Earth: In the Beginning by Eric N. Skousen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm so happy I finally finished this book! It was a slow read for me, like a text book that I sometimes had to force myself to get through. But there were enough interesting things in this book to make the effort worthwhile. Some assumptions are speculative. The only real problem I have with the book is the chapter on Adam and Eve. The author doesn't seem to have a very enlightened understanding of Eve's role and contribution. He's not alone in the world on this. But I was really surprised that a learned member of the LDS Church would not be better informed regarding the modern revelation on the subject. Definitely his loss, because I'm convinced that the way men and women view Adam and Eve is the way they view themselves and their spouses, and/or the opposite sex. It makes a difference in our relationships within our families, within the LDS Church (and any church), and in the world. The book was published in 1997-- I hope the author has become better informed since then.

In general, I appreciated the many thought-provoking ideas offered about the creation of the earth. I will read the scriptures on this topic more carefully from now on. There is more than meets the eye. And I think that any time science and religion differ there is an opportunity to learn something more. Science can sometimes be misleading as has been proven many times, and religious beliefs can sometimes be based on misinterpretations. Someday it will be completely reconciled, but one doesn't have to choose between science and religion!

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The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, that was interesting... I am glad that I read the book, but it lefty me feeling really sorry for both the mothers and the daughters. Some relationships were "semi" resolved in the end, but wow, so glad I am not any of them. I felt like the characters were drowning in superstition, false traditions, dysfunction, and discouragement. I appreciate the fact that these women were doing their best given their circumstances, but it sure reinforces for me the detrimental effect of truth combined with untruth -- it always creates an untruth in the end. Partial truths are simply lies. And when your culture or family environment is permeated with these, only harm and hurt can be the result. These are good people with sadly false assumptions driving their every thought, word, and deed. Not a book I would rave over, but at the same time, it was extremely well written, and did offer some resolution and understanding in the end. It doesn't leave me with a desire to judge, stereotype, or dismiss any particular culture or tradition, but simply to appreciate the wisdom and truths I have been exposed to that I know whenever they are lived will always bring happiness and joy.

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Animal Farm by George Orwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For some, power is intoxicating, and they succumb to its corrupting influence. Leaders may have noble intentions when they rise to power, but most cannot handle the temptation to abuse that power. This story depicts that process from the beginning of a revolution when everyone's hopes are high--for a better world, a better life. It's interesting to watch the effects of the gradual corruption of the leader on those who are being led. Ignorance, apathy, naivete, and fear were all elements in the general population, which not only allowed the corruption to continue, but to escalate in its intensity. The oppression became almost unbearable but still the animals did not revolt due to their mistaken beliefs and perceptions.

The story relates directly to the rise of Soviet communism, but is relevant in many societies including our own. We are constantly seeing corruption in much of the leadership today--leaders overstep and abuse authority, make rules they don't follow, lie and manipulate to get their way, spend money unethically, create or capitalize on a crisis to usurp more authority "for the good of the people," ask others to sacrific while they live extravagantly on the backs of the oppressed, rewrite or circumvent laws that become inconvenient to them, and on, and on. A very well written, but sad commentary both on corrupt leadership and blind and misguided followers, or you might say the abusers and the enablers.

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