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Showing posts from September, 2024

Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh - A Short Summary and Review

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  A short summary of Brideshead Revisited: A captain laments his loves and losses among the ruins of war. My favorite Evelyn Waugh quote from the book: "To know and love one other human being is the root of all wisdom." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you fit in? Are you prone to depression? My review: A touching nostalgic look at England's past. Descriptive and evocative. I disapprove of some of Charlie's choices. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com And now, a substack -  https://adelliott.substack.com/ #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponso...

A Brief History of Earth: Four Billion Years in Eight Chapters - Andrew H. Knoll - A Short Summary & Review

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  A short summary of A Brief History of Earth: A biography of our home planet. My favorite Andrew H. Knoll quote from the book: 'The face you see in the mirror may be decades old, but it is made of elements formed billions of years ago in ancient stars." Questions to ponder while reading: Did you realize how old the earth really was? Did you realize how diverse the earth really is? My review: An easy-to-understand study of life on earth. A great summary of earth sciences. A perfect foray into popular science. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com And now, a substack -  https://adelliott.substack.com...

This is My Body: A Call To Eucharistic Revival - Bishop Robert Barron - A Short Summary and Review

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  A short summary of This is My Body: Bishop Barron explains the theology of the Eucharist. My favorite Bishop Barron quote from the book: "The glory of God is a human being fully alive." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you believe in the real presence? Is your faith important to you? My review: A deep dive into the meaning of the Eucharist. Great theological arguments. Great biblical backup. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com And now, a substack -  https://adelliott.substack.com/ #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , ...

Lord of Chaos - Robert Jordan - A Short Summary and Review

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  A short summary of Lord Of Chaos: The dark one is getting warmer, the Black Tower grows, and Aes Sedai behave badly, on both sides. My favorite Robert Jordan quote from the book: "Almost dead yesterday, maybe dead tomorrow, but alive, gloriously alive, today." Questions to ponder while reading: Is it ever smart to trust an enemy? Are there good enough reasons to betray your values? My review: Book 6 of 14!  This is becoming a grind! More twists than a maze. I should think people who are so old would behave better. Did you know Robert Jordan was in the US Army?  Read his #EverydayPatriot biography here: https://www.everydaypatriot.com/2023/12/a-soldiers-story-sergeant-james-oliver.html **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US ...

A Psalm for the Wild Built - Becky Chambers - A Short Summary & Review

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A short summary of A Psalm for the Wild Built: A monk and a robot search the wild places for the meaning of life. My favorite Becky Chambers quote from the book: "We're all just trying to be comfortable, and well-fed, and unafraid."   Questions to ponder while reading: Do you know what you really want in life? Do you like tea? My review: A sweet and cozy sci-fi adventure. Very touching and tender. A lovely wandering through the heart of human desires. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by ...

God's Not Dead: Evidence for God in an Age of Uncertainty - Rice Broocks - A Short Summary and Review

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  A short summary of God's Not Dead: The evidence of God's existence in everyday things. My favorite quote from the book: "Atheism and naturalism can't account for reason. To say that reason came into being for no reason is unreasonable." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you feel lost? Do you think science proves or contradicts divinity? My review of the book: Some good points! Some good research! Some good glimpses of God! **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buying me a cup of coff...

The Diary of a Country Priest - Georges Bernanos - A Short Summary and Review

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A short summary of The Diary of a Country Priest: A country parish helps a priest's journey toward humility. My favorite Georges Bernanos quote from the book: "The wish to pray is a prayer in itself."  Questions to ponder while reading: Do your expectations meet reality? Are you awkward? My review of the book: Touching story about the challenges of service. I felt so much sympathy for the priest. I wonder if I could have continued with such grace. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buyi...

The Checklist Manifesto - Atul Gawande - A Short Summary and Review

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  A short summary of The Checklist Manifesto: How to "checklist" a complete world. My favorite Atul Gawande quote from the book: "Man is fallible, but maybe men are less so." Questions to ponder while reading: Do you follow a routine? Do you make mistakes? My review: A wonderful little book about the importance of following a plan. Lots of real-world examples. Lots of ideas for different industries. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buying me a cup of coffee!

The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England - Ian Mortimer - A Short Summary and Review

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  A short summary of The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: What the "dark ages" were really like. My favorite Ian Mortimer quote from the book: "Justice is a relative concept in all ages." Questions to ponder while reading: Are you a germaphobe? How responsible were you at 12? My review of the book: A fun look into medieval England. Detailed and well-researched. Best read in small chunks. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buying me a cup of coffee!

Quantum Radio - A.G. Riddle - A Short Summary & Review

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  A short summary of Quantum Radio: A mysterious message from the multiverse stumps scientists at CERN. My favorite A.G. Riddle quote from the book: "Every person exists within confines of some kind. Only some realize it." Questions to ponder while reading: Should there be limits to science? Are you kind? My review of the book: Interesting ideas about the multiverse. I love how kindness is emphasized as important. Disappointed in the ending. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buying me ...