LifeOnaPlate Posted March 24, 2009 Posted March 24, 2009 I've recently begun reading several volumes of this little series. So far I've ran through literary theory, history, and theology. Has anyone had any experience with these volumes? Richard Bushman wrote the Mormonism volume.
Buckeye Posted March 24, 2009 Posted March 24, 2009 I've recently begun reading several volumes of this little series. So far I've ran through literary theory, history, and theology. Has anyone had any experience with these volumes? Richard Bushman wrote the Mormonism volume.I've read only the Mormonism volume, so my opinion is more of Bushman than the series. With that said, it was a very good overview.
Bookworm Posted March 24, 2009 Posted March 24, 2009 I have read a few of the books in the series including Bushman's. I was a little disappointed in Bushman's book. Where he really knows his material, he is very good. Where he is dealing with issues he does not know much about, like apologetics, he has a lot of misinformation.
3DOP Posted March 25, 2009 Posted March 25, 2009 Hey Life on a Plate,I wasn't aware of their existence. You didn't tell us what you thought. Give us a review. You must have a generally favorable opinion. Did each book seem to follow a similar format? Could you see the same hand editing all of the work in a particular category? I wouldn't necessarily be against that. I would want them to steer a very middle course if it is possible to agree on a thing like that. Sharing the schools of thought would be good, one author's thought would not. For instance, I am not interested in a partisan explanation for the French Revolution on either side, or an apologist for one of the philosophers defense of someone's work. But I am interested in some titles. It seems like a possibly good way to tidy up some knowledge gaps and do some exploring for beginners. Please tell what you think...3DOP
LifeOnaPlate Posted March 25, 2009 Author Posted March 25, 2009 3DOP- The 3 I have read have been excellent. Certainly I don't agree with all they contain, but I have found them to be fair, fun, interesting, and inviting. As you note, it wouldn't do too well to have too much of a partisan approach, which is slightly inevitable given the format. At the same time, the ones I have read take an over-arching approach, really an "introduction." I believe there is one on Catholicism, but before I read it maybe you could give me your take. Pick one up on Amazon for about 10 bucks with shipping, I believe it will be worth the price. Then you can give me your perspective on how it was handled.
LifeOnaPlate Posted March 25, 2009 Author Posted March 25, 2009 Is Dr. Peterson familiar with the volume on Islam or the Koran? I'd like to hear his take, if he is. Anyone else interested in this series, or has anyone else read any volumes?
Tarski Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I've recently begun reading several volumes of this little series. So far I've ran through literary theory, history, and theology. Has anyone had any experience with these volumes? Richard Bushman wrote the Mormonism volume.I just finished the one on Wittgenstein and the one on Kant. They were pretty good. Next in line is "Game Theory".I am not sure how it would have been if I hadn't already read a lot about these two philosophers.One has to read to the end though because they give the negative stuff last.
LifeOnaPlate Posted April 24, 2009 Author Posted April 24, 2009 Tarski, the one on atheism has received mixed reviews. Have you read it, and if so, what was your take?
Duncan Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 We used the one on Buddhism in a class I took a couple years ago. Great stuff! although I would not limit my knowledge about something to what they have to say.
LifeOnaPlate Posted April 24, 2009 Author Posted April 24, 2009 We used the one on Buddhism in a class I took a couple years ago. Great stuff! although I would not limit my knowledge about something to what they have to say.Yes, I see them as exactly what the series promises: a very short introduction. By definition it will be flawed, but an interesting window that points to a larger room beyond if desired.
John Larsen Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I have been working my way through Bushman's on Mormonism and I think it is very well done. I was going to post a review when I finished. If the others are of that quality, it should be a good series.
Duncan Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 They give some context to the ideas of various people, religions etc. I think its good so hopefully, ideally any further reading you do you will be able to know what is being talked about.
Tarski Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 Tarski, the one on atheism has received mixed reviews. Have you read it, and if so, what was your take?No I haven't. I would rather read something else actually. I am going to read "Philosophy of Science" really quick and then will I get to something I know next to nothing about like maybe "Egyptian Myth".
Doctor Steuss Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I finished the one on the Bible a few weeks ago. Overall I really enjoyed it. My main criticism (which is always my main criticism when itâ??s there) was that there werenâ??t any footnotes (or even endnotes, for that matter). Although it did have a nice â??suggested further readingâ? section in the back, I prefer knowing what book to go to should a specific claim be made that perks my interests. I also felt he spent too much time discussing the Bible's place in modern culture.I canâ??t wait until I lift my self-imposed book buying ban so I can pick up a few more from the series.
John Larsen Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I canâ??t wait until I lift my self-imposed book buying ban so I can pick up a few more from the series.That's awful. If I don't have a book constantly in the mail, something must be wrong.
Doctor Steuss Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 That's awful.Indeed.If I don't have a book constantly in the mail, something must be wrong.I kept seeing my bank account dwindle, and the pile of books that I owned but hadn't read yet grow. It's hard as hell to keep from at least going to my favorites used book store at least once a week, but I'm slowly getting over the withdrawals (I've replaced my book fetish with crack cocaine).
John Larsen Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 Indeed.I kept seeing my bank account dwindle, and the pile of books that I owned but hadn't read yet grow. It's hard as hell to keep from at least going to my favorites used book store at least once a week, but I'm slowly getting over the withdrawals (I've replaced my book fetish with crack cocaine).I have tried to not find the used book stores since I moved for that reason. I have enough reading right now to last the rest of my life, but that doesn't stop. Maybe we should form a support group. I will even let you be my higher power.
Doctor Steuss Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 [...]Maybe we should form a support group. I will even let you be my higher power.LOL!Just so you know, I might be a bit of an Old Testament Higher Power (I might smite you from time to time...)
John Larsen Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 LOL!Just so you know, I might be a bit of an Old Testament Higher Power (I might smite you from time to time...)I'm with The Simpsons on this one, the Old Testament god is a much more interesting and compelling character. I'm fine with that.
cinepro Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I haven't read any of those books, but I'm absolutely addicted to the courses from "The Teaching Company". Bart Ehrman does several of their New Testament ones. If you have to commute, I highly recommend checking them out. Haven't found a bad course yet (they don't have any specifically about the Church yet, but we do get mentioned in a few of the American history ones).
LifeOnaPlate Posted April 24, 2009 Author Posted April 24, 2009 No I haven't. I would rather read something else actually. I am going to read "Philosophy of Science" really quick and then will I get to something I know next to nothing about like maybe "Egyptian Myth".OOoo but you must post a review of the Science one for certain.I finished the one on the Bible a few weeks ago. Overall I really enjoyed it. My main criticism (which is always my main criticism when itâ??s there) was that there werenâ??t any footnotes (or even endnotes, for that matter). Although it did have a nice â??suggested further readingâ? section in the back, I prefer knowing what book to go to should a specific claim be made that perks my interests. I also felt he spent too much time discussing the Bible's place in modern culture.I canâ??t wait until I lift my self-imposed book buying ban so I can pick up a few more from the series.The footnote thing is also my one big beef with the series, though I understand the decision.
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