Book Review: One of the Few: A Marine Fighter Pilot's Reconnaissance of the Christian Worldview

I like books about aviation but not much military topics. So when I was approached by the author to review his book "One of the Few: A Marine Fighter Pilot's Reconnaissance of the Christian Worldview," I told myself maybe this would spark my curiosity. And I took that as an honor.  My interest was piqued and I just had to find out what the novel was about.

Jason B. Ladd is a Christian apologist,  a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, a war veteran, a father, a husband, a brother, and a son.

The first few parts of the novel was light and nostalgic in a child-like manner as the author recounts his growing up days being a son of a military man.  His story about years spent in Japan and how he met his wife was a testament of the kind of person the author is - loving, respectful, gentleman, and loyal, not only to his family but also to his partner, and most especially, to his country.

The novel is split in 3 parts:

Part 1 - Seek and you shall find
As stated by the author, it is a look into his childhood in a military family.  It chronicles his journey as a spiritual seeker, his journey in the Marine Training, his constant battle with seeking his spiritual place whilst knowing what is right or wrong.

Part 2 - Be not deceived
In this part, the author is more descriptive of the worldview on spirituality, the right and wrong, the morals and values, Science versus Faith, and how worldview affects every facet of life.

Part 3 - Always be ready
This is the final part of the book where the author presented all his knowledge and experience on warfare and peace, and how to ready yourself with your own spiritual warfare.


As the story progressed, I got more hooked on how he went through with his adulthood, how he faced life in college, how his spirituality fizzled, how he wanted to have his own family, and how to complete his training as a US Marine to be a service man. I really enjoyed reading the time when he was training to be a Marine because as an ordinary citizen, I have no iota of a clue of how rigorous the trainings were and that how those training would push you to the very edge until you snap (or be molded as a stronger and better person). I had a clearer realisation of what goes on in a Marine's life, how those training shaped their strength and will power. So, my hats off to them!

I like that even if there were moments that he had to relay his experience in the military, and about flying, he explained them as clear and specific as possible that I felt I was there, witnessing and feeling them all. And later on, I felt his inner battle when he was serving the military as a Marine versus to what being a Christian would do when faced with imminent danger or eye-to-eye with death.

The struggles of the author with his spirituality pulled a string in my heart as I grope with my own struggles about my faith.  And to read a book that somehow resonates a deep sense of "seeking" for the truth in terms of my spirituality, really strikes a chord.

The book is engaging while being technical and specific, strict and yet tender when it comes to the people he loves and the country he serves, and serious when it comes to seeking the truth about his faith. I love the book. I somehow see a part of myself in the author's spiritual struggles. I like how the author would break each chapter with various quotes and bible verses that left me reflecting.

I feel that the book is really written well and is a very good read. It's a long read, yes, but a very good one, even young readers can read it especially those who are dreaming to serve in the military. And for those who have been questioning their own spiritual "disconnection" (like myself...), I highly recommend this book to you. It gives you a deeper meaning on the complexity of your desire to acknowledge a Higher Being and abandoning that pride that keeps you away from reaching that spiritual breakthrough.

And to end this review, I just want to share this quote from the book:

"I found love twice on the Nishiki River. The first was my love for Karry. The second was God's love for me."

You will enjoy reading this book... I have.

Publisher: Boone Shepherd

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Page count: 318

Publish Date: November 2015

The book has endorsements from John Njoroge of RZIM, Frank Turek of CrossExamined.org, Michael Licona, and Melissa Cain Travis of HBU, Steven Garofalo of Reason For Truth, and LtCol (ret.) Karl Johnson of the C.S. Lewis Institute.

www.OneoftheFewBook.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016X0HL84/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26253930-one-of-the-few

*Disclosure*

I was given a free e-book by the author, Jason B. Ladd, in exchange of my honest/unbiased review.

Free Rainbow Recipe Book

It's nice to get something free once in a while and it's even nicer when you're going to get a free recipe book to use when planning and cooking up a storm of meals for your lovely family and friends!

Subscribe and get a free Rainbow Recipe Book now!

My Favorite - The Art of My Neighbor Totoro Book

My family and friends will vouch for my love of anything Totoro. I just love this fuzzy "thing" (because I don't know what "it" is exactly) that I have gone loco buying trinkets, blankets and stuff in Tokyo during our last visit. However, something has to complete my love in full circle and it has to be this collectible The Art of My Neighbor Totoro book.

This artbook is a collector's item. Every anime lover out there and ardent fans of Studio Ghibli will be happy to own one of these artbooks. I'm just glad I bought one and it's nestled very nicely on my bookshelf along with my other collections.

The artbook has plenty of illustrations created for the movie - My Neighbor Totoro. It's colorful and I love reading the info about how they came to be.

Let's say I'm one happy owner! I want more artbooks! I'll definitely buy other artbooks and perhaps I'll buy them from New York, in that small bookshop near Times Square and the name escapes me right now. They carry affordable artbooks there too for less than $50! Yes! This one is around $90 so I think I'll buy some in Manhattan.

Book Review: Tough Guys and Drama Queens

Photo credit: Booksneeze.com

I never thought that raising a teenager is like riding a roller coaster. One minute, you're up and the next thing you know, you're emotions are all going down the drain. That's how it feels like dealing with my own daughter.

I am glad I got this free book. I thought I was prepared to enter the battle but I was totally wrong. This book gave me the insights on how to deal with my own teenager and to be able to come out of the battle victorious.

The author, Mark Gregstons, uses picturesque words to describe the ordeals of dealing with a teenager and his tips on how to tackle unwarranted behavior, dangerous activities and malicious curiosity of today's teens.

The book presents viable tips to parents to reinforce positive relationships with their own teens and how to cope with their volatile behavior. Not only that the book is full of advise, tips and wisdom coming from a man who dealt with every face of teen angst and rebellion, and explains everything through his eyes as a founder and councilor of Heartlight, a center for teens with issues.

I highly recommend this book to parents who have teens or even those who have none as a means to better understand today's youth. 

The book was given to me complimentary by Thomas Nelson Publication via Booksneeze.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

Old-Fashioned Reading

I call myself old-fashioned when it comes to reading books. I know that technology has evolved tremendously over the years and reading books is not confined to printed materials anymore.

The advent of the world wide web created an avenue for avid readers to read their favorite journals, novels, magazines and articles electronically. Websites for book lovers sprouted the past few years and they are offering various e reader applications to download to your e-book reader, tablet, mobile or PC to read digital edition of books, magazines, articles and journals.

I have a tablet but I still cannot bring myself to read e-books. I still frequent my favorite book stores in Dubai and US. I find immense joy in reading books after books in print because I can write notes on them and add them in my book collection.

Book Review: The 360° Degree Leader

Every person has the potential to be a leader but do we actually know that we have it in us to lead? The 360 degree Leader by John C. Maxwell points out the things we can do to start leading from where we currently are in the organization. We do not necessarily have to be on the top to show our leadership skills. This book shows us how to lead exactly where we are.

The aptly titled book is a good read with valuable insights of the author to help us achieve our leadership potential. John C. Maxwell presents the theories and know-how in sections showing every direction one can lead to become a 360 degree leader. He has written the book well and can easily be grasped as he gives examples

I will not elaborate on the sections as I highly recommend this book to book-lovers out there to read especially those who are aiming for promotion, working their way around and up the corporate world and simply to improve one's personal influence and confidence to lead and tap the hidden leadership skill.

The book also offers free personal leadership assessment with a code to use when you visit the site www.360degreeleader.com. Unfortunately, my copy did not have the code to use so I was unable to get an assessment for myself. It would have been very helpful to know myself first before I read the book because I would have more understanding of the theories and information written if I could have a comparison of myself to what was told in the book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this book and realized so many things about being a leader from where I am now.

The paper-back book is 360-pages thick, printed on not-so-fancy white paper. It is easy to carry around for a good read and one can always refer to it if required for recollection of the things learned on leadership. This is published by Thomas Nelson.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255