The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A. J. Jacobs
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Book Reviews of The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
Book Review: The Most Literal Bible Interpretater to date
Summary: 5 Stars
Being raised in a typical Christian family in the Southeast part of the United States and surviving private Christian school through my high school years and dealing with the hypocrisy of religion this book made me laugh my butt off .
I may lean to my conservative values in politics but I am a normal Christ follower who loves A.J. Jacobs and so glad he took this journey across America finding his faith... He wrote "Four Winds" and the "Cassadaga" album by Bright Eyes before Conor took his Four Winds.
Great BOOK
Book Review: Where's the (Kosher) Beef?
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book, but was bummed that little time was spent with Christian traditions. I understand the author was a non-practicing Jew, so Jewish traditions "spoke" more to him. His time with the New Testament wasn't written about as much, and focused on Fundamentalists, snake handlers and the Amish. I felt like he missed a lot within Christianity.
He also spent a lot of time "in his head" - that is, figuring out and debating different texts and translations. Explaining Biblical stories. Where's the emotion? The love - or the discomfort?
The end of the book seemed to come abruptly, with less attention and detail then he began his quest with. I think this has a lot to do with the birth of his twins (who can blame him!), but it seemed more thrown together and less thorough out then the beginning.
I really did enjoyed this book, it's a fun, easy read. But I think the author held back, emotionally. Somehow I felt like I'd only half finished when the book was done.
Book Review: Thank you
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Jacobs, thank you.
"The Year" is in many ways ordinary. (funny, witty, well orginized, methodical, etc.) The pages show a focus on quality and context. Honesty is prevelent throughout the work.
What is the book about? It is a journey. Thanksfully the author has recorded the details for all to read.
Honestly, I picked it up wanting answers. I became more and more annoyed that A.J., (if I might be so informal) gives you few or none. More and more questions spring to mind of the reader and you must fight to listen and learn and not "talk over" the writer. (Talk over: the act of talking so much about yourself that you stop listening to the book) Eventually I tossed out my MTV, 5min. attention span and just enjoyed the journey.
Again sir, thank you for your book.
Book Review: Ambivalent Book
Summary: 3 Stars
First off, this book was humorous and well written, as the author is famous for.
His experiment is done earnestly and described honestly. It certainly offers insight into the many sides of this book called "The Bible". It even has me examining things that I do in my own life that may help me be more enlightened.
The major issue I have with 'The Year of Living Biblically' is that he is too easy on the religious right and fundamentalists in general. I strongly suspect that this is done not to offend his readers.
This man is a liberal writer for Esquire who lives in Manhattan! You don't think he beleives that creationism is not insane? Or that the religious right preach hate? He is VERY soft on these groups, which I see as a cop out so he can make money.
Otherwise this is a fairly good book, but doesnt hold a myrrh candle to 'The Know it All".
Book Review: Humorous, Reverent, and Interesting
Summary: 5 Stars
A.J. Jacobs has created an insightful and respectful look at living out the Bible laws literally. His stated intention was to live out every commandment in the Bible in their most literal sense. What could have been disrespectful and sacrilegious turns out to be insightful, honest, reverent, and funny. It is an easy read, and you will learn much from Jacob's journey.
This book is also about Jacob's spiritual journey. While he doesn't convert to either Judaism or Christianity, he becomes what he calls a reverent agnostic. Having grown up in a secular Jewish family, he is unsure about religion and its impact on people. His experience with religious fundamentalism is, understandably, offsetting. But he also recognizes that secular humanism is not the best for his son either. By the end of the book, Jacobs has experienced the power of forgiveness, the joy of thanksgiving, and experienced a host of changes.
Despite a lack of agreement with many hard passages in the Bible, Jacobs does not soft-sell or bypass the passages. He takes on the tough passages from Scripture, explores various approaches to understanding them, and often comes to some form of understanding. He doesn't always agree or like it, but he does explore various approaches. I appreciate that he does not set up straw men to easily knock over.
By the end of his experience, I believe he has been changed in ways that he did not expect and may not even understand himself. He has opened a door, and who knows where that door may yet lead.