Product Description
Marketing in the early 21st century is dominated by two approaches, neither of which is visible to the naked eye: the use of data to define and shape human affairs into machine-readable form and the effort to create and sustain ongoing two-way relationships with customers. The former is one way human life is being subjugated to the regime of the machine; the latter is one way the individual may one day emerge from within the datascape. A post-modern perspective is used to reveal both the "kaleidoroscope" of data and the "raw immaterials" of relationships in two companion essays.
Customer Reviews:
Rebecca Nailed It.......2007-03-18
Rebecca's review is spot-on. I could read this book several times and get something new out of it each time. Ellis succinctly captures the changes in consumer-marketer interaction and the new 21st century value exchange and does a great job of putting it in historical and philosophical context.
Big Thoughts on Marketing .......2007-03-09
Most books on business (particularly those by self-proclaimed "gurus") seize on a single idea. With terrier-like tenacity they explain it, illustrate it, present case studies of it, then explain it yet again, until a readers feels she's entered some sort of textual version of "Groundhog's Day."
"Marketing in the In-Between," takes the opposite approach. It packs so many clusters of thought, ideas, revelations and connections on every page, the reader will need to repeatedly dip in to glean all the thoughts. It challenges readers to truly ponder and to question the basic precepts and practices upon which marketing is based.
Book Description
Minoo Moallem challenges the mainstream stereotypical representation of Islam and Muslims as backward, fanatical, and premodern by showing how Islamic nationalism and fundamentalism are by-products of modernity. Writing with a deep personal and scholarly concern for recent Iranian history, Moallem refers to the gendered notions of brother and sister as keys to understanding the invention of the Islamic ummat as a modern fraternal community. Using magazines, novels, and films, she offers a feminist transnational analysis of contemporary Iranian culture that questions dominant binaries of modern and traditional, West and East, secular and religious, and civilized and barbaric.
Between Warrior Brother and Veiled Sister responds to a number of important questions raised in connection with 9/11. The author considers how veiling intersects with other identity markers in nation-state building and modern formations of gendered citizenship. She shows how Islamic nationalism and fundamentalism are fed by a hybrid blend of images and myths of both pre-Islamic and Islamic Iran, as well as globally circulated patriarchal ideologies.
Customer Reviews:
Westernized Islamic Sociology.......2006-10-19
When reading this book keep a bottle of No-Doz handy. You will enjoy this book if you relish reading stuff like: "coercive displacement is a desubjectifying process"..."they merely divided patriarchy into hegemonic and subordinated semiotic regimes"... "postmodernism relies extensively on consumerism, where Islamic culture is increasingly commodified and opened to uncertainty, multiplicity, intertextuality and the collapse of time-space with no foundation." This Persian gal's turgid writing style reminded me that the 'Tower of Babel' originated in Mesopotamia. The author is opposed to how capitalism has provided so many products to the poor of Iran: "Consumer capitalism has incorporated this transnational reworking of the nation in its inexorable march to produce new consumer subjects" because women have "overarching dichotomous notions of identify in modernity by suppressing cultural hybridity or forms of inbetweeness" (p.16). By writing these thoughts the author believes that they explain the 1979 revolution in Iran; but she fails to demonstrate by how. The author also worries about "the emasculation of Muslim men produced by neocolonial modernity and the remasculinzation permitted by nationalist and fundamentalist political movements", but doesn't convincingly relate this concern to the 1979 revolution. Once a reader finishes reading this book, one really doesn't have any clearer understanding about the differences between the Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam and why they so joyously fight one another. The author jumps around her book in briefly noting the influence of the Shiite tragedy of Imam Hussein but doesn't explain why or how Hussein was killed; he just dies and then 1400 years later "de-emasculated" Shiites rebel against the Shah! Essentially, this book reflects the author's studying of some 50-75 socio-philosophers and adopts their perspectives as to how women are restricted by the religious-caste system in India or foot-binding in pre-Communist China, and concludes from those sociology studies (and many others) that women were indeed repressed by tyrannical Islamic religious imams in pre-1979 Iran -- which was made all the worse by the Shah's corrupt government. Given the generic, cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all sociological "principles," one can pretty well just drop all the times that the word "Iran" appears, and substitute any other country's name. Essentially, if the postulate feels good, scratch it and adapt it. Similar to the American humorist Will Rogers, the author never met a socio-theory she didn't like (at least, she didn't condemn any here). Both Nietzsche and Hegel make their obligatory guest appearances in this sociology study. The author barely mentions any role that anti-Shah liberals and communists played in ousting the Shah. The author does not quote from the Quran to show how the Islam mullahs justify their veiling (and seclusion) of Muslim women. Women who veil show their independence from men in that they can hide themselves from the lustful looks of men; but then, women who don't veil show their independence of not fearing mens' leering eyes. One realizes that the author, having lived under the Khomeini regime, has many personal insights about the historical Islamic seclusion of women; regretfully, the author relates very little of this to the reader. The author could write numerous books based on her sociological "principles" that she presented in each chapter of this book, if she were only to open up and write about specific examples as to how the post-1979 Islamist government curtailed women's independent or public activities. For instance: Why won't the Muslim mullahs allow women to campaign for the Iranian presidency? It is ironic that after the "reform oriented" Shah was dumped, and after the successful assumption of power by Khomeini's "fundamentalist Islamic" government, that this pro-Muslim author had to eventually flee to a terrible, consumer-capitalist oriented western country (which she so loathes) in order to freely live and write about the liberated Muslim-women lifestyle that she cannot find in any Islamic-ruled country. The author fails to explain what is so endearing about Islam, from her liberated-female perspective, that the imams fail to understand. This is a book that is easy to put down, and difficult to pick back up. Sociology majors will like this book because of its extensive citation of sociology studies. Be very familiar with Islam and Iranian history before reading this book, or else you will be lost in the author's socio "time-space" worm holes. Regretfully, you are not really going to learn much about Iranian Islam in this book; what you are going to learn is that this author has read many "internationally applicable" sociology studies that seem to be able to be generic enough to fit into almost any political event in Iran (or any other country). Although this book's subtitle refers to "Islamic Fundamentalism", one really does not learn anything about the foundations or beliefs of Islamic fundamentalism. The author has many fine insights, it's just that its so tedious in trying to find them. This book is worth reading, but it will take persistency. Nonetheless, I bought this book, and will frequent it for its many sociological perspectives, which are lacking in political and historical books.
Book Description
M. G. Vassanji, author of
The Book of Secrets, winner of the first Giller prize, brings us a novel that is rich in sensuous detail and political insight, and brilliantly captures the tyranny of history and memory, and questions one’s role and responsibility in lawless times.
Born in colonial Kenya, Vikram Lall comes of age at the same moment as the colony, which in 1953 is celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II even as the Mau Mau independence movement is challenging British rule. But while Kenya is being torn apart by idealism, doubt and violent political upheaval, Vic and his sister Deepa begin to search for their place in the world. Neither colonists nor African, neither white nor black, the Indian brother and sister find themselves somewhere in between in their band of playmates: Bill and Annie, British children, and Njoroge, an African boy. These are the friendships that will haunt the rest of their lives.
We follow Vic from a changing Africa in the fifties, to the sixties -- a time of immense promise. But when that hope is betrayed by the corruption and fear of the seventies and eighties, Vic finds himself drawn into the Kenyatta government’s orbit of graft and power-brokering. Njoroge, on the other hand, can abandon neither the idealism of his youth nor his love for Deepa, coerced into marrying within her Indian community. But neither the cynicism of the one nor the idealism of the other can avert the tragedies that await.
Acute and bittersweet,
The In-between World of Vikram Lall is told in the voice of the exiled Vic as he contemplates from the shores of Lake Ontario the tides that have brought him so far from home and the possibility that even as history was shaping him, he has had a hand in altering its course.
Customer Reviews:
My life simply happened without deep designs; I was an easily disposable commodity.......2006-09-08
This saga of an Indian family living in Kenya, told by `one of Africa's most corrupt men', sketches the (in)direct implication of its family members in Kenya's history.
The Mau Mau movement of Yomo Kenyatta is fighting against the brutal British occupants (`plucking out eyes with bayonets') in order to free Kenya of its colonial regime.
The Indians in that country constitute an in-between world: `we Asians were special: we were brown, we were few and frightened and we could be threatened with deportation as aliens even if we had been in the country before some African people.'
Some stay neutral, but other chose sides and are directly involved in the committed atrocities.
Vikram Lall's idyllic youth comes brutally to an end with the murder of a white family.
After the black victory, the freedom movement and the Mau Mau are betrayed. `That ours had become a country of ten millionaires and ten million paupers. Those who had collaborated with the colonial police were now in all the high posts and had taken the best land and opportunities. ...If you were connected, through family or communal allegiances, even penniless you were protected and favoured.'
Corruption, blackmail, extortion and intimidation become rampant in order to `buy' cheaply the businesses of `strangers.
Vikram Lall becomes a civil servant overseeing big business contracts ...
This book is also a hymn on green Africa with the all importance of rain and a reminder of India's caste (marriage) and religious problems: `Her soul has flown away, it's only the empty body. She'll come back in a new body. I rather preferred the old body. How would I recognize the new one?'
Vassanji's chronicle is an impressive achievement, but not a `feast' of a book; instead Vikram Lall's world is one of racism, fanaticism, brutal power struggle and blatant corruption.
Not to be missed.
A rare piece of literature.......2006-08-30
This novel is presented in the first-person point of view, the narrator being Vikram Lall, an Indian born and raised in Kenya. We are made to understand that Vikram turns out to be a horrendously corrupt individual who bankrupts his nation. However, he begins by recounting his childhood, as a young boy in Nakuru, Kenya. Then we are carried into his young adulthood, as he begins to work for the newly independent government, entering the dark realm of underhanded politics. Throughout the novel, the author brings us back to Vikram's present location (Canada) where he is remembering his past.
My only complaint about this novel is in Vikram's character. A dark tragedy alters his emotions, rendering him to be a passionless man. But that lack of vigor makes him an absolute bore. There were a few scenes where I thought Vikram would suddenly break out of his shell, but he remains restrained throughout, allowing injustices to occur and his desires to collapse. I enjoyed the other characters though, especially Deepa and Njoroge, possibly the most passionate individuals in the novel.
I greatly appreciated the fearlessness in exhibiting race relations between Indians and everyone else in Kenya. The interplay appeared geniune, showing the social hierarchy amongst the races (the British, Indians, then blacks at the bottom). This hierarchy gets flipped after Kenya's independence, leaving the Indians in the middle again. But since the majority of Indians did not support the blacks during the freedom struggle, they become the scapegoats for the newly freed country's problems, leading to mass deportations, etc. Most of the race relations are viewed from Vikram's serene point of view.
I also appreciated the detailed characters, such as Mahesh Uncle who backs the Mau Mau in their fight against the British, and his relationship with Vikram.
Great book overall, excellent for those who want a greater understanding of the aftermath of colonialism.
A remarkable novel.......2006-06-21
Vassanji tells the compelling story of Virkram Lall, an East African Indian who almost inadvertently becomes involved in several massive corruption scandals in early post-independence Kenya. But the heartline of the story is the thrwarted love-affair between his sister and his best friend, a black African, and Vikram's terrifying childhood experiences and deep personal loss during the Mau-Mau rebellion against British colonial rule in Kenya. The novel is equal parts Kenyan history, love story, and political thriller seen from the unusual point of view of a tightly-knit immigrant Punjabi family.
Vassanji has writen a superb novel. It is moving, entertaining and meaningful, and that is a hard-to-beat cocktail. The style is lucid and even occassionally lyrically beautiful (the childhood part stands out). In many ways it is a complex novel with a great deal of detail but Vassanji pulls everything elegantly together.
Highly recommended for everyone but particularly readers with interest in East Africa and it's remarkable history.
Ugly, but beautifully written.......2006-06-17
In this story Vassanji does an amazing job at creating a dynamic character who is both flawed and heroic, hence the well-suited name. The reader will sympathize and shame Vikram throughout his journey from a carefree childhood that is gradually littered with racial and social complications to an adulthood that intensifies to corruption. This book truly makes one question the delicate line of moral perception. He makes the story even more brilliant by setting it in a socially and politically charged Kenya struggling for independence from British colonial rule.
This book takes patience to read, I don't recommend it for unmotivated readers. (you know who you are, you have a book you bought last year with the bookmark in a perma-sandwich on pg 10). However, if you do you will be rewarded, and I am quite sure you will be impressed how it illuminates the suffering of one's journey. A very memorable and intelligent read.
Africa.......2006-04-07
It was a very educational book, and made me realize that we often forget that africa has much multiculturalism. As in indian i found it interesting to see the views of indians who have left india much earlier than those who came to north america. I learned alot. I found vassanji to ramble on detail at times. but you get used to it.
it was a good book. but it was a long read, andon only character that made me not wanna put it down was Njoroge.
Book Description
Orphaned at an early age and cheated out of his rightful inheritance, a young man seeks his fortune in a Texas settlement. He eventually courts and marries the daughter of a wealthy Mexican rancher, joining their powerful family despite his being an anglo. But when a Comanche warrior swears vengeance against both the Mexican and white settlers for crimes against his people, a clash of cultures begins. And two men will wage war to see that their culture survives.
Praise for Not Between Brothers:
"[A] well-crafted, gripping first novel...Wilkinson is a gifted storyteller who brings Texas history to life with a tale rich and adventure and high emotions."-- Publishers Weekly
This is simply thie best historical novel about Texas published in more than a decade."-- Review of Texas Books (Editor's Choice)
Customer Reviews:
Happy Trails........2007-01-05
This is one of the very best western epics I've had the pleasure to read.
Laced with historical characters and important moments in Texan history, this book will keep you reading until your eyes droop. I am now a huge fan of this author and have moved on to other of his books. I don't know if it's possible someone would want to make a film of Not Between Brothers but I surely wish they would. This book is a cracker.
Hard To Put Down.......2006-05-02
Having received this book as a gift several years ago, I am now sorry it took me so long to get around to reading it. I assure you that once you start reading Not Between Brothers, you will find it hard to put down.
Others have rehashed the story in their reviews to some degree or another, so I'll try not to do that here. Author Wilkinson does an excellent job developing both the characters and his story. There's a surprise at nearly every turn, although the reader somehow knows that chief protagonist Remy Fuqua is going to survive.
This is not just a story of a titanic clash of cultures, it is a story of hard men and women in a harsh land, where nearly every day brings an often life-threatening challenge. It is written in an heroic fashion that reminds me sometimes of Michener and sometimes of Fraser (of the Flashman series), but nearly always in a way that keeps the reader wondering what's coming next. Wilkinson writes a balanced story with a great understanding of the points of view of all the cultures that once claimed Texas as theirs.
Those who know the parts of Texas where this story takes place will almost literally be able to visualize it, to taste it and to smell it. Those who don't know Texas will come away with a pretty good picture of its geography and climate. And everyone will come away with a greater knowledge of the forces that shaped Texas and made it what it is today.
This is said to be Wilkinson's first novel and he's done a heck of a job researching and writing it. His command of the language is impressive as is his attention to detail. I found only one major factual error about a third of the way through probably missed in the proofreading( see if you can find it too). There are also a couple of times where I was able to guess why a particular incident occurs ahead of it being explained, but most of the time the reader is left in breathless anticipation of what's to come.
Despite a few missteps and a weak final chapter after the dramatic and surprising climax, my overall impression of Not Between Brothers is that I have just read an epic blockbuster. A blurb on the cover claims that it was a finalist for the Spur Award for best novel of the West in 1996. Well, if some other book beat this one, I'll have to read it and see why, because Not Between Brothers is one of the finest books about Texas or the West I have read in years!
Excellent Texas Book!.......2004-06-26
Being a native Texan and a former history I found this to be an
interesting book.The book tells of Remy Fuqua moving to Texas to
start his life.Once in Texas he marries Beatrice the daughter of
wealthy Mexican parents.Together they have three children.His
wife and two of his sons are seized by a feirce Comanche chief by
the name of Kills White Bear.Remy rescues his wife and one of his sons.Once home Beatrice has a child that has been fathered by Kills White Bear.Remy rides with Sam Houston and does battle
with Mexican bandits and the Comanche Indians.He later has a
confrontation with Kills White Bear.A very well written fiction
book that sounds like actual history.Read this book.You will have
a better grasp of the early days of Texas.
A book you won't soon forget!.......2003-09-05
Texas is a huge state with a rich multicultural heritage. It takes a real tour de force, such as David Marion Wilkinson's "Not Between Brothers" to do it justice. In this epic view of Texas history, Wilkinson uses fictional characters Remy Fuqua and Comanche Indian Kills White Bear to tell the story of life on the frontier between the years 1816 and 1861. Remy is a Scotch-Irish orphan who grows up in Louisiana and is permanently scarred by his unhappy childhood. He carries a "never-say-die" attitude and a quick temper throughout his life. Kills White Bear is a Comanche warrior who nurtures a hatred for the white people whose diseases rob him of many of his loved ones. Remy and his cousin move to Texas where they negotiate a piece of land from Stephen F. Austin. Remy meets and falls in love with a beautiful, wealthy Mexican woman, and this causes problems for both of them throughout the rest of their lives. Remy and Kills Bear's lives weave their separate paths until at last they intersect, with predictable dire consequences for both of them. Wilkinson's wonderful prose and unforgettable characters make for an excellent read. He weaves in a lot of history and the reader is treated to up-close looks at Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Jim Bowie, and others who are painted in wonderful shades of gray and who are not made to look like saints. For anyone who enjoys historical fiction or who has an interest in Texas, this is highly recommended reading.
A Texas Thriller--not to be missed!.......2003-04-13
David Marion Wilkinson's "Not Between Brothers" is at once absorbing and at the same time fascinating. This is a thorough story of Texas, or rather, a story of a slice of Texas. It is done with precision, depth, and a dedication to its purpose.
Additionally, Mr. Wilkinson does not try to be a "chauvinistic Texan" and paint only the "boasts" that this state is sometimes known for. His intriguing characters come to us, warts and all,and we are the better for it. The author does not seem to want to give us a story of a state through rose colored glasses; he seems intent upon actually telling a story, one that is believable, sensitive, viable--one that will stay with us.
He has succeeded. To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. I look forward to his continued writings, whether it's about Texas or not!
Book Description
For nearly half a century, siblings John and Mary McLoughlin engaged in an unbroken correspondence. This exchange of heartfelt fictional letters, based upon their life histories, took place against a background of tumultuous change, and whilst they themselves were undoubtedly affected by these changes and the inevitable ravages of time, their love for and loyalty to one another remained steadfast. At the turn of the nineteenth century, British colonial Canada and America sought to define their borders as the French lost their control of the continent, exhausted by the terror and bloodbath of the Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars respectively. In this time of upheaval, the lives of the siblings diverged into two very different paths. Mary entered a convent of Ursuline Sisters in Quebec City, whilst John became active in the fur trade, a vagabond life fraught with loneliness, physical hardship and corrosive competition; the polar opposite of the cloistered life his sister led as a Bride of Christ. However, a cloistered life did not restrict Mary's sharp and eager mind; she knew only too well that for a country in the throes of a difficult birth, a certain amount of religious observance was essential for even a glimmer of much-needed political stability in the physical world her brother moved in. Throughout the decades, each guides the other through bereavement, physical pain, and the growth of their family, and ultimately, their rise to the top of their respective fields; Mary to the role of Mother Superior and John to the "Father of Oregon", their deaths followed by the birth of two nations whose infancy they also shared.
Book Description
A Straightforward, Accurate Answer to a Question Once Considered Settled
In Television campaigns, parachurch events, and clergy fellowships all across the United States, Mormons are presenting themselves as mainstream Christians. Is it unloving or backward to say they aren't real Christians?
In contrast to Christian monotheism the belief in one God Mormonism teaches that God was once a man who lived on another planet and was exalted to the status of God, and that Mormon men can also become gods upon death and resurrection. Is the Mormon My Brother? shows how this fact alone means Mormons and Christians are irreconcilably at odds at faith's most basic level.
In recent years Mormon apologists and church leaders have waged an unflagging public relations campaign to try to rid themselves of the stigma of being considered a "cult" in the evangelical community -. James White demonstrates in a peaceable yet conclusive way that the divide between Mormonism and true Christianity remains an impassible gulf.
Dr. John MacArthur, Senior Pastor, Grace Community Church
The first act of love in reaching out to Mormons is to demonstrate that we do not worship the same God. In Is the Mormon My Brother? James White powerfully drives home that message.
Hank Hanegraaff, President, Christian Research Institute
As Mormonism continues to remake itself and adjust its public image, evangelicals need to be even more aware of what is happening and why. Here is a useful, accessible, well-written resource that will help Christians sort out the growing misunderstanding of Mormon faith and practice.
Dr. John H. Armstrong, President, Reformation & Revival Ministries
Customer Reviews:
Missing the mark.......2007-09-23
I have read several of James White's books, and I have visited his Web page almost every day for several years (I recently deleted the bookmark). This is not a good book. James White's entire "ministry" is built upon dislike of any faith but his own. Would Jesus have devoted his entire ministry to attacking the beliefs of others? Or would he have preached the Gospel to them? The bulk of his focus on the LDS faith is saying that Mormons believe that God is an exalted man, but nothing in Mormon canon tells them that this is a required belief. Yes, Joseph Smith said it, and many Mormons have discussed the idea, but it is not a required belief. Thus, James is wasting much space on a non issue. But what does the Bible tell us?
We are the offspring of God. - Acts 17:29, Hebrews 12:9
We are heirs of God. - Galatians 4:7
We are joint heirs with Christ. - Romans 8:14-17
We shall inherit all things. - Revelation 21:7
We shall receive a mansion. - John 14:2
We shall sit with God on His throne. - Revelation 3:21
We shall be given a crown of glory. - 1 Peter 5:4
We shall receive the same glory and image as the Lord. - 2 Corinthians 3:18
We shall receive the same type of body as Christ. - Philippians 3:21
We shall be given power. - Revelation 2:26
We shall be made rulers. - Matthew 25: 21, 23
We shall judge the world and angels. - 1 Corinthians 6:2-3
We shall bear the image of the heavenly. - 1 Corinthians 15:49
We shall be like God. - 1 John 3:2
We shall partake of God's divine nature. - 2 Peter 1:4
There is a lot more in the Bible about us and God than James White is willing to discuss. Joseph Smith did say it, and prophets can be wrong, but he was not too far from the truth. This is not a good book, and I do not recommend it. Mormons are more Christian than most so-called Christians like James White who attack them. Go to their literature. Avoid this. James is missing the mark.
He ain't heavy.......2004-11-16
I hope that members of the Moron church read this book, to evaluate their brotherness. As Christian we need to love, but that commandment only goes so far. This books cleared up my mind, and I recommend that you clear up your mind by reading it.
Who really cares?.......2004-04-14
In actuality, there is really no difference!
Both beliefs are based on a MYTH! In fact, ALL of the world's religions are based on myths and fallicies.
BUT, since here in the U. S. we are supposedly a "cHRISTIAN" nation, (NOT true by the way) I will just say that there are references in history of at least 30 different "DEITIES/SONS OF GOD" that did almost everything that jesus SUPPOSEDLY did!
They were born in late winter, (Winter Solstice) they were born of a virgin, they walked on water, raised the dead, died on a tree, Came back from death 3 days later, many of them were called "SON OF GOD", "REDEEMER", "SAVIOR", ETC. And MUCH more!!!
In fact, one of these "SONS OF GOD", (Zoroaster) did all of this 4000 years BEFORE jesus was SUPPOSEDLY born.
SO, as I said, deep down, there is NO difference between Mormons and christians, christians and Wiccans (Witches), christians and Buddhists, OR christians and Muslims. They're all based on MYTHS!!
As for this book, it is pretty well written. Mr. White appears to be quite knowledgable in his area of Mythology.
HOWEVER, since it is Mythology treated as REAL, I can't give it more than a 1 star rating. I would have given it less if I could.
An excellent, well-documented work.......2001-06-27
James White has put together a wonderful book in ITMMB. He has culled an enormous amount of material from LDS sources documenting the unique claims of the Mormon church on the subject of God. Despite the shrill objections of some, White's material is thorough and compelling.
While it's not a fast read, it's not intended to be. White assembles, step by step, a persuasive case for the irreconcilable differences between Mormonism and historic Christianity.
If I had any criticism, it would be that I would have liked to see the final section on the orthodox view of God extended a bit. But perhaps this wasn't the venue for a full-scale defense of the Christian view of God. Beyond that, ITMMB should take an important place in the ongoing dialogue/debate between Christians and LDS.
For the most part...good.......2000-08-13
I believe I should first state my religious belief and my association with Mormon(s). I am a Protestant who has been studying Mormonism for quite a while (the ball got rolling when some Mormon friends started talking to me about their faith).
I've always enjoyed White's writing style and form. He is a good writer, I don't think many will deny that. The problem with his last book dealing with Mormonism, Letters To A Mormon Elder, was that it was designed as a 'witness tool' and the book was too broad...there weren't enough details in the arguments for them to be successful. This book, on the other hand has a very narrow focus. Only on the difference between the 'Mormon God' and the 'God Christians worship'. White simply pours out a fantastic variety of quotations as well. That is where the book shines...in it's number of references and quotations. I have looked up many of his references and found some very interesting statements. The Appendix where he discuses 'theos' in the early church is fantastic, he should write a whole book just discussing the early church. I've looked up a few references given by some LDS apologists who quote the early church...most of what is quoted is taken heavily out of context, but since the resources to read these early church leaders is so limited, no one will know the better (they hope at least).
The flaw of this book is one chapter; "The God Christians Worship". Where he quotes biblical passages that support his belief in the 'Christian God'. It is again too broad. God is so vast, you cannot simply demonstrate 'the God Christians worship' in a single chapter. Maybe in 3 books, sure, but one chapter, no. Besides that issue this book is good, it doesn't presume Mormonism is a cult and it isn't designed largely as a witness tool (I hate books like that). I'd give it 3.5 stars if possible.
Book Description
A suspenseful coming-of-age story that moves from the halls of a historically black university to the streets of Washington, D.C., with great insight into the joys and perils of discovering what really matters in life
As the Ellis Community Center, a rare bright spot in a low-income Washington, D.C., neighborhood, struggles to keep its doors open, its last hope for survival lies with four Highland University housemates:
Terence Bootstrapper Davidson. Clawing his way out of poverty, he refuses to give in to the streets--while struggling to save Biggie, his defiant little brother, from that very fate.
Larry Smooth Operator Whitaker. Driven and ambitious, he has everything: the Lexus, the superfly girlfriend, and a future edged in gold.
Brandon Choirboy Bailey. A bright premed major who has been dateless for four years, he struggles to maintain his religious faith despite his longing for Monica, a classmate he's loved from afar.
O. J. Sinister Minister Peters. Unsuccessfully juggling his budding career as a Baptist preacher with a string of empty affairs, he sees his carefully constructed double life threatened when a member of his congregation becomes pregnant.
Their mission to save Ellis Center quickly puts them in harm's way when Nico Lane, a sophisticated local drug dealer who wants the center shut down, becomes aware of their efforts. When Larry's campaign for student body president is sabotaged, O.J.'s women suddenly catch on to his act, and Terence is forced to choose between the center and Biggie's life, the men suspect there is more to the center's problems than just bad finances.
Download Description
Four seniors and housemates at Highland U., come together to save a community center after its funding is yanked. Robinson has crafted a thoughtful novel that perfectly captures life at a black university while focusing on four extraordinary young men.
Customer Reviews:
So So Boring............2004-05-06
This had to be the WORST book I have ever read!!! The whole story was slow. I had to finish it because whenever I start a book whether I like it or not I do finish it. I am usually done a book within 2 days this book took me two weeks. Do not waster your money on this book!!!
I can't take it!.......2003-05-17
Whoever said in their ratings that it takes awhile to get into this book was dead-on! I can't even finish it. Eighty pages into the story and the author still hasn't gotten into the plot. All he's doing is describing how rich they are and what material things they have and their opinions on women, blahzay blah. I think the idea for this story is great but there are so many flaws in this novel, that it's driving me crazy. #1 The dialogue goes from broken English, to hoodrich, to cocktail conversation all within the same person. Make up your mind! #2 The author spends entirely too much time talking about one guy's campaign...was one of his degrees in Political Science because if it wasn't, it should have been!!! #3 If I hear about one more person's car or clothes or money, I'm going to start thinking Cash Money is friends with C. Kelly Robinson.
This book is a complete disappointment but because I didn't finish it, I'll be fair and give it three stars considering other people seemed to like it!
No depth........2002-04-16
"Between Brothers" is set on a factitious Washington DC HBCU (Historically Black College/University) campus. The plot sets four of the college students as roommates who volunteer at a local community center that has lost government funding and is in danger of closing. Together, the four students rescue the university from the deliberate financial mismanagement of one of its managers. Rolly Orange is the financial manager of the Community Center and part of a covert scheme - orchestrated by Nico, the local drug dealer, and Buzz, a wealthy white real-estate developer - to destroy the center. The destruction of the center would make the land available for a gentrification project, representing a financial landslide for Buzz. Nico's interest is served, as the pool of poor neighborhood kid without the support of the Center's programs would turn to dealing/using drugs. Orange is paid well by both Nico and Buzz for his inside work to sabotage the Center.
While the four students attempt to unravel the foul deed in progress, they are also engaged in reconciling issues of class-ism, color prejudice, racism, morality, spirituality, religion, politics, love, and probably a few other social concerns. The author includes about every social issue faced by black men today. He uses the university to represent a microcosm of greater society although I found that the issues he introduces are only dealt with on a very surface level. For the young / beginning reader, this may be a valuable read. If nothing else, Robinson's main characters are positive young black men and women educating themselves and trying to support the surrounding community by giving back to the Center. I applaud him for that effort. The novel falls short however, on many levels. The plot unfolds in basic linear fashion and is predictable to the final chapter. The story line lacks depth and complexity. The language is flat and non-emotive; the writing seems overly structured and deliberate, removing any aspects of creativity and originality. The author's decision to practically eliminate the use of profanity creates unrealistic dialogue in many instances. While I understand the author's desire to write a "clean" book, I didn't get the impression that his characters were speaking in authentic voice when "dang" is used when "damn" would have been much more appropriate. I can not recommend this one for those who enjoy a complex, layered novel rich with imagery and fully realized characters. I will recommend it to young or beginning readers, I believe there's something there for that readership.
A necessary story whose time is due.......2002-02-16
C. Kelly Robinson's, Between Brothers is a novel whose time has come. The story begins somewhat slowly as we are getting to know the characters; the multi-layered plot and character construction makes this worthwhile. Most importantly, Between Brothers, succeeds in illustrating examples of authentic intellectual and spiritual conflict (and resolution) among African-American men at a fictional historically Black university.
Among my favorite parts of the novel is Brandon Bailey's fight with O.J. Peters on O.J.'s philandering ways, as a representation of "the failure of the Black church." Also interesting is the discussion of Eurocentric beauty standards to define a woman's value, as wealthy Larry Whitaker is taught by his father to only choose thin women with long, straight hair and light skin.
Initially, the characterization of the four Highland University housemates, seems contrived with their nicknames: Larry "Smooth Operator" Whitaker, Brandon "Choirboy" Bailey, Terence "Bootstrapper" Davidson, O. J. "Sinister Minister" Peters. I questioned whether men whose differences appeared to outweigh their similarities would actually live under the same roof. However, the story addresses this issue as the men mobilize to save the Ellis Community center, herein which lies a whole different element of conflict.
While Robinson should be commended for attempting to combine suspense with a coming of age tale, he writes best when elaborating on the thoughts and feelings of the individual characters. The novel's elements where certain characters narrowly escape violent demise could have been reserved for a whole different story altogether. The dedication of the Ellis Center's manager, Sheryl Gibson and the students mirrors some of the true stories of Black history's unsung heroes who nearly gave their lives for the preservation of Black institutions. The only true flaw of this novel is the excessive drama in the fight to save Ellis. While, the realities of drugs and violence still loom in the black urban landscape, the characters have enough substance to tell the story in a less-plot driven, yet more believable manner. At the end of the novel, I found myself wanting to follow the characters into the next phases of their lives. Between Brothers is indeed a worthwhile read.
ok.......2002-02-10
This story was about four college guy's who was tryin to deal with school and the other problems going on in their life. Terence didn't know how he was gonna pay for school, Brandon was a chrisitan guy trying to find the right girl. OJ was a playboy preacher, and Larry comes from money, but end up fallin for a girl totaly different from his type. The book was kind of boring for me with all the scenes about Orange was doing to get the center closed down. I liked the part when Bobby and Brandon were trying to explain to Monica and Tera about gospel artists who sometime seem to lean toward the secular side. I wish i could find someone like Brandon and Bobby. The story was good i just hate reading about any form of decit.
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