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813 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
813 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
funny
reflective
medium-paced
I was intrigued when I first saw the title of this book and after purchasing it and beginning to read it, I became fascinated with it. The very concept of Mr Jacob's experiment is interesting even to those people who don't consider themselves religious or even particularly knowledgeable in the area. And I felt like it was me that was living the experiment. I too am agnostic in my beliefs and I felt that the author's reactions to what he experienced during his year were the same as how I would react. He is puzzled by the same things that I would be and asks the same questions I would ask. That connection to me as a reader is the mark of a good writer and Mr Jacobs succeeds brilliantly. The book itself is humorous without being silly. Sometimes the humor is subtle while other times it hits you right between the eyes. Highly recommended.
I didn't like the conversational tone, peppered with phrases like "So anyway,..." or "I'll get to that later." This is not a magazine article, or an IM- if you're going to get to it later, then just talk about it later, and maybe use transitions to build up to it.
He tries to live by the Bible literally... when he feels like it. He picks and chooses about lying, certainly (It's ok to lie to a kindly Jewish man who just wants to pray with you, but when your wife's friend suggests that you all hang out, you feel the burning need to be an ass and say 'no' in front of your wife? Because honesty is so important? Ugh. Not to mention that the old man has helped you out- checking for mixed fibers and offering the weird thing with the bird's egg. But no, once you get what you came for- all in the pursuit of the book, you don't need him anymore.)
Conclusion: no one can really take the Bible literally- for lots of reasons. That's about all it boils down to.
He tries to live by the Bible literally... when he feels like it. He picks and chooses about lying, certainly (It's ok to lie to a kindly Jewish man who just wants to pray with you, but when your wife's friend suggests that you all hang out, you feel the burning need to be an ass and say 'no' in front of your wife? Because honesty is so important? Ugh. Not to mention that the old man has helped you out- checking for mixed fibers and offering the weird thing with the bird's egg. But no, once you get what you came for- all in the pursuit of the book, you don't need him anymore.)
Conclusion: no one can really take the Bible literally- for lots of reasons. That's about all it boils down to.
This was recommended to me years ago, so it was about time I checked it out
It seemed at times like this book lacked focus, and I wasn’t sure there’d be much of a takeaway. But the author ended up wrapping it up nicely, and I learned a lot about the Bible along the way. I also found some parts pretty entertaining. Overall, it was worthwhile. I just don’t recommend reading it on an airplane when you’re sitting next to a stranger... :P
This book is hysterical. I'm not usually a fan of nonfiction, and I bought this one on impulse. I was not disappointed.
Read for book club. This was pretty amusing, and he actually gets some pretty good insights - which you might not expect, given his smart-alecky attitude going into the project.
reflective
medium-paced
medium-paced
I'm not sure what all to say about this book. First, it is smartly told. The author keeps his spiritual journey lighthearted and witty, and isn't afraid to make himself the butt of the joke on occasion.
Second, he has done his research. He frequently consults a large "spiritual advisory board" of rabbis, pastors, and professors to guide him. He dove into the Bible and all of Jewish law from having lead a secular life, and he recognized that he needed guidance. He also did enough research to realize - and acknowledge - that while trying to follow the Bible's teachings all as literally as possible makes for a good book, it is doubtful that is what God, Jesus, and Moses intended. He engages in numerous half-page to 3-page essays and reasoned debates with himself and his advisory board on some of the more contested bits of Biblical directive. I admire his willingness to examine and draw conclusions.
Third, he shows respect for every person and subject he touches on. Some get more respect than others, but he tries to find - and reveal to the reader - motivations or reasoned understandings of WHY several of the fringe Jewish and Christian groups believe what they believe and act the way they act.
I recommend this book to anyone, Christian or not, who is curious about the Bible when viewed through the lens of a modern man attempting to follow it to the letter. And I then encourage you to actually read the Bible and draw your own conclusions.
Second, he has done his research. He frequently consults a large "spiritual advisory board" of rabbis, pastors, and professors to guide him. He dove into the Bible and all of Jewish law from having lead a secular life, and he recognized that he needed guidance. He also did enough research to realize - and acknowledge - that while trying to follow the Bible's teachings all as literally as possible makes for a good book, it is doubtful that is what God, Jesus, and Moses intended. He engages in numerous half-page to 3-page essays and reasoned debates with himself and his advisory board on some of the more contested bits of Biblical directive. I admire his willingness to examine and draw conclusions.
Third, he shows respect for every person and subject he touches on. Some get more respect than others, but he tries to find - and reveal to the reader - motivations or reasoned understandings of WHY several of the fringe Jewish and Christian groups believe what they believe and act the way they act.
I recommend this book to anyone, Christian or not, who is curious about the Bible when viewed through the lens of a modern man attempting to follow it to the letter. And I then encourage you to actually read the Bible and draw your own conclusions.