Jonathan Edwards: A Life, George M. Marsden
(Yale University Press). The ND professor of history's critically
acclaimed biography of controversial Protestant theologian Edwards
(1703-1758) casts light on his personal life and his theology.
The author reveals Edwards' struggles to reconcile his Puritan
heritage with the secular world and his personal difficulties
with his faith. Told in an easily read narrative style, the book
views Edwards in the context of his time in colonial America,
when the fiery preacher ignited the Great Awakening of the 18th
century.
The Frantic Woman's Guide to Life: A Year's Worth of
Hints, Tips, and Tricks, Mary Jo Rulnick and Judith
Burnett Schneider '86M.S. (Warner Books). Both informative
and light-hearted, the tips here include everything from financial
matters and cooking to reducing clutter and planning fun projects
for the kids. Some sections deal with particular needs, such as
caring for elderly parents, raising a child who has a disability
or choosing a pet. A complementary website, www.franticwoman.com,
includes a message board, so frantic women can share their own
tips and ideas.
Vitruvius on Architecture, Thomas Gordon
Smith (Monacelli Press). Around 25 B.C., Marcus Vitruvius
Pollio cataloged the rules and ideals of Greek architecture in
10 scrolls. In this book, Smith, a Notre Dame professor of architecture,
presents a new translation of five of the scrolls most relevant
to architecture today. Along with photographs of historic architecture
from Greece, Italy, Turkey and the Mediterranean region, the book
includes new drawings and watercolors that illustrate Vitruvius'
methods of proportion and composition. A practicing classical
architect, Smith writes that "Vitruvius's recommendations are
still germane to solving problems of strength, function and beauty
in modern circumstances."
The Sign of the Cross: Recovering the Power of the Ancient
Prayer, Bert Ghezzi '69Ph.D. (Loyola Press).
Making the sign of the cross is actually a powerful and multilayered
prayer. After the author explains the symbol's history and how
it engages the Holy Spirit, he discusses how Catholics can utilize
this ancient sign in their daily life. Using scripture, church
teaching and his own prayer life, Ghezzi describes how the sign
offers an opening to God, a renewal of baptism, a mark of discipleship,
an acceptance of suffering, a defense against the devil and a
victory over self-indulgence.
(April 2004)
