I was busy during August, so I only managed to read three books. One looked at the growing divide between traditional Christian teachings and the political beliefs of many evangelical pastors and followers. Another book on Bob Dylan and the Beatles shared lots of information I didn’t know. And the final one on writing was a pure disappointment.
NOTE: If you click on the title or book image, you can see the notes that I’ve taken on each book.
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism
Tim Alberta’s The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory examines the growing divide between traditional Christian teachings and the political beliefs of many American evangelicals. Alberta, a political journalist and the son of an evangelical pastor, approaches the subject from both a reporter’s perspective and a deeply personal connection to the faith. His central question is simple: What happens when Christians place political power, national identity, and cultural conflict above the teachings of Jesus?
Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other―and the World
The book, “Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other―and the World” by Will Hermes, follows Bob Dylan and the Beatles as their lives and music cross during the 1960s and beyond. Their paths began in very different places, yet both artists wanted to escape many of the expectations that their fans had about who they should be.
I’m fascinated by anyone who makes a living as a writer. That’s why I was interested in Scott Scheper’s book, “Penpreneur.” But I should have paid more attention to the subtitle, ” How to Make Six Figures Writing One Thing A Month.” He shares his story and his method for building a business that largely depends on loyal followers paying him $96 a month to read the one thing he writes each month.
I’m frequently asked why I write out summaries of the books I read. I remember more when I take notes. This habit started when I was a journalist. Perhaps you might find them helpful. You can see a list of the books I’ve read in the last couple of years, along with links to my summaries, on my Book Notes page.
Dave Edwards Media 