Mar 26, 2007

Spread Literaryink

If you are a reader of Literaryink, and you want to help people find it, then read on. Here are a few ways you can help.

Word of mouth. God gave us mouths for a reason. For eating and talking. There are other reasons, but those are the general ones. Though new technologies like the telephone, IM, email, and more have tried to replace talking, we must admit that talking is the easiest way to communicate. So tell people by talking to them. Family, Friends, Co-workers, Business people, etc. This is the most effective way of spreading the word.

Email
. When Ted and I started Literaryink, we sent out an email blast to all our friends. We told them to check out our blog. Quite a few of them still read this blog. Try sending out an email to all your contacts, or at least the ones you feel comfortable with.

Blogosphere
. Blogging has become very big over the past years. There are over 60 million blogs wordwide. If you have a blog, website, or Myspace, you can post about us there. Be sure to include a link. This angle is highly effective.

These are just a few ways you can spread Literaryink. We will post about more ways as they become available. Thank you for your support!

Ted, Isaac, and Sam

Mar 19, 2007

The First World War

Concord… Bunker Hill… Long Island… Trenton… Cowpens… Yorktown…

For those of us who enjoy studying history these names are more than locations on a map. They are places were our freedom was fought for; places were men gave up their lives so we might live ours in freedom. The American Revolution is packed full of tales about daring fights, last stands, amazing providence, and brave heroes. It’s just the kind of material that would be great historical fiction in the hands of a good author. That’s exactly what Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause, two of Jeff Shaara's books, are.

Mr. Shaara is a renowned writer whose books are full of edge-of-your-seat tension that is heavily rooted in historical accuracy. The 1200 page series begins in the bustling town of Boston, where a young sentry is on patrol in front of the Customs House. Suddenly a group of young men appear out of the hazy winter fog. What follows is commonly known as “The Boston Massacre,” but in reality only five men were killed. Those few shots, fired by a group of soldiers into the angry mob, were the first in a war that would send tremors throughout the world. Some historians call The American Revolution, “the first World War,” as there were battles in Europe and the Caribbean between England and France. Those conflicts are known as the Seven Years War. But, for the most part, the war and conflicts before it was fought in the thirteen colonies over a period of 12 years.

Mr. Shaara uses third-person writing to portray the different people involved in the revolution. Rise to Rebellion covers the Boston Massacre in 1770 to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The book follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington along with the British General, Thomas Gage. The author does a wonderful job portraying the drama as the members of the first Continental Congress debate over the subject of revolution and liberty. Every few chapters the author will portray the events through the eyes of some lesser known character, including a sentry at the Boston Massacre and a man at The Boston Tea Party. This book covers more of the decisions and debate leading up to the Declaration and declared war. But there are battles, and they come with a startling frequency. To quote the back of the book, “it (the book) reveals how philosophers became fighters, and how ideas became their ammunition.”

The second segment in the series, The Glorious Cause, is completely devoted to the war. Mr. Shaara does an excellent job revealing the greatness of Washington as he fights more with wise decisions and strategy than in full confrontations that would have surely led to disaster. There are moments of excitement, as in the battle of Cowpens, and moments of great peril during Washington’s evacuation from Long Island. During the continuous battles up and down the United States the reader will get a glimpse of what it was like for the men in our first army. At the final battle, Yorktown, an exhausted General Cornwallis is finally forced to give up his sword, and the American forces become victorious.

During this book the reader gets a glimpse of the frustrations of Cornwallis over the, at times, stupidity of his superiors, along with Washington’s own frustration concerning his men’s provision, or lack thereof. Mr. Shaara shows how one of the main reasons that the American cause succeeded was because of the people who were all united with a single cause. Freedom.

I recommend this book to history veterans for its accuracy, as well as to novices looking for an exciting read. A note of caution, as in most military accounts, there is some swearing. Also, General Howe has a mistress, and all of his staff (and the reader) are aware of it. But there is nothing explicit. As you read this book remember that we might not be free Americans if it were not for the men and women who laid down their lives for us and our rights.

Buy The Glorious Cause
Buy Rise to Rebellion

Ted Bradley

Mar 10, 2007

Be the Change

Many of you may have heard of the new movie called Amazing Grace, the story of the man William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was a member of the Parliament of the British Empire, and his goal, was to abolish slavery. I went and watched it with my family on opening day. The movie was an excellent portrayal of a great man.

My brothers (Alex and Brett), authors of The Rebelution, reviewed the movie on their blog. One of the people involved with the movie was a boy named Zach Hunter. After a bit of research, we found out he was a fifteen year-old teen, and he has a message for his generation. Abolish the modern slave trade.

To those who may not know, slavery is still a major practice today and it is just as ugly. It is estimated that there are still 27 million slaves today. There is still secret slavery in the United States.

But back to Zach Hunter.

He started his amazing campaign when he was just twelve. He told his Mom after reading about people like Frederick Douglass, “Man, if I had lived back then I would have done something!” His mother, who was already involved in abolition to some extent, informed him that there still was slavery all around the globe, and he realized that he “couldn’t just do nothing, as if I agreed with it.”

He seemed interesting. Using a trusty search engine (called Google), we found out that Zach had written a book titled Be the Change, so as soon as it came out, we bought it. I got the book and read it in one night (something I would not suggest you do). I was shocked. I was amazed at the fact that someone who was only fifteen wrote such a powerful book. I thought for a little while. That means that he is just as old as Ted. Think of Ted writing a book. Okay I had better stop or I'll scare myself.

After I finished the book, I had to admit that Zach did an amazing job with the book. The design and format was great but it was the simple way that he wrote that made me be able read it so easily and quickly. At the beginning of each chapter, he has some empty space where you write notes and complete the assignment at the end of each chapter.

To start off each chapter, Hunter tells a story about an abolitionist, or a slave, a story that ties in with the message of the chapter. It is ad powerful and interest-grabbing way of keeping the readers into the book. As he writes, he uncovers the horrors and the real life picture of what modern slavery looks like. It will really wake up readers to what is going on outside of their little neighborhood, county, or city stun readers.

He also asks thoughtful, good question that really make you think. Things about confidence, comfort, and how to use influence are on of the many topics he covers.

In closing, he writes that he is not trying to force everyone to become and abolitionist, but to find what their passion is. "If your passion is abolition, good for you. If it's not, that is okay."
We need to find what that is.

He is trying to get the message across to teens that we have a lot more influence then most people think. We can make a difference. It ties in a lot with The Rebelution's message.

As you probably already guessed, I am giving Be the Change two thumbs up. Zach has a powerful message for his generation and to others as well. To learn more about Zach, and what you can do to end slavery, visit http://amazingchange.com/.

Buy Be the Change

Isaac Harris

Mar 7, 2007

Eragon: A Book Written by a Teen

Please don’t get us wrong. We aren’t against fiction. In fact, Ted and I love fiction books. Reading fictional stories is a good diversion from some of the more “useful” materials you read. Fiction is fine as long as you don’t over-read it. Over-reading it is like stuffing yourself on cake and candy and leaving no room for the meat and vegetables. The “cake and candy” should be eaten for dessert. When used that way it provides a sweet treat that you may look forward to.

The book Eragon By Christopher Paolini has been labeled as plagerizing Star Wars (you know, that he is the first of the new line of “Jedi”), and copying Lord of the Rings (Elves, Dwarves, Urgals). The fact is that the basic fiction story includes the “first of some noble race”. As for copying Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Rings covers such a broad area of fiction that it is almost impossible not to “copy” it.

Standing alone without comparing it to any other books you must admit Eragon is an amazing book. Christopher Paolini was only fifteen when he wrote the book.

Eragon… a book of Dragons, Riders, Magic, Good and Evil, Elves, Dwarves, and packed with fast-action fights and slow training.
The story is about a young boy who finds what appears to be a blue stone. Soon it hatches revealing that it isn’t a stone at all but a dragon egg. Chased by an evil king’s followers he must escape with his Dragon and a story-teller called Brom. As they travel across the country they meet many adventures that require the special powers that come with being a Dragon Rider.

I read Eragon when I was 11 years old. I loved it. Actually, I had gotten it for Christmas a year before from my brother but, intimidated by its bulk, I put off reading it till we could match in size. When I did, I was finished in two days. I was shocked and amazed that someone who was only four years older than I could have written such an amazing piece of literature. Definitely a “Do Hard Things” sort of person (and homeschooled too!).

Christopher captured well the struggles of a young boy who had been thrust into a position he had not chosen, but must learn to embrace. A position of danger.

Some people might have a problem with the magic in the books. If so, I can’t really argue but I must say that I don’t. Paolini presents a clear distinction between good and evil magic.

I would give Eragon five stars if it were not for the use of the “B” word several times throughout the book. Paolini makes his characters people who you can really relate to because they aren’t perfect. Nobody is. I really respect the way Christopher took so much advice from his parents and other older and wiser men and woman while writing the book. Note: We do not support the Eragon movie. Ted and I are still wishing and praying that a competent Director will step up and make a good version of the movie.

Buy Eragon

Isaac Harris

Commenting

The comment section on all the posts is for discussion about the books we review. We would ask that all critiquing and suggestions would be done over email. Please email us at: literaryinkbooks@gmail.com. We do appreciate your suggestions though. Thank you!

Portrait of Dynasty


Throughout American history there have been few families quite like the Bushes.


So begins the book entitled, The Bushes; Portrait of a Dynasty. Written by Peter and Rochelle Schweizer, it is an exhaustive biography that looks into the lives of the Bush family, beginning in 1880 with Samuel P. Bush. Throughout its 547 pages the authors take us on a journey through the lives and times of the Bush family, ending in 2004 with the reelection of George W. as President of the United States.

From the beginning of the book the reader will learn about the Bush way of living, their hard working ways, and their stand for what they believe in. Since the beginning of their rise to fame in the government and in business they have chosen to put family and faith above their jobs. This book follows not only each famous Bush family member, but also lesser known Bushes like Marvin and Neil Bush, our President's two younger brothers. It looks into the more hidden aspects of this, at times, reclusive family with "over 100 hours of interviews with family and friends."

The authors explain how S.P. Bush made his millions working for Buckeye Steel with the support of the Rockefellers, another powerful family in the early 1900's. George H.W. Bush's grandfather, George Walker, was another wealthy man in the Bush line who made his money through a little luck and a lot of hard work. This book continues to follow in the wake of these extraordinary men as Prescott Bush makes his fortune again through hard work, and some nice connections. He then runs for the U.S. Senate a couple times, finally succeeding in 1952. His son, the 40th President of the United States, George H.W. goes to Yale, becomes a member of Skull and Bones, a secret elite society that has included George W. and John Kerry, to name two. He then, like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, sets out from under his fathers shadow and in time becomes ambassador to the U.N., Vice President to Ronald Reagan, and, ultimately, President in 1988. His sons in turn forge their own path, Jeb Bush rises to become governor of Florida, and George Bush becomes Governor of Texas and then President.

Throughout their lives at the center of the political and financial world it seems that nothing will make the Bushes place work above family, or faith. I heartily recommend this book not only to people wanting a more in depth account of the Bush family as a whole, but also to readers looking for an enjoyable story of one family's rise to power. A word of caution, there are numerous times where a character will swear; I don't remember the words used because I read the book three months ago but they are there. Also, the authors of the book have an uncanny ability to turn every fault of the Bush family into something that is acceptable. The Bush family is human and, consequently, they make mistakes.

Overall I found The Bushes to be an accurate, descriptive account of our President's many powerful relatives, living and dead. At the end of this book you will most likely wonder, as I did, if the Bush family is done playing their part at the center of American politics.

Buy Portrait of Dynasty
Ted Bradley

#1 Best Seller of all Time

I searched high and low, at home and on the Internet, for the perfect book to start off the blog with. I was lost. Nothing seemed quite right. I didn't want something political, or fictional. I couldn't stand the thought of writing about a school book, but then I found it. Of course! There it was, sitting with all my favorites, the Bible.

What other book, I thought, has so much impact on what I do each day? The book was inspired by God, and some of the people who wrote it had seen him face to face. It is packed with action, intrigue, justice, and mercy. The ultimate battle between good and evil, and at the climax, the greatest sacrifice for love when Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world (John 3:16). So I decided to start off our list of great books with the greatest book, the Word of God.

Needless to say, this book is a huge aspect of my life. It has shaped everything I stand for. In an age where school teachers and philosophers teach about the "modern" man and tell us there is no difference between right and wrong, the Bible is a rock to cling to. It is, and will remain, at the top of our list.

Note: In the future I will be more descriptive in our book reviews but I personally didn't think I should summarize the Bible in a single post. We would probably need to create a separate blog for that purpose!

Buy the Holy Bible

Ted Bradley

Dipping our Pens in the Inkwell

"He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He has wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up in the third heaven, and heard things unlawful for a man to utter, and yet he wants books! He has written and major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every Christian, "Give thyself to reading." The man who never reads will never be read; He who never quotes will never be quoted. He who does not use the thoughts of other men's brains proves he has no brains of his own--- Charles Spurgeon


This quote describes the kind of readers Ted and I are. We love books. This blog, we hope, will be a place for you who love to read to be able to come and find edifying, God-glorifying books. If any of you have suggestions of great books please email us at: literaryinkbooks@gmail.com. The reason we say "great" books is because, as a wise friend advised, "there are too many "good" books out there". We want to shine light on the very best material so that you can make the most of your reading.

Literaryink

You may be wondering, "Why in the world did you make Literaryink?" Good question. One that has a good answer.
Literaryink was created because we were interested in writing about encouraging books we had read and wanted to share them with our friends. Our purpose is to reveal "great" books that help people in some way. The reason why we say "great" is because there are too many "good" books out there. We want to bring you the very best. We won't be writing about the automobile encyclopedia, but we will talk about the books of famous men and women who influenced us. While you read our posts we want you to know that we are all Christians and that will heavily influence the choice of books we write about.

Interested? Click Here!