david
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The Book of Books: The Radical Impact of the King James Bible, 1611-2011
- By: Melvyn Bragg
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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The King James Bible has often been called ‘the Book of Books’ both in itself and in what it stands for. Since its publication in 1611 it has been the best-selling book in the world, and many believe it has had the greatest impact.The King James Bible has spread the Protestant faith. It has also been the greatest influence on the enrichment of the English language and its literature.
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The Bibles cultural influence on our lives
- By david on 11-25-11
The Bibles cultural influence on our lives
Reviewed: 11-25-11
I must say that I am a confirmed sceptic. However I did have a religious period (Jehovah's Witness) in my life and reckon I had a reasonable and defensive knowledge of scripture. But I little realised the generational influences and past degree of Biblical intrusion in Western cultural development. The appeal to Biblical authority as Western thought processes and lifestyle evolved is more significant than I had realised.
Bragg's book develops the history of translational battles, church divisional arguments, language use and modern scholastic studies which are fascinatingly researched and developed. The multiple Biblical versions and their use in sectarian warfare is related with skill and interest. American development was strongly influenced by religious concept and no doubt accounts for the still strong religious belief (at least to my Australian comparison) which steers attitude and politics today.
I learned a lot and to some extent it fed my sceptical state of mind that, after all, the Bible is not the inerrant 'Word of God' that I used to 'witness' about in my youth. Bragg, (though an attitudinal sceptic himself) criticises Dawkins' attitude towards the Bible but I would support Dawkins on that issue. Anyone with an agenda can find a Bible passage that will support that agenda and Bragg illustrates examples with skill. Such Biblical 'authority' has given cause to violence and tragedy excused in the name of God.
Well read with a pleasing voice by Stephen Thorne and a fascinating book with interest levels for Christian or sceptic.
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2 people found this helpful
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Forged
- Writing in the Name of God - Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are
- By: Bart D. Ehrman
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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It is often said, even by critical scholars who should know better, that “writing in the name of another” was widely accepted in antiquity. But New York Times bestselling author Bart D. Ehrman dares to call it what it was: literary forgery, a practice that was as scandalous then as itis today. In Forged, Ehrman’s fresh and original research takes readers back to the ancient world, where forgeries were used as weapons by unknown authors to fend off attacks to their faith and establish their church.
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Faith shaking
- By Fletch on 09-05-12
- Forged
- Writing in the Name of God - Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are
- By: Bart D. Ehrman
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
great work for christians and non believers
Reviewed: 08-26-11
I have bought all Bart Ehrman's books that I know of. And continue to re read them (well listen anyway - plus one on kindle) As a former Jehovah's Witness (fulltime pioneer) I also had a 'no fault' belief in the scriptures and if there was a question raised it was my fault or the Watchtower society hadn't given me the answer yet! Barts methodological process of highlighting biblical errors and why they are there have been helpful. He hits items I also found (that star over a building to identify where Jesus was - can you identify a specific country a star hovers over never mind a town or building). Context and historical background is essential and justified. There has been scholarly justification for some errors and forgeries but these excuses are rejected and clear arguments for that decision given. Bart's academy and erudition gives all you want if you haven't had the formal training. All his arguments he justifies and yet its at a lay level but adds to your personal knowledge and can test at the edge of your own education making it an interesting, challenging but educative read. Very well recommended.
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7 people found this helpful
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Paleontology
- A Brief History of Life
- By: Ian Tattersall
- Narrated by: Brett Barry
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Ian Tattersall, a highly esteemed figure in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, and paleontology, leads a fascinating tour of the history of life and the evolution of human beings. Starting at the very beginning, Tattersall examines patterns of change in the biosphere over time, and the correlations of biological events with physical changes in the Earth's environment.
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great summary of where we are with understanding
- By david on 06-25-11
- Paleontology
- A Brief History of Life
- By: Ian Tattersall
- Narrated by: Brett Barry
great summary of where we are with understanding
Reviewed: 06-25-11
I was surprised how listenable this book was in audible. I did have to have a paleo chart on hand to get a better picture and follow the audio along but the book has taken me to a new place of understanding. Technical for me as an interested amateur I enjoyed the challenge. Well worth the price and exactly as described in the title.
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6 people found this helpful
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Jesus, Interrupted
- Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible
- By: Bart D. Ehrman
- Narrated by: Jason Culp
- Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Picking up where Bible expert Bart Ehrman's New York Times best seller, Misquoting Jesus, left off, Jesus, Interrupted addresses the larger issue of what the New Testament actually teaches...and it's not what most people think. This is the book that pastors, educators, and anyone interested in the Bible have been waiting for, a clear and compelling account of the central challenges we face when attempting to reconstruct the life and message of Jesus.
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Take a college course in New Testament in a book
- By R. Reed on 04-09-09
- Jesus, Interrupted
- Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible
- By: Bart D. Ehrman
- Narrated by: Jason Culp
Ehrman interrupts Jesus
Reviewed: 06-25-11
I have been absolutely enamoured with this book since I download it. Listened more than twice and really enjoy the academic analysis of the 'holy' book. I am an ex Jehovahs Witness and reckoned I knew my (Watchtower) trained scriptures well. It's scary to think the volume of people who hang on the Bible as a truth as to where we are going and what we are. Well argued, intriguing and fascinating the Ehrman work is really on the ball when making its case. It should appeal to seekers of the real truth in all phases of life.
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1 person found this helpful
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The Voyage of the Beagle
- By: Charles Darwin
- Narrated by: Richard Dawkins
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Abridged
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The Voyage of the Beagle - or, to give it its full title, Journal of researches into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries visited during the Voyage round the World of H.M.S. Beagle under command of Captain FitzRoy, R.N. - is much more than merely an account of Darwin's scientific observations in his 1831 - 36 travels across the globe: it is fine travel writing in its own right.
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Glimpses of a great mind at 22
- By Margaret on 08-16-10
- The Voyage of the Beagle
- By: Charles Darwin
- Narrated by: Richard Dawkins
With Charles and Richard on the journey
Reviewed: 03-28-11
Really fascinating. It illustrates the high academic standard Darwin achieved prior to his Beagle journey. His excellent diary style, acute observations added to by easy reading skills make this much better than I would have hoped. Richard Dawkins makes an excellent narrator and his own scientific knowledge obviously assists in correct emphasis and pronouniciation. I had anticipated some dryness and that a bit of endurance might have been called for but nothing of the sort. Lots of human interest, adventure and exploration with the added threats of sail and risks of the time add considerably to the readabilty. Well recommended.
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4 people found this helpful
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The Creation Story
- The Bible Experience
- By: Inspired By Media
- Narrated by: Matt Gibson
- Length: 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Hear the drama of the story of Creation like never before! Drawn from the award-winning production of The Bible Experience, this selection includes the seven days of Creation and the creation of Adam and Eve (from the Genesis 1-2).
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Ok
- By Cassandra on 09-28-15
- The Creation Story
- The Bible Experience
- By: Inspired By Media
- Narrated by: Matt Gibson
bible reading only
Reviewed: 03-28-11
this is merely a bible reading and despite it being free is not worth the download space.
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1 person found this helpful
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Bad Astronomy
- Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing 'Hoax'
- By: Philip Plait
- Narrated by: Kevin Scullin
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Dr. Philip C. Plait sets the record straight on many modern hoaxes and myths. Appalled that millions of Americans don't believe in the moon landing, or that an egg stands on its end only on the vernal equinox, Plait hilariously spills the truth and informs us of scientific inaccuracies in our everyday vernacular.
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Answers to the astronomy questions that matter.
- By Steven on 12-07-10
- Bad Astronomy
- Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing 'Hoax'
- By: Philip Plait
- Narrated by: Kevin Scullin
not just astronomy
Reviewed: 03-17-11
I think Philip has done a diservice with the title. It's not just about astronomy! Debunking commonly held misconceptions is intelligently performed and delightfully achieved. It's a great listen on my audible ipod when the family want to make television noises and I can't escape. One by one my urban myth misunderstandings were corrected and replanted. Well done for a geat listen and an academic approach that challenges. Being a recent convert from a religion to scepticism this book happily satisfied my itches for information in th real world
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13 people found this helpful
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Why Darwin Matters
- The Case for Evolution and Against Intelligent Design
- By: Michael Shermer
- Narrated by: uncredited
- Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins
- Abridged
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Columnist and publisher Michael Shermer, once an evangelical Christian and a creationist, argues that Intelligent Design proponents invoke a combination of ad science, political antipathy, and flawed theology in their new brand of creationism. He refutes their pseudoscientific arguments and then demonstrates why conservatives and people of faith can and should embrace evolution. Why Darwin Matters is an incisive examination of what is at stake in the debate over evolution.
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TOTAL MISREPRENTATION: WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?
- By Theo Tsourdalakis on 09-04-11
- Why Darwin Matters
- The Case for Evolution and Against Intelligent Design
- By: Michael Shermer
- Narrated by: uncredited
Darwin does matter
Reviewed: 03-09-11
Michael Shermer lives up to his reputation as a communicator with an unscientific public such as me. His arguments are clear and specific. Necessarily this is not a debate but his singular demolition of anti Darwin arguments is effective. I used to be a creationist and gave public discourses on the creation arguments so know them well. As an ex Jehovah Witness I used to have the emotional appeals well rehearsed and it took time to let go of such head virus stuff. Michael and others have helped greatly. Really enjoyed this listen and recommended.
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5 people found this helpful