Three Book Reviews

     Today, I would like to review three books.  One is a religious book, and two are animal books.  The first book that I would like to discuss is "Hearing Jesus Speak Into You Sorrow" written by Nancy Guthrie.  Let me start out by saying that this is a very well-written book that deals with the way the author dealt with her grief when she lost two of her babies to the same genetic disease.  No one should have to face what this woman and her family had to go through.
     The author delivers some very good chapters dealing with the way that Jesus has experienced sorrows such as ours.  Because of this, Jesus is able to help us in our trials and afflictions.  The best chapter is the first chapter entitled, "Hear Jesus Saying, I Too Have Known Overwhelming Sorrow."
     I feel bad saying this, but I have to be honest, while there is much good in this book, and the author is a good writer, the underlying theological framework of the book is one with which I do not agree.  There is a growing trend in evangelicalism to return to a Calvinistic outlook that makes God responsible for all that happens in the world.  God has a plan that somehow involves tragedy coming into our lives.  I don't believe that God has to work out His plan by taking someone's life or causing some type of natural disaster.
     For a good discussion on these matters, I would once again recommend the book "Why?" written by Adam Hamilton.  For a completely different perspective on why there is suffering in the world, a view I also disagree with but it is interesting nonetheless, is the viewpoint  Rabbi Harold Kushner expresses in several of his books.  His view is known as finite godism.
     Now, for two books that I recommend without reservation.  Valmik Thapar's "Land of the Tiger" is an awesome book that introduces the reader to the wildlife of India.  This book is a must read for tiger lovers, but it also gives a great deal of information about other species.
    Another great tiger book is "Tigers of the Snow" written by Peter Matthiessen.  This book tells about the efforts to study and preserve the Siberian tiger.  These are the largest tigers on the planet.  A good population of these cats are clinging to existence in the Russian far east.  Matthiessen, who is a brilliant writer, does fine work in this book.  Matthiessen's other classic of the natural world in "The Snow Leopard."  I would recommend this book as well.