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Summary/Review of The Surplus American: How the 1% is Making us Redundant

INTRODUCTION
Written by Charles Derber, a Professor of Sociology at Boston College, and Yale R. Magrass, a Chancellor Professor of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, The Surplus American: How the 1% is Making US Redundant traces the etiology and developments that have contributed to the social dissolution experienced by Americans who have been left unemployed and seemingly redundant. This work discusses how “surplus people” have created a protracted crisis that is far more trenchant that the ubiquitous joblessness. Derber & Magrass (2012) identifies the main groups of people considered a part of this surplus population, which included retirees, the Continue reading...

Refreshing yet practical, Jim Wallis’ timely book Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street provides a taut argument and solution for the current state of the nation. Both readable and challenging to the inner man of the reader, Wallis strips down all the extra jargon and maintains a straightforward voice throughout the book. As a bold spokesperson for liberal Christians who merge faith with public and political life, Wallis has inspired many spiritually minded people to break free from the dichotomy of religion and state. Wallis explores the connection between the teachings of Jesus and a Continue reading...

The book titled “Who Owns History?: Rethinking the Past in a Changing World” written by one of the renowned historians Eric Foner describes the impact of the interpretation of historical events on the observer. The author divided the book into three sections, namely “The Politics of History and Historians”, “Rethinking History in a Changing World” and “The Enduring Civil War” . He gives an account of his experiences as a child, as a student and as an instructor at Columbia. In the book, Eric explains how studying history has transformed his reflections on the subject. He also mentions about the Continue reading...

“Globalization and Its Discontent:” Thesis and Argument

The main argument presented by Joseph E. Stiglitz in his book, Globalization and its Discontent, is that there are many negative effects of globalization. He personally takes this view in the perspective of the developing economies such as those of the Latin American countries. He laid down the perils of globalization through aspects which are usually neglected in the globalization process. He primarily cited culture as being negatively affected by globalization.
This central idea does not actually contrast with most of my understanding on globalization. In reality, it opens up a new aspect of globalization which should be emphasized. Continue reading...

In his renowned Unpopular Essays, Bertrand Russell champions liberal democratic societies and free enquiry while decrying dogmatism and totalitarian regimes that strip citizens of their civil and natural liberties. A collection of ten essays on a wide variety of subjects, Unpopular Essays, in Russell’s words, were presented in order “to combat in one way or another, the growth of dogmatism whether of the Right or the Left, which has hitherto characterized our tragic century” (Russell, 1950). Russell views philosophy as akin to chemistry or physics within the context of modernity. Central to his philosophy is the practice of Continue reading...

Establishment

Clifford Geertz is considered the most popular anthropologist in America. This paper explores the concept of culture presented in his book. The main attention is dedicated to the analysis of structural components of the culture, which, according to Geetz, are religion, ideology, and art. The paper also provides a brief overview of the main theoretical postulates, which have formed a theoretical base of interpretative anthropology.
The concept of culture is one of the key themes of cultural anthropology. The first chapter of the book written by Geertz is dedicated to the interpretative theory in culture. He considered himself a Continue reading...

Book Report: Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel Life

Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2004.

General overview
The main character in the book is Francis, and the other minor characters include Clare, the sultan, the crusaders and the Beguines. The theme of the book is selflessness with intent to lead Gospel life. The purpose of the book is to demonstrate the source of Francis Christian spirituality. Indeed, the book was understandable because there is minimal use of complicated language, and the consideration of the works of others heightens the knowledge of Francis.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Beginnings at Assisi
The chapter gives the background of Francis. Continue reading...

Introduction

New Testament Theology: An Introduction, is the third installment of the Library of Biblical Theology series. In this book James Dunn explores in great depth the works of New Testament writers thus enabling him to give a comprehensive and informative description of the significant elements that characterized the early church. The author engages the readers using a thematic presentation approach, whereby all the subject matters, which he touches on, are divided into various themes which form the chapters of the book, the main subject matters being; the revelation of God through the person of Jesus Christ, Salvation, Israel and Continue reading...

The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo, a Stanford University psychologist and designer of the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment, is an ambitious and meticulous exploration of humankind’s potentiality for evil. Much of its difficult nature arises not necessarily from its moral exploration but rather the starkly simple nature with which the psychology of evil is exposed. 35 years after his unprecedented human behavioral experiment took place, Zimbardo finally collects his extensive thoughts on the experience and describes the inner-workings as well as the implications of his study in this densely informative book. Juxtaposing unthinkable acts of cruelty alongside descriptions Continue reading...

(Instructor/Professor)

In his book Let the Nations be Glad! : The Supremacy of God in Missions (2010), John Piper reemphasizes the point that God is predominate over all, both in the affairs of the world and in the conduct of missions. Matthew states that “all authority belongs to Him on heaven and on earth (New International Version, Matthew 28:18). The new structure that global Christianity operates under is God’s doing; He is building His church and all of the benefits and its imperfections are under his absolute influence (Matthew 24:14).
Hence, the basic mission of the church, in Continue reading...