Meet the Author Jeanne Marie Laskas is an associate professor and the director of the writing program at the University of Pittsburgh. Previously (1994-2008), she was a syndicated columnist for The Washington Post Magazine, writing weekly essays: "Significant Others." She is the author of six books, including an award-winning trilogy of memoirs: Fifty Acres and a Poodle (2000), The Exact Same Moon (2003), and Growing Girls (2006). Book Basics Read More …
Books
Review of America’s Blessings (#0925)
Meet the Author Since 2004, Rodney Stark has been a University Professor in Social Sciences and the Co-Director of the Institute of Studies of Religion at Baylor University. Stark is an American sociologist of religion who previously taught for over thirty years at the University of Washington. He has published 30 books (my review of What Americans Really Believe / my review of The Triumph of Christianity: How the Jesus Movement Became the World’s Largest Read More …
Review of What Money Can’t Buy (#0922)
Meet the Author Michael J. Sandel is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University, where he has taught political philosophy since 1980. Sandel is best known for his undergraduate course, "Justice," which is the first Harvard course to be made freely available online and on public television. His accompanying book on the topic, Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do (2009), is an international bestseller. Additionally, he is the author of Read More …
Review of Shaping the Journey (#0918)
Meet the Authors Richard R. Dunn and Jana L. Sundene both have experience as professors and in parish ministry. Dunn is lead pastor at Fellowship Evangelical Free Church (Knoxville, TN), and formerly served as chair of educational ministries at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Sundene serves on the leadership team of the Vine Christian Community (Long Grove, IL), and is associate professor of Christian ministries at Trinity College. Book Basics Given the limited Read More …
Review of Everyday Heroes (#0914)
Meet the Author and Photographer Katrina Fried is senior editor and associate publisher at Welcome Books, where she has worked since 2001. During her time at Basic she has written, edited or produced over a dozen books offering "unique visual narratives that push the boundaries and traditional limitations of illustrated books." Paul Mobley is a photographer with extensive training and an impressive client list including American Express, Sony, Citigroup, Ford, Compaq, Gourmet, Max Read More …
Review of Toxic Charity (#0911)
Meet the Author Robert D. Lupton is founder and president of Focused Community Strategies (FCS) Urban Ministries. In that role, he writes "Urban Perspectives," monthly reflections about life and faith in the city. Additionally, Lupton is the author of several books, including Renewing the City: Reflections on Community Development and Urban Renewal (2005), Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor (2007), Toxic Charity: How Read More …
Review of Effective Staffing for Vital Churches (#0907)
Meet the Authors Since 1987, Bill Easum (pictured in the lighter colored shirt) and Bill Tenny-Brittian (pictured in the darker colored shirt) have directly served more than 1,000 churches, trained hundreds of thousands of church leaders, and created a wide variety of resources. While serving as a pastor, Easum founded 21st Century Strategies in 1987. In 2000, Easum merged his organization with Tom Bandy’s Thriving Church ministry to create Easum, Read More …
Review of A Year of Biblical Womanhood (#0904)
Meet the Author Rachel Held Evans is a popular author and speaker. After working for a few newspapers, she began writing on her own. Her blog has won numerous awards and is consistently ranked among the most popular Christian blogs. Held Evans has written two books: Evolving in Monkey Town (2010) and A Year of Biblical Womanhood (2012). Her work has been featured on NPR, Slate, The BBC, The Washington Post, The Guardian(UK), The Read More …
Review of Selling Water by the River (#0897)
Meet the Author Shane Hipps is a second career pastor. This portion of his journey started after working as a strategic planner in advertising. Hipps served as lead Pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church (2005-2010). He is now nearing the end of his time as teaching pastor at Mars Hill (2010-2012). Hipps is the author of two books: Selling Water by the River (2012) and Flickering Pixels (2009 - my review) as well as the co-author of The Hidden Power Read More …
Review of God Believes in Love (#0890)
Meet the Author Gene Robinson has received widespread recognition as the first priest in a blessed and openly gay relationship to be ordained a bishop in a major Christian denomination believing in the historic episcopate. Robinson, an Episcopal priest, has served as Bishop of New Hampshire since 2004. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow at American Progress. He is the author of two books: In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God (2008) and God Believes in Read More …