nordicjack

Refreshing

Revisado: 10-08-23

An enjoyable listen about the personality and background of famous people held in high regard which identifies their foibles and eccentricities.

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Self Control to Doubt

Revisado: 10-22-20

Thought-provoking and informative are two adjectives suitable for this Great Courses lecture series. The great philosophical thinkers share their thoughts and beliefs through the narration of Robert Solomon who also adds context to content by giving his audience a little background of each philosopher. These widely known, deep abstract thinkers include Albert Camus, Soren Kierkegaard and his worldview of Christianity; Friedrich Nietzsche on Nihilism and the death of God, among other topics, such as, morality; Husserl, Heidegger on Phenomenology, consciousness and one's interaction with their environment; and Jean-Paul Sartre on emotions and responsibility.

No study of Philosophy is complete without the inclusion of religion. Science takes man to understanding and possible belief. Kierkegaard postulates that since God is spiritual and separate from creation, being the Creator, belief requires a qualitative leap of faith. Solomon's closing lecture covers Existentialism, a philosophy about the control over one's life, to Postmodernism and its general distrust of any ideologies or worldviews.

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Classic Poem about Divine Justice

Revisado: 10-22-20

A great lecture on Dante's Divine Comedy. Ronald B. Herzman and William R. Cook discuss this classic work in context as well as art in poetry. Dante's guided trek through Purgatory and Hell provides ample opportunity to describe the people who are too attached to the world and the flesh to enjoy an eternity of bliss in Heaven when mortality summons.

The professors give this lecture to several groups who identify with the protagonist but when he is in different realms. Prisoners see themselves in Purgatory atoning for their sins and students see themselves in Hell coping with the everyday stress of life. It is suggested by the author to reread this poem in order to grasp its full meaning and appreciate Dante's genius.

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Jump or Push

Revisado: 10-21-20

Tragedy happens and a decade later a young woman says she is sent by that tragic figure, the woman who, in the past, jumps off the bridge known as, "The Easy Way." Investigation reveals that events are not as reported. The protagonist, the husband of that woman, hears about a nine-year-old who claims to be possessed by his wife. She claims she is pushed off the bridge that night, she did not jump. The plot opens wounds and new investigations to reveal the truth. In the end, main characters chat about their experience and reflect on its consequences. The writing is good and the story line interesting but this reviewer is not riveted by its telling. This is why Second Skin rates a three out of five stars.

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Humor Diffuses Horror

Revisado: 10-21-20

This Young Adult, Fiction/Fantasy has the right pace, plot, and character build to pique my attention as I enjoy the brash and sassy protagonist's adventure in Jaymin Eve's first book in her Curse of the Gods series, Trickery. Humor ameliorates any sense of horror or shock in this young female's self discovery. She forms a working, sometimes amorous, relationship with her dominant, protective companions. This formula for interesting interaction unfolds in the writing skill of the author.

Magical powers define the tiers of social significance in this world. The heroine offers experiences from the bottom wrung to the top surviving much of what should kill her along the way. The conclusion of book #1 implies much leaving opportunities for book #2 to elaborate.

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A Long-awaited Pearl

Revisado: 10-21-20

What a timely read/listen. Napoleon Hill writes this book during the rise of Hitler and it publishes in 2011. The subject matter is as controversial then as it is now. This book displays the author's worldview without any reference to any established religions. The interview style is an excellent format that allows both protagonist and antagonist to elaborate on deep psychological issues.

Mankind's struggle with temptation causes a drifting away from a moral path and eventually into a natural hypnotic rhythm of permanent negative thoughts, e. g., failure. Napoleon Hill asserts that the moral compass exists in men who are successful giants in their industry. Disciplined learning, even from failure, is essential for success, along with perseverance. Self-control maintains emotional balance to prevent distortion of will and reason. Once one betrays the moral code, that individual starts to drift. Staying focused requires Definiteness of Purpose or Intentional Purpose. Hill claims that success is almost guaranteed if one has Definiteness of Purpose with Definiteness of Plan.

So why adopt Definiteness of Purpose as a daily practice? Hill states that it is a fundamental step toward a spiritual, meaningful life. He suggests one follow seven principles: 1) Definiteness of Purpose 2) Mastery of Self 3) Learning from Adversity 4) Controlling Environmental Influence 5) Time; giving permanency to positive rather than negative thought habits and developing wisdom 6) Harmony 7) Caution: Thinking through plans before acting.

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Three Quarantines

Revisado: 10-21-20

Three entertaining short stories well written and narrated by professionals in their industry. The interesting angle that all three stories share is the sudden shock of a Quarantine that causes them to stay at home and carry out their best laid plans from there. This angle is enough to tease today's listeners into investing a few hours of their quarantined day to escape and enjoy the fictional issues of what is called, "Inside Jobs."

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The Idea Virus

Revisado: 10-21-20

This is an excellent book, guide, program about the differences between five popular worldviews, what makes each different from the other, and, unlike many of the apologetic literature, intentionally directs the participant in this body of work toward Christianity. In fact, Jeff Myers calls all other worldviews toxic, as a virulent disease.

Christianity teaches that there is only one way to Heaven and that is through faith in Jesus Christ, who states, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6 (NIV) A Christlike walk in life is a righteous one, one that demands obedience to God's will. This worldview also teaches that God can be wrathful, when necessary, but wants to shower mankind with His benevolence, "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 2:7 (KJV) All other worldviews either deny God's existence or deny His loving interventions with mankind.

The author describes misleading worldviews as an Idea Virus, each idea full of despair because they separate mankind from the One, true God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Secularism teaches that there is only the material world and no life after death. Marxism (Atheists) believe that the wealthy need to be overthrown and their wealth redistributed. Post-Modernism thinks that humans are devoid of meaning and hope because only the material exists. New Spirituality believes that mankind's problems are all spiritual and all else is an illusion. Finally, Islam preaches submission to Allah with rebellion against those who are not Muslim. Islam is a Totalitarian worldview. Muslims must follow Muhammad, its prophet, and Allah as slaves. The history of Islam and Western Civilization is rich with jihad, blood, and atrocities of war.

As participants, the author wants Christians to have true hope. Their faith and trust in Jesus Christ blesses them with joy, a gracious gift from the Holy Spirit. Their hope is joyous, awaiting eternity with Jesus, one day, in Heaven. This lesson informs Christians not to hope in themselves but to involve themselves in God's work, spreading His Good News, the gospel, restoring hope in others. People become agents of life, that precious gift of God that other worldviews regard differently.

Myers knows that the way of the Christian is fraught with persecution and resistance. He brings out the resiliency of Christians because they are, once more, blessed by the Holy Spirit's fruit of longsuffering, restraint in the face of turmoil, also known as patience. Christians bring stability in volatility. Genuine faith saves Christians who receive the Holy Spirit as a great companion, counselor, and comforter.

Human beings are full of faults. Christians are, too, since they are not different from anyone else, in this regard. Other worldviews can lead followers to a life of fear and regret. These bind them to toxic ideas that enslave them. Christians must face their mistakes, overcome obstacles, and remain loyal to God, through it all, with fearlessness. They are confident in their hope and faith. If not, they are prey to counterfeit worldviews, no hope, and a contagion of despair, the Idea Virus.

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Mystery/Thriller

Revisado: 10-21-20

The story of a single, politically involved woman who blames herself for her father's heart attack he suffers on the way to her swim meet. That guilt and the recent stress of a failed political campaign causes Chloe, the protagonist, to look for a retreat for rest and relaxation. She finds The Getaway, a seemingly perfect place. Mystery develops into a thriller as soon as she becomes aware that she offers entirely too much information, willingly, during her sign-in.

This short story is fast-paced and interesting. The narration keeps the tale fresh while keeping the characters unique. This fiction fulfills the hunger for Mystery/Thriller genre.

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Young Adult Fantasy

Revisado: 10-21-20

First chapter reveals the protagonist as a young girl who finds herself in a Sword-in-the-Stone scenario. The antagonist is identified as the Demon King. The plot is to kill or dethrone the Demon King using a hero. Follow the young girl as she develops skills and confidence along a path of many challenges she must overcome on her quest. She discovers her own magic maturing as she befriends other magical beings to assist her.

This Young Adult fantasy fiction moves at a quick pace. Some of the adventures are generalized; like, killing monsters along the way as they approach the Demon King's castle. A greater description details the surprise meeting of protagonist with the antagonist. The climax exposes the remaining characters' magic as they fulfill their duties heading into the story's conclusion, one with an open end.

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