Driving and Reading

... not at the same time.

Gae & I are driving up the Hudson River valley today and tomorrow. Today we visited West Point and are staying the night in Poughkeepsie, NY. Tomorrow we visit Hyde Park and then we drive on to Saratoga Springs.

I forgot to mention another book that I finished in the past few weeks - the latest in the Dune series, Sandworms of Dune by Brian Herbert and Frank Anderson. It was written as though it was the culmination of the overall story, but I understand there is yet another sequel already in the works. This one was pretty good - better than some of the others by these two.

I managed to finish up If God is Love. It presents a compelling set of thoughts and challenges. I think the book is very worthwhile. However, it seems to me that the authors, in all of their study and knowledge and to some extent reinvention of Christianity have left out important bits. If, in fact, they are correct that God saves everyone and that we should all live in peace and harmony and that we should practice a life of non-violence or pacificism, then why is it that God created a gigantic ecosystem here on earth where violence, aggression, survival of the fittest, and species extinction seem to be the history of the planet and all the living things on it. I like their book, but I think it simply ignores the positives that may come from characteristics and values that they don't much like.

Finally, I am very well into the new book from John Dean. As usual, it is well researched and interesting. I also appreciate that Dean lets the reader know right up front that he is writing a polemic. He doesn't try to hide behind his research. He is honest that he is trying to change your mind and goad you into action.