Lifecraft: The Art of Meaning in the Everyday

Rating:
Summary: A Joy!
Review: Forrest Church's LIFECRAFT is an absolute joy to read. I have to say that I found this book quite by accident and chose it because my brother once attended Pastor Church's Church in New York City and because it carried a very positive blurb by Harvey Cox. I am now on my second read and am enjoying it every bit as much the second time around. The book is a collection of ten interrelated essays all dealing with the profound issues involved in the search for meaning in one's life. I was staying with friends on vacation when I found this book and read an essay each day. I found myself reading whole passages aloud to them. I recommend this book strongly for those who find traditional Christianity lacking in depth and credibility. Church has given me a new way of looking at my life--as projects--and a much better way of looking at that which I refer to as "God." It will add much to your life if you have questions unanswered in these areas of your life. And don't we all?

Rating:
Summary: Fluff...
Review: How can one not like a book with such a lofty purpose--to teach the craft of living, expecially when it evokes an image of Martha Stewart in the Egyptian tombs? Perhaps, it's not a dislike I'm trying to avoid but, rather, a suspicion of vacuousness. What is alarming, given the book's brevity, is that if the quotes and the metaphors were eliminated, the length would be decimated. To quote Emerson from his Journal of May, 1849, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know." Metaphors are like grains of salt--a few are good; too many are ruinous. The author has crossed the ambit into brackishness. The metaphor of the facets of life as projects is especially labored. I'm sure my wife would bristle at being designated as one of my projects--many of which lie in bits and pieces in the basement. The use of a length of string to represent history and then identifying temporal events as a distance from one end is a cliche. Sorry, I don't get it.

Rating:
Summary: Fluff...
Review: How can one not like a book with such a lofty purpose--to teach the craft of living, expecially when it evokes an image of Martha Stewart in the Egyptian tombs? Perhaps, it's not a dislike I'm trying to avoid but, rather, a suspicion of vacuousness. What is alarming, given the book's brevity, is that if the quotes and the metaphors were eliminated, the length would be decimated. To quote Emerson from his Journal of May, 1849, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know." Metaphors are like grains of salt--a few are good; too many are ruinous. The author has crossed the ambit into brackishness. The metaphor of the facets of life as projects is especially labored. I'm sure my wife would bristle at being designated as one of my projects--many of which lie in bits and pieces in the basement. The use of a length of string to represent history and then identifying temporal events as a distance from one end is a cliche. Sorry, I don't get it.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I would have read this in one day if I had the time. I had to tear myself away to do other things. Each chapter eases into it's theme, with humor, insight and awe. At first, seeing life as a series of projects seemed simplistic to me, but Forrest delves into these life projects and provides humorous and touching examples from his own life. Eventually, examining a life in this way acquires a deeper significance. As another reviewer noted, there are many great "read aloud" sections and a wonderful collection of breathtaking quotes from others. Forrest makes you feel his awe for the deep meaning that may be found in everyday life, when one lives mindfully. He demonstrates that a spiritual life is not the exclusive province of those who believe in the God of doctrinal religion. Even, if you are not caught up in Forrest's infectious enthusiasm by the third chapter, I guarantee that the last page of the book will blow you away.

Rating:
Summary: A deeply soulful read. Like listening to great music.
Review: Reviewer Janeth's last statement, "Sorry, I don't get it" is refreshingly honest - and painfully accurate.

To read this book and not "get it" is also to admit (at least in this case) to being severely limited in the ability to contemplate the implications of both metaphor AND allegory. This book is a treasure trove of both and does not contain too many of either.

Janeth's Emerson quote is inapplicable, too, in my opinion. Mr. Church does tell the reader quite a lot about what he knows and believes. He also has the humility to admit how little he knows. But even this he does in a deeply meaninful manner.

I wish there were more than five stars to give this book. I'd give it all the stars in this and all other universes if I could. Wonderful. Beautiful. Helpful. Meaningful.



Rating:
Summary: Glad This Book Came into My Life
Review: Thank goodness, I took a breath from my hectic life to read LIFECRAFT:The Art of Meaning in the Everyday.

I feel like have been given a present -- a present for every day of my life. In this breif book, Forrester Church offers pearls that enrich even the ordinary.

Our personal lives are too precious to overlook and ignore -- no matter how hectic our schedules. Thank you, Dr. Church. Brin E. O'Reilly

Rating:
Summary: Glad This Book Came into My Life
Review: Thank goodness, I took a breath from my hectic life to read LIFECRAFT:The Art of Meaning in the Everyday.

I feel like have been given a present -- a present for every day of my life. In this breif book, Forrester Church offers pearls that enrich even the ordinary.

Our personal lives are too precious to overlook and ignore -- no matter how hectic our schedules. Thank you, Dr. Church. Brin E. O'Reilly