Summer tIME rEADING!

Summertime Reading
Summertime is a time for reading. Each summer I put together a list of certain subjects I want to cover before the summer ends. Among these subjects include Texas history, biography, World War II, biblical studies, and at least one work of fiction. Here’s what I’m reading or read this summer to stay out of this withering Texas heat:
This I read a couple of volumes of fiction. Usually don’t read a lot of fiction but Tom Clancy had a new book out this year so I read his Against All Enemies. It’s not part of his Jack Ryan series but a good work nonetheless. Just think about our worst nightmare: Al Qaeda partners with the largest drug cartel in Mexico. Enough said. But an ex-Seal is on the hunt. This past week I got a small paperback book Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia. It’s the basis of a new movie starring Robert Duvall and Lucas Black. To say it’s a story about golf would miss the point. It’s full of life lessons. Its gospel centered. I am looking forward to seeing the movie when it opens September 3.
My friends no I love World War II history so no summer would be complete if I didn’t read from that genre. This summer I read three books on the Second World War: 11 Days in September: Christmas at the Bulge, 1944 is the story of the Allied response to the last German counteroffensive on the western front during the war. I may have read it trying to get some relief from the Texas heat! The author is Stanley Weintraub a noted historian on World War II. He retells the story of Patton’s Third Army that stopped fighting the Germans head on and pivoted ninety degrees to cut off the German bulge. He even includes a chapter on Patton’s famous prayer for good weather telling the Lord: “Sir, you have to make up your mind whose side you’re on.” But mostly he uses new documents and interviews to tell the story of the ordinary citizen soldiers who made the difference. We should be grateful for all they have done. In Jonathan Jordan’s book, Brothers, Rivals, Victors he describes the partnership between Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley that led the American forces to victory in Europe. The three men began the war as longtime friends. But by the time V-E Day came they were barely talking to each other. Jordan describes how they argued and fought each other while at the same time vanquishing the Wehrmacht. It was both triumphant and tragic. When Patton died in December 1945 from injuries received in an automobile accident, Patton’s widow Bea refused to let Ike visit. It’s a reminder that even our heroes are human. Sir Martin Gilbert is one of my favorite historians; he is official biographer of Winston Churchill. In the spring I found a copy of Gilbert’s, Winston Churchill, Road to Victory, 1941-1945. Meticulously researched it reads almost like a daily diary of Churchill’s actions during the war. He is bluntly honest on the differences between Churchill and FDR. A must for anyone who loves Churchill or World War II.
I also try to read something related to Texas history each summer. This year I read David Stokes book, The Shooting Salvationist, the story of Dr. J. Frank Norris, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas for most of the first half of the 20th century. He was the first American mega church pastor. It was controversial. He was indicted three times. This is the story of his murder trial. He shot an unarmed man in his study at church. He was indicted and tried for murder in the late 1920s. This is the story of that trial. I had heard bits and pieces of this story my entire life. This is the complete history of that story. All I can say is that it is fascinating.
Summer is baseball time. I always try to include a book about baseball in my summer reading. This year I read two baseball bios: Jane Leavey’s The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood and George Vecsey’s, Stan Musial: An American Life. Mantle is a hero of mine from when I was a kid. He lived in Dallas in the off season. Leavy is sensitive to his struggle with alcoholism with shirking from telling his tragic story. She also details how Mickey got his life under control in the last 18 months before he died, going through Betty Ford, getting things right with his family and trusting Jesus. Vecsey’s book tells the story of a humble superstar, Stan Musial one of the greatest players in major league history. Musial is often overlooked by fans today. This bio will remind them of a man with humility and talent.
Finally I always try to read something in biblical studies and theology each summer. Because I am teaching from Genesis 1-11 this fall I read Kenneth A. Matthews, Genesis 1-11 New American Commentary. It’s been a longtime since I read a commentary cover to cover, but I did this year. It is a treasure of biblical exegesis, theological reflection and personal application. The last book I read this summer was actually a reread. Every year I try to read or reread from one of three: J.I. Packer, C.S. Lewis and Carl F. H. Henry. This was a Packer summer for me. So I reread his Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. It is a great essay from the reformed view on the Christian duty of evangelism.
What are you reading this summer? What should I read this fall? Love to hear your thoughts.