Nick Alexander

"Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc" Lives Here

Revisado: 03-01-25

I have no problem with people who have tried both the Novus Ordo and the Tridentine (traditional) liturgies and have a preference for the latter. The author, who was once a staple in Catholic charismatic events and is a vibrant speaker, has found himself drifting from these roots and more towards a traditional liturgy. Wonderful. He will also recognize that, while the mass in the vernacular is not his preferred choice, he will not go so far and state it as illegitimate. Again, nice.

What is an issue is that, in the process of trying to explain why the attraction of the liturgy for him (and for a few testimonials in the back), he demonstrates a lot of weak arguments that are based upon his personal experiences, with the snark meter turned to high. Yes, some parishes have deplorable tastes in song selection. Yes, there was a significant drop of church attendance in liturgies once the vernacular mass was introduced. Yes, there have been numerous liturgical abuses. I've heard it before.

What is missing is any deep analysis as to why the bishops overwhelmingly approved of Vatican II back in 1965, despite being blessed by the mysteries of the Tridentine liturgy. His extreme disdain for the 1960s seems to forget that behind the 1960s were both the events of the 1940s (where World War II and the holocaust lived in memory), and the 1950s, (with the continual undercurrent of racism was *finally* being undercut by the Civil Rights movement in its earliest stages). That over the decades, radio, then television, and soon the Internet, began introducing isolated Catholic communities to a larger more homogenous world. And that Vietnam and later, Watergate, caused a massive distrust in established institutions, which Vatican II would not have predicted. This distrust greatly affected ALL denominations, save for those arising from the Jesus Movement (evangelicals, charismatics, and megachurches). Therefore, the notion that the loss of Latin would not have changed this an iota, as other Catholic rites not bound by Vatican II, which retained the same appreciation for Latin chants, all suffered similar devastating drops.

There is a different book that needs to be written for Catholic men. Instead of a book that encourages men to FEARFULLY RUN AWAY from their local parish, (where immense good could occur), there should be a book on how to instill HOLINESS for themselves and their families, DESPITE when our local parish priests, CCD teachers and music ministers let us down. Such a book would have a massive impact on our world.

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History of One of Pop's Greatest Treasures

Revisado: 11-13-17

I have already seen the documentary of The Wrecking Crew made a few years back, and I also saw "Love & Mercy" which showed a re-enactment of the Pet Sounds sessions. What was so great about this book (and in many ways, superior) is that it details how they somehow got associated with each other, the major figures who made it happen, and the insights of these movers and shakers that kept them going, simply because [name] used them. And this continued, until work dried up in the mid-1970s, when music production changed.

A fascinating glimpse in pop music history, not often told.

Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

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What it takes

Revisado: 02-17-16

If you want to move past easy explanations as to why The Beatles were great (sorry Malcolm Gladwell fans) then this book is a landmark achievement.

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Repetitious

Revisado: 09-20-06

I wasn't prepared for Ayn Rand. I heard a lot of people were influenced by her writings, including the late Ronald Reagan, who changed parties shortly thereafter. My beef is not about the story, but about the presentation. This is the sort of work that works best if you have a Cliffs Notes summary of her main points. The story is nonexistant; it's merely a series of setups and strike-downs. The central character is soooo perfect, that any competing financial/ethical philosophy is struck down by the other character's boorishness and pompousness and hypocrisies.

Such an approach to promoting one's philosophies might appeal to some, but not me. Better to put both perspectives' at their best on the table, and let them fight it out on their merits.

I got real tired of the book too quickly. I couldn't even finish it.

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Best book I've ever read on Audible

Revisado: 01-13-06

Don't let the length intimidate you. Of all the books I've ordered thru audible.com, this is the one book that I wished would never end. You get to know and understand a truly unique individual in American history, and see major events of the 20th century through his eyes and experience. The writing is such so that the events appear like current events, as you are thrust into the middle of the action, witnessing how America became transformed from ragtag pioneer country to the dominant cultural global force that it is today.

The best part of this read is the absolutely thrilling account of the election of 1948. It makes you want to cheer "Give 'em hell, Harry!"

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Touching

Revisado: 07-19-05

I'm not a fan of Sandy Patti, although I was familiar with her music in her heyday in the 80s, and her successes, along with her missteps. However, this book may leave a lasting impression on me, as it successfully humanizes the struggle that she went through, while not discounting the sin itself. She shows how, even in her mistake, that God was able to raise up fruit from the ashes. It's a perfect book for someone who is struggling because of divorce.

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