The paperback version of my book is now out.
A lot has been said and written about it - mostly from people who haven't ever read it. That has been a challenge because the book is not fundamentally a White House book or a Bush book - I don't even enter the White House until half-way through the book and leave a couple chapters before it ends. The book is a very personal story of my own experience living with the constant temptation to use my faith as a political tool and to use my politics as a tool for my faith. I hope that as people revisit the book, those things will begin to emerge in the conversation about the book.
I've been looking through reviews and stumbled across this one from the NYT that captures it well:
“Tempting Faith” turns out to be an engrossing piece of religious autobiography and a revealing, sometimes unnerving window into evangelical Christian culture.
Here is another one:
this poignant, compelling memoir has bigger themes... it shows how readily someone with the best intentions and noble purposes can be caught up in the heady world of Washington politics -- to the detriment of family life and the warping of deeply held convictions. ...his book doesn't seem like sour grapes so much as a confession and a heartfelt plea for people to wake up. Christian political leaders are simply politicians, he says, and never the special pastors many evangelicals would wish them to be. A wise and refreshingly candid book, Tempting Faith is a parable about the limits of politics and the genuine demands posed by faith.
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Okay - I'll take advantage of that offer as well, if you don't mind. I also bought the hard-cover version - something I rarely do. ;-) At least two other family members also read it during a weeklong vacation in Mexico the week after the book was released. I think we all would agree with the reviews posted above.
One thing I do remember feeling slightly frustrated about after finishing the book is the lack of recognition given to all the people who choose to work in community-based nonprofits, schools, and agencies that are not "faith-based" but clearly dedicated to improving the lives of children, families, and seniors. I've been working in the not-for-profit sector in several states for more than 20 years and the lion's share of my colleagues have been women and Democrats. These are quiet soldiers who may or may not be Christians but have chosen to devote their lives to good work at the expense of comfortable retirements and luxuries today.
I don't really know what my exact gripe is at this point because I really appreciate what I perceive as a growth in perspective I have observed on this blog over the last several months. I guess I needed to get that perceived oversight off my chest. As always, no offense intended, David. And I do strongly recommend the book to others.
I told David on another thread that I just picked up his book for a $1 (.98 cents U.S.) at a used bookstore. Nonetheless, in the interests of Christian stewardship, before I kissed my loonie goodbye, I raced home and measured the bottom of my parakeet cage, just in case...
Though I care for you deeply David, your book was used to to catipult Democrats into power in the last mid-term elections. The Leftist press had a field day with it. It was used as 100% Bush-bashing.
Please do not help the Democrats do to America and Americans what they desire.
Donny
Did you ever think that David is just calling things as he sees them, Donny?
Oh, and trying to make a living in the process?
Neither of which, last I recall, are sins.
I'm just finishing another book and I'll be reading yours David. I've heard good things...can't wait!
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