in my pre-blog days, and most of them are pretty bad.  But they're "safe" books: worlds of adventure with no graphic or inappropriate material.  But the Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn turned the Star Wars universe on its head, introducing great new characters (like Grand Admiral Thrawn) and kicking off a tidal wave of books, comics, and video games set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (EU).  Disney nullified this EU when they bought the franchise, but Zahn's books have stood the test of time.

10. Game Design Workshop (Tracy Fullerton)

There's a lot that goes into designing a game.  I read a few selections in 2018, and this book (along with Richard Garfield's Characteristics of Games) stands out as the best in the genre.  It's given me the terminology and tools necessary to design my own game, and helped me appreciate games that much more.

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Reading matters.  On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior looks at why; check that out, too.

The Top Ten: Books (Leadership)

Having served as a leader in various organizations and roles over the years, I've come to appreciate just how difficult it is.  (I reflect on the reality of leadership here).  One invaluable resource for leaders is other leaders, as many good ones have shared their experiences in books.

image from here

The below selections are my favorite books concerning leadership.

1. The Path Between the Seas (David McCullough)

I tried not to repeat any titles in my 'top ten' lists this month, but this book is just too good to ignore (it appeared on my history list, too).  The myriad leaders involved in this project is an excellent case study; I look at them at a high level here.

2. Conviction to Lead (Albert Mohler)

Mohler gives 25 principles (or characteristics) of leaders.  Very helpful and informative.

3. The Essential Drucker (Peter Drucker)

Drucker wrote for over 60 years about leadership; this book is a collection of texts summarizing his insights.  He was amazingly prescient in several respects.

4. Storied Leadership (Keith Martel)

Martel looks at leadership as a relationship that emerges in a narrative context.  Very well done.

5. TED Talks (Chris Anderson)

Leaders must know how to speak (I summarize public speaking here).  Anderson's book is an excellent overview on the topic, as he shares insights from the world-renowned TED speakers.

6. The Dilbert Principle (Scott Adams)

A brutally honest, hilarious, and valuable look at leadership.  We're all idiots- even leaders.

7. Good to Great (Jim Collins)

Collins and his team studied 1000 companies, then focused on 15 that went from mediocre to amazing and identified common characteristics.  Very interesting stuff.

8. Patton on Leadership (Alan Axelrod)

Axelrod takes 183 sayings from Patton in this choppy, yet valuable, resource.

9. Monday Morning Leadership (David Cottrell)

Written as a series of eight (fictional) counseling sessions between mentor and mentee, Cottrell's book is a good and quick read.

10. The Tipping Point (Malcolm Gladwell)

Gladwell looks at little things that make a big difference, discussing his three rules in this vein.  Quite interesting.

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My main leadership page has more books, organized topically, for those interested.

The Top Ten: Books (Fantasy)

I dislike science fiction but love the fantasy genre (this book helped me understand why).  At its best, fantasy acknowledges and incorporates the supernatural into its tales and teaches wisdom through story.

Minas Tirith from The Lord of the Rings (image from here)

I have high hopes to plow through several noteworthy (and lengthy) fantasy series someday, but the below selections I've already enjoyed are worthy of your time.

1. The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien)

This trilogy set the standard for the genre.  Impossible to omit from any 'top fantasy' list.

2. The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)

The book whose popularity encouraged Tolkien to write The Lord of the Rings.  More suitable for children than its successor.

3. The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)

The seven-book series with overt Christian symbolism, these stories are filled with both adventure and wisdom.

4. The Warlord Trilogy (Bernard Cornwell)

Perhaps the only 'historical fantasy' I've ever read, Cornwell's take on the Arthurian legend is a must-read.

5. The Harry Potter Series (J.K. Rowling)

These seven books made many kids (and adults) learn to love reading.

6. The Once and Future King (T.H. White)

Another book on Arthur; this one is at times whimsical and always outstanding.

7. The Eye of the World (Robert Jordan)

I'm currently on book four of the 14-book Wheel of Time saga; book one sets a high bar for what followed.

8. The King Arthur trilogy (Rosemary Sutcliff)

This classic telling of the Arthurian saga- suitable for children- is a delight for adults as well.

9. Ivanhoe (Sir Walter Scott)

I have a page dedicated to Robin Hood . . . I should have at least one Robin book in my top ten.  I've never read a top-notch telling of the legend, though I've enjoyed several good ones (Robin McKinley's Outlaws of Sherwood and Henry Gilbert's Robin Hood come to mind).  But for my vote, I'm going with Ivanhoe.  This tale features Robin more on the sidelines, and may not be considered fantasy (rather, historical fiction), but I'm going with it; it's a fun read.

10. The Arthur Trilogy (Kevin Crossley-Holland)

Detecting a theme in my list?  Yes, I like King Arthur stories.  Crossley-Holland's trilogy (The Seeing Stone, At the Crossing Places, and King of the Middle March) follow two Arthurs: one living in ~1200, and the other "famous" one living seven centuries earlier, whose exploits are visible to the former through a seeing stone.  Very well done young adult fare.

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Read a fantasy book- or seven- this year.

The Top Ten: Books (Literature)

What's the difference between fiction and literature?  I googled (here and here) and asked around . . . the consensus appears to be that:
fiction = easy/shallow entertainment
literature = symbolic, deep, possibly strange, probably old

scene from David Copperfield (image from here)

With that in mind, I present my favorite literary works below.

1. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)

It clocks in at 1000+ pages, but it's worth it.

2. David Copperfield (Charles Dickens)

This is Dickens' own favorite work; read it and see why.

3. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoevsky)

I read this in my pre-blog days, so no review on here.  It's my first and favorite Dostoevsky novel.  Contains deep (and disturbing) thoughts.

4. The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis)

Does this count as literature?  It should.

5. A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)

Another Dickens work . . . love the eloquence and message.

6. The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare (G.K. Chesterton)

I've read this multiple times.  Made me fall in love with Chesterton's works.

7. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson) 

Interesting thoughts on the human condition.

8. Dracula (Bram Stoker)

*Love* this one.  Read it every few years.  Quick, gripping read.

9. Animal Farm (George Orwell)

Communism- bah.

10. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë) 

Back when I was focused on my "British Reading List," I forced myself to read a few 'girlie' books.  I really liked this one.  (My overall recommended works from that reading list are here).

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There you have it, folks.  Literature.

The Top Ten: Books (History)

History is "the study of past events, particularly in human affairs." (source)  We look to theology to explain the general condition of man; history tells us how that condition has specifically manifested itself over the centuries.  And it's of tremendous importance.

the black plague; image from here

Living in three countries during my life, I've seen firsthand how history defines a people and shapes its outlook.  We use history to avoid the horrors of the past, rectify wrongs (where possible), understand the present, and shape the future.  So, we should eagerly study it.

A good history book is as gripping as good fiction. The following selections are among my favorites in this genre.  I present broad surveys first, then go chronologically. As I've looked at my favorite books on war separately, none of those selections will be repeated here.

1. The History of the ___ World series (Susan Wise Bauer) 

Bauer's trilogy (History of the Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Worlds) covers world history from antiquity to 1453 with a straightforward, informative, and fair delivery.

2. Europe, a History (Norman Davies) 

Davies covers European history from antiquity to the mid-90s.

3. Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs (Barbara Mertz) 

Mertz's account of thirty ancient Egyptian dynasties is both scholarly and accessible.

4. A Distant Mirror (Barbara Tuchman)

Tuchman looks at the major events (mostly disasters) of the 1300s with her characteristically outstanding prose.

5. Black Count (Tom Reiss)

This award-winning biography of Alexandre Dumas' father (a general under Napoleon) is fascinating and informative not just on the man, but the times (it covers the late 1700s-1806).

6. Undaunted Courage (Stephen Ambrose) 

The story of Lewis and Clark's journey (1804-06), masterfully told.

7. Destiny of the Republic (Candice Millard)

Millard's look at the state of medicine and politics in 1881 America (she focuses on the James Garfield assassination) is hard to put down.

8. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (Edmund Morris) 

Morris covers the first part of Roosevelt's life (1858-1901) in the first book of his biographical trilogy.  Excellent work.

9. The Path Between The Seas (David McCullough)

The history of the Panama Canal (built 1870-1914) is a fascinating study of leadership as well.

10. Nicholas and Alexandra (Robert K. Massie)

Poignant and moving look at the last Tsar of Russia (focuses on his reign: 1894-1917).

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Some people view history as a dry subject for aloof academics or annoying know-it-alls; don't make that mistake.  Read a few- or many- history books this year.

The Top Ten: Books (Religion)

Don't be fooled; we're all religious.  We all have beliefs that drive our conduct, whether they're codified and confessed by a community or individually developed. And since everyone is religious, it's important to think on what you believe and why.

I've reviewed over 100 books in this category on this blog; the below selections have been very helpful to me as a Christian.  For those unfamiliar with Christianity, one good summary is All Things New.

1. Prodigal God (Timothy Keller)

Keller looks at the familiar parable of the prodigal son to explain how each of us is one son or the other- and how each needs the father's love and grace.  Poignant and humbling.

2. The Canon of New Testament (Bruce Metzger)

Christians hold the Bible as God's Word; how did it come to be?  The Old Testament was established by Jesus' day, and He accepted it.  What about the new?  Bruce Metzger looks at this in-depth in his excellent book.  F.F. Bruce's book on the Canon of Scripture is also excellent.

3. Saving the Bible from Ourselves (Glenn Paauw)

Paauw argues that Christians over the generations have developed several poor habits in how we approach and read the Bible, and offers suggestions how to improve.

4. Christianity's Dangerous Idea (Alister McGrath)

The Reformation, launched just over 500 years ago in Germany, changed the way Christianity was understood and practiced for millions.  And it keeps changing today. Behind it all was a dangerous idea- that people had the right (and responsibility) to study God's word for themselves.  There was value and danger here, and McGrath does a good job looking at both in this history of Protestantism.  For those looking for a more general history of the Church, check out The Story of Christianity (Justo Gonzalez).

5. Systematic Theology (John Frame)

The Bible isn't organized systematically.  That's fine, but there can be confusion and dissension among differing denominations over the centuries on how to interpret the Bible on a given issue.  Frame writes clearly and well as he looks at common doctrines systematically, i.e. looking at different scriptures on the same topic and forming conclusions accordingly.  Very well done.

6. Faith Speaking Understanding (Kevin Vanhoozer)

Vanhoozer's work looks at the importance of understanding Biblical doctrine so well that we can apply it to all of life; after all, our beliefs are not merely propositional (intellectual), but dispositional (determine our actions).

7. Fallen: A Theology of Sin (Various)

We are fallen people- sinners.  Our culture today increasingly rejects that notion; many believe man is inherently good.  This book looks at sin- what it is and what to do about it.  Highly recommended.

8. No Future Without Forgiveness (Desmond Tutu)

There is evil in this world (and in each of us).  How do we live with it?  In this work, Desmond Tutu looks at dealing with the Apartheid, and how South Africa chose to pursue truth and reconciliation.  We all need forgiveness; there's no future without it.

9. Extravagant Grace (Barbara Duguid)

"God's glory is displayed in our weakness," reads the front cover.  Indeed.

10. The Soul of Science (Nancy Pearcey)

Scientists are just as religious as everyone else, and our worldview determines how we approach everything- even seemingly objective topics.  Pearcey's book is an outstanding analysis of the history of human thought behind science.

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It was hard to choose just ten . . . so many good authors (G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and others) could easily have places here.

You're religious; know your religion!

The Top Ten: Books (War)

I've reviewed over 500 books on this blog. Choosing an overall top ten is impossible, so I'll break it down by category.  Today's focus is books about wars (or events related to them).

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War is horrible, disastrous, undesired [by most], yet occasionally necessary.  It's important to understand conflicts both ancient and modern, as they reveal the causes, horrors and toll of fighting, and explain a good deal about the modern world.  The below are all masterfully written accounts, presented chronologically (by date of  conflict discussed).

1. The Crusades (Thomas Asbridge)

Thomas Asbridge covers about 200 years (1095-1291) of the wars in the holy land between Christian and Muslim forces.

2. The Thirty Years War (C.V. Wedgwood)

This conflict (1618-1648), fought largely on German soil by non-German forces, impacted Central Europe for centuries.

3. World War I: The Definitive Visual History (Smithsonian)

This visually-based history is a masterful overview of the conflict.

4. The Guns of August (Barbara Tuchman)

A riveting account of the first month of WWI.

5. All Quiet on the Western Front (Erich Maria Remarque)

A German soldier's perspective on the western front in WWI.

6. World War II: The Definitive Visual History (Smithsonian)

Another excellent, graphical overview from the Smithsonian.

7. With the Old Breed (E.B. Sledge)

This Marine's account of his time in the Pacific theater of WWII was called "one of the most arresting documents in war literature."  It's a must-read.

8. Helmet for my Pillow (Robert Leckie)

Another Marine's account of the Pacific in WWII, Leckie's writing is eloquent and poignant.

9. The Hiding Place (Corrie Ten Boom)

A Christian's tale of helping to hide Jews from the Nazis.  She'd end up in a camp for her efforts.

10. Night (Elie Wiesel)

A Jewish account of the horrors of the concentration camps.

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Don't love war, but understand it, that we might learn from the past and avoid folly in the future.  “The world is full enough of hurts and mischances without wars to multiply them.” (J.R.R. Tolkien) 

The Top Ten: Movies

This is a banner month for me (I turn 40).  Milestones are good times to reflect, so I plan to spend the time looking back on my favorites in several areas of life.  First up: Movies.

I prefer movies to television- you have more time to tell a complete and developed story, without external factors that can hamper TV series (like actors leaving mid-series or popularity driving writes to continues seasons well after the story's been told).  A good movie should edify the viewer by inspiring, educating, and/or entertaining.  We should know more and want to be more after watching a good film.

The below selections, presented in no particular order, are well worth your time.

1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy

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"Authority is not given you to deny the return of the king, steward." - Gandalf

The classic saga of Frodo Baggins and his companions in their quest to destroy a ring (and Sauron with it) has everything you could want in a film (or series of films).  Action, adventure, suspense, strong messages, enchanting worlds, beautiful music throughout- I was extremely happy with Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved novels.  Though the third film (Return of the King) took home many of the awards, the first film (Fellowship of the Ring) is my favorite. Visit my LOTR page for more information.

2. The [Original] Star Wars trilogy

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"Do or do not.  There is no try." - Yoda

I was enchanted by Star Wars as a young child, and have remained so all these years.  Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, R2-D2, the dreaded Darth Vader and (of course) . . . spaceships!!  Though the prequel trilogy and sequel trilogy failed expectations in many respects, the originals- made in 1977-83, mind you- continue to stand the test of time in production quality, effects, and music.  Their influence on pop culture and film-making is profound. My favorite of the bunch (overall) is A New Hope, though my favorite scene remains the space battle in Return of the Jedi.  Visit my Star Wars page for more information.

3. The Dark Knight trilogy

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"People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy." - Bruce Wayne

I still remember the day.  It was 2005, I was sitting in the theater unaccompanied to watch Batman Begins.  I had extremely low expectations- the previous two Batman films, released a decade prior, were unmitigated disasters.  But I was blown away by Christopher Nolan's vision of the Dark Knight.  Every aspect of this film was amazing. It's my favorite of this set, though the two further offerings would continue the trend of excellence (I reflect on those here and here).  Highly, highly recommended.  But not for children- there's some dark stuff here.

4. The Marvel Cinematic Universe

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"We need a plan of attack." - Captain America
"I have a plan: attack." - Iron Man

I depart from trilogies to present . . . a 23-film sequence.  Impressive in scope and execution, I ruminate on the MCU as a series here. Though they're not all stellar, the vast majority of these films were done well and impressively woven into an overall story arc.  It's an accomplishment ten years in the making, but it was worth the wait.

5. Amazing Grace

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"Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." - John Newton

I have yet to review this film on the blog, but Amazing Grace is a must-watch, telling the story of William Wilberforce and John Newton as they battle an unwilling society to abolish slavery in the British Empire.  Newton saw the evils first-hand, as he was a former slave ship captain who repented (and later wrote Amazing Grace).

6. Invictus

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"We have to surprise them with compassion, with restraint, and generosity." - Nelson Mandela

Another movie I have yet to review. Nelson Mandela experienced horrors in his life, as did other black people in South Africa.  But when Apartheid ended and Mandela was elected President, his focus on reconciliation was a lesson in forgiveness, humility, and love we'd all do well to understand and emulate.  Watch Invictus.

7. Chariots of Fire

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"You're the proud possessor of many gifts, and its your sacred duty to put them to good use . . . Run in God's name, and let the world stand back and wonder."

A 1981 film Chariots of Fire follows two runners with very different motivations as they pursue excellence in the 1924 Olympics.  We're all driven by something . . . what's driving you?

8. The Lego Batman Movie

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"If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change. Hooo." - Michael Jackson. "No. I said that. Batman is very wise. I also have huge pecs and a nine-pack. Yeah, I've got an extra ab. Now, let's start the movie." - Batman

I feel odd including a Lego movie on my all-time list, but this hits the mark in many ways.  Batman thinks he can do it on his own- but he can't.  None of us can.  We're designed for relationships and need to be with each other; The Lego Batman Movie manages to deliver that message well with children's toys and plenty of humor.  Impressive . . . most impressive.

9. Wonder

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"You're going to feel like you're all alone, but you're not."

Though Wonder may appear like a typical "person in hard situation learns to adapt and overcome"-type experience, this is ultimately a film that explores how we all feel from time to time- alone.  But we're not.  Check this one out.

10. Gods and Generals

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"General Jackson, how is it you remain so calm in the midst of battle?"
"Mr. Smith, my religious faith teaches me that God has already fixed the time of my death; therefore, I think not of it. I am as calm in battle as I would be in my own parlor. God will come for me in his own time."- Stonewall Jackson

Gods and Generals is focused on the story of Stonewall Jackson, Confederate General during the American  Civil War.  But it really tells a larger tale- of why both sides were fighting.  And it's not as clear-cut as you think.  It's thought-provoking and worth the 4 hour run-time.

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There are so many excellent films out there, it was hard to list just ten.  I've reviewed about 170 movies on this blog to date; here are those posts.