Short reviews of books on American reform, shyness, and the clash of Rome and Jerusalem.

Short reviews of The Cambridge Companion to Evangelical Theology, Before I Die, and Water from a Deep Well.

By Allen C. Guelzo, author of Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President and Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

Short reviews of Americanism and 3:16.

Short reviews of Metaphysics and the God of Israel, Hidden Iran, and Caring for Mother.

Short reviews of First Look, Then Start Talking, What Jesus Demands from the World, and If Jesus Were Mayor.

Short reviews of Dissident Discipleship, When Saints Sing the Blues, and Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters.

22 titles that bring understanding to people, events, and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought, and mission.

We asked our readers to pick their favorite movies of 2006, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest rose to the top. Captain Jack Sparrow rules, savvy?

Our third annual Critics' Choice Awards pick the Top 10 Films of 2006—a list that somewhat resembles others in the mainstream, with a few surprises thrown in.

What do a shy-but-brilliant speller, a dead Mexican guy, a street thug from Soweto, a compassionate spider, an anti-Nazi young woman, and the baby Jesus have in common? They're all in movies that we've just voted the ten most redeeming films of 2006.

Skillet, Apologetix fans lift their faves to the top; Camp, St. James repeat; Leeland jumps into the mix.