What Did Carmel Communications Contribute to the Mega Advent Giveaway?

The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot

About the Book:

Anyone who has read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings can gather that their author hated tyranny, but few know that the novelist who once described himself as a hobbit “in all but size” was—even by hobbit standards—a zealous proponent of economic freedom and small government. There is a growing concern among many that the West is sliding into political, economic, and moral bankruptcy. In his beloved novels of Middle-Earth, J.R.R. Tolkien has drawn us a map to freedom.

Scholar Joseph Pearce, who himself has written articles and chapters on the political significance of Tolkien’s work, testified in his book Literary Giants, Literary Catholics, “If much has been written on the religious significance of The Lord of the Rings, less has been written on its political significance—and the little that has been written is often erroneous in its conclusions and ignorant of Tolkien’s intentions…. Much more work is needed in this area, not least because Tolkien stated, implicitly at least, that the political significance of the work was second only to the religious in its importance.”

Several books ably explore how Tolkien’s Catholic faith informed his fiction. None until now have centered on how his passion for liberty and limited government also shaped his work, or how this passion grew directly from his theological vision of man and creation. The Hobbit Party fills this void.

The few existing pieces that do focus on the subject are mostly written by scholars with little or no formal training in literary analysis, and even less training in political economy. Witt and Richards bring to The Hobbit Party a combined expertise in literary studies, political theory, economics, philosophy, and theology.

My Comments:

This one isn't long, but doesn't, at least on first glance, look like an easy read.  It has copious end notes and the language used, while not overly complex isn't a friendly "have a cup of tea and chat with me" style either.  I have a feeling that the book will make more sense to those who not only remember reading Tolkien's works, but actually remember what they said, and I'm afraid that while I do recall reading them in high school (of my own free will, the books were passed around my class, many of us read them) I don't remember much about them.  

Ave Maria Press' Contribution to the Mega Advent Giveaway

Three packages in the mail today; one from Ave Maria Press.  Here is what they sent me:

When Saint Francis Saved the Church: How a Converted Medieval Troubadour Created a Spiritual Vision for the Ages

About the Book:
Jon M. Sweeney, author of numerous popular books on St. Francis as well as the recent bestseller The Pope Who Quit, offers a surprising new look at the world’s most popular saint, showing how this beloved, but often-mythologized character created a spiritual vision for the ages and may very well have rescued the Christian faith.

In When Saint Francis Saved the Church, popular historian Jon Sweeney presents an intriguing portrait of Francis beyond the readily familiar stories and images. In the tradition of Thomas Cahill’s How the Irish Saved Civilization, Sweeney reveals how the saint became a hinge in the history of the Christian faith and shows how in just fourteen years—from 1205 to 1219—the unconventional and stumbling wisdom of a converted troubadour changed the Church. Sweeney outlines Francis’s revolutionary approach to friendship, “the other” (people at the margins), poverty, spirituality, care (for people, creatures, and the natural world), and death.

This vibrant book presents the unsullied life and message of Francis in its essential details, offering a sweeping, informative, remarkable look at how Francis and his movement quite literally saved the Christian faith—and continues to offer a spiritual vision with contemporary relevance.

My Comments:
I flipped briefly through the book.  It appears to be short and easy to read, and has a bibliography at the end along with a list of suggested readings.

The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living

About the Book:

Catholic new-media personality and bestselling author Lisa M. Hendey is fueled by a lifelong passion for her faith. In The Grace of Yes, she guides readers through pivotal moments of her journey and the eight virtues that have helped her—and will help readers—learn how to say yes to God. 

Beloved Catholic blogger Lisa Hendey explores eight spiritual virtues that she believes are foundational to the Christian life. In opening windows to pivotal moments of her own spiritual journey, she helps readers learn about belief, generativity, creativity, integrity, humility, vulnerability, saying no, and starting over, and shows how these virtues lead to generous living and the ability to joyously say yes to God. Hendey reflects candidly on real-life struggles: the identity adjustment of leaving a blossoming career to become a stay-at-home mom; the temptation of Divahood as her online celebrity grew; the freedom and opportunities of empty-nest status versus the middle-aged body’s pull to slow down; her encounters with spiritual community during treatment for cancer; and the contrast between the profound lingering grief she confronted at a Rwandan genocide memorial and the astounding willingness of survivors there to forgive. Readers encounter Hendey’s own struggles and successes while soaking up her characteristic warmth and good advice. Hendey provides questions for personal reflection and a prayer to close the exploration of each virtue.

My Comments:

I've been seeing positive reviews of this one on a lot of blogs.  My quick flip makes me think this would be a great chapter a day or chapter a week book.  The book has a chapter for each of the eight graces described above and each chapter ends with questions to ponder and a prayer.

Loved as I Am: An Invitation to Conversion, Healing, and Freedom through Jesus

About the Book:
When Sr. Miriam James Heidland’s life as a successful college athlete proved unfulfilling, she went searching for something deeper and ended up falling in love with Jesus. By charting her own journey toward wholeness, Heidland invites young Catholics to pursue their own relationship with Jesus.

Although originally full of athletic ambition and goals for a career in sports news, Heidland was transformed in a very slow but deep way during her undergraduate years, moving from party girl to bride of Christ. In Loved as I Am: An Invitation to Conversion, Healing, and Freedom through Jesus, Heidland helps readers learn from her experience of seeking love in the wrong places and instead finding it in Christ. She shares her struggles—learning she was adopted, battling alcoholism, and healing from childhood sexual abuse—as signs of hope that anyone who desires to know Christ can find him and be loved intimately by him in return. By bringing readers into Heidland’s healing process, Loved as I Am provides a gentle and subtle template for finding peace and freedom in Jesus.

My Comments:
This looks like it is aimed at older teens/young adults.  It is right at 100 pages and is written in a very readable style.

Which are you most interested in seeing reviewed?

More Stuff from the Giveway--Lighthouse Catholic Media

Today I had a package from Lighthouse Catholic Media with their contributions to the Mega Advent Giveaway I won over at The Catholic Book Blogger.  By the time I get through all this stuff I'll be more Catholic than the Pope (just kidding).   Here is what it contained:

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament

About the Book:

The only Catholic Study Bible based on the Revised Standard Version 2nd Catholic Edition, the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament brings together all of the books of the New Testament and the penetrating study tools developed by renowned Bible teachers Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch.

This volume presents the written Word of God in a highly readable, accurate translation, excellent for personal and group study. Extensive study notes, topical essays and word studies provide fresh and faithful insights informed by time-tested, authentically Catholic interpretations from the Fathers of the Church and other scholars. Commentaries include the best insights of ancient, medieval and modern scholarship, and follow the Church s guidelines for biblical interpretation. Plus, each New Testament book is outlined and introduced with an essay covering questions of authorship, date of composition, intended audience and general themes. The Ignatius Study Bible also includes handy reference materials such as a doctrinal index, a concise concordance, a helpful cross-reference system, and various maps and charts.

Joan of Arc

About the Book:

Very few people know that Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) wrote a major work on Joan of Arc. Still fewer know that he considered it not only his most important but also his best work. He spent twelve years in research and many months in France doing archival work and then made several attempts until he felt he finally had the story he wanted to tell. He reached his conclusion about Joan’s unique place in history only after studying in detail accounts written on both sides, the French and the English. A remarkably accurate biography of the life and mission of Joan of Arc told by one of this country’s greatest storytellers.

33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration

From Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of the bestselling book Consoling the Heart of Jesus, comes an extraordinary 33-day journey to Marian consecration with four giants of Marian spirituality:

St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and Blessed John Paul II. Fr. Michael masterfully summarizes their teaching, making it easy to grasp and simple enough to put into practice. More specifically, he weaves their thought into a user-friendly, do-it-yourself retreat that will bless even the busiest of people. So, if you've been thinking about entrusting yourself to Mary for the first time or if you're simply looking to deepen and renew your devotion to her, 33 Days to Morning Glory is the right book to read and the perfect retreat to make.

Is God on Your I-Pod

About:

Is mainstream music bad for you? Can hit songs remind you of the things of God? Matt Smith discusses how we as Christians can judge all different types of music to determine whether or not it is going to lead us closer to The Good The True, and The Beautiful... which is ultimately closer towards God.

Life Is Worth Living

About: 

Archbishop Fulton Sheen was one of the best-known and best-loved Catholic orators of the twentieth century, reaching millions of Christians and non-Christians alike through his immensely popular and Emmy award-winning television show Life is Worth Living. 

This presentation is made up of three separate talks given by archbishop Sheen on his television program Life is Worth Living, which aired throughout the 1950's. These presentations have been re-mastered to provide the highest sound quality possible

Switching Sides

About:  

Jennifer Fulwiler is a popular writer and speaker from Austin, Texas, and frequently appears on Catholic radio and EWTN. In this eye-opening presentation, she explains how her original support for abortion was based on love (and lies). Through sound logic and scientific proof, Jennifer chronicles how she came to accept the truth about abortion.

Mega Advent Giveaway Part One

I had books waiting for me when I got home tonight.  Ignatius Press, one of the sponsors of The Catholic Book Blogger's Mega Advent Giveaway had two packages at my door today.  Here is what they held:

Could You Not Watch with Me One Hour?: How to Cultivate a Deeper Relationship with the Lord through Eucharistic Adoration

About the Book:
Fr. Florian Racine offers us a beautiful formation guide on Eucharistic adoration that will help us to practice it in all its depth, and with a missionary perspective.

God has made himself particularly close to mankind in Jesus his Son. The redemptive Incarnation of his Son is how God reconciles mankind with himself. The memorial of the Passover of Christ is therefore at the heart of our relationship with God. In the Blessed Sacrament, the resurrected Jesus is really present and acting; he draws all mankind into his filial relationship with the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, following the plan of God, Catholics put the Eucharist at the heart of their lives, and take time to adore Jesus in the Holy Sacrament. The adorer wants to abide within the dynamic life of the Eucharist, just as he desires that the Eucharist transform his whole life. Adoration and Eucharistic life transform believers into the image of Christ.

The author invites us on an itinerary, a journey of faith, in fifty-two stages—as many as the weeks in a year. He starts by showing how the Word of God is made present in the Eucharist, and then he invites us to mature in faith and to be transformed by a greater communion with Christ.

My Comments:
No, I haven't gotten it read yet, even I'm not that fast.  However, I glanced at it, noticed that as stated above, it has 52 chapters, so I'm taking it to Adoration with me for the next year.  Maybe it will keep my mind where it is supposed to be.

Following Jesus Every Day: How Believing Transforms Living

About the Book:

How can Christians really live what we believe as followers of Christ? How can our faith in Jesus transform our daily lives? In simple but profound words and vibrant images from the renowned Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, the doctrine and the practice of the faith are fruitfully brought together to help us truly to follow Jesus every day.

Cardinal Schönborn addresses the basic questions of Christian morality, and how we live what we believe as followers of Christ. He shows how we are not left alone in the difficult task of coping with life's challenges: God's grace is a strong help for us. Thanks to this divine help, good moral conduct is possible— as we see in the shining examples of the saints.

The Cardinal leads from the basic question—What is ethical conduct, and how is it possible?—to the question of holiness: How are we to become saints? Each of his reflections on morality begins with human experience, and then leads into a discussion of the specific character of Christian morality. He explores many important questions about Christian moral living, referring to the teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as insights from the Church Fathers and the saints on such topics as sin, grace, freedom, virtue, conscience, holiness, and more.

"Many Christians today know what to believe but are less certain about how to live a life faithful to the Gospel. How do we truly follow Jesus every day? In this fantastic book, Cardinal Schönborn walks the reader step-by-step through the basics of Christian moral teaching by drawing on Scripture, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The result is an amazingly clear introduction to moral theology that should be read by everyone."

— Brant Pitre, Professor of Sacred Scripture, Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans

My Comments:

This book is under 200 pages but a quick flip through it tells me it will probably take me some time to work through, though that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The Maid of Orleans: The Life and Mysticism of Joan of Arc

About the Book:

This acclaimed work on the life and legacy of Joan of Arc is considered by many historians as one of the most well researched, convincing and best written accounts of the maid of Orleans. Stolpe vividly creates the contemporary situation in France, evaluates the latest research in her life, and arrives at a highly original and yet completely believable portrait which is also a work of literature.

Stolpe sees Joan of Arc as primarily a mystic, and her supreme achievement and lasting significance not in a mission to deliver France, though important, but in her share in the passion of Christ. By shifting the emphasis from the national to the universal, he brings the saint closer to the modern reader. His scholarship is informed by a profound understanding and sympathy for the Maid that gives this essentially sober work the absorbing interest of a novel.

As one critic stated, "Stolpe succeeds in producing a very tense interest, so that it is impossible to lay it aside until the last word is reached." It should do much to present a new evaluation of the life and significance of St. Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans.

My Comments:

I live in New Orleans; of course I'm going to read this one.  I'll bet my history major daughter will want it after I'm done (or maybe before, depending on what she takes next semester and where this lands on my now huge TBR stack). 

Thanks to Ignatius Press for participating in this giveaway.  As I finish these and other books I won, I'll post reviews so check back!