Traced by Nathaniel T. Jeanson

Traced
by Nathaniel T. Jeanson

ISBN-13: 9781683442912
Hardocver: 252 pages
Publisher: Master Books
Released: March 11, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
What happened to the ancient Egyptians? When their civilization fell, did the Egyptian people disappear? Or do their descendants exist to this day? What about the ancient Persians? Romans? Mayans?

For years, the answers to these questions have been hidden. But no more. Nathaniel T. Jeanson, a Harvard graduate with a Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology, has discovered a DNA-based, generation by generation family tree for global humanity. This tree uncovers the origin and fate of these ancient peoples—and connects them to peoples alive today.

The fascinating research presented in Traced has additional far-reaching consequences for numerous contemporary debates. Traced shows that the races have changed multiple times in human history. Thus, “white”, “black”, “Asian” and other common descriptors lose their meaning in light of modern genetics. The genetics in Traced restores the indigenous histories to many obscure people groups and connects them back to specific ancestors in Genesis 10. Traced represents one of the strongest arguments in print for the recent origin of humanity.

Dive into the wild and emerging field of historical genetics and see how these recent discoveries on the fate of ancient civilizations end up uncovering the story of the whole world.


My Review:
Traced looks at what has been discovered about Y chromosome lineages and how this information helps to show people-group movements, mergings, and extinctions. Tracking genetic mutations and calculating mutation rates, biologists can estimate when certain Y chromosome lineages emerged and where their descendants moved (or stayed), giving a chromosomal-level view of early to modern history.

The author comes from the perspective of a young earth and biblical foundation for the origins of mankind. As in, after the Flood, the people groups were split and moved apart with Genesis 10 recording which groups went where. He tried to identify which lineages were which people groups in recorded history with findings about where various lineages occur providing some interesting insights into how much people got around in the ancient world.

He provided maps showing where the various lineages show up and about how much of the population in that area has that lineage. While I didn't completely understand how they figured out the timing on all the various splits to create the Y chromosome family trees, it's clear the author's put a lot of thought and research into it. The book focused more on trying to match the various lineages to known history. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in what DNA can tell us about our lineage.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Work of Your Hand by Jennifer Hall Rivera

The Work of Your Hand
by Jennifer Hall Rivera

ISBN-13: 9781683441571
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Master Books
Released: November 30, 2018

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Discover loops, arcs, whorls, and whys of God’s remarkable designs! Let your hands teach you more of what it is to be fearfully and wonderfully made.

There are special patterns on the skin of your hands and feet! These fingerprints and footprints are different for each one of us. Which Pattern Do You Have? God created three basic patterns: arch, loop, and whorl. A variety of these are found on each boy and girl. Now take a look at each pattern separately. Can you identify fingerprint patterns correctly?

Includes 23 pages of activity sheets for lots of fingerprint fun! Use non-toxic fingerprint ink pads.


My Review:
The Work of Your Hand is a book for kids about how fingerprints are unique and how to identify the different patterns. The first 21 pages of the book are a rhyming section telling about the 20 unique patterns found in fingerprints, how to spot them, and how our unique fingerprints point to God creating us. The last half of the book is activity pages. You use fingerprints with appropriate ink or paint (not included) to make art (plants, animals, vehicles, etc.). There's an area to put finger and footprints for one child. I'd guess that this book would most appeal to kids ages 5-8 just based on my own nieces, but the finger pattern information is useful even for adults. A younger child who doesn't mind 'big words' (as proper terminology is used) will also get something out of it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Global Flood by John D. Morris

The Global Flood
by John D. Morris

ISBN-13: 9781935587125
Hardcover: 175 pages
Publisher: Institute for Creation Research
Released: January 22nd 2013

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from ICR:
Why does the Genesis Flood Matter? The study of geology is a daunting task, especially when investigating ancient rock, strata, and fossils. What do the rocks and strata tell us about the geologic history of the earth? How do fossils help us unlock the mysteries of the geological catastrophes of the past?

For some, the thought of a worldwide flood is ludicrous. But for serious scientists who research the various formations of the earth and the catastrophic processes that shaped the world we see around us today, the evidence of a global flood is indisputable. The Global Flood presents that evidence in a way that clearly demonstrates why the biblical account of the Flood matters to all of us who want to understand and communicate the truth of the Genesis Flood with confidence.

The Global Flood helps to meet a great need today. It is comprehensive. It is aimed at those who are not experts in earth sciences. People everywhere need to understand the true significance of the year-long, mountain-covering Deluge that buried and fossilized trillions of marine and land animals and plants only a few thousand years ago. Over 95 percent of these fossils - even within sedimentary strata seen in the highest mountains of the world - are marine creatures! We don't need to stretch the creation week of Genesis 1 to allow for this. The fossils were formed after, not before, Adam! There's no need to add millions and billions of years to earth history.


My Review:
The Global Flood examines the evidence for the world-wide, biblical flood described in Genesis as the cause behind much of the strata and fossils often interpreted as requiring millions of years to create. The author started by describing some history of the study of geology and how different worldviews affect how the evidence in the present is interpreted. He then examined in detail what the Bible says about the creation week and the Flood which would indicate what we'd expect to see in the rock layers. He then examined the different rock strata: what's in it which would help indicate when and how it was formed, how evolutionist explain it, and how a worldwide flood (or the creation week or post-Flood activity) is a better explanation for how it was formed. The author also talked about things like world-wide flood legends in other cultures, tree ring dating, questions about where all the water came from or how the mountains could have been covered, etc.. The tone was not too technical to understand while still explaining a lot of detailed information. Overall, I thought this was a nice summary of the information, though I've read much of it elsewhere as well.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Your Guide to the Grand Canyon by Tom Vail, Mike Oard, Dennis Bokovoy, John Hergenrather

Your Guide to the Grand Canyon by Tom Vail, Mike Oard, Dennis Bokovoy, John Hergenrather ISBN-13: 978-0890515013 Hardcover: 190 pages Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group Released: October 1st 2008

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Exploring the Grand Canyon is a one-of-a-kind adventure. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the most amazing features on the face of the planet. The size and majesty of the Canyon is overwhelming, regardless of how many times you have viewed it, how many trails you have hiked, or how many river miles you have traveled. It is also a mystery! Most will agree that the Grand Canyon was carved by water. But how and when is where the mystery lies. Was it formed slowly over millions of years or quickly in a catastrophic event? This debate falls into two camps, which hold to vastly divergent worldviews. This True North Guide examines the geological and ecological evidence and lets you decide which of those worldviews is best supported by the data. Contains 26 fold-out pages with maps, special overlook features, and more! Discover the Canyon's wildlife, vegetation, fossils, geology, and history!


My Review:
Your Guide to the Grand Canyon is a guide to viewing the Grand Canyon and is written from a biblical, young earth viewpoint. The main part of the book is foldout pages showing the view from each viewing point in the park along with text describing points of interest, animals of interest, and giving the evidence seen from this viewing point that supports a catastrophic flood formation of the canyon. They point out when they think the various rock layers were formed within this biblical viewpoint and the places on the trails where fossils can be seen. The last pages in the book give a more detailed comparison of the uniformitarian evolutionist views and a creationist views of the canyon, and they discuss which best fits the evidence seen at the Grand Canyon. They talk about geology, fossils, dating methods, the ecology at the Canyon, the history, and more. Overall, I'd recommend this guide to anyone going to the Grand Canyon who wants to know the creationist explanation of what's being seen (rather than the evolutionary one provided at the park).


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The New Astronomy Book by Danny M. Faulkner

The New Astronomy Book by Danny M. Faulkner ISBN-13: 9780890518342 Hardcover: 96 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: October 17th 2014

Source: Bought.

Book Description from Amazon:
The universe is an amazing declaration of the glory and power of God! Beautiful and breathtaking in its scale, the vast expanse of the universe is one that we struggle to study, understand, or even comprehend in terms of its purpose and size. Now take an incredible look at the mysteries and marvels of space in The New Astronomy Book!

Discover the best ways to observe the heavens, along with up-to-date astronomical data and concepts

Learn about the dynamics of planets, stars, galaxies, and models for the cosmology of the universe

What we know and are still trying to discover about planets, moons, and comets within our own solar system.

If you watch the stars at night, you will see how they change. This speaks to the enormity and intricacy of design in the universe. While the stars appear timeless, they instead reflect an all-powerful Creator who speaks of them in the Bible. Many ancient pagan cultures taught that the changing stars caused the seasons to change, but unlike these pagan teaching, the Book of Job gives credit to God for both changing stars and seasons (Job 38:31-33). When Job looked at Orion, he saw about what we see today, even though he may have lived as much as 4,000 years ago.

Includes a 24-inch, full-color, pull-out poster!


My Review:
The New Astronomy Book is an educational book about astronomy aimed at homeschoolers. The author writes from a biblical (young earth creationist) viewpoint. The book has three levels of information for each chapter: Level I is for grades five and six, level II is for grades seven and eight, and level III is for grades nine through eleven. The author started off by talking about our solar system, with detailed information about our sun, moon, and the other planets in our solar system. He also talked about telescopes and studying the universe, the history of astronomy, the different types of stars and galaxies, nebula, extrasolar planets, quasars, star clusters, our galaxy, the speed of light and the age of the universe, and how the universe is expanding and ideas about the origin of the universe. The author often explained the varying views on a topic among evolutionist and creationist astronomers. There's a poster in the back that illustrates the planets of our solar system and their major moons. The book is full of amazing, full-color pictures. Overall, I'd recommend this is an interesting, informative book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The New Weather Book by Michael Oard

The New Weather Book by Michael Oard ISBN-13: 9780890518618 Hardcover: 96 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: April 1st 2015

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
- Did you know the hottest temperature ever recorded was 134° F (56.7° C) on July 10, 1913 in Death Valley, California?

- The highest recorded surface wind speed was in the May 3, 1999, Oklahoma tornado, measured at 302 mph (486 kph)!

- The most snow to fall in a one-year period is 102 feet (3,150 cm) at Mount Rainier, Washington, from February 19, 1971 to February 18, 1972!

From the practical to the pretty amazing, this book gives essential details into understanding what weather is, how it works, and how other forces that impact on it. Learn why storm chasers and hurricane hunters do what they do and how they are helping to solve storm connected mysteries. Discover what makes winter storms both beautiful and deadly, as well as what is behind weather phenomena like St. Elmo’s Fire.

Find important information on climate history and answers to the modern questions of supposed climate change. Get safety tips for preventing dangerous weather related injuries like those from lightning strikes, uncover why thunderstorms form, as well as what we know about the mechanics of a tornado and other extreme weather examples like flash floods, hurricanes and more. A fresh and compelling look at wild and awesome examples of weather in this revised and updated book in the Wonders of Creation series!


My Review:
The New Weather Book is an educational book about the weather aimed at homeschoolers. The author writes from a biblical (young earth creationist) viewpoint. The book has three levels of information for each chapter: I think that Level I is for grades five and six, level II is for grades seven and eight, and level III is for grades nine through eleven. The author started off by talking about how weather is created (temperature differences, Earth's rotation, etc.). He talked about the factors and technologies that go into making a weather forecast, the water cycle, the different types of clouds and how they form, warm fronts and cold fronts and how they interact, dewpoint, and fog. He explained what creates thunderstorms, lightning, thunder, hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, snow, sleet, and freezing rain. He also explained the differences between watches and warnings and provided safety tips for dealing with different weather situations. He ended by talking about climate changes in the past, different factors that might create global warming (not necessarily things humans can control, either), and the Genesis Flood and the Ice Age. There's a poster in the back that illustrates different types of severe weather. The book is full of amazing, full-color pictures. Overall, I'd recommend this is an interesting, informative book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The New Ocean Book by Frank Sherwin

The New Ocean Book by Frank Sherwin ISBN-13: 9780890519059 Hardcover: 96 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: February 20th 2017

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The oceans may well be Earth's final frontier. These dark and sometimes mysterious waters cover 71 percent of the surface area of the globe and have yet to be fully explored. Under the waves, a watery world of frail splendor, foreboding creatures, vast mountains, and sights beyond imagination awaits. Learning about the oceans and their hidden worlds can be exciting and rewarding the abundance and diversity of life, the wealth of resources, the latest discoveries, and the simple mysteries that have intrigued explorers and scientist for centuries. A better understanding of our oceans ensures careful stewardship of their grandeur and beauty for future generations, and leads to a deeper respect for the delicate balance of life that God created on planet Earth.


My Review:
The New Ocean Book is an educational book about the oceans aimed at homeschoolers. The author writes from a biblical (young earth creationist) viewpoint. The book has three levels of information for each chapter: Level I is for grades five and six, level II is for grades seven and eight, and level III is for grades nine through eleven. The book started by showing a map of the oceans and explained some basic information about oceans. The author then talked about how people have studied the oceans throughout history (from bottles to satellites), the different parts of the ocean (from the shoreline to the abysmal plane), and things like what's in seawater, how we have used seawater to make salt, where seawater comes, how freshwater comes from the oceans, and how icebergs are formed. He explained how the tides, waves, currents, whirlpools, tsunamis, and hurricanes work. He also talked about modern fishing practices, making energy from ocean tides and winds, and mining in the ocean. He talked about the different ocean zones and the types of animals found there as well as coral reef inhabitants and how the reefs grow or can be damaged. He ended with a chapter talking about how the Genesis Flood affected the oceans and how ocean life survived the Flood. There's a poster in the back that illustrates the different ocean zones and some animals found in them. Overall, this is an informative book full of excellent, full-color pictures.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Mineral Book by David McQueen

The Mineral Book by David McQueen ISBN-13: 9780890518021 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: New Leaf Released: December 19th 2014

Source: Bought.

Book Description from back of book:
The Mineral Book is a part of the best-selling Wonders of Creation Series! It has been developed for multi-level teaching, with special color-coding on three skill levels. This educational resource is filled with full-color pictures and illustrations, and can be used in the classroom, for independent study, or homeschool settings.

Created to make mineralogy accessible to beginners, students, and hobbyists as well as learn about the order and beauty of minerals shaped by the Creator and find out the properties of minerals, where they can be found, and how they are used, along with fun facts. Includes a 24-inch, full-color pull-out poster!

Minerals are a gift of God’s grace. Every day we touch them, seeing the diamond in an engagement ring or a copper chain with a cross on it. Minerals are touched on in video games like Minecraft® and Mineral ValleyTM, making them more a part of our daily experience.

Salt, one vital mineral, helps maintain the fluid in our blood cells and is used to transmit information in our nerves and muscles. Also, Jesus told his followers that we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), something thus needed for health and flavor. Here is a God-honoring book that reveals the first mention of minerals in the Bible, symbolic usages, their current values in culture and society, and their mention in heaven.


My Review:
The Mineral Book is an educational book about minerals aimed at homeschoolers. The authors write from a biblical (young earth creationist) viewpoint. The book has three levels of information for each chapter: a brief, basic introduction for young readers, a more advanced level with extended vocabulary, and an even more detailed level. The book started by talking about where we find minerals, both in the Bible and on the earth, and how we get and use minerals. The author then talked about what a mineral is, how to identify a mineral (including how to begin your own collection), mentions of minerals in the Bible, valuable minerals, and how geological creation research uses minerals to accurately date the world. There's a mineral identification guide at the end which included information like luster, specific gravity, color, hardness, streak, and crystal symmetry. There's also a periodic table of the elements and a poster. In each chapter, there were several minerals that were featured and included information like where it is found, what it is used for, fun facts, and mentions in the Bible. Overall, this is a interesting book even for adults and I think tween's and teens would really enjoy it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs

Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs by Bodie Hodge, Laura Welch Illustrator: Bill Looney ISBN-13: 9780890515587 Hardcover: 22 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: March 2nd 2011

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Amazon:
A fascinating presentation on dragons and their biblical connection will shed light on the truth of their existence and connection to the last living dinosaurs. Powerful, fire-breathing, fantastic beings that have left their legacy on this world and can now only be found in the pages of ancient texts.

Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs is a juvenile nonfiction title enjoyable for all ages! It takes you back to the days of these amazing creatures and their presence in various cultures including Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Read of thrilling historical battles between dragons, and saints, and their ability to terrorize medieval castles. This title is case bound and beautifully presented using original illustrations, envelopes, fold-outs, gatefolds, and more! 24 pages and 11 spreads of substantial quality, unique content, and all at a great


My Review:
Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs is a collection of accounts about dragons found throughout human history and about how the descriptions of dragons often match those of dinosaurs. The target audience is ages 8 through 12 (and older, including adults). The book has pages that flip out for larger illustration, doors that can be opened to see what is behind them, envelopes that contain folded accounts of dragons, and other interactive features. The authors included recorded legends about dragons found around the world, from ancient times to more recent ones. They even quoted where dragons are mentioned in the Bible. They also explained how an evolutionary viewpoint that dinosaurs died out millions of years ago prevented some people from making the obvious connection between dinosaur bones and dragon legends. Overall, I'd recommend this book to kids interested in dragons and dinosaurs.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Uncovering the Mysterious Woolly Mammoth by Michael & Beverly Oard

Uncovering the Mysterious Woolly Mammoth: Life at the End of the Great Ice Age by Michael Oard, Beverly Oard ISBN-13: 9780890515082 Hardcover: 72 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: June 1st 2007

Source: Bought it.

Book Description, Modified from Amazon:
How did the Ice Age end? How did men survive during the end of the Ice Age? Where have mammoths been found? Discover the science behind the Ice Age World. The questions of what happened at the end of the Ice Age and why the woolly mammoth disappeared have been asked by many. Unfortunately, the answers given are usually in line with an evolutionary world view. Author Michael Oard gives biblically and scientifically sound answers to these relevant questions for young readers in an exciting story of one boy and his family. Follow Tungus and his tribe as they travel to a better climate away from the dust storms at the end of the great Ice Age. Learn how people lived, the challenges they faced in daily life, and why the woolly mammoths disappeared while the Ice Age was ending.


My Review:
Uncovering the Mysterious Woolly Mammoth is a look from the biblical perspective at the causes of the Ice Age and what we know about how people lived during that time and what happened to the woolly mammoths. Much of this is written in a fictional account from the viewpoint of a 12-year-old boy living in what is now Germany and a 12-year-old boy who migrated with his family from Siberia. We see how they live now and the two tribes talked about how things changed in Siberia. Both the story and the nonfiction scientific explanation after it seemed aimed at 10- to 12-year-olds (and older).

The nonfiction section explained how the worldwide flood described in the Bible would create the correct conditions to cause an ice age and dust storms, the evidence of which we see still today on the landscape. The authors also talked about the mass extinctions of large animals around this time with a focus on the extinction of the woolly mammoth. The illustrations showed scenes from the story and had a realistic (though somewhat blurred) look. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those who want an overview of the science and archaeology of the Ice Age from a biblical perspective.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The True Story of Noah's Ark by Tom Dooley

The True Story of Noah's Ark by Tom Dooley, Bill Looney (Illustrator) ISBN-13: 9780890513880 Hardcover: 72pages Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group Released: June 1st 2003

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
God always has a plan; God always has a man. The plan: destroy the wickedness of the world. The man: Noah. How would you feel if you knew that God was going to destroy the world, and you had been chosen out of millions of people to continue the human race? This book is not just Sunday school material for kids, but the thrilling adventure of Noah comes to life through the dazzling, detailed illustrations and the exciting True Story of Noah s Ark. The images of the interior of Noah s ark are like nothing you ve ever seen before. The people and cities depicted here are certainly more advanced than what you ve been led to believe - these people weren t cavemen! They invented metals and musical instruments; they were skilled craftsmen; they built grand cities -all before the Flood. And this is not fiction - it s all biblically and historically based.


My Review:
The True Story of Noah's Ark is a children's hardback book about life before the Flood and the making of Noah's Ark. There were colorful illustrations along with text explaining what life would've been like before and during the Flood. The author used the information included in the Bible and then filled in some information based on reasonable speculation. Overall, I'd recommend this to any Christian who wants to have a children's book about this event as this book is more accurate than most and gives an accurate idea of how big the ark really was.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Footprints in the Ash by John D. Morris

Footprints in the Ash by John D. Morris ISBN-13: 9780890514009 Hardcover: 128 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: August 19th 2004

Source: Bought the book.

Book Description from Goodreads:
In the aftermath of the Mount St. Helens eruption and the subsequent glacier slide and mudflows, there remained a geologic gold mine for earth scientists. No natural disasters in recent history could compare with the variety of process which resulted from this tectonic and volcanic event. As creation scientists have carefully studied this geological phenomenon, they have concluded that Mount St. Helens accomplished the same sort of geologic work that biblical creationists attribute to Noah's flood. While this explosion was certainly much smaller in scale and intensity, many lessons were learned through this occurrence that help us understand the unobservable past. Journey back to this catastrophic event with scientists Dr. Steve Austin and Dr. John Morris and see what was discovered as they reconstruct the sequence of earthquakes, eruptions, avalanches, mudflows, and other geologic processes and unveil their fascinating research findings!


My Review:
Footprints in the Ash talks about how observations of events during and after the explosion of Mount St. Helens impact our understanding of how quickly various geological formations are created. The book had many photographs of the destruction and of the geological formations that were created in the aftermath. The author started by detailing the events of the eruption, like the start of the mud flow or the various catastrophic events that happened at Spirit Lake.

The author then moved on to the observations taken by the scientists at that time and in the years afterwards. He talked about how a certain sedimentation pattern or whatever would be explained if seen in places like the Grand Canyon, but we now know how quickly they form because we saw them form in a matter of hours or sometimes days.

He talked about rapid strata formation, rapid hardening of sediments into rock, rock deformation, the damage caused by flowing water and mud slurry, radioisotope dating on the new lava dome, rapid erosion of canyons into solid rock, rapid formation of Badlands topography, comparing it to the Grand Canyon, the rapid formation of peat and coal beds, the rapid formation of shoreline features, the rapid fossilization of trees and about petrified wood, and how quickly plants and animals returned to the ash areas. Overall, I'd recommend this very interesting book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Searching for Truth by Tim Chaffey, Colin Dyer

Searching for Truth by Tim Chaffey, Colin Dyer (Illustrator) ISBN-13: 978-1683440338 Paperback: 72 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: April 15th 2017

Source: Bought the book.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In a cultural climate that exalts personal preference above all else, here is a dramatic, visually stunning story that addresses issues and concerns of utmost importance as life meets truth. Discover why the Bible can be trusted as God’s Word, including its prophetic revelations, evidence of the supernatural, consistency over time, and the scientific and historical accuracy of its text. What makes the Bible unique and its account of truth different from all other religious writings is discussed through thought-provoking questions.


My Review:
Searching for Truth is a graphic novel. It uses a simple fiction story to present the gospel and some reasons to believe Christianity. Several college students are taking a course on world religions and get into a discussion about why one of them still believes in Christ. They bring up objections to Christianity that the professor has given, and the Christian provide a response. They cover topics like: are there errors in the Bible, is the Bible an accurate copy of the originals, is it scientifically and historically accurate, etc. They cover some of the evidence for the Bible, then the gospel is presented and one of the characters accepts Christ. The illustrations were colorful and realistic in style, and the comic format was quick and easy to read. Overall, I'd recommend this for tweens, teens, and adults who like this style.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Inside Noah's Ark by Laura Welch

Inside Noah's Ark by Tim Chaffey & Laura Welch ISBN-13: 9780890519325 Hardcover: 64 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: December 1st 2016

Source: Bought from publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Ark Encounter represents more than just a giant wooden ship it reveals important details about the viability of the Ark to function in and survive the forces of a global flood. Learn how ancient knowledge of bamboo pipes, cisterns, cage design, animal-powered machines, food storage, lighting, ventilation, and water systems reveal the ship was not just seaworthy, but also an actual working vessel.

The Ark Encounter will include over 130 exhibit bays within the ship that share Christian teaching and ship details, the designs of which have been done by a world-renowned designer whose work has also been showcased at theme parks like Universal Studios in Florida, and constructed with the highest quality.


My Review:
Inside Noah's Ark talked about what the scientists and researchers at the Ark Encounter think Noah's Ark would've been like. They explored various options for how the ark could've functioned within the specifications given in the Bible. They believe that mankind was technologically advanced, but they kept the technologies that they used as simple as possible. The book is highly illustrated with clear diagrams, illustrations, and pictures of the various features.

They covered topics like: what is an animal kind and how many animals would've been on the ark, how big those animals were, how much floor space was in the ark, how much food and water would have been needed, how water could be collected during the year they were on the ark, how would the food and water be stored and later provided to the animals, how would the cages be cleaned, how information and technology might have been preserved for after the Flood, how might the ventilation system and lighting work. Though a technical subject, this was written at a level that anyone should be able to understand, including teenagers. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Fearfully and Wonderfully by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey

Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God's Image by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey ISBN-13: 9780830845705 Hardcover: 264 pages Publisher: IVP Books Released: Aug. 6, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Discover this updated and combined edition of two bestselling books!

The human body holds endlessly fascinating secrets. The resilience of skin, the strength and structure of the bones, the dynamic balance of the muscles--your physical being is knit according to a pattern of stunning purpose. Now Gold Medallion winners Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image have been completely revised and updated to offer a new audience timeless reflections on the body.

Join renowned leprosy surgeon Dr. Paul Brand and bestselling writer Philip Yancey on a remarkable journey through inner space--a spellbinding account of medical intervention, pain and healing, and the courage of humanity. Discover here the eternal truths revealed by our seemingly ordinary existence. The human body is a window into the very structure of God's creation and a testament to God's glory.


My Review:
Fearfully and Wonderfully is a combined and updated edition of two of Dr. Paul Brand's previous books: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image. I've read other books by Dr. Brand, but not these two, so much of it was new to me. He talked about various parts of the body (bones, blood, brain, skin, etc.) and each of the senses. His descriptions create a sense of wonder at how marvelously God designed the human body. He also told stories about people he has helped that didn't have a properly functioning sense of pain (like his leprosy patients) or hearing or kidney or whatever. For each body part, he connected this information to references in the New Testament to the Body of Christ. He explained how understanding the human body has helped him better understand how the Body of Christ should function, and he shared theses interesting insights. I'd highly recommend this interesting and insightful book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Holy Noticing by Charles Stone

Holy Noticing by Charles Stone ISBN-13: 9780802418579 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: March 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Social media, TV, work deadlines, and family stress steal our enjoyment and engagement in the moment. Do you want to feel more present and connected to those you love? Do you want to feel less distracted, less busy, and more whole? Holy Noticing will teach you how to become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and environment, recognize Christ’s presence in the moment, and reduce your stress beveloping the ability to focus on God and people rather than tasks.

Many today think mindfulness is dangerous, unchristian, or associated with Eastern religions—and often it is! But Dr. Charles Stone reveals that the art of holy noticing—purposefully paying attention to God as he works in us, our relationships, and our world—is a spiritual discipline Christians have practiced for millennia. Holy Noticing explores the historically Christian and biblical roots of this lifestyle, as well as Dr. Stone’s BREATHe model, which teaches you to be more engaged with Christ in the everyday moments that too often slip right by us.


My Review:
Holy Noticing presents the benefits of being more present in the moment and seeing the needs around you (rather than rehashing the past or worrying about the future). The author's definition of Holy Noticing is "noticing, with a holy purpose, God and His handiwork, our relationships, and our inner world of thoughts and feelings."

The author talked about how Holy Noticing was practiced by early Christians and pointed out hints of it in the Bible. He then described a 20-minute daily practice that you can do while sitting relaxed, spending about 3 minutes thinking on the areas of: BODY - being aware of how your physical body feels, RELATIONSHIPS - assessing the health of your relationships, ENVIRONMENT - noticing your surroundings (sights, sounds, smells), EMOTIONS - acknowledging the emotions that you currently feel, THOUGHTS - noticing your current thoughts, and SPIRIT - assessing your relationship with God. Then you ENGAGE - paying attention to the people around you and God's promptings throughout the day.

Overall, the book was well done, though some of his examples weren't the best to illustrate his points. For example, he described a test that's used to show how you don't notice other things (distractions) when you're very focused on a task. But he drew the lesson from it that you don't notice the obvious when "distracted" by your task. Okay, true, but that's not quite the point of the test, so maybe something else would have illustrated his point better. I'd recommend this book to those who have been curious about secular "mindfulness" or even meditation practices but who want to stay within more historical Christian practices rather than practices influenced by other religions.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Noah Drake and the Dragon Killer by Ben Russell

Noah Drake and the Dragon Killer by Ben Russell ISBN-13: 9781540358080 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Createspace Released: Nov. 10, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the author.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Noah Drake loves dinosaurs and would like to dig up dinosaur bones someday. Then he discovered that real dinosaurs might still be around! While on vacation to Lake Champion with his family, he hears stories about Champ, a lake monster. He'd love to capture Champ, just like he captures dinos on a video game he enjoys. But he starts to rethink things when he meets two men who are set on killing Champ for fame and fortune. Noah Drake And The Dragon Killer is a middle grade to young adult story that teaches creation. You'll enjoy Noah Drake if you like Jonathan Park!


My Review:
Noah Drake and the Dragon Killer is a Christian middle grade adventure novel. The story follows a family during their eventful vacation to Lake Champion, where some of them see the local sea monster (Champ) and encounter some dragon hunters. Noah would love to capture Champ--like on a video game he plays--but the dragon hunters are out to kill Champ for fame and fortune. The "good guy" main characters were engaging while the "bad guy" characters were largely comical.

Several characters were Christians who believed that God created dinosaurs about 6,000 years ago and that we knew them by the name "dragons" until the 1800s. There was also a simplified explanation of why a character didn't believe in evolution. There was no sex, gore, or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this fun, engaging story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Censored Science by Bruce Malone

Censored Science: The Suppressed Evidence by Bruce Malone ISBN-13: 9780971591158 Hardcover: 110 pages Publisher: Search for the Truth Ministries Released: January 1, 2009

Source: Review copy received through a publicist.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Censored Science is a stunning designed, full-color book showcasing the fifty best evidences for a biblical creation worldview. Each two-page spread lays out the evidence for creation and then provides a rebuttal to the most common evolutionist objections to the evidence. The book is divided into three major sections - Censored Biological Evidence, Censored Geological Evidence, and Censored Cosmological Evidence.

Rather than a simple presentation of facts, Censored Science draws the reader into each subject using stories, analogies, and illustrations of the relevance for each of the evidences for creation. It has been technically reviewed and endorsed by some of the top scientists involved in creation research - including Dr. Steve Austin, Dr. John Baumgardner, and Dr. John Sanford.


My Review:
Censored Science is a coffee-table style book discussing 50 different problems with evolution and how the Biblical record (i.e. 6 days for creation and a world-wide flood) better explains the evidence. The book is full of colorful pictures. The text tends to summarize the information rather than give a fuller explanation, so this book is better for readers who prefer an overview. The author uses many analogies to explain complex concepts, so both teenagers and adults can follow the arguments.

This is probably best suited to those who have been taught about evolution but are open to hearing the young earth/world-wide Flood arguments. Anyone devoted to evolution will likely be turned off by some of the wording used to describe evolution and the lack of detailed, technical arguments. Overall, I'd recommend this book as a way to introduce interested "non-technical" teens and adults to these ideas.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome by Dr. J.C. Sanford

Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome by Dr. J.C. Sanford ISBN: 9780981631608 Trade Paperback: 248 pages Publisher: Feed My Sheep Foundation, Inc. Released: March 1, 2008

Source: Bought through the Answers in Genesis bookstore.

Book Description, Modified from Amazon:
Dr. John Sanford, a retired Cornell Professor, examines the "Primary Axiom." The Primary Axiom is the foundational evolutionary premise -- that life is merely the result of mutations and natural selection. In addition to showing compelling theoretical evidence that whole genomes must in fact degenerate over time, this book strongly refutes the Darwinian concept that man is just the result of a random and pointless natural process. This is an updated version of the October 2005 edition and includes both a new appendix and glossary.


My Review:
Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome is essentially a science book looking at how genomes degenerate over time and how this is a problem for macro-evolution theory. He started off with a fairly basic explanation of how mutations and natural selection are supposed to create new, beneficial information. I think anyone could follow this. He then delved into the reality of genetic mutations and how even a beneficial mutation wouldn't survive the overall degeneration of the genome to do any good.

Even as someone who took some college level biology and genetics classes, I had to concentrate hard to follow all of what he was saying. It helped that he'd use common-place analogies to explain his point for a lay person, but I think you have to be very interested in the topic to read it completely through. It'll probably most appeal to those who work with genetics or in biology.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Into the Amazon DVD

Into the Amazon DVD 4 DVD set Length: 300 minutes Publisher: Vision Forum Ministries Released: 2011

Source: Bought through Answers in Genesis.

DVD Description from Publishers Website:
Join Doug Phillips and his team of thirty men on an adventure you will never forget — to the Amazon jungle, high into the Andes Mountains, and to the Great Peruvian Desert — and bring your entire family! Explore piranha-infested rivers and vampire bat caves, discover strange insects and fascinating plant life, fly over the strange Nazca lines, and encounter the remains of pagan civilizations that continue to negatively influence modern cultures. Together your family will discover why the Amazon is one of the most controversial places on earth, and your children will learn the truth in the battle between radical environmentalism and biblical Christianity.


My Review:
Into the Amazon follows a tour group of 30 men as they explore the Amazon, the Inca Stones, Great Peruvian Desert, the Nazca lines, and Machu Picchu. The visual was nicely done overall, but sometimes the audio was difficult to hear due to people in the background making noise or when the sound dropped when those speaking turned their head or moved too fast.

The focus of the series was primarily "biblical dominion versus radial environmentalism." Don't expect a creation science focus, though the speakers do come from a biblical viewpoint.

The first disc contained the episodes: "The Mystery of the Meaning of the Amazon" (15 minutes and 35 seconds) and "The Mystery of the Lost Legacy of Adventure & Dominion--Part One and Two" (22 minutes 34 seconds). This disc was mainly aimed at men. Much of it was Doug Phillips standing in front of a tree giving a lecture on some of the history of the exploration of the Amazon and on what he feels is the biblical view of dominion and adventure. (What he qualifies as dominion and adventure seemed very narrowly defined to me.) It also included the group hiking in the Amazon and not turning back soon enough. They ended up lost in the dark and, after having fun being lost for a while, they finally used their GPS to get home.

The second disc contained the episodes: "The Mystery of the Strange Creatures of the Amazon" (34 minutes) which showed some captive animals up close, then we follow their trips out to find some wild animals. They were successful at finding monkeys and cave bats but not at finding anacondas. In "The Mystery of the Plants of the Amazon" (22 minutes), we're shown a variety of plants and told how they are used medically by the locals. In "The Mystery of the Lost Tribes (21 minutes, 21 seconds), we learn about remote Amazon tribes and about missionary efforts to these tribes. We follow the group as they go to a remote village to offer a medical clinic (though we only briefly see the medical clinic).

The third disc contained the episodes: "The Mystery of the Inca Stones, the Nazca Lines, and the Great Peruvian Desert" (25 minutes 9 seconds) which follows the tour group as they study the Inca Stone collection and discuss them, fly over the Nazca Lines and discuss them, and play in the Great Peruvian Desert and look for whale bones there. "The Mystery of Machu Picchu" (29 minutes 38 seconds) gave a detailed tour of Machu Picchu. While Doug Phillips stated some things as fact that archaeologists don't all agree on, he did a nice job of showing the viewer all over Machu Picchu. This disc was more what I had been expecting of the whole series, and I enjoyed it a lot.

The fourth disc contained some bonus clips of other things they saw (mainly things in the cities they went through) and episode trailers.


If you've watched this movie, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Movie Trailer: