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Summary: Retort to recent, odd, reviews
Review: I'm appalled to see, in this site, a few reviews (mainly, by the same person) that actually question author Stephen J. Dubner's motives in publishing his wonderful book. I simply can't imagine that anyone could read this in good faith and think Dubner was simply churning out some sort of sordid moneymaker. Anyone who'd actually read the book would perceive the heartfelt quality of the work--the sheer difficulty of executing it, despite reverberations within his family. It seems to me that Dubner has given us a truly courageous, and brilliantly written, book--and I'm astonished that anyone would have the idle time to question his motives. I myself was amazed by the book--and I say this without any religious connotations at all. For me it was an education: a wondrously insightful look into one man's profound experience, one that spoke to me at the deepest levels of my soul. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's marvellously written, completely accessible, and a fascinating journey for anyone who's lucky enough to happen across it. If there were a ten-star option in Amazon's review system, I would without a doubt opt for the highest rating.
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Summary: A touching examination of God, Family and Self
Review: "Turbulent Souls" is a rare and poignant memoir: sentimental but not cloyingly so, incisive without recrimination, gracefully written in a soft, yet ironic, voice.Stephen Dubner's journey from upstate altar boy to New York City news editor and Jewish convert is a soulful series of discoveries, which would be worthy of novelization had it not been true. In his attempt to answer one of life's basic questions (Who am I?), the author combines journalistically honed research with study and reflection as he crafts a penetrating account of epiphany and conversion. In the Forties, Dubner's parents, both Brooklyn Jews, converted to Catholicism with a zeal reserved for the newly enlightened. As Stephen begins to discover his parents' Jewish past, he takes a circumspect look at their lives and his own before embracing the religion of his forebears once removed. Stephen's pilgrimage of reconciliation (between his two religious orientations, between two divergent family factions, between himself and his aging mother) covers vast emotional and intellectual ground with humor and understanding. "Turbulent Souls" is not only compelling to read, but worthy of contemplation long after the cover is closed.
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Summary: Genuinely Moving and First Rate
Review: At a time when most personal memoirs are little more than extended whines about the scars left by dysfunctional families, Dubner has done something remarkable, turning his own amazingly "turbulent" upbringing into a readable, intelligent, and masterfully written testament to the power of healing, faith, and love. The book is wonderful on several levels: it's taut, self-disciplined, full of learning that never lapses into lecturing, and of sentiment that never approaches the maudlin. Hats off to a fine effort. This book is a must for anyone grappling with issues of God and family.
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Summary: This book did not live up to the hype.
Review: I was expecting "Turbulent Souls" to be a moving account of a man's search into his past and into his religious beliefs. Instead, I found it to be tedious and uninspiring. I felt sorry for Dubner's angst and confusion, but I found his writing to be pedestrian and lackluster. There are many better books about a person's search for his roots than this one.
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Summary: The subject matter is unusual, but the writing is ordinary.
Review: Dubner had an extremely unusual upbringing. The story of his parents' conversion and the search for his roots should have been poignant and fascinating. Instead, Dubner's writing is so ordinary that he might as well have been speaking about distant relatives, rather than about his immediate family. There is no passion in Dubner's writing. His style is dry and matter-of-fact. I was not touched or moved by any part of this book.
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Summary: A beautiful book
Review: This is a wonderfully written and profoundly moving book--even for those who don't ordinarily venture into the realm of religious or spiritual works. Quite simply, it's a subtle, though deeply thought-provoking, work. By my lights, it's one of the best books of recent years.
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Summary: AN EXCELLENT ACCOUNT OF ONE MAN'S JOURNEY TO FIND HIS ROOTS
Review: The author brings us into his life as he searches for his identity. Raised Catholic by his parents who were once Jewish, Stephen sets out to find his families' histories. The one question always ringing is "why?" Why did his parents leave their Jewish faith to become Catholic? Why were they outcasted from their families? And why is the author searching for those lost relatives? These questions and more are answered brilliantly in the book. The reader is taken on the journey with the author. It is an emotional journey filled with fear, sadness, and joy!
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Summary: Wonderfully written story of a search for true identity
Review: Dubners parents converted because of family problems. They were sincerely devoted to their new faith, and their family's well being. His mother was a real heroine of healthy living on a low budget. The authors discovery of his roots started him on an intensive search for more information, and his eventual return to Judaism. I found the book completely absorbing.
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Summary: A spiritual narrative of love, respect, and tolerance
Review: The author shares with us his personal and spirtual odyssey of finding himself through his Catholic parents' Jewish roots. The last of eight sibblings, Mr. Dubner explores his upbringing and his family's devotion to the Catholic Church. Looking back into his childhood with adult eyes, Dubner searches for the father he lost at the age of ten. He searches for his father's Jewish family. In his search, Dubner discovers a family rich in traditon and religion. Dubner finds, little by little, that he is drawn towards a Jewish orientation of life and religion. With much love, respect and tolerance, Dubner makes peace with his upbringing and his immediate family; likewise, his immediate family is rewarded by the gift of getting to know their Jewish roots, their parents' families. Mr. Dubner's memoir is a definite page-turner and a half! It can be enjoyed and appreciated by anyone.
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Summary: Check out Dubner's Exclusive Essay
Review: You might not know, so I wanted to offer: that in the Religion and Spirituality Best seller section Dubner offers an exclusive essay about returning to his childhood home. I strongly suggest taking a few minutes....
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