Who would've thought that there's a connection between Peanuts and Mormonism. Admittedly, not an obvious one.
There's been a debate over a recently published biography of Charles M. Schulz (Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography), in which he was apparently portrayed as a cold, depressed and melancholy person. Contrary to otherwise positive reviews the book got, Charles' son Monte called it "stupid" while referring to its author, David Michaelis, as "an idiot".
But it was Schulz' daughter Amy's recent post that I found most interesting. In it she describes how her father, a Bible-believing Church of God member, responded to her conversion to Mormonism. It's a different take on Schulz' personality and character, one too intimate and first-hand to be found in any of the biographies.
In any case, it's an interesting piece of trivia for any Charles M. Schulz fans out there.
Showing posts with label Mormonism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mormonism. Show all posts
Friday, 16 November 2007
Thursday, 9 November 2006
(Not So) Quarterly Book Reviews #3
The new school term began two months ago, and with it my daily two-hour commuting odyssey in Belgrade's much maligned public transport, en route to my teaching job. It really isn't as bad as most people claim (public transport, that is, not my teaching), although it often occurs to me that it would take me less time to get to London by plane than to the other part of the city by bus. On the other hand, were it not for all the hours I 've spent commuting like that, I don't think I would have read nearly as many books and magazines, including some of these featured below.
HISTORY/RELIGION
Latter Days by Coke Newell, St Martin's Press 2000
"A guided tour through six billion years of Mormonism". I actually liked it, in spite of its rather pretentious subtitle. It narrates the genesis of that religion, its remarkable early history and explains the fundamental beliefs and values of the Latter-day Saint Church.
Needless to say, it is not to be confused with a soppy gay Mormon-themed novel & film bearing the same title.
ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY
The Earth Path by Starhawk, HarperSanFrancisco 2004
Beautfully written, like most of Starhawk's writings, this book is a treasure trove of inspiration, meditations, rituals and practical ideas for all the eco-conscious people out there, not just those sharing the author's neopagan path. Just the sort of stuff Saunterer's loves to endorse.
ARCHAEOLOGY/HISTORY/RELIGION
The Bible Unearthed by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman, The Free Press 2001
A nice piece of serious and scholarly, yet quite readable, work on biblical archaeology. It's been referred to as "bold" and "revolutionary", questioning established beliefs regarding the origins of the Bible and its historical background. Along with claiming that most of Old Testament content is pure fiction, the authors take a step further and explain why and under what circumstances were the books of the Bible produced, and serving what (political) purpose, making them all the more fascinating.
SOCIAL STUDIES/RELIGION
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler, Penguin Compass 1986
Almost 600 pages of excellent investigative reporting on "witches, druids, goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today", written by an NPR correspondent and a practicing pagan herself. It's a genuinely thrilling book, filled with interviews, personal accounts and sociological analyses. It remains the single best A-Z of modern paganism.
HISTORY/RELIGION
Latter Days by Coke Newell, St Martin's Press 2000
"A guided tour through six billion years of Mormonism". I actually liked it, in spite of its rather pretentious subtitle. It narrates the genesis of that religion, its remarkable early history and explains the fundamental beliefs and values of the Latter-day Saint Church.
Needless to say, it is not to be confused with a soppy gay Mormon-themed novel & film bearing the same title.
ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY
The Earth Path by Starhawk, HarperSanFrancisco 2004
Beautfully written, like most of Starhawk's writings, this book is a treasure trove of inspiration, meditations, rituals and practical ideas for all the eco-conscious people out there, not just those sharing the author's neopagan path. Just the sort of stuff Saunterer's loves to endorse.
ARCHAEOLOGY/HISTORY/RELIGION
The Bible Unearthed by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman, The Free Press 2001
A nice piece of serious and scholarly, yet quite readable, work on biblical archaeology. It's been referred to as "bold" and "revolutionary", questioning established beliefs regarding the origins of the Bible and its historical background. Along with claiming that most of Old Testament content is pure fiction, the authors take a step further and explain why and under what circumstances were the books of the Bible produced, and serving what (political) purpose, making them all the more fascinating.
SOCIAL STUDIES/RELIGION
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler, Penguin Compass 1986
Almost 600 pages of excellent investigative reporting on "witches, druids, goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today", written by an NPR correspondent and a practicing pagan herself. It's a genuinely thrilling book, filled with interviews, personal accounts and sociological analyses. It remains the single best A-Z of modern paganism.
Wednesday, 15 March 2006
Quarterly Book Reviews #1
With spring beginning in just a few days, I thought it would be nice to make a seasonal review of some of the books that I read during the winter. Here are the ones I found particularly interesting and which I can heartily recommend.
PSYCHOLOGY/BIOGRAPHY
Inside the Mind of Joseph Smith: Psychobiography and the Book of Mormon by Robert D. Anderson (Signature Books 1999)
Another attempt to shed some light on the origins of the Book of Mormon. An impressive psychological profile of one of the most interesting and controversial religious visionaries of the 19th century. Enlightening when it comes to Joseph Smith's family background and the early childhood, far-fetched (although still fascinating) regarding the actual Book of Mormon = psychobiography hypothesis.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Before I Say Goodbye by Ruth Picardie (Penguin Books 1998)
Collection of articles, selected emails and letters written by an incredibly witty woman documenting her struggle with cancer and dealing with imminent death. Both hilarious and heartbreaking. One can only hope it will never be turned into a cheesy film.
RELIGION/MYTHOLOGY
On Having No Head: Zen and the Rediscovery of the Obvious by D. E. Harding (Penguin Arkana 1986)
Appropriately brief and concise given the topic (80 plus pages). Greater part of the book is the author's description of the experience of "headlessness" (with techniques on how to get there). Nicely written, beginner-friendly.
P.S. Makes one wonder about the whole concept of writing or reading books on Nothing...
CULTURAL PORTRAIT
The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura
Short history and description of the Japanese tea ceremony, its significance in Zen culture, art and aesthetics, interspersed with the author's subtle nostalgia for Japan as it once was. Absolutely delightful.
RELIGION/MYTHOLOGY
The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess by Starhawk (HarperSanFrancisco 1999)
First published in 1979, it's a seminal book that continues to have a profound influence on the neo-pagan movement and feminist thealogy (that's right, thealogy). Although a Wiccan classic par excellence, it should appeal to religious progressives across the board, irrespective of gender, race or creed.
PSYCHOLOGY/BIOGRAPHY
Inside the Mind of Joseph Smith: Psychobiography and the Book of Mormon by Robert D. Anderson (Signature Books 1999)
Another attempt to shed some light on the origins of the Book of Mormon. An impressive psychological profile of one of the most interesting and controversial religious visionaries of the 19th century. Enlightening when it comes to Joseph Smith's family background and the early childhood, far-fetched (although still fascinating) regarding the actual Book of Mormon = psychobiography hypothesis.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Before I Say Goodbye by Ruth Picardie (Penguin Books 1998)
Collection of articles, selected emails and letters written by an incredibly witty woman documenting her struggle with cancer and dealing with imminent death. Both hilarious and heartbreaking. One can only hope it will never be turned into a cheesy film.
RELIGION/MYTHOLOGY
On Having No Head: Zen and the Rediscovery of the Obvious by D. E. Harding (Penguin Arkana 1986)
Appropriately brief and concise given the topic (80 plus pages). Greater part of the book is the author's description of the experience of "headlessness" (with techniques on how to get there). Nicely written, beginner-friendly.
P.S. Makes one wonder about the whole concept of writing or reading books on Nothing...
CULTURAL PORTRAIT
The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura
Short history and description of the Japanese tea ceremony, its significance in Zen culture, art and aesthetics, interspersed with the author's subtle nostalgia for Japan as it once was. Absolutely delightful.
RELIGION/MYTHOLOGY
The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess by Starhawk (HarperSanFrancisco 1999)
First published in 1979, it's a seminal book that continues to have a profound influence on the neo-pagan movement and feminist thealogy (that's right, thealogy). Although a Wiccan classic par excellence, it should appeal to religious progressives across the board, irrespective of gender, race or creed.
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