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The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: Travels Through My Childhood © 2006 Black Swan © 2007 403 pages This book chronicles the early years of The Thunderbolt Kid: Bryson’s childhood alter-ego who terrorized anyone who annoyed him. It’s Bryson at his absolute finest. Even though his childhood happened in the 50s, I had [...]

J.S. Bach –2 vols– © 1905 (French), 1908 (German), 1911 (English) Adam & Charles Black 428+498 = 926 pages If you have some classical music training and a serious love for Bach, then this book’s for you. I was surprised by this work. Before spotting it on the shelf of a second hand bookstore in [...]

Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation © 1983 HarperSanFrancisco: HarperCollinsPublishers © 1991 112 pages This is an important book. I expected an autobiography of Buechner’s life from when he decided to enter Union Theological Seminary until 1983. I received far more. This book is holy. It will not satisfy the intellectual curiosity of a [...]

Pursued By God: The Amazing Life and Lasting Infuence of John Calvin © 2009 Faith Alive Christian Resources 147 pages I’ve loved Calvin ever since I read his section on prayer in the Institutes. There are a lot of brilliant theologians scattered throughout history, but Calvin has a passion and piety that set him apart. [...]

Isaac Newton (Christian Encounters Series) © 2010 Thomas Nelson 183 pages Thomas Nelson Publishers has just introduced a series of biographies entitled, “Christian Encounters”. I just finished reading Mitch Stokes’ work on the life of Isaac Newton. While I cannot yet speak for the other books in the series, this volume is a resounding success. [...]

Once an Arafat Man: The True Story of How a PLO Sniper Found a New Life © 2008 Tyndale House 233 pages People can change—Saada is living proof. Once an Arafat Man is the story of how Tass Saada was transformed from a violent hate-filled PLO sniper to a humanitarian committed to the peaceful reconciliation [...]

Hector Berlioz © 1967 The MacMillan Company 168 pages Seroff’s written an excellent biography of a very important Romantic composer. It’s the perfect length to learn enough about his life to make you feel like you understand him—while not growing bored by the minutiae that clogs many biographies. I’ve loved Symphonie fantastique for quite a [...]

Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession © 2008 Alfred A. Knopf 245 pages What does it take for an atheist who authored the famous Vampire novels to return to the faith of her childhood—and to live out that faith in her publishing commitments? Nothing but the love of Jesus. This book will move you. [...]