Rating: Summary: A tribute of elegance and eloquence Review: Stephen J. Dubner's Turbulent Souls is a story of coming of age, of discovery and of the bonds of family. We should all know our families as intimately as the author. His journey to know his personal identity in this world, and his personal heritage is passionate and endearing. Told with honesty and candor, Turbulent Souls is a must read for those of us who consider life a pilgrimmage, and the search for personal truth our mission.
Rating: Summary: Turbulent Souls is filled with holiday spirit Review: Turbulent Souls is chock full of holiday spirit for families and friends. Thanks to Mr. Dubner for leading us on a very special journey. To Mr Dubner I say, "Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!"
Rating: Summary: Captivating! A must read for anyone. Review: I bought this book as a gift for someone, but started to read it myself and could not put it down until I finished it. Stephen Dubner courageously tells the story of his return to Judaism, with compassion for his parents, with tolerance and understanding for the tradition in which he had been raised. As a convert from Catholicism to Judaism myself, his story resonates in my own heart.
Rating: Summary: another slam at religion Review: Just another example of someone changeing religions to make a profit. The article that launced the book theat appeared in the NYT was a good story. Now Mr. Dubner and the publisher see the profit margin that can be made from embracing a religion. Check back with him in about 8-10 years mabe then we'll see the Cathloic boy returning to his old/new/old roots again.
Rating: Summary: Heartwarming search of one's past told with humor & love Review: Turbulent Souls is an excellent, wonderful search into one's past. The author, Stephen J. Dubner, takes us for a journey through his life and that of his parents who converted to Catholicism, although born Jewish. In his quest to know answers to why his parents converted, he finds himself drawn to the Jewish faith and the desire to meet his "Jewish" family too. Through the use of humor, love, and sadness, a wonderful story is woven,as to his past and present discoveries. Regardless of one's faith, it is truly a remarkable story about a family and the love that binds them. One does not want this story to end!
Rating: Summary: A Spellbinding Search For Self &Soul Review: As Stephen J.Dubner searched for the why's of his parents conversion and for the why's of his desire to return to Judism, in Turbulent Souls,I found myself riveted, unable to put the book down. He wrote the searching question we all ask, Who am I? This book reads like a novel. His parents religious Catholic zeal helped them live their life, just as his return to his Jewish family allows Stephen to live his. His humor,sensitivity,understanding,and acceptence makes for a great read. Religious Disagreement with his mom couldn't sever their love. I celebrate this new author.
Rating: Summary: Better than a novel Review: I'm 84 years young and was up the entire night reading Turbulant Souls by Stephen J. Dubner. While I was reading,I felt I was part and parcel of the "Dubner" family. As I read, I often found myself with tears in my eyes. His father's pain when his family sat "Shiva" for him, moved me. I could feel Stephen's joy upon meeting his Jewish relatives for the first time. The book reads like a novel. I say, " This book is definitely a must read for young and old alike.
Rating: Summary: The Fall 98 must read book on return and family Review: Some people are blessed with the ability to be religious and become true-believers. Others are blessed with the peace of being atheist. When Stephen Dubner wrote an article on how he grew up devoutly Catholic, discovered that both his parents were converts from Judaism, and then returned to his family's Jewish roots, it became The Times's most talked about article of the year. After the Sunday magazine article appeared, he was deluged by letters and calls either inviting him to temples and Sabbath dinners, or criticizing him for returning to the myths and oppression of religion. But now Stephen has expanded on his article by recounting in detail his deeply personal journey from Catholicism to Judaism. It is about religion, spirituality, hidden family histories, confusion, parents, siblings, as well as the tension, comic errors, and confusion his search and return created. Broken into three sections, Dubner focuses on the paths his mother (Miriam/Mary)and father (Solly/Paul) took to Catholicism, their Jewish roots, the reactions from their family members (sitting shiva), their marriage, and early wedded life, in Section One. Section Two begins with the birth of their eighth child Stephen J. (all the kids got a first or middle name of wither Joseph or Mary), and Stephen's life in rural New York that rotated around Mass, the Catholic feasts, and catechism; and Section Three focuses on Stephen's interest in Judaism, his search for Jewish relatives, his quest to learn more about his father (who died suddenly after giving a speech at a charismatic-Catholic prayer meeting), and his trip back. Basically, this poignant tale is a must read for Fall/Winter 98.
Rating: Summary: A Fascinating Spiritual Journey Review: Turbulent Souls gives a fine account of the many journeys that took place within the Dubner Family Tree. Stephen Dubner traces his family roots which amazingly were rooted in Judaism. Its quite interesting how both of Stephen's parents became Catholics. In the case of Stephen's father, Sol(later Paul)it seemed as if he was rebelling against his overbearing father. Paul's story shows you that you cannot force feed religion into a young soul trying to emerge.As for Stephen's mother, Florence(later Veronica) the religious influence was fairly weak at home. Not to mention any sort of guidance as Veronica recalls rarely spending time at home during her teen years. Therefore, Veronica became a willing convert. Very compelling is the effects this dual conversion had upon this future couples family. In Judaism very often a period of mourning takes place and surely Paul became lost to his original family. Amazingly Paul and Veronica seemd to become perfect Catholics to the point of almost totally denying any past affiliation with their Jewish roots. Stephen's life goes through many turbulent periods. His exposure to the Catholic religion is a lot at first. Whereas he does not reject these teachings, over time Stephen develops other interests most notably the desire to become a musician. Like his parents, he encounters people who encourage him to explore his roots. When he finally does, Stephen becomes enamored with his family history and researches his roots to the point of exploring towns which were touched by the Holocaust. In spite of the difference of opinion with his mother's own spiritual path, Stephen is able to keep this relationship positive. Furthermore, he creates strong bonds with other family members both Catholic and Jewish. Whereas Stephen's articles meet with feedback both good and bad, at least our hero can say he was able to evolve spiritually while touching others along the way. I highly recommend this biography which interweaves the spiritual journey of a family over the course of this past century.
Rating: Summary: An absolutely compelling read that hit home. Review: Of course in our liberal, truth-free society, this will probably be lauded as a heartwarming tale. Of course, in a better time it would have been recognized as gloating over apostasy. I pity the author, both for his betrale, and for the contempt he shows his parents in this glorification of sin. The most tragic part of the work, is the lack of sufficient rebuke he received from the modern Catholic ediface, which for the most part has succumbed to a particularly vile, ecumenistic liberalism, that probably see's nothing wrong with this poor soul's dereliction of truth.
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