Books
1)The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture (Scott Klusendorf) – This book makes a compelling pro-life argument and help us to cut through the many smoke screens and false trails to the one issue behind all others in the abortion debate. In a way the only drawback is that it does this so effectively in the first chapter that it becomes a victim of it’s own success and the following few chapters seem a bit superfluous . However later chapters approach the issues from different angles and are very rewarding. Informing and crystal clear without being any heavier than it needs to.2) Getting Things Done: How to Achieve Stress-free Productivity
(David Allen) – a brilliant life management system - simple, comprehensive and common sense without getting dogmatic. David Allen argues convincingly for running your life from the bottom up rather than top down (against books like 7 habits) and shows you how. I’ve read it twice and am still applying the lessons. 
3) Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China (Jung Chang) – a heartbreaking study of the cost of Chinese communism told through the real life stories of three generations of Chinese woman starting with the author’s grandmother – a Chinese warlord’s concubine.Films
Up – a kids film? Hardly. Out of a ridiculous premise (OAP balloon salesman flies his house to South America) Pixar craft the most profound and moving film of the year. If there is any justice in the film industry this should win best picture Oscar. A moving plot, humour, and better characterisation that 90% of Hollywood films. Even the talking dog is believable!
Man on Wire– a thrilling, dramatised documentary of the illegal wire walking stunt of the century. In 1974 Philippe Petit smuggled ½ ton of equipment into the twin towers and walked between them, 104 floors up, for three quarters of an hour. Using interviews, original footage and reconstruction the film explores how he did it, who helped him and what it cost them all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travela quirky and original low budget British sci-fi comedy that pays homage to, and subverts, the genre at the same time. Great fun.
Honourable mentions
Matt,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words about my book and for featuring it on your blog. I'm encouraged by your review.
FYI, we are working on a pro-life outreach to the UK. I would like to get back to visiting on a regular basis! Love England.
Scott, you're very welcome.
ReplyDeleteDo have a mailing list? It would be great to keep up with what you're doing, especially if it includes a trip to the UK.