CGS Library New books March 2022

  Robert Alter, professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at UC Berkeley, has had a distinguished career of critical scholarship and translation. He has won the PEN Center USA Literary Award for Translation and the Koret Jewish Book Award for Translation. His translations of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) are universally hailed as a “godsend”, “thrilling,” “illuminating,” and “masterpiece.” Below are four titles, gifts from Elena Danielson, that will be important additions to our library and our other Alter translations.
Alter, Robert. Ancient Israel : the Former Prophets, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings : a translation with commentary. 222.077 Alt
Alter, Robert. The five books of Moses : a translation with commentary. 222.1077 Alt
Alter, Robert. Strong as death is love : the Song of Songs, Ruth, Esther, Jonah, Daniel : a translation with commentary.  221.5209 Alt
Alter, Robert. The Wisdom books : Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes : a translation with commentary. 223.077 Alt
Berrigan, Daniel. Isaiah : spirit of courage, gift of tears. 224.106 Ber
  "The Dan Berrigan of public protest and media flash point is, happily, known to us all. In this book is the less visible Berrigan, the one who reads Scripture with fresh eyes, who cherishes images and phrases of faith with attentiveness, who echoes the prophetic cadences of dangerous faith." ---Walter Brueggemann
"Good scholarship, good scripture, good soul! Dan has again shown us how to put them all together. Is this perhaps Isaiah redivivus? Who else could do it but Dan Berrigan?" ---Richard Rohr, O.F.M. author of Radical Grace
Bocko, Joseph. Luther’s small catechism with African descent reflections.  265.54 Boc
  In connection with the observance of the five hundredth anniversary of the Reformation events initiated by the 95 Theses, a distinguished group of African descent Lutheran theologians gathered at the offices of the ELCA to explore and reflect on Luther's Small Catechism.  While continuing to affirm the gift of the Small Catechism in the life of the Church, they recognized that the meaning of these explanations of Christian faith could and should be broadened to address the historical, cultural, and linguistic experience of Lutherans of African descent, both on the African continent and in the diaspora.
Brown, Brené. Atlas of the heart : mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience.  158.12 Bro
  An Amazon Best Book of December 2021: In Atlas of the Heart Brené Brown unpacks the complex web of emotion, behavior, and thoughts that are triggered by our experiences, and gives us the nuanced language to fully understand our feelings and express them to others. At first glance, this seems like a very thorny subject, but Brown engages the reader through anecdotes, humor, and data to create a narrative that makes total sense. The book’s map metaphor and chapter titles guide readers through the places we go when we are experiencing different emotions, illustrating how a seemingly singular emotion or experience—regret, for example—has multiple categorizations (six in this case), each of which feels distinct from the others. As I read Atlas of the Heart I had the overwhelming sense that Brown “got” me so clearly it gave me the chills, and I think others will also feel seen, understood, and changed for the better by what this book has to offer. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor

Chang, David, and, Bryan Lee. Cataracts : a patient’s guide to treatment. 3rd ed.  617.74 Cha
  Even though cataract surgery is performed several million times a year, it is common for patients to have questions, concerns, and misconceptions when it comes to the surgery. This useful resource covers the most commonly asked questions with clear, understandable explanations.
  Two of the country’s foremost cataract experts, Dr. David F. Chang and Dr. Bryan S. Lee, walk readers through the procedure and explain why cataracts form, how they are diagnosed, how they are treated, and what other eye conditions may affect cataract surgery, all in a way that is easily understandable for patients and their families.
Duffield, Jill J. Lent in plain sight : a devotion through ten objects. 240.34 Duf
  "In this thoughtful new book, ten objects, common in our life and in the life of Jesus, mark a way of prayer through Lent: dust, coins, oil, thorns, and even towels. Duffield invites us to reflect on love, redemption, and God's promise in these simple, ordinary things, reminding us of the simple, ordinary, yet extraordinary reality of the gospel in our everyday lives"-- Heidi Haverkamp, author of Holy Solitude: Lenten Reflections with Saints, Hermits, Prophets, and Rebels
Duncan, Lenny. United states of grace : a memoir of homelessness, addiction, incarceration, and hope.  267.554 Dun
  "In this passionate memoir, Lutheran pastor and social justice advocate, Duncan shares his unconventional life journey in order to illustrate the beauty and horror of life in the United States...He is fierce in both his criticism of America's institutions and his love for its people. This lyrical testament to life as 'a blind date with mercy' will challenge and inspire." [Starred Review] --Publishers Weekly
"Lenny Duncan's tale of escape from the miserable lot that life dealt him is reminiscent of Claude Brown's Manchild in the Promised Land--powerful and beautifully told--but with a twist: Duncan's triumph comes through an encounter with redemption. I can hardly imagine a more profound story of salvation. You will be inspired by Duncan's strength but also jolted by his anger that the odds are so heavily stacked against all who are trapped by oppression and injustice. This is the work of a truly gifted writer." --Tom Gjelten, Religion Correspondent, NPR News
Hamilton, Adam. The Lord’s Prayer : the meaning and power of the prayer Jesus taught.
    226.96 Ham
  “In this book Adam Hamilton continues his passionate pastoral exposition of faith. As in his previous work, this book is attentive to the text, wisely concerning the human condition, and accessible for any serious reader. Like every good preacher, Hamilton’s work teems with suggestive anecdotes that function to connect the world of the text and the life of the reader. In this book Hamilton is doing important work for us whereby Jesus can “teach us to pray.” Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

Hanna-Jones, Nikole. The 1619 Project : a new origin story.  973 Han
  #1 New York Times Bestseller • A dramatic expansion of a groundbreaking work of journalism, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story offers a profoundly revealing vision of the American past and present.
  One of the Best Books of the Year: The Washington Post, NPR, Esquire, Marie Claire, Electric Lit, Ms. magazine, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist
Harris, Jessica. High on the hog : a culinary journey from Africa to America. 641.59
  "Our leading historian of African-American cooking continues her quest to trace the multiplicity of ways that American food has been enriched-and in many ways created-by the Africans who were forced to immigrate to North America and their descendants." - Vogue.com 
  "In High on the Hog, the inimitable Jessica B. Harris tells the story of the African American diaspora from the perspective of an accomplished food historian. Food, she tells us, is a metaphor for society. If so, I can't think of a better one. From slave food to Taste of Ebony, this is a gripping saga laced with descriptions of food that will make your mouth water." - Marion Nestle, NYU professor and author of Food Politics and what to Eat
Levine, Amy-Jill. Witness at the cross.  232.925 Lev
  This is a timely and important introduction to the events of Holy Friday. Levine’s approach is scholarly yet personal, theologically sophisticated yet devotional. She does a masterful job sorting through the perspectives of the Gospel writers, showing readers what each evangelist accentuates and the things each writer wants us to think more deeply about and to question when it comes to our own experience of the world today. This is the best possible resource for either reflective reading or a study group.
Rev. Dr. John S. McClure, Charles G. Finney Professor of Preaching and Worship, Emeritus, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Prejean, Helen, Sister. Dead man walking : an eyewitness account of the death penalty in the United States.  364.6609 Prej
    It would be difficult to find a more powerful and moving attack on capital punishment than this plea for its abolition by a nun. Prejean was working with the poor when she began corresponding with Patrick Sonnier, a convict on death row. Before long, she had become his spiritual adviser and, while not condoning the crime of which he was convicted, spearheaded the unsuccessful attempt to have his sentence commuted. After Sonnier's execution, Prejean counseled Robert Willie, another condemned man, until he too went to the electric chair. Her well-publicized efforts on these men's behalf drew resentment from the victims' relatives, but she was sensitive to their continuing pain as well; she played a major role in setting up a victim assistance program in New Orleans. Yet Prejean remains an absolutist on the death penalty: ``Killing by anyone, under any conditions, cannot be tolerated''—Publisher’s Weekly. 
Rajashekar, J. Paul. Ed. Luther’s small catechism : an exposition of the Christian faith in Asian contexts and cultures.  265.54 Raj
  This volume is a contextual reading of Luther's Small Catechism with Asian eyes, in which an ardent attempt is made to enlarge the meanings and significances of Catechism by taking account of Asian realities, especially the context of religious pluralism (which Luther was vaguely aware of) as well as a wide range of societal issues like poverty, patriarchy, inequality, ecological crisis, and other pressing issues facing Asian Churches. Surely, this volume will serve as a relevant instructional material for Asian Christians on the basic articles of Christian faith. 
Theoharis, Liz, ed. ; foreword by William Barber. We cry justice : reading the Bible with the Poor People’s Campaign.  261.8 The
  "Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis is a towering love warrior and freedom fighter for precious poor people in the bowels of the American empire. This rich collection of essays is a powerful cacophony of prophetic voices that prefigure our beloved community." --Cornel West, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair, Union Theological Seminary, New York City
  "In these pages, an impressive group of contributors reminds us that we cannot talk about the love of God without taking seriously the need for justice for all God's children, especially the poor, the vulnerable, and the voiceless." --The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church and author of Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times.
  "The book is an invitation to reflect in fresh ways on the urgency of faith and on the demanding crisis we face concerning issues of justice. This book is not to be 'scanned.' It is to be lived with while the justice-working, world-transforming Spirit of God does its relentless, indefatigable work." --Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
Thomaskutty, Johnson. An Asian introduction to the New Testament.  225.7 Tho
  "We all read from a location. The contributors to this important volume demonstrate the significance of Asian approaches to interpreting the New Testament, and not only for Asian Christians. Of special consequence are the affinities between Asian values, life experiences, and texts and New Testament realities: honor and shame, family and community, persecution and perseverance, colonialism and resistance, poverty and pain. I highly recommend this unique, eye-opening, and helpful guide to the New Testament." --Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary's Seminary and University.
  "An Asian Introduction to the New Testament breaks new ground and creates a much needed and long-awaited space for Asian voices in the study of the New Testament. This book captures the realities of a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and the pluralistic contexts of Asia. It is an essential resource for those of us teaching New Testament texts, as it locates the growth of Christianity in both Jewish and Asian contexts and brings forth a unique perspective that is critical to the study of New Testament." --Sharon Jacob, Pacific School of Religion
                              
                                               Children’s books
Erlander, Daniel. Come to the water, little one : my Holy Baptism board book.  J 234.161 Erl
   Using simplified images from Let the Children Come and Water Washed and Spirit Born, this book gives families a way to read and talk about the special bath called baptism. Daniel Erlander’s illustrations are accompanied by simple rhyming story created by Pastor Mary C. Lindberg.
Erlander, Daniel. A place for you, little one : my Holy Communion board book. J 234.162 Erl
  This colorful and inviting board book introduces young children to holy communion with its welcoming message: "There’s a place for you!" Using simplified words and images from the original edition of A Place for You, this book gives families a way to read and talk about the special meal of Jesus with their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Tout, Patricia. Pick a pine tree.  J [Fic] Tout
    Ages 3-7. A story about picking out the right tree for Christmas. With a pop-up Christmas tree.