Book Review: Blessed By The Best

Blessed By The Best is a must read for any fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and suggested reading for all NFL fans, giving a glimpse into the life of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins. The full title of the book is Blessed By The Best, My Journey to Canton and Beyond and it is written by Michael Bradley who worked with Brian Dawkins to put together an inspiring book about overcoming physical circumstances as well as emotional turmoil. The book reads as if Dawkins is in the room with you, telling you his life story.

From a writing standpoint this book almost seems as if it is unedited, as if a recording of Dawkins was transcribed word for word. I think this adds to the charm of the book as I really felt that I got to know the character of the man who spent 235 pages telling me about himself, his family, his teammates and most of all about his God. This makes it a fun read which left me looking forward to what Dawkins will do with the rest of his post football life.

I give Blessed By The Best two thumbs up, recommending it for sports fans and for anyone who needs the inspiration of learning from someone who overcame a number of obstacles. I also recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about one man’s spiritual journey, delivered with honesty about his ups and downs as he continues to learn to trust in God.

Blessed By The Best: My Journey To Canton and Beyond by Brian Dawkins with Michael Bradley. Published by Camino Books, Inc. Philadelphia

Book Review: 7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness

In my review of "7 Men" I spoke of how the book was "...an introduction to people we may think we already know." I have a confession. While I knew a little about the men, I knew next to nothing about the women whose lives are detailed in "7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness." As a result just about every fact and every facet of their lives was new to me as Eric Metaxas once again delivers on his promise of challenging our definition of what makes a person great.

Like their counterparts in the previous book these are people who followed their convictions. In so doing they withstood trials that might have crushed many men. They saved lives, restored kingdoms and helped restore dignity to those who were helpless. Their life stories inspire and just might make you question what you are doing with your time here on earth.

With its bite sized biographies "7 Women" is good for many different audiences, including those who normally avoid nonfiction. Metaxas gives us a wealth of details with a delivery that is entertaining though at times a bit uneven. (One or two of the biographies seem to shift to another style in a way that feels sort of like a speed bump.) Still this is a good read and a great introduction to some of history's most impressive but perhaps overlooked people. I highly recommend "7 Women," a book that will change your perspective of women while challenging us all to give our best during our time here on earth.

Mr. Incredible, Real Life Fatherhood and an Explosion of Straws

"Why would they change math? Math is math!" Mr. Incredible

I took my family to see “Incredibles 2” this past Father's Day. We all enjoyed the first movie and had hoped to see a sequel. When Disney announced movie 2 we knew we had to see it as soon as possible. I also had an ulterior motive in going to see the film. After reading one or two critiques which said the film portrays dads (represented by Mr. Incredible) in a negative light, I wanted to see for myself if this was yet another bad dad film. Considering the movie takes place in 1962 when family roles were a lot different than today, I was pleasantly surprised by a realistic portrayal (at least in my experience) of what it's like to be dad.

For the record "Incredibles 2" is an entertaining, though somewhat predictable movie. The action sequences are a lot of fun and while this is a superhero movie, it does a great job of poking fun at everyday life. Incredibles 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, in the parking lot right after Dash's track meet. Though the supers once again save the day, the world would still rather they stay in hiding. Against this backdrop Elastigirl is offered a job where she can fight crime while changing perceptions about supers.

Mom's new job means a number of changes in the family, including Mr. Incredible taking on a new role as a stay at home dad. I doubt this was very common in 1962. Back then most dads worked and would have scoffed at staying home with the children. There would have been bruised egos and a lack of know how if they were forced to take on the task. When judged by 2018 standards of course Mr. Incredible looks bad. I also suspect fifty-six years from now we will look like we didn’t have a clue to those looking back upon history.

With a precocious super powered baby, a moody teen whose having boy troubles and a son learning elementary school New Math, dad is in over his head. And yes he does make some silly mistakes, in at least one case making matters worse. He loses sleep. Eventually he loses his temper. He has to turn to Edna Mode and Frozone for help. For most of the movie it looks as if he is failing at his job. And as he struggles to figure it all out his day begins to look very familiar.

As any parent will tell you, when you are running late something will come up missing. Once when we were running late for my older son’s football picture day, he couldn't find his cleats. As we searched for the cleats my younger son discovered a box of 1000 drinking straws. Unfortunately toddlers (which he was at the time) are not good at opening boxes. Somehow he ripped the box in half sending the straws all over the family room. The sight of my son surrounded by a sea of straws would have made for a good picture had I had time to get my camera. It also made for a good laugh, which I would have enjoyed if not for the sound of my dog throwing up in the dining room.

I now had missing cleats, straws on the floor and vomit to clean up. There was only time to take care of two problems. I left the straws knowing I could explain things to my wife when she showed up for the football game. There was only one flaw in my plan and boy was it a big one. Instead of going straight to the field, like she said she was going to do, my wife decided to go home where she discovered that we no longer had any clean straws. In hindsight I should have cleaned up the straws and left the vomit. I could have then denied having any knowledge of the dog throwing up, which would have kept me out of the dog house.

Like Mr. Incredible I have made many mistakes while taking care of my children. Yes at times the house turns into a chaotic mess but eventually everything gets cleaned up. We found the cleats and on other occasions the remote, or whatever other item becomes lost at inopportune times. The children forgive me when I mishandle situations with their friends. Eventually even my wife learns to laugh at things, that is after she cleans up after me (just kidding). The same was true for the Parr family in “Incredibles 2,” where the kids survive Mr. Incredible's mistakes. Eventually one even compliments the job he does being dad.

“Incredibles 2” is not a disparaging portrayal of a father. It is an animated telling of what it's like for real dads, both in the 1960’s and today. We do our best, which often is less than perfect. Eventually we figure some of it out and everyone survives. But I still don't know why they would change math!

Book Review: 7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness

I knew I would like this book by the second paragraph of its introduction, which I found hard to put down. In describing the goal of his book, Eric Metaxas promises something different: a book of biographies written to challenge our current definitions of “What is a man?” and “What makes a man great?” Metaxas tells us the stories of seven great men (eight if you count his mention of the Duke in the introduction). In the process he delivers on his promise, asking the reader to see masculinity through a different pair of glasses.

As promised in its title, this book is an introduction to greatness. It is a reminder that by developing and following the right convictions people (men in this book, women in the companion book which I am reading next) have achieved great things. Each of these men are known for the impact they had on the human story. What is often overlooked is how the faith which was at the core of their beings lead them in a lifetime of making the world a better place. They did not set out to be great. They set out to follow their callings. By reading their stories we are encouraged to follow their examples.

With enough facts to feed those who love reading biographies and yet light enough to entertain those who normally run from non-fiction, “7 Men” is a book that I recommend for all types of readers. While the target audience appears to be people of faith, as well as those seeking to find lives that were changed by their faith, this is at its core an introduction to people we may think we already know. I give two thumbs up with an exclamation mark to “7 Men,” a book that both informs and enriches the lives of its readers.

Eric Metaxas’ web page: http://ericmetaxas.com/

7 Men: http://ericmetaxas.com/books/7-men/

Book Review: The Wisdom of Your Heart

Are you ready to confront your anger? Marc Alan Shelske thinks you should. In fact he thinks we need to examine all of our feelings, assessing our own emotional health. As we do so Pastor Shelske suggests that our feelings are not the slippery slope often portrayed in church. Instead our emotions tell us something about ourselves and our environment, that is if we are willing to learn how to listen.

Part personal reflection, part Bible study "The Wisdom of Your Heart" is aimed at Christians, challenging commonly held beliefs about emotions. Pastor Shelske asks us to re-examine what the Bible tells us about emotions and the believer's relationship with our feelings. While doing so Shelske shares how his own emotional growth freed him from the bondage of past experience. By sharing his journey Shelske encourages his readers to actively seek emotional growth, offering thought provoking questions to guide us along our way.

On the surface this might appear to be just another self help book but it is not. This is Shelske's personal testimony through which he offers a glimpse of something different. While followers of Christ will likely get the most out of this book, anyone who is open to personal examination and growth will find Shelske's writing thought provoking and different. Men will likely find this a challenge to how they were taught, especially if they were brought up in the church. Because of its value as a tool for personal growth, I recommend "The Wisdom of Your Heart": A quick read with a powerful message.

Update 3/27/2019 - The Wisdom of Your Heart is now an audiobook. For more information visit http://www.marcalanschelske.com/the-wisdom-of-your-heart/

What I Am Reading: In Golden Splendor

Whatever happened to Seamus Hanley? Seamus was introduced in Flight of the Earls as one many who left Ireland in hopes of finding a better life in the United States. His sister Clare, who traveled with Seamus, overcame many obstacles including a devious plot by their crooked uncle. Seamus was forced into exile after attempting to double cross this same uncle. In In Golden Splendor we join Seamus on the run, leading to a story that is even more engaging than its predecessor.

Like the first book in the "Heirs of Ireland" series, In Golden Splendor is a work of historical fiction, taking us back to the time of the Gold Rush and the San Francisco fire of 1849. Author Michael K. Reynolds gives us a mix of old and new characters who are every bit as compelling as the historical events to which we are given a front row seat. These characters work with history to build an entertaining, unpredictable and at times tragic story with reminders that being an immigrant to the U. S. was often very difficult.

As with the first book of the series, characters are well developed, not coming across as if they are forced fit into their historical backdrop. In support of those characters Reynolds does a good job of weaving a story that can stand on its own while seamlessly connecting to the first book. The characters that carry over into this story grow without becoming stale. New characters add to and compliment, helping the reader see new dimensions in the lives those who are the focus of the story.

There is an art to telling a good story. In the first two books of the series Reynolds has proved his value as a growing artist. I recommend both books and look forward to reading the final installment.

My review of Flight of the Earls

For more on In Golden Splendor and the Heirs of Ireland series see michaelkreynolds.com. Follow Michael K. Reynolds on twitter: @M_K_Reynolds.

Repost: My Review of Flight of the Earls

Having set out on a journey of change in my life, I opened a book for the first time in months. At one time I was an avid reader, but lately…well…I will spare you the excuses. After being called out by my son for no longer showing a dedication to the written word, I decided to keep a promise I made to myself back in 2013.

Michael K. Reynolds’ book Flight of the Earls left me wanting to know more about the Hanley family. The book also left me wanting more information about life in the mid 1800’s and about the struggles faced by immigrants to the U. S. as they worked to become a part of their new nation. I promised myself I would read the rest of the Heirs of Ireland series. So far the book two has delivered, reaching the bar set by the first book. I will write a review once I have finished reading. Until then, here is a repost of my 2013 review of Flight of the Earls.

What I Am Reading: Flight of the Earls

There are three ways for a book to hold my attention. The first is to deliver characters in whom I want to invest my time. If I care about the people in the book I want to find out what happens in the end. In his first novel Michael K. Reynolds delivers characters who held my attention from start to finish.

Part one of the Heirs of Ireland series, Flight of the Earls takes us back to 1846. Ireland is in the second year of a famine which would last until 1849, during which the nation would see crop failures caused by a Phytophthora infestation. Once thought to be a form of mold the recently reclassified organism is, under the right conditions, capable of destroying an entire field of potatoes or tomatoes in a matter of days. Its assault on Irish potato crops caused a million people to die of starvation. Another million would migrate to America in hopes of finding work. Reynolds introduces us to the Hanley family just as they begin to suffer the effects of the Great Potato Famine.

The blight has just started to affect the Hanley fields, yet another burden weighing on the family. The decision is made to send daughter Clare and son Seamus to follow their older sister’s path to America. The plan was for the two to send money home to keep the family afloat until the end of the famine. Through their eyes we experience the difficult journey made by many past immigrants. We see a side of immigration which is rarely ever spoken of, obstacles and plot twists which beg us to ask if the journey was worth the effort. From the potato fields of Ireland to the streets of New York Mr. Reynolds weaves a story that is as compelling as the characters he uses to take us back in history.

As the first of a series this book leaves me wanting more but I must wait until July for book two. I suspect the continuation of the story will be well worth the wait. If you love learning about the past or if you just love a good story you will find Flight of the Earls well worth your time.

For more on Flight of the Earls and the Heirs of Ireland series see michaelkreynolds.com. Follow Michael K. Reynolds on twitter: @M_K_Reynolds.