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morganrondo's review
5.0
This was the most interesting book I've read so far this year. A.J. is a compelling writer, and he certainly did his research. My only complaints are he said some insects have four legs and snakes are poisonous, but that's just the biologist in me nitpicking.
ohnopatrick's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading about the author's experience in trying to live the Bible 100% literally. Even down to stoning an old guy in a park (with tiny rocks, didn't hurt him). It's a funny look at Judaism and Christianity from a secular point of view and how living religiously changes you even if you don't believe.
shesnotthere's review
5.0
This is the only book I've ever read where I would tell someone I was reading this book (and it didn't matter if they were religious or not) that they would pause and immediately change the subject. I don't know if they thought the book would mock the Bible (which it doesn't) or make me some hard core religious fanatic (which it didn't). But I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny, insightful, heartfelt and absolutely fascinating. I can honestly say that I learned more about religious culture in this book than in any other book I've ever read or class I've taken. It has made me more aware and tolerant of other beliefs, which was something I didn't expect when I picked up this book. I most certainly will be reading A.J.'s other books. Absolutely an awesome book!
darastar's review
4.0
Quite a good read - it makes me want to go back and read "The Know-It-All", because he keeps referencing that (his earlier book).
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounded up.
I've long been intrigued by Jacobs' books. An author, taking a theme and embracing it for a year or so, then detailing it in a book. What a way to gain some insight vicariously, and possibly laugh a bit while doing it. Thankfully, this title was finally available through one of my libraries, and it fulfilled my expectations.
Jacobs ably narrates his own title (and I'm hoping he narrates his other audiobooks too). In the beginning (ha!), he describes himself as agnostic, and that's probably pretty close to my religious slant. I'd say that he nailed his quest to literally follow the bible. I learned a number of weird and arcane biblical suggestions/commandments, and am impressed by Jacobs' ability to deal with them all, as well as to admit when he had failed. Also, kudos to his wife, who seemed to put up with a ton of stuff many women would not.
I've long been intrigued by Jacobs' books. An author, taking a theme and embracing it for a year or so, then detailing it in a book. What a way to gain some insight vicariously, and possibly laugh a bit while doing it. Thankfully, this title was finally available through one of my libraries, and it fulfilled my expectations.
Jacobs ably narrates his own title (and I'm hoping he narrates his other audiobooks too). In the beginning (ha!), he describes himself as agnostic, and that's probably pretty close to my religious slant. I'd say that he nailed his quest to literally follow the bible. I learned a number of weird and arcane biblical suggestions/commandments, and am impressed by Jacobs' ability to deal with them all, as well as to admit when he had failed. Also, kudos to his wife, who seemed to put up with a ton of stuff many women would not.
hmgelo02's review against another edition
5.0
I am not a religious person, and if pressed to classify myself into some category I'd have to categorize myself as agnostic: unsure of what my specific beliefs are, but not willing to say that there is or is not a God or higher being reigning supreme. Perhaps because I'm still searching to figure out where my beliefs lie, I find myself drawn to books about religion and other peoples' quests to figure out the whole religious movement thing. So when a friend recommended this book to me I immediately downloaded my copy to my Kindle.
When I found myself between books I decided to give it a read. And I pretty much didn't stop. I really loved this book. AJ Jacobs, self-described as "Jewish in the way Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant", has decided to devote a year of his life to living the Bible literally... or as literally as one can do without breaking modern day American laws and estranging his wife and every other person in his life. This book chronicles his journey from being a complete and total skeptic of most things Biblical to a more self-aware, willing-and-eager-to-pray, and educated-about-the-Bible man (even if he did focus more on the Old Testament than on the New Testament).
As with other books of this type, where an individual dedicates a year to living as others mandate, I'm in awe that someone can give up control of their free will to do more than just take the advice of a few, but jump in with both feet to fully immerse himself in a lifestyle that is at once foreign and uncomfortable.
This book was filled with obscure Bible verses and rules, information about groups that attempt to follow the Bible literally and others that have taken bits and pieces to fit their beliefs and lifestyles, and how Jacobs has decided to live out his own version of a Biblical life. I was really expecting his writing to be more snarky and judgmental, but it wasn't. He attempted to seek out perhaps some of the more extreme followers of Judaism and Christianity, leaving the moderates somewhat unexamined, but here is where I understand that there are many who devote their entire lives to the study of the Bible; to attempt to fit it all into the space of one year (and a couple weeks) would be impossible.
If I have any criticism of this book at all, it would probably be the way Jacobs has thrown in pop culture references and trivia, which felt - to me - to be his way of making sure his readers know that although he's grown a nearly unmanageable beard and now wears white robes with tassels hanging from its corners, and bound laminated copies of the Ten Commandments to his forehead and hand, he's still just another average American guy. They weren't necessary; we knew from upfront that his Biblical self "Jacob" was not synonymous with "AJ", his lustful, prideful, prone-to-lying, envious-of-others, writing-for-Esquire self.
In short, this was a fascinating read, and I can guarantee that I'll be reading his other books as well.
When I found myself between books I decided to give it a read. And I pretty much didn't stop. I really loved this book. AJ Jacobs, self-described as "Jewish in the way Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant", has decided to devote a year of his life to living the Bible literally... or as literally as one can do without breaking modern day American laws and estranging his wife and every other person in his life. This book chronicles his journey from being a complete and total skeptic of most things Biblical to a more self-aware, willing-and-eager-to-pray, and educated-about-the-Bible man (even if he did focus more on the Old Testament than on the New Testament).
As with other books of this type, where an individual dedicates a year to living as others mandate, I'm in awe that someone can give up control of their free will to do more than just take the advice of a few, but jump in with both feet to fully immerse himself in a lifestyle that is at once foreign and uncomfortable.
This book was filled with obscure Bible verses and rules, information about groups that attempt to follow the Bible literally and others that have taken bits and pieces to fit their beliefs and lifestyles, and how Jacobs has decided to live out his own version of a Biblical life. I was really expecting his writing to be more snarky and judgmental, but it wasn't. He attempted to seek out perhaps some of the more extreme followers of Judaism and Christianity, leaving the moderates somewhat unexamined, but here is where I understand that there are many who devote their entire lives to the study of the Bible; to attempt to fit it all into the space of one year (and a couple weeks) would be impossible.
If I have any criticism of this book at all, it would probably be the way Jacobs has thrown in pop culture references and trivia, which felt - to me - to be his way of making sure his readers know that although he's grown a nearly unmanageable beard and now wears white robes with tassels hanging from its corners, and bound laminated copies of the Ten Commandments to his forehead and hand, he's still just another average American guy. They weren't necessary; we knew from upfront that his Biblical self "Jacob" was not synonymous with "AJ", his lustful, prideful, prone-to-lying, envious-of-others, writing-for-Esquire self.
In short, this was a fascinating read, and I can guarantee that I'll be reading his other books as well.
kat_fields's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
This was wacky, and, at times, amusing. Jacob's wife might be a saint.