The Prayer Matrix

How much time do you spend in prayer a day? Are you satisfied with your time with God, or do you wish for something deeper and richer? This small book on prayer by David Jeremiah asks some big and challenging questions. Read more.

Time For Grace

All of us need to be aware of just how much grace we are given in this life by God. Time for Grace is a novel where the title takes on multiple meanings in the lives of the characters. Read more.

Phobulous Noodle and Grill Restaurant of Edmond, Oklahoma

Names are sometimes misleading. Sometimes they're dead on. Recently I had some pho (pronounced sort of like "fuh") at Phobulous Noodle and Grill in Edmond, Oklahoma. So, was the pho truly "phobulous" or just mediocre? To find out you'll just have to read more.

Haunted History: A Review of David Rousseau's Savannah Ghosts

Every place has its store of local lore, and the great city of Savannah, Georgia, is no exception. Some of those tales, however, can be a bit spooky. Read more.

Daughter of Hounds by Caitlin R. Kiernan

With such an intriguing title and premise, you would expect this urban fantasy from an award-winning writer to be exceptional. But does the book really live up to its promise? Read more.

Personna M5 Magnum Razor

Just another close shave? Find out how I ranked the M5 Magnum. Read more.

A Beautiful Rendition of Ancient Truth

I've always had a distrust for audio books, and even more so when it comes to an audio version of the Bible. I'm always afraid that the readers will either under or over dramatize the story, leave out key parts or scenes, and generally make a hash of something that has touched my heart so much in print. Therefore, what a pleasant surprise it was to experience The Word of Promise New Testament from Thomas Nelson.

The Word comes alive in this reading of the New King James Version, primarily due to the talents of some of the top voice actors in the business. The letters of Paul (read by Stacy Keach), for example, come across as personal and yet universally authoritative as they were meant to be. The addition of background music and sounds was initially a worry for me, but by keeping the volume low and using these elements sparingly, their inclusion enhances rather than distracts from the spoken word.

I have listened to other audio versions of the Bible, but I have to say that, so far, this is my favorite one of the lot. Perfect for commuting to work or relaxing in front of the fire at home, this set is highly recommended.

Thomas Nelson Product Page

Note: This audio Bible was received as a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers for the purpose of providing an unbiased review. This note is posted to meet new Federal Trade Commission regulations regarding product endorsements.

Amusing Anecdotes in a Flawed Format

From Peanuts to the Pressbox: Insider Sports Stories from a Life Behind the Mic

To call Eli Gold’s From Peanuts to the Pressbox the best memoir I have ever read would be a lie, but it is not the worst book that I have read in this genre either. In reality, this autobiography, written with Gold’s frequent collaborator M. B. Roberts, is rather entertaining with its plethora of amusing anecdotes and momentary glimpses of the various luminaries of the sports universe. What is tiring, though, is the lackadaisical structure of the narrative, an error that tends to make the book easy to put down.

Gold’s honesty about his ambitions and transparency about his pratfalls from the past are part of what endears the book to the reader. He comes across as flawed but likeable, a normal guy doing what he loves without any sugarcoating. Gold leaves us with the impression that he is approachable, funny, and the kind of man you would have over to the house to watch the game and swap stories with.

The celebrities he peppers the memoir with are also human, caught in candid portrayals that either reinforce or forever alter any former impressions of them. Sportscaster Howard Cosell comes across as arrogant and talented as others have portrayed him. However, former quarterback Kenny “The Snake” Stabler is shown to have a quick, biting wit in addition to his more publicly known ability of being a phenomenal color commentator.

Truly, there are some wonderful gems to be found throughout Gold’s tale. The haphazard way the story is told, though, can be very distracting. Yes, there is a fine, linear thread that connects the first chapter to the last, but the journey is also so pot-holed with incidents from various stages of his career that the reader is jolted around at times like a passenger in a roadster’s rumble seat.

From Peanuts to the Pressbox has plenty of merit, but it reminds me of going over to listen to old war stories at your grandfather’s house. There are some interesting anecdotes, but the way the tales are woven together make it hard to take in one sitting.

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