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Barb's Non-Fiction Reviews
Resources and Links
In this section I will put all my reading and studying to good use. You might
want to stop by here if you need a gift for that special (or hard-to-buy-for)
person, or if you just plain want an edifying read yourself. I am emphasizing Christian books, because my object is to encourage Christian growth. If you have any
favorite books to recommend, please email
me, along with a little information about them and why you like them. I'd
love to add to my list.This page is organized into categories. By their very nature, categories are arbitrary and often overlap. If you don't find something you're looking for in one section, try another. Also, each book is ordered by the first (if there is more than one) author's last name within its category.
The Price of Liberty Series by Gilbert Morris and Bobby Funderburk - It is a World War II (1939-1945) series. Personally, I have not read any of his historical fiction, but he writes on many good subjects. (If I read all the good Christian fiction out there, I'd never get anything else done!) One of my sons has read and enjoyed several of his books, so I think they are more understandable to mid-teens than some of the other selections I list below. I'd guess they would be good for 15 year olds and up, but if you have any questions, have a look at them yourself. Who knows? You just might get caught up in one!
The Appomattox Saga by Gilbert Morris - There are several books in this series about the Civil War.
The Bonnets and Bugles Series by Gilbert Morris - This is another Civil War Series.
The Wakefield Dynasty by Gilbert Morris - This series is about English protestants in the 16th century.
The Jim Reno Western Saga by Gilbert Morris - I bet teen guys would like this series. One of the books I saw dealt with the Indians.
The Liberty Bell Series by Gilbert Morris - Want to know about the colonial/revolutionary period of our history? You can find it here. These are just a sampling of his many series. I've been looking at our library catalog to write this - yes, in the comfort of my own home (can't technology be wonderful??) - and it says we have 104 entries for him, so I'm going to let you find the rest of them if you're interested. There is one book I have read of his so far, though (and I'll soon be reading a second). You'll find it under Spiritual Warfare Fiction (titled the Far Fields Series).
The Zion Chronicles Series by Bodie Thoene - No list of historical Christian fiction would be complete without mentioning the work of Bodie and her husband Brock Thoene (he researches the historical background for many of her books). They are skilled writers who use their gifts to glorify God. - I have read these books. - There are five books (about 400 pages each) in this series that deals with Israel in 1948-1949, about the time she became a nation. They deal very well with adult themes. I would recommend these books for people 17 years and older who love history and reading. Why age 17 and older? Because some of the themes dealt with are difficult and perhaps unnecessary for younger children to grapple with.
The Zion Covenant Series by Bodie Thoene - This series runs from 1939-1945. It covers what is going on in Europe prior to and during World War II. There are six books of 400-500 pages each in the series. Who should read it? Again, those 17 years and above.
The Twilight of Courage by Bodie and Brock Thoene - This is a single book that covers the first ten months of World War II (Sept.1939-June 1940). It runs 614 pages, and is suitable for those 17 and above.
End-Time Fiction
Here is an interesting category, whatever your persuasion about the end-times.
The different books I have read describe different end-time scenarios, but one
thing they all do for me is get me out of the "I don't want to think of the hard
times that are likely to be ahead even if I do believe in the rapture" mode. These
books encourage me that God will still guide, direct and provide in hard times.
They encourage my hope in God, rather than fanning fear of the future. We
Christians are most blessed, for we have a God who will give us everything we
need till He takes us home. However, these books all remind me that what will
sustain me tomorrow needs to be nurtured today - my ever-growing relationship
with my wonderful Lord. I think of these as really good books for teens and adults
who like adventure.
Solar Flare by Larry Burkett - This book showed the natural consequences of years of governmental policies toward criminals and drugs, etc., if there were a huge natural catastrophe. It also introduced me to solar flares. It's so good it makes me want to research the subject. As Christians in the end times, we look for signs in the heavens. Could this possibly be one we may face? Read it and decide for yourself! - Better yet, pray to be ready for whatever we must face before our Lord takes us home!
Left Behind, Tribulation Force, Nicholae, Soul Harvest, and Apollyon by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins - This is a favorite series of some teenagers I know, and I like them, too. We're all waiting for another volume, because "it just can't end here!" (Also there is now a children's Left Behind series out in Christian bookstores.)
The End of the Age by Pat Robertson - This is a really good book that showed me, among other things, how technology could still be available to Christians in hard times (so did the above end-time trio).
Spiritual Warfare/Fantasy Fiction
This category of fiction I find quite fascinating, in that it is a sanctified-imagination view of the spiritual realm. It gets me to consider the dynamics going on "behind the scenes". It certainly illustrates the idea of spiritual
warfare, and gives me more incentive to pray even when I don't see results.
I think Satan tries hard to convince all of us that prayer really
doesn't help. Looking at things from more than the earthly side can give us more perspective. For the most part, I'd recommend these books for teens and adults. Any other recommendations will be found by the individual books. However, if you're in doubt, check it out :-).
They will certainly keep you awake!
The Chronicles of the Door series by Gene Edwards - These books weave a story of some very important events starting with Creation from both a heavenly and earthly view. They are definitely not Scripture, and I would not recommend them for new Christians who don't know Scripture, for I believe there are some important deviations. Having said that, however, they can be very thought-provoking. They help me see that things don't just happen in a void down here. All of heaven truly is watching what's transpiring on this "bright blue ball". Even though sin has had a profound effect on all of God's creation, God continues to have a plan that He will carry out to the end.
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis - This is an excellent book for teens on up. It portrays much of Satan's thinking as he tries to snare us humans in this cosmic warfare. I could easily see some of my battles from the other side as I read this.
The Far Fields Series by Gilbert Morris and Bobby Funderburk - On the back of the second book of the series (that's all there are so far, I believe), it says this is their first spiritual warfare series. The time is the future. The government is "Big Brotherish". The first book is excellent and deals with believers and the cost they may pay under such a government. It is very sobering and thought provoking. I'm not sure I'd want teens under 15 or 16 reading it, though, as I don't know if they need to deal with such things too early. (I'm not trying to be overprotective; it's just that I've seen children's books that deal with similar things in a manner more suited to children.)
This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti - These two are a series. I could tell you about them, but why ruin the plot? By the way, he has also written a wonderful spiritual warfare series for children called The Cooper Kids Adventure Series. I'm not sure, but I think it's suitable for children ages 8-12.
The Prophet by Frank Peretti - This is not connected with the
other books. It brings up some interesting ideas about the dynamics behind the attitudes ruling the world today.
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