|
Gracie: Standing with Hope |
Every day at the office, I receive unsolicited books in the category known as "inspirational." I glance at them all, but almost invariably they end up in the giveaway bin. No disrespect: we simply can't cover everything. This book was an exception. A terrible car accident as a freshman in college. Many surgeries. Unrelenting pain. Out of this suffering came a deepened faith—and a desire to help others. Formulaic? Yes and no. (We're all born, we all die: pretty formulaic, isn't it?) Read Gracie Rosenberger's story yourself. And keep some Kleenex handy.
Destiny Of The Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President |
At the center of this riveting narrative is James Garfield. Inaugurated as President of the United States in March 1881, he was shot by a self-deluded assassin in July and died in September. In addition to restoring to public memory the admirable Garfield (a man of deep faith, an ardent abolitionist, and a natural leader who knew grinding poverty firsthand), Candice Millard deftly handles several story lines connected with Garfield's fate. The result is one of the year's best pieces of history writing.
The Best American Poetry 2011 |
As the former editor of a series with "Best" in the title, I'm not inclined to be huffy about this annual gathering. Why quibble? I rejoice at the continuing existence of this series, and I'm particularly happy when—as this year—the guest editor is a poet whose work I enjoy. Not that I like all the poems Kevin Young has picked. Who could expect that? But keep this volume by your bed for a few weeks, and you'll be amply rewarded.
Copyright © 2011 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere:
Gracie, Destiny of the Republic and The Best American Poetry 2011 are available from Barnes and Noble and other retailers.
John Wilson is editor of Books & Culture, a Christianity Today sister publication.
Find other "Bookmarks" and reviews in our books section.
Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
More from this Issue
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineEmpty Streets to the Empty GraveWhile reporting in Israel, photographer Michael Winters captures an unusually vacant experience at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
- Editor's PickA Theologian’s Vision of ‘Peasant’ Politics Is Surprisingly Lordly in ScopeEphraim Radner’s “narrow” concern for protecting the mundane goods of earthly life isn’t so narrow after all.