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812 reviews for:
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible
A.J. Jacobs
3.76 AVERAGE
812 reviews for:
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible
A.J. Jacobs
3.76 AVERAGE
At the outset, it seems that trying to live according to a literal interpretation of the Bible is a ridiculous thing to do—-Jacobs acknowledges that and then demonstrates it pretty well and mostly humorously. Jacobs’ writing is generally light, so I think that the average reader’s response will depend on how interesting they find the project to be in general—-for example, I didn’t like his book The Know It All (covering his project to read the whole encyclopedia) because reading the encyclopedia sounds like torture and reading a summary of reading the encyclopedia didn’t rank a lot higher. This one was more interesting to me and although it seems like it’s about a weighty topic, it too is pretty light and entertaining.
A fascinating book about an agnostic Jew who decided to live biblically, learning about the extremes in belief, understanding the struggles of different faiths, and experiencing both life and death, and how his journey transformed him, maybe. I wish the book had more of a wrap up and reflection of his journey, because when it ended, I wanted more of what he thought about the whole journey.
I was expecting much more irreverence having read some of the author's previous books. However, I was surprised at how seriously the author took his endeavor to live following Biblical rules. There were certainly moments of humor, but it was surprisingly insightful and made me have many moments considering spirituality.
I really enjoyed this thoughtful book. I'm sure that it probably wouldn't appeal to a fervent christian, but as a non-believer who nonetheless likes to read about religious experience, this book made me appreciate the bible more than I already did. And just like any human creation, the foibles of the Bible were also enjoyable to read about.
I have read other memoirs of a comtempletive life, and would compare this one favorably with The Closter Walk by Kathleen Norris.
I have read other memoirs of a comtempletive life, and would compare this one favorably with The Closter Walk by Kathleen Norris.
I expected a book that would be making light of the inconsistencies of the Bible. Instead I got a diary of a man who really tried to change his life to be more like the Bible says. It becomes a unique discussion about what the Bible really means and does following the Bible improve your life. The author is very respectful of the topic, but is not some zealot about religion. In honesty, he pretty sounds like the guy on the street. What fun to read.
This sounded like a lot of fun, and it was. I had moments of doubt in the beginning of the book--I was afraid the admittedly agnostic, conventionally liberal Jacobs would poke heartless fun at believers of whatever stripe. I was afraid perhaps I'd feel like my own faith had been attacked. Well, I do not. It is true that Jacobs is (still) mostly agnostic and liberal. He still thinks the religious right in America is not too far from the Taliban. But his open-minded, open-hearted, endearingly goofy quest to live the Bible for a year brought him into contact with some pretty wacky people and beliefs--and Jacobs often handled the results with candor, but also with a genuineness and sympathy that surprised me (and himself as well!). One of his favorite people he met during the year was a snake-handler in Tennessee.
I enjoyed this very much. Jacobs now describes himself as a "reverent agnostic" I think he's closer to true belief than he knows. He emerged from this a very different person--kinder, more open, more grateful, more understanding. Delightful journey, and delightful and funny account of it.
I enjoyed this very much. Jacobs now describes himself as a "reverent agnostic" I think he's closer to true belief than he knows. He emerged from this a very different person--kinder, more open, more grateful, more understanding. Delightful journey, and delightful and funny account of it.
I liked that he wasn't actually able to stick to every commandment totally... but that also kind of annoyed me! I felt like he gave up pretty easily on some of them.
Funny and entertaining book though. And a lesson that the Bible cannot just be taken literally.
Funny and entertaining book though. And a lesson that the Bible cannot just be taken literally.
funny and really easy to put down and pick back up hundreds of times (i had to stop in the middle of many sentences to help customers) and still easy to read.
Some books have titles that seem rather obscure, others too clever, while there are those which promise much but lead to disappointment. The title of this book, while being a precise description of the contents, also implies a combination of humour and spiritual seeking, and I was intrigued from the moment I first spotted it.
The contents did not disappoint me. Jacobs is a witty writer, and, though one cannot know the truth of what was left in and what was omitted, seemingly frank. He disarmingly outed himself as obsessive, which helped explain why he would want to attempt a literal Biblically-ordained year, and he made no pretence over his motivation. His goal was to publish a book about the experience. Added to this, however, was a secular interest in religion and a curiosity about whether he had ‘a hidden mystical side’.
The introduction outlines how he decided on and began the project, and gives his plan to spend eight months on the Old Testament followed by four on the New Testament. Jacobs chooses a couple of people to be his principle advisors, realising that it’s not only beneficial to have ‘guides’ but is endorsed in the Bible. As it says, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Jacobs concludes that he ‘will try to find the original intent of the biblical rule or teaching and follow that to the letter.’
After the introduction Jacobs takes the reader on a month by month journey through his year, which one could describe as a full-immersion experience. In the process he tackles food, clothing, cleanliness (e.g. not touching anyone or anything that might be ritually unclean), fertility, prayer, greed, truth, paying wages, and many other areas that have “Do’s” or “Do not’s” attached to them. At the same time, he investigates other people’s interpretations of the rules and regulations. Thus we read about shatnez (mixed fibre) testing and we visit Amish country. Jacobs also goes to Israel, he infiltrates Thomas Road Baptist (Jerry Falwell’s church), and learns to blow a ram’s horn, among various other diverse things.
Throughout, Jacobs explores ethics and morality in everyday experiences such as ‘when is a lie not a lie?’ and genuinely caring for one’s neighbour. He observes the Sabbath and in the process learns how to stop being a workaholic. It’s these, coupled with some very funny descriptions of his own bumbling, that make the book such a joy to read. The book has supplied anecdotes for my sermons, and is promised on loan to a growing list. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in religion and its mysteries, and who is comfortable seeing humour mixed with religion. It’s a thoroughly good read.
The contents did not disappoint me. Jacobs is a witty writer, and, though one cannot know the truth of what was left in and what was omitted, seemingly frank. He disarmingly outed himself as obsessive, which helped explain why he would want to attempt a literal Biblically-ordained year, and he made no pretence over his motivation. His goal was to publish a book about the experience. Added to this, however, was a secular interest in religion and a curiosity about whether he had ‘a hidden mystical side’.
The introduction outlines how he decided on and began the project, and gives his plan to spend eight months on the Old Testament followed by four on the New Testament. Jacobs chooses a couple of people to be his principle advisors, realising that it’s not only beneficial to have ‘guides’ but is endorsed in the Bible. As it says, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Jacobs concludes that he ‘will try to find the original intent of the biblical rule or teaching and follow that to the letter.’
After the introduction Jacobs takes the reader on a month by month journey through his year, which one could describe as a full-immersion experience. In the process he tackles food, clothing, cleanliness (e.g. not touching anyone or anything that might be ritually unclean), fertility, prayer, greed, truth, paying wages, and many other areas that have “Do’s” or “Do not’s” attached to them. At the same time, he investigates other people’s interpretations of the rules and regulations. Thus we read about shatnez (mixed fibre) testing and we visit Amish country. Jacobs also goes to Israel, he infiltrates Thomas Road Baptist (Jerry Falwell’s church), and learns to blow a ram’s horn, among various other diverse things.
Throughout, Jacobs explores ethics and morality in everyday experiences such as ‘when is a lie not a lie?’ and genuinely caring for one’s neighbour. He observes the Sabbath and in the process learns how to stop being a workaholic. It’s these, coupled with some very funny descriptions of his own bumbling, that make the book such a joy to read. The book has supplied anecdotes for my sermons, and is promised on loan to a growing list. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in religion and its mysteries, and who is comfortable seeing humour mixed with religion. It’s a thoroughly good read.
This is a great documentation of the author's year long journey into religion and finding faith. My favorite parts were his reflections on how the experience was changing him, making him more patient, thoughtful and mindful of his life.