Politics isn’t a four-letter word.Everyone’s been at that dinner party. The conversation takes a political turn. The arguments start; the atmosphere grows tense; and all that remains is a hopeless stalemate and an awkward silence. Makes you wonder . . . is thoughtful and productive dialogue about politics even possible?In Honoring God in the Red or Blue; Dr. Amy Black addresses the debaters as well as those intimidated or annoyed by the debaters; political junkies and the contented uninvolved. She explains the purposes and limitations of our system and helps readers create realistic expectations for government. While God’s truth is perfect; human application of it is not; a reality that shouldn’t deter us from engaging in debate and staying informed. Rather; it should challenge us to raise our standards for how we speak about the issues—and those in office. It’s time to approach political divides with an extra measure of grace. Success begins with seeking God’s honor first and foremost; regardless of where we fall on the political spectrum. Don’t limit yourself to chatting about the weather.
#6353331 in Books 2002-04-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x .87 x 6.53l; 1.23 #File Name: 0802085164288 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive within its limits; fairly dry proseBy Craig MACKINNONThis book is exactly what the subtitle implies - a history of the Canadian army in Korea. As such; the scope is limited to army operations and the political background required to justify the Canadian government's commitment of ground troops in this war. There is very little about the forces of other countries involved except where they are intimately related to the Canadian brigade. This is a strength of the book - it has well defined boundries and is thorough within those boundries; including copious endnotes and sources. The maps are limited; but easily accesible (all collected at the beginning of the book; for ease of reference).The author is quite critical with the politicians both in Ottawa and Washington; as well as the middle-ranking officers (say; major to colonel) in the field and in the training camps. He is highly critical at the lack of training in Canada before shipping out; and the complacency that set in along the front in the final year and a half of the war. Interestingly; he does not blame the senior officers; but rather the politicians; for this complacency in the lines (not allowing vigourous offensive action while the peace talks were stalemated but continuing; even in the face of powerful Chinese attacks).For someone unfamiliar with the Korean conflict; this book would be inadequate. Bercuson seems to assume at least a cursory knowledge of the major events in the war. I would suggest Hasting's "Korean War" before reading this. Additionally; it seems a little strange to go into such detail on the army operations without mentioning Canadian naval and air forces. At 300 pages; surely he could have included this material - it feels incomplete without it. Finally; the prose is a little too dry.All in all; this is a good; but not great; book not up to the standard of the same author's Maple Leaf vs. the Axis.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Dr. Bercuson Needs A ProofreaderBy Michael DoroshOnce again; Dr. Bercuson has rushed another book into print; leaving readers to wonder whether his inability to get the small details correct should affect their ability to take him seriously on the larger issues.His colloquial style is a little jarring and seems put on; as if he is consciously trying to talk to the largest audience; eschweing his "intellectual" status. Perhaps he thinks that using soldier's slang will fool his readers into thinking his background was with the military (I am under the impression he is a labour historian; not a soldier). The whole text reads as if he didn't bother to proof it - clumsy mistakes; typos; and repetitive or silly phrases what usually get cut out on third or fourth reading.Bercuson seems to make a habit out of getting the small details wrong - in The Valour and the Horror Revisited he didn't know the difference between a DSO and a DCM; in Battalion of Heroes he miscaptioned at least two photos (The StuH IV and the returning RCA unit); and in this volume he talks about a "Mark IV" rifle (perhaps he means No. 4 Mk 1)?Bercuson ADMITS that he has not done all the research required when he tells us that no one has compared incidence of criminal behaviour in Korea with those in WW II. He tells that until that is done; "no one can conclude that Canadian soldiers in Korea were more; or less; inclined to break laws..." (p. 176) So why didn't Bercuson do it?And like Battalion of Heroes; there are no useful appendices; no lists of casualties (incidentally the one in Battalion of Heroes is very unreliable - I have updated the entire list independently and there were many errors); no list of decorations; significant dates; personalities; etc. Only two monochrome maps show Canadian locations/movements in Korea.In conclusion; a rushed job which does benefit from good primary research. One has to wonder though; if his conclusions; whether on the life of a soldier or the grand strategy; can be accurate given his poor grasp of details.
